Page 1123 - Politics
Mahajan confident of victory from North Central against Dutt
The Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha, which covers areas like Bandra and Kurla in the metropolis, will once again see the BJP's Poonam Mahajan pitted against Congress' Priya Dutt. In the 2014 polls, Majahan had defeated Priya Dutt, a two-time MP, by a margin of 1.8 lakh votes. Dutt is the daughter of cinestar-turned-politician Sunil Dutt who represented the constituency for five terms while Mahajan is the daughter of late Pramod Mahajan, one of the BJP's foremost strategists as well as a former MP from the city's North East seat. Speaking to PTI, Mahajan sounded confident about her prospects stressing that the BJP had made tremendous inroads in the constituency once considered a Congress citadel thanks to the Dutt father-daughter duo. "If you see the BJP's vote share in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the 2017 civic polls, which the Sena and the BJP contested separately, it has increased and has left the Congress far behind," she said. Talking of her own performance, the MP ..
Another sitting BJD MP quits party
Biju Janata Dal MP and former Union Minister Arjun Sethi Saturday resigned from the regional party after he was denied ticket to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. BJD president had replaced the eight-time MP from Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency with Manjulata Mandal, the wife of sitting party MLA Muktikant Mandal. The 78-year-old Sethi has submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. He has also quit as Member of Parliament as well as from the post of Bhadrak district BJD president. Sethi said "I wanted to meet Naveen Patnaik but was not given an appointment. I waited for four hours but failed to meet him. At this old age, it was embarrassing that I had to wait for so long." "I am pained that neither I nor my son was given ticket to contest in the ensuing polls," Sethi told reporters. He claimed that Patnaik had earlier assured him to consider his candidature or giving ticket to his son. Bhadrak Youth BJD president Durga ...
Delhi Congress launches referral system to bring more party workers on Shakti app
Aiming to boost membership of its Shakti app in view of the Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi Congress has launched a referral system wherein the highest achievers will be felicitated by party's national president Rahul Gandhi. The app was recently in news as opinion of the Delhi Congress workers was sought over alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Currently, around 53,000 leaders and workers of the Delhi unit are members of the app that links them with the party's high command. "The referral system, launched earlier this month, is aimed at bringing more and more leaders and workers of the Delhi Congress on Shakti app," Narendra Nath, senior Delhi Congress leader and coordinator of the app, said. "Each referral will gain 10 points and three party leaders or workers who obtain the highest points will be felicitated by Congress president Rahul Gandhi," Nath said. Shakti app is an internal digital platform of the party that connects Congress leaders and workers with party's top leadership, .
Congress threatening institutions: Naqvi on Rahul's NITI Aayog remarks
Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that the Congress, if voted to power, would scrap the NITI Aayog, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged on Saturday that the opposition party was "threatening and defaming" constitutional institutions. The Union Minority Affairs Minister's remarks came a day after Congress president Gandhi said his party would replace NITI Aayog with a "lean" Planning Commission. The "shehzada" is speaking under the influence of his "arrogance of feudal mentality", Naqvi said in an apparent reference to Gandhi. When the Congress was in power, "the anarchy and arrogance of the feudal family" was at its peak in "criminal misuse" of constitutional institutions and now in the Opposition, they are "threatening and defaming" these constitutional institutions, he alleged. For the past five years, the Congress has tried to threaten and defame various constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission, the Central Vigilance Commission and now the NITI ...
Balakot made BJP forget its temple issue: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which once had the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya as its main issue, has forgotten about it after the air strike carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at terror launch pads in Pakistan.Addressing a public gathering, Abdullah said, "Previously the temple issue was important for them but where it is now? Has Balakot eaten it?"He also accused the BJP-led central government of diverting attention from main issues and said, "A lot of Indian soldiers lost their lives in Chhattisgarh but Modi ji never went to meet their families. But when 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives...I have my doubts and I tell you the truth...he raised a storm over it. He (PM Modi) attacked Pakistan and we killed 300, some say 500 and some say 1000. We also shot down their plane just to show that he (Narendra Modi) is very brave and can do anything. Through all this, he tried to make everyone forget about farmers
Shah files nomination for Gandhinagar seat
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah filed his nomination papers on Saturday for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani accompanied Shah. The BJP chief submitted his nomination form to the Gandhinagar district collector and returning officer S K Langa. Earlier in the day, Shah addressed a rally with the National Democratic Alliance leaders and conducted a roadshow in Ahmedabad. BJP patriarch L K Advani had represented the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat for the last six terms.
Shah files nomination for Gandhinagar seat
BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday filed his nomination papers for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, promising to pursue the legacy of party veteran L.K. Advani who had been representing the constituency.
Amit Shah files nomination from Gandhinagar
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah filed nomination papers from Gandhinagar constituency after a four-kilometre-long road show here on Saturday.Shah filed nomination in the presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackrey.Shah, who is a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), is contesting the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. He has been fielded from Gandhinagar constituency, which was last represented by BJP veteran LK Advani.Before filing the nomination, Shah paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and addressed an election rally in Naranpura area of Ahmedabad. He also participated in a road show from DRH Regency hotel to Patidar Chowk in Ghatlodia area.Expressing deep gratitude to the BJP for making him what he is today, Shah at the 'Vijay Sankalp Sabha' said: "If BJP is taken away from my life, only 'zero' will be left. Whatever I've learnt and given to the .
