Page 1314 - Politics
Vadakkan not a big leader, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday made light of family loyalist Tom Vadakkan's decision to join the BJP. Gandhi said Vadaakkan was not a big leader. "Vadakkan? Vadakkan is not a big leader," Gandhi told reporters at Raipur airport before leaving for Odisha tour. In a huge embarrassment to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, its spokesperson Tom Vadakkan, once a key aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, joined the BJP Thursday and attacked his former party for its stand on Balakot air strikes. Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment, farmers distressand alleged corruption in the Rafale deal with France. "There are three issues in the country. The biggest issue is of unemployment. Narendra Modi has failed (to create employment opportunities). The other issue is of corruption. You must have heard about Rafale. PM has put Rs 30,000 crore in the pocket of businessman Anil Ambani," he said. The third issue is of farmers. We (Congress) ...
BJP-RSS cannot tolerate criticism, no regard for democracy: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said the BJP and its ideologue RSS cannot tolerate their criticism and have no regard for democratic system. Mahatma Gandhi had said that opposition's views should be respected in a democracy, but neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor former chief minister Vasundhara Raje can tolerate their criticism, the senior Congress leader said. "People in the BJP and RSS are not able to tolerate their criticism. Mahatma Gandhi had said views of opposition should be respected in democracy, but neither Prime Minister (Modi) nor former state chief minister (Raje) can tolerate their criticism as they do not believe in democratic system," Gehlot said at a public meeting in Sri Dungargarh. He said the saffron brigade was doing politics with the "mask of democracy". The chief minister alleged that the BJP recalled the issue of Ram Temple when elections were near. Targeting the central government over its 2014 election promises, the senior Congress ...
Another RLSP leader quits, trains guns at Upendra Kushwaha
In a setback to the RLSP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, one of its founding members quit the outfit Friday accusing its national president Upendra Kushwaha of having "betrayed" the people of Bihar by walking out of the BJP-led NDA and joining the opposition Grand Alliance. Ram Bihari Singh, who held the designation of "Pradhan Rashtriya Maha Sachiv" (chief national general secretary) in the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, also rued that he was "nowhere now" despite being "the one who wrote the partys constitution and moved the Election Commission for getting the party recognised". "I was among the few who had supported Kushwaha when he chose to part ways with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U). But today he has become the all in all and pays lip-service to his commitment to inner party democracy. I had also opposed his decision to quit the NDA and join the Mahagathbandhan but he listened to no one and took the decision arbitrarily, in effect betraying the people who ...
HIGHLIGHTS NORTH 5.10 PM
These are the top stories from the northern region at 5.10 pm LUCKNOW DEL15 UP-PRIYANKA-GANGA Lucknow: After making a political buzz through a successful roadshow in the state capital last month, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appears all set to explore a new means of reaching out to the electorate -- the river route. LUCKNOW DES3 UP-POL-COPS Lucknow: Police personnel in Uttar Pradesh have been directed to exercise restraint while posting on social media and avoid any "politically coloured" remarks that may call into question their impartiality in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. LUCKNOW DEL13 UP-SP-LIST Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party on Friday fielded sitting MP Tabassum Hasan from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh as it announced its fourth list of candidates for the general election. JAIPUR DES14 RJ-GEHLOT SON Jaipur: With the Congress about to announce its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, speculation about electoral debut of Rajasthan Chief Minister ..
SP announces 1st candidate for Madhya Pradesh
The Samajwadi Party on Friday announced its first candidate in Madhya Pradesh as part of its alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest unitedly in that state. "The SP has announced Ratiram Bansal as its candidate on Tikamgarh Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh," party chief spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhury said. The SP and the BSP alliance had last month announced a electoral pact to fight Lok Sabha election in MP and Uttarakhand besides Uttar Pradesh. The SP will contest on three seats -- Balaghat, Tikammgarh and Khajuraho - while the BSP will field candidates on the remaining 26 seats in Madhya Pradesh. Of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP, the SP and the BSP will contest 37 and 38 seats respectively, leaving three for the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal and two for Congress' Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli) and Rahul Gandhi (Amethi). The parties will hold a series of joint rallies, with the first scheduled to be held on April 7 in Uttar Pradesh's Deoband town, where SP president ..
