Page 1320 - Politics
EC observers hold interactions with representatives of political parties in Srinagar
The three special observers, who were appointed by the Election Commission to suggest when assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir can be held, interacted with representatives of various political parties here on Thursday. The three observers -- Noor Mohammed, Vinod Zutshi and A S Gill -- Thursday reached Srinagar for a two-day visit to assess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on real time basis to enable the poll panel take a call on holding assembly elections in the state, officials said. They also met the officials of the state government to get a briefing on the security situation for holding elections in the state. The team will hold similar interactions with representatives of political parties and officials in Jammu on Friday, the officials said. While announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, the poll panel had said that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be held simultaneously due to security concerns flagged by the Centre. Representatives of the
Late for alliance with Cong in Delhi, BJP should clear its stand on statehood: AAP
The AAP will fight the Lok Sabha polls on the issue of full statehood and it is "late now" for talks on an alliance in Delhi, a senior party leader said Thursday, a day after the Congress sought views from its workers on a possible tie-up with the ruling party here. The general election is going to start on April 11 and will continue till May 19. Polling on seven seats in Delhi will be held on May 12. The BJP had won all the parliamentary seats in the national capital in 2014. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai questioned the official stand of the BJP on the issue, saying the saffron party's leaders are giving conflicting statements on the matter as they are "rattled by the AAP's movement towards attaining full statehood" for Delhi. He made the remark referring to different media reports. Rai quoted from a media report in which Union Minister Vijay Goel has reportedly said the BJP is in favour of full statehood but it is not possible if the city has a chief minister like ...
Imran Khan says Pak will have better ties with India after polls
Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the upcoming general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, claiming that Islamabad has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. 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. Khan, who announced visa reforms at a ceremony here, said that Pakistan is confident today that it has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. "Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the end of their elections. "We will have good relations with all our neighbours and a peaceful Pakistan will be a prosperous Pakistan," he said as he announced major visa reforms, including online visa issuance facility, to attract tourists and investors. The elections in India will begin on April 11 and ...
EC should ensure level-playing field for free and fair elections: AAP candidate
The Aam Aadmi Party said on Thursday that the Election Commission should ensure a "level-playing field" for free and fair elections, after the poll panel directed removal or covering of pictures of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the words 'aam aadmi' from government websites and projects. AAP candidate from South Delhi Lok Sabha seats Raghav Chadha has written to the Chief Electoral Officer and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pictures are used under various pretexts and must be subjected to the same standards and regulations as are being imposed on Kejriwal. In his written reply to EC, Chadha said: "It is essential that if a level playing field is ensured, the directions ought to be issued across the board, to all parties. It is pertinent to point out that directions ought to be issued only in such a manner, to ensure free and fair elections." In its order, the Election Commission had directed removal or covering of pictures, especially of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and ..
Dabhol project: SC reserves order on state's stand
The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the plea seeking to fix accountability of the Maharashtra government, on account of inconsistent stand taken by it from time to time, on the scrapped Dabhol Power Project that was set up by the Enron Power Corporation.
Russian Land Forces Commander meets Gen Rawat
Russian Land Forces Commander Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich met Army Chief Bipin Rawat on Thursday and discussed ways to enhance defence ties. Colonel General Leonidovich also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial here. In his meeting with Gen Rawat, the Russian Colonel General discussed key issues to enhance bilateral defence engagement, sources said. Russia is one of India's top defence and strategic partners.
Over 1800 senior officers attend EC's Observers' meet
As a run-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls and Legislative Assembly elections of four states, the Election Commission of India on Thursday organised the first briefing for Observers to be deployed in various states across the country.Over 1800 senior officers drawn from IAS, IPS officers as also from Indian Revenue Service and few other Central Services attended the briefing. These officers are being deployed as General, Police and Expenditure Observers, read a statement.Reminding the Observers of their crucial role, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora pointed out that the officers need to be earnest and have no choice but to ensure that no mistakes are committed.Arora recalled that in the recent state elections held, it took all of miniscule percentages of instances of slippages in following the laid down protocol for EVM-VVPAT procedures or missing out of few names from the electoral roll, or delay in the counting of votes, rendering all other good work done in the ...