UPA made corruption a cause by holding unprecedented protest: Jaitley on K'taka raids
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the Congress-led UPA made "corruption a cause" by staging an "unprecedented" protest in Bengaluru along with the Janata Dal (Secular).Jaitley's remark comes a day after Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and other senior leaders from the JD (S) and Congress protested outside the Income Tax department's office against raids being conducted at locations linked to a number of leaders from the two parties."The UPA made corruption a cause by holding an unprecedented protest with JDS in Bengaluru on 28th March, 2019 outside the Income Tax Office. No Politician, Minister or MP was searched, no political motivation. Then why the clamour, surely corruption is their cause.""The disproportionality of the reaction of the Congress and the JDS raises a needle of suspicion. Was the Minister's Nephew a PWD Contractor to whom largesses have been given - a case of nepotism? The CM & the Ministers who joined .
Corruption keeps Congress' Grand Alliance united: Modi
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that it was corruption that kept the opposition parties united against him.
SBSP to hold meeting on Monday to decide on alliance
The Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) will hold a meeting on Monday to decide whether to continue its alliance with the BJP for the general election. "An important meeting of party workers has been convened in Lucknow on April 1 in which strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha election and continuation in the government will be finalised," SBSP general secretary Arun Rajbhar said on Saturday. Suggestions of the party workers will be taken on these important issues, after which a final decision will be taken, said Arun Rajbhar, who is the son of Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar. Arun Rajbhar said the Bharatiya Janata Party was overconfident about returning to power at the Centre, adding that saffron party would get a reality check after the elections results were out. The SBSP leader claimed that the popularity and people's support to the SBSP was much more than the Nishad Party, citing the votes polled by the two parties in the previous elections. Earlier, the SBSP had
Ex-lawmaker says Biden inappropriately touched her in 2014
Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event. Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair. "I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine. "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added. "My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me." It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April. Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that ...
Ex-lawmaker says Biden inappropriately touched her in 2014
Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event. Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair. "I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine. "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added. "My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me." It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April. Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that ...
In Arunachal, PM quips Congress concerned about 'malai', not 'bhalai'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that the Congress party is concerned only about their 'malai' (personal well-being) and not the welfare of the state (bhalai).Addressing a rally here, the Prime Minister said "For the past several decades, experts were saying that there is a dire need to develop infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh. But the popular family (Congress) and their supporters sitting here were only focused on strengthening their empire. They are more concerned about their personal well-being rather than welfare of the state.""We work for your 'bhalai' (well-being) but they (Congress) work for their 'malai' (personal benefit)..you have said goodbye to them. Now, do not let them enter again," he added.Prime Minister Modi slammed the Congress for questioning the valour of the jawans."People have seen how Congress leaders reacted when our armed forces conducted surgical strikes to combat terrorism. When we entered the homes of the terrorists and killed them, the ..
Uddhav Thackeray praises Modi, slams opposition
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hit out at opposition parties and said that the differences between the BJP and Sena have ended.
BJP may face tough fight to retain all 5 seats in Uttarakhand
With party stalwarts Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri deciding to stay out of the poll fray, retaining all five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand appears an uphill task for the ruling BJP. Koshyari, the incumbent MP from Nainital, has decided not to contest the Lok Sabha polls beginning next month to make room for young leaders. Khanduri, the sitting MP from Pauri, has expressed his unwillingness to contest citing ill health. The retired major general's decision comes after he was dropped as chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on defence. Left with no choice, the BJP has decided to gamble on new faces. The party has fielded state unit president Ajay Bhatt from Nainital and his predecessor and Khanduri's mentee, Tirath Singh Rawat from Pauri. Though neither of them is a newcomer, they will be making their Lok Sabha election debut this year. Bhatt is pitted against senior Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat. A five-time MP, Rawat is credited
It's nationalism, stupid! (Column: Political Circus)
Unlike 2014, the economy is no longer the focal point of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) campaign.
Nishad Party to decide going it alone or in alliance
A day after the Nishad Party pulled out of an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, its President Sanjay Nishad said on Saturday that it will soon decide on whether to fight the coming polls on its own or in an alliance.
After Nishad Party quits alliance, SP fields its own candidate in Gorakhpur
The Samajwadi Party on Saturday announced Ram Bhuwal Nishad as its candidate from the prestigious Gorakhpur seat in Uttar Pradesh. The announcement comes after the Nishad Party had on Friday night sprang a surprise by parting ways with the SP-BSP-RLD alliance and met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Ram Bhuwal Nishan will be the nominee from Gorakhpur, a Samajwadi Party release said. Ram Bhuwal Nishad had been two time MLA from Kaudiram assembly seat, now Gorakhpur rural, and had also been the fisheries minister during BSP chief Mayawati's government in 2007. The SP also announced that Ram Kumar will be its nominee on the Kanpur seat. It was only four days ago on Tuesday that the Nishad Party had joined the alliance and it was believed that sitting MP Pravin Nishad would once again be fielded from the seat. The Nishad party is headed by Sanjay Nishad, the father of Pravin Nishad, who had won the Gorakhpur parliamentary seat on an SP ticket in the 2018 bypolls. The win had been ...
EC team to visit TN on April 2 to review poll preparedness
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora will lead an EC delegation here on a two-day visit on April 2 to review the poll preparedness for the April 18 Lok Sabha elections, a senior official said Saturday. The Election Commission delegation will meet representatives of political parties, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said here. "The Chief Election Commissioner (Arora) and the other Election Commissioners will be in Chennai on April 2 and 3 to meet representatives of political parties and hold various election related meetings," he said. Polling in 39 Lok Sabha seats and by-polls to 18 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu are scheduled on April 18 in a single phase. The AIADMK-led National Democractic Alliance (NDA), DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam floated by T T V Dhinakaran are the main contenders.