Page 1347 - Politics
Mamata releases TMC list for all 42 WB seats; alleges attempt
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday announced a list of TMC candidates for all the 42 Lok Sabha seats of the state, dropping 10 sitting MPs. She also attacked the BJP and the Modi government, claiming she had information that "VVIPs" were using helicopters and chartered flights to transport money to bribe voters. Releasing the list, the West Bengal leader assailed the Centre over a host of issues including the Rafale deal, farm distress and shrinking employment opportunities. Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, said the outgoing TMC lawmakers whose names do not figure in the list will be drafted for party work. She said 41 per cent of the nominees in the list are women. The TMC, she said, will also contest some seats in Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and the Andamans.
'BSP to campaign old-fashioned way'
The Bhaujan Samaj Party is sticking to old-fashioned electioneering, shunning fancy raths and holograms, and keeping public relations companies that offer such high-tech options at bay, a party leader said. Instead, the party will bank on public meetings by supremo Mayawati and booth-level campaigning by its workers. In a seat-sharing pact with the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh, the party will contest from 38 constituencies in the state in the coming Lok Sabha elections. A party leader said some public relations agencies had approached the BSP office here, hoping to make presentations before Mayawati. But they were told no' as the party believes in the traditional mode of campaigning," the senior BSP leader said. Mayawati launched her Twitter account only on February 6. Party leaders also said instructions have been issued on the layout of election hoardings and banners. The candidate's photo should not be bigger than those of the party founder Kanshi Ram .
LS polls: Maha DGP reviews security in Vidarbha
Maharashtra DGP Subodh Kumar Jaiswal Tuesday took stock of security preparedness in Vidarbha region in view of upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The top cop also said police are well-prepared to handle any security threat arising out in the form of IEDs or likewise. Jaiswal Tuesday presided over a meeting with unit incharges of commissionarates of Nagpur, Amravati and Gadchiroli ranges, all in east