Page 1270 - Politics
PM Modi, KCR conspiring against TDP, claims Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao are conspiring against the Telugu Desam Party, while adding that YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy "compromised with Modi" to get rid of all cases filed against him."YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is the fan, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is the switch and BJP is the power," Naidu said while addressing party workers here on Monday.The TDP Chief further mentioned that if Prime Minister Modi comes back to power, minorities would not be safe in the country, while accusing the current NDA government of "betraying" Andhra Pradesh.He then went on to say that Jagan was taking "political mileage" from his uncle Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy's death. "If Jagan comes to power, can anybody live safely in the state? They are blaming us for Vivekananda Reddy's murder and asking for an inquiry by the Central Bureau Investigation as they believe that Modi ..
'We need to prevent the notoriety', says New Zealand PM
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday expressed concerns about the Australian-born terrorist Brenton Tarrant's plans to represent himself in future court hearings."I agree that is absolutely something that we need to acknowledge and do what we can to prevent the notoriety that this individual seeks. This could involve a conversation with the media," New Zealand Herald quoted Ardern as saying to reporters here.Asserting that the suspect was planning to "lift his own profile", the New Zealand premier remarked: "That's something that we can absolutely deny him. You won't hear me speak his name."Ardern reiterated that the country's gun laws will undergo changes as the Cabinet ministers had in-principle agreed to the reforms. She said that legislation would be drafted before March 25.Tarrant, the 28-year-old terrorist accused of gunning down 50 people during the March 15 twin terror attacks at Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch on Monday dismissed his lawyer Richard
Pentagon lists possible project cuts to pay for wall
The Pentagon has sent a 20-page list of military construction projects to Congress as lawmakers tried figuring out which might be cut to pay for President Donald Trump's wall along the Mexican border. Democrats expressed hope that the task would make lawmakers more likely to override Trump's veto of a measure aimed at preventing the cuts. The document sent Monday listed hundreds of projects envisioned around the US and the world that are worth around USD12.9 billion. In an accompanying letter, Defence Department officials said that because they won't target projects for which money was already awarded or for items like housing, many items listed won't be cut. They did not specify which would be exempted. Trump declared a national emergency at the Mexican border last month, invoking a law that would let him siphon other budget funds to build barriers and fulfil his prime 2016 campaign promise. Trump proposed using his declaration to steer USD 3.6 billion in military construction ...
Jaitley hails 'game-changing' reforms of Modi govt
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday hailed the Narendra Modi government which "systematically and consistently" introduced 14 "iconic reforms", thereby giving the economy a "much-needed" boost in less than five years.In a detailed blog post, Jaitley said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments between 2004-2014 got stuck in slogans rather than economic expansion. "The first NDA government took key decisions with regard to infrastructure creation and prudent fiscal management. Bold policies on telecom and National Highways made significant impacts on the economy.""However, the UPA governments between 2004-2014, got stuck into slogans rather than economic expansion. They created 'Rights' without a major increase in resources being provided to implement those rights. Subsequently, the government got marred in corruption and wasted its tenure in a cover-up exercise" he added..
Putin signs bills banning fake news, insults
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law a series of bills criminalising persons who would spread "fake news" or "disrespecting" the state, in a move which, critics say, will curtail freedom of speech of criticising the government.The new legislation allows Russian authorities to block websites or Internet accounts that publish what they deem to be "fake news" and penalises those who post material found to be insulting and distasteful to state officials, state symbols and Russian society.According to the new law, individuals found publishing "fake news" will have to pay a fine of 100,000 rubles, while public officials will have to cough up 200,000 roubles. For corporate organisations, the fine has been set at 500,000 roubles, TASS news agency reported.However, the new legislation mandates that news publications registered with Roskomnadzor (federal executive body responsible for overseeing the media), including online media sites, would be given a chance to take down
Sheila Dikshit writes to Rahul, Sonia; says coalition with AAP will 'harm' Congress in long run
Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit has written to party president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi saying forging an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Delhi would harm the party in the long run, sources said on Monday.Dikshit, along with three working presidents HaroonYusuf, DevenderYadav and, RajeshLilothia, also expressed discontent over Congress leader PC Chacko's phone survey through Shakti app to determine views of party workers on the alliance, the sources added.In the letter, Sheila urged Rahul to clear the air over a pre-poll alliance with AAP so that there is no confusion among the party cadres, the source mentioned.Chacko had recently held a meeting with Delhi's district heads on the issue of alliance where it was decided that Rahul would take a final call in the matter.Last week, Dikshit, after meeting the Congress president, had declared that there was unanimity among party leaders with regards to an alliance with AAP in ..
