Page 1169 - Politics
IPS officers' transfer the culmination of well-hatched conspiracy by YSRCP, TRS, BJP: TDP
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Wednesday said the decision of the Election Commission of India (EC) to transfer three IPS officers in Andhra Pradesh is "the culmination of a well-hatched conspiracy" by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).This comes a day after the EC transferred three IPS officers in Andhra Pradesh after YSRCP leaders accused them of working in favour of N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP.The EC issued transfer orders to Intelligence Director General AB Venkateswara Rao, Kadapa SP Rahul Dev Sharma and Srikakulam SP Venkata Ratnam.In this regard, TDP spokesperson K Rammohan Rao said: "The direction of the EC to act upon frivolous complaint of YSRCP without following due procedures and principles of natural justice is not only unjustified but also unconstitutional. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been provided with Z plus security as he has the highest level of security threat. He had suffered ..
Setback for TRS in Legislative Council polls
Ruling TRS in Telangana received a setback with the party backed candidates losing elections to three seats of the Legislative Council.
2019 LS polls "semi-final" match for BJP as it warms up to
The 2019 general elections may be a fight for the BJP to secure a second straight term in office at the Centre, in West Bengal, it is a "semi-final match" for the saffron party before it takes on a redoubtable opponent in Mamata Banerjee in the assembly polls in 2021. Ironically, despite being the land of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Bhartiya Jana Sangh, the BJP's forerunner, the party was never reckoned as a potent political force in the state till the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when it clinched 17 per cent votes and two seats. The BJP, which edged past the Congress and the Left Front in the panchayat elections last year, hopes to ride the anti-incumbency factor and alleged "appeasement politics" of the West Bengal chief minister to position itself firmly as the main opposition party. Factionalism in the once formidable CPI(M)-led Left Front, which Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) ousted from power after 34 years in 2011, and the Congress, has helped the BJP ...
British MPs set out plan to test Brexit options
MPs have set out details of their plan to consider other Brexit options, as British Prime Minister Theresa May was warned more ministers could quit unless she changes course.
TRS only party which cares about farmers irrespective of election season: K Kavitha
TRS MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Tuesday said that ruling Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS government) has worked to boost the turmeric cultivation in the state, claiming that the party always thinks about the welfare of farmers even when there are no elections.Speaking during a roadshow at Godhur village, Kavitha said that she has done many things for the turmeric cultivation by raising the matter in Parliament after being elected as a member."Turmeric cultivation is tough job which has a different process. Once the crops come into hand it should be boiled in the boiler which costs Rs 4 lakhs. No other government focused on turmeric cultivation as the TRS government has done. TRS has given Rs 2 lakhs subsidy for the boiler and supported the farmers unlike anyone other government across India. Even when there were no elections, the TRS is the only party which thinks about the development of farmers," Kavitha said.Telangana will go to polls ..
Syria requests UN Security Council meeting on Golan
Syria asked the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to hold an urgent meeting on the US decision to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Monday in which the United States recognized Israel's annexation of the strategic plateau, despite UN resolutions that call for Israel's withdrawal from the Golan. In a letter seen by AFP, the Syrian mission to the United Nations asked the council presidency, held by France, to schedule an urgent meeting to "discuss the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan and the recent flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council's resolution by a permanent member-state." The French presidency did not immediately schedule the meeting and diplomats said there would be a discussion at the council about the request. On Friday, Syria wrote a separate letter urging the council to uphold resolutions demanding that Israel withdraw from the Golan. The council is scheduled to discuss the latest crisis
BJP strength in Goa assembly increases after two MGP MLAs switch sides
In a late night dramatic development, two MLAs from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) merged their party's legislative wing with the BJP, said Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.The support of the MGP was crucial for the stability of BJP-led dispensation in Goa. The merger of the two-member legislative unit into the BJP brings the saffron party on par with the Congress with 14 seats each. The MGP is an alliance partner of the BJP in Goa since 2012."Two MGP MLAs Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar have joined BJP for the stability of the government. Automatically, our strength has grown to 14," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told ANI.The MGP has three lawmakers in the 40-Member Goa Assembly and its senior leader and Marcaim legislator Sudin Dhavalikar is the deputy chief minister in the BJP-led Pramod Sawant government in Goa.As two out of the three MLAs have merged the legislative wing, they are saved from inviting anti-defection law, which makes it mandatory that two-third of the
Russia, Venezuela to sign 20 agreements next month: Maduro
Russia and Venezuela will sign around 20 agreements on cooperation in different sectors including energy and education, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday."In April, a high-level working session on intergovernmental cooperation between Russia and Venezuela will take place. We will sign over 20 documents on cooperation in economy, trade, culture, energy and education," TASS quoted Maduro as saying.Interestingly, Maduro's remarks come a day after foreign media reported that two Russian military jets with 100 soldiers on board reached Caracas.While discussing on Russia and Venezuela relationships, Maduro asserted, "In April, a high-level working session on intergovernmental cooperation between Russia and Venezuela will take place. We will sign over 20 documents on cooperation in economy, trade, culture, energy and education.''Taking jibe at US' humanitarian aid which he had claimed was "fake", Maduro thanked Russia for its "real humanitarian delivery"."Two weeks ago, a ..
