Page 1241 - Politics
Pawan Kalyan files nomination papers for Gajuwaka, Bhimavaram assembly constituencies
Jana Sena Party (JSP) president Pawan Kalyan on Thursday filed his nomination papers for Gajuwaka and Bhimavaram Assembly constituencies.Gajuwaka is in Visakhapatnam district and Bhimavaram is in West Godavari.JSP has entered into an electoral tie-up with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), CPI and CPI (M) for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh to be held on April 11.Under the alliance, the JSP will contest 140 Assembly and 18 Lok Sabha seats.The state assembly has 175 seats while Parliamentary elections will be held across 25 seats. Notably, this will be the first assembly elections in the region post-bifurcation.The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Will defeat BJP even if there is no tie-up with Cong: Vaghela
NCP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela said Thursday that his party will ensure defeat of the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha elections in the state even if the Congress and NCP fail to arrive at a seat-sharing understanding. As of now there is no word about Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress agreeing on a sharing formula for 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. Vaghela, 78, who recently joined the NCP, also said he would not contest the election himself. The Lok Sabha election as well as by-election for five assembly seats would be held in Gujarat on April 23. "I will welcome any seat adjustment formula agreed on by NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. We are also fine if no such adjustment takes place. We will try our best to defeat the BJP and ensure victory for the Congress and NCP," Vaghela told reporters here. He claimed that the BJP will have to settle for 150 to 160 seats. "You can not fool ...
China, US to hold eighth round of trade talks in Beijing
China and the United States will hold the eighth round of high-level economic and trade consultations here from March 28 to 29.Xinhua quoted Gao Feng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce as saying that US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were invited to visit China for the talks.Addressing a press conference, Gao said that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue, was invited also to visit Washington DC for the ninth round of talks in early April.He further divulged that the two nations have recently held several rounds of talks on phone on economic and trade issues and agreed on holding the eighth and ninth rounds of high-level talks in March and April.A Trump administrative official on Wednesday had also stated that Beijing and Washington will resume trade talks next week after a pause in
Soldier killed as Pak troops violate ceasefire along LoC in J-K's Rajouri
An Army jawan was killed as Pakistani troops shelled forward areas and Indian posts with artillery and mortar bombs heavily along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district Thursday, officials said. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Keri belt of Sunderbani sector this morning, they said. The soldier, killed in the Pakistani firing, was identified as 24-year-old Rifleman Yash Paul, a resident of Mantalai village in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. The firing in Sunderbani sector continued till last reports came in, they said. In Nowshera sector, the ceasefire violation started around 1445 hours and was going on, they said. In Akhnoor sector also, Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling, they said. Indian Army is retaliating befittingly, they said. Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire over 110 times along the LoC since January. On Monday night, Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to shelling with mortar ...
Gehlot calls RSS extra constitutional authority
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called the RSS an extra constitutional authority and suggested the right-wing group should merge itself with the BJP and convert into a political party. He said nobody could become a minister without the consent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in this government. "RSS has its hold on the government as an extra constitutional authority. The organisation should change into a political party and merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party," said Gehlot here on Wednesday. When the RSS had been banned by Sardar Patel, the outfit had given in writing that it was a cultural entity, he said. "So they should stick to their words," Gehlot said. He further accused the BJP of politicising patriotism and patriots.
Communist leader Balwant Singh dies at 82
Communist leader and former MLA Balwant Singh died on Thursday here after a brief illness. The 82-year-old was also former Punjab secretary of the CPI(M). Chief minister Amarinder Singh expressed grief over demise of the professor. In his condolence message, the chief minister described Balwant Singh as a leader of masses, who worked throughout his life for the cause of disadvantaged sections of the society, especially to safeguard the interests of industrial workers.
Pompeo to make symbolic visit to Western Wall with Netanyahu
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is to make an unprecedented visit to Jerusalem's Western Wall with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the highest-level American official to tour the holy site with Israel's leader. Pompeo says he thinks it's important and symbolic to visit the wall with the Israeli leader Thursday as a show of US support for Israel. Senior US officials, including President Donald Trump and numerous predecessors, have visited the wall in the past but never with an Israeli leader. Since Israel captured east Jerusalem and the Old City in 1967, US officials have avoided appearances at the Western Wall with Israeli leaders to avoid the appearance of recognising Israel's control over the city's most sensitive holy sites. But that policy has been upended by the Trump administration.
Imran Khan calls NZ PM; condemns terror attack on Christchurch mosques
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern and condemned the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch that killed 50 people. Khan also expressed his admiration for the "humane handling" of the situation. He appreciated the quick response of the local authorities and the high level of respect shown by Prime Minister Ardern for Muslims. "Prime Minister Ardern has shown the way to other leaders in the face of rising Islamophobia and global extremism," Khan said, according to a statement issued by his office here. Khan said that he was calling Prime Minister Ardern on behalf of the people of Pakistan to thank her for her compassion, leadership and decisions that won her many admirers in Pakistan. He conveyed condolences on the loss of 50 precious lives, saying that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and lost more than 70,000 innocent lives. "Pakistan stands by the government and people of New Zealand in this hour of grief," he ..
