Page 1286 - Politics
Goa CM Manohar Parrikar no more
Sixty-three-year-old Parrikar, who was battling a pancreatic ailment since last year, breathed his last at his residence.
AAP fields Balbir Singh Jakhar from West Delhi
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday announced Balbir Singh Jakhar as its candidate for the West Delhi parliamentary seat.
Rahul takes aim at 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the campaign "Main Bhi Chowkidar" (I am a watchman too) and changing the title of his Twitter account to "Chowkidar Narendra Modi".
Navy made operational deployment of strategic assets after Pulwama attack
Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarine Chakra, 60 ships and nearly 80 aircraft were put on operational deployment by the Indian Navy in the North Arabian sea in the wake of escalating tension between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack, officials said Sunday. They said the naval assets were part of a mega exercise but they transited from the area of the drill for operational deployment soon after the dastardly attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. At a tri-services press conference on February 28, the Indian Navy said it was in a high state of readiness to "deter, prevent and defeat" any "misadventure" by Pakistan in the maritime domain, reflecting a sense of its preparedness as well as seriousness of the situation. "The major combat units of the Indian Navy including the Carrier Battle Group with INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines and scores of other ships, submarines and aircraft swiftly transited from exercise to ...
Condolences pour in from all quarters over sad demise of Parrikar
Condolences began pouring in from all quarters moment after the news of sad demise of Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was shared with the nation on late Sunday evening by President Ram Nath Kovind.President Kovind tweeted: "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.""Shri Manohar Parrikar is no more. A sincere, honest and sensitive political activist. Was simple and down to earth, I learnt a lot from Shri Parrikar. As Raksha Mantri his contribution to making the armed forces a modernised, lean and mean fighting machine will remain unparalleled," tweeted Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.Home Minister Rajnath Singh also recalled the honesty and integrity of the late Goa Chief Minister while expressing his condolence."Deeply saddened and
We want Modi as next PM: Uddhav Thackeray
Questioning the grand alliance for not declaring their prime ministerial candidate, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that his party wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be reinstated as the PM.Speaking at a public rally, he said: "We want Modi as PM again. Why this 'mahagathbandhan' has not yet disclosed their PM candidate? Is Rahul Gandhi their PM candidate?"Launching a scathing attack on Pakistan, he said: "Not just surgical strikes, I want that Pakistan should be destroyed completely. They are like a dog's tail but even the dog is honest."Maharashtra will vote for Lok Sabha elections in three phases. The polling dates are April 10, 17 and 24.
Pakistan violates ceasefire in J-K's Rajouri district
Pakistan violated ceasefire in Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district at 6The Indian Army is retaliating effectively.This comes after Pakistan on Wednesday violated ceasefire in Poonch sector of the state.Pakistani Rangers also initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Chakkan da Bagh crossing point where the Line of Control (LoC) trade centre is located.
UP opposition alliance 'unnatural': State minister
UP Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi Sunday termed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance as "unnatural" and born out of the Opposition's "fear psychosis" against the BJP-led NDA governments' development-oriented politics. The Opposition is also scared of Prime Minister Narendra Modi' ever growing popularity, he claimed. "The gathbandhan (alliance) of SP, BSP and RLD is an unnatural alliance. They do not have any similarity in terms of netas (leaders) and niti (policy)," said Shahi, elaborating how SP and the BSP had been fighting each other for the last 15 years. "This alliance is a result of the fear psychosis created by performance of the BJP-led NDAgovernment under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and his ever-growing popularity," the minister told PTI here. "The alliance partners had indulged in various acts of corruption and the people of the state will never accept them,"he added. "That's why they do not want a majboot (strong) government,they want a majboor (weak) one." Asked ...
True patriot and exceptional administrator: PM on Parrikar
Condoling the death of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday described him as a unparalleled leader, who was a true patriot and an exceptional administrator, admired by all. Modi said his service to the nation will be remembered by generations. "Shri Manohar Parrikar was an unparalleled leader. A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Shanti," the prime minister said in a tweet. Modi said when Parrikar was the defence minister, India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced the country's security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen. "Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress," he
PM Modi did what Manmohan couldn't: Defence Minister Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that India had to take action against terrorists in Pakistan because Imran Khan led country did not do so and as a result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did what former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh couldn't.Addressing a gathering here, she said: "We gave Pakistan evidence in 2008 as well but you (Pakistan) did nothing. Jaish-e-Mohammed itself claimed responsibility for Pulwama terror attack. What else do you need? Take action. We took the action that Pakistan should have taken. If you (Pakistan) are a victim of terrorism, why don't you remove it? That's why Modi Ji did what Manmohan Singh Ji didn't do."She also attacked the Congress party for raising questions over the Central government. "The Congress party cannot list any such steps taken during their tenure. Our government has met leaders in the entire world to isolate and demand action from Pakistan against terrorists. Post Pulwama, post-February 26 every country has given the .
