Page 1245 - Politics
Narendra Modi biopic trailer: As PM, Vivek Oberoi challenges Opposition, Pakistan
From being a 'chaiwala' to the Prime Minister of India - the trailer of Vivek Oberoi-starrer 'PM Narendra Modi' perfectly portrays the journey of Prime Minister Modi while predominantly focusing on patriotism and his love for the country.With a tough job on his shoulders, Vivek has tried his best to step into the shoes of the Prime Minister and showcased his various avatars - right from being a 'chaiwala' to a sage, RSS worker, Chief Minister of Gujarat and finally the 14th and current Prime Minister of India.The standout moment of the trailer comes towards its end when an angry Vivek as Prime Minister Modi says, "Chetawani deta hu mein Pakistan ko, agar dobara hum par haath uthaya, to haath kaat dunga. Tumne hamara balidan dekha hai, ab badla bhi dekhoge."Besides Pakistan, the trailer also shows Prime Minister Modi's struggle against the Indira Gandhi-led government.Undoubtedly, fans and followers of Prime Minister Modi are definitely going to like the trailer and it wouldn't be ...
LS polls: Punjab Labour Dept to appoint nodal officers for migrant labourers
The Labour Department of Punjab has decided to appoint nodal officers in each district to ensure that migrant labourers working in the state get their voter IDs made.In this regard, a meeting was held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Electoral Officer S. Karuna Raju and Principal Secretary Labour S. Venkatrathnam with the Assistant Labour Commissioners.Addressing the meeting, Raju said that in a democracy, every individual has a defined role and hence it was imperative that each eligible voter had their voter IDs made. He further said that there are a large number of migrants in Punjab living without their voter IDs. This makes it essential for them to be included in the democratic system, he added."At the time of travelling to Punjab for work, their age is below the required age for issuance of voter ID and hence they remain without a vote here and in their home state as well," the CEO said.Meanwhile, Venkatrathnam said his department will soon issue a notification ..
Cong, AAP were mired in corruption when in power, claims Vijay Goel
BJP leader and former Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Vijay Goel claimed that Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had a "long list of corruption charges" against them while they were in power.Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Goel said that an alliance between Congress and AAP in Delhi to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, if formed, would not be of relevance to the BJP."The list of corruption done by both these parties (Congress and AAP) is very long whenever they have come to power. Arvind Kejriwal formed AAP to counter Sheila Dikshit government's corruption. Today, the same AAP is trying to form an alliance with the Congress. Their alliance does not matter to the BJP. BJP will win all the seven seats in Delhi. The entire nation is behind the Prime Minister," he said.On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had rubbished reports of AAP and Congress holding talks regarding an alliance. "Congress has officially conveyed to us that there will be no alliance. We are not in ...
Trump says he won't mind if Mueller report is made public
US President Donald Trump has said he would not mind if Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections is made public. The investigation into the allegations of collusion between Russia and Trump's presidential campaign, which he vehemently denies, is expected to end soon. Trump has maintained that he has done no wrong and there was no collusion between him, his campaign and the Russians. "Let it come out. Let people see it," the president said Wednesday, adding that it was, however, on the attorney general to decide if the report should be made public. Trump questioned how Mueller, a man "out of the blue" who "never got a vote", can be investigating him, given his victory in the 2016 election. "I'm saying to myself, wait a minute, I just won one of the greatest elections of all time in the history of this country -- and even you will admit that -- and now I have somebody writing a report that never got a vote. It's called the ..
3 BJD MLAs join BJP ahead of polls in Odisha
The headquarters of Odisha BJP Wednesday witnessed hectic political activity, as a large number of ruling BJD leaders, including three sitting MLAs, joined the saffron party ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Out of the four sitting BJD MLAs who have so far resigned from the regional party to protest against denial of tickets, three joined the BJP here. The sitting BJD MLAs who joined in the BJP are namely Debraj Mohanty, Purna Chandra Nayak and Sukant Kumar Nayak. All of them were denied party tickets for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. However, Gunupur MLA Trinath Gomango, who resigned from the BJD, has not made any such move so far. Earlier, BJD's expelled Paradip MLA Damodar Rout had joined the BJP. Similarly, three former BJD MLAs - Niranjan Pradhan, Kashinath Mallick and K Narayan Rao also joined the BJP on Wednesday. Another former MLA Nilamani Bisoi, who was elected to assembly from Surada assembly segment, as an independent ...
Patnaik seeks to pacify resentment, urges partymen to work
In a bid to pacify the resentment over denial of tickets to some leaders, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced a Rajya Sabha berth for Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik. The chief minister also called upon partymen to work together. "Work together, Chayu Babu will go to Rajya Saba," he said during a visit to Ganjam district. He had gone to the district headquarters town of Ganjam to file his nomination papers for the upcoming assembly elections from Hinjili segment. The BJD leadership had recently denied a ticket to Chyau Patnaik and named Bikram Kumar Panda as the party candidate from the Berhampur assembly segment. At least four sitting MLAs and three MPs have resigned from the BJD, after being denied tickets for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls.
