Page 1277 - Politics
2019 polls a battle between Modi and Mamata: TMC MP
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday termed the 2019 Lok Sabha polls "a duel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee" and urged the voters in the state to put all their force behind her.
China hits out at 'abnormal, immoral' attacks on Huawei
China's foreign minister lashed out Monday at "abnormal, immoral" attacks on Huawei amid growing concern, led by the US, that the telecom giant poses a security risk to the West. Wang Yi demanded a "fair and just competition environment" for Chinese firms as he met EU foreign ministers and officials for talks in Brussels. His call comes as Washington steps up pressure on allies, particularly in Europe, to shut Huawei out of tenders for fast fifth-generation, or 5G, telecom networks, because of the firm's ties to the Chinese government. "China hopes all countries will create a fair and just competition environment for companies of all countries," Wang told reporters. "What we oppose is groundless accusations out of political purposes and attempts to bring down a foreign company. We think such practices are abnormal, immoral and have no support from other countries." Huawei strenuously denies allegations its equipment could be used for espionage and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang insisted ..
Parrikar cremated with full military, state honours
The last rites of Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who died on Sunday after suffering from pancreatic cancer for over a year, were held with full military and state honours at the Miramar beach here on Monday evening.
Priyanka rides boat to test political waters in UP
Seeking to navigate the Congress towards regaining its lost political moorings in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday began her 'Ganga Yatra' on boat to reach out to voters urging them to bring "a government that works for them" and asserting that "my brother Rahul Gandhi does what he says". The 47-year-old Congress general secretary, clad in a green cotton saree and pink blouse, interacted with a cross section of people, including students, and invited some of them to join her on the motorboat as she undertook her much anticipated ride from the Manaiya Ghat in Kachnar tehsil of Prayagraj district. Kicking off the Lok Sabha election campaign with her three-day visit to eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka will cover a distance of 100 km by boat in Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi , the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and will also visit several temples while literally testing the political waters of UP where the Congress has been
Election Commission issues notification for first phase of LS polls
The Election Commission of India on Monday issued a notification for the first phase of Lok Sabha election, which is due to be held on April 11.As many as 91 Parliamentary constituencies spread over 20 states and Union Territories will go to polls in this phase. The last date for filing of nominations is March 25 and the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on March 26. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is March 28.Among the constituencies going for polls in the first phase are - eight in Uttar Pradesh, five in Uttarakhand, four in Bihar, seven in Maharashtra, five in Assam, four in Odisha, two each in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal, and one each in Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.The Election Commission has also issued the notification for all 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim, 60 constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh and Assembly elections for all the 175 .
Goa's son of soil Manohar Parrikar cremated with full State Honour
Thousands of mourners on Monday gave a teary tribute to Goa's four-time chief minister Manohar Parrikar as his body was cremated with full the State Honour here.The final rites were performed as per the Vedic Hindu rituals. Parrikar's son lit the pyre.The final journey of Goa's 'son of the soil' began from Kala Academy in Panjim. A teeming column of mourners followed his pyre on foot and vehicles.The news of Parrikar's demise was shared with the nation by President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday evening. "Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten," he said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid last respects to Parrikar by visiting his mortal remains and consoling the bereaved family.While Congress president Rahul Gandhi observed a ...
We played important role in de-escalating tension between India-Pakistan: UAE envoy to India
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) played an important role in de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan following the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, its Ambassador Ahmed Al Banna said here on Monday.Speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here, he made it clear that his country tried to decrease the tension between India and Pakistan using its "special relationship" with the two countries and did not mediate since such a request has to come from both the nations."We have played an important role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan. On the day of a major escalation, our Crown Prince spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Our role was to try and sort out differences peacefully," he said."India decided what to do for their policy. We did not mediate. It has to be requested by both parties. We tried to decrease the tension by that special relationship," he added.He said UAE's "role was to give a word of ...
