Page 1261 - Politics
Tug-of-war in grand alliance over Darbhanga, Madhubani seats
Seat sharing in 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) for the Lok Sabha elections has turned into a tug-of-war among parties with Darbhanga and Madhubani parliamentary constituencies emerging as trouble spots.
BJP drops all 10 sitting MPs from Chhattisgarh, to field fresh LS candidates
In a major decision, the BJP Tuesday announced it will drop its all 10 incumbent MPs from Chhattisgarh and replace them with new faces in the Lok Sabha polls, a decision that comes in the wake of the party's drubbing in the recent assembly elections. BJP General Secretary Anil Jain, also the party affairs in-charge for the state, made the announcement as the BJP's Central Election Committee, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders, met here to deliberate over its candidates for the polls. "We have decided to fight the elections with new candidates and new zeal," Jain told reporters. The announcement underscores the BJP's bid to wrest its lost territory back from the Congress, which handed it a massive defeat in the assembly polls last year. The Congress had won 68 seats, reducing the tally of the BJP, which was in power in the state for 15 years, to a mere 15. The difference in the vote share of the two parties was a huge 10 per cent. The BJP is also ...
PM Modi an 'Ambedkarite', won't change Constitution: Athawale
Union minister and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale Tuesday said his party has "differences" with the RSS on the issue of Hindutva but not with "Ambedkarite" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and trashed the opposition's allegation that the Centre will alter the Constitution. Athawale said the BJP and other parties were not "anti-Dalit", but added efforts should be made to punish those who commit atrocities on the community. Minister of State for Social Justice Athawale also claimed the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), led by Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, will not be able to win a single seat in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha polls. "The BJP supports the ideology of Babasaheb (BR Ambedkar). The RSS too supports the ideology of Babasaheb. But we do have differences with the RSS on the issue of Hindutva," Athawale said during an interaction with BBC News Marathi here. "But there are absolutely no differences with Narendra Modi who is ..
Come what may, we stand with Pakistan: China
China on Tuesday said it would stand by Pakistan during its testing times and firmly support it to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity and also told the international community not to target it following the Pulwama suicide bombing.
J-K BJP to hit campaign trail from Friday; Modi, Shah to be star campaigners
The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir is banking on its star campaigners Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to leave a mark in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, with the party planning to start its hectic campaigning from Friday. The voting for the 17th Lok Sabha will be held over seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. The state has six Lok Sabha seats. "We have drawn up the poll strategy for campaigning in Jammu and Kashmir. We will bring in many star campaigners for addressing mega rallies in the state," BJP spokesperson Priya Sethi told PTI. She said the campaigning will begin with filing of nominations papers by two sitting MPs, Jugal Kishore Sharma and Union minister Jitendra Singh, from Jammu and Kathua on March 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will hit the campaign trail
Modi to intensify 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi would interact with people across the country through audio bridge technology as part of his "Main Bhi Chowkidar" campaign on March 20, a day ahead of Holi, the festival of colours.
Maha minister refuses to contest on BJP symbol in Baramati
Despite sustained pressure from the BJP, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) chief Mahadev Jankar Tuesday said he would not contest Lok Sabha polls from Baramati seat on the former's lotus symbol. Jankar, who offered stiff competition to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule from Baramati in the 2014 general elections, said he wanted to fight on his RSP symbol. "I have already told the BJP leadership that I will contest the Lok Sabha polls only on the symbol of our party. Even in Vidhan Sabha polls, our stand would be the same," he told reporters at Mantralaya. "We have apprised the BJP of out stand and are awaiting their response. But there has not been any headway so far," said Jankar, a prominent Dhangar community leader and Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Development in the Maharashtra cabinet. There is a demand from the BJP that Jankar contest on the lotus symbol in Baramati, considered a bastion of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. In 2014, Jankar
BJP gets clean chit in poll-related meeting at Rupani's house
Gujarat's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Tuesday said the ruling BJP has not violated the model code of conduct by holding a meeting of its State Parliamentary Board at Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's official residence. CEO S Murali Krishna had Monday ordered an inquiry into the matter after receiving a complaint in this regard from the Congress. The inquiry into the matter did not suggest any violation of the model code of conduct, which is in force for the next month's Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat, he said. "We have conducted an inquiry into the matter and found no violation of the model code of conduct," Krishna told PTI. In its complaint, the main opposition party had alleged the CM's official residence in Gandhinagar is a government property and no political activity is allowed from a government premises when the poll code is in force. On learning about the CEO's clean chit to the ruling party, the state Congress announced it will approach the Election Commission (EC) .
