Page 1247 - Politics
Mayawati not to fight LS poll but open to role at Centre
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that she will not contest Lok Sabha elections so as to be able to campaign effectively across the country but also indicated that her decision did not mean she was ruling herself out of the post-poll Prime Ministerial sweepstakes.
Modi harps on 'Mai Bhi Chowkidar, flays Rahul
In a veiled attack on opposition parties for raising questions over the Indian Air Force's (IAF) targeted strike against terrorists in Balakot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday the attack took place in Pakistan but the trouble was felt in India by the "tukde-tukde gang."
Next govt will be under leadership of Cong: Surjewala
Hours after BSP chief Mayawati announced that she would not contest the Lok Sabha polls but indicated that she could still be in the running for the prime minister's post, the Congress on Wednesday said the government would be formed under its leadership and the parties with which there were differences now, would be with it. "As far as the question of contesting or not contesting elections of a person is concerned, I think that it is their decision. She is in a different party and is the leader, we would not like to comment on that," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said when asked about Mayawati's announcement. Asked if she would still be in the race for the prime minister's post, Surjewala said, "Have faith, the government will be formed in 2019 under the leadership of the Congress, and many of the parties, with whom you think we have differences, we will bring them together." Mayawati announced that she would not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, but kept open ..
If JDS on its own reconsiders Tumkuru LS Seat, its good: KPCC
Amidst growing discontent among Congress leaders over allotting Tumkuru Lok Sabha seat to JDS, Karnataka Pradesh Congress President Dinesh Gundurao Thursday said it would be good if the coalition partner on its own reconsiders it. The Tumkuru seat arrangement has created discontentment among local Congress leaders, especially G Parameshwara, who is said to be sulking over the issue. The seat-sharing arrangement had been struck and it would not be good on the part of Congress to reopen Tumkuru Lok Sabha which has been alloted to JDS, Gundurao said. "However, if JDS on its own reconsiders it, it would be be good for us. In politics, anything can happen at last minute. No chapter is closed for any deal until the D-date. Things might change, but the arrangement is okay for now," he told PTI here. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, Tumkuru is being represented by the Congress and Parameshwara is the Tumakuru district in-charge minister. Parameshwara has been saying that the Congress .
Who let Nirav Modi escape, Priyanka asks BJP (2nd Lead)
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for describing the arrest of absconding PNB fraud case accused Nirav Modi in London as an achievement, asking who let him flee.
Time frame for Bru repatriation extended by Centre: Mizoram
Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana today informed the state legislature that the Centre has extended the time frame for repatriation of Brus in the six relief camps in Tripura from September 2018 to March 31, 2019. In a written reply to questions from Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) members V L Zaithanzama and C Lalsawivunga, Lalchamliana said that resumption of the repatriation would be taken up again in consultation with the Centre. He said, according to the agreement reached between the Centre, the Mizoram government, the Tripura government and Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF). The MBDPF is an umbrella organisation of the Bru refugees lodged in six relief camps in Tripura since July three last year. The relief camps were to be closed from October, 2018. The agreement was to be implemented by the Tripura state government and the Mizoram government does not have any official information on the extent of implementation of the agreement signed in Delhi, he ...
AAP issues advisory for journalists, draws flak from BJP, Cong
The AAP Wednesday issued a media advisory asking journalists to take quotes from "authorised spokespersons only" failing which it said they will be treated as "imaginary and false", a move that drew criticism from the BJP and the Congress. "It has been noticed of late that sections of the media have been attributing quotes to anonymous sources from the Aam Aadmi Party. The party takes exception to this and makes it categorically clear that the AAP will contradict and send rejoinders to these anonymous quotes, which are clearly unauthorised. "The AAP has a clear policy of authorised spokespersons to talk to the media. Therefore, media friends are requested to take the party's stand from the authorised spokespersons only. Any unauthorised anonymous quotes will be treated by the party as imaginary and false," the advisory read. Hitting out at the AAP over this, Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari said this move was an attempt to muzzle the press. "This is muzzling the freedom of press and ..
Could NC, Congress afriendly Dangal' prove costly in J&K? (Dangal 2019)
The Regional National Conference (NC) and the Congress on Wednesday decided to forge an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls in J&K.