Modi trying to turn whole nation into "chowkidars" after being "caught" in Rafale deal, says Rahul
Mocking the Prime Minister's 'chowkidar' campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday said Narendra Modi was attempting to convert the whole country into chowkidars after being "caught" in the Rafale fighter jet deal. Attacking Modi's "Main bhi chowkidar' (I too am watchman) blitz, he said "Chowkidar was caught indulging in theft and as he was caught, chowkidar says the whole of Hindustan is chowkidar. "But before getting caught, the entire Hindustan was not chowkidar." Gandhi stepped up the attack a day after BJP intensified its "Main bhi chowkidar" campaign with Modi and other party leaders, including its president Amit Shah prefixing the word chowkidar to their names in their Twitter profile. Modi's Twitter account profile identified him as "Chowkidar Narendra Modi" as did other BJP leaders in a coordinated campaign against Gandhi's sustained "Chowkidar Chor Hai" jibe at the prime minister over the Rafale deal. "Before getting caught only Narendra Modi was chowkidar. Thief ...
BJP, Congress face challenges from allies in Tripura
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in Tripura are likely to face electoral challenges as their traditional allies -- IPFT and INPT, both tribal parties -- have decided to field candidates in the two Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Congress united in Hry, leaders to undertake bus yatra: Ghulam Nabi Azad
The Congress is united in Haryana and will display this unity when leaders undertake a bus yatra to launch its election campaign there, a top party leader said Monday, denying differences among functionaries over a state committee. Congress general secretary in-charge of Haryana Ghulam Nabi Azad's remark came days after a coordination committee in Haryana was withdrawn soon after it was made public. Reportedly, a section in the state unit expressed resentment over inclusion and exclusion of some leaders in the panel. Two days ago, the party had announced the coordination committee for the state and later withdrew it, but there was no major reason, he said. The committee is likely to meet on Tuesday with former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda as its chairman, Azad said. The Congress leader has denied any resentment or differences over the committee's formation. In its proposed meeting on Tuesday, it would decide the date for the launch of the 'bus yatra' as part of its Lok
BJP creating artificial majority in Goa, Cong should be allowed to form govt: Azad
The Congress Monday accused the BJP of creating an "artificial majority" in Goa at the directions of the Centre, and urged Governor Mridula Sinha to invite the opposition party to form a government as it was the single largest party. The coastal state is in a politically fluid situation after the death of BJP Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Sunday. While the Congress has staked claim to form the next government, the BJP is also meeting its allies to decide on Parrikar's successor. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in New Delhi, "I will like to attract the attention of whole country as well as the media that democracy should be established (in Goa). And governors, who sit on the position of a judge, should take correct decision. "The one who has a majority should form a government. It is not right for democracy if artificial majority is created as per the directions of central government," he told a press conference. On Governor Sinha not responding to the Congress' demand ..
Cong, BJP attack TRS chief KC Rao over idea to launch national party
The Congress and the BJP Monday slammed TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao over his comments that the two parties had "failed" to meet the aspirations of the people and he would form a national party "if necessary". "KCR ji said he will form a national party. The election notification has been issued. Is he going to start a national party after elections?" state Congress working president A Revanth Reddy told reporters. Rao is talking about starting a national party "to acquire a new avtar (form)" as the federal front advocated by him earlier is not in existence, Reddy alleged. The national party talked about by Rao would not be able to take shape before the conclusion of Lok Sabha election process, he said. Accusing the BJP and the Congress of failing to meet the aspirations of the people, the Telangana chief minister has said he would start a national party "if necessary" to herald reforms and "unite the country." The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) ...
LJP defers announcement of candidates for Bihar
The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Monday finalised the names of candidates for the six constituencies it will contest in Bihar. It will announce them by Wednesday.
Sumalatha to contest from Mandya LS seat as independent candidate
Late Congress leader M H Ambareesh's wife and actor Sumalatha on Monday announced she will contest from Mandya seat as an independent candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sumalatha will be contesting against Nikhil Gowda, an actor and son of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. She said she would file her nomination from Mandya on March 20. Flanked by Kannada actors Yash and Darshan, Sumalatha said her decision to fight the elections from Mandya would cost the Congress dear as it would be very tough for the party to make a comeback in that region. "Many Congress leaders in Mandya are facing identity crisis and they came to me and requested me to contest the election. Therefore I decided to contest. This decision would cost the Congress dear. It would be very tough for the party to make a comeback in that region (Mandya)," she said. She said she had approached Congress leaders seeking to contest from Mandya, but the party denied her a ticket due to coalition ...