Cong slams BJP's Main Bhi Chowkidar campaign
The Congress Sunday slammed the BJP's "Main Bhi Chowkidar campaign with Rahul Gandhi claiming that the truth cannot change as everyone is saying "Chowkidar Chor Hai. The BJP's campaign was launched Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi adding "Chowkidar (watchman) to his Twitter handle. Union ministers and BJP leaders also added the word to their respective handles. "You can keep trying Mr Modi, but the truth cannot be extinguished. Every Indian is saying it. #ChowkidarChorHai "P.S: Do force Sushma ji to add Chowkidar to her handle. It's looking very bad, Gandhi said on Twitter. External Affairs Minister Swaraj also changed her handle by adding 'Chowkidar' to it. The Congress countered the BJP's 'MainBhiChowkidar' hashtag, which was trending on Twitter since morning, with its 'ChowkidarChorHai' hashtag. Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said on Twitter, Main bhi chowkidhar because the chowkidhar I had appointed is missing. I am told he has gone ...
BJP in danger, creating fear psychosis: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Sunday blamed the BJP for "creating fear psychosis" across the country by crying hoarse over the "nation being in danger". Paying tributes to Guru Nabba Dass ji at a congregation here, he underscored the crucial need of social justice and avenues of progress for all, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. "India is not in danger, it is the BJP which is in danger due to rug slipping from under the feet of the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) ahead of general elections," Abdullah said. He decried the politics of hate and mistrust being perpetrated and practised allegedly by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that it was "against the very idea of India". Instead of dividing the people in the name of religion, caste and region, everyone should be treated as a compatriot, which alone can lead the country to progress and harmony, he said. He asked the saffron party to desist from dividing the people and vitiating the atmosphere for
BJP releases first list of candidates for AP assembly polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday announced its first list of 123 candidates for the elections to the 175-member Andhra Pradesh assembly scheduled for April 11. Only one of the three sitting MLAs of the BJP, which is fighting the elections on its own, has been re-nominated as the other two opted out of contest. BJPs fourth MLA, elected in 2014, had quit the party to join the Jana Sena and has been fielded by it in Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha constituency. BJP is hoping to improve on its tally of four in 2014 while the main contest will be between ruling Telugu Desam Party and main opposition YSR Congress headed by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. A sitting MLA who defected from YSR Congress to Telugu Desam and later to BJP has been given the ticket in the first list of the saffron party. P Vishnu Kumar Raju, who was elected to the assembly for the first time in 2014 from Visakhapatnam North, has been re-nominated. Sitting MLA P Manikyala Rao from Tadepalligudem showed no interest .
Priyanka promises to transform politics of UP
Sounding the poll bugle from the banks of river Ganga, Congress' in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Sunday said political stagnancy had left the youths, women, farmers and labourers distressed in Uttar Pradesh and it was her responsibility to change the politics here. Gandhi arrived here for the next leg of her UP tour, as part of which she is to sail from Allahabad to Varanasi on river Ganga. In an open letter, dated March 17, Gandhi said, "Due to stagnancy in the politics of the state, youngsters, women, farmers and labourers are in worried state. They want to share their pain and agony, but in the noise of political arithmetic, their voice is completely absent from the policies of the state." Gandhi said political transformation in the state was not possible without listening to the voices of the people and sharing their pain. "Hence, I have come to your doorstep for a sachaa samwaad (genuine conversation). I assure you that based on the conversation with you,
Maha CM criticises proposed mega-alliance
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Sunday took potshots at "maha-gatbandhan" or mega alliance, saying the proposed bloc is devoid of any issues. Addressing a joint public rally here with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, the chief minister said the opposition combine's only agenda is to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will vote in four phases between April 11 and April 29. Thackeray said though Sena had differences with the BJP over certain issues, but the party decided to forge a tie-up for the welfare of the people. "Late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackerayhad planted the sapling of the BJP-Sena alliance which has manifested into a huge tree now," he said. Prominent BJP leaders and minister were present on the occasion.