Shiv Sena MLA, eyeing Chandrapur Lok Sabha seat, resigns
Shiv Sena MLA from Warora, Balu Dhanorakar, who wanted to contest from Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency, resigned Wednesday and blamed the Sena-BJP alliance for his decision. Dhanorkar submitted his resignation to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde. He also quit as the district "sampark neta" of Sena. Speaking to PTI, Dhanorkar said the local MP was "troubling" him for the last five years, and not allowing him to work in his own constituency. "I wanted to contest the election from Chandrapur constituency. However, due to the alliance with the BJP, I could not get the opportunity to do so," Dhanorakar said. Dhanorkar said he had not yet decided whether to join Congress or fight as an Independent. A Sena leader said Dhanorkar might get ticket from the Congress, as he is known for his proximity with the party deputy leader in the Legislative Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar. Vidarbha region Sena coordinator Arvind Nerkar said, after the alliance with the BJP ..
India lodges fresh protest over harassment of diplomats
India has lodged a protest with Pakistan over four separate incidents of alleged harassment of Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad, and sought an immediate investigation into them, official sources said Thursday. On March 18, India issued a note verbale -- a diplomatic communication -- to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, giving a detailed account of the incidents including aggressive tailing of the Indian naval adviser by two Pakistani personnel, they said. The note verbale said the naval adviser was "aggressively tailed" by two Pakistani personnel in a car while he was going to the High Commission from his home on March 15, according to sources. They said two Pakistani personnel were keeping a watch outside the residence of the naval adviser during a dinner he hosted on March 14. In a separate case, the note said another official of the mission received hoax calls while another staff of the mission was subjected to "intimidatory" behaviour by a Pakistani personnel on March ...
KCR's son appears set to be his successor (Dangal 2019)
With Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao eyeing a key role in national politics in the post-poll scenario, his son K. T. Rama Rao appears set to take over the mantle.
Samjhauta blast verdict: Pak summons Indian High Commissioner
Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian High Commissioner over the acquittal of four accused persons in the 2007 Samjhauta blast case.Earlier today, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Haryana's Panchkula acquitted Swami Aseemanand and three others in the matter. Besides Swami Aseemanand, the others acquitted were Lokesh Sharma, Kamal Chauhan and Rajinder Chaudhary."All the four accused persons were acquitted as the prosecution (NIA) failed to prove any of the charge against them," defence lawyer Mukesh Garg told reporters.According to a statement by Pakistan's Foreign Office, the Acting Foreign Secretary "stressed that Pakistan had consistently raised the lack of progress and the subsequent, concerted attempts by India to exonerate the perpetrators of this heinous terrorist act in which 44 innocent Pakistanis lost their lives"."The issue was raised repeatedly, including at the sidelines of the Senior Officials, Heart of Asia Meeting in 2016. Formal demarches .
Nirav Modi's arrest has exposed Rahul's lies: Babul Supriyo
Union minister Babul Supriyo Wednesday said the arrest of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi has "exposed the web of lies" created by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The arrest also proves that as long as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in-charge, no one can loot India's resources and escape, he stressed. The comments came after Nirav Modi, the main accused in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank scam case, was arrested in London and a court remanded him in custody till March 29. "The arrest has exposed the web of lies spread and created by Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi has accused the government of not taking enough action, but the fact is it was during the UPA regime that loans were sanctioned to Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya," Supriyo told a press conference. "They fled because they were aware that they can't roam scotfree by looting the people of this country," he added. On the opposition parties' accusation that the Centre had acted just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to draw ...
Theresa May seeks 3-month delay to Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday asked for a three-month extension to Article 50, the legal process under which the United Kingdom (UK) is leaving the European Union (EU).Al Jazeera quoted May, who while addressing the Parliament, said that she does not want a long extension that would potentially involve the UK taking part in elections to the European Parliament in late May, as doing so would fail to honour the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum.In a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, May said that she would seek to delay the UK's exit from the deal until June 30.May also wrote that she was confident that the British lawmakers would ratify the deal following her negotiations with the EU."But this clearly will not be completed before March 29," May was quoted as saying.Speaker of the British Parliament John Bercow along with other lawmakers on Monday denied voting again on the Brexit deal as the same agreement was rejected twice.Citing parliamentary ...
