Page 1102 - Politics
Rahul to file nomination from Wayanad on Thursday
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach Wayanad on Thursday to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress General Secretary and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Monday.
Proud to be chowkidar of toilets, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that he was "proud" to be a "chowkidar of toilets", while taking the Congress' abuse as an "ornament".
BSP releases second list of candidates for UP
The BSP Monday announced its second list of six candidates for Lok Sabha Polls in Uttar Pradesh. While Amar Chandra Jauhar has been given ticket from Shahjahanpur (SC), Nilu Satyarthi will be party candidate from Mishrikh (SC), a party statement said. Manoj Agarwal has been fielded from Farukhabad, Nisha Sachan from Akbarpur, Pankaj Singh from Jalaun (SC) and Dileep Kumar Singh from Hamirpur. The BSP, which is contesting on 38 Lok Sabha seats (of the total 80 seats) after entering into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, had on March 22 declared its first list of 11 candidates. The party in its earlier list gave ticket to former JD(S) leader Kunwar Danish Ali from Amroha, besides announcing Haji Fazulrahman as its nominee from Saharanpur, Malook Nagar from Bijnore and Girish Chandra from Nagina.
PETA India asks political parties to follow poll code, not use animals in campaigns
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, animal rights body PETA India Monday asked all political parties to adhere to the model code of conduct (MCC) and not use any animal in their election campaigns. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India also appealed to the public to report any violations of the poll code, particularly the use of animals in election campaigns by political parties, through a mobile application of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Lok Sabha elections, to be held in seven phases, starting April 11. "I'm writing from PETA India on behalf of our more than 1.2 million members to inform you about a ban on the use of animals in election campaigns in the Manual on Model Code of Conduct (MMCC) by the ECI," said PETA India's associate director of policy Nikunj Sharma said in a letter addressing the respective presidents of national political parties. In the letter, Sharma stated that using animals in election campaigns is "unnecessary, ...
Taiwan protests China jets crossing center of Taiwan Strait
Taiwan said Monday its planes warned off Chinese military aircraft that crossed the center line in the Taiwan Strait, and called China's move a provocation that seeks to alter the status quo in the waterway dividing the island from mainland China. Taiwan's defense ministry said a pair of Chinese J-11 jet fighters crossed the line at around 11:00 a.m. Sunday and entered the island's southwestern airspace. It said Taiwan scrambled jets to warn off the Chinese planes, which came within about 185 kilometers of Taiwan. "Yesterday, Chinese military aircraft provoked us by violating the tacit agreement by crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. They backed to the west side of the median line after warnings by our Air Force," Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said in remarks at a military awards ceremony. Foreign Ministry Joseph Wu told reporters at the legislature that the line crossing was an intentional act, calling it a provocative and dangerous. He said Taiwan had informed ...
Solomon Islands police confident of violence-free vote
The Solomon Islands on Wednesday holds its first election since a major peacekeeping mission to the Pacific nation ended in 2017, with police confident the vote will be violence-free. The country of 660,000 was wracked by ethnic tensions when the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) intervention began in 2003. Elections in 2006 sparked rioting in the capital Honiara but two years ago the situation was deemed stable enough for RAMSI to end its operations and hand over security responsibilities to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. The police were once notoriously corrupt but current commissioner Matthew Varley said his revamped force was ready to ensure the election was trouble free. He said some 1,600 officers would patrol polling booths nationwide, backed by logistical support from the Australian and New Zealand military, including six helicopters. "The feedback received from the people, especially in the communities, is that they want to see ...
Congress labelled peace-loving Hindus as terrorists: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday launched a broadside against the Congress, accusing it of branding "peace-loving Hindus" as terrorists and insulting those who follow the religion. Launching the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's Lok Sabha poll campaign in Maharashtra at a public rally here, Modi said the Congress coined the term 'Hindu terror'. "Leaders of that party are now scared of contesting from constituencies dominated by majority (Hindu) population," Modi said. His barb was apparently directed at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad constituency in Kerala, besides Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. "Congress used the term 'Hindu terror'...it labelled the peace-loving Hindus as terrorists...is there a single incident of Hindu terrorism?" Modi said. "Congress insulted Hindus...people have decided to punish it in election...hence, it is scared of fielding candidate from constituencies dominated by majority population," Modi added. He .
Erdogan loses capital in Turkey election blow
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party has lost control of the capital in local elections in what is being seen as a setback to his 16 years in power.
How can person disloyal to father forge bua-bhatija relationship:Maurya in veiled attack on Akhilesh
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Monday launched a veiled attack on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, asking how a person disloyal to his father could forge a relationship of bua-bhatija and wondered how long this tie would last. He claimed that BSP chief Mayawati and Yadav have become "weak" by forging the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. "Neither Akhilesh Yadav has been able to strengthen neither himself, nor Mayawati in the 'gathbandhan'. In fact, both have become weak by forging this alliance. A person who has not been loyal to his father and uncle, how can he forge a fake relationship of bua (aunt) and bhatija (nephew)? Do you think that such a relationship will go on?" Maurya told PTI in an interview. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are often referred to as bua-bhatija. "They are disturbed over whether the SP's votes will be transferred to the BSP or vice-versa. And, when they come to know that transfer of votes is hitting a roadblock, then their tension and blood pressure level .
Civilian injured as Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in J-K's Poonch
A civilian sustained injuries on Monday as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by targetting forward posts and villages in Kerni and Shahpur areas along Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir police said.The injured has been admitted to a nearby hospital.Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by firing mortar shells and small arms along the LoC in Poonch at around 8 am today, officials said."Heavy firing underway in Poonch along the LoC since 8 am. One local, who sustained injuries during the firing, has been shifted to the hospital," Jammu and Kashmir Station House Officer Mohammad Rafiq told ANI.Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively.On Sunday, Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.Further details are awaited.