CPI announces candidates for AP Assembly elections
The Communist Party of India (CPI) announced candidates for six out of the seven Assembly seats it is contesting on in the upcoming elections in Andhra Pradesh.The party has fielded Muppalla Nageswar Rao from Mangalagiri Assembly seat opposite TDP's Nara Lokesh, while ML Narayana will be contesting from Kanigiri.Among other leaders contesting are Dr DVG Sankar Rao from Palakonda, P Kameswar Rao from Srungavarapu Kota, JV Satyanarayana Murty from Visakhapatnam West, and K Ramanjaneyulu from Dhone.The party will announce candidates for the remaining seats - 1 Assembly and 2 Lok Sabha seats - today.CPI is in alliance with Jana Sena, CPI (M) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).The BSP will contest on three seats, while CPI and CPM will contest on two Lok Sabha seats each in the state. The rest of the seats will be contested by Jana Sena.Meanwhile, out of 175 Assembly seats, BSP will contest on 21 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh while CPI and CPM will contest seven Assembly seats each, with
Media working overtime to blame me for Christchurch attacks: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Monday accused American media organisations of blaming him for last week's twin terror attacks in New Zealand, calling it "ridiculous"."The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand. They will have to work very hard to prove that one. So Ridiculous!" Trump tweeted.The US President's comments came after some American media coverage had been focusing on the terrorist's manifesto, which called Trump a "symbol of renewed white identity."The White House has rejected claims that Trump backed white nationalist views."The president is not a white supremacist. I'm not sure how many times we have to say that," acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday."Earlier, a social media account believed to be linked to Brenton Tarrant, the 28-year-old Australian-born terrorist had posted a lengthy manifesto, expressing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views.He wrote that he supported Trump "as a symbol ..
'Navy will always remain ready to protect, promote, preserve national interests in maritime domain'
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said the Navy will "always remain ready" to "protect, promote and preserve national interests in the maritime domain."The Navy Chief, while addressing Naval commanders in Kochi on Monday, also urged to maintain the high tempo of operations and to keep sharp vigil including stringent security measures to ensure safe coasts and secure seas.Admiral Lanba and other top officials of the Navy arrived in Kochi on Monday for the debrief of the recently-concluded annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX).The day-long review of TROPEX 2019 was undertaken to examine the conduct of exercise and to assess operational readiness of the Indian Navy. A realistic audit of the Indian Navy's deployment philosophy and fighting capability was undertaken during the review. Lessons learnt from the exercise will provide the Indian Navy accurate assessments to fine-tune combat deployments, force structuring requirements, operational logistics as also
US to 're-engage' with Kim, says Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US will "re-engage" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over issues of mutual concern.
IS calls for revenge against Syria Kurds
As the Islamic State group defended its last scrap of territory against Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria, a spokesman has urged followers to attack them elsewhere in the war-torn country. An IS spokesman, in an audio recording posted on Telegram Monday, called for action from the group's supporters in areas held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. "Avenge the blood of your brothers and sisters... Set up the (explosive) devices, deploy the snipers," said the spokesman, named as Abi Hassan al-Mujahir.
Pramod Sawant sworn in as 11th Goa CM
Former Speaker of Goa legislative assembly and BJP MLA Pramod Sawant was sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa on Tuesday.
Goa Governor allowing horse trading, says Congress
The Congress in Goa has accused Governor Mridula Sinha of "allowing BJP to carry on horse trading" and ignoring repeated requests from the Congress party to stake claim to form a government in Goa, despite being the single largest legislative party.
Lawmakers can't vote again on Brexit, says UK Speaker
In yet another blow for British Prime Minister Theresa May, Speaker of the British Parliament John Bercow said on Monday that lawmakers cannot vote again on the Brexit deal as the same agreement was rejected twice.Citing parliamentary procedure, Bercow underlined that the British government cannot put forth a motion repeatedly before the parliamentarians if it had been previously rejected in the same session."What the government cannot legitimately do is resubmit to the House the same proposition -- or substantially the same proposition -- as that of last week, which was rejected by 149 votes," Bercow was quoted by CNN, as saying.The UK Parliament has already rejected the Brexit deal twice by substantial margins, even though May repeatedly stated that the hard-pressing issues were resolved and asserted that "this is the only deal possible."According to some reports, the British government was mulling to bring the deal back for a third time. Also, some reports had surfaced that if ...
