Page 1083 - Politics
JK govt withdrawing Cong leaders' security cover to hamper their poll campaign: Mir
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress Tuesday accused the state administration of withdrawing the security cover of several party leaders to hamper their poll campaign, specially in militancy-hit south Kashmir. "The governor's administration has deliberately withdrawn the security cover of Congress leaders in J&K," said J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Gulam Ahmed Mir. Mir is contesting election against former chief minister and PDP candidate Mehbooba Mufti from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in the militancy-infested south Kashmir. "The move amounts to restricting the movement of Congress leaders in the upcoming elections, which is not only serious, but highly condemnable," he added. Questioning the "the state and Central government move of the removal of security cover to its leaders," Mir lodged a strong protest and said it would endanger the lives of many J&K party leaders and functionaries. It has also been reported that the security covers of senior leaders and ...
Proposed panel to probe complaints against CIC a conspiratorial attempt to kill it: Ex-IC
Former Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu has written to President Ram Nath Kovind against "conspiratorial attempt" of the government to "kill" the Central Information Commission through proposed committees under IAS officers to hear complaints against Information Commissioners. Taking note of reports, Acharyulu said the proposed panels would reduce the CIC to the level of a "glorified clerk without glory". "I request the President of India to save RTI by insulating CIC from these kinds of onslaughts from the government and their subordinate officers trying to prevent people from asking for embarrassing disclosures using RTI. This attempt is highly undemocratic, unconstitutional and smacks of high-level dictatorship and authoritarianism. This must be totally opposed," he said. Acharyulu termed the move to be against the Right to Information (RTI) Act, and violative of letter and spirit of the Constitution which gave independence to information tribunal. "It is a ridiculous ...
Ex-Navy Chief urges EC to take action against Yogi for his 'Modi ji ka Sena' remark
Former Navy Chief Admiral L. Ramdas has written a letter to the Election Commission (EC) over Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's reference of the Indian Army as 'Modi ji ki sena' (Narendra Modi's Army) during a public rally in Ghaziabad on March 31."As one of the most senior most former Chiefs of the Armed Forces, I consider it my duty and responsibility to bring to your notice the fact we, the armed forces of the country, owe our allegiance only to the Constitution of India," Admiral Ramdas said in the letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, while expressing concerns over the "growing politicisation" of armed forces.Underlining that the armed forces are not a "private force" belonging to any individual or political party, Admiral Ramdas said any suggestions over the same was completely unacceptable."I am sure that you will take suitable action as soon as possible to arrest such irresponsible actions," he stated.Adityanath courted controversy when he ..
Congress announces candidates for Goa, UP by-elections
The Congress party on Tuesday announced the names of two candidates who will be contesting the by-election to the Legislative Assemblies of Goa and Uttar Pradesh.The party declared Babi Bagkar as the candidate from Mandrem legislative assembly seat in Goa, which goes to poll on April 23.Moreover, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) announced the name of Atal Shukla as its candidate from Nighasan legislative assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh.The polling in 80 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh will be held during all seven phases--April 11, 18, 23, 29, May 6, 12 and 19.Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
We've delivered; we'll deliver: Sam Pitroda on promises in Congress manifesto
Sam Pitroda, a confidant of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday said that his party holds the capacity to deliver on the promises made in its Lok Sabha poll manifesto including job creation and a minimum support income of Rs 72,000 for poor families."Don't underestimate our ability to deliver. We promised we will deliver. We have delivered in the past and will deliver in the future," Pitroda told ANI after Congress released its election document."Who created telecom jobs? How did we get from 2 million telephones to 1.2 billion," he asked.He gave credit to Congress governments in the past for India's strides in food, agriculture and space sectors.Attacking BJP, Pitroda, chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, said, "All that these people (BJP leaders) can do is, talk."The Congress manifesto focuses on job creation, the welfare of farmers and the poor.The party has promised to fill 4 lakh vacancies in the central government and institutional vacancies before March 2020 if voted to ...
LS polls: CPM alleges MCC violations by BJP, writes to EC
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday shot off a letter to the Election Commission (EC) over what it called certain "brazen" violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), barely about a week before the 17th Lok Sabha election commences.Nilotpal Basu, a member of the Polit Bureau of the CPI-M, addressed the letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. He listed a couple of complaints over the BJP's alleged violations of the MCC, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation last month on the successful launch of anti-satellite test (A-SAT) missile."You would kindly recall that we had pointed out to you the impropriety of the public broadcast by the Prime Minister on the destruction of a defunct satellite in low orbit with missile as a demonstration of our technology capability. The fundamental question was whether the Prime Minister, who is also a candidate of the BJP, can use the office and the prerogatives to try
Congress manifesto is bunch of lies: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dubbed the Congress manifesto as "a bunch of lies" and a document "mentioning 55 years of failures of successive Congress governments in 55 pages"."The Congress manifesto is a bunch of lies and in the 55 pages, the Congress has given its failures of 55 years. The 55 years of Congress rules stands nowhere in terms of achievements in the 55 months of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Adityanath."The Congress governments always gave the slogan of 'Garibi Hatao', but did nothing for it. Due to lack of planning and lack of honesty, they failed to tackle poverty," he said.He expressed confidence that BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi would form the government once again.Slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the minimum income guarantee scheme 'NYAY', Adityanath said that people should ask him from where the money would come for it."The Congress failed to open accounts in its 55 years of rule, from where .
Have given orders to provide security to Bhopal RSS office again: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said that he has given orders to provide security to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Bhopal again.Replying to a question on the security cover allegedly being withdrawn from the RSS office, Kamal Nath said: "It has come to my notice that security cover has been withdrawn from RSS office in Bhopal due to a complaint submitted to the Election Commission and a requirement of security forces for the safe conduct of elections. The security cover was withdrawn from a total of six places."The Chief Minister went on to add: "We may have ideological differences with the RSS; they may have been at loggerheads with us, but I am not in support of the decision to withdraw security from their office. I am therefore giving orders to provide security to the RSS office again."The Kamal Nath government had come under a lot of criticism for allegedly taking away the security provided to the RSS office just two weeks ahead of ...
DMRC Phase IV: Centre revised proposal unilaterally, without justification, says Delhi Govt
The Delhi Government on Tuesday accused the Centre of revising the component-wise cost for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Phase IV project without assigning any "reason or justification".In a statement, Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot's Office said: "The component-wise cost has been revised by the Government of India unilaterally without assigning any reasons or justification. The equity component of the Delhi Government has been increased from 8.08 per cent to 16.36 per cent."Accusing the Centre of increasing the project cost from 20.77 per cent to 31.44 per cent, the statement said that these kinds of unilateral changes by the government without taking the Delhi Government into confidence are not "comprehensible".It also raised concerns over the approval of only three Corridors out of the six approved by the Delhi Cabinet. "The Delhi Government had approved all the six Corridors proposed by the Delhi Metro in Phase-IV vide Cabinet Decision dated 19/12/2018. However, the ..
India, Australia to hold joint naval exercise
The third edition of India-Australia Naval exercise is scheduled to commence with the arrival of HMAS Canberra Landing Helicopter Dock, frigates HMAS New Castle and HMAS Paramatta, HMAS Collins, a conventional submarine and HMAS Success (OR 304), a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler at Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.The aim of the exercise is to strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy, providing opportunities for interaction and exchange of professional views between the personnel of the two navies, an official statement said.The Naval exercise comes as a sign of the strengthening of bilateral and defence cooperation between the two countries as envisaged in the Framework for Security Cooperation (FSC) announced by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in 2014.The maiden edition of the exercise was held in September 2015 at Visakhapatnam. Australia hosted the second edition of the exercise off ...
Priyanka Gandhi urges people to read Congress manifesto
Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has urged people to read the Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls after the document was released on Tuesday."I urge everyone; especially young people and 1st-time voters - please read our manifesto. Make this election about real issues," Gandhi tweeted.The Congress manifesto mainly focuses on job creation and the welfare of farmers and the poor.The manifesto reiterated the promise made by the Congress president at election rallies about providing Rs 72,000 per year to 20 per cent of the poorest families in the country.Congress has promised to fill all four lakh vacancies in the central government and institutional vacancies before March 2020.The manifesto also promises of creating an estimated 10 lakh seva mitra positions in every village panchayat and urban local body, launching a water bodies restoration mission and wasteland regeneration mission to create one crore jobs.Releasing the party's .
Amit Shah attacks Cong on its promise to amend AFSPA
BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday attacked Congress for promising a review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in its election manifesto and accused it of attempting to demoralise armed forces personnel posted on the borders.Addressing a public rally here, Shah said, "Today, Congress released its manifesto and promised that it will downgrade AFSPA. I want to ask the Congress chief, does he want to strengthen the armed forces or is he trying to demoralise them. What message does he want to give on AFSPA?"He also said that last time though BJP did not perform well in Tamil Nadu, the central government still gave two ministerial births to the state by appointing Nirmala Sitharaman and Pon Radhakrishnan as ministers.Shah exuded confidence that the NDA will get over 30 seats in the state."We (BJP) have an alliance with AIADMK, DMDK, PMK and others. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, people want (Narendra) Modi to be the PM. We will get over 30 seats in the state. DMK and Congress ..
J-K: Hundreds of youths participate in Indian Army's recruitment drive
Hundreds of youths took part in a recruitment drive organised by the Indian Army at Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) Regimental Centre in Rangreth here on Tuesday.The recruitment drive was conducted especially for the relatives of former Army personnel who have served in Jammu and Kashmir.A participant at the recruitment drive, Saliyasiba, said, "We are here for group discussions. It has been my dream to join the Army. We feel great to be here and I want to tell other youths in Kashmir to join the Army."On the question of how much hard work is required to join the army, he said, "It is a lot of hard work here that includes physical exercises like running and high jump. Besides this, a candidate has to clear the group discussions and written test.""Everyone wants to protect the country and the same was my dream. I request to youths of Kashmir to stop indulging in wrongful activities and join the Indian army," he added.Another participant, Rashid, from Anantnag district said, "I
Poll officials seize Rs 6.65 lakh cash in Ramanathapuram
The Election Commission's Flying Squad on Tuesday seized over Rs 6.65 lakh cash from a vehicle during routine checking in Ramanathapuram.A surveillance squad conducted vehicle checking in Kelakarai district at around 12:30 pm. Officials stopped a man, identified as A. Sahulhamedu, and seized undocumented cash.A case has been registered and an investigation is underwayBoth the Lok Sabha elections and assembly by-polls will be held in Tamil Nadu on April 18. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Captain Shalini Singh joins AAP
Captain Shalini Singh joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday in the presence of the party's national spokesperson Sanjay Singh.In addition to Shalini, the former state vice-president of BJP's youth wing Shailendra Pandey was also inducted into the AAP.Speaking at a press conference here, Sanjay Singh said, "We are delighted to welcome a Captain from the Indian Army, brave daughter of the country, Captain Shalini Singh and somebody who has given 15 years of his life to BJP, is committed to serving the society and a former state vice-president of BJP (youth wing) Shailendra Pandey in AAP's family."It may be noted that Shalini is the widow of Late Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria who was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously. She joined the Indian Army as a Captain on her own in September 2002.Speaking at the occasion, Shalini said: "I come from a background where we keep nation before the self. I have decided to join AAP because I have seen how the AAP government has transformed Delhi
Congress, BJP responsible for terrorist attacks: Mayawati
Spearheading the BSP campaign in Odisha, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday attacked BJP and Congress party by calling them "corrupt" and held the two parties responsible for frequent terrorist attacks as they could not secure the country's borders.Addressing an election rally here, Mayawati said: "I want to remind you that for a long time the governments in the country has been of corrupt Congress and BJP. Due to its misdeeds, poor functioning, casteist approach, the Congress party was thrown out of power in the country. The BJP will meet the same fate in the Lok Sabha polls.""BJP and Congress' drama and game plan will not work this time. The Congress party was involved in Bofors. Now the BJP is involved in Rafale. Today, terrorist attacks are common because of these two governments could not secure the country's border," she said.Claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government at the Centre has not met one-fourth of its poll promises, the BSP chief ...
Indian Army veteran Capt Shalini Singh, one other join AAP
Indian Army veteran Captain Shalini Singh Tuesday joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Besides her, former vice president of Delhi BJP Purvanchal Morcha Shailendra Singh too joined the AAP. "We are proud to announce that the country's brave daughter Captain Shalini Singh and former vice president of Delhi BJP Purvanchal Morcha Shailendra Singh are joining the AAP. We welcome both of them," Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said. Captain Shalini Singh, who joined the Indian Army three months after her husband Major Avinash Singh Bhadauria was killed in action in September 2001, said she believed in the ideologies of the AAP and wanted to work for the betterment of the country. "I come from a background where we keep the nation before self. I have decided to join AAP because I've seen how the AAP Govt has transformed Delhi in last 4 years," she said at a press conference held at the party office here. Shailendra Singh, who has worked for the BJP for 15 years, said AAP was doing good work with great ...
LS poll: Maha BJP chief Danve files nomination from Jalna
Sitting MP and Maharashtra BJP chief Raosaheb Danve Tuesday filed his nomination from Jalna for the April-May Lok Sabha polls. Among those who were present while Danve filed his nomination papers were chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Ramdas Athawale, Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde and Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Arjun Khotkar. Incidentally, Jalna Lok Sabha seat was at the centre of a bitter fight between Danve, who has represented it since 1999, and Khotkar who wanted the Sena to allow him to take on the former. The issue was defused after several rounds of talks between top BJP and Sena leaders saw Khotkar withdrawing his demand and publicly stating that he would help Danve in his re-election bid. Speaking at a rally after Danve had filed his nomination, Fadnavis said, "Khotkar is like his namesake from the Mahabharata, He was going over to the Kauravas (apparent reference to Congress) before Uddhav Thackeray like Lord Krishna won him ...
NSS to remain equi-distant in Lok Sabha polls
The Nair Service Society (NSS), the socio-cultural body of the Hindu Nair community in Kerala, on Tuesday made it clear that it will continue to remain equi-distant vis-a-vis all political fronts in the Lok Sabha polls.
Hardik faces BJP jibes over not getting SC relief in riot case
The BJP took potshots at Gujarat Congress leader Hardik Patel after the Supreme Court Tuesday declined urgent hearing to his plea in a riot case, denting his chances of contesting the Lok Sabha elections. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani taunted Patel, saying the SC order has come as a relief for the latter "in a true sense," else he should have "got exposed" in the electoral contest against the BJP. The Congress hit back at the BJP, saying the ruling party was scared of Patel. The apex court refused to accord urgent hearing to Patel's plea challenging the Gujarat High Court's order which rejected his plea to stay his conviction in the 2015 Vispur rioting case. Patel (25) had Monday moved the apex court challenging the March 29 order of the HC which is coming in the way of his contesting the Lok Sabha elections. "Hardik Patel had expressed his desire to contest from Jamnagar. But the court has now given him relief in a true sense else he would have got exposed (by losing the .