Page 1142 - Politics
India 'disappointed' with Pak's response to Pulwama dossier
India on Thursday voiced its disappointment with Pakistan's response to the dossier shared with it following the Pulwama terror attack, slamming the nation for not sharing details of credible action - if taken.Furthermore, India also criticised Pakistan for being "in denial" and refusing to "acknowledge" Pulwama as a terror attack."India is disappointed at Pakistan's response to our detailed dossier on the Jaish-e-Mohammed's complicity in the cross-border terror attack in Pulwama, the presence of its terror camps and leadership in Pakistan," the Ministry of External Affairs said.This comes after Pakistan sought "further information and evidence" from India to take forward investigations into the ghastly terror attack, nearly a month after the dossier's submission."Regrettably, Pakistan continues to be in denial and even refuses to acknowledge Pulwama as a terror attack. It has not shared details of credible action, if any, taken by it against terrorists or terrorist organizations ...
Hizb-ul- Mujahideen terrorist arrested in Anantnag
In a joint operation by security forces, an alleged Hizb-ul- Mujahideen terrorist Rameez Ahmad Dar was arrested from Bijbehara, Anantnag in South Kashmir on Thursday.A huge cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from him. He was reportedly arrested following a credible input to the security forces about his location.On the other hand, the three terrorists who were neutralised today during an encounter in Shopian have been identified as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliates, Jammu and Kashmir Police said.
Eyeing kickbacks, Cong sat on Rafale deal: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday blamed the previous Congress-led governments for the delay in getting the Rafale military aircraft, saying the party sat on the deal as it was eyeing kickbacks. Launching the BJP's poll campaign in Uttarakhand from Rudrapur, Modi said the Congress cared more for the malai (commission) than national security. He pitched the BJP as the party that stood for the armed forces, saying the Congress governments cared little for what they sought modern weapons, bullet-proof jackets and the one rank, one pension scheme that his own government has implemented. He said the deal for the French military aircraft was mooted during the term of Atal Bihari Vajpayee government but the following Congress-led governments delayed the acquisition. They sat on it for 10 years because they were not getting the malai, he charged at the Rudrapur rally. We proceeded with the Rafale deal after taking over, and in the next few months we will have the fighter aircraft to ...
Deora takes charge of Mumbai Cong, says it's crown of thorns
Former MP Milind Deora Thursday took charge as new president of the Mumbai unit of the Congress. Deora (42) is also the party's candidate from Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat. Actor Urmila Matondkar who joined the Congress Wednesday, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, senior leaders Kripashankar Singh, Eknath Gaikwad, outgoing city unit president Sanjay Nirupam and Congress general secretary in charge of the state Mallikarjun Kharge were present on the occasion. Deora described his new responsibility as a crown of thorns. "I too will have to hand it over to somebody later," he said. "We have requested party chief Rahul Gandhi to nominate Urmila Matondkar as a candidate and a decision in this regard will be taken soon," Deora said. Chavan too said that Matondkar's candidature will be declared soon. The Bollywood actor is likely to be the Congress' candidate from Mumbai North, where she will take on sitting BJP MP Gopal Shetty. Nirupam -- who had faced a lot
Top leadership to give boost to election campaigning in J-K: Congress
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress Thursday said party's top leaders will boost the election campaign in the state as it discussed strategy to counter what it called "false propaganda" of the BJP to mislead the people. "The state unit has invited top leadership of the party to give boost to the election campaign in the state to give appropriate response to the BJP," the party said in a statement here. It said the Congress would expose the "misdeeds" and "counter the falsehood and vicious propaganda" of the BJP in the state in an effective manner during the ongoing elections. "A meeting of the media committee was held here to discuss the strategy to counter the false propaganda of the BJP to mislead the people about the role and contribution of the Congress party in the nation building," the statement said. "The meeting also discussed BJP's attempt to divert the attention of the people from the utter failure of the Modi government," it said. Chief spokesperson of the state ...
