Page 1306 - Politics
PM splurges on publicity to hide failures: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of wasting public money for self promotion.
BJP's tele-warriors for Lok Sabha polls (Repeating for all needing)
It is a battle to catch mind space through television ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and both the BJP and the Congress have tele-warriors adept at articulating their viewpoint.
US, France & UK in intense discussions with China on Azhar listing at UN
The US, France and the UK are believed to be in intense "good faith" discussions with China to arrive at a "compromise", including on the language on the UN designation of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, according to people familiar with the matter. On Wednesday, China blocked for the fourth consecutive time a resolution at the UN Security Council Committee on designating Azhar, head of the JeM terror group, as a global terrorist. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. If the fresh efforts by the US, France and the UK does not end up in the formal designation of Azhar, the three permanent members are planning to soon move a resolution for his listing in the most powerful ..
BRICS to focus on counter-terror cooperation as priority area
BRICS, a bloc of five leading nations including India and China, will discuss counter-terror cooperation as one of its priority areas during its annual summit later this year. The External Affairs Ministry said the issue figured at a BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Sherpa meeting held in Brazilian city of Curitiba between March 14 and 15. Brazil is the current chair of the grouping which represents over 3.6 billion people, or half of the world population and they have a combined nominal GDP of USD 16.6 trillion. "It is worth mentioning that Brazil has identified countering terrorism as one of its priority areas for BRICS under its presidency. Brazil's priorities for its presidency includes inter-alia science, technology, and innovation, digital economy, New Development Bank and BRICS Business Council as well as countering transnational crime and terrorism," the MEA said. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by T S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the
MP Cong welcomes Kamal Nath's decision to raise OBC quota
Hailing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's decision to almost double the OBC quota to 27 per cent, the state Congress has said it was a major step in the fight for social justice. The party has decided to felicitate Kamal Nath for the move. "The chief minister had indicated that he is going to take a decisive step in the interest of backward classes by inducting 27 per cent MLAs from this category into his cabinet," state Congress media department chairperson Shobha Ojha said at a press conference here on Friday. "He proved this on March 8, when his government passed an ordinance to raise the OBC reservation in the state from 14 per cent to 27 per cent," she added. Minister Jeetu Patwari and Rajya Sabha MP Rajmani Patel, both belonging to OBC category, were also present at the press conference. Ojha said, the state saw three BJP chief ministers belonging to the OBC category- Uma Bharti, Babulal Gaur and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. "But none of them and other backward
MDMK names Ganeshamurthi as candidate for Erode LS seat
DMK's ally MDMK Saturday announced the candidature of former MP A Ganeshamurthi from the Erode constituency for the April 18 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. Ganeshamurthi is a two-time MP, who had represented Palani in the 12th Lok Sabha (1998) and Erode during the 2009-14 period. "Ganeshamurthi is contesting from Erode as MDMK candidate, on behalf of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance," MDMK founder Vaiko said in a statement here. MDMK has been allotted the Erode constituency, even as DMK President M K Stalin has assured one Rajya Sabha seat to his party's ally at the appropriate time. Tamil Nadu has a total of 39 Lok Sabha seats.
'US focused on pressing Pak to take sustained, irreversible actions against terrorists'
The Trump administration is now focused on pressing Pakistan to take "sustained and irreversible" actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil, a senior American diplomat has said. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. A senior State Department official said Friday that the US stood "publicly and resolutely" with India in its response to the attack. "Now we are focused on pressing Pakistan to take sustained, irreversible action on terrorist groups operating on its soil, and we are working with others in the international community to achieve this goal," the official said. "The United States stood publicly and resolutely with India in its response to the attack, as you saw in our statements, while joining the international community in encouraging both sides to avoid military escalation, de-escalate ...
Jammu and Kashmir Bank announces change in directorate
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Maduro creates military unit to protect public service installations
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro created a military unit on Friday charged with protecting basic installations and services such as electricity and water just over a week after the country was hit with a massive blackout. Maduro blamed that on a cyber attack directed by the United States but critics say the government was at fault for failing to maintain infrastructure. Speaking on television and radio, Maduro said the "Command for the Defence of Basic Strategic Services" would be tasked with ensuring "security, operability and maintenance." Its officers would be responsible for guaranteeing both "physical and cybernetic" security of infrastructure and maintenance of equipment. Maduro repeated his claim that the blackout, which lasted almost a week, was due to "successive attacks" against the country's major hydroelectric facility at Guri in Bolivar state, "directed" by US President Donald Trump's national security advisor John Bolton. The blackout hit on March 7 and paralyzed the ..
Trump issues 1st veto over border emergency
US President Donald Trump has issued the first veto of his presidency, rejecting a legislation to overturn his declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall along the country's Mexican border, insisting that the situation on the southern frontier amounted to a threat to Americans' safety.
'Focused on pressing Pak to take sustained, irreversible action on terrorist groups on its soil'
The United States is "focused on pressing Pakistan to take sustained, irreversible action on terrorist groups operating on its soil" and is "working with others in the international community to achieve this goal" in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.The statement also comes following China blocking a proposal - for the fourth time - in the UN Security Council to list JeM chief Masood Azhar under the UN sanctions committee."The events of the past few weeks have underscored that the US-India relationship is a global and long-term partnership, that we will stand by each other in times of crisis, and that we are working diligently to expand our habits of cooperation...We stood publicly and resolutely with India in its response to the attack, as you saw in our statements while joining the international community in encouraging both sides to avoid military escalation, de-escalate tensions, and communicate directly," a Senior US State ...
Veteran BJP leader Bhati resigns from party
Veteran BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati tendered her resignation on Friday after the party decided to give a ticket to BJP MP and Union Minister from Bikaner Arjun Ram Meghwal to contest the Lok Sabha elections.Bhati said he resigned due to Meghwal's "anti-party" activities. He went on to say that despite senior party leaders being apprised of Meghwal, no action was taken."I have resigned due to anti-party activities of Bikaner MP, Arjun Ram Meghwal. I spoke about this to all senior party leaders but it seems they have made up their mind to give him the ticket again," he said. However, Bhati batted for a second term for Narendra Modi as Prime Minister."I want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to become prime minister once again. There are few people in the party who are doing conspiracy against the party.
IDB is first multilateral lender to recognize envoy of Venezuela's Guaido
The Inter-American Development Bank on Friday officially recognized the representative named by Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido, the first multilateral institution to take that step. Self-proclaimed interim president Guaido named respected Harvard economist Ricardo Hausmann, an exiled former Venezuelan government minister, to represent him at the IDB -- the primary source of financing for development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB board of governors "today approved a resolution recognizing the appointment by Mr Juan Guaido of Ricardo Hausmann as IDB Governor for Venezuela... effective immediately," a statement from the New York-based institution read. It is the latest sign of international support for Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-ruled National Assembly. Guaido has already been backed by more than 50 countries in his bid to unseat President Nicolas Maduro, who has presided over an economy in freefall and a worsening humanitarian ...
LS polls 2019: UK units of BJP, Congress organise bike, car rallies
With Lok Sabha elections inching closer, the overseas wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress parties are actively garnering support from the Indian diaspora with rallies across the UK.Both Indian Overseas Congress and the Overseas Friends of the BJP are set to organise car and motorbike rallies across the UK on Saturday.European racing champion Advait Devadhar will also take part in BJP's car and bike rallies. The BJP has already organised motorcycle rally earlier this week.According to BJP schedule, car rallies will take place in places including in Glasgow, Birmingham and central London on Saturday at 12 noon(local time) while a "flash mob," event will take place in the first week of April for central London.Congress will hold a car rally from 9 am on Saturday. The rally will start from the Gandhi statue located at the Parliament Square and pass through areas such as Southall, Leicester and Birmingham.Secretary of Overseas Congress in London, Varendra Vashisht, organizer of
Samajwadi Party's Rampur unit to boycott LS polls 2019: Azam Khan
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan on Friday said that Rampur unit of his party will boycott upcoming Lok Sabha polls."The BJP wants to control all the institutions in the country and it has been successful to an extent. The Rampur unit of the party has announced that they will boycott the Parliament elections," former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Rampur MLA, Khan, said while addressing SP workers here.On March 6, 2019, Rampur District Magistrate Anjaney Singh demolished Urdu Gate illegally constructed by Khan's trust.Slamming the Rampur district administration's crackdown on properties like Ali Jauhar University, Khan stated, "We all have taken a unanimous decision to boycott the Lok Sabha elections because Rampur is living in fear. The agencies like CBI are being disrespected and used by the Centre."Responding to this demolition of Urdu Gate, Khan said: "Local administration of Uttar Pradesh is taking action at the behest of state government. They are making the .
LS Polls: Congress to fight 11 seats in Bihar
A month after declaring an alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress on Friday said it will field 11 candidates in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, where 40 parliamentary seats are at stake."The decision was taken at a meeting of Congress Election Committee. There is no meaning of sending names of more than 11 candidates as we were offered only 11 seats. Rahul Gandhi will take a final call on the names of candidates and soon he will declare the names," Congress leader Akhilesh Singh told ANI after the meeting.The grand alliance formed by the Opposition in Bihar includes the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Lok Jantrantrik Dal (LJD) and Vikas Sheel Insaan Party (VIP).Earlier, the Congress had put forward a demand of 12 seats, including a seat for senior leader and former Union Minister Tariq Anwar who recently returned to the party after leaving NCP. The RJD is adamant in contesting at least 20 ...
US, France & UK working on compromise with China on Azhar listing or planning vote in UN
The US and two other permanent Security Council members, France and Britain, are believed to be in intense "good faith" discussions with China to arrive at a "compromise" on the UN designation of Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. And if that effort does not end up in the formal designation of Azhar, the three permanent members are planning to soon move a resolution for his listing in the most powerful wing of the UN which would be preceded by an open debate on the issue, according to people familiar with the matter. On Wednesday, China blocked for the fourth consecutive time a resolution at a UN Security Council Committee on designating Azhar, head of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, as a global terrorist. The proposal was moved by the US, France and the UK. India had expressed disappointment over the Chinese stance and the original co-sponsors of the resolution had warned they will consider "other actions" to achieve their goal. While the internal ...
Sushma Swaraj, French counterpart discuss anti-terror cooperation
French Foreign Minister Le Drian on Friday held a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and informed her about France taking steps to impose financial sanctions on Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar."French Foreign Minister also informed that France has raised this issue with the European Union. He reiterated that France has always been and will always be on India's side in the fight against terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.Swaraj thanked her French counterpart's steadfast support and said that India looked forward to continuing cooperation on anti-terrorism front."This action on the part of France was an expression of partnership with India and was in consonance with the global intent by responsible nations committed to fight against terror, including cross-border terrorism anywhere in the world," an external affairs ministry statement said.Earlier, India welcomed France's decision of putting sanctions on Azhar by freezing his .
LS polls 2019: NPP to field Agatha K Sangma from Meghalaya's Tura constituency
The National People's Party (NPP) on Friday announced that former Union Minister Agatha K Sangma and Thangminlien Kipgen will contest Lok Sabha elections for the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya and Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency respectively.The two names were approved by the Central Election Committee of the NPP in a meeting chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in Delhi.Two Lok Sabha seats each are at stake in Manipur and Meghalaya.This time the NPP has decided to field in the North East and support candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) from Shillong for ensuing general elections.The Congress party, which released its third list of its candidates for Lok Sabha polls on Friday night, has decided to field former chief minister Mukul Sangma as its candidate from Tura and current Lok Sabha MP Vincent H Pala from Shillong.The party also announced that Ferlene C A Sangma will contest the byelection of Selsella Assembly seat in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills .
US President Trump issues first veto over rejection of border wall emergency
US President Donald Trump on Friday issued his first veto rejecting as "dangerous" and "reckless" congressional resolution of his emergency declaration and asserted that Americans would be "put at risk" at the southern border with Mexico if the measure became a law.Trump vetoed a resolution of disapproval of his emergency declaration, which was declared to get his wall funded and built along the US-Mexico border.At the Oval Office, Trump was quoted by The Hill saying: "Today I am vetoing this resolution. Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution, and I have the duty to veto it. There haven't been too many that are bigger emergency than what we have at our border."The resolution will now return to the House of Representatives, which is expected to vote on overriding Trump's veto on March 26. However, lawmakers lack the two-thirds support of the chamber required to pass the measure.It was the first time that the US President used his veto power to block a legislation which came ..