Hang accused in Pollachi sexual assault case: Varsity students
A section of students of Bharathiar University Sunday demanded capital punishment for the accused in the Pollachi sexual harassment case, police said. Holding placards saying 'Hang the accused. Book them under rape case,' the students raised slogans urging the government to act immediately and hang them, they said. Meanwhile, activists of the Social Democratic Party (SDPI) formed a human chain here demanding an NIA probe into the entire episode, the police said. They also raised slogans against the government and demanded that Superintendent of Police R Pandiarajan be removed from the post, they said. A gang of four men had on February 12 allegedly tried to strip the woman inside a car near Pollachi, and had shot a video of the act and blackmailed her using the visuals. With the incident sparking off outrage after reports of more women were assaulted by the gang, the Tamil Nadu government had last week issued an order transferring the case to CBI.
8th Congress MLA in Telangana switches loyalty to TRS
Congress in Telangana continued to face desertions ahead of Lok Sabha elections as one more MLA and a party functionary Sunday announced their decision to leave the party and join the ruling TRS. Vanama Venkateswara Rao, representing Kothagudem, announced his support to the TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. He becomes the eighth MLA to shift loyalty to the Congress, which had won 19 seats in the December 7 elections to the 119-member Telangana Assembly. Separately, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) SC cell chairman Arepalli Mohan joined TRS in the presence of TRS working president K T Rama Rao, TRS sources said. Venkateswara Rao said he would quit the assembly membership "if necessary". "All-round development of Kothagudem constituency is important to me. KCR ji has assured me to comprehensively develop it," he said in a statement here. TRS sources said the MLA met the TRS chief at the latters farmhouse at Erravelli near here. Earlier, ...
May return if Modi 'requests', says Assam MP who quit BJP
A day after resigning from the BJP, Lok Sabha MP Ram Prasad Sarmah Sunday said he may return to the party and contest the Lok Sabha polls if Prime Minister Narendra Modi "requests" him. BJP sources said the central leadership is yet to accept Sarmah's resignation and asked the state unit to reconsider the panel of candidates, which did not include the parliamentarian from Tezpur. "After my resignation, parties such as the TMC, the NPP, the Congress and others have contacted me to join. However, I am not interested to join anyone at this moment. I will return to my profession of advocacy," he told reporters. "If Prime Minister Modi and party president Amit Shah request, then I may think about joining again and fight the election from Tezpur," he added. In a Facebook post, Sarmah softened his stand against the BJP, from which he resigned on Saturday as he felt "pained, insulted and neglected", after finding that his name was not included in its Assam unit's panel of candidates for ...
'Tainted' former Telecom ministers--Raja and Maran--in DMK list 20 LS candidates
Former Union Telecom Ministers Dayanidhi Maran and A Raja--who were prime accused in 2G spectrum case--are among 20 names in the first list of candidates released by DMK for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.Maran will contest from Central Chennai, while Raja has been fielded from Nilgiris. Raja and Maran had unsuccessfully contested these seats in 2014.The alleged scam, in which two are the accused, relates to the allocation of 2G spectrum licenses in 2007-08, which according to the Comptroller and Auditor General report, caused a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the public exchequer.Rajya Sabha MP and the daughter of late DMK chief M Karunanidhi, Kanimozhi is also contesting from Tuticorin. While senior leader TR Balu is returning as a DMK candidate from Sriperumbudur, which he won in 2009Other candidates include Kalanithi Veeraswamy from Chennai North, Tamiyachi Thangapandiya from Chennai South, Selvam from Kancheepuram and Tenkasi from Dhanush Kumar.DMK will contest 20 out of 39 ...
Not leaving Katihar at all, says Congress leader Tariq Anwar
Congress leader Tariq Anwar on Sunday rejected the reports that he has agreed to contest from a seat other than Katihar in Bihar."If there was any presence of NCP in Bihar, it was thanks to me. I have been contesting from Katihar since 1977. I am emotionally connected to that place. My relations with the people of the area are personal and not related to any party. There is no truth to the reports that I am willing to leave Katihar," he said.He also asserted that the "grand alliance" in Bihar won't break."The alliance won't break. Both the parties need the alliance. It is necessary to be in an alliance to defeat the BJP and I believe we have adequate time," he told ANI.However, he conceded that there might be some tension in the grand alliance."There might be some tension. Every party wants to get a maximum share but ultimately what is factored in is who the winning candidate is," he said.Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) general secretary DP Tripathi on Sunday said that Katihar Lok ...