Will take forward dreams of Parrikar, says Chief Minister Sawant
The first priority of my government will be effective administration and taking forward the dreams of late Manohar Parrikar, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant here on Thursday."Effective administration will be my first priority. We will complete all ongoing infrastructure projects in the state. We will carry forward all the dreams of Manohar Parrikar for Goa. That is a priority," he told media persons after winning the floor test.Chief Minister Sawant said that he had full faith in Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Independents that they would vote for the BJP-led alliance."All our alliance partners--MGM, GFP, and Independents were with us and I had full faith in them. We were confident of winning the floor test," he told reporters here.Giving out details of his future course of action, Sawant said that he would go to Delhi on Thursday and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and BJP president Amit Shah.Sawant exuded confidence ..
Northeasters hoping for development with the elections just around the corner
As the whole nation gears up for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, the people of Northeast India are urging for a wave of change and development in the region.Development in the remotest northeast region has always been a matter of concern. A hint of optimism prevails in the region, no matter which government comes into power.Many are of the view that an effective government should be formed keeping in mind the problems and the need of the poor and other needy people.Poverty is widespread in the country. It is a predominant concern that needs to be taken care of in the most holistic manner. However, the youths of the region also pointed out various other issues like employment opportunities that they expect the new government to work upon."Whichever government is formed, it should work for the development of Tripura. More industries should be introduced in the state so that the problem like unemployment is solved," said Pranab Sarkar, one of the residents of the Northeast.In Jorhat ...
CM Pramod Sawant wins floor test; Sudin Dhavalikar, Vijai Sardesai designated Dy CM
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday won the floor test in the state Assembly after 20 MLAs including 11 from BJP and three each from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Independents voted in his favour.Sawant had taken the oath as the Chief Minister in the wee hours of Tuesday following the death of Manohar Parrikar on Sunday evening after a prolonged battle against cancer.Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on Wednesday designated Sudin Dhavalikar of Maharshtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party (GFP) as "Deputy Chief Minister" in the Goa government.A government notification released in this regard said," The government is pleased to designate Sudin Dhavalikar and Vijai Sardesai as "Deputy Chief Minister" with immediate effect."Both of them are already Cabinet Ministers in the Goa government.Along with Sawant, 11 other members of Goa Assembly including Sudhin Dhavalikar of the MGP, Vijay Sardesai of the GFP and BJP MLA ...
Irani accuses Priyanka of insulting Lal Bahadur Shastri
BJP leader Smriti Irani Wednesday accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of "insulting" Lal Bahadur Shastri as a purported video showed the Congress leader garlanding a bust of the former prime minister during her tour in Uttar Pradesh with the garland she had worn. Union minister Irani wrote a limerick in a Hindi dialect to take a dig at the Congress general secretary in charge of eastern UP. In her "arrogance", she chose a used garland, clapped, waved her hands and left after insulting Shastri, Irani tweeted, tagging the video. The BJP leader also took a dig at the Congress over a woman's accusation that the opposition party's workers behaved inappropriately with her. It shows real values of the Congress, Irani alleged. Wrapping up her three-day tour of Uttar Pradesh in Prime minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency, Priyanka called the coming Lok Sabha elections a "new freedom struggle".
Govt's in-principle approval to changes in norms for selecting shipyards for warship construction
The Defence Ministry Thursday gave in-principle approval to certain changes in the norms for selection of shipyards for construction of warships and submarines for the Indian Navy, official sources said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement. Last year, the government approved induction of 56 warships and submarines for the Indian Navy. The procurement process for some of the ships and submarines will be initiated soon. Sources said the DAC also examined a proposal for procurement of weapons and military hardware worth Rs 2,355 crore, and gave an in-principle clearance to them. The projects which were given go ahead include procurement of weapons and fire control systems for a number of warships of the Indian Navy.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant to meet PM on Thursday
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Thursday. Sawant himself told this to reporters on Wednesday. "I will be visiting Delhi tomorrow to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be a courtesy visit," he said. Earlier in the day, Sawant proved the majority of his BJP-led government in the Assembly, comfortably winning a floor test in the House. The change in leadership in the coastal state was necessitated due to the death of then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday. Sawant was Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly before being selected for the coveted post after demise of Manohar Parrikar.