Page 1126 - Politics
Field me from Mumbai north-east, I will defeat Congress-NCP: Ramdas Athawale
Amid the ongoing tussle between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency, RPI chief Ramdas Athawale has said that he should be given the opportunity to contest the Lok Sabha polls from this seat."There is a struggle between BJP and Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena says that if BJP fields Kirit Somaiya, then it will field its own candidate and won't support BJP. The chances are there that the seat may come to us," said Athawale."I am prepared to contest from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha seat. People in the constituency know me well. Earlier when I contested from there, I got 2.25 lakh votes," he said.It may be noted that the BJP and Shiv Sena are yet to reach a consensus over Somaiya's candidature from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency.As per the seat-sharing pact between the two political parties, the BJP will fight on the Mumbai North-East constituency. However, the Shiv Sena has been opposing Somaiya's candidature.Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Friday
AAP complains to EC against PM Modi for violating Model Code of Conduct
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has written a letter to the Election Commission of India, complaining that Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct during his interview with Republic Channel here on Friday.In the letter, the AAP alleged PM Modi spoke of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistani Army while he shot down Pakistan's F16 fighter jet.The party alleged Prime Minister Modi used Abhinandan's name for political gain, which is violative of the Model Code of Conduct. The letter states that the Election Commission has issued an advisory in which it has cautioned the leaders of political parties while making any reference of the Armed Forces in the election campaign.The AAP said in the letter that the interview was seen by the people across the nation and the BJP's official Twitter handle circulated it in order to gain political mileage.The party urged the Election Commission to take cognisance of the violation of Model Code of Conduct by ..
If voted to power, we will scrap the NITI Aayog: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said if his party is voted to power following the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, it will scrap the NITI Aayog and replace it with a "lean Planning Commission.""If voted to power, we will scrap the NITI Aayog. It has served no purpose other than making marketing presentations for the PM and fudging data," Rahul tweeted."We will replace it with a lean Planning Commission whose members will be renowned economists and experts with less than 100 staff," he added.This comes after the NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi has promised scheme of minimum income guarantee without thinking of its impact on the economy. He said that the scheme if implemented will take the country "four steps backward."Later a show-cause notice was issued to him.
PM Modi is not like 'dumb saint' Manmohan Singh, says Amit Shah
Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Balakot air-strike on the terrorist camp located deep in Pakistan, BJP national president Amit Shah on Friday said that the Prime Minister is not like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whom he termed as 'Mauni Baba' (dumb saint)."Pakistan didn't expect that India will go for air strike after Pulwama terror attack, as they have no idea that Narendra Modi who is elected by the people is the Prime Minister and not 'Mauni Baba' Manmohan Singh," said Shah."After Pulwama terror attack in which 40 of our brave soldiers died, people were hopeless and were speculating that there will be no surgical strike as Pakistan had deployed all of its Army on the border along with tanks and artillery," said Shah."Everyone thought that nothing will happen but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Air Force did the air strike on the terrorist camp in Pakistan," said Shah.He also slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly asking ...
LS polls: Congress releases list of 3 candidates, fields Sukh Ram's grandson from Mandi
The Congress party on Friday released a list of three candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded former Union Telecom Minister Sukh Ram's grandson Ashrey Sharma from Mandi seat in Himachal Pradesh.Sukh Ram and his grandson Ashrey Sharma joined Congress in the presence of party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and party in-charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajani Patil on Monday.Besides Ashrey Sharma, the party has fielded Tushar Chaudhary from Bardoli (Gujarat) and Dhani Ram Shandil from Shimla.The seven-phased Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held from April 11 till May 19. The result will be announced on May 23.
Amit Shah to file his nomination from Gandhinagar on Saturday
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah will file his nomination papers from Gandhinagar constituency on March 30.Shah, who is a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), will contest the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. He has been fielded from Gandhinagar constituency, which is currently held by BJP veteran LK Advani."He will file the nomination at 12:30 pm on Saturday in the presence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Lok Janshakti Party president Ram Vilas Paswan and BJP's national general secretary Ram Lal," said Mahendra Panday, BJP secretary, in a press release.Before filing the nomination, Shah will address a huge election rally in Naranpura area of Ahmedabad, followed by a roadshow which will start from DRH Regency hotel and culminate at Patidar Chowk in Ghatlodia area.Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told ANI: "Amit Shah ...
