Page 1329 - Politics
Radical Maoist party workers hold protest against govt's ban; torch bus in Nepal
A passenger bus carrying a wedding procession was torched by the workers of a radical Maoist party in Western Nepal protesting against the government's move to ban their party. The cadres of CPN-Maoist led by Netra Bikram Chand, a faction of the previous Maoist party, torched the bus after the passengers were taken out of the vehicle in Badaipur of Kailali district, police said. The bus was completely damaged in the incident. Three persons were taken into police custody while they were trying to stop vehicles. Major cities of Nepal were partially affected as the CPN-Maoist enforced a nation-wide strike after the government decided to put a ban on the party. The Nepal Communist Party was formed after the then Maoist Party broke-off into groups. The government after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday banned the radical Maoist party after it carried out a series of bomb attacks in the capital Kathmandu. The government said that the Chand-led group was engaged in criminal activities by ...
NC team not to meet EC observers in Srinagar
The National Conference said on Thursday that it will not send any delegation to meet the Election Commission observers in Srinagar as the party's demand for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections remained unchanged.
Mamata pays tribute to those killed in Nandigram police firing
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday paid rich tributes to those killed in police firing on this day in 2007 at Nandigram during an anti-land acquisition movement that catapulted the firebrand Trinamool Congress supremo to power in West Bengal. Fourteen persons were killed in police firing on a demonstration against land acquisition on March 14, leading to a nationwide outrage and the Calcutta High Court 'suo motu' ordering a CBI investigation into the incident. Offering her "Heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives," she said in a social media message, adding that "Farmers are our pride and our government is working for their all-round development." "On this day, in 2007, innocent villagers were killed in firing at Nandigram. Many bodies could not be found. It was a dark chapter in the history of the State," she said in a tweet message. "In memory of those who lost their lives in Nandigram, we observe March 14 as Krishak Dibas (Farmers Day) ...
Senate votes to end US support of war in Yemen
The US Republican-led Senate has voted to end Washington's support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen in a rebuke to President Donald Trump's continued backing of the Kingdom monarchy despite growing frustration among lawmakers with its actions on the world stage.
Cong leader Tom Vadakkan joins BJP
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. Vadakkan, who joined the saffron party in the presence of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and later met its president Amit Shah, said, "I am deeply hurt and that is why I am here." Asserting that the Congress questioned the integrity of armed forces, he said, "The attack by Pakistan on our land and the reaction from my party was sad indeed." "I left the party with heavy heart. If a party is working against national interest, there there is no other option but to leave it," he told reporters. In an apparent attack on party chief Rahul Gandhi's leadership of the Congress, he said he gave the party two years of his life but it has now resorted to a practise of "use and throw". Dynastic politics has reached its zenith in the Congress, he said, ...
China defends blocking Azhar terror listing, says it will help in finding lasting solution
China on Thursday sought to defend its fourth technical hold at the UN Security Council to block the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying it would help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. 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 Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. Just before the deadline ended, China put a "technical hold" on the proposal seeking "more time to examine" it. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. Asked why China once again resorted to block the move,
Let a new, better leadership take over: Shatrughan Sinha to PM Modi
With his exit from the BJP appearing imminent, disgruntled leader Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday launched a stinging attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it was high time that "a new, better leadership" took over. The Patna Sahib MP, who is expected to announce his next political destination, predictably in the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' next week, came out with a flurry of tweets flaying Modi for not having held a single press conference in his five-year-long tenure and urged him to "come out with all your black, white and grey shades". "Now that dates have been announced, Sir, ab toh kum se kum ek press conference kar dijiye. A free and fair session, not choreographed, researched or rehearsed and without the press known for Raag Darbari and Sarkari mindset. You shall go down in history as the only PM in a democratic world who has not had a single Q and A session during his tenure," Sinha tweeted. "Dont you think it is high time and the right time, before the government ...
UPA govt did not take steps that had to be taken after 26/11 terror strike: Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday claimed the UPA government did not take the steps it should have after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and there would have been more deterrence against such terror strikes had it been proactive. Addressing the Delhi BJP workers, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been talking about a zero tolerance policy against terrorism. "Whatever had to be done after 26/11 Mumbai attacks was not done by the previous government. Had it been more proactive, there would have been more deterrence," Sitharaman said. In case of the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF men were killed, she said the government waited for 10-12 days and after getting intelligence inputs that suicide bombers were again going to launch attacks, the air force struck their camps in Pakistan, she said.
MNM invites applications from aspirants to contest Assembly
Actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) Thursday invited applications from aspiring candidates for the bypolls to 18 vacant Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, days after the party chief had said the party was ready to face the elections. The April 18 by-polls are considered crucial as it would have a bearing on the stability of the K Palaniswami-led AIADMK government which needs to win a sizeable number of them to retain its majority in the 234-member House. Haasan had on Sunday said MNM would contest the bypolls. On Thursday, the party said the application forms for the bypolls will be available from today and invited both members and non-members to receive them. The forms can also be downloaded from the party website, a release from MNM said. The completed forms have to be submitted along with a Demand Draft of Rs 10,000 and the necessary documents on or before March 16, it said. The fledgling MNM was launched by actor-politician Kamal Haasan in February 2018 and he .
