Page 1182 - Politics
Opposition will be united after LS poll: M Veerappa Moily
Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said Tuesday opposition parties may not have come together to fight the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections in all states but would join hands post-poll to form government. The former union minister said he was not at all disappointed that the opposition alliance to take on the BJP has not materialised in some states. "...idea-wise, spirit-wise, they (opposition parties) are all united against (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi. Common agenda is: he (Modi) should go", Moily said and claimed the opposition would form government. The Congress has strong presence in many states, where the party has no option but to fight other parties which are also opposed to the BJP, according to him. He cited the political landscape in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF and CPI-M-anchored LDF are in direct fight, as an example to drive home his point. "In Kerala, it's UDF versus LDF, there is no BJP at all. BJP's presence is totally negligible. There, we ...
INLD's strength falls in Hry Assembly, Speaker removes Abhay Chautala as LoP
In another setback for the INLD, the Haryana Assembly speaker Tuesday removed Abhay Chautala as the Leader of Opposition after strength of party legislators dropped to 15 following resignations of two of its leaders. "I have removed Abhay Singh Chautala as the Leader of Opposition as the number of MLAs of his party has come down from 17 to 15. The number of MLAs of their party came down to 15 after I accepted resignation of two INLD MLAsRanbir Gangwa and Kehar Singh Rawat," Speaker Kanwar Pal told PTI. Hathin MLA Rawat joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Monday. Earlier this month, one of Indian National Lok Dal's senior leaders and sitting MLA Gangwa too had joined the BJP. "Gangwa and Rawat had submitted their resignations to my office before they joined the BJP. As there were holidays in between... I accepted their resignations now," he said. The speaker said that he will write to the state president of the Congress party, which has a strength of 17 MLAs in the ...
Union min Ravi Shankar Prasad shown black flags at airport
On his first visit to the city after being declared as the BJP candidate from Patna Sahib, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was on Tuesday shown black flags by alleged supporters of another party leader, leading to a clash with party workers who had gathered at the airport to welcome the Lok Sabha poll debutant. Prasad, a resident of the Bihar capital whose late father was a state minister and leader of the Jansangh, was shown black flags by the alleged supporters of R K Sinha, a Rajya Sabha member, who was hopeful of a ticket for the seat which is currently held by dissident MP Shatrughan Sinha. The Union minister drove away while telling the posse of media persons who stood waiting at the airport, "I thank my party for considering me for this great responsibility. I will be giving my best shot. The BJPs commitment to nationalism and good governance will help Narendra Modi return to power." As supporters of Prasad and Sinha shoved each other and exchanged blows, they .
LS Polls: Congress releases list of campaigners for Assam, Uttar Pradesh
The Congress party on Tuesday announced the names of campaigners for Assam and Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.The two lists, one for each state, contain the names of 40-star campaigners including the leaders, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, party President Rahul Gandhi, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others.Assam will go to polls in three phases. Five constituencies each will go to polls in the first two phases on April 11 and 18 and four seats in the third phase (April 23).Meanwhile, polling in 80 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh will be spread across all seven phases- April 11, 18, 23, 29, May 6, 12 and 19.UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh West Jyotiraditya Scindia are some of the leaders who will hold election rallies and public meetings both in Uttar Pradesh and Assam.The names of senior leaders like Ahmed Patel and Harish Rawat figure ...
SC refuses to direct EC for issuing 'pressure cooker' symbol to AIADMK's Dhinakaran faction
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to direct Election Commission (EC) to issue 'pressure cooker' as a common symbol to TTV Dhinakaran faction of AIADMK for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly by-polls in Tamil Nadu.A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi instead asked the EC to give them a common election symbol from among the free symbols available.The apex court has also made it clear that its order of asking the poll panel to consider granting common election symbol would not amount to granting recognition to his outfit as a political group.It further stated that if any candidate is elected, he or she will be treated as an Independent.The apex court said its order to grant common free symbol to the list of 59 candidates was passed to "ensure level-playing field and free and fair elections".During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the Election Commission told the bench, also comprising Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, that a common symbol of 'pressure ...
