Page 1193 - Politics
Nominations filed in Uttarakhand on rain-hit day
The process of filing nominations for all the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand going to the polls in the first phase on April 11 ended on Monday amid steady rainfall.
Around 500 nominations filed in TN on penultimate day
A day before nominations for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections close, Tamil Nadu saw brisk filing of nominations on Monday by key contestants for the state's 39 Lok Sabha seats and the bypolls for 18 assembly seats.
HC orders action against parties using non-biodegradable materials for campaigning
The Kerala High Court Monday ordered action against political parties and candidates violating its order, prohibiting use of flex and other non-biodegradable materials for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. Considering a petition on the menace caused by the indiscriminate use of flex and other non-biodegradable materials in the elections, Justice Devan Ramachandran said respective District Collectors, who are the District Electoral Officers, should ensure appropriate action against the erring political parties. The high court also directed police to register FIRs against political parties and candidates who erect unauthorised flex boards in public places. A fine would be imposed on police officials who fail to comply with the directions, the court said. The removed flex boards should be returned to the political parties concerned, who shall ensure that it is not kept in public places, the court said. A division bench of the high court had on March 11 prohibited the use of flex ...
CPI writes to poll panel to improve printing quality of its 'corn and sickle' symbol
The CPI Monday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner urging it to improve the printing quality of its election symbol 'corn and sickle', claiming that the poll panel was using "a hand drawn image" since 1952. In the letter, the party's general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said the CPI was the only party to have contested all elections since independence with the same symbol. "However the Election Commission was continuing to use the same hand drawn image since 1952 and we request that it be replaced with the digitally drawn image of the same 'corn and sickle' symbol," he said. Reddy also suggested to the Election Commission that new printing technologies should be adopted and symbols should be printed in colour so that they are more "photo realistic" and easier to recognise. He said this will address the repeated complaints of similarity of candidates' symbols. He said since the CPI is a party representing the downtrodden and working class, it is essential that the symbol of 'corn ...
LS polls: Tough contest awaits BJP in 7 Gujarat seats
If the Congress's performance in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly polls was any indication, the BJP may have to sweat it out in at least seven Lok Sabha seats, most of them in its bastion Saurashtra. In the assembly elections, the Congress won 77 seats, improving its tally by 16 seats in the 182-member House. The BJP was restricted at 99 -- the party's worst performance in the last two decades. The Congress bagged 30 of the 54 seats in the Saurashtra-Kutch region. The assembly poll results came as a shot in the arm for the opposition party after it drew a blank in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the BJP won all 26 seats in the state. Congress leaders are confident that the party might wrest at least four Lok Sabha seats in the Saurashtra region -- Amreli, Junagadh, Botad and Surendranagar -- from the BJP. The Congress is also betting big on Anand in central Gujarat and Banaskantha and Patan in north Gujarat. It is also eyeing Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Sabarkantha and Patan. "People in ...
8 candidates file nomination for Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat
Altogether eight candidates including the BJP nominee filed their papers for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat on Monday, the last date for filling of nominations, officials said. Manipur has two Lok Sabha seats - Outer Manipur and Inner Manipur. Election to the Outer Manipur seat will be held on April 11 and for Inner Manipur on April 18. Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied the BJP candidate H Shokhopao popularly known as Benjamin Mate when he went to file his nomation papers on Monday. Manipur Congress president Gaikhangam accompanied the party's candidate K James when he went to file his nomination papers for the Outer Manipur seat on Monday. The Naga People's Front (NPF), National People's Party (NPP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), North East India Development Party (NEIDP), Janata Dal United and an Independent candidate also filed their nominations on Monday, officials said. Scrutiny for of the nominations will be carried out on Tuesday, they added.
Karti Chidambaram files nomination from Sivaganga
Congress leader Karti P. Chidambaram, son of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, on Monday filed his nomination papers to contest from Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu.
BJP to ECI: Disqualify Baramulla NC candidate for raising 'pro-Pak slogans'
The BJP Monday asked the Election Commission of India to stop Jammu and Kashmir Assembly's former Speaker and National Conference candidate from Baramulla, Mohmmad Akbar Lone, from contesting the polls for allegedly raising "pro-Pakistan slogans" at one of his poll campaign rallies. The state unit of the BJP raised the demand for cancellation of Lone's candidature and sought registration of a criminal case against him on charges of sedition. The party also sought an apology from NC chief Farooq Abdullah for the "anti-national" act of his party candidate. Lone on Saturday allegedly raised pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally in Kupwara district and called Pakistan "his Muslim nation on the other side." He also threatened to abuse anyone who abuses Pakistan. "We condemn NC candidate for Baramulla parliamentary constituency Mohammad Akbar Lone for raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans during an election rally. We appeal to Election Commission of India (ECI) to cancel candidature of Lone and ..
Firebomb thrown at home of Greek deputy minister
An unknown assailant threw a firebomb at the Athens home of Greece's deputy health minister in a pre-dawn attack Monday that caused minor damage and no injuries, police said. Authorities detained four people on suspicion of involvement in the attack outside the home of Pavlos Polakis. Three of them were later released, while one remained in custody for a separate issue, as he was found to be in the country illegally and was awaiting deportation. Polaris, a colourful figure who has often sparked controversy, issued an enraged response on social media, accusing the "shadow state" of being behind the attack and saying it was because he had helped uncover political scandals in Greece. The governing left-wing Syriza party issued a statement condemning the attack. "It is clear that neither Syriza nor the government is intimidated and that society stands firm against such practices," it said.
Rahul considering second seat reflects Cong's strength in UP: SP
The Samajwadi Party Monday said reports suggesting that Congress president Rahul Gandhi might contest from another seat besides Amethi reflect the "real picture" of that party's strength in Uttar Pradesh. The SP with its limited strength in West Bengal will extend its support to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in its fight to politically wipe out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state, SP vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda said. "We have left two seats for Congress in Uttar Pradesh and three seats for Rashtriya Lok Dal (of Chaudhary Ajit Singh). But the Congress has decided to fight in 73 seats of the state. We would like them to put up a good fight," Nanda said while addressing a press conference here. At 80, Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of Lok Sabha seats polling for which will take place in seven phases. "We have heard that Congress president, apart from his seat of Amethi in UP would also contest election in other states such as Karnataka or Kerala. This shows the
Former PM Thaksin says Thai election 'rigged' and marred by 'irregularities'
Thailand's election was marred by "irregularities" and "rigged" to ensure the military retain their political grip on the kingdom, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told AFP in an interview on Monday. "Everyone knows in Thailand, everyone international that observed the election in Thailand, knows that (there) is irregularities," he told AFP in English. "What we call, we should call, rigged elections is there. It's not good for Thailand.
Mehbooba let RSS enter J-K and take out processions with arms: Omar Abdullah
National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Monday said it was PDP-BJP government led by Mehbooba Mufti that "let RSS enter the state of Jammu and Kashmir and allowed it to take out processions in cities brandishing guns and swords.""Who brought RSS in this state? Who gave permission to the RSS people to take out processions in the cities brandishing guns and swords," asked Abdullah."You arrest youngsters over a simple Facebook post. Here it is not known how many people overnight land into custody. Today Mehbooba says the government is strict," he said, while addressing a gathering.He said that Mehbooba Mufti has no real sympathy with Kashmiris and "she sheds crocodile tears for the sake of votes.""She started to shed tears when the BJP withdraw its support and she was no longer the chief minister. Her tears have value now and the value is your vote," said Abdullah.The Congress and the National Conference (NC) have forged a pre-poll alliance for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in ...
LS polls: On lookout for allies, INLD sends 'feelers' to BJP
On the back foot after a feud in the Chautala clan led to a split in the party and the BSP deserted it, the INLD is trying to woo the BJP, a former ally, as it looks to reverse fortunes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were coalition partners in the erstwhile Om Prakash Chautala-led government (1999-2005). Led by Om Prakash Chautala, who is serving a 10-year jail term in teachers' recruitment scam case with his elder son Ajay Singh Chautala, the INLD has been going through a rough patch over the past few years. The party, which is now virtually spearheaded by Om Prakash Chautala's younger son Abhay Singh Chautala, is looking to make a comeback after having lost three consecutive assembly polls since 2005. "We have sent feelers to the BJP high command. While they want that the INLD and the BJP should come together, there is some resistance from their state unit," senior INLD leader and sitting MLA Parminder Dhull ..