Bihar's NDA taunts Grand Alliance over seat sharing
A day after the opposition Grand Alliance failed to reach an accord on seat sharing at a meeting in Delhi, Bihar's ruling NDA on Thursday taunted it, saying those who can't decide also cannot challenge.
Sonia aide Tom Vadakkan joins BJP
Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan, who was considered close to party leader Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Why is Rahul in celebratory mood when India is in pain: BJP
The BJP Thursday hit back at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, asking why he is in a celebratory mood whenever India is in pain, hours after he attacked the government over China blocking a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Earlier, Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said,"Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when country stands failed by this attitude of China?" "Your tweet would be shown in the office of Jaish-e- Muhammad with much merry...I ask with great pain today that what is the Congress's commitment today to fight against terror," he said addressing a press conference. He said Gandhi's tweet must be headline news in Pakistan. "You feel very happy seeing your news in Pakistan," Prasad claimed. He said that if Gandhi has such good relations with China, why doesn't India benefit because of it. "As per your utterances, you enjoy a close ...
Vikhe Patil hits out at Pawar over remark on late father
Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil Thursday said NCP chief Sharad Pawar's comments on his late father were "unwarranted". Addressing a press conference here, Vikhe-Patil also described as personal the decision of his son Sujay to join the BJP. The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly said that since Pawar despised his family so much, he would not campaign for the NCP candidate from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat. The Congress and NCP have reached a pre-poll alliance for the next month's Lok Sabha polls. Pawar recently alluded to how he ensured the defeat of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (in an election in early 1990s) and that he also remembered the lawsuit the late Congress leader filed against him. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is son of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, a former Union minister. "Sharad Pawar's comment against my father was unwarranted and uncalled for. If Pawar despises my family so much, I would rather not campaign for the NCP candidate from
Texas ex-Congressman to run for US President
Former Texas Congressman Robert "Beto" O'Rourke has said that he is joining the race to take on Republican President Donald Trump in 2020.
National Conference says no to meeting with EC team
The National Conference (NC) has decided not to meet the Election Commission (EC) delegation arriving in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, saying the party has nothing more to add to its demand of having simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state. Three special observers appointed by the EC will be in Srinagar on Thursday to assess the ground situation for holding assembly elections. They will interact with the representatives of political parties and district election officers during their two-day visit to the state. "In view of the EC visit to Srinagar today, the National Conference has decided not to meet the EC delegation," a party spokesman said here. He said the NC has already made its position clear on Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state. "Our demand of having simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state at our earlier meetings with the EC team remains as it is. We have, therefore, nothing more to add," the spokesman said.
TMC sitting MLA Arjun Singh joins BJP
In a jolt to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the ensuing General Elections, Arjun Singh, a sitting MLA of TMC, on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here.Singh represents North 24 Pargana's Bhatpara constituency.He was unhappy with the party decision of providing Lok Sabha ticket to Dinesh Trivedi from Barrackpore as he himself wanted to fight from there.On Tuesday, former TMC MP Anupam Hazra also joined the BJP in the presence of party leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mukul Roy.Congress MLA Dulal Chandra Bar and CPM MLA Khagen Murmu have also joined the BJP.
Rahul promises exclusive Ministry for Fisheries
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday assured the fishermen community that a Congress-led government will form a special Ministry for fisheries.
US to test banned missiles
The US military is readying to test missiles banned by a Cold War-era arms control pact with Moscow that is set to end formally this year after President Donald Trump withdrew from it over Russian violations.
Chopper service in tribal areas in HP could become poll issue
The airlifting of people from snow-bound tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh could become an poll issue as the Congress has written to the state chief electoral officer, alleging that BJP leaders were interfering in the process to influence voters. The BJP termed the allegation baseless, saying it was levelled by the Congress out of frustration on foreseeing its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress alleged that people close to local BJP leaders were being airlifted on a priority basis as they were using their influence with the administration and police to benefit in the elections. In a fax to the Himachal CEO Wednesday, state Congress general secretary Ravi Thakur requested the (EC) to monitor the chopper services being run by the state for airlifting patients, students and other emergency passengers from snowbound tribal areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts. The former Lahaul-Spiti MLA alleged that the BJP leaders are interfering through administration and ...
UNSC members may be forced to take "other actions" on Azhar listing: diplomats warn China
Responsible member-states of the Security Council may be forced to take "other actions" if China continues to block moves to designate Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, diplomats at the UN's principal organ have warned. The senior diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the frustration of the other members of the Security Council after China on Wednesday put a technical hold on the proposal to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. China has blocked four bids in 10 years to get Azhar, a blue-eyed boy of Pakistan's spy agency ISI, listed as a UN-designated global terrorist. Azhar masterminded many audacious attacks on India, including the 2001 Parliament strike and the recent Pulwama carnage in February that pushed both India and Pakistan to the brink of war. 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 ...