After France, Germany backs listing of Masood Azhar as terrorist in EU
New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): After France froze assets of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, Germany has come forward in support of listing Azhar as an international terrorist.Talking to ANI, spokesperson of German Embassy, Hans Christian Winkler confirmed, "There is a discussion going on in European Union on the listing of Masood Azhar as a terrorist, Germany is approaching it very positively in close coordination with France.""Final decision on security and foreign policy can only be taken once all members of EU agree to it," he added.China recently put a technical hold on the listing of Masood Azhar at United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a fourth time, despite the overwhelming support of 14 of 15 members in favour of listing.However, this does not bind the European Union from not listing Masood Azhar.Diplomatic sources told ANI that earlier EU could not list a terrorist or organisation which was not listed by the UN but according to new rules of EU, which were
Six candidates file nominations for April 18 LS polls in Karna
With the election commission issuing notification for General Election in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of Karnataka that will go to polls in the firstphase on April 18, six candidates have filed their nominationsTuesday, officials said. A total of eleven nominations have been received from six candidates, officials said, adding that among the candidates one each are from Dakshina Kannada, Mandya, Bangalore South, and three from Mysore. With all the three major political parties the BJP, the Congress and the JD(S), yet to announce their list of candidates, those who filed nominations on Tuesday were said to be mainlyindependents and from smaller parties. Leaders of all the three main political parties have said the first list of candidates from their respective political parties are likely to be announced in a couple of days. Karnataka will go for polls in two phases, 14 constituencies each, on April 18 and 23. While the last date for the filing of nominations for the ...
Indian-origin Jagmeet Singh makes history in Canada's House of Commons
Indian-origin Jagmeet Singh has created political history in Canada when he made his debut in the House of Commons as the first non white-leader of a major opposition party in the country. The arrival of the turbaned leader into the house on Monday, cheered by all members, coincided with the induction of a senior woman member into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet. Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, placed his hand over his heart as he walked into the Commons before the daily question period. Singh, 40, was elected in federal by-elections held on February 25. Singh's first words as an elected lawmaker were about last week's terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand. "I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the people of New Zealand who are mourning the attack on Muslim brothers and sisters... in Christchurch," Singh said. About 50 people were killed last week in the Pacific country's worst-ever mass shooting. He then launched his first question about ..
Mortal remains of Army jawan killed in ceasefire violation consigned to flames
The mortal remains of Army jawan Karamjeet Singh, who was killed in a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, were consigned to flames with full military honours at his native village here on Tuesday. Singh, 24, was killed on Monday. His body, draped in tricolour, was brought to his home in Janer village by army officials on Tuesday. A large number of people paid last respects to him and raised 'Shaheed Karamjitt Amar Rahe' slogans. His father and elder brother lit the funeral pyre. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the Defence Services Welfare Department to extend financial assistance of Rs 12 lakh to Singh's family. The relief includes Rs 7 lakh as ex-gratia and Rs 5 lakh in lieu of land, as per the existing policy, according to an official spokesperson. Expressing shock and grief at Singh's death in the Pak action, the chief minister tweeted, "Pakistan shamelessly continues to violate all principles of international & .
Over 1.81 lakh hoardings removed in Delhi since MCC kicked in: CEO
The Election Commission Tuesday said it has removed over 1.81 lakh hoardings across the national capital since the imposition of Model Code of Conduct in the country on March 10, when Lok Sabha poll dates were announced. The Chief Electoral Office in Delhi said that of the total 1,81,155 hoardings, banners or posters removed here, the maximum (62,411) have been taken down in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. The North corporation is followed by 44,793 in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, 41,007 in the East Delhi Municipal Corporation and 30,533 in the New Delhi Municipal Council, it said. It also said 2,411 banners were removed in the Delhi Cantonment Board area. The Election Commission had on March 10 imposed model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections. Among other things, the MCC provisions bar the government from announcing any policy move that may impact voters' decision. The Chief Electoral Office in Delhi Tuesday said that in pursuance of the MCC, 90 unlicensed ..
