Page 1290 - Politics
Swaraj holds talks with her Maldivian counterpart Shahid
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday held talks with her Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid and reviewed progress on important bilateral issues, including implementation of agreed outcomes of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's visit to India last year. Swaraj arrived arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit, the first full-fledged bilateral trip from India to the island nation after the government of President Solih came to power in November last year. "Warm discussions between EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Foreign Minister @abdulla_shahid. Reviewed progress on important bilateral issues, including implementation of agreed outcomes of the State Visit of President @ibusolih to India," External Affairs Ministry (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Solih visited India in December last year during which India announced a USD 1.4 billion financial assistance to the island nation. The two countries had also agreed to remain mindful of each other's concerns and aspirations for .
Pawar accuses PM Modi of not attending political party meet after Pulwama attack
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not attending a meeting of political parties convened by the government after the Pulwama terror attack and instead addressing a rally in Maharashtra."Neither the Prime Minister nor the Defence Minister were present in the meeting after the Pulwama attack. We got to know that he (PM) was in Maharashtra and campaigning for his party's candidates," he said during a public meeting in Chakan in Pune district."The Prime Minister said at a rally in Yavatmal (Maharashtra) not to worry about the country's security which was in his hands. He said that he has a 56-inch chest. If he has a 56-inch chest then what was that 56-inch chest doing in Yavatmal. He was making such statements from there," Pawar said.The NCP leader urged all the political parties to come together to fight against BJP in the Lok Sabha polls."I urge all the political parties to come together and avoid the splitting of votes which will benefit BJP," he ..
Omar Abdullah will become CM of J-K, not me: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said his son Omar Abdullah will become the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir if his party comes to power in the state."I want to make it clear, I won't be the chief minister (in Jammu and Kashmir), Omar Abdullah will become the chief minister. He is young, I am old. I can't run like these young men," Farooq said while addressing a rally here.He later went on to criticise the NDA government over the promises made before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections."I want to ask Prime Minister Prime Modi whether inflation has risen and prices of petrol and diesel have increased or not. They said they will give jobs to two crore people every year, means 10 crore people should have gotten jobs. I won't talk about the rest of India, but how many people got jobs in Jammu and Kashmir? Prime Minister Modi is in danger, not the country. They are dividing the people," Abdullah said."They say that we have taught a lesson to Pakistan... Very ...
Considering seriously to contest Assembly poll from western Odisha: Chief Minister Patnaik
Leaders of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from western Odisha met party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday, requesting him to contest the election from their region."Leaders, farmers, women, students from western Odisha want me to seek election from their area. I am considering it very seriously," the Chief Minister said.Patnaik is a four-time MLA from Hinjili constituency. He defeated Sibaram Patra of Congress by over 76,000 votes in the last election.In 2014 assembly elections, BJD registered a landslide victory and won 117 seats out of 147 with a vote share of over 45 per cent. Congress and BJP bagged only 16 and 10 seats respectively.The 147 assembly constituencies of Odisha will go to polls in four phases starting April 11 along with the Lok Sabha elections.
Cong respects dishonest people, but insults those who work hard to live with dignity: BJP
BJP on Sunday accused the Congress party of respecting dishonest people, but insulting the poor people, who work hard to live with dignity."Congress respects those who are dishonest but those who work hard with dignity--chaiwala, pakodawala or chowkidaar-are insulted. Congress must understand that those who insult the poor people will not be forgiven by them," said senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar.Javadekar, also a Union Minister, alleged that the Congress party is hurling abuses at Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of desperation."Out of desperation, the Congress party is hurling abuses at Prime Minister Modi. The way they are doing it shows their thought process, their mentality, and their DNA," he said, alleging that the Congress believes that no one except them should rule the country."Now with Prime Minister Modi at the helm, they can't even dream of coming to power and that is why they are hurling abuses. This is the custom of the Congress party," Javadekar said."A Congress ...
Former IAS officer Shah Faesal launches new party
Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shah Faesal launched his party - the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement - here on Sunday.Faesal had quit government service in January this year as a mark of protest against the "unabated killings" in Kashmir and "lack of any sincere reach-out from the Union government." He had also alleged "insidious attacks on the special identity of the Jammu and Kashmir and growing culture of intolerance and hate in the mainland India in the name of hypernationalism."Speaking at the launch of his political quarter, Faesal said, "I went into civil service to help people but the situation in the state has made me switch my path and I am entering into politics."He also praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for their "political commitment". "I praise both of them because even after facing so many challenges in politics they never bowed down," he said.The vision document of the party stated that the Jammu .