NZ green lights 'intrusive' spy ops after mosque attack
New Zealand's intelligence minister said Wednesday he was allowing spy agencies to carry out "intrusive" activities following the Christchurch mosque shootings that claimed 50 lives. The government this week ordered a judicial inquiry into whether the South Pacific nation's intelligence services could have prevented the March 15 attack amid criticism the white supremacist gunman went unnoticed as they were too focused on Muslim extremists. Andrew Little -- the minister responsible for the GCSB and SIS intelligence services -- said he had signed powerful surveillance warrants as information gathering continued in the wake of the attack. "I have given authority to the agencies to do intrusive activities under warrant, the number of those (warrants) I'm not at liberty to disclose," he told Radio New Zealand. Little said intelligence services typically monitored 30-40 people but that number had now increased, although he was unwilling to reveal by how much. He said a warrant permitted ...
Brazil's Israel embassy move would be illegal: Palestinian envoy
Moving Brazil's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would be an "attack" on Palestinian people and a breach of international law, the Palestinian envoy to the Latin American country said Tuesday. The comments by Ibrahim Alzeben come days before Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro makes an official visit to Israel where his earlier pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv is expected to be raised. "Moving the embassy of any country... is a violation of international law and an attack on the Palestinian people," Alzeben told AFP. After taking power in January, Bolsonaro reiterated his promise to follow US President Donald Trump's lead in relocating the embassy to Jerusalem. The controversial proposal has raised fears the shift could endanger Brazil's valuable meat exports to Arab markets. Foreign minister Ernesto Araujo told reporters last week the government was "still studying" the plan. The decision to move the embassy is highly sensitive because Israel claims all of Jerusalem as .
Trump nominates Jeffrey Rosen as next deputy attorney general
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) nominated US Transportation official, Jeffrey Rosen as next deputy attorney general.If appointed he will replace Rod Rosenstein who for a brief period of time had supervised the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation in the alleged collusion between Trump and Russia during the 2016 Presidential election. However, his appointment needs clearance from the Senate.Rosenstein has been alleged for being a part of the discussion about invoking 25th Amendment to remove Trump from the office.This comes days after Attorney General William Barr on Sunday submitted his principal conclusions from Mueller's 22-month long investigation. He announced that Trump and his associate did not conspire with Russians, he has not completely exonerated the US President.
Ready to fight against Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli: Major (retd.) Surendra Poonia
Major (retd.) Surendra Poonia, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, expressed his willingness to take on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi from her home turf Rae Bareli in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.As per reports, the BJP is looking for popular candidates to give a tough fight to members of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.Rae Bareli is Sonia Gandhi's stronghold. She has registered four consecutive wins from Rae Bareli since 2004.Poonia told ANI, "It would be an honour for me if Narendra Modi ji asks me to fight against Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli constituency. I will happily take this task. This will be a fight between chowkidar (watchman) vs chor (thief)."A former Special Forces officer of the Indian Army, Major Poonia said that the leadership quality of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspired him to join the BJP."The main reason behind joining the BJP is the leadership quality of Narendra Modi ji. He has always kept ...
ECI transfers 3 IPS officers in Andhra over allegations of favoring TDP
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday transferred three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Andhra Pradesh after YSRCP leaders accused them of working in favour of ruling Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP).The ECI issued orders transferring Intelligence Director General AB Venkateswara Rao, Kadapa Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Dev Sharma and Srikakulam SP Venkata Ratnam. The three are ordered to report to the police headquarters.This comes after a delegation of YSRCP leaders led by Member of Parliament (MP) Vijayasai Reddy met with the ECI to register a complaint against some police officers, alleging that they are working in favour of ruling TDP.The ECI in its order attaching all three IPS officers stated that their immediate subordinates will take charge.Also, the three officers have been asked to not take-up any election-related duty.The election to 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to be held on April .
