Page 1330 - Politics
Nainital MP Koshiyari opts out of Lok Sabha electoral race
BJP veteran and Nainital MP Bhagat Singh Koshiyari Thursday said he will not contest the Lok Sabha elections this time. The former chief minister said he has informed the state party leadership of his decision and will convey it to the central leadership too, if asked. "I have decided not to contest as younger people should get an opportunity," Koshiyari told PTI. Asked if his opting out would dim the party's prospects of retaining the seat, the BJP leader said he did not think so. "There is a wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom people in the country want to be at the helm again. Any consensus candidate of the BJP fielded from the seat will win," Koshiyari said. If the veteran sticks to his decision, the BJP will have to look for a fitting substitute which might turn out to be an uphill task. Nominations for the single phase polls in the state slated for April 11 will begin on March 18, which is also the party's deadline for announcement of candidates for seats going .
India, US agree to build six nuclear power plants
The US has agreed to build six atomic power plants in India to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation and expressed its strong support to India's early membership in the NSG. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US under secretary of state for arms control and international security, on Wednesday. "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India," the joint statement said, without giving details of the sites. India and the US signed a historic agreement to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008. The deal gave a fillip to bilateral ties, which have been on an upswing since. A major aspect of the deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), that gave a special waiver to India enabling it ..
Army Chief Bipin Rawat receives PVSM from Prez Kovind
Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat was conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by President Ramnath Kovind on Thursday for distinguished services.The medal was presented to Gen. Rawat at a Defence Investiture Ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.Army's Sepoy VrahmaPal Singh and CRPF jawans Rajendra Nain and Ravindra Babban Dhanwade were decorated with the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest peacetime gallantry award, posthumously.Major Tushar Gauba of 20 Jat regiment was conferred with the Kirti Chakra for killing three terrorists in close combat along the Line of Control in Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir.Twelve officers and jawans from the Army and CRPF were also decorated with the Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award.Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were present on the occasion.
LS polls: Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna to contest from Hassan
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda on Thursday officially declared his grandson Prajwal Revanna as the party's candidate for Hassan Lok Sabha seat."With your blessings and blessings of Channakeshava God, I have chosen Prajapati Revanna from Hassan," he said in a party workers' meeting held at Mudalahippe village in Holenarsipur taluk.An emotional Gowda asserted that he is not practising nepotism."I have given priority to all. We made Lingayat leader MLC in Sakleshpur. But the allegation is that I am only providing seats to my sons and grandsons. I will work until my body has strength. I do not waste my time," he added.The name of Prajwal Revanna, son of State Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna, was doing rounds for the candidature. Though Gowda himself hinted at fielding his grandson for the polls several times, this is the first time a formal announcement has been made.Karnataka, with 28 Lok Sabha seats will go for polls in two phases. While 14 seats will go to the ..
India, US agree to build six nuclear power plants
Giving a boost to bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, India and the United States on Wednesday agreed to establish six American nuclear power plants in India.The agreement came after the ninth round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, which was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson."They committed to strengthening bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.In 2008, India and the US signed an agreement to cooperate in the civil nuclear energy sector in order to bolster bilateral cooperation.The US also reaffirmed its strong support of India's early membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).China has blocked India's membership of the 48-member grouping that seeks to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of
US will not compromise: Antonov on INF treaty
The United States is not likely to compromise on the troubled Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty, said Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov on Wednesday."All decisions on the treaty were made before withdrawal was even announced. Many US admirals came forward with statements that these types of missiles are necessary to deter China. Then some story was created that we allegedly have a type of missile that goes beyond the INF Treaty. It seems to me that Americans will not compromise on this issue", TASS quoted Antonov as saying.Russia and US relations are strained since last October when US President Donald Trump alleged Moscow of not complying to the INF treaty and threatened to withdraw from the treaty.Following this, the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo issued a 60-day ultimatum to Russia for their compliance to the treaty, failing which the USA would withdraw from the treaty on February 2. After the INF treaty, Russia in a counterstroke targeted the New ..
YSRCP chief Jagan to seek father's blessings before embarking on battle of ballots
YSR Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will embark on his campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh by paying tributes to his father Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, iconic Telugu leader, on March 16 at his memorial in Idupulapaya.He will also start his 'Bus Yatra' from Idupulapaya on the day for the state, which is going to witness a multi-cornered contest in the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with major players being Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Congress, and BJP, apart from YSRCP.On Sunday, Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for 17th Lok Sabha election which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11. The final phase of voting will take place on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.According to party leaders, Reddy is planning to address public meetings in three Assembly constituencies a day till March 24, which will go up to four thereafter. In Andhra Pradesh, 25 Lok Sabha seats are at ...
Congress media head tweets meme calling Modi supporters "stupid"
Congress social media and communications head Divya Spandana tweeted a meme early today that could further aggravate the war of words between the Congress and the BJP.Spandana, considered a close aide to Congress President Rahul Gandhi, tweeted a meme calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's supporters "stupid".Spandana put out a tweet with the Prime Minister's picture with overlaid text that read, " Did you know? 1 out of 3 Modi supporters are just as stupid as the other two." She captioned the image as, "My favourite! Aren't they adorable?"In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi led BJP secured close to 32% of the total vote share, who according to this latest meme endorsed by the Congress social media in charge would be considered "stupid".Responses to Spandana's late night tweet were critical in tone. One read, "Did you know, That one of these two is as much of a failure in ACTING as she is in heading an IT cell?"Another twitter handle replied in a similar taste with a ...
Trinamool's Arjun Singh to join BJP
Trinamool Congress strongman and Bhatpara MLA Arjun Singh is all set to join the BJP here in the presence of senior party leaders, party sources said on Thursday.