Chief of staff to Venezuela's Guaido arrested
Venezuelan intelligence officers Thursday arrested the chief of staff of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader recognised by the US and other countries as interim leader, Guaido and the opposition-ruled congress said on Twitter. Roberto Marrero was grabbed by SEBIN officers when they staged a pre-dawn raid on his Caracas home, according to Guaido and a recorded voice message by Marrero published on social media. The United States has repeatedly warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government against arresting Guaido or his aides, and Washington's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly called for Marrero's release. "They have grabbed Roberto Marrero, my chief of staff. He yelled out that they planted two rifles and a grenade," Guaido tweeted. "The raid happened at around 2:00 am (0600 GMT). We don't know his whereabouts. He must be released immediately." Maduro and Guaido both claim to be legitimate leader of Venezuela. Maduro, 56, retains the loyalty of military brass and has ...
Cong LS candidate from Mahabubnagar seeks CPI's support
Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Mahabubnagar in Telangana Ch Vamsichand Reddy Thursday sought the support of CPI in the election. Vamsichand Reddy met CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy and sought the cooperation of the Communist party to defeat the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the BJP which are allegedly following "undemocratic" and "anti-people" policies, Congress sources said. Venkat Reddy told the Congress nominee that his party would convey its decision after discussing the matter within the party, they said. Vamsichand Reddy is the second Congress candidate to seek the support of CPI. Earlier, state Congress working president A Revanth Reddy, who is the party LS nominee from Malkajgiri here, requested the support of CPI and also Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). The Congress, CPI, TJS and also TDP were partners in the "grand alliance" against the TRS in the Assembly polls in December last. The "grand alliance" fared poorly at the hustings. The four parties
K L Chishi is Congress candidate for lone LS seat in Nagaland
Nagaland Congress president K Therie Thursday announced that former chief minister K L Chishi would be the party's candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state. Therie also announced that Alemjonshi Longkumer would the Congress candidate for the bypoll to the Aonglenden Assembly constituency in the state. Therie alleged that RSS and BJP do not have any solution for Naga political problem as their ideology is to enforce Uniform Civil Code throughout the country. He claimed that the Congress can understand the problems of the Naga people and the North East as its policy is unity in diversity. Chishi said that if successful, he would represent the whims and aspirations of the people of Nagaland and give special focus on four issues two each at the state and National level, which are confronting the Naga society. The priorities, he said, would be resolution of Naga political issue and Citizenship Amendment Bill at the Central level and creation of employment avenues ..
Daughter fights father in AP's Araku (ST) LS seat
A daughter takes on her father in the Araku (ST) constituency of Andhra Pradesh during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 11. Congress' V Shruti Devi is pitted against her father V Kishore Chandra Deo of the TDP. Deo, who had been a Lok Sabha member for six terms, joined the Telugu Desam Party recently, severing his four-decade-old bond with the Congress. The Congress fielded Deos daughter Shruti as its nominee from the same seat that he lost in 2014. A practising lawyer, Shruti recalled that he worked for her father and the Congress for many years. "Its in recognition of my services that the Congress gave me the ticket," she said after filing her nomination Thursday. Shruti did not speak anything about fighting her father in the election but exuded confidence that she would win. On the other hand, P Aditi Vijayalakshmi is in the fray for the Assembly from Vizianagaram as the next-Gen leader from the royal Gajapathi Raju family. Her father Ashok Gajapathi ...
UP CM terms Ramgopal Yadav's Pulwama remarks 'shameful' , demands apology
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday slammed Samajwadi Party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav for his "shameful" remarks over the Pulwama attack, terming them the "height of appeasement"."Questioning the martyrdom of brave soldiers by SP General Secretary Ramgopal Yadav is the height of appeasement. It is indicative of petty politics," Yogi Adityanath said here.UP Chief Minister alleged that such "shameful" statements are a "part of the conspiracy to demoralise brave soldiers" and demanded an apology from Yadav."Ramgopal Yadav should apologise to the country for making such statements which encourage terrorists," he said."Everyone knows that our brave soldiers were killed the people accused of carrying Pulwama attack within 48 hours," Adityanath added.Praising the Narendra Modi government for its counter-terrorism efforts, he said," Results of the zero-tolerance policy of Modi government against all kinds of secessionism and terrorism is visible today. By first ...