'Nothing done in 70 years rant' has expiry date: Priyanka
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Tuesday said the reality is different from what the Uttar Pradesh government has been portraying and there is an expiry date to the "rant" that nothing was done in the past 70 years. The Congress general secretary in charge of east Uttar Pradesh was responding to a question on the Adityanath government's "report card" on completion of two years in office, highlighting various achievements and welfare schemes. "They (the BJP) need to come to the ground to see the reality. This report card and publicity look good, but the reality is different... all sections are feeling harassed," she said. "There is a big difference between poll promises and fulfilling them. As far as the rant about (no development in) 70 years is concerned, it has an expiry date. You are in the government for the past five years, what have you done in five years?" she asked. She was interacting with reporters at a guest house here in Bhadohi district, where she had a night halt during ..
BJP MLA makes personal remarks against Mayawati
Hitting another low this election season, a BJP MLA Tuesday commented on the colour of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati's hair and the facials he claims she gets every day. Baria MLA Surendra Singh, who has made controversial remarks in the past as well, was reacting to a comment Mayawati made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that he lived in a royal manner. "She gets a facial every day. The person who herself gets a facial daily is telling our leader that he is 'shaukeen'," the MLA said, using a Hind word that suggests vanity. "Wearing clean clothes is not being 'shaukeen'. Colouring hair at the age of 60 to look young is 'shaukeen'. Her hair has turned grey but she colours it black," Singh said. In her tweet earlier, Mayawati had said, "The person who lives life in a royal manner, as against the principle of simple living and high thinking, had portrayed himself as a 'chaiwallah' (tea seller) in the last Lok Sabha elections for votes." "Now he is declaring himself a .
Sanjay Singh, Pawar meet over possible alliance
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh and NCP leader Sharad Pawar met at the latter's residence here on Tuesday amid speculation that the Congress and AAP could still come together in Delhi to fight the Lok Sabha eletions.
Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev resigns after 30 yrs
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Tuesday resigned from his position after nearly 30 years in power.
LS polls a fight between Modi, Shah and nation: Raj Thackeray
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections is a fight between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said Tuesday. Slamming the BJP-led government, Thackeray asked how was India was in a position to fight Pakistan when the Centre was "begging" for money from the Reserve Bank of India. "Nobody is ready to answer my questions. They do not have the answers to the questions the country is asking and, therefore, are indulging in gimmicks like 'chowkidar'. What happened to the promise of providing two crore jobs?" he said while addressing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers here. Thackeray, who has already announced that the MNS will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, asked his party workers to get ready for Maharashtra Assembly polls later this year. "Fourteen thousand farmers in the state have committed suicide since 2014. The Prime Minister does not have time to meet their families," he claimed. Thackeray claimed Modi had shown a false picture .
Naga issue: Rio hopes NDA's return to power would bring
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Tuesday expressed confidence that "something positive" would be achieved on the Naga political issue if the NDA government returns to power at the Centre. "The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had understood the uniqueness of the Naga history and tried to solve the decades-long political problem. After the Narendra Modi government came to power, it came under focus again," Rio said at an election campaign at Dimapur. After the dates for Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10, Rio had lamented that the solution to the Naga political issue could not be found before the elections. "We were hoping against hope that the solution will come before the election.... If it (the solution) does not come, it will be problem for our Naga society to carry on," he had said on that day at a programme of the completion of one year of his People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government of which the BJP is a part. Even after the signing of the framework .
New BJP-led govt in Goa to face floor test Wednesday; CM confident of victory
The new BJP-led government in Goa will face the floor test in the state Assembly on Wednesday to prove its majority just a day after Speaker Pramod Sawant was sworn in as chief minister with an unprecedented two deputies past midnight capping a frenetic day of political wrangling. The government claims majority with the support of 21 MLAs--12 from the BJP, three each of allies Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three Independents. The strength of the 40-member House has been reduced to 36 following the death of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and BJP MLA Francis D'Souza and resignations of two Congress MLAs Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte. The Congress, which is the single largest party with 14 MLAs, had also staked claim to form the government. There is also an NCP legislator in the House. Governor Mridula Sinha has convened a special session of the Assembly at 11.30 am Wednesday to enable the chief Minister to prove his majority in the House, ..