Failure to designate JeM chief 'runs counter' to goal of regional stability, peace: US
The United States has said that the failure to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist "runs counter" to Washington and China's goal of regional stability and peace. "As UN Sanctions Committee deliberations are confidential, we don't comment on specific matters, but we will continue working with the Sanctions Committee to ensure that the designations list is updated and accurate," said a US Embassy spokesperson here on Thursday."With respect to China, the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and a failure to designate Azhar runs counter to this goal," the spokesperson further said.US' observation comes close on the heels of China, in the United Nations Security Council, blocking the proposal of the United States, France, and the UK to put dreaded terrorist Masood Azhar on the UN terror blacklist. JeM, a Pakistan-based terror outfit headed by Azhar, has carried out many deadly terror attacks in ...
India-Pakistan Kartarpur meet underway
Exactly a month after the Pulwama terror attack killed 40 CRPF troopers, Indian and Pakistani officials met for the first time at Attari border near Amritsar on Thursday to finalise modalities of the corridor to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara.
Pak delegation leaves for India to discuss Kartarpur draft agreement
A Pakistani delegation Thursday left for India to discuss a draft agreement on the proposed Kartarpur Corridor that will facilitate the visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. India and Pakistan last year agreed to open a special border crossing linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan since the Pulwama terrorist attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed on February 14. This would be their first meeting to finalise the modalities of the proposed cross-border Kartarpur Corridor. The meeting will take place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. An Indian delegation would visit to Islamabad on March 28 for the follow up meeting. The Pakistani delegation is being led by Director General South Asia and SAARC, Muhammad Faisal, who is also .
The Mahakumbh of e-Vehicle will take place from 22 to 24 March in Delhi
In order to promote e-Vehicle transportation and better battery technology in India, M7 Creation is organising second bi-tech expo India and e-wheel show India on 22, 23 and 24 March at NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla, New Delhi. This expo is supported by the manufacturers of Electric Wheels Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles."The electric vehicles will be cheaper from 20,000 to 2.5 lakhs from April 1 of the next month. The Central Government has given a go-ahead to the proposal of the Commission to give a discount to the customers to increase their sales. This will help in relieving the dependence of the country on the imported fuel and reducing pollution", said Anupreeet Singh Jaggi, Expo's Organizer."Between this announcement of the government, this will be special for the lover of second e-wheel show and TV show Expo India, which will be held from March 22 to 24 in Delhi, where they will be known by many renowned companies, Tata, Mahindra, Kinetic, Okaya, Ashok Leyland, .
Jana Sena announces first list of candidates
Actor Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena, which is making its debut in electoral politics of Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday announced its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
India, US seek tangible and irreversible action by Pakistan against terrorists
The US and India have asked Pakistan to take "tangible and irreversible action" against terrorist groups on its soil and deny safe haven to them to launch cross-border attacks, as Washington reiterated its firm support to New Delhi in the fight against terrorism. The US' support to India was expressed by America's National Security Advisor John Bolton during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Wednesday. "Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the US-India strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the US stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism," Bolton said in a tweet. Post the February 14 Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) that left 40 CRPF personnel dead, Bolton and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have emerged as strong supporters of the India-US relationship. "Both (Gokhale and Bolton) underlined the importance of Pakistan taking tangible and ...
AAP to contest all 3 Assembly bypolls in Goa
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday said it will contest bypolls to all the three Goa Assembly seats scheduled next month. AAP Goa general secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar told PTI that the party was in the process of shortlisting its candidates for Shiroda, Mandrem and Maspusa seats, where by-elections will be held along with the Lok Sabha polls in the state on April 23. The bypolls to Shiroda and Mandrem were necessitated after the sitting Congress MLAs resigned from the Assembly and party and joined the BJP. The Mapusa seat fell vacant due to the death of sitting BJP MLA Francis D'Souza. Padgaonkar claimed his party will win all the three seats as it has a strong base there. He said his party does not approve of the trend of MLAs resigning mid-way of their terms and forcing bypolls as it puts a stress on the state's finances. "But since the seats are vacant and the party has its base there, we have decided to contest and win to put a full stop to this trend of resigning
Want change, cast vote: Vidya Balan
Award winning actress Vidya Balan has urged citizens for maximum participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted 29 times in an hour to celebrities across genres to mobilise voters.
Rahul Gandhi promises separate ministry for fishermen if Cong voted to power
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Thursday vowed to set up a separate ministry for fishermen if the Congress is voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections, saying unlike Prime Minister Narendra Modi he did not make "fake promises". He was addressing the National Fishermen Parliament organised by All India Fishermen Congress in Thriprayar near here. "My commitment to you is that the moment we win the 2019 elections, all the fishermen of the country will get their own dedicated ministry in Delhi," Gandhi said. Assuring the fishermen that he would fulfil the promise if the Congress wins, the Congress chief said, "I am not like Narendra Modi. I don't make fake promises." "Please look at my speeches. When I say something, I only say it because I have decided to do it," he said.
Kartarpur corridor talks begin at Attari
Exactly a month after the Pulwama terror attack killed 40 CRPF troopers, Indian and Pakistani officials met on Thursday here, near Amritsar, to finalise modalities of the corridor to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara.
UNSC members may be forced to pursue other actions: diplomats on China blocking Azhar listing
Responsible member-states of the Security Council may be forced to pursue 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. They spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling 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 in the past blocked India's bids to get Azhar listed as a UN-designated global terrorist thrice. 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 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to ...