India wants an honest Prime Minister, not a 'Chowkidar': Owaisi
Taking a jibe at the BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said India wants an honest Prime Minister and not a 'Chowkidar'."Under your (Prime Minister's) nose terror attacks took place in Pathankot, Uri and, Pulwama. What kind of a 'Chowkidar' are you? India wants an honest Prime Minister, not a 'Chowkidar'," Owaisi said while addressing a rally here on Wednesday.The AIMIM chief also asked why the Prime Minister was "afraid" of Swami Aseemanand. "If you are really a 'Chowkidar', then announce tomorrow itself that you will appeal against the decision taken by the court to acquit Aseemanand in Samjhauta blast case. Why are you so afraid of Aseemanand? Aseemanand, at one point of time, was associated with RSS," he said.Owaisi's comments came hours after a special NIA court on Wednesday acquitted Swami Aseemanand and three others in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case.Continuing his tirade against the Prime Minister, Owaisi ...
Important that Brexit extension serves clear purpose: Dutch PM
With a little more than a week to go for Brexit, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday (local time) stated that it is "important" that the extension to Article 50, which is being sought by the United Kingdom, serves a "clear purpose".Expanding on this, he stressed on the fact that the "purpose" needs to have "political support" in the UK, apparently referring to the multiple times that the withdrawal deal has been rejected by the British Parliament in the run-up to the March 29 exit from the European Union (EU)."Spoke with Angela Merkel and @eucopresident Tusk. Calling with @theresa_may shortly, and I'm talking to @EmmanuelMacron tomorrow; all about #Brexit," Rutte tweeted."The #EU27 will discuss the UK's proposal to extend article 50, as May has set out in her letter to Donald Tusk. It is important that the extension serves a clear purpose, and that this purpose has political support in the UK," he added.He has also held talks regarding Brexit with his Swedish counterpart, ...
Presidential elections delayed in Afghanistan
Presidential elections have been delayed by two months in Afghanistan, with the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announcing September 28 as the new date for polling.The elections were originally supposed to be held on July 20, according to TOLOnews.IEC Chairperson Hawa Alam Nuristani outlined the new amendments to the election law and "some other issues" as the reasons behind the delay.Despite announcing the new date for the Presidential elections, Nuristani cautioned that the elections would be possible on the new date only if all stakeholders - including the international community - provide the budget to the election commission.Apart from the Presidential elections, the provincial council elections, district council elections, and Ghazni parliamentary elections will also be held on September 28, Nuristani said.She also labelled last year's October 20 parliamentary elections as the "the worst elections in the last 15 years".
Railways to withdraw tickets containing photographs of PM Modi
With the Lok Sabha elections inching closer, the Railways has decided to withdraw tickets carrying photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Officials said the withdrawal of these tickets comes in the wake of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force.The announcement comes a day after an All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) accusing the BJP of violating the Model Code of Conduct.The TMC delegation, comprising Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Chandan Mitra, claimed that Prime Minister Modi's photo was being published on railway tickets as part of a government scheme, which, the party said, was in violation of the MCC.Seven phase elections in the country will begin on April 11 and culminate on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
CSK to donate proceeds from 1st IPL home match to kin of Pulwama bravehearts
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will donate proceeds from its first home match in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the families of the Pulwama bravehearts, the team's director said on Wednesday.Ticket proceeds of CSK's match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, slated to be held at Chepauk on March 23, will go to the kin of the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the February 14 terror attack, said CSK's director Rakesh Singh."Our captain MS Dhoni, who is honorary lieutenant colonel of the Indian Territorial Army, will present the cheque," he added.Tickets to the highly-anticipated clash between defending champions CSK and Virat Kohli's RCB were sold out within hours on the opening day of sale.40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in an attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in South Kashmir's Pulwama district.A convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack at
Short-span bridge handed over to Army by Larsen & Toubro
In another example of indigenisation of defence equipment, a five-metre short-span bridge was formally handed over to the Indian Army on Wednesday at a ceremony at the Talegaon facility of Larsen & Toubro, the Defence Ministry said. The bridge is indigenously designed and developed and is the result of close coordination between the Corps of Engineers and the DRDO laboratory in Pune, the ministry said. "The equipment has been manufactured by Larsen & Toubro Limited and has been delivered three months ahead of schedule. All stakeholders have put in concerted efforts to overcome challenges and realise the 'Make in India' initiative of the government, which aims to ensure self sufficiency in our defence needs," a statement said. The bridge will meet the important requirement of providing mobility to own forces by speedy establishment of bridges. The bridge is one of the numerous indigenous projects of Corps of Engineers which have made significant progress.
Naveen promises RS berth to Chyau Patnaik
In a bid to pacify the resentment over denial of tickets to some leaders in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, BJD chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday publicly announced a Rajya Sabha berth for Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik. The chief minister also called upon partymen to work together after sensing the mood of the Berhampur MLA's supporters. "Work together, Chayu Babu will go to the Rajya Saba," Patnaik said during his visit to Ganjam district in the state. He had gone to the district headquarters to file his nomination papers from Hinjili segment for the upcoming state assembly elections. When Naveen Patnaik reached the town, a large number of supporters of the Berhampur MLA raised "Naveen Patnaik Zindabad". They urged the chief minister to reconsider the case of Chyau Patnaik, who has been elected to the Berhampur assembly segment five times in a row since 1995. Recently, the BJD leadership denied ticket to Chyau Patnaik and named Bikram Kumar ...