UAE played important role in reducing Indo-Pak tensions: Gulf nation envoy
The UAE played an important role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan after Indian jets struck a terrorist training camp in Balakot, the Gulf nation's ambassador here said Monday. Ahmed Al Banna, however, clarified the UAE did not mediate between the two countries and that the aim of its efforts was to decrease the tension. "The UAE played an important role in easing tensions (between India and pakistan)," Banna said during an event at IIT-Delhi. The envoy also referred to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan's telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on February 28. "There was a phone call from our Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces to Prime Minister Modi and to Pakistan PM Imran Khan," the envoy said. "Our role was to give words of wisdom and tried to sort out the differences in a peaceful manner just like the UAE has done in its relationship with Iran," he said. Tensions .
Two-third of Cong MLAs likely to join TRS, hints K Kavitha
A key TRS leader hinted on Monday that two-third of Congress MLAs in Telangana are likely to join the ruling party in the state. Since the beginning of this month, eight of the total of 19 Congress MLAs have announced their decision to join the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. The development, which comes close to the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, has set in a sense of despondency in the Congress. On accusations that the TRS is engineering defections, Nizamabad Lok Sabha member Kalvakuntla Kavitha, an influential party leader and daughter of the chief minister, said, "The way the state is progressing, many senior Congress party leaders and various people from the TDP, they all want to join the TRS." "And when the number is more than two-third (of total strength), we have been encouraging them (to defect). Otherwise, single MLA... we are not encouraging the defections," Kavitha told PTI. The Congress has accused the TRS of encouraging the ..
Will remain sensitive towards India's security, strategic concerns: Maldives
The Maldives on Monday reaffirmed its "India-First Policy, saying it looks forward to working closely with India on all issues and will remain sensitive towards its security and strategic concerns as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held talks with the country's top leadership. The Maldivian leaders also expressed commitment to support India's efforts to combat terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism, and crimes such as piracy, organised crime, narcotic drugs and human trafficking. Swaraj arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit, the first full-fledged bilateral trip from India to the strategically located Indian Ocean island nation after the government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in November last year. She held talks with President Solih, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, former President Mohamed Nasheed and other top leaders. The External Affairs Minister and Solih took stock of the progress made in bilateral relations since his visit to India in ..
I've come out of home as Constitution and country are in danger: Priyanka Gandhi
For many years I had been sitting at home, but I have come out because the country and the Constitution are in danger, said Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra here on Monday.Talking to locals, Priyanka said: "The decision you will take in the ensuing elections will decide your children's future. Understand this carefully. I could have stayed back at home. For many years, I had been sitting at home. Why I have come out today? I have come out because the country is in danger. The Constitution of India is in danger.""You have seen how the Congress party worked when it was in power at the Centre...The situation that we have today, was not there in the past 45 years. In the past 45 years, there was never a time when such fewer employment opportunities were there," she said.Priyanka, who has been addressing various party events for some time now in Uttar Pradesh where 80 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, said that she was unhappy to see how politicians are made to stand on the ...
Mayawati, Akhilesh snub Congress for saying it will leave 7 seats for them
BSP chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday snubbed the Congress for saying that it will leave 7 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh for the coalition of the SP-BSP-RLD coalition.Both Mayawati and Akhilesh asserted that they don't need the Congress support and asked the Rahul Gandhi-led party not to create "confusion".The Congress on Sunday had announced that it would leave seven Lok Sabha seats for SP, BSP and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in Uttar Pradesh where 80 seats are at stake in the upcoming polls."The Congress is fully free in Uttar Pradesh and should field its own candidates for contesting all the 80 Lok Sabha seats. Our alliance (SP-BSP-RLD) alone is capable of defeating the BJP," Mayawati tweeted."The Congress should not forcibly spread rumours by leaving seven seats in UP for the SP-BSP alliance," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister added.Hours later, Akhilesh also tweeted, "SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh is capable of defeating the BJP. ...
Owaisi files nomination in Hyderabad, seeks 4th term as MP
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi Monday filed his nomination papers for Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, seeking a fourth straight term in the lower house of Parliament. With the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) making it clear that it would back his candidature, Owaisi seems to be on a strong wicket in this Muslim-dominated segment, a stronghold of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. The Congress and the BJP are yet to name their candidates for this constituency, represented by Owaisi since 2004. The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee had earlier recommended to the party central leadership to field Mohammad Azharuddin, among others, in Hyderabad constituency, but party sources have indicated that the former India cricket captain is not keen to contest here. The TRS and the AIMIM have teamed up to face the Lok Sabha elections jointly in Telangana. Owaisi is expected to campaign for TRS candidates, according to TRS sources. "Hyderabad Parliamentary ...