Page 1295 - Politics
LS polls: BJP likely to drop Shatrughan Sinha, field Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Saheb constituency
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who is the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Patna Saheb parliamentary constituency in Bihar is likely to be replaced with Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, according to sources.Sinha, a BJP leader who has criticised the party leadership several times in the past had put out a series of tweets that seemed to indicate that he will leave the party."Sir, the Nation respects you, but the only thing the leadership lacks is credibility & trust factor. "Leadership jo kar rahi hai or jo kah rahi hai, kya log uspe vishwas kar rahein hain? Shayad nahin!" Any way it all seems to be too little and too late?" he said."Promises made in the past are still to be fulfilled. Hope, wish & pray, though I may not be with you anymore - "Mohabbat karne vaale kam na honge, (shayad) teri mehfil mein lekin hum na honge"." Sinha tweeted on Friday.Sinha also shared the stage with opposition leaders at an anti-BJP rally in Kolkata in January.The BJP, .
Students confront Chelsea Clinton over 'anti-immigrant trope'
Two students at New York University confronted former US President Bill Clinton's daughter Chelsea at a vigil organised in honour of the victims of New Zealand's gruesome terror attacks which claimed the lives of 50 people.Students Leen Dweik and Rose Asaf took offence to Clinton's reactionary tweet to Democrat Ilhan Omar's comments regarding Israel, which many have perceived to be anti-semitic in nature.In her tweet, Clinton "co-signed as an American". "We should expect all elected officials, regardless of party, and all public figures to not traffic in anti-Semitism," she tweeted.Taking particular offence to the "as an American" part of Clinton's statement, Asaf told the Washington Post, "She was the one who made this a story...To me, when speaking of someone who is a refugee, it's a dog whistle, it's signalling this is a patriotic issue and that nationalism excludes people like Ilhan Omar," adding that by using "as an American," Clinton put forth an "anti-immigrant trope."Omar is ..
MP BJP leaders back Chouhan's wife Sadhna Singh for Vidisha LS seat
Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders are batting for the candidature of Sadhna Singh, wife of former state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, from Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency after Union Minister Sushma Swaraj declared she will not contest the polls.BJP MLA Rampal Singh, a close aide of Chouhan, said, "Sadhna Singh's name has been suggested and recommended by the district presidents of all the four districts spanning Vidisha Lok Sabha seat as also the sitting and former MLAs of the party. However, a final decision will to be taken by Delhi and we are hopeful that her name will be approved."According to BJP sources, Sadhna Singh's name for the seat came up after Chouhan decided not to contest the Lok Sabha polls.Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency comprises eight Assembly segments -- Bhojpur, Sanchi (SC), Silwani, Vidisha, Basoda, Budhni, Ichhawar and Khategaon spread across four districts of Raisen, Sehore, Dewas and Vidisha.Except the Assembly constituencies of Sanchi and Vidisha which are in
MP tribal outfit wants Cong to field its 4 members in LS polls after founder won on party ticket
A Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh has demanded that the party field four candidates of his fledgling tribal outfit from reserved seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, or else it will approach the BJP. The Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti is not a registered political outfit yet and is therefore approaching the parties, said Dr Hiralal Alawa, the founder of JAYS who won on a Congress ticket from Manawar in the recent assembly elections. In the Assembly polls held last year, the JAYS had asked the Congress to field 80 of its members on party ticket. However, only Alawa was given a ticket. "We have now asked the Congress to field our four candidates as its nominees in four Lok Sabha seats reserved for tribals. If the Congress does not agree, we will approach the BJP with that demand," Alawa told PTI. "The JAYS had urged the Congress to field its 80 candidates, especially in Malwa-Nimar area, in the Assembly polls. It had agreed to make seven members of JAYS as its candidate. But it just fielded ..
LS polls: Maharashtra adds 1.19 cr new young voters
Over 1.19 crore voters in the age group of 18 to 19 years will exercise their franchise for the first time in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, according to Election Commission (EC) data. Lok sabha polls to 48 seats in the state will be held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. Out of the total 8,73,29,910 voters in the state, 1,19,95,027 are first-timers in the 18 to 19 years' age group, as per official figures. Of the total voters, 4,57,01,877 are men, 4,16,25,950 women and 2,083 third gender voters. An election official said they received 12,31,027 applications online after publication of the voters' list a few months back. Of these, 7,17,427 names have now been included in the voters' list. Besides, 55.75 lakh applications were received offline, of which 43.51 lakh were accepted for registration, he said. In Maharashtra, the ruling BJP and its ally Shiv Sena have agreed to contest 25 and 23 seats, respectively. The opposition Congress will fight in 26 seats, ..