Pakistan is not sincere on Kartarpur corridor: Parkash Singh Badal
SAD patriarch and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday said that Pakistan is not sincere on the issue of Kartarpur corridor and hence is creating 'roadblocks' in its way."To build Kartarpur corridor is a very big decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but Pakistan is not sincere. But I am of the view that these roadblocks would be removed and Kartarpur corridor will materalise," said Badal.It is learnt that India is upset by the constitution of a 10-member committee by Pakistan government to oversee Kartarpur corridor as it includes some controversial names like that of Gopal Singh Chawla, Maninder Singh, Tara Singh, Bisan Singh, and Kuljeet Singh.They are involved in secessionist and anti-India activities. Gopal is linked with Lashkar-e-Toiba and this has queered the pitch for Kartarpur dialogue.India has sought certain clarifications from Pakistan on the key proposals put forth by it at the last meeting held in Attari to discuss modalities for Kartarpur Sahib
Paris court slaps fine on Yellow Vest protest convict
A Paris Court on Friday imposed a fine of USD 2,240 on a leader of the Yellow Vest protests for organising two unauthorised protests.Eric Drouet, one of the initiators of the Paris's worst protest in decades which brought the country's capital to halt, was twice detained by law enforcement agencies since the beginning of the year."A fine of 2,000 thousand euros, of which 500 euros is suspended", Sputnik quoted Drouet's lawyer Kheops Lara as saying."This is fine, which may seem almost insignificant... But it still remains a criminal sentence. I think that this decision will damage the image of France and the French justice", she added.Refusing to die down, the protest has entered week 19. Last week, over 40,000 people took to the streets across France.The Yellow Vest protests started in November last year, against the Macron-led government's proposed taxes on fuel. While Macron scrapped the fuel price hike, the protesters continue to agitate demanding 20 per cent hike in minimum ...
C'garh CM questions BJP leader's claims on air strike casualties
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said the Congress did not question the outcome of IAF air strike, while adding that his party questioned the claims made by BJP leaders in the connection."We did not ask for the information about how many terrorists were killed. Media raised the questions. International media said that only one crow was killed. They should tell media that where did the number of 300 terrorists killed came from since neither forces nor the government said this," the Chief Minister said while addressing a press conference here."How Amit Shah is saying that many 250 terrorists were killed. Modi ji should ask his own people," he added.Attacking PM Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for attending election rallies when Wing Abhinandan Varathaman was in Pakistan's custody, Baghel said, "When air strike happened Rahul Gandhi ji tweeted and said I salute the pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF). When Abhinandan was in Pakistan's custody, Modi ji and Rajnath Singh ji .
Congress announces two candidates for Goa assembly by-polls
The Congress party on Friday announced two candidates for Goa Assembly by-elections.Sudhir Kandolkar will contest from Mapusa while Mahadev Naik will be contesting Shiroda assembly constituency, the party said.Currently, four Assembly constituencies--Mandrem, Mapusa, Panaji, and Shiroda--are vacant.The voting on three of these seats will take place on April 23.
South Central Railway announces 24 special trains
In order to clear extra rush of passengers during the summer, the South Central Railway (SCR) on Friday announced that it will run 24 special trains between Kacheguda and Visakhapatnam.These special trains will consist of AC II Tier, AC III Tier, sleeper class, chair car, and luggage-cum-brake van coaches."Train No. 07148 from Kacheguda - Visakhapatnam Special will depart from Kacheguda at 18:45 and arrive at Visakhapatnam at 06:30 on the next day. While returning, Train No.07147 from Visakhapatnam - Kacheguda will depart from Visakhapatnam at 19:45 and arrive at Kacheguda at 06.30 the next day," Ch Rakesh, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) stated in a press release."Enroute, these special trains will stop at Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam Town, Rayanapadu, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Samalkot and Duvvada stations in both the directions," the statement added.
