Page 131 - Politics
Every Cong leader wants Rahul Gandhi to continue as party president, says C'garh CM
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said that every leader of the Congress party wants Rahul Gandhi to continue as the party president.After meeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi at his residence here, Baghel told media, "Everyone wants that Rahul Gandhi should continue as Congress party President. No Congress worker has any doubt in the leadership and the way he fought. He has the ability to keep everyone together."Baghel further said, "There is no need for one nation, one poll. BJP should talk about employment and poverty.'"Death of children in Bihar due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome is very horrifying," he said.Congress leader PL Punia said, "Rahul Gandhi is our working president. He is the one who will decide whether he will be the president of the party or not. He is our party president and he will remain so in future.
Siddaramaiah is responsible for Congress-JDS rift, says H Vishwanath
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): After the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) was dissolved barring the president and the working president yesterday, former Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H Vishwanath on Thursday hit out at former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying he is responsible for the rift among the alliance partners.Vishwanath said: "A senior Congress leader who was a member of the Congress Working Committee said that Siddramaiah has brought JDS fight into the Congress party. He is trying to destabilise the state government.""The core of contention is Siddramaiah's style of functioning. Siddramiah is not good at politics. He would have suspended me if I were in the Congress. Senior Congress leader Roshan Baig was suspended because of him," he added.Vishwanath also held Siddaramaiah responsible for Bengaluru MLA Roshan Baig's suspension. "He wrote against Roshan Baig for personal reasons, which is not the right thing to be done by any leader.""KPCC ...
We do not encourage defection, says YRS Congress leader P Suresh
After four Telegu Desam Party's (TDP) Rajya Sabha MPs from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana merged themselves with the BJP, YSR Congress Party leader A Suresh on Thursday said that his party was against poaching of MPs and it does not encourage defection.Speaking to ANI, Suresh said: "We are against the poaching of MPs. We do not encourage defection. Any leader who wants to join our party must first resign from their party."Criticising TDP, Suresh said: "TDP is a sinking ship. They have lost the credibility of the people of Andhra Pradesh. They failed to fulfill the promises like the old age pension, which was an election gimmick. There is no commitment to people.""The difference between the YSRCP and the TDP is that the people have faith in Jaganmohan Reddy. They have come to the conclusion that there is a leader, who can be trusted...They have voted for Jagan because they know he will fulfill the promises. There is no scope for the TDP to revive in Andhra Pradesh."Earlier today, ...
Goa to have Centre of Excellence in farming with Israeli tech
Goas Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai Thursday said a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in agriculture will be set up soon in the state with help from Israeli technology. He said the centre will promote organic farming with innovative technology sourced from the West Asian country. Sardesai said this after meeting Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel Consulate in Mumbai Nimrod Kalmar at his personal residence at Fatorda in South Goa. During the meeting, the two held discussion on a wide range of issues. "A Centre of Excellence for promoting organic farming with innovative Israeli technology will be set up in Goa soon, Sardesai said. The deputy chief minister said farmers would be introduced to the new technology, which they can replicate in their farms. "Had wide ranging discussions when Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel in Mumbai Nimrod Kalmar called me called on me at Fatorda. "Government of India already implemented centres of excellence for bringing innovation in ...
119 people booked for social media abuse against me: Kerala CM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday informed the state assembly that 119 people have been booked for social media abuse against him since this government has assumed charge.Vijayan said, "This includes 1 central government and 12 state government employees. Disciplinary action has been taken against 41 government employees and department level action initiated against 29 people.""Three people have been booked for online abuse against Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala," said Kerala Chief Minister.
State Secy Pompeo called EAM S. Jaishankar, reiterates commitment to advance US-India strategic partnership
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Thursday spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to congratulate him on his appointment and reiterated Washington's strong commitment towards advancing US-India strategic partnership."Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to congratulate him on his appointment. Secretary Pompeo underscored the strong U.S. commitment to working closely with the new Indian Government to advance our strategic partnership," Spokesperson of the US State Department, Morgan Ortagus, said in a statement."Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar also discussed shared U.S. and Indian objectives in safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific, U.S.-India security cooperation, and the U.S.-India economic partnership," the statement added.Pompeo will visit India from June 25-27, the first high-level engagement between India and the United States after NDA's return to power for a second term."It will ..
Tejaswi does not have ability to carry his political legacy: Bihar Cong MLA
In what is seen as the rising differences within Opposition fold in Bihar, Congress Secretary and MLA Shakeel Khan on Thursday questioned RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav and said that he does not have what he called as "art of carrying political legacy"."Tejaswi should know the art of carrying the political legacy he inherited from his father (Lalu Prasad). It is not seen during and after elections. Sometimes he tweets. Once, a man in Sitamarhi was murdered and he tweeted 20 days after the incident," he said when asked about Tejaswi's absence from the public in wake of AES epidemic in the state.The Congress leader said that Tejaswi, younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, should learn political manoeuvring. "He does not have it, unlike his father. It was evident in during and after the elections," he said.He also said that Congress held review meetings with state leader on the poll debacle. "We figured out that Congress needs to work on the ground on a large scale," he said.Congress and ...
2 dead, 11 injured in Bhatpara clashes; TMC, BJP trade barbs
Two people were killed and 11 others injured Thursday after clashes broke out between two groups suspected to be affiliated to the TMC and the BJP in Bhatpara area of West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said. The authorities have imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in and around the area following the violence. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP blamed each other for the clash, which is seen as an attempt to establish dominance in Bhatpara, which comes under the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed senior police officers to take stringent action against those involved in the incident "irrespective of their political colour", state government sources said. Five people have been arrested in connection with the clash, a police officer said. The state government has removed Barrackpore Police Commissioner Tanmay Ray Chaudhuri and appointed Manoj Kumar Verma, who was the IGP of Darjeeling. Of the 11 injured, six were police ...
Pak cautions media against speculation over exchange of congratulatory messages between Khan, Modi
Pakistan on Thursday called for resolving all outstanding differences with India, including the Kashmir issue, and moving away from the dynamic of confrontation to cooperation as it cautioned the media against speculation over the exchange of congratulatory messages between the leadership of the two countries. In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman also said that it was an established diplomatic practice for the top leadership to congratulate new office holders and for them to respond. "Pakistan's position on the way forward in Pakistan-India relations was clear and well-known and did not require repetition," he said. "The vision of peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia could be advanced by peacefully resolving all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, and moving away from the dynamic of confrontation to cooperation," he added. Earlier on Thursday, Pakistani media reports claimed New Delhi is ready for talks with Islamabad. They claimed that Prime ...
Hold foundation events for party offices on grand scale: TRS
TRS working president K T Rama Rao Thursday asked party workers to organise on a grand scale the foundation laying ceremonies for construction of party offices in 32 districts on June 24. According to TRS sources, Rao, son of TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, said the construction of party offices would be completed expeditiously as the government had already allotted land for the purpose and funds were provided by the party. The construction of party offices would be completed by October and the plan was to inaugurate them on the day of Dasara festival, TRS MLC Palla Rajeshwara Reddy told reporters Wednesday. The TRS state committee has allocated Rs 19.20 crore for construction of the party offices, he had said.
E-commerce sites selling medicines without permission: govt
Several e-commerce portals are selling medicines without permission in Maharashtra, state Food and Drug Administration Minister Jaykumar Rawal told the Legislative Council Thursday. The government is taking action against such companies, he said. Rawal was responding to a written question asked by Congress' Satej Patil and others. "E-commerce companies are offering huge discounts and selling medicines without any legal permission. Some of these companies have also set up their (brick and mortar) outlets in some areas," the minister said. The FDA has already canceled the license of Family Pharmacy which runs PharmEasy.in and Medlife International Pvt Ltd, while action has been initiated against Planet Pharma Ware House which runs the website Netmeds.com, Rawal said in his written reply.
Cong MLA remains belligerent; PCC chief says he is driven by
Unfazed by the show cause notice slapped on him for his remarks against the leadership, Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy Friday hit out at state chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy, blaming him for the party's plight in Telangana. The PCC chief, on his part, alleged the reasons for Rajagopal Reddys possible move to leave the party was not political. Rajagopal Reddy, MLA from Munugode, had recently hit out at the PCC president and AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana R C Khuntia, accusing them of failure to provide effective leadership. The Disciplinary Action Committee of state Congress issued him a show cause notice and asked him to give his reply within 10 days, failing which it would be construed that he has no explanation to offer. The MLA Thursday again hit out at Uttam Kumar Reddy for allegedly not providing effective leadership. Because of the problem in leadership, Congress in Telangana is in this state. If you dont take timely decisions... I said earlier .
PM Modi hosts dinner for all MPs in national capital
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hosted dinner for all the Members of Parliament at Ashoka Hotel in the national capital.Speaking to media persons after attending the dinner, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said: "It was a good gesture by the Prime Minister to host all the MPs. Most of us are first-timers. It was completely informal and a good gesture."The invitation was extended by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi to all members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.It was the first time, since the formation of the new government, that the Prime Minister held a dinner meeting with all the MPs.
Turkey: Court announces life imprisonment in 2016 Coup trial
A Court here on Thursday awarded life imprisonment to 128 people, including 17 top former military officials, accused of participating in Turkey's failed coup attempt three years ago aimed at ousting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.The accused included the former head of the Turkish Air Force, Akin Ozturk, who allegedly headed the "Peace at Home Council", which led the coup attempt on July 15, 2016. He was one of the 17 top former military officials who were given 141 "aggravated" life sentences, Al Jazeera reported.The verdicts involving 224 suspects took place at a court in Sincan prison in the capital, Ankara.The accused were on trial, initiated in 2017, on charges of crimes against the state, leading an armed group, attempting to assassinate Erdogan and the deaths of 249 people.Turkey has time and again blamed United States-based Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen for the attempted coup on July 15, 2016, by a faction of the military.However, Gulen has denied any role in the failed ...
UK Court declares British arms sales to Saudi Arabia 'unlawful'
The United Kingdom's Court of Appeal on Thursday declared British arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in its war against Yemen "unlawful".Thursday's decision follows a challenge by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) that accused the UK government of licensing arms sales despite a clear risk that its use could breach the international humanitarian law, Al Jazeera reported.CAAT is a UK-based organisation working to end the international arms trade.Although the decision will not halt the Saudi-led war in Yemen - in which an estimated 100,000 people have died since 2016 - but it would add enormous support to international efforts to end the conflict.Meanwhile, campaigners have hailed the ruling as "historic"."This ruling is huge," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, a research coordinator at CAAT."We can see that arms sales for use in Yemen are now being challenged internationally - in the US and Europe - but this from a court in one of Saudi Arabia's top two arms suppliers takes that to a whole ..
J-K govt gives nod to 10 pc reservation for EWS people
The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday approved the reservation (second amendment) bill incorporating 103rd amendment of the Indian constitution to provide 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in jobs and educational institutions. "The State Administrative Council (SAC) which met here under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik approved the 'Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019' for incorporating provisions for implementation of the 103rd amendment of the Indian Constitution," an official spokesperson said. The amendment will provide for 10 per cent reservation to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions and direct recruitment in civil posts and services not covered under the scheme of the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs. The Union government extended 10 per cent reservation to the persons belonging to EWS, who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs in terms of Constitution of India ..
Ahead of India visit, Pompeo makes congratulatory call to Jaishankar
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and underscored the Trump administration's strong commitment to work closely with India to advance the bilateral strategic partnership, a top official has said. Pompeo, who will be visiting India from June 25-27, spoke with Jaishankar to congratulate the External Affairs Minister on his appointment, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said. The congratulatory call from Pompeo comes nearly three weeks after Jaishankar was appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his External Affairs Minister. "Pompeo underscored the strong US commitment to working closely with the new Indian Government to advance our strategic partnership," Ortagus said in a readout of the call, which took a long time possibly the longest in at least a decade. "Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar also discussed shared US and Indian objectives in safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific, US India security ...
Iran says will take drone incident to UN to show US 'lying'
Iran said Thursday it would go to the UN to prove that a US spy drone it shot down had entered Iranian airspace, contrary to Washington's claims. "We'll take this new aggression to #UN & show that the US is lying about international waters," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, after a US general said the drone was taken down some 34 kilometres (21 miles) from the Iranian coast. "We don't seek war, but will zealously defend our skies, land & waters," Zarif said.
Paricharak allowed to enter Legislative Council
Legislator Prashant Paricharak, an independent member backed by the ruling BJP who was suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Council after his comments about Army jawans' wives led to outrage, was allowed to enter the Upper House Thursday. Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar announced the decision. "Paricharak's suspension had been already revoked on February 28, but due to Shiv Sena house leader Anil Parab's objection, I had restrained him from entering the House," he said. "I held a meeting of all party leaders in my chamber and the issue was amicably resolved. I now allow him to enter the House and he can participate in the proceedings," Nimbalkar said. Paricharak had once again tendered apology, he added. However, Congress' house leader Sharad Ranpise took objection to the decision. Addressing a rally in Solapur for local bodies elections in 2017, Paricharak said, "A soldier gets a telegram from his wife that she has delivered a baby and he distributes sweets to
Assembly clears bill on Maratha quota in PG medical courses
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Thursday unanimously cleared a bill to provide reservation to the Maratha community in post-graduate medical courses. The government had earlier promulgated an ordinance on this. The Maharashtra Legislature had on November 29 last year passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation in education and government jobs for Marathas, declared as socially and educationally backward class (SEBC) by the government. However, the admissions to post-graduate medical courses had begun on November 2. Citing this reason, students from the open category had earlier moved the Bombay High Court and the reservation was scrapped. Last month, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had said that the 16 per cent reservation for the Maratha community under the SEBC category will not be applicable for the post-graduate medical courses this year. The high court had contended that the government's decision to introduce the quota was unconstitutional. The ..