Page 1096 - Politics
People trust PM Modi for country's development: Javadekar
Union minister Prakash Javadekar Monday said people trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the progress of the country, exuding confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with a higher margin than 2014. "Key issues of the election are who will be the prime minister and under whose leadership the country will progress and will be more secure. The only answer to the issues is Narendra Modi," Javadekar said, addressing a meeting here. Javadekar, who is also BJP's election in-charge for Rajasthan, said the party will cross the 300-seat mark as people who knew Modi as Gujarat's chief minister during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls have now seen his work as the prime minister in the past five years. He said opposition parties have made efforts to form a grand alliance after realising that they cannot fight the BJP alone, but the Congress and the Trinamool Congress are contesting election separately in West Bengal. State BJP president Madan Lal Saini said booth level workers .
Erdogan's AKP suffers upset in Turkey's two main cities
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party suffered a major upset on Monday after local election results showed it lost the capital Ankara and Istanbul after a decade and half in power. Losing the country's two major cities would be a stunning defeat for Erdogan, a former Istanbul mayor himself, whose ability to win at the ballot box has been unparalleled in Turkish history. Erdogan campaigned hard, portraying Sunday's vote for mayors and district councils as a fight for the nation's survival, but the election became a test for his Justice and Development Party (AKP) after Turkey slipped into a recession for the first time in a decade. The opposition CHP party candidate for Istanbul mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was leading by nearly 28,000 votes with most ballot boxes counted, Supreme Election Board (YSK) chairman Sadi Guven said. Imamoglu won almost 4.16 million votes while the AKP candidate, former premier Binali Yildirim, won 4.13 million. Both claimed victory in the early ...
Himachal political foes bury hatchet
Too old to campaign for his political rival and six-time Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram, 91, is back in the field, this time battling for his grandson Ashray Sharma, a Congress candidate from this constituency in Himachal Pradesh.
Poll blow for Erdogan in big Turkish cities
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) lost control of the capital in local polls, which is being seen as a setback to his 16 years in power, the state media reported.
Delhi Congress slams AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal for terming Sheila Dikshit a less important leader
The Delhi Congress Monday hit out at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over his statement against its president Sheila Dikshit, saying the Delhi chief minister may not have the respect and honour she has earned in his entire life. The sharp reaction came from Rajesh Lilothia, working president of Delhi Congress, following Kejriwal's statement referring to Dikshit as "not an important leader". The Delhi Chief Minister earlier told reporters in Vishakhanpatnam that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has refused to forge an alliance with the AAP for the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital. Asked about Congress' Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit's remarks that Kejriwal never approached her for an alliance, the chief minister said, "We have met Rahul Gandhi. Dikshit is not that an important leader." The bitterness between the two parties refused to die down even as there are speculations that the two sides may have an alliance for Lok Sabha polls. "Dikshit is popular because of her personality .
Money under 'NYAY' scheme to be deposited in a/cs of women:
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday said the money proposed to be given to the poor under 'NYAY' scheme would be deposited in the accounts of women. "This money would go to the bank account of the woman in the family. Every month, this money will directly go to the bank accounts of women. Crores of women will get power and India would stand on its own," he said, addressing an election rally at Wanaparthy under Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha constituency. NYAY scheme is part of the party's Lok Sabha election manifesto. Gandhi addressed three rallies at Zaheerabad, Wanaparthy and Huzurnagar during his campaign in Telangana, which goes to polls in the first phase on April 11. "We guarantee the implementation of 'NYAY' scheme ('NYAY' yojana ham aapko guarantee karke denge' in Hindi)," he said. Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the false promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of the poor, he said Congress has announced the 'Nyuntam Aay Yojana' ...
Battle hots up, Modi to address rallies in Bihar
With the Lok Sabha election battle hotting up in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address his first rallies this time for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state on Tuesday.
Speaker accepts rebel Cong MLA's resignation from KTK assembly
Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar Monday accepted the resignation of rebel Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav, who is taking on party veteran Mallikarjun Kharge as the BJP candidate from Gulbarga constituency in the coming Lok Sabha elections. The Congress had petitioned the Speaker seeking disqualification of Jadhav along with other party rebel lawmakers Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra and Mahesh Kumathali under the anti-defection law. "I am convinced that the decision (by Jadhav) has been taken of his own volition without being under duress or without falling for any allurements," Kumar said in his order. The ruling came as a big relief to Jadhav as there was uncertainty over his political future with the Congress seeking disqualification under the anti-defection law. On March 25, the speaker had conducted a public hearing too giving the voters of Chincholi, the assembly constituency Jadhav represented, a chance to express their views on his decision. Even before the ...
