Page 1271 - Politics
Pak violates ceasefire in Sunderbani, Akhnoor sectors along LoC
Pakistan violated ceasefire in Sunderbani and Akhnoor sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), which was strongly retaliated by the Indian Army.At around 10:45 pm on Monday, officials said Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC.Pakistan had resorted to unprovoked firing in the early hours of the day in Sunderbani sector, resulting in the death of an Indian Army jawan.The firing, which began at about 5:30 a.m on Monday, stopped at about 7:15 am.
India lodges protest with Pak over harassment of its diplomats
India on Monday issued a Note Verbale to Pakistan Foreign Ministry saying Pakistani agencies are "harassing and tailing" Indian diplomats in Islamabad again.According to the note, India cited 13 instances of harassment in the month of March itself and asked Pakistan to stop such incidents and investigate the matter.On March 8, a First Secretary was aggressively tailed by Pakistani security agency personnel in a car while proceeding from the Chancery to the bank. On the same day, the Naval Adviser was aggressively tailed by Pakistani security agency in a car while proceeding from Chancery to his residence, the note read.The note also cited instances of two Indian officers receiving a number of hoax calls during the last few days.On March 9, Deputy High Commissioner was aggressively tailed by Pakistani security agency personnel on a motorcycle. The following day, the Deputy High Commissioner was again aggressively followed by personnel on a motorcycle while going from his residence to a
Congress names candidates for 11 Bengal LS seats
Putting an end to all speculations of renewed efforts for a tie up with the Left Front (LF) in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress on Monday night put up candidates in the two seats won by the LF spearhead CPI-M in the previous general elections.
Telangana Congress chief to contest from Nalgonda
The Congress party on Monday night named its Telangana state chief Uttam Kumar Reddy as the candidate from Nalgonda Lok Sabha seat while AICC secretary Madhu Goud Yashki will contest from Nizamabad.
Congress releases fifth list for LS polls
The Congress on Monday night released its fifth list of party candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.
Cong's Uttam Reddy to contest LS polls from Nalgonda
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy would be the party's candidate from Nalgonda in the Lok Sabha polls. The list of candidates announced by the party late Monday night includes Madhu Yashki Goud (Nizamabad), M Anjan Kumar Yadav (Secunderabad), Ch Vamshichand Reddy (Mahabubnagar), Firoz Khan (Hyderabad), Mallu Ravi (Nagarkurnool-SC), Komatireddy Venkat Reddy (Bhongir) and Dommati Sambaiah (Warangal-SC) from Telangana. Uttam Kumar Reddy is presently MLA from Huzurnagar. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi would be Firoz Khan's rival in Hyderabad. The party had earlier released a list with eight candidates. The total number of seats in Telangana is 17.
BJP has given me big responsibility: Goa CM-designate
As he gets ready to assume office, Goa Chief Minister-designate Pramod Sawant Monday night said his party BJP has given him a big responsibility. Talking to reporters, Sawant, who is currently Speaker of Goa Assembly, confirmed there will be two deputy chief ministers in the new government. He credited late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for brining him into politics. Parrikar (63) died Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer and was cremated with state honours here Monday evening. As per the power-sharing arrangement reached with allies, an MLA each from two small parties backing the BJP in the coastal state will be made deputy chief minister, party sources said. They are Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar.
Pramod Sawant to be sworn in as Goa CM
Former Speaker of the Goa legislative assembly and BJP MLA Pramod Sawant will be sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa, Sawant himself confirmed on Tuesday.
Govt officials removing party flags from houses, alleges BJP
The Jharkhand unit of the BJP Monday lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer L Khiangte that some government officials were removing party flags put up on houses of its workers and supporters. The complaint was made after the party leadership received reports from some districts in this regard. "We have given a letter of protest to the CEO, who said proper steps will be taken so that there will be no problem to anyone," Prabhakar told reporters. He accused some sub-divisional officers, block development officers and circle officers of doing this "with a prejudiced mind". "By rule, the EC should be informed only before using hoardings and banners and not party flags and stickers," Prabhakar said. On February 12, BJP national president Amit Shah had launched "My family, BJP family" campaign by hoisting the party flag at his residence in Gujarat and sought to cover over five crore houses across the country under the drive by March 2.
Welfare schemes for poor should not stop during polls: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said certain state government schemes should not come under the purview of the Election Commission's model code of conduct, which is in force in the state ahead of next month's Lok Sabha polls. Banerjee also said that the West Bengal government would apprise the EC on the need to continue with such schemes during the duration of the general elections. The CM, replying to a query, said state government programmes like the 'Rupashree' (financial grant to underprivileged women above 18 years) and 'Somobyathi' (financial assistance in cremation/burial for poor households) should not be stopped because of elections. "We don't want people to stop getting benefits of government schemes launched much before announcement of election dates, for the entire poll period. Will marriages not be scheduled during elections? If there is a death in a poor family, should it face difficulties in performing the last rites of the deceased?"