EAM Swaraj reviews bilateral issues with Maldivian counterpart
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid here on Sunday and reviewed important bilateral issues, including implementation of agreed outcomes during President Ibrahim Solih's visit to India last year."EAM @SushmaSwaraj is welcomed by her Maldivian counterpart @abdulla_shahid @MDVForeign ahead of the bilateral talks and Joint Ministerial Meeting. #IndiaFirstPolicy more intense and vigourous" tweeted Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson (MEA) Raveesh Kumar."Warm discussions between EAM @SushmaSwaraj & Foreign Minister @abdulla_shahid. Reviewed progress on important bilateral issues, including implementation of agreed outcomes of the State Visit of President @ibusolih to India," Kumar added.Swaraj, who arrived in Male on Sunday for a two-day visit to the island nation at the invitation of Shahid, is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other senior officials, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).During her
Congress approached NCP for alliance, says Omar Abdullah
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the Congress party had approached them for an alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls."It is true that we had received a proposal from Congress for alliance (in Jammu and Kashmir for Lok Sabha polls). But we told them clearly that only National Conference candidate will be there on the 3 seats in the valley (Kashmir)," Abdullah told media here.The former chief minister, however, said the party is open to discussing about the other seats at stake in the state. "If it suits them (Congress) then we can talk about other seats. Let's see what response we receive," he added.With regards to the 5-year ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Abdullah claimed that when he was the chief minister, things were "more peaceful."" I was the Chief Minister for six years, no organisation including Jamaat-e-Islami was banned, things were far more peaceful back then. Today, the state is suffering the repercussions of BJP-PDP alliance of 2015," he added.Abdullah ..
Modi has addressed rallies, party workers in 100 LS seats in last few weeks: BJP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to hit the campaign trail after the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced on March 10 but he has already addressed public meetings or BJP workers in over 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 22 states in the past few weeks, the party said on Sunday. The party's media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said the BJP through a series of programmes such as 'Mera parivar, Bhajapa parivar', mega contact drive and 'vijay sankalp' rallies, has reached out to over 10 crore people recently. While Modi has relied on rallies and addressing party workers and beneficiaries of his government's schemes through video- conferences for his campaign, party president Amit Shah has done so by holding public meetings, speaking to social media volunteers and addressing booth-level workers in over 130 Lok Sabha constituencies. Election to the 543-member Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Modi began his public outreach ahead of the Lok Sabha .
Joe Biden 'mistakenly' announces 2020 Presidential run
Former US Vice President Joe Biden "mistankenly" announced he was running for President at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner in home turf Delaware, but earned an encouraging response from the gathering.
CAIT urges govt to probe Chinese goods imported via hawala route
Traders' body Confederation of All India Traders Sunday urged the government to probe Chinese goods imported through hawala channels, which is resulting in huge revenue loss to the exchequer. CAIT, in a statement, also claimed that "such hawala money might be transferred to Pakistan for conducting terrorist activities". Calling it a serious matter, the traders' body urged the government to start a high level enquiry at Indian ports to bring an end to the crony nexus. "Who are these hawala operators who facilitate transfer of money from our country to China. Are exports to China being under invoiced and difference settled through hawala transactions or there is some other mode through which this money is going. This needs to be checked at the highest level in the interest of security of our country," it added. Stating that India is facing a big fight against terrorism, CAIT said, "There is no doubt that someone is funding this terrorist activities. It is necessary to understand whether
YSRC retains all sitting MLAs, Jagan to seek re-election from Pulivendula
Fighting a do-or-die electoral battle in Andhra Pradesh on April 11, the main opposition YSR Congress Sunday announced its candidates for all 175 assembly seats, retaining almost all the sitting MLAs and giving a major share to the backward communities. YSRC chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy who is aspiring to become the chief minister in his late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's footsteps will, for the second time, contest from his family pocket borough Pulivendula in Kadapa district. In 2014, Jagan won the seat by a record margin of 74,256 votes, the highest in the state. The announcement of candidates, however, triggered some rebellion in the party in a few districts, including Guntur, Prakasam and Visakhapatnam where some aspirants were denied tickets. Floated in 2011 after Jaganmohan Reddy quit the Congress over denial of chief ministership, the YSRC lost the race in the 2014 general elections, getting just 0.3 per cent less vote share than the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that captured ...