IT sleuths seize over Rs 1.5cr cash across Northeast
In a bid to check the flow of unaccounted money during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Income Tax department officials have seized cash worth over Rs 1.5 crore across the Northeast region at end of the first week since model code of conduct took effect on March 10.Since the notification of the 2019 general elections, the Directorate of Investigation of Income Tax department, Northeast region has been on a special drive in its efforts to restrict the use of black or unaccounted money to influence voters during the polls. It has been working with state government, the CISF, banks and several other government agencies to keep an eye on the flow of undisclosed money.Also, the directorate has been actively monitoring high-value transactions of cash deposits and withdrawals from bank accounts.Banks are required to report all transactions above Rs 10 lakh to the IT department. Suspicious transactions reported by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are also being monitored.District level ..
Two LS seats in Arunachal set for multi-cornered fights
The two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh are set to witness multi-cornered fights during the single-phase polling on April 11, with a total of 12 candidates crossing swords in the battle. While five candidates have filed their nominations from Arunachal East constituency, another seven are in the fray from Arunachal West seat. The eastern seat, with its 27 assembly segments, is likely to witness a tough fight between Tapir Gao of the BJP and James Lowangcha Wanglat of the Congress. Two new faces - Bandey Mili of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Mongol Yomso of the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) - along with Independent candidate C C Singpho have also joined the fight from the constituency. Both the seats are considered Congress strongholds, with the party bagging each for seven terms since 1977, when the state polled for the general election the first time. The BJP had emerged successful from Arunachal East in 2004 and two Independent candidates won the seat for two ...
PM Modi didn't tell you that he's 'chowkidar' for Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi: Rahul Gandhi
Taking a jibe at the BJP's 'Mein Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not inform the people that he would be the 'chowkidar' (watchman) not for the entire country, but for businessmen like Anil Ambani and Nirav Modi."He (the Prime Minister) says, 'Main Chowkidaar Hoon' (I am a watchman). He did not say whose chowkidar he is? Have you seen a chowkidar at a farmer's home? Have you seen a chowkidar at home of the unemployed youth?" he said at a public rally here.Attacking the Prime Minister, the Gandhi scion said, "Have you seen a chowkidar at the home of Anil Ambani? How many are there at Anil Ambani's home? There is a queue of chowkidars there. Narendra Modi did not tell you that he is not yours, but the chowkidar of people like Anil Ambani and Nirav Modi."The Congress leader reiterated his charge that Modi gave Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani, and accused the BJP-led Centre of not waiving farmers' loans in the ...
Priyanka Gandhi to visit Amethi tomorrow
Congress General Secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to begin her three-day campaign in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday from her brother's constituency Amethi.After Amethi, Priyanka will proceed to Raebareli on March 28 and Ayodhya on March 29.During her tour, Priyanka will offer prayers at the famous Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya, a source had told ANI earlier.The Congress leader will board a bus customised in the form of a 'rath' and would cover Faizabad, Sultanpur, Amethi and Unnao parliamentary constituencies during the three-day long political campaign.In her first major political campaign since taking up the post of Congress general secretary in the state, Priyanka had undertaken a 140-kilometre boat journey from Prayagraj to Varanasi.Ever since she started her political campaigns in the state, Priyanka has already visited two significant temple towns of Uttar Pradesh - Varanasi and Prayagraj.This year's Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in .
US accuses China of 'systematically' impeding access to Tibet
The US has accused China of "systematically" impeding access to Tibet by imposing restrictions that have barred diplomats and foreign journalists from visiting the remote Himalayan region, drawing a strong reaction from Beijing which warned that Washington's interference in its internal affairs would harm bilateral ties. The US State Department in a report documented access problems to Tibet. The report to Congress, mandated by the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, passed with bipartisan support in December. "The Chinese government systematically impeded travel to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and Tibetan areas outside the TAR for US diplomats and officials, journalists and tourists in 2018," said the report. Even visits by US diplomats were "highly restricted," it said. "Chinese government-designated minders followed US diplomats and officials at all times, prevented them from meeting or speaking with local contacts, interrogated them and restricted their movement in these ...