J-K: Soldier killed in ceasefire violation by Pak in Rajouri
An Army rifleman was killed on Thursday after Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.The soldier identified as 24-year-old Indian Army rifleman Yash Paul lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Sunderbani sector, officials said. "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 said. The Pakistani forces started firing in Sunderbani area this morning while firing at Nowshera sector begin around 2.45 pm. The Indian Army retaliating strongly and effectively to the firing from the other side of the border.Earlier this week, a soldier was killed and three civilians were injured when Pakistani troops fired across the LoC in Rajouri district.After taking note of the grave situation at borders, the Army on Wednesday provided advanced sniper rifles to its troops posted along the LoC in the Kashmir ...
I'm not contesting elections, not campaigning for any political party: Salman Khan
Bollywood megastar Salman Khan on Thursday said he will not contest elections nor campaign for any political party in the upcoming elections, putting an end to all speculations of him entering the political arena.Salman took to his Twitter handle to rubbish rumours regarding the same."Contrary to the rumours I am not contesting elections nor campaigning for any political party," Salman posted.Rumours were rife that the Madhya Pradesh Congress is attempting to get Salman to campaign for the party in Indore. The actor was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.According to various media reports, Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi had stated that the Congress party leaders were in touch with the actor to campaign for the party in Indore and it was almost certain that he will campaign for the Congress.A few days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged many Bollywood celebrities to create awareness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and ask their fans to vote. Modi had asked Salman, ...
I'm not contesting elections, not campaigning for any political party: Salman Khan refutes poll rumours
Bollywood megastar Salman Khan on Thursday said he will not contest elections nor campaign for any political party in the upcoming elections, putting an end to all speculations of him entering the political arena.Salman took to his Twitter handle to rubbish rumours regarding the same."Contrary to the rumours I am not contesting elections nor campaigning for any political party," Salman posted.Rumours were rife that the Madhya Pradesh Congress is attempting to get Salman to campaign for the party in Indore. The actor was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.According to various media reports, Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi had stated that the Congress party leaders were in touch with the actor to campaign for the party in Indore and it was almost certain that he will campaign for the Congress.A few days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged many Bollywood celebrities to create awareness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and ask their fans to vote. Modi had asked Salman, ...
Another terrorist attack on India will be extremely problematic for Pakistan, says US
The United States has asked Pakistan to take "sustained sincere effort" against militant groups while warning Islamabad that "an additional terrorist attack" on India will prove to be "extremely problematic.""If there is an additional terrorist attack without Pakistan having made a sustained sincere effort against these groups, it will be extremely problematic for Pakistan. It would cause a re-escalation in tensions," an official from the White House told the local media on Wednesday (local time).The remarks by the US official comes amid reports of escalating tension between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, which killed 49 security personnel. The responsibility of the terror attack was claimed by Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the allegations of which are, however, denied by Islamabad.The US remains concerned over heightened tension between India and Pakistan. The two countries were close to having dangerous confrontation
Chandrababu Naidu's nomination papers to be filed tomorrow
The nomination papers of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will be filed on Friday from Kuppam Assembly constituency from where he has won the polls six times in the past.Naidu's wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari will submit the nomination papers on his behalf, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) sources said on Thursday.Naidu is going to contest from the Kuppam seat in Chittoor district for the seventh consecutive time. He had contested from the seat for the first time in 1989.The elections to the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly are scheduled to be held on April 11 simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. The counting of votes for both will take place on May 23.
Bill passed to bring back total prohibition in Mizoram
Mizoram assembly has passed a bill to bring back total prohibition of liquor in the northeastern state after four years. The state government decided to prohibit manufacture, import, sale and consumption of liquor for the common people for their general health and help in law enforcement, Excise and Narcotics Minister Dr K Beichhua said while introducing the bill. Cutting across party lines, all the legislators supported the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Bill, 2019 and it was passed Wednesday. The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) had promised during the assembly election in November last year that if voted to power, it would ensure total prohibition in the state. Total prohibition was in force in Mizoram from 1997 to 2015. The previous Congress government led by Lal Thanhawla allowed opening of wine shops in the state from March, 2015.
Will not plead for support with Cong leaders opposed to son's
Karnataka Chief Minister H DKumaraswamy said Thursday he will not plead for support with those Congress leaders who are against his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy's candidature as coalition candidate from Mandya in the Lok Sabha polls. Taking a dig at those opposing Nikhil, the Chief Minister said "those who are originally from the Congress have already extended their support and JD(S) workers are efficient to ensure his victory. He also said his father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda was yet to decide on contesting the Lok Sabha polls. "Some leaders in Mandya have gone ahead from the backdoor. It is not necessary for me to talk to them now. Myworkers are efficient, instead of trusting those backstabbing, trust those who work honestly. I'm not blaming everyone,"Kumaraswamy said in response to a question about himpersonally seeking support from Mandya Congress leaders. "Among the original Congress men, many of them are with us... but there are a few, I know...situation ..