Page 1309 - Politics
Pawar demands white paper on bridges, seeks fresh audit
NCP chief Sharad Pawar Friday demanded a white paper on the condition of all the bridges in the megapolis. His demand comes a day after six persons were killed and 31 others injured when a section of the foot overbridge near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai collapsed. Talking to reporters here, Pawar also expressed concerns over the "frequent mishaps" taking place in the city. "A number of bridges, including the Eastern Express Highway, need immediate attention. The Public Works Department (PWD), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Railways need to carry out fresh audits of all the bridges and then they should be made public so that people know the condition of the bridges they are using," he said. "There is a need for inspection of all foot overbridges (FOBs) and road overbridges (ROBs) and a white paper should be published on it," he said. Pawar also demanded that the big ticket Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project be ...
We will always welcome her: PC Chacko on reports of Alka Lamba joining back Congress
Congress party in-charge PC Chacko on Friday said that the party "will always welcome" back AAP leader Alka Lamba whenever she wants to return to the party fold."We will always welcome her because she is otherwise also a member of the Congress family. She was the president of the NSUI. There are many people, who left the party on different occasions. When they come back, we always welcome them," Chacko told ANI here.His statement comes after Lamba earlier today said it would be an honour for her to join back the Congress party. However, she added that she has not received any proposal from them so far."I have not received any proposal from Congress. I have given 20 years to Congress out of my 25 years in politics. When Congress and BJP used to fight in Delhi, people stopped BJP from forming a government in the state for 15 years. People were again looking for an option to defeat the BJP and Arvind Kejriwal did that," Lamba said."Now the talks are about the country. I have been seeing .
AAP protests against Delhi Police outside EC
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and MP Sanjay Singh, who staged a sit-in on Friday outside the Election Commission to protest against alleged raids at the party's call centres, called off the sit-in following assurances from the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
US General Wolters new NATO supreme commander
US Air Force General Tod Wolters has been nominated to become NATO's top officer, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the alliance announced Friday. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's military leader is always American, and Wolters was nominated by acting US defence secretary Patrick Shanahan. "The North Atlantic Council has approved the nomination," the alliance announced, adding that he must still be confirmed under US procedures. General Wolters is currently serving as Commander, United States Air Forces Europe, United States Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command. Wolters is a former fighter pilot who fought in four US operations in Iraq: Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom He will formally replace the current SACEUR, General Curtis Scaparrotti, at a ceremony in the coming weeks at NATO's headquarters in Mons, Belgium.
North Macedonia jails 16 over violent storming of parliament
A former North Macedonia interior minister was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday for his part in orchestrating a mob attack on parliament in 2017, one of 16 people given jail terms over the violence. Scores were injured in the bloody rioting that erupted on April 27, 2017 when around 100 nationalist demonstrators, including masked men, stormed the Skopje assembly at the culmination of a post-election political crisis. Several lawmakers were beaten, including Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev, who went on to become prime minister and pass the historic name deal with Greece that added "North" to former Macedonia's name, ending a long-running dispute. A court in Skopje on Friday sentenced the 16 defendants, including some police officers, giving them prison terms ranging from seven to 18 years for "terrorist endangerment of the constitutional order and security". The longest sentence was given to former Interior Minister and then-public security bureau chief Mitko Chavkov. "The ..
Union minister Vijay Goel slams AAP over issue of air pollution, takes out cycle rally in protest
Union minister Vijay Goel took out a cycle rally on Friday to protest against the AAP government's failure to control air pollution in the national capital. Goel accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of keeping its political interest above its obligations to people of Delhi. "Air pollution was not only a major issue for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls but bigger than the demand for full statehood for Delhi. But, AAP for political gains chose to campaign on the issue of full statehood," he said. Along with his supporters, Goel rode a cycle from Nirman Vihar Metro station. He said that he would hold morning meetings at local parks with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to "expose" the AAP government's "failure" in checking the menace. "Instead of full statehood, pollution should have been the main issue for them because it kills 10,000 people every year in Delhi," he said. "I will hold cycle rallies and park meetings to inform the common people about how Kejriwal has left them to die due to
AAP workers protest outside EC over 'illegal raids'
AAP workers led by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, sat on a protest outside the Election Commission on Friday, alleging "politically motivated and illegal" raids were being conducted on a call centre hired by the party to make people aware that their names had been deleted from voters' lists. After sitting for over three hours outside the Election Commission in protest, Sisodia and Lok Sabha candidates Atishi and Raghav Chadha were called by the Election Commission to hold a joint meeting with police officials. After the meeting, Sisodia said, "We are responsible for making these calls to tell the public about their vote deletion. Telling people about their rights is not a crime." Sisodia has alleged that a fourth raid on the call centre, hired by the AAP, was conducted barely an hour after he met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Friday. His delegation met the CEC to lodge a complaint against the Delhi police which, he claimed, was acting at the BJP's behest to harass .
Clamour for Rahul to contest from Karnataka
With Lok Sabha elections drawing near, Congress leaders in Karnataka are clamouring for their president Rahul Gandhi to contest from the state. Several leaders starting with former chief minister Siddharamaiah have urged that Rahul contest from Karnataka. The state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao has also made a similar demand. Former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram has, however, called for Rahul Gandhi to contest from Tamil Nadu. Calling Gandhi the "next Prime Minister of India", Karnataka Congress Legislature Party leader Siddharamaiah recalled his grandmother Indira Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi had contested from Lok Sabha seats in the state. "Karnataka has always supported & encouraged @INCIndia leaders. It has been proved in case of Smt. Indira ji & Smt. Sonia ji. "We also want our next Prime Minister of India Shri. @RahulGandhi to contest from Karnataka & herald new developmental paradigm," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet, using the hashtag ...
Cong MLAs in Bangalore North say they will support Gowda if he
Congress legislators fromBangalore North Lok Sabha constituency Friday said they would work for the victory of JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda if he contests as the regional party's candidate. "All of us five Congress MLAs have unanimously decided towork for Deve Gowda's victory if he contests as a candidate from BangaloreNorth," Rural Development Minister and Congress MLA Krishna Byre Gowda said. Speaking to reporters after the joint meeting of Congress-JD(S) MLAs from Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency, he said, "he (Gowda) is an elderly leader and formerPrime Minister. We are ready to send him victorious from here." Two JD(S) MLAs and a Rajya Sabha member alsoparticipated in the meeting, he said, adding that "we informed them that we will work with them for Gowda's victory if he contests from here." Union minister Sadananda Gowda is the sitting MP from Bangalore North. Speculations are rife that Gowda, who has conceded his constituency ...
Many in Delhi Cong favour alliance with AAP, but final call by Rahul: PC Chacko
Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit appeared to be isolated over the issue of alliance with AAP for Lok Sabha polls, as AICC in-charge PC Chacko on Friday claimed that "many" in the party were in favour of such up tie-up. He, however, said that a final call on the issue of alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi will be taken by the Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Dikshit, who has been opposing an alliance with AAP, refused to respond to questions on the development. The differences in the party over the issue of alliance surfaced Thursday after Dikshit registered her protest over a phone survey covering over 52,000 Delhi Congress workers carried out by Chacko. The workers were asked if they favoured alliance in Delhi with ruling AAP to defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha polls. "There are many leaders and workers in Delhi Congress who are in favour of alliance with AAP. But a final call in this regard will be taken by party president Rahul Gandhi. We will submit our report on ...
Sushma denies diplomatic failure over Masood Azhar
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday hit out at the Congress over its allegation that China blocking the bid to name Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" was a diplomatic failure of the Narendra Modi government, saying the proposal was mooted four times but India could get worldwide support only in 2019.
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh arrives in Kashmir to review security situation
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Friday arrived here to review the prevailing security situation in Kashmir. "The Army Commander visited units/formations along the Line of Control and hinterland in north Kashmir," an Army official said. The official said Lt Gen Singh was briefed by the commanders about the prevailing security situation. The Army Commander complimented the troops for their relentless efforts in thwarting the adversary's designs, he said. He also lauded the exemplary synergy among all the forces, appreciated the actions taken by the units in ensuring safety and well-being of people residing in vicinity of the Line of Control, he added.
US 'hopeful' for continued talks with N Korea: Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hopes Friday that nuclear disarmament negotiations with North Korea would continue following reports that Pyongyang is considering suspending the talks. "We are hopeful that we can continue to hold this conversation," he told reporters. Russian news agency TASS reported earlier that the North's vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui rejected yielding to "US demands in any form," after the Hanoi summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump ended without agreement. Trump told a post-summit press conference in Hanoi that the North Korean leader had promised he would maintain his moratorium on missile and nuclear tests. Analysts voiced fears that the change of tone from Pyongyang could mean a resumption of tests, but Pompeo remained upbeat about the pause staying in place. "In Hanoi on multiple occasions, (Kim) spoke directly to the president and made a commitment that he would not resume nuclear testing, nor would he resume missile ...
Door wide open to anyone willing: Bengal BJP chief
West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh on Friday admitted that his party lacks sufficient leaders to many Lok Sabha seats from the state but its "door is "wide open" for the leaders from other outfits who want to work with them.
Apna Dal reaffirms alliance with BJP, gets 2 seats to contest
Putting an end to all speculations, Apna Dal has entered into an alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for Lok Sabha elections 2019 and will be contesting on two seats in Uttar Pradesh.Before the announcement, Apna Dal (S) leader and union minister Anupriya Patel met with BJP president Amit Shah and finalised the seat sharing arrangement.Post discussion, Apna Dal was given the Mirzapur seat to contest, where most likely Anupriya Patel may contest from. The name of other seat is yet to be decided.Since last month there were many variations in the statements of Apna Dal leaders signalling that not everything was alright between the two political parties.On February 22, Apna Dal (S) convener and minister of state in Modi cabinet Anupriya Patel had said that her party will now be free to choose its own path as the BJP leadership was not displaying any interest in resolving her party's issues.However hours later, Ashish Patel, National President of Apna Dal stated that the party is ...
Conducting clean elections a challenge due to abuse of money power: CEC
Holding free and fair elections is one of the biggest challenges facing the Indian democracy due to prevalent "abuse" of money power, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said Friday. Addressing a meeting of the Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence here, Arora also said the poll panel is determined to curb the menace and it has issued detailed guidelines to monitor election expenditure incurred by candidates and political parties. "The expenditure monitoring mechanism has got stronger over a period of time and larger seizures have been made by our enforcement teams in successive elections," a statement issued by the poll panel quoted Arora as saying. Heads of tax boards, law enforcement agencies, central paramilitary forces and representatives of financial institutions attended the meeting. "Conducting clean elections is now one of the biggest challenges in our democracy given the prevalent abuse of money power, particularly when it manifests in inducement of ...
No trouble in any state on alliances: Cong
The Congress on Friday said it was not facing any trouble in its alliance talks with other opposition parties in any state. "There is no trouble, absolutely clear we are facing no trouble in any state as far as our alliance negotiations are concerned. "The only thing in trouble is the country today and...our objective is to rid the country of the trouble called 'Narendra Modi'," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said. He said this on a day when the CPI-M declared 25 of its candidates in West Bengal. The Congress is seeking to have a pre-poll tie-up in West Bengal with the CPI-M, but negotiations remained stuck over the number of seats each party would contest. West Bengal has 42 parliamentary constituencies. The Congress is also facing problems in Delhi, where a section of the party leadership wants to have a pre-poll alliance with the ruling AAP, but state unit chief Sheila Dikshit is against the tie-up. The Congress has already said there would be no tie-up in Delhi, but there is a .
Spain to exhume Franco's remains in June
Spain will exhume the remains of late dictator Francisco Franco from its opulent mausoleum and move them to a location outside Madrid in June, the government announced Friday. The move has long been talked about by sympathisers of the left-leaning government but fiercely resisted by Franco's family and many on the right. It revives old tensions from Spain's civil war in the 1930s and the subsequent four decades of Franco's rule. "The reburial of Franco's remains will take place in the morning of June 10," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said. She said the body will be taken to the Mingorrubio-El Pardo state pantheon, where Franco's wife is already buried. Franco is currently buried in a huge hillside mausoleum belonging to the Catholic Church in the Valley of the Fallen, where it draws visits from tourists and demonstrations by right-wing sympathisers. The former conservative Popular Party government resisted bids to exhume him but President Pedro Sanchez revived the effort after .
Veteran BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati quits party
Senior BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati on Friday resigned from the primary membership of the party, annoyed over the ticket for the Lok Sabha elections being given to Bikaner MP Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Be careful of money misuse in polls: EC to agencies
The Election Commission of India (EC) headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Friday convened a meeting of a multi-departmental committee on election intelligence and directed the officials to work in close coordination to curb misuse of money power in the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.