Oppn parties frustrated because of their own misdeeds: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has said the "frustration" among the rival parties was because of their "own misdeeds and acts of corruption" reaching an all-time high. Adityanath also asserted that his government has "demolished" casteism and dynastic politics, which he identified as the "biggest hindrance" to the development of Uttar Pradesh. "The frustration among the rival parties and the existential crisis among the constituents of the anti-BJP alliance are results of their own misdeeds and acts of corruption," Adityanath told PTI here in an interview recorded on Saturday. "Hence, it is but natural that they will feel disturbed." The saffron-clad chief minister also said, "We have demolished the biggest hindrance to the development of Uttar Pradesh the menace of casteism and dynastic politics. The epicentre of development is now villages, poor, farmers, youth, women, traders and in fact every section of the society." On the law and order situation in .
Dhinakaran's AMMK issues 1st list for upcoming polls
The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) party led by T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Sunday released its first list of candidates in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
'Received gunman's manifesto 9 mins before attack'
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday said she received the Christchurch gunman's 'manifesto' barely nine minutes before the attack.
Masood Azhar and China veto: What Modi can do now (Column: Political Calculus)
Masood Azhar is a dangerous name. A global terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) under the UN Resolution 1267.
Venezuela's Guaido starts domestic tour to stir support
Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim leader Juan Guaido began a tour of his country aimed at sparking a citizen's movement to pry President Nicolas Maduro from power. As Guaido, 35, kicked off his "operation freedom" in the northern city of Valencia on Saturday, the pro-Maduro military staged the latest in a series of exercises. The drill focused on defending hydroelectric infrastructure from attack -- a reaction to a weeklong national blackout that Maduro blamed on US "sabotage" but experts said was more likely the result of years of neglect. Guaido, the head of the opposition-ruled National Assembly whose claim to be caretaker president is recognized by the US, Canada and much of Latin America and Europe, vowed he would "very soon" take up office in Miraflores, the presidential palace. He has been pushing for nearly two months against Maduro after declaring himself acting president during street rallies by tens of thousands, following Maduro's swearing-in for a second term despite ...
LS polls: Ex-Arunachal CM Tuki to take on Rijiju
The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has decided to field former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki against BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in Arunachal West seat in the Lok Sabha elections.
BJP, Cong slug it out on Twitter after PM Modi's 'Chowkidar' tweet
For about eight hours on Saturday, the hashtag 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' of the BJP was the top trend on Twitter worldwide and its rival Congress party, not to be left behind, began tweeting with its own 'ChowkidarChorHai' tagline.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidaar' (I too am a watchman) poll campaign by tweeting a video showing how all Indians who were fighting social evils were 'chowkidars' working for the progress of India."Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he wrote on his official Twitter handle early Saturday morning.The tweet was 'liked' by over 11 lakh people and soon started to trend in the first position in globally according to website trends24.in, which monitors trends in India and other countries.The ...
Pro N Korean newspaper urges US to drop 'unilateral demands' in denuclearisation talks
A pro-North Korean newspaper based in Japan has demanded that US should drop its "unilateral" and "unfair" demands in denuclearisation talks with North Korea, warning that the negotiations will not move forward.Ties between the US and North Korea hit a roadblock over the ease of sanctions, where Pyongyang sought relief as recognition of the steps taken towards denuclearisation.Washington has, until now, reinforced that relief in sanctions would only be given after the communist country carries out "complete and verifiable" denuclearisation."No constructive dialogues can be held if (the US) continues to call for a package deal and a one-shot resolution by making unilateral demands for (the dismantlement of) Yongbyon plus alpha and abandonment of nuclear and ballistic missiles," Yonhap News Agency reported quoting the Choson Sinbo newspaper."For the North and the US to have constructive dialogues, such a hegemonic way of thinking should be overcome first," the paper said in its ...
