Page 1086 - Politics
South India 'feels hostility' from Modi, standing from Wayanad to express support for people: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed people in South India "feel hostility" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he decided to contest from Wayanad in Kerala to send out the message that he stands with them. The Congress announced on Sunday that party chief Gandhi will contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, besides his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. "There is a feeling in South India, a very strong feeling in South India, that they are not being carried (along) by the current government. South India feels hostility from Mr Narendra Modi, they feel that they are not being included in the decisions of the country," Gandhi said. "So, I wanted to send a message to South India that we are with you and I am standing with you. That is why I am standing from Kerala," he said in response to a question after the launch of the party's manifesto. The Congress' announcement that the party chief will contest from Wayanad evoked sharp ...
Mayawati slams both BJP & Congress, dubs them corrupt
Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati Tuesday mounted a blistering attack on both BJP and Congress and accused them of betraying the dalits and the minorities while benefitting the rich. Kicking off her party's election campaign in Odisha at a rally here, the BSP supremo accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government of introducing GST in haste and failing to implement it in a proper manner resulting in rise in unemployment among the country's youths. She hit out at the BJP-led government over demonetisation saying the hurriedly taken measure had harassed small businessmen and traders who eke out their living without depending on any government aid or assistance. "Both Congress and BJP are corrupt. While Congress was in news for its involvement in the Bofors scam, the BJP government has been embrolied in Rafale deal," Mayawati said. Coming down heavily on both parties, she accused them of never working for the uplift of the dalit, backward and ...
Gambhir suggests Abdullah shift to Pakistan over his remarks for separate PM for J&K
Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who recently joined the BJP, Tuesday suggested NC leader Omar Abdullah should shift to Pakistan over his remarks that his party would strive to restore Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy that could include having a 'Wazir-e-Azam' (prime minister). Reacting sharply to Gambhir's comments, the National Conference (NC) leader said the former opening batsman of the Indian team should only talk about cricket, which is the thing he knows. "Omar Abdullah wants a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir and I want to walk on oceans! Omar Abdullah wants a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir and I want pigs to fly," Gambhir tweeted. He said the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister needs "some sleep and a strong coffee" and if he still fails to understand then he needs "a green Pakistan passport". Hitting back, Abdullah in a tweet said, "Gautam, I never played much cricket because I knew I wasn't very good at it. You don't know very much about Jammu ...
White House 'reversed security clearance denials'
A White House whistleblower has told Congress that senior Trump administration officials granted security clearances to at least 25 individuals whose applications had been rejected for "disqualifying issues" that could put national security at risk, the media reported.
Ex-CM, AAP convenor file papers for South Goa seat
Former Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha on Tuesday filed his nomination for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat as a Congress candidate. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state convenor Elvis Gomes also filed his nomination for the same seat.
Modi trying to make India a "Hindu Rashtra," alleges Gowda
JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of wanting to make India a "Hindu Rashtra". The former prime minister also sought to know as to why article 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir should be abolished. "Why it should be abolished? The question is- why it should be abolished? I did not give article 370 there. WhenKashmir joined India after an agreement with the then Maharajathere, article 370 (was agreed upon)," Gowda said. He said, "There are Buddhists there (in J&K), Muslims, Hindus, Brahmins, Pandits, and there are many communities there. After looking into the atmosphere that existed there, adecision was arrived at." Gowda was speaking to reporters in Hassan from wherehis grandson Prajwal Revanna is JD(S) candidate for Lok Sabha polls. "Modi has the idea, to make this entire country a Hindu Rashtra. Am I not a Hindu? Am I a Muslim or Christian or Buddhist? We take all religions into confidence,"
Australian senator slammed over mosque shooting comments
The Australian lawmaker who had an egg cracked on his head by a teenage boy for his comments about last month's New Zealand mosque shootings faced a stinging attack on Tuesday in the first sitting of Australia's Parliament since the attacks. Independent Sen. Fraser Anning was the target of widespread condemnation after the Christchurch shootings, in which 50 people died, when he blamed the massacre on immigration policies that he said allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand. Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant has been charged with murder in the shootings. After his comments, Anning faced more criticism for physically striking the teenager who cracked an egg on his head at a Melbourne public appearance 17-year-old Will Connolly, who became known around the world as "Egg Boy." Anning will face an official censure motion in Parliament on Wednesday for the comments, which caused more than a million people to sign an online petition calling for his removal from the ...