Deshabhimani courts controvery by calling Rahul Gandhi "Pappu"
: A day after Congress announced that Rahul Gandhi would contest from Wayanad in Kerala, the ruling CPI(M) courted controversy by referring to the Congress chief as "Pappu" in the party newspaper, "Deshabhimani". The editorial, titled "Pappu strike to complete the collapse of Congress", alleged that Gandhi decided to contest in Wayanad fearing defeat from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. As the editorial kicked up a controversy with the Lok Sabha polls only days away, CPI(M) tried to douse the ambers saying it was an inadvertent mistake. State Finance minister Thomas Isaac said this was not CPI(M)'s style and it could be a mistake. However, Marxist veteran V S Achutanandan, who had once described Rahul Gandhi as "Amul Baby", said the Congress chief was behaving like a child and not rising up to the situation. "What change is going to take place if Rahul is contesting from Wayanad?... The Left will take on Rahul and BJP together. But what about the Congress?. Their stand that BJP .
NPP will continue to oppose Citizenship Amendment Bill: Conrad
National People's Party supremo and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Monday said the party will continue to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). "Meghalaya was the first state in India to oppose the Bill and raise its objection. We took the initiative to unite different political parties of Northeast and made our voice heard in Delhi and ensured that the CAB was not introduced in the Rajya Sabha," he said while campaigning for the NPP candidate in the Lok Sabha polls in the state. He claimed that the NPP is the only party that can unite the voice of the region and made it heard in Delhi. Conrad asked the people to vote for the NPP as "NPP is the party of the Northeast." The NPP chief on Monday flew to three different locations in North Garo Hills and East Garo Hills (Rongrong Abema, Mangsang and Chibonga respectively) to campaign for his sister Agatha, the NPP candidate for the Tura Lok sabha seat. Former Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma is the ...
Anil Ambani sped past unemployed youth in his Mercedes: Rahul takes dig at PM Modi
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government over an apparent job crisis in the country, Congress president Rahul Gandhi drew a comparison between the jobless youth of Telangana and businessman Anil Ambani speeding past them in his "high-end Mercedes at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour.""The unemployed youth of Telangana walks on streets while they see Anil Ambani in his Mercedes car passing by at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour. The whole day, the youth search for jobs on the streets and sees these people in their high-end cars," he said while addressing pre-poll campaign here on Monday.Rahul further said that poor, unemployed youth and farmers read in the newspaper every day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given money to some big industrialist and they wonder if something would be done for them too."Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India for the last five years, and in the past five years, the poor have been reading daily that he has given ...
Algerian President to resign this week
Bowing down to public anger, embattled Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will step down as the head of the state later this week, say reports.This comes a day after Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah reiterated his call for the application of a provision in the Algerian Constitution that could remove the president on account of his failing health."We must adopt a solution that helps us out of this crisis ... a solution that respects and adheres to the Constitution so that it's a suitable one for all sides," Al Jazeera quoted Salah who is also the Deputy Defence Minister as saying.Algeria has been witnessing protests since February against the President following his announcement that he will be contesting for a fifth term. Bouteflika, a stroke survivor, later gave in to protesters demands and abandoned his re-election bid but also delayed the presidential election indefinitely and said that he will only step down after a new Constitution is passed.Critics have asserted that the
Army Chief to embark on four-day US visit on April 2
Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat will embark on his four-day official visit to the United States, starting April 2.The visit aims at giving impetus to military ties and enhancing strategic engagements between the two countries.During his four-day visit, the Army Chief will interact with the senior military hierarchy of the US Armed Forces with an aim to take forward the military to military cooperation.General Rawat is slated to visit the US Military Academy at West Point and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.The Army Chief will also interact with General Joseph F Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General Mark A Milley, Chief of Staff of the US Army to discuss military cooperation issues of mutual interest.The functional experience gained during the visit is expected to further enhance the Indo-US relationship, read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on Monday..