Serbia opposition supporters invade state-run TV
Opponents of Serb President Aleksandar Vucic broke into the state-run RTS television building, demanding to address the population, in images aired live. There have been weekly opposition protests since December against what they describe as Vucic's slide towards autocratic rule, while accusing RTS of pandering to the ruling party and demanding more airtime for opposing views. Among the dozens who invaded RTS on Saturday were opposition figures including former Belgrade mayor Dragan Djilas and Bosko Obradovic, leader of the right-wing Dveri party. Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic denounced the action in a statement run on RTS. Private TV channel N1 showed images of police starting to remove the protestors from the RTS premises. Earlier thousands marched peacefully through the centre of Belgrade as they have done on each Saturday since December 8. Protests were also held in several other Serbian towns, with the marchers accusing those in power of muzzling the media and civil ...
YSRCP releases first list of 9 candidates for LS polls, YS Avinash Reddy to contest from Kadap
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) late on Saturday evening released its first list of candidates for nine constituencies in Andhra Pradesh ensuing Lok Sabha election, and announced that YS Avinash Reddy will contest from Kadapa.Last year in June, Y S Avinash Reddy and P V Midhun Reddy, who quit as MPs while protesting the denial of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, have been renominated from Kadapa and Rajampet respectively.The other seven candidates who will be fielded in different constituencies of the state are YSRCP leader Madhavi (Araku), Sanjeev Kumar (Kurnool), Anuradha (Amalapuram), Talari Rangaiah (Anantapur), Nandigam Suresh (Bapatla), Sanjeev Kumar (Kurnool), Anuradha (Amalapuram), Gorantla Madav (Hindupur) and Reddppa (Chittoor).Meanwhile, G Srinivas, whom Jana Sena Party (JSP) announced as its MP candidate for Visakhapatnam, joined YSRCP on Saturday in presence of YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy.The YSRCP had a plan to release its full list on Sunday at Idupula Paya
US envoy to discuss Venezuela with Russian officials
The US envoy for Venezuela will meet Russian officials on Venezuelan crisis, said the US State Department has said.
Indian mission in NZ confirms 5 dead in Christchurch terror attack
Five Indians were among the 50 people killed by a white supremacist, who opened fire on worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, in the worst attack on Muslims in New Zealand, the Indian High Commission said Sunday. The attacker, identified by authorities as Australia-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, reportedly targeted immigrants during Friday prayers. Witnesses said victims were shot at close range. The high commission confirmed on Sunday that five Indians were killed in the attack. "With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch," it tweeted. It identified them as: Maheboob Khokhar; Ramiz Vora; Asif Vora; Ansi Alibava; and Ozair Kadir. On Friday, shortly after the attack, India's High Commissioner in New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli had tweeted that "there are 9 missing persons of indian nationality/origin". But, he added, official confirmation was awaited. The High Commission said its helpline numbers 021803899
5 Indians confirmed dead in New Zealand terror attack
Five Indians were among the 50 people killed by a white supremacist, who opened fire on worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, in the worst attack on Muslims in New Zealand, the Indian High Commission said Sunday. The attacker, identified by authorities as Australia-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, reportedly targeted immigrants during Friday prayers. Witnesses said victims were shot at close range. The high commission confirmed on Sunday that five Indians were killed in the attack. "With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch," it tweeted. It identified them as: Maheboob Khokhar; Ramiz Vora; Asif Vora; Ansi Alibava; and Ozair Kadir. In another tweet later, the high commission informed that Immigration NZ has set up a dedicated webpage to expedite visa for family members of Christchurch ...
BJP holds CEC meeting, expected to release first list of LS candidates soon
The meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) at the party's headquarters here that culminated at 2 am on Sunday was held to deliberate on candidates that the part will field in various constituencies in 11 states, according to sources.Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Kiren Rijiju were among those who attended the meet.Bihar, Uttarakhand, Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir figured in the deliberations, sources said adding that candidates for seats in the states of North East and in south India were also discussed."In all these states seats have been left vacant in places where the BJP is not very strong to facilitate candidates from regional parties or other big party leaders who would support the party," sources said.States that will go to polls on April 11 in the first phase of the upcoming seven-phase Lok Sabha elections are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar .
Sushma Swaraj on 2-day Maldives visit from today
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will travel to the Maldives on a two-day visit beginning Sunday, with an aim to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.Swaraj will visit Male from March 17-18 at the invitation of her Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid. She will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other senior officials, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).Swaraj will hold a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Shahid She will also participate in delegation-level meetings with the Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon, Minister of Environment, Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan, and Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail."The ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and ...