Opp slams BJD minister's cash reward offer for votes;
Opposition BJP and Congress Thursday slammed Odisha's Law Minister Pratap Jena for allegedly announcing cash reward for the panchayat from where the ruling BJD candidate of Salipur Assembly seat would get the maximum number of votes. An audio tape of the minister's "announcement" of Rs 35 lakh reward has gone viral on social media. Alleging that the minister has violated the model code of conduct, the BJP complained to the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and lodged an FIR against Jena. The Congress also said it would loge a complaint with the CEO against the minister. BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said the matter is under the CEO's scanner and he will make a decision in this regard. The minister was not available for comment. "Jena has violated the model code of conduct. We apprised the CEO of the matter today and demanded his prosecution under the Indian Penal Code," BJP state vice-president Samir Mohanty said. State Congress spokesman Satya P Nayak said, "Jena ...
Trump still optimistic on China trade talks
President Donald Trump expressed optimism again Thursday about reaching an agreement to resolve a trade war with China, saying talks are "moving along very well." "We are doing very well with China talks," he told reporters. "We are getting what we have to get." Despite Trump's upbeat assessment, the two sides continue to lock horns on the hugely complex dispute between the world's biggest economies. Earlier this week, Trump said there was still no plan for him to hold a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump said Wednesday he is "in no rush" for a deal but that there is "a very good chance" for one. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a congressional committee earlier Thursday that he expects the deal to be finalized soon, but cautioned that the process is complex. "We are working diligently but there are 150 pages documents that we are working on," Mnuchin said in response to a question. The accord will include "very clear enforcement provisions and we want get the ...
Cooling down process of Wing Commander Varthaman concludes
The IAF and security agencies have completed a nearly two-week-long debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who spent around 60 hours in Pakistan after being captured during a dogfight on February 27, officials said. They said the IAF pilot's medical treatment has also concluded and he will go on sick leave for at least three weeks before resuming duty. A medical board to be constituted by the IAF will review medical fitness of Varthaman to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him, they said. Varthaman underwent the debriefing sessions by the security agencies as part of a cooling down process. He was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during an aerial combat. He downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. In the national capital, the IAF pilot was first taken to ...
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit to Allahabad on Friday postponed
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's proposed visit to Uttar Pradesh on Friday to formally kick off the party's poll campaign from Allahabad has been postponed, the party's state unit chief Raj Babbar said Thursday night. "There were some problems regarding the travel plan because of which the visit has been postponed for now," he said. Babbar had this evening had said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was likely to take the river route from Allahabad to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi on Friday and offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the holy city.
Trump says second Brexit referendum should be ruled out
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a new Brexit referendum -- touted as a solution by many in Britain who believe the first attempt led to today's political chaos -- would be "unfair." "I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to people who have won" in the initial referendum to quit the European Union, he said in the White House. Trump also said he was "surprised to see how badly it has all gone" in the attempt to disentangle Britain from the EU. "I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly," he said, calling the shambolic situation a "shame.
Suspense continues over AAP's poll alliance in Punjab
The suspense over a possible alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the newly formed Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) continued on Thursday with both sides unable to reach an understanding for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.
US Senate confirms Indian American jurist as judge
The US Senate has confirmed the appointment of a controversial Indian American jurist, Neomi Rao, to an important judgeship that was vacated by an appointee to the Supreme Court.
Cong finalises seat-sharing arrangement with RJD in Bihar, to contest 11 Lok Sabha seats
The Congress has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement with the RJD in Bihar and will contest 11 out of the state's 40 parliamentary constituencies, sources said on Thursday. It was finalised after a marathon eight-hour meeting of top leaders of the two parties on Wednesday and an announcement is likely to be made in Patna on March 17, the sources said. The Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal is likely to contest around 20 seats, leaving the rest to smaller allies such as the party led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, RLSP of Upendra Kushwaha, Loktantrik Janata Dal of Arjun Rai and Sharad Yadav's party. The RJD is yet to complete its seat-sharing talks with smaller allies and the Left parties. The sources said the Congress was keen to bring the Left parties on board in the grand alliance, but the RJD is averse to it. The leaders had met at the residence of AICC general secretary K C Venugopal. The sources said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, AICC in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, state Congress chief ...
