Page 1300 - Politics
3 TDP leaders leave party, join YSR Congress
: With just two days to go for the nomination process to begin for the April 11 elections, political defections have gained pace in Andhra Pradesh with three leaders leaving the ruling Telugu Desam Party and joining the main opposition YSR Congress. Kurnool MP Butta Renuka, who 'associated' herself with the TDP two years ago, returned to her parent YSRC Saturday evening while MLC Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy too switched over to the opposition party. The two were admitted into the YSRC by party chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Renuka was denied the Kurnool Lok Sabha seat as former Union Minister Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy joined the TDP from the Congress. She was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time as the YSRC nominee from Kurnool in 2014. TDP also denied Renuka the Yemmiganuru Assembly ticket, leaving her sulking. Srinivasulu Reddy sought to contest the Lok Sabha poll from Ongole, but the TDP wanted to field him from Nellore. Peeved, he quit the TDP and also the Council ...
China's top Uyghur Muslim official expelled from Communist Party
A top Uyghur Muslim official of China's ruling Communist Party has been expelled from the party on charges of corruption and misuse of power. Nur Bekri, former head of the the country's National Energy Administration, has been expelled from the party and removed from public office for serious violations of party disciplinary rules and laws, a euphemism for corruption and misuse of power, state-run China Daily quoted top anti-graft agency as saying on Saturday. Such actions are taken by CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). He is expected to be formally charged and prosecuted. Bekri, 58, held many positions as the official of the Communist Party of China(CPC) including as chairman of Uygur Muslim majority Xinjiang province between 2008-14 where the Chinese security forces are conducting major crackdown against the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). After his stint in Xinjiang, Bekri worked as deputy head of China's planning body the National Development and ...
SAD fields Charanjit Singh Atwal from Jalandhar
Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal announced Saturday that former deputy speaker of Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal would be its candidate from Jalandhar (SC) seat. Atwal, a Dalit face, was the former deputy speaker of Lok Sabha during 2004-2009. He was a two-time MP from Phillaur constituency. He has also remained speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly twice. Earlier, the Akali Dal had fielded Jagir Kaur from Khadoor Sahib seat. Badal hit out at Taksali leaders, alleging that Ranjit Singh Brahmpura would forfeit his security deposit from his own constituency if he dared to enter into the poll fray from Khadoor Sahib. He dared all the three expelled Akali leaders Brahmpura, Rattan Singh Ajnala and Sewa Singh Sekhwan to test their "political clout" by contesting the Lok Sabha polls. "The so-called Taksali leaders are trying to befool people of Punjab by mouthing lies about Panthic issues as well as themselves," he alleged. "All desperate and rejected leaders from various ...
Cong's Patole says Gadkari's image won't impact LS prospects
Nana Patole, who is the Congress' candidate from Nagpur Lok Sabha seat currently held by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Saturday said in a democracy, people are powerful and not leaders. Addressing a press conference here, Patole claimed Gadkari's "larger than life" personality would have no impact on the polls. Attacking Gadkari, Patole demanded a "white paper" on budget money spent on Nagpur and how much debt had been laden on residents of the city in the name of development. "In a democracy, a leader is not powerful but it is the public. Hence, I don't see anyone more powerful than people. This point (Gadkari's image) won't have much impact," he said, adding that Gadkari was his "elder brother". "The way Nagpur's development is being projected is a farce and is full of scams. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is not an autonomous institution anymore. Major NMC properties worth several crore rupees have been handed over to the Nagpur metro project," he alleged. He .
Odisha polls: BJD approaches EC over KALIA scheme, BJP on hoardings
Alleging that BJP has been trying to pressurise the Election Commission, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday approached the State Commission urging it not to stop the assistance to farmers under the state government's KALIA scheme."It has come to our notice that the BJP has been trying to pressurise the Election Commission with an intention to stop the flow of KALIA funds to the farmers of the State...We, therefore, strongly urge you not to feel pressurised by the arm-twisting tactics of the BJP," read the BJD's letter to Chief Electoral Officer, Bhubaneswar.The letter further stated that the BJP should "not be allowed to succeed" in its design to stop the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) assistance to farmers which is due on April 1.The Odisha government had launched the KALIA scheme on December 31 last year to expedite growth in the agriculture sector and reduce poverty. Under this scheme, Rs 10,180 crore will be spent over three years until 2020-21 to
Shiv Sena declares candidates for Goa Lok Sabha seats
Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday announced that his party will be contesting from both the Lok Sabha seats of Goa.Announcing the names of the two candidates, Raut told media at a media briefing, "Shiv Sena has given tickets to Goa Shiv Sena chief Jitesh Kamat from North Goa and state unit vice president Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik from South Goa."Goa will be going to polls in the third phase of voting on April 23.In Maharashtra, BJP-Shiv Sena had last month finalised to contest the upcoming elections jointly. Of the 48 constituencies, BJP will contest on 25 seats and Shiv Sena on 23 seats.Although both the parties have been in alliance for past several decades, they broke up in 2014 for a brief time just before the legislative elections in Maharashtra. BJP had demanded a larger share of seats which Shiv Sena was unwilling o concede.Out of 288 legislative seats, BJP won 122 while Shiv Sena managed to win only 63 seats.Shiv Sena later joined the government headed by BJP Chief .
AP CM to kick-start his poll election campaign today
Before blowing the campaign bugle for the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu along with his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari offered prayers at his residence here on Saturday.The Andhra Chief Minister prayed for the victory of his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and also for the well being of the Telugu people.After offering the prayers, he left for Tirupati with his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari and son Nara Lokesh. He is scheduled to launch his campaign for Assembly elections after paying the visit to Lord Venkateswara Temple situated in Tirumala.Andhra Pradesh will go to polls in a single phase on April 11. Both the Lok Sabha and legislative assembly polls will be held in the state simultaneously.The State Assembly has 175 seats while Parliamentary elections will be held in all 25 seats. This will be the first assembly elections in the region post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
EC holds meeting with representatives of three political parties
Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain on Saturday met the representatives of Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.TMC's Partha Chatterjee, BJP's Mukul Roy and Congress' Pradeep Bhattacharaya attended the meeting."We have proposed to assign media observers ahead of the elections," said Bhattacharaya. "The proposal of allocating CCTV cameras at poll booths was also put forth."He said TMC leaders including ministers are trying to instil fear-psychosis among people. "We have requested the Election Commission to check this."On Friday, the Election Commission held a meeting of the Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence.Heads of tax boards, law enforcement agencies, central paramilitary forces and representatives of financial institutions attended the meeting.
Congress will win at least 23 seats in MP, says Chief Minister Kamal Nath
Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Saturday said the Congress is going to win as many as 23 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh where 29 seats are at stake."We are expecting to win at least 23 seats in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections," Chief Minister Nath told reporters here.Talking about the party's strategy, he said: "We will share with the people what the Congress has done in the past 85 days. BJP governments have only disappointed the people of Madhya Pradesh."When asked from where Digvijaya Singh will contest the Lok Sabha election, Chief Minister Nath said: "He will decide on his own. I have requested him to contest from one of the toughest seats which Congress has been losing for the last 30-35 years."Congress has not announced its list of candidates for Madhya Pradesh. However, Chief Minister Nath said that the list will be out in two to three days."Approximately 22 lakh farmers' loans have been waived off. The process will be completed after the elections," he said.Nath is a ...
Won't contest LS elections, will campaign for BJP if party wants: Uma Bharti
Union Minister Uma Bharti has written to BJP president Amit Shah, reiterating her decision not to contest the coming Lok Sabha elections but has said that she will be happy to accept any other responsibilities assigned to her by the party."Dear friend, as I have already declared, reiterating the same I had written a letter to the party president Mr. Amit Shah, repeating my request of not contesting an election, so that the party officially declares it," wrote Bharti on her Twitter account."I have told all the friends that for the next one-and-a-half years, I want to spend the maximum time on the banks of the Ganga. During this period, I will participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign according to the BJP's directive, and will fulfill the responsibilities assigned to me," she said.Bharti, however, said that she will not retire from politics till 'her last breath' and will continue to do politics for the rights of poor man."Prime Minister @narendramodi ji is the head guard of the ...
My son can go anywhere he wants: BC Khanduri on his son joining Congress
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and BJP leader BC Khanduri downplayed his son Manish joining Congress and asserted that his son is free to take his own decisions."My son is an educated guy and is a young man and would do what he desires. I fail to understand why questions are being raised. It is not a family business that he should follow me. If he was a party worker and would have shifted loyalty that was a different matter but he is an engineering graduate and has lived in the US and is doing as he wishes. It is not necessary that he will be where I am," Khanduri told ANI said.His son, Manish, joined the Congress party on Saturday in the presence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.The former chief minister also affirmed his decision not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and said, "I had long back announced that I will not fight elections. I feel that young people should get an opportunity. I have already been in politics for about 30 years now."Upon being asked as to ...
Congress again stakes claim to form govt in Goa
The Goa Congress on Saturday urged Governor Mridula Sinha to dismiss the BJP-led coalition regime and invite the party to form the government in the state.In a letter to Goa Governor Sinha, the leader of opposition in the Goa legislative assembly, Chandrakant Kavlekar claimed that the Congress party has the majority to form the government in Goa and that "the numbers of the BJP may further dwindle" in the state Assembly."Consequent upon the sad demise of BJP MLA Francis D'Souza, the BJP government led by Manohar Parrikar which has long lost the trust of people has also lost the strength of the house (legislative house)," Chandrakant said in his letter to the Governor.Former Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza died last month after a prolonged battle with cancer.He urged the Governor to dismiss the incumbent government while claiming that the Congress party has the majority to form the government in Goa."It is therefore incumbent upon you (Governor) to dismiss this government and ...
BJP MP Shyama Charan joins Samajwadi
BJP MP Shyama Charan Gupta on Saturday joined the Samajwadi party. He will be contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from Banda constituency in Uttar Pradesh.A sitting MP from Prayagraj, Gupta's induction in the party will give a major boost to the Akhilesh-led SP which is contesting elections in an alliance with BSP.In 2014 general elections Bhairon Prasad Mishra had won Banda seat on BJP ticket.Gupta fought first parliamentary elections in 1984 from Banda as an independent candidate and in 2004, he contested 14th Lok Sabha elections from Banda constituency on Samajwadi ticket. After that in 2014, the former Samajwadi party man won from Allahabad (Prayagraj) on BJP ticket.Hitting out at Gupta, BJP leader Shiv Pratap Shukla said, "Shyama Charan Gupta is like a migratory bird. He knows that in Prayagraj situation is not in his favour as there are many BJP leaders who are capable of contesting elections in Allahabad".
BJD MP Balabhadra Majhi joins BJP
Balabhadra Majhi, BJD MP from Nabarangpur in Odisha, on Saturday joined the BJP here. Only recently he had announced to quit the BJD.Majhi joined the BJP at the party headquarters in the presence of Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and recently appointed national vice president Baijayanta Panda.The party leaders expressed confidence that Majhi's joining will boost the BJP's prospects in the state in ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.Majhi also met BJP president Amit Shah later in the day.Panda, a former BJD leader, joined the BJP on March 4. He had resigned from the BJD around nine months ago after differences cropped between him and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.Several senior leaders from various parties have defected to the BJP in the past a few days.Some of the high profile defections include Tom Vadakkan, a long-time aide of Sonia Gandhi who joined the BJP questioning the Congress party for its reaction to the air strike against JeM in ...
BJP backers try to corner Congress with #Dalal_List
With Twitter becoming a hotbed of politics ahead of the 2019 general election, supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to sway the social media mood on Saturday in its favour by posting tweets with #Dalal_List.
Appoint special observers at mosques to prevent any misuse by parties: Delhi BJP to poll panel
The BJP's Delhi unit has requested the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to appoint special observers at mosques to prevent any attempt to influence voters on "religious lines" during the Lok Sabha election. In a letter, Delhi BJP's legal department convener Neeraj cited alleged attempts by some Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to polarise voters on religious lines and requested the CEO to appoint special observers at mosques. "We are bound to write you this complaint due to recent repeated attempts to polarise voters on religious lines by the convener of the AAP, Arvind Kejriwal, and his party members," alleged Neeraj. Kejriwal, while addressing events and public gatherings in minorities-dominated areas, had been asking people to beware of vote split between the AAP and the Congress and vote for his party to defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha polls. No immediate reaction was available on the issue from the AAP. "He has been giving baseless statements to polarise the voters in Muslim dominated ...
Masood Azhar is "proven threat", why would China give him "terror pass"?: WSJ
A leading US daily has questioned China's blocking of another move at the UN to designate Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist", stating that Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief is a "proven threat" and Beijing is "loath to upset" its "all-weather" friendship with Islamabad. The Editorial Board of the Wall Street Journal, in an editorial piece titled 'China Shields a Jihadist - Beijing blocks a UN attempt to sanction the Kashmir killer', said without meaningful global action against jihadist enclaves in Pakistan, India may "understandably conclude it has few options other than a military escalation". The editorial comes after China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the United Nations (UN) Security Council to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal on Wednesday, a move India termed as disappointing. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, ...
Defections in Odisha pick up ahead of elections
Leaders switching loyalties ahead of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha have been proving a a major headache for political parties.
Danish Ali joins BSP
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, senior JD(S) leader Danish Ali joined the BSP on Saturday. Ali, general secretary of the Janata Dal Secular, quit the party and joined the Bahujan Samaj Party before party national general secretary Satish Chandra Misra. BSP sources said Ali is expected to be fielded by the BSP from Amroha in western Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to newsmen, Ali said he had the blessings of JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda and was joining the BSP as both parties follow the same principles of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Ali, a native of Hapur district in Uttar Pradesh, said he was not able to set up the JD(S) here and now wanted to work in the state. Ali said the JDS did not have a large organisational structure in Uttar Pradesh, which sends most lawmakers to the Parliament. "JDS doesn't have a large organisational structure in UP. Despite all my efforts I could not raise it in my 'janmabhoomi, my 'karmabhoomi'... The way in which there is a threat to (the) Constitution today, it has .
On Kartarpur, Amarinder sceptical of Pakistan intention
Raising serious doubts about Pakistan's intention behind opening the Kartarpur Corridor, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that he did not trust Pakistan's agenda as it "is nefarious and political, and aimed at exploiting the sentiments of the Sikhs".