Priyanka to sail on Ganga to feel pulse of people along riverbank
After making a political buzz through a successful roadshow in the state capital last month, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appears all set to explore a new means of reaching out to the electorate -- the river route. "It would be the first time that any leader of this stature will be reaching out to the electorate using the river route in a motorboat, getting first-hand account of the people residing in these remote riverine areas," Congress spokesman Dwijendra Tripathi told PTI. Priyanka is all set to formally kick off campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls from the political hotbed of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj and Varanasi, using the river route this Monday. This will provide her an opportunity to interact the commoners and know their problems, the biggest of which is caused by recurring floods in these areas as well as the reality of Ganga cleaning, which was first launched by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Dwijendra Tripathi said. Another Congress ...
BJD MLA resigns from party
Ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA Sukanta Kumar Nayak Friday resigned from the party alleging "neglect and mental torture", a day after Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi had quit the BJD. Nayak, the MLA from Nilgiri sent his resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and alleged that he was "neglected and subjected to mental torture" by the party's Balasore district unit. He said that the "conspiracy" hatched against him by the partys Balasore district president has forced him to resign from BJD. Majhi in his resignation letter to Patnaik had also made similar allegation of neglect while resigning from the primary membership of the BJD. Nayak was elected to the Assembly from Nilgiri seat of Balasore district in 2014. He was not invited to attend the joining programme of Sushama Biswal, a BJP leader from Nilgiri. Nayak in the last election had defeated Biswal by a margin of over 13,000 votes. Like Majhi, Nayak had resigned from government job and ...
Former Goa CM Parsekar says won't quit BJP
Senior Goa BJP leader Laxmikant Parsekar, who had been miffed with the party for some time now, Friday said he would not leave it nor fight as an Independent candidate in the Mandrem Assembly bypoll. Parsekar (62), a former chief minister who lost from Mandrem to Dayanand Sopte, then with the Congress, in the 2017 Assembly polls was upset after the latter joined the BJP. The former CM had earlier accused BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar of not taking him into confidence while inducting Sopte. The Mandrem bypoll will be held on April 23 and Sopte is almost certain to be fielded from there by the BJP. "I have decided not to quit the BJP as I have been part of it for last 30 years. I will not quit the party just because some leaders are taking anti-party decisions without taking others into confidence," Parsekar told PTI. He maintained that BJP workers in Mandrem were "disturbed" and "angry" after Sopte's induction. Sidestepping a query on whether he would support Sopte
In Odisha, Rahul attacks CM Patnaik, PM Modi over soaring unemployment
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'failing' to provide jobs for the youth in the state."What has Naveen Patnaik done for the unemployed youth of Odisha? Is there anyone here who can say Naveen Patnaik or Narendra Modi gave them employment? But Modi ji indulged in corruption and gave Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani," he said while addressing a gathering here.Continuing his tirade against the Prime Minister, Rahul said that Prime Minister Modi talks about farmers in every meeting but does not waive off farm loans. He only waives off loans of rich businessmen, the Gandhi scion alleged.Rahul asserted that his party not only makes promises but also keeps them, with regards to loan waivers implemented in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh a few hours after forming the government in these states."We waived off loans in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. We will do the same in Odisha. We promised farm loan ...
BJP's tele-warriors for Lok Sabha elections
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.
Odisha has become centre of unemployment: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Odisha has become the centre of unemployment while attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for failing to provide jobs to youth in the state.
Speculation in R'than over Cong ticket for Gehlot's son
With the Congress about to announce its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, speculation about electoral debut of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot is gaining ground. Vaibhav Gehlot, currently a state unit general secretary, is likely to be fielded from his home turf Jodhpur or Jalore-Sirohi Lok Sabha constituency as the respective district Congress committees have received proposals supporting his candidature, party insiders said. Another favourable seat could be the Tonk-Swai Madhopur parliamentary constituency from where Vaibhav Gehlot's name was floated during the 2009 Lok Sabha election. If Ashok Gehlot's statement made at a recent public meeting in Sirohi is anything to go by, Vaibhav can be fielded from Jalore-Sirohi seat. During his visit to Sirohi, the chief minister had said, "I know that Vaibhav's name is doing the rounds. It was my wish five years ago that he contests from Jalore-Sirohi. But he could not get a ticket due to ...
Pawar's grand nephew to contest LS polls
Ending all speculations, the Nationalist Congress Party on Friday named Parth Ajit Pawar - grand-nephew of party supremo Sharad Pawar - as it's candidate from Maval Lok Sabha constituency.
AGP, BJP won't speak on Citizenship Bill during campaigning: NEDA convenor
The AGP, which returned to the NDA fold on Wednesday, and the BJP will not speak on the contentious Citizenship Bill while campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Assam, NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday. The two parties had decided to resume the talks on the bill after the election, he added. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which had walked out of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) remonstrating against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill brought by the Centre two months ago, returned to the grouping on Wednesday. "During the campaign, we will not say anything about our differences (on the bill), but project our unity to the people," Sarma said. Both the parties would sit together after the polls to find out a solution through "consultation and consensus", the senior BJP leader added. The NEDA convenor was addressing a joint press conference with Assam BJP chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass and AGP president Atul Bora here. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, passed by ..
Dy election commissioner to visit Tripura Sunday
Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain would visit Tripura on Sunday to review poll-preparedness, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said Friday. Jain would hold meetings with officials of the state election department and top police officers. "If time permits, he would also meet representatives of political parties," Taranikanti told PTI. Asked about the requirement of central forces for the election, the CEO said, "We are not divulging now our demand for central security forces and how much we are getting from the Centre. May be we would be able to let you know it after a few days." He said adequate number of forces would be deployed in the state and some of them are scheduled to arrive here Friday. Elections for the two Lok Sabha seats of Tripura would be held on April 11 and 18.
Gaza rockets target Israel for 1st time since 2014
Militants in Gaza fired two rockets towards Tel Aviv, the first such attack since the war between Israel and Hamas in 2014, the media reported on Friday.
Rahul must contest from Karnataka: Congress leader
Karnataka Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday urged party President Rahul Gandhi to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the southern state.
Hdng: Mystique behind multi-phase polls (Part-III)
The 2014 general election, of course, remains seminal for it belonged to one man only - Narendra Modi - as the Hindu vote aggregated behind him in an unprecedented manner, cutting across all caste arithmetic. Then there are Bihar 2015 and West Bengal 2016 elections. But before that, take a look at modern communication tools, which did not exist earlier, the widespread usage and prevalence of social media like WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube in political electioneering. This is constant and continuous with political parties like the BJP mastering the art of feeding the electorate.
Europeans urge Russia to return to arms-control treaty
A group of European nations is urging Russia not to abandon a nuclear weapons treaty with the United States. Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands are also calling for new arms control agreements to address the rising power of China and other nations. The US gave notice of its intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty a month ago, citing Russian violations. The European countries opened an arms control conference in Berlin on Friday urging Moscow "to return to complete and verifiable compliance" to save the treaty. But German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says it's also time for broader treaties, as nuclear weapons proliferate to countries such as China, North Korea, India and Pakistan. He says treaties also need to address new technologies, such as drones and cyberattacks.
Debutant voters give poll wish list -- farmers, women, jobs, freedom of expression
Young and restless, anxious and ambitious, first time voters in urban India are going into this election with a clear vision for the country's future and say they expect political leaders to focus on "real issues" such as jobs, women's safety and farmer distress. They may be disparate in their life goals and choices of career but are one in reflecting the angst of the young and their hopes for a better tomorrow, many of them saying the country's resources and energies must not be spent on things like monuments and statues. At the cusp of their careers, many youth, from Haryana to Karnataka, also express their apprehensions about expressing themselves freely in public or on social media and want future lawmakers to change the narrative. According to the Election Commission, 1.5 crore "young voters" in the 18-19 age group will exercise their franchise for the first time in the upcoming elections being held from April 11 to May 19. One debutant voter is 20-year-old Kanika, an English ...