SC pulls up Assam Chief Secretary for non-appearance
The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Chief Secretary of Assam for not being present before it in pursuance to its earlier direction after the state government told the court that around 70,000 declared illegal migrants were missing.
Bundles of cash seized from cement warehouse in TN
A large amount of cash, neatly-packed in cartons and gunny bags, was found by Income Tax (IT) Department officials in a cement warehouse, owned by a DMK leader, in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district, an official said on Monday.
Ghulam Nabi Azad to hit campaign trail in Jammu LS seat Tuesday canvassing for Raman Bhalla
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad will hit the campaign trail in Jammu parliamentary constituency from Tuesday by addressing a series of rallies in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts, a senior Congress leader said. The Congress has nominated its state unit senior vice-president and former minister Raman Bhalla for the Lok Sabha constituency, where he is supported by the National Conference while the PDP has not fielded any candidate for the seat. "Ghulam Nabi Azad will tour Rajouri and Poonch districts tomorrow, to take stock of situation on the border. He will also campaign for the candidate (Bhalla)," Jammu and Kashmir Congress' chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said. Sharma said Congress president Rahul Gandhi's proposed minimum income guarantee scheme aimed at lifting five crore families out of poverty will bring a revolution in the country. "More than five crore families will be benefitted by this. This announcement will be implemented with full ...
AAP writes to EC against 'NAMO TV' launch
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrote to the Election Commission (EC) on Monday complaining against the recently-launched "Namo TV", asking the poll panel if political parties having TV channels was in adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party asked the EC if the BJP had sought approval for the launch of the channel, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on its logo and runs all his speeches. "Can permission be granted to a party to have its own TV channel even after the Model Code of Conduct is enforced? If no permission was given by the ECI, then what action has been taken?," the AAP said in its letter to the poll panel. It also asked if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had approached the Media Certification Committee, established to certify the contents and cost of a telecast. "If not, why show-cause was not issued for the violation of the MCC?," asked the letter sent by the AAP's legal cell. It said the Supreme Court, in various cases, had held .
EC should take action against Yogi Adityanath: CPI on 'Modiji ki sena' comment
The Communist Party of India Monday said the Election Commission should take action against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his comments referring to the Indian Army as "Modi's army", alleging that it was akin to intimidating voters ahead of the general elections. Adityanath described the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena" (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Army) during an election rally of the BJP in Ghaziabad on Sunday. "The comment is highly condemnable. This is a clear way of intimidating the voters and creating a fear psychosis in their minds. How can the defence forces belong to one political party. It is the Indian defence forces. How is it Modi's army?" CPI leader D Raja said. "Basically the BJP is so desperate that now they have forgotten farmers issues and their achievement over the last five years and are now resorting to politicising the defence forces, dragging them through controversy for their political gains. The EC should take disciplinary action against .
Opposition united, post-poll alliance possible, 'job no. 1' is to defeat Modi: Rahul Gandhi
A post-poll alliance is 'absolutely' possible after the Lok Sabha elections as all the opposition parties are 'united' in defeating the BJP in the interest of the country, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said. Stating that the 'job no. 1' is to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi also said secular formations are in place in various states and that BJP will be facing 'strong' opposition candidates all over the country. "For the entire opposition, the job number one is to defeat Mr Narendra Modi and save Democracy and the Constitution. To stop the BJP from destroying India's institutions and its social fabric. To stimulate growth, propel economy, create jobs, ensure harmony, and address injustice and inequality. In this, we are all united," Gandhi told PTI in an interview. On whether he foresees a poll outcome which will allow space for a post-poll alliance of opposition parties, the Congress chief said, "Yes, absolutely". "It is the people of India who are standing up to ...
Govt sets up tribunal to review ban imposed on Jamaat-e-Islami, JKLF
The Centre has set up a tribunal, headed by Justice Chander Shekhar of the Delhi High Court, to adjudicate if there exists sufficient cause to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir (JeI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-Yasin Malik (JKLF-Y) faction. The decision has been taken by the Home Ministry exercising the powers conferred under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an official notification said. The JeI and the JKLF-Y were declared as unlawful associations on February 28 and March 22 respectively. "Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by the sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby constitutes an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal consisting of Mr. Justice Chander Shekhar, High Court of Delhi, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause of declaring the Jamaat-e-Islami-Jammu and Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation ...