Page 1230 - Politics
Smriti Irani vs Rahul Gandhi in high profile Amethi
Union Minister Smriti Irani, who challenged Rahul Gandhi in his Amethi bastion in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, will again take on the Congress President from the high profile parliamentary constituency in the upcoming general elections.
India boycotts Pak National Day event for inviting Hurriyat leaders
India has decided to boycott a reception at the Pakistan High Commission here to mark Pakistan's National Day as several separatists leaders from Jammu and Kashmir have been invited to the event, the External Affairs Ministry said Friday. It said no Indian representative will attend similar events in Islamabad as well. Over the years, India's representation at the annual event has been at the level of a Union minister. "India has decided not to send any representative to attend the Pakistan National Day celebrations today. This decision was taken after Pakistan High Commission decided to invite representatives of the Hurriyat Conference to the reception," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution on March 23 each year. At a media briefing, Kumar also said that India is very clear that any attempt by the Pakistani High Commission or Pakistani leadership to engage with the Hurriyat Conference will not be taken ...
JD(U) releases second list of candidates for Arunachal
The JD(U), which is contesting the elections for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh, has released its second list of eight candidates for the assembly polls. The party's North East Executive Council (NEEC) Chairman, Senchumo Lotha, released the second list of nominees for the polls on Thursday. The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday had announced the names of five candidates. Sitting MLA from Itanagar constituency, Techi Kaso, has been fielded once again, this time by the JD(U), as he was not given a ticket by the BJP. The party has also fielded sitting BJP MLA Dikto Yekar from the Daporijo constituency. Six new faces were included in the JDUs second list. The Lok Sabha and the assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh on April 11. The opposition Congress is yet to announce the names of candidates.
Top leaders make a beeline to file nominations in AP
Top leaders of all parties Friday filed their nominations for the April 11 Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh as the day was considered auspicious. Telugu Desam Party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was campaigning in Visakhapatnam but party leaders filed the nomination papers with the returning officer on his behalf for the Kuppam assembly seat. This is the seventh consecutive time that Naidu is seeking re-election from Kuppam, a backward constituency that borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in Chittoor district. Leader of the Opposition and YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy filed his papers for the Pulivendula seat,his pocket borough in Kadapa district. This is Jagans second bid for the Assembly after his election in 2014. Actor-politician and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan filed nomination from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district, the second seat he is contesting in this election. He had filed his papers for Gajuwaka seat in .
Yasin Malik-led JKLF banned under anti-terror law
The Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) was banned by the Centre under anti-terror law on Friday, officials said. The outfit has been banned for alleged promotion of secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, they said. They said the organisation has been banned under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Its chief Yasin Malik is under arrest and at present lodged in Jammu's Kot Balwal jail. This is the second organisation in Jammu and Kashmir which has been banned this month. Earlier, the Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir.
Pitroda has kick-started Cong's celebration of Pak's national day: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday used Congress leader Sam Pitroda's comments, questioning the government's aggressive action against Pakistan post-Pulwama terror attack, to tear into the Opposition, saying the remarks only reflect that Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. Leading the BJP charge, Modi said Pitroda, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's "most trusted advisor and guide", has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of his party, "ironically by demeaning India's armed forces". Pakistan celebrates its 'National Day' on March 23. Taking on the Congress while reacting to Pitroda's remarks, Modi posted a series of tweets using the hashtag 'Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi' (people will not forgive), and said, "Loyal courtier of Congress' royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew- Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with ...
India won't send any representative to Pakistan National Day: MEA spokesperson
India has decided not to send any representative to attend the Pakistan National Day, confirmed Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Friday during the weekly press briefing."The decision was taken after Pakistan High Commission decided to call Hurriyat leader to the reception. In February we were very clear, any attempt by Pakistan High Commission or Pakistani leadership to engage with Hurriyat leaders will not be taken lightly," he added.While Islamabad would be celebrating the occasion on March 23, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi is organising events a day earlier on March 22.Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution on March 23 each year. The Lahore Resolution, which is also called Pakistan Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, is considered a major milestone in the Muslim struggle for an independent Muslim state which was later called Pakistan.India, time and again, has always objected to Pakistan's engagement with the separatist ...
Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch
Pakistan on Friday violated ceasefire in Poonch district at around 1545 hours by resorting to mortar shelling and firing from small arms along the LoC.The CFV took place in Mendhar sector. Indian Army retaliated strongly to the unprovoked ceasefire violation.An Army rifleman was killed on Thursday after Pakistan violated ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The soldier was identified as 24-year-old rifleman Yash Paul."Pakistani forces on Thursday violated the ceasefire and resorted to heavy shelling with mortar along the LoC in Sunderbani and Nowshera Sectors in Rajouri district," officials had said.More details awaited.
India rejects Pakistan's attempt to politicise Samjhauta blast verdict
India on Friday rejected Pakistan's attempt to politicise the verdict in the Samjhauta twin-blast case.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "There has been no cooperation from Pakistan. We reject Pakistan's attempt to politicise the matter. It is being done to deflect attention from their failure in bringing perpetrators of several terrorist attacks in India and region to justice."During the weekly press briefing, he said, "We demand that Pakistan should take immediate, credible and irreversible measures against cross-border terrorism without any discrimination and without resorting to such gimmicks."His remarks came after Islamabad conveyed "concerns" regarding the acquittal of the four suspects in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case to several countries on Wednesday through its Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.Stating that Islamabad has no understanding of the Indian judicial process, Kumar said, "I think, there is a complete lack of understanding as to ...
LS polls: 20 seats for RJD, 9 for Congress in Bihar seat-sharing deal
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress on Friday announced their seat sharing arrangement in Bihar for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The two parties are in alliance in the state under the "Mahagathbandhan" umbrella along with some other parties.RJD will contest on 20, Congress on 9, HAM-3, RLSP on 5, VIP on 3 and CPI-1 in Bihar under the alliance arrangement.RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was not present when the two parties announced their seat sharing formula. RJD was represented by it Rajya Sabha MP and Spokesperson Manoj Jha while Congress was represented by Madan Mohan Jha.Calling mahagathbandhan a "natural alliance", RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha said: "Lalu Yadav led-RJD will contest on 20 seats while the Congress has got nine seats to fight general elections in Bihar."He also announced that Sharad Yadav will contest on an RJD symbol and merge his Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) with the party after the Lok Sabha polls.When questioned about the absence of Tejashwi Yadav ...
Grand Alliance announces seat sharing in Bihar
The Grand Alliance on Friday announced a seat sharing pact in Bihar under which the RJD will contest 20 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats and the Congress 9 while smaller parties will be in contention in the remaining constituencies.
TDP candidate comes in ambulance to file nomination
A candidate of Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), who was injured in a scuffle last week, came in an ambulance to file his nomination papers on Friday.
Sena announces 21 candidates, drops MP who slapped AI employee
The Shiv Sena Friday declared its first list of 21 candidates in Maharashtra for next month's Lok Sabha polls, retaining 17 sitting MPs and denying ticket to the lawmaker who had allegedly slapped an Air India employee in 2017. Ravindra Gaikwad, the 59-year-old MP from Osmanabad constituency, had hit an Air India staffer with a slipper at the IGI Airport in New Delhi and then openly boasted about it. The Sena replaced Gaikwad, who briefly faced a travel ban by airlines for his act, with Omraje Nimbalkar in Osmanabad in central Maharashtra. Another Sena Member of Parliament, Rajan Vichare, who was accused of force-feeding a canteen employee on fast during Ramzan in 2014, has been fielded again from Thane. As per the pre-poll alliance sealed by the BJP and the Shiv Sena, the former will contest on 25 seats and the latter on 23 out of the Lok Sabha 48 constituencies in Maharashtra. Of these 23 seats, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party announced candidates on 21, leaving out two ...
Desperate Congress relying on forgery: Shah
The BJP on Friday rejected the Congress' allegation against against its Karnataka leader B S Yeddyurappa as "falsehood" with its president Amit Shah asserting that the opposition party's campaign is in "shambles", and it is relying on "forgery" in desperation. Taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Shah said the "the few loose sheets" his party is citing to attack Yeddyurappa is as "credible and reliable as Gandhi's leadership skills". Earlier in the day, the Congress sought an investigation by the Lokpal into a media report that alleged bribes of Rs 1,800 crore were paid by the former Karnataka chief minister to the BJP's top brass. Hitting back, Shah said, "After all the fake issues have collapsed, the desperate are now relying on forgery. The Congress campaign is in shambles. Now even forgery can't save them. Few loose sheets given by a Congress minister, is only as credible and reliable as Rahul Gandhi's leadership skills. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told a press ...
Ex-FBI chief Comey has 'no idea' of Mueller conclusion
Former FBI director James Comey said in a New York Times op-ed published Thursday that he neither knows nor cares what the conclusion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation will be -- so long as the probe was conducted properly. US President Donald Trump abruptly fired Comey in 2017, triggering a series of events that led to Mueller being named to investigate allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and that the Trump campaign colluded in that effort. "I have no idea whether the special counsel will conclude that Mr. Trump knowingly conspired with the Russians in connection with the 2016 election or that he obstructed justice with the required corrupt intent," Comey wrote. "I also don't care. I care only that the work be done, well and completely." The highly-anticipated Mueller report has been said to be imminent for several weeks. One element of the investigation is whether Trump's firing of Comey amounted to obstruction of ...
Ready to meet new Pakistani leadership: Trump
President Donald Trump has indicated his readiness to meet Pakistan's new leadership, amidst the ongoing peace talks between the US and the Taliban facilitated by Islamabad to end the brutal war in Afghanistan, America's longest. The relations between Pakistan and the US nosedived after President Trump last year accused Islamabad of giving nothing to Washington but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists. In September, the Trump administration cancelled USD 300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups like the Haqqani Network and Taliban active on its soil. Trump also criticised Pakistan in a Twitter post back in November, saying Islamabad was not doing enough to stop terrorism. President Trump made this surprise announcement on the possibility of a meeting between him and Prime Minister Imran Khan at the end of a White House media interaction on Wednesday when a journalist asked him to comment on the current situation between .
No impact of Priyanka in UP, Modi to get mandate again:
BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav has sought to downplay the impact Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may have in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, saying she had been campaigning in the state even in the past polls. Priyanka Gandhi has in the past campaigned for her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi (Amethi seat) and mother Sonia Gandhi who is a member of the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. Asked what bearing her political entry can have on the elections, including in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said, "I don't see any impact. She has been participating in poll campaigns earlier too." "The people of this country have made up their mind to once again give their mandate to the decisive and progressive government led by Narendra Modi," Yadav told PTI-Bhasha. He targeted the Congress and claimed the party's reputation has been declining. "The Congress is going ahead with a negative agenda. The allegations levelled by the party leaders including its president
BJP, IPFT, CPI(M) contestants file nominations
Candidates for the ruling BJP and its ally IPFT filed their nominations against each other for the West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. State BJP general secretary Pratima Bhowmick and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura's (IPFT) youth leader Shukla Charan Noatiya submitted their papers to Returning Officer Sandip Mahatme separately. CPI(M) candidate and sitting MP Jiten Choudhury also filed his nomination from East Tripura (ST) constituency. Lok Sabha polls in the state will be held in two phases - West Tripura seat on April 11 and East Tripura on April 18. Both the constituencies are now held by the CPI(M). Before submitting nomination papers, Bhowmick along with Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and other BJP leaders took part in a procession that moved through different parts of the city. Noatiya and IPFT general secretary and state minister Mevar Kumar Jamatiya also joined a rally before Noatiya filed his nomination. The BJP and the IPFT decided to contest ..
India, Pakistan trade heavy fire on LoC
Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged heavy gunfire on Friday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, the Defence Ministry said.
From Israel, Pompeo arrives in Beirut for two-day meetings
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Lebanon on Friday amid regional condemnation of President Donald Trump's abrupt declaration that it's time the US recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Pompeo is to meet with a host of Lebanese officials, including allies of the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group, during the two-day visit his first as secretary of state. The visit is the last leg of a Mideast tour that took him to Kuwait and Israel, during which he lauded warm ties with Israel, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on at least three separate occasions and promised to step up pressure on Iran. From Israel, Pompeo's plane travelling through the Cypriot airspace, as Lebanon, which is technically in a state of war with Israel, bans direct flights from Israel. Once on the ground, Pompeo was taken to the Interior Ministry for a meeting with Raya El-Hassan, who was named earlier this year as the Arab world's first female minister .