I am being stopped from contesting Lok Sabha election: Hardik Patel
After the Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected his plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case, following which he would not be able to contest the Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Hardik Patel said that the "law is only for the Congress.""I welcome the decision of Gujarat High Court. Elections will come and go but the BJP is working against the Constitution. Why the 25-year-old worker of Congress party is being stopped from contesting elections? There are cases against many BJP leaders, even convictions but the law is only for us," tweeted Patel.Patel will not be able to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha elections after the Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected his plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case of 2015 in Mehsana."We are not scared. We will continue to raise voice for the common people with honesty, non-violence, and truth. We will make the government of Congress that serves people. I will campaign for the party in Gujarat and the whole
Restoration of N Korea's rocket launchpad almost complete: S Korea
North Korea has almost completed the restoration of a key long-range rocket launch site in Dongchang-ri, according to South Korea's spy agency National Intelligence Service (NIS)."The North started the reassembly work before the Hanoi summit. We cannot verify what that means," Yonhap News Agency quoted NIS as saying.Pyongyang had allegedly begun to disassemble part of its facilities in July 2018 following the first US-North Korea summit where Kim Jong-un, the reclusive state's leader, agreed to complete denuclearisation.This comes amid a deadlock between Washington and Pyongyang, following the Hanoi summit which ended abruptly last month without a joint agreement. Speculations are rife that North Korea may launch a missile or a rocket with a satellite in an apparent show of frustration due to the impasse.The NIS also added that North Korea is keeping its uranium enrichment facility in Yongbyon in "normal operation."This is the same nuclear facility that North Korea offered to ...
Kejriwal hits out at Centre over its tax collection policy
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday slammed the Centre for its tax collection policy."Delhi people give income tax of Rs 1.5 Lakh crore but the central government spends only Rs 325 crore on Delhi. You collect income tax from Delhi and spend it on other states. We have done many developments works with this amount. Imagine if Centre gave us Rs 50,000 crore, ten new Singapore would be built here," the Chief Minister said addressing an election rally in Madanpur Khadar area."For 70 years, they are looting us. They say Delhi is a half state. Englishmen also used to loot India's money and take it with them to London, now the central government loot all your money and take it to the Centre. Shouldn't our money be spent on ourselves?" he added.Repeating his demand for full statehood to Delhi, AAP chief said, "We want to build schools, hospitals, Mohalla clinics etc But Modi government is not letting us do that. For last year, our leaders have to do a hunger strike for one week to clear
Trump to host Egypt's Sisi on April 9
US President Donald Trump will host his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the White House on April 9 to discuss military, economic and counterterrorism cooperation between their countries. The pair "will discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt and building on our robust military, economic and counterterrorism cooperation," the White House said in a statement. "The two leaders will also discuss developments and shared priorities in the region, including enhancing regional economic integration and addressing ongoing conflicts, and Egypt's longstanding role as a lynchpin of regional stability." One of Washington's biggest allies in the Middle East, Cairo has received $40 billion in US military aid and $30 billion in economic aid since 1980.
33 withdraw nomination in K'taka, 241 left in fray for April 18 polls
A total of 241 candidates are in the fray in Karnataka's 14 Lok Sabha constituencies that will go to polls in the first phase on April 18, poll officials said late Friday night. A total of 33 candidates withdrew their nomination papers on the last day on Friday. At 31, the Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency has the maximum candidates while Hassan has the least at six. Prominent among those in the race in the first phase include former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda (Tumkur) and his grandsons Prajwal Revanna and Nikhil Kumaraswamy from Hassan and Mandya respectively. Also in the fray are Union Minister Sadananda Gowda (Bangalore North), senior Congress leaders Veerappa Moily (Chikkaballapura), B K Hariprasad (Bangalore South) and Karnataka Rural Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda (Bangalore North). In a big relief to Deve Gowda, rebel candidate and sitting Congress MP from Tumkur S P Muddahanumegowda Friday pulled out of the contest. "Angry" at being denied the ticket, ...
Honesty is my only agenda, says Urmila Matondkar
Bollywood actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar on Friday said that she does not have any specific agenda for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and that honesty is her only agenda.
Shah ridicules Rahul for questioning Modi
BJP President Amit Shah on Friday ridiculed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for raising questions on the work done by the Narendra Modi government in the last five years and said the current regime is not accountable to Gandhi, but to the people of the country.
Priyanka meets students, says she loves cooking
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday gave a peek into her personal life while interacting with school students here, saying she was a good cook and loved preparing Italian and Thai dishes when at home.
India seeks Pakistan clarification on Kartarpur
India on Friday summoned Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and conveyed its concerns over the presence of Khalistani separatists in a committee appointed by Pakistan on the Kartarpur Corridor project, sources said.