Pramod Sawant sworn in as Goa CM
In a late-night ceremony, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and BJP leader Pramod Sawant was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Goa.In addition, 11 other leaders, including Sudhin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party, took oath as Cabinet ministers.The oath was administered by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan in the wee hours of Tuesday.The Chief Minister's post went vacant following the death of Manohar Parrikar on Sunday evening after a prolonged illness.43-year-old Sawant represents Sanquelim assembly constituency. His wife, Sulakshana Sawant is the president of the women's wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa.Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members with four seats lying vacant due to deaths of two legislators, including Parrikar and resignation of two others. The by-polls on the three seats are scheduled to take place on April 23.BJP currently has 12 legislators and enjoys the support of legislators from
Goa Governor allowing BJP to indulge in horsetrading, claims Cong
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar accused Governor Mridula Sinha of allowing the BJP to indulge in horsetrading and not paying heed to its requests to form the government in the state."We strongly condemn the undemocratic action of Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha for not allowing our single largest party to form the Government and allowing the BJP to carry on horse trading, despite BJP not having sufficient numbers to form the Government," he said in a statement."Governor is acting as an agent of BJP and this will be remembered as the darkest day in Indian democracy where there is vaccum in government for more than 24 hours of the declaration of death of Chief Minister of the state. The state is without legitimate government despite Congress party being single largest and staking claim to form the government," the statement mentioned.Kawthankar further urged President Ram Nath Kovind to dismiss Sinha from the post of Governor while equating the ...
Sawant sworn in Goa CM, allies extract pound of flesh
BJP's Pramod Sawant was Tuesday sworn in as the new chief minister of Goa, succeeding Manohar Parrikar, cremated hours earlier with state honours. At a much-delayed swearing-in ceremony, held around 2 am Tuesday, 11 other MLAs, part of the Parrikar-led cabinet, were also sworn in as ministers. The ceremony, held at a cramped Raj Bhavan, was to take place at 11 pm Monday but was delayed due to inexplicable reasons. Sawant, 46, was Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly. As per the power-sharing arrangement reached with allies, an MLA each from MGP and GFP, two small parties backing BJP in the coastal state would be made deputy CMs. Sawant said his party BJP has given him a big responsibility. Talking to reporters, Sawant credited Parrikar, who died Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer, for brining him into politics. After a stalemate following a series of meetings with the allies, he BJP managed to break the deadlock, offering them their pound of flesh, by accepting the ...
Pramod Sawant to succeed Manohar Parrikar as Goa CM
Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant was today named as the Chief Minister of Goa to succeed the late CM Manohar Parrikar."This is a very big responsibility that the party has given me, and I will try my best to perform my duties," Sawant told reporters here before proceeding to Raj Bhavan.When asked about Parrikar's role in his political journey, Sawant said: "It is because of him (Parrikar) that I entered politics. I became Goa Assembly Speaker also because of him."43-year-old Sawant represents Sanquelim assembly constituency. His wife, Sulakshana Sawant is the president of the women's wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa.The Chief Minister's post in Goa went vacant after Parrikar died on Sunday evening after a prolonged battle against cancer at the age of 63.BJP currently has 12 legislators and enjoys the support of legislators from Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three independents. GFP and MGP each have three MLA's.Congress, on the other hand,
Parrikar is the 'first victim' of Rafale deal, says NCP leader Jitendra Awhad
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad opined that late Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was the "first victim" of the Rafale fighter jet deal.Speaking to media here on Monday, Awhad claimed that Parrikar, who was the Defence Minister at the time when the Rafale deal was inked, returned to Goa as he was "sad"."Manohar Parrikar was a very educated and well-read person. I think after Rafale deal, he did not feel right so he decided to go back to Goa. He was sad. I should not say this as he is not here today, but I feel he is the first victim of the Rafale Deal," the NCP leader said."People have been speaking on Rafale and corruption for the last 1.5 years, but no one pointed fingers at Manohar Parrikar. His character speaks for itself that he can't be corrupt. But corruption which had occurred pained him. It didn't let him fight his disease and led to his death," Awhad added.The Centre had recently told the Supreme Court that certain documents pertaining to the Rafale ...
Gunupur MLA Trinath Gomango quits BJD
Trinath Gomango, a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Gunupur, resigned from his post on Monday.Gomango resigned from primary membership of the BJD alleging that the party neglected him and did not invite him to a party program that was held in his constituency.In his resignation letter, Gomango also accused the Naveen Patnaik government of being "apathetic and insensitive" towards tribals in the region.Gomango had joined the BJD in 2009. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he contested and emerged victorious from Gunupur.Last week, another BJD leader Balabhadra Majhi had quit the party and joined the BJP after being 'neglected' by the BJD."I have submitted my resignation letter to party chief Naveen Patnaik. As a sitting MP, I was not called in the party meeting. I was being ignored for the past few days. People involved in the decision-making body are not informing me. I think BJD does not need me anymore. This is about my self-respect," Majhi had told reporters here on March 14.Lok Sabha .