LS polls: Sumalatha digs in heels, turns Mandya prestige battle for JD(S)-Cong combine
The battle for Mandya constituency has become a prestige issue for the JD(S)-Congress combine, which is making all-out efforts to ensure victory for Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Gowda, as popular Kannada film star Ambareesh's widow Sumalatha refused to back-pedal on her insistence on contesting the seat. The multi-lingual film actress has made it clear that she would contest the polls from Mandya in spite of the Congress leaving the seat for the Janata Dal (Secular). Ambareesh, a former Congress MP, represented Mandya in the Lok Sabha thrice. The seat is in the Vokkaliga community heartland where H D Deve Gowda's party holds sway. The JD(S) had won all the eight assembly segments under the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency in the 2018 Karnataka elections. Much to the discomfort of the JD(S) and the Congress, Sumalatha has already started an aggressive election campaign in Mandya. The grand old party tried some back channel talks to persuade her not to contest from Mandya, ..
Will become voice to bridge gap between Kashmir and Delhi, says Shah Faesal as he launches JKPM
Former IAS officer Shah Faesal Sunday launched his political outfit -- Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Movement (JKPM) -- here, promising a youth-oriented politics and to become a voice to help bridge the gap between the state and the Centre and India and Pakistan. Hundreds of people, from most parts of the state, turned up at Gindun Ground in the Rajbagh area of the summer capital here to participate in the launch ceremony of his party. Giving details about his party's vision, Faesal, who resigned from the Indian Administrative Service to protest the "unabated killings in Kashmir and marginalisation of Indian Muslims", said the JKPM would pursue the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state. "Our party shall pursue peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem as per the will and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and with dignity and respect. As a mainstream political party, I want to make it clear to you that the
Cong will repeat victorious performance in Rajasthan, 'complete unanimity' on LS candidates: Pilot
There is "complete unanimity" among all senior Congress leaders in Rajasthan on the names of the candidates to be fielded in almost all of the 25 Lok Sabha seats, Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said Sunday, asserting that his party will accomplish its "mission 25" in the state. The Rajasthan Congress chief also asserted that the Lok Sabha polls will be fought on bread and butter issues and not on emotional matters that the BJP wants to take the narrative to. The BJP-led government is trying to shift the narrative away from issues of economic non-performance and job creation, he told PTI in an interview. The government has made deliberate attempts to make institutions hollow and systematically dismantle them over the last five years, Pilot alleged, citing the examples of institutions such as the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Reserve Bank of India. Asked about the issue of infighting over ticket distribution which had reportedly been a concern
Goa House may be suspended till bypolls are over,says BJP ally
A day after the Congress in Goa staked claim to form government claiming the Manohar Parrikar dispensation has lost majority, BJP ally MGP Sunday said the legislative assembly might be suspended till bypolls to three assembly constituencies are conducted next month. Referring to a statement by the BJP that the party is "already thinking on Goa political transit phase", Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) president Dipak Dhavalikar said the crisis in government would unfold later. "Crisis has not begun yet. The crisis in the government will happen after Manohar Parrikar," the MGP chief told reporters without elaborating. Amid fluctuations in the health of Parrikar, 63, political activities in Goa hotted up Saturday with the opposition Congress staking claim to form government and requesting governor Mridula Sinha to dismiss the state government. The Congress had said the BJP-led government was reduced to minority in the assembly, after the demise of BJP MLA Francis ...
BJP announces candidates for Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls
The BJP Sunday announced the names of its candidates for most of the seats in Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh Assemblies, which will go the polls along with the Lok Sabha election on April 11. The party has named its candidates for 123 seats in the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly and for 54 seats in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, according to a statement. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has been fielded from Mukto constituency. In Andhra Pradesh, the two main challengers for power are Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress with the BJP hoping to improve its tally. The BJP came to power in Arunachal Pradesh after a majority of Congress MLAs deserted the party to ally with it and later joined it.
NDA announces Bihar seat-sharing pact
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, here on Sunday, officially announced the seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha elections.
Kamat may join BJP, succeed Parrikar as Goa CM
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators on Sunday discussed during a meeting at the state headquarters of the many options the possibility of former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Digambar Kamat joining the BJP and taking over from Manohar Parrikar, Goa Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said.
Assam LS list on Monday, Gogoi won't contest: Congress
The Congress on Sunday said its candidates for 10 of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha seats would be declared on Monday and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will not be contesting the elections.