I'm 'true heir' to Khanduri's political legacy: BJP Pauri candidate Tirath Rawat
BJP's Pauri Lok Sabha seat candidate Tirath Singh Rawat Tuesday claimed he was the true heir to the political legacy of veteran saffron party leader B C Khanduri, whose son is contesting the polls from the constituency on a Congress ticket. He also said even though he was pitted against Kahnduri's son Manish, he had the veteran leader's blessings and was confident of victory from the seat. "I am confident of a win as Khanduriji's blessings are with me and there is tremendous support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People everywhere will cast their votes to strengthen his hands," Rawat told PTI in an interview. "The Congress on the other hand is sidelined.It is battling for survival as even regional parties do not want the grand old party in their alliance. It is not in a position to throw a challenge," he said. BC Khanduri, a retired major general, wields considerable clout in Pauri and is said to be a deciding factor on the seat as whoever he goes with gets an edge over the ...
Congress releases 2019 LS election manifesto
The Congress on Tuesday released a 53-page manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections promising good governance, freedom from indebtedness to farmers, protecting existing jobs while creating new ones and implementing anti-corruption laws without bias.
There is demand for me as South India feels hostility from Modi: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that there was a demand for him to contest from Kerala as South of India feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hostile towards it.In response to a question on him contesting from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, Rahul said that there was a "demand for me" since a "very strong feeling" exists in the South of India that the people of the region are not being carried along with rest of the country by the Modi government. "South India feels hostility from Mr Narendra Modi," he said.He added, "They feel that they are not being included in the decisions of this country. So, I wanted to send a message to South India that we are with you and we are standing with you. That is why I am standing from Kerala."On March 31, senior Congress leader AK Antony had announced that Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from Wayanad parliamentary constituency in Kerala in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, with an aim to strengthen the unity of north and ...
Congress promises to launch probe into Rafale deal if elected to power
The Congress on Tuesday promised to initiate an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal if the party is voted to power in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections."Congress will cause to be investigated several deals entered into by the BJP Government in the last 5 years and, in particular, the Rafale deal," the party said in its manifesto under the anti-corruption column.Earlier today, Congress manifesto committee member Bhalchandra Mungekar said that an inquiry into the controversial deal will be initiated "on the first day" if the party came to power."We will initiate an inquiry into Rafale deal on the first day after coming to power and we have included this in the manifesto," Mungekar told ANI.The Congress, led by its president Rahul Gandhi, has repeatedly levelled allegations against the BJP government for alleged wrongdoings in the Rafale deal, and has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly for corruption, which the ruling party has outrightly denied.The .
Pak HC forms commission to probe Hndu sisters' 'forced' conversion and marriage
The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday formed a five-member commission to probe the alleged abduction, forced conversion and marriage of two teenage Hindu girls in Sindh province that led to massive protests by the minority community in the country. A high court bench led by Chief Justice of IHC Athar Minallah heard the petition filed by the two sisters -- Reena, Raveena -- and their alleged spouses, Safdar Ali and Barkat Ali, to seek protection, the Express Tribune reported. In their plea, the girls claimed that they belong to a Hindu family of Ghotki, Sindh but converted willfully as they were impressed by Islamic teaching. The counsel for the girls' parents, however, asserted that the case pertained to forced conversion. Justice Minallah sought recommendations to resolve the matter. The matter requires transparent inquiry - it is the government's job to conduct probes not the judiciary's, he observed. The chief justice said the court had to ensure that there was no forced conversion. .