Sawant to be CM, allies get pound of flesh; ceremony delayed
BJP's Pramod Sawant will succeed Manohar Parrikar but looks unlikely to be sworn in Monday as the 11 pm deadline of the ceremony passed. There was no word on when the swearing in will take place. Earlier, an official had announced it will take place at 11 pm Monday. There appeared no signs of it happening as it approached midnight. It was not known if the ceremony will take place after midnight or Tuesday. A large media contingent was left standing outside the Raj Bhavan gates where the ceremony was to take place as entry was not allowed. Sawant will succeed Parrikar, who died Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer and was cremated with state honours here Monday evening. Sawant is now Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly. As per the power-sharing arrangement reached with allies, an MLA each from two small parties backing BJP in the coastal state will be made deputy chief minister, party sources said. They are Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi ...
Mali's army says 23 soldiers are killed in attack in village
Mali's army says heavily armed men have attacked a camp in central Mali, killing at least 23 soldiers. The army said Monday the attack on Sunday, which is the most deadly against the army this year, took place in the village of Dioura. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bears the mark of al-Qaida-related jihadist groups that have been regularly attacking the army and international forces in central Mali. Mali's army has blamed the attack on Ba Ag Moussa, a former colonel of the Malian army who deserted in 2012 to join the Tuareg rebellion before joining al-Qaida. However, this announcement by the army comes as debates are being held about integrating former rebels into the army as part of a peace agreement. Many senior Malian officers are not in favour of integration.
LF to wait a day for Congress on Bengal seat-sharing
A day after the Congress declared it would contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal as seat-adjustment talks with the Left had failed, the Left Front on Monday said it was still hopeful of a Congress rethink and would wait for a day before announcing its final list of candidates.
Adityanath to take on SP-BSP combine from near Deoband
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's announcement of state BJP beginning its Lok Sabha campaign from Shakumbhari Temple in Saharanpur district is being seen as a move to counter the SP-BSP-RLD alliance's campaign from Deoband in the same district.
Salvini spurns Saudi offer to partner Milan's La Scala
Milan, March 18 (IANS/AKI) Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini on Monday slammed an offer by Saudi Arabia to invest 15 million euros in Milan's world-famous La Scala opera house as part of a five-year partnership deal.
Sri Lanka media rights activists decry new anti-terror laws
Media rights activists on Monday urged the Sri Lankan government to withdraw proposed anti-terror legislation, calling it is a set of draconian laws aimed at suppressing the media freedom and democratic rights. The new Counter-Terrorism bill approved by the cabinet of ministers is now before the Parliament. A date has yet to be announced for a debate and a vote on the bill, which the government says would repeal the existing tough anti-terror law. C Dodawatta, convener of the Free Media Movement, a local media rights group, said the proposed act could be used to arrest and detain journalist for "distributing or making available any information to the public." He said the new government came into power in 2015 promising to repeal the existing anti-terror law the Prevention of Terrorism Act that has been criticized by rights groups who say the successive governments have used it for arresting and detaining the journalists, media workers, artists, rights activists, ethnic minority ...
VHP seeks action against KCR for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct
A delegation of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders on Monday met Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar and requested him to initiate action against Chief Minister KC Rao for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct.VHP leaders have alleged that KCR has defamed Hindus during a public meeting, and handed over a memorandum to CEO Kumar.In the memorandum, VHP has alleged that while attending a public meeting in Karimnagar on Sunday, Chief Minister Rao had made many derogatory and defamatory statements in gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct."In order to secure votes, Chief Minister Rao has used illegal means and made statements against the Hindus of this country. He tried his level best to flare up religious tension and instigate the people of other religions against the Hindus," claimed the VHP in its memorandum.All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will go to polls in a single phase on April 11, which is also the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.
Was assured that I will contest from the seat I want to: Giriraj Singh after Nawada seat was given to LJP in Bihar
A day after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders of Bihar announced the seat-sharing in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday claimed that he was assured by the party that he will contest from the seat he wants to; however that did not happen.Singh told ANI: "I cannot say much on it. Only the state president can say anything on it because he kept saying that you will fight from wherever you want till the last moment. I cannot really comment on that but I did say that if I contest, I will contest from Nawada."However, Nawada seat has been given to the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).Chirag Paswan of LJP said that he is not aware that Singh is upset over Nawada seat. He also assured that he will talk to Singh and will try to resolve the issue."We have good relations with him. I got to know through the media that he is a little upset. I will call him and ask him if it is so. And if he is upset, I will try to resolve the issue," said ...
JMM to contest LS polls in Bihar, Bengal and Odisha too
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will also be contesting the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha, apart from its stronghold--Jharkhand.Addressing a press conference, JMM working president Hemant Soren said: "JMM will contest LS election in Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand."He said that JMM has an alliance with the Congress in Jharkhand and Odisha whereas it's not part of 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar."In Bihar, JMM is not part of 'Mahagathbandhan' whereas in Jharkhand the Congress party will decide on alliance with Left parties. The formula of seat sharing will be clear by June 24 in Jharkhand," he said.Soren also demanded action against Union Minister Jayant Sinha for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct.Earlier on March 16, Soren had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi over seat sharing issue in Jharkhand.Jharkhand will vote in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh phases of polling to be held on April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, respectively.
NPP kicks off Lok Sabha poll campaign in Meghalaya
The National People's Party (NPP) on Monday kicked off its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Meghalaya.