Two NPP MLAs join ruling NDPP in Nagaland
In a boost to the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in Nagaland, two MLAs from the National People's Party (NPP) joined the ruling party on Wednesday. NDPP spokesperson Merentoshi R Jamir confirmed that two NPP legislators - L Khumo and Imnatiba - have joined the ruling party, while an official statement will be released Thursday morning. In a statement reportedly circulated on social media by Advisor for Industries and Commerce, MLA Imnatiba, on Wednesday, it was stated that the NPP leadership decided to field candidate against the ruling People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate in the by-election to 26-Aonglenden assembly constituency. The statement said the development has given a negative impression of the PDA to the people of Nagaland by "giving more opportunity to our opponents to corner us during this Lok Sabha election". Imnatiba said, "To seal stability to our PDA government permanently under the able leadership of CM and Dy CM and to silent
Effigies of Azhar, Saeed burnt in Holi bonfire at Patna neighbourhood
Residents of a neighbourhood in the Bihar capital this time have put up effigies of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in the streets for torching them as part of a 'Holika-dahan' ritual. The effigies were mounted on top of a huge pile of timber and broken twigs on a street in Kadam Kuan's Nawal Kishor Road, which was burnt to mark 'Holika dahan' or the eve of Holi. The pile faced a shop on the street side, which sells colours, 'pichkaris' (water toy guns) and fancy masks, while an image of a jawan in combat fatigue and pointing a gun, had been put up on an electric pole in the corner of the road. "People from the local area have put effigies to show solidarity with the spirit that terror activities originating from Pakistani soil would not be tolerated by India and its people. Pictures of both the terrorists have been pasted on the faces of the effigies," a local shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said before the burning ritual. While .
China's Xi visiting Italy, various accords to be signed
Rome, March 21 (IANS/AKI) Italy's populist Premier Giuseppe Conte will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Saturday during the latter's visit to Italy aimed at boosting economic and political ties, it was announced on Wednesday.
Netanyahu, Pompeo vow to counter Iranian 'aggression'
Top US diplomat Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to counter Iranian "aggression" as the two met in Jerusalem just weeks ahead of Israel's elections. Pompeo was on a regional tour focused largely on Iran, but the meeting and his warm words on Netanyahu's leadership will likely be seen as support from US President Donald Trump's administration amid the Israeli premier's re-election fight. Netanyahu, facing a stiff challenge from a centrist alliance in April 9 polls whilst under threat of indictment for corruption, will next week visit Washington, where he will meet twice with Trump. Pompeo's visit offered the right-wing premier an opportunity to burnish his security and diplomatic credentials -- both key planks of his re-election campaign. In comments after Pompeo's arrival, Netanyahu said Trump's pressure on Israel's main enemy Iran was already having an effect, referring to his withdrawal from the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers ..
France warns could vote against Brexit extensions
France warned Wednesday it was prepared to vote against Britain's demand for an extension to its Brexit deadline unless Prime Minister Theresa May presents a credible strategy to fellow leaders. May asked her EU partners on Wednesday to extend the deadline for Brexit from March 29 to June 30 to give herself more time to find a path through the political deadlock in London. But French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that France could vote against the request when EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, reflecting growing exasperation in Paris and a desire to prevent the process from being dragged out. "A situation in which Mrs May is unable to deliver sufficient guarantees on the credibility of her strategy at the European Council meeting would lead to the request being refused and a preference for a no deal," Le Drian told parliament. A "no deal" exit -- in which Britain crashes out of the bloc without an agreement with its main trading partners -- is seen by analysts as ...
Brussels warns May against June 30 Brexit delay
The EU on Wednesday warned Britain it would have to hold elections to the European Parliament if it wants to delay Brexit until June 30, as Prime Minister Theresa May has requested. Before May put in the request, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker urged her in a phone call not to set a date that was beyond the May 23 to 26 European elections. A top EU diplomat meanwhile insisted that EU leaders would refrain from any decision on the delay at their Thursday-Friday summit. "There will be no decision tomorrow," the diplomat briefed reporters. Amid the confusion, EU Council President Donald Tusk, who coordinates EU summits, announced a press statement for 5:00 pm (1600 GMT). "We will have an indication on what the 27 are ready to give the UK in case the withdrawal deal passes parliament, but nothing formal," the diplomat added. May needs more time because her lawmakers have refused to approve the deal she struck with the EU to leave the bloc. Elections to the European ...
'Mallya, Modi, Choksi fled because of chowkidar's fear'
Slamming the Congress after the arrest of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, Union Minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo on Wednesday said that some corrupt businessmen fled the country because they knew the "chowkidar" is in power and that no UPA leaders would be able to save them.