Weak Modi is scared of Xi: Rahul on Masood Azhar issue
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi after China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, alleging that the PM was "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress termed the development at the UN as a sad day in the fight against terrorism. India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The party alleged that a "weak-kneed Modi government's failed jhoola (swing)- diplomacy' has hurt India's national interests" and that the BJP had let Azhar off the hook again. It also asked Modi what was the use of his "swinging" with Xi. Gandhi attacked the prime minister and said he has not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out
CPI to contest in 55 LS seats in 24 states: Sudhakar Reddy
The CPI has decided to contest 55 seats in 24 states in the coming Lok Sabha elections, party General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said Thursday. "The CPI has decided to contest 55 seats in 24 states in the parliament elections. Selection of candidates is over in 19 constituencies. In the remaining constituencies, (electoral) agreements have not been reached," he told reporters here. The party would soon announce the candidates, he said. Reddy urged the electorate to vote for Left parties and help increase their strength in Parliament. Left parties have effectively raised voice against corruption, black money and misuse of power by the Centre in the Parliament and in favour of the poor, middle classes and others, he said. Noting that Left parties were entering into electoral understanding with parties having secular and democratic policies, Reddy said in Odisha, the CPI inked a poll pact with the Congress and decided to contest three assembly seats and one Lok Sabha ...
India, Pak hold 'cordial' meet on Kartarpur corridor, agree on early launch
India and Pakistan Thursday agreed to work towards expeditiously launching the Kartarpur corridor, a decision taken at a meeting held after the recent escalation in tensions between the two countries. The first meeting between the two sides to finalise the modalities for the proposed corridor linking Gurdaspur in Punjab with the Sikh shrine in Pakistan's Kartarpur took place in a cordial environment, a joint statement said. The two delegations met on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. India has sought visa-free access to the Kartarpur shrine, and suggested that 5,000 pilgrims be allowed to visit every day. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any additional documentation or procedures, S C L Das, joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs who headed the Indian team, told reporters. He said as a first step, the two sides agreed that the passport shall be the identification document for the pilgrims. Islamabad is expected to respond to Indian ...
Sitting MP Balabhadra Majhi resigns from Biju Janata Dal
Sitting Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Balabhadra Majhi on Thursday resigned from the party over various issues with the party leadership."I have submitted my resignation letter to party chief Naveen Patnaik. As a sitting MP, I was not called in the party meeting. I was being ignored for the past few days. People involved in the decision-making body are not informing me. I think BJD does not need me anymore. This is about my self-respect," Majhi told reporters here. When asked whether he left because the party is not giving him a ticket for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, he said, "I don't think so. Ticket distribution processes have not started yet. I don' know who will get the ticket." On joining any other political party, he said, "I have not thought about it yet. Our people will tell me what to do."Majhi fought on BJD's ticket in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and won from Nabarangpur constituency.Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases, beginning from ...
Only J-K suffers in Indo-Pak tension, says Mehbooba Mufti
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said that only Jammu and Kashmir suffers whenever there is tension between India and Pakistan.Speaking on the issue of dialogue between the two countries for Kartarpur corridor, Mehbooba said, "They are going for a talk regarding Kartarpur corridor. This is our point that only Jammu and Kashmir suffers in the tension between India and Pakistan. Rawalakot route is closed, sometimes they close Uri route."A joint statement issued after the talks between two countries on Thursday which stated that both sides held "detailed and constructive" discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the corridor.The two sides decided to hold a meeting of the technical experts on March 19, which will be followed by another round of talks on the issue on April 2."My party is in favour of assembly elections taking place as soon as possible then only the sufferings of the ...