Puducherry CM Narayanasamy hails minimum income scheme promise
Senior Congress leader and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Tuesday hailed as 'historic' the minimum income scheme for poor families promised by party president Rahul Gandhi. The scheme, to be implemented if the Congress was voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections, would have a final assault on poverty as it ensured Rs 72,000 annually to 20 per cent of the poorest families in the country, he told reporters here. "It is an unparallelled and unprecedented measure announced by Gandhi and would eradicate poverty, he added. Gandhi Monday said 20 per cent or five crore families belonging to the poorest category with monthly income less than Rs 12,000 would come under the scheme. Narayanasamy charged the Narendra Modi-led NDA government with having "let down the poor families, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and weaker sections." He also accused Modi of failure to fulfil electoral promises made in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Lucknow: Nishad party, Janvadi Party (S) join SP-BSP-RLD alliance
Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) on Tuesday joined the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of SP president Akhilesh Yadav.Addressing a press conference on the occasion, Akhilesh said: "Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) are now a part of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Whenever Samajwadi Party had felt any need during the elections, these two parties and their leaders have always helped us. With their support, our alliance will be further strengthened in the state."Dr Sanjay Nishad of Nishad Party and Dr Sanjay Chauhan of Janvadi Party (Socialist) were also present during the interaction with the media and both leaders reposed their support for the Uttar Pradesh grand alliance being led by SP-BSP.Earlier in the day, Janvadi Party (Socialist) and Nishad Party hoardings were spotted at the SP office, alongside hoardings of BSP and RLD, fueling ...
SP ties up with Nishad Party, Janwadi Party (S)
With less than 15 days for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday announced a tie-up with Janwadi Party (Socialist) and the Nishad Party.
Modi creating two 'Hindustans' in india: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to create two Hindustans in India, one for the rich and the other for the poor.
BJP tells me not to contest, says Joshi
Former BJP President Murli Manohar Joshi has revealed that he will not contest the Lok Sabha election as he had been denied a party ticket.
Vice Prez hails Gandhi as visionary for call to disband Cong
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday hailed Mahatma Gandhi as a visionary for his call to disband the Congress. Naidu, a senior BJP leader before his elevation to the top Constitutional post in 2017, also lauded the Narendra Modi regime, mentioning a slew of flagship initiatives, including ease of doing business, which he said got recognition from the World Bank. In remarks coming just ahead of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, the Vice President said Gandhi had spoken for the need to disband the Congress after Independence. Speaking at the convocation of the RBI-promoted Indira Gandhi Institute of Developmental Research here, Naidu said this was political advice from Gandhi, adding he doesnt wish to dwell on it now as hes no more in active politics. "Mahatma Gandhi had such a vision. After independence, he gave two advices, one is political, I dont want to dwell on that. He said disband the Congress. That was the first advice. "Congress was a platform of different ..
Arab Parliament rejects US recognition of Golan Heights
The Arab Parliament has rejected US President Donald Trump's recognition of Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, a part of Syria that has been under Israeli military occupation since the Six-Day War of 1967.
Spell out stand on Cong's proposed 'Nyay' scheme: Surjewala to Modi
The Congress on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to clearly spell out whether they support its proposal to give Rs 72,000 annually to five crore poor families under a minimum income guarantee scheme, claiming many BJP ministers were opposing the idea. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Nyunatam Aay Yojana (Nyay) is not a "top-up scheme" and is a women-centric scheme whereby the money will go directly into the bank accounts of the woman member of a family. Speaking a day after Congress President Rahul Gandhi made the announcement about the poll promise after a meeting of the party's working committee, Surjewala alleged that it was "shameful" that the "pro-rich" Prime Minister Modi was opposing the world's biggest anti-poverty scheme. Gandhi made the scheme public soon after it was given a go-ahead by the Congress Working Committee, that had met at the AICC headquarters to give final shape to the party's manifesto for the April-May parliamentary
Pentagon authorises USD 1 billion fund transfer to build US-Mexico border wall, Democrats cry foul
The Pentagon has notified Congress that it has authorised the transfer of USD 1 billion to begin building a new wall along the US-Mexico border, an election campaign promise of President Donald Trump, drawing immediate objections from senior Democratic lawmakers. The funds are the first under the national emergency declared by President Trump to bypass Congress and build the barrier he pledged during his 2016 election campaign. Trump had promised to build a "big beautiful wall", which he said would prevent illegal migration and drug trafficking from Mexico. Though Trump said Mexico would pay for the wall, the neighbouring country has made it clear that it would not foot the bill. A Pentagon budget reprogramming notification sent to Capitol Hill on Monday indicates that up to USD 1 billion will go toward building nearly 92km of fencing, improving roads and other measures on the southern border. The Department of Defense authorised the Army Corp of Engineers to begin planning and ...
Actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada joins BJP
Former Samajwadi Party leader and actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here in the presence of senior party leaders.