AAP targets Modi over 'saboot-sapoot' speech: 'His trademark style'
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his wordplay with 'saboot' and 'sapoot' at a rally in Meerut, the AAP said it was his "trademark" style of lampooning Opposition and painting them as anti-national, while portraying himself as the biggest patriot. Playing on the words 'saboot' and 'sapoot', the Hindi words for proof and a worthy son, Modi attacked the opposition for seeking evidence of the surgical strikes. "Do we need 'saboot' or sapoot... those who seek evidence are challenging the sapoot." He was speaking at the launch of his party's Lok Sabha poll campaign in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Rudrapur in Uttarakhand and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir -- all going to polls in the first phase on April 11. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh said it is Modi's "trademark" style of lampooning the opposition and painting them as anti-national, pro-Pakistanis and portraying himself as the biggest patriot. "Modi should tell the country what kind of a sapoot is he? It is Mr Modi's BJP ...
Modi to address election rally at Jeypore: Pradhan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin his election campaign for Eastern India from Jeypore town in Odisha's Koraput district on Friday, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Thursday. Odisha BJP spokesman Golak Mohapatra said the prime minister will also address an election meeting at Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters town of Kalahandi on April 2. "The Prime Minister will start his election campaign for eastern parts of the country from Jeypore in Koraput tomorrow," Pradhan said. Pradhan said since Jeypore in considered as the middle of undivided Koraput district, the Prime Minister will address election rally there. Koraput district is now divided into four districts like Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur. Modi will highlight several schemes which have been implemented by his government for the welfare of the poor people, Pradhan said. During his visit to Koraput on March 8, Congress president Rahul promised free education for girls and
Nine left in fray for Baramulla LS seat, one independent withdraws nomination
An independent candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat Thursday withdrew his nomination on the last day of withdrawal Thursday, leaving nine contestants in the fray, a poll official said. "One independent candidate has withdrawn his nomination papers today on the last date of withdrawal," he said, adding nine people have been left to contest for the seat now. Those left in the fray include Haji Farooq Ahamd Mir of the Congress, Mohammad Maqbool War of the BJP, Mohammad Akbar Lone of the NC and Abdul Qayoom Wani of the PDP. The other candidates are Jahangir Khan of the National Panthers Party, Raja Aijaz Ali of People's Conference and three independents Javid Ahmad Qureshi, Syed Najeeb Shah Naqvi and Engineer Rashid. The polling for the Baramulla seat is to be held in the first-phase on April 11. Meanwhile, Baramulla's Returning officer G N Itoo said all necessary arrangements have been made for a smooth, free and fair conduct of the elections. Independent candidate Abdul Rashid ...
Final decision on Mumbai north-east seat will be taken by Shah, Fadnavis, and Uddhav: BJP MLC Laad
BJP MLC Prasad Laad said that his meeting with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was for the better coordination between both parties in the Konkan area and decision regarding the Mumbai North East Lok Sabha seat will be taken by BJP president Amit Shah, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray hopefully very soon."The meeting was very normal, we discussed mainly the issues related to the Konkan area and how both BJP and Shiv Sena can collectively perform better in Konkan. It is not appropriate for me to comment on Mumbai north-east seat . The decision will be Amit Shah, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray, hopefully very soon," said Prasad Laad.Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut has said he would contest from Mumbai North-East "no matter what."It may be noted that the BJP and Shiv Sena are yet to reach a consensus over Somaiya's candidature from the Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency.As per the seat-sharing pact between the two political parties, the BJP ...
Will request party leadership to field me from Dhaurahra: Jitin Prasada.
Congress leader Jitin Prasada on Thursday said he will request the party leadership to field him from Dhaurahra Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.He said this while hundreds of Congress workers stage a demonstration here in Dhaurahra demanding Jitin Prasada is given ticket from the constituency."I am attached with the sentiments of the people of Dhaurahra. I have worked with the people here for 15 years and share a deep bonding with them. Respecting the sentiments of workers and people of Dhaurahra I will talk to the leadership and request them to field me from Dhaurahra, " said Jitin Prasada.He, however, said as a dedicated soldier of the party he will follow the party decision. "I am a dedicated soldier of Congress and whatever the party will decide I will follow," said Jitin Prasada.According to sources, Congress leader Jitin Prasada will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Lucknow seat against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh as a compromised regarding the same has
NDA will get two-third majority: Piyush Goyal
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that NDA will return to power with two-third majority and will win all seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.Goyal was campaigning for the party's Ramanathapuram constituency candidate Nainar Nagendran who switched to BJP from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 2018.Before commencing the campaign, Goyal offered prayers at Ramanathaswamy temple and claimed that the BJP will win more than 300 seats."I am blessed to receive blessings of Lord Shiva. This is the holy place where Lord Ram had also prayed. We are going to win more than 300 seats for the BJP and two-third majority for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). All the seats of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are going to be won by NDA," Goyal said.He added, "With the blessings of Lord Shiva and all our divine lords, this country has a bright future. All the people of India and Tamil Nadu are hoping and praying for the victory of NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra ...
Next census of India in 2021: Govt
The next census of India will be carried out in 2021 with March 1 of that year as the reference date, the Home Ministry announced Thursday. In a notification, the ministry said the decision has been taken by the central government under the powers conferred by section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948). "The central government hereby declares that a census of the population of India shall be taken during the year2021. The reference date for the census shall, except for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and snow bound non-synchronous areas of states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, be 00.00 hours of the first day of March, 2021," it said. For Jammu and Kashmir and snow bound non-synchronous areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be the first day of October, 2020, the notification said. India's last census was carried out in 2011 when the country's population stood at 121 crore.
We'll raise Sabarimala issue during LS campaign: Kerala BJP
:BJP Kerala unit chief P S Sreedharan Pillai Thursday said the party would raise the Sabarimala issue over women's entry and the alleged harassment suffered by the Lord Ayyappa devotees during the campaign in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. If the law permits the Centre to intervene in the matter, the BJP would take all possible steps to bring a new legislation to protect the temple's customs and traditions, the leader said in a statement here. "Each BJP candidate has the right to raise the issue of assault on Lord Ayyappa devotees in Sabarimala and the attempts to destroy their faith during the campaign in a peaceful manner," he said. Pillai's statement came hours after his reported remarks that the BJP would not use Sabarimala row as a campaign issue in the Lok Sabha polls triggered a controversy. A section of the media reported that his statement was contradictory to the stand taken by K Surendran, the BJP-NDA's candidate inPathanamthitta (where the Sabarimala temple ..
US lawmaker introduces resolution demanding Pak action on eliminating safe haven for terrorists
A resolution demanding action by Pakistan on eliminating safe haven for terrorists was introduced in the US Congress on Thursday by a lawmaker. Introduced by Congressman Scott Perry in the US House of Representatives, the resolution also condemned the Pulwama attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber on February 14 that killed 40 Indian paramilitary jawans. "Enough is enough. Now is the time to hold the Pakistani government accountable," Perry, a Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania, said after introducing the resolution. "Pakistan has a long history of harbouring terrorists and terrorist sympathisers, despite continued American efforts to root out bad actors in the region," he said. The resolution also calls for the US States to recognise the threat of JeM, reaffirm America's commitment to end Pakistani-based terror and acknowledge India's continued commitment to prevent terrorism in the region. "Actively choosing lax enforcement has .
One candidate withdraws, 24 left in fray for Jammu LS seat
The 'covering candidate' of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan (DSS) Kanta Andotra Thursday withdrew her candidature from Jammu parliamentary constituency. With Andotra's withdrawal, a total of 24 candidates remain in fray from the prestigious Jammu seat which along with the Baramulla constituency of north Kashmir will vote in the first phase of the five-phased general elections in the state on April 11. A covering candidate is someone who files the nomination papers along with the party's main candidate. In case, the nomination of the main candidate is rejected, the covering candidate becomes the official party candidate. Thursday was the last date for withdrawal of candidature from the two Lok Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir. None of the nine candidate from Baramulla seat withdrew, officials said. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Jugal Kishore is seeking re-election from Jammu parliamentary seat, while Congress has fielded its senior vice president and former minister Raman Bhalla who ..
150 candidates in fray for 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim
Altogether 150 candidates are in fray for 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim after three nominees withdrew their candidature on Thursday, the last date for withdrawal, Election officials said. There are 11 candidates in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat from Sikkim. Election to both the Lok Sabha seat and Assembly constituencies will be held simultaneously on April 11, they said. Two candidates Ratan Singh Rai (Sikkim Republican Party) and Nirmal Kumar Pradhan (Independent) withdrew their names from Namchi-Singhithang assembly constituency, while another candidate Dal Bahadur Karki (Congress) took back his candidature from Gylashing -Barnyak assembly seat, officials said. At the end of the withdrawal process, a total of 150 candidates are in fray on 32 Assembly seats. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, HSP working president Bhaichung Bhutia and Chamling"s younger brother Rup Narayan Chamling are among prominent candidates in fray in the assembly polls. Chamling, ...
Shiv Sena says BJP now extended part of TMC, enters poll fray
The Shiv Sena, a constituent of the BJP-led NDA, Thursday announced that it would contest 15 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal and claimed that the saffron party is now an extended part of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The Shiv Sena is contesting Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal for the first time. "Today we announced candidates for 11 seats. Within a few days we will declare candidates in four more seats. The BJP leadership in Bengal can never fight the TMC. That is why Shiv Sena has entered the fray," said the party's state general secretary Ashok Sarkar. "All the tainted leaders of the TMC have joined the BJP making it an extended part of the ruling party," he claimed. Several sitting MPs and an MLA of the TMC have joined the BJP in recent times. Shiv Sena announced candidates from Tamluk, Contai, Midnapur, North Kolkata, Purulia, Barrackpore, Bankura, Barasat, Bishnupur, North Malda, Jadavpur. The BJP has made inroads in some of these seats in the past few ...
AIADMK wants EC to restrain Stalin from making remarks on
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Thursday hit out at DMK chief M K Stalin for allegedly making scandalous remarks against an inquiry commission probing the circumstances leading to the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and sought the EC's intervention. Stalin's remarks amounted to violation of the model code of conduct (MCC), it said, and urged the Election Commission (EC) to restrain him from making remarks about the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission in his campaign speeches. The ruling party made a representation to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo, alleging that Stalin was making such remarks against the Commission. The DMK chief, also State Leader of Opposition, was conducting a "false and scandalous election campaign" against the commission, it said. "For instance, in an election meeting held at Salem on March 22, 2019, Stalin very openly attacked the propriety of the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission and also made various ...
Theresa May struggles to break through Brexit logjam
British Prime Minister Theresa May was on Thursday struggling to keep her European Union (EU) divorce bill alive for another parliamentary vote, a day after she offered to step down if her Conservative Party MPs agreed to back it. A number of her Tory MPs are believed to have been swayed by that offer but with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) determined against it, May still lacks the crucial numbers that would be needed for her twice-defeated withdrawal agreement to be voted through in the House of Commons. Then there is also Commons Speaker John Bercow's diktat in the way that the UK government cannot bring back the same proposal for yet another vote unless it is substantially different from the two previous ones on Britain's exit strategy from the EU, defeated twice by an enormous majority earlier this year. "The motion tabled will comply with the Speaker's ruling but the only way we ensure we leave in good time on May 22 is by approving the Withdrawal Agreement ..
India disappointed over Pak seeking more evidence on JeM's involvement in Pulwama attack
India on Thursday expressed disappointment over Pakistan's response to its dossier on Jaish-e-Mohammed's involvement in the dastardly Pulwama attack, saying Islamabad continues to be in "denial" on the issue of cross border terrorism. India's response came a day after Pakistan sought more information and evidence from New Delhi on the involvement of the JeM in the terror attack and the presence of camps of the terror outfit in Pakistan. "India is disappointed at Pakistan's response to our detailed dossier on the Jaish-e-Mohammed's complicity in the cross-border terror attack in Pulwama, the presence of its terror camps and leadership in Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "Regrettably, Pakistan continues to be in denial and even refuses to acknowledge Pulwama as a terror attack," he said. The MEA spokesperson said Pakistan has not shared details of credible action, if any, taken by it against terrorists or terrorist groups based in Pakistan. "We are ..