NCP's Majid Memon calls PM Modi a 'illiterate, uncultured person'
NCP leader and Rajya Sabha member Majid Memon on Monday called Prime Minister Naredra Modi an "illiterate" and "uncultured" person after the latter took a dig at the grand alliance of opposition parties by saying all senior leaders are running in the race to become the next Prime minister.Speaking to ANI, Memon said, "Prime Minister is speaking like an illiterate, uncultured or a road-side person. His is a constitutional post and the Prime Minister isn't chosen on streets. The Prime Minister is making a statement that in 2014 there was a queue for Prime Minister's post and today that queue has been further lengthened. I don't understand this and it is the most irresponsible statement as though it is made by someone who does not understand how the Prime Minister is elected. This is not a direct election for the post of Prime Minister. People will elect Members of Parliament and it is 543 MP's who will elect the PM. We have to see what would be the composition of 17th Lok Sabha. Where ..
VVPAT issue: SC asks Oppn parties to file reply on EC affidavit by April 8
The Supreme Court on Monday asked petitioners seeking direction that 50 per cent EVM results should be matched and cross-checked with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) before the declaration of results in the upcoming General Elections, to file response over the Election Commission's affidavit in connection the case.A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, also comprising of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Deepak Gupta directed the 21 opposition parties (petitioners) to file a rejoinder to the affidavit of the poll panel before April 8.On Friday, the Election Commission of India in an affidavit told the court that there is no need to increase VVPAT count to match it with EVM. It had said that the existing system is full-proof and more VVPAT count means 6 days delay in the counting of votes in Lok Sabha election.The court had directed the Commission to file an affidavit on why physical verification of VVPATs should not be extended to more than one polling station ..
Modi targets Pawar, says NCP slipping from his grip
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday targeted NCP chief Sharad Pawar, saying there was infighting in his party, which was slipping from his control. Launching the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's poll campaign in Maharashtra at a public rally here, Modi said Pawar decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls after realising that the situation was not in his favour. "Pawar decided against contesting the polls sensing unfavourable situation. There is infighting in the NCP, the party is slipping from Pawar's grip," he said. Blasting the opposition parties over their criticism of the NDA government after the air strike on terror camps in Pakistan following the Pulwama attack, he asked people if they wanted India's heroes or those who became heroes in the neighbouring country. He also accused the Congress of labelling the "peace-loving" Hindu society as terrorists. Modi said the Congress was scared of fielding candidates in the seats dominated by majority population. Hitting .
Regional force to rule the roost in LS polls: Rama Rao
Asserting that neither the BJP nor the Congress would be able to get a clear mandate in the Lok Sabha polls, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president K T Rama Rao has said that a 'non-BJP, non-Congress' front will soon be a reality. The country -- which will go to polls in seven phases across 543 constituencies from April 11 -- will see a wind of change in Indian politics with regional parties likely to win at least 160-170 seats and lead a regional force, he said and added the BJP and the Congress will suffer setback and may not even cross the 150 and 100 mark, respectively. Holding that coalition governments continue to stay, Rao said so far regional parties were extending support to the Congress and the BJP, and the time has come to reverse the trend and bring a change in national politics. The TRS working President also said that his father and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had all "the qualities and capabilities to become Prime Minister." "Between us ...
Three ex-CMs to fight Lok Sabha polls in Jharkhand
Three former Chief Ministers of Jharkhand have joined the contest for the Lok Sabha seats in the state. Arjun Munda (BJP), Babulal Marandi (JVM-P)and Shibu Soren (JMM) will be contesting the elections from Khuti, Koderma and Dumka seats, respectively.
2 women candidates named as BSP announces 2nd list
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Monday released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, which included a woman candidate each from Mishrikh and Akbarpur.
SC gives opposition week to respond on VVPAT row
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned a plea by 21 opposition parties seeking 50 per cent VVPAT count, and gave them until April 8 to file response to the Election Commission's affidavit.
N. Korean embassy raid group preparing for event
The group that claimed responsibility for the raid on the North Korean embassy in Madrid in February, said on Monday that it was preparing for a major event.
Left to go all out to 'defeat' Rahul, not withdrawing CPI
The Left Front would make all efforts to defeat the Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, and there was no question of withdrawing its candidate, CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said Monday. The Congress announced Sunday that Gandhi would contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala besides his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has fielded CPI's P P Suneer in the segment. CPI is the second biggest constituent in the LDF. "We are not worried about his (Gandhi's) candidature. We will fight. We will make all efforts to defeat him in this election," Reddy told PTI. He said he was personally visiting Wayanad on April 10 to campaign for the LDF candidate. "No question of withdrawing (our candidate in favour of Gandhi). We will fight," Reddy asserted. "We are making every effort to win the seat." Gandhi could have chosen to contest from some other constituency where the BJP was strong -- ...
LS polls: Modi, Kejriwal to campaign in Goa next week
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address public rallies in Goa next week to campaign for their respective parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Modi will address a public meeting in Goa on April 12, BJP state president Vinay Tendulkar told PTI on Monday. "The venue of the public meeting is yet to be finalised, but it would be in North Goa Lok Sabha constituency," he said. Besides, Aam Aadmi Party chief Kejriwal will address a rally in South Goa constituency on April 13, AAP's state convener Elvis Gomes said. The election for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa and bypolls in three Assembly seats - Mandrem, Shiroda and Mapusa - will be held on April 23. The BJP has fielded its sitting MPs - Shripad Naik from North Goa and Narendra Sawaikar from South Goa. Both the candidates have already filed their nominations. The AAP has named Gomes as its South Goa candidate and Pradeep Padgaonkar from North Goa.