Party workers must campaign in own districts: MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has asked Congress workers in the state to campaign in their own districts only and not venture out.
Congress tries to woo youth and farmer in manifesto, threatens to investigate Rafale deal
Setting the narrative for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Congress party on Tuesday released its manifesto in which special focus has been on youth and farmer. From opening vacancies for job creation to providing a minimum support income of Rs 72,000 per year for the poor families - the party went all out to woo the voters. The Congress manifesto also pledged to investigate Rafale plane deal along with several deals the party entered into by the BJP Government in the last 5 years.Pitching for 'Ujjwal Bharat', the Congress promised to work on employment, industry, infrastructure, cities, urbanisation and urban policy, rural development, informal and organized sector, agriculture, farmers and farm labour, economic policy, NYAY scheme, taxation and tax reforms, banking and financial sector, science, technology and innovation, national security, foreign policy, internal security, border security, ex-servicemen, Central Armed Police Forces, anti-corruption and many others.The 55-page ...
Will probe Rafale deal if voted to power: Congress
The Congress on Tuesday promised that if the party is voted to power it will probe the controversial defence deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets signed by the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Dassault Aviation.
Everyone in Congress wants to campaign for Rahul
With Congress President Rahul Gandhi deciding to contest the Lok Sabha elections also from Wayanad, the party is facing a new problem in Kerala - all party leaders want to campaign for Gandhi.
Gambhir slams Omar over his pitch for separate President, PM for J-K
Cricketer-turned-BJP member Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday lashed out at former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for pitching for revival of the posts of Prime Minister and President for Jammu and Kashmir."@OmarAbdullah wants a separate PM for J & K & I want to walk on oceans! @OmarAbdullah wants a separate PM for J & K & I want pigs to fly! More than a separate PM @OmarAbdullah needs some sleep followed by a strong coffee! If he still doesn't understand, then a green Pakistani passport," Gambhir tweeted.He was commenting on Abdullah's remarks made on Monday that he would work for restoration of the posts of "President" and "Prime Minister" for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.Addressing a public gathering in Kashmir's Bandipora, the National Conference (NC) leader said, "Rest of the princely states merged with the country without condition but we had said that we will have our own identity, our own Constitution. We had our own 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' (President) ..
Parrikar's inputs included in BJP's poll campaign in Goa: Naik
Union minister Shripad Naik, who is contesting from North Goa Lok Sabha seat, on Tuesday said the BJP has incorporated inputs given by late chief minister Manohar Parrikar for its poll campaign in the coastal state. Parrikar, 63, died on March 17 after battling a pancreatic ailment for over a year. "We are certainly going to miss Parrikar's presence in the poll campaign. He was one of our main speakers at rallies and a crowd-puller," Naik told PTI in an interview. The sitting MP, who has won four times from North Goa, said Parrikar was always the key person in deciding the BJP's poll strategy. "This time also, before his death he had participated in the meetings and given valuable suggestions which are incorporated in the poll campaign," the AYUSH minister said. He claimed that he undertook around 1,000 works in the last five years in North Goa as part of the MP Local Area Development Scheme. "Once I win, I will take up 300 more works," he said. He said he would soon ...
Congress promises to amend AFSPA Act if voted to power
The Congress, which released its election manifesto on Tuesday, promised to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or the AFSPA, that grants special powers to the Indian armed forces in 'insurgency-hit areas', if the party came to power after the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.The party said in the manifesto, "Amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in order to strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture."The Congress said that the AFSPA Act and Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed if the party came to power after the polls."The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and Kashmir will be reviewed. Suitable changes will be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and the protection of human rights," the party said in the manifesto.Apart from Jammu and Kashmir, the AFSPA Act .
Close call between Congress, BJP in Mandsaur (Constituency Profile)
The death of six farmers in police firing in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur in 2017 had given farmers across the country a platform to vent their anger that had been brewing over farm distress, and leading to a series of nation-wide protests.