Adityanath to start Gorakhpur campaign tomorrow
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will begin campaigning in Azamgarh and Gorakhpur from Tuesday. Adityanath will address a public meeting in Gorakhpur, whereas Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya will speak at a rally in Azamgarh on Tuesday, said Bharatiya Janata Party zonal vice-president Satyendra Sinha. The chief minister will address the people at the 'numaish' ground in Gorakhpur, in which a large number of people are expected to participate, Sinha said. The BJP and its youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, officials and workers are trying to ensure the programme becomes successful at both the places, he added. Gorakhpur was with the BJP since 1991 and Adityanath had been a five-time MP from the parliamentary seat. But after he became the chief minister, the BJP lost the seat to Praveen Nishad, who had fought on a Samajwadi Party ticket with the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Gorakhpur goes to polls on May 19, the last phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha
Rahul Gandhi, Sonia to be among star camnpaigners in TL
: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi,former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former cricketers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Mohd Azharuddin, actors Kushboo and Nagma will be among 40 star campaigners for the April 11 Lok Sabha polls in Telangana. The leaders's names figured in the list of 40 star campaigners released by the Congress. Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and Congress leaders from various states, including G Parameshwara, D K Shivkumar, Ashok Chavan will canvass for party candidates. Senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Meira Kumar, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Salman Khurshid and Jairam Ramesh will also campaign for the party in the state, party sources said. Former MP and actress Vijayashanti will also take part in the campaigning. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N Uttam Kumar Reddy, A Revanth Reddy and several other senior leaders from Telangana will also be ...
Tumakuru Lok Sabha seat may not be a cakewalk for Deve Gowda
A tough battle appears to be on the cards for JDS patriarch H D Deve Gowda in Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency as he is contesting from a Congress bastion amid disquiet in both his party and ally Congress over allocation of seats and tickets, say analysts. They, however, do acknowledge the former prime minister's potential to bounce back as he did by winning the Kanakapura byelection in 2002 after he had lost to G Puttaswamy Gowda of Congress in 1999 from Hassan. Though Tumakuru was allotted to JDS under the electoral arrangement between allies Congress and JD(S), sitting Congress MP S P Muddahanume Gowda has filed his papers from the seat, making it clear that Deve Gowda may not have an easy going. It remains to be seen if Muddahanume Gowda remains in the contest but on Monday he appeared firm on giving a fight. "I'm filing my nomination as the Congress candidate. I'm not filing the nomination for fun," he said According to reports, K N Rajanna, another Congress leader and former ...
Ex-Telecom Minister Sukh Ram rejoins Congress
Former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram and his grandson Ashray Sharma on Monday rejoined the Congress, after parting ways from the BJP.
SC asks Tamil Nadu govt to ensure political parties do not disfigure public places
The Supreme Court Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that public places, including hilly areas, are not defaced by slogans and advertisements by political parties. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta expressed dissatisfaction over the reply filed by the state government in the matter and said it has not acted in a "responsible manner". "As the state has failed to act...we direct the state government to ensure that there is no disfigurement of public places," the bench said. It directed authorities to ensure that political parties do not disfigure such public places by pasting photographs of leaders and by writing slogans. Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for the state government, submitted that PIL petitioner, a charitable trust 'In Defence of Environment and Animals', can approach a committee formed by the Madras High Court and put forth its grievances to it. Earlier also, the apex court had told the Tamil Nadu government that ...
Two candidates file nomination for Mizoram Lok Sabha seat
Two candidates filed their papers for the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat and three nominations were received for the by-election to the Aizawl West-I Assembly constituency on Monday, the last date for filing of nominations, officials said. Election to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and byelection to the Aizawl West-I Assembly constituency would be held simultaneously on April 11, joint chief electoral officer H Lianzela said. BJP nominee Nirupam Chakma and People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) candidate TBC Lalvenchhunga filed nominations for the Lok Sabha seat on Monday. Ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee C Lalrosanga, Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and Congress party combine sponsored Independent nominee Lalnghinglova Hmar and two other Independent candidates - Lalhriatrenga Chhangte and Lalthlamuani had already filed nominations earlier last week. MNF candidate Zothantluanga and ZPM-Congress combine's common candidate Lalbuanga ...
Goa CM invites scribes to write their Parrikar memories
Newly appointed Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday invited journalists as well as party workers to write essays about their memories of the late Manohar Parrikar, which would be published by the state government in the form of a book dedicated to the former Defence Minister.