US targets companies and individuals for funding Iran's Revolutionary Guards
The United States on Tuesday (local time) imposed sanctions on the networks of companies and individual for transferring money to Iran's elite paramilitary Revolutionary Guards Corps force."We are targeting a vast network of front companies and individuals located in Iran, Turkey, and the UAE to disrupt a scheme the Iranian regime has used to illicitly move more than a billion dollars in funds," Al Jazeera quoted US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as saying in a statement.In total 25 people and companies including Ansar Bank, Iranian Atlas Company have been blacklisted.In 2018, US President Donald Trump withdrew from Nuclear deal and imposed various sanctions against Iran, which had visible impacts over Tehran's economy. Trump had accused Iran of not "living up to the spirit of the deal"Trump while imposing the sanctions have also targeted IRGC, which is the country's most powerful security organisation, to keep overseas funding to it under check.The "toughest sanctions" on Iran ...
Democratic campaign to impeach me is over: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Democratic lawmakers are no longer thinking about initiating impeachment proceedings against him because the preliminary conclusions on the Russia probe indicate that there was no collusion between his 2016 election campaign and Russia.
Hezbollah chief urges 'resistance' over US Golan move
The head of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on Tuesday called for "resistance" a day after the United States recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. US President Donald Trump on Monday officially recognised Israeli sovereignty over the strategic border area, seized from Syria in 1967 and then annexed in 1981 in a move not recognised by the international community. Hezbollah is a key backer of the regime in neighbouring Syria, where its fighters have helped Damascus gain ground against rebels and jihadists during the eight-year civil war. In a televised speech on Tuesday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said the only option left to Syrians to take back their land -- and for Palestinians to achieve their "legitimate rights" -- was "resistance, resistance, and resistance". He described Trump's move as "a crucial turning point in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict". Trump's decision "deals a knockout punch to what is called the peace process in the region, which ..
Goa: Two MGP MLAs join BJP
In a late night dramatic development, two MLAs from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) joined BJP, said Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.The support of the MGP was crucial for the stability of BJP-led dispensation in Goa. The merger of the two-member legislative unit into the BJP brings the saffron party on par with the Congress with 14 seats each."Two MGP MLAs Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar have joined BJP for the stability of the government. Automatically, our strength has grown to 14," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told ANI.The MGP has three lawmakers in the 40-Member Goa Assembly and its senior leader and Marcaim legislator Sudin Dhavalikar is the deputy chief minister in the BJP-led Pramod Sawant government in Goa.Speaker Michael Lobo told ANI that his office was contacted by the two MLAs around 1:30 am when they walked in with a letter, following which their letters were officially accepted."MGP's legislative wing has split. Two-third of MGP legislators formed a ...
MCC violation complaint lodged against Sambit Patra for holding Jagannath idol during election rally
The Congress party on Monday filed a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state against BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Puri Sambit Patra alleging violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).The Odisha Pradesh Congress in its complaint said that Patra violated MCC by holding the idol of Lord Jagannath in his hand during an election rally.After Patra was nominated as BJP candidate from Puri Lok Sabha constituency, he took out a campaign rally during which he was seen holding an idol of Lord Jagannath.Patra's name was mentioned among the 36 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections announced by the BJP on Friday night, ending speculations that Prime Minister Modi could contest from Puri.The decision was taken after a meeting of the Central Election Committee of the BJP in the national capital attended by the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others.The seven-phase Lok Sabha ...
Pak needs to deliver outcomes: Palladino
Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said. The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns. Pakistan itself, the secretary (of State Mike Pompeo) has emphasised the need (for Pakistan) to deliver outcomes and to build confidence and trust between our two nations and we do want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters Tuesday at his biweekly news conference. Palladino was answering a question on the recent remarks by Pompeo in which he identified Pakistan's nuclear proliferation as the third top national security concerns for the US. Nuclear proliferation is one of the very first national security concerns articulated in our national security strategy. It's at the very top of the list, he said. So that absolutely remains something that this ...
Two MGP MLAs split, merged into BJP: Goa Deputy Speaker
In a late but politically significant development, two out of the three Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party legislators early on Wednesday, split from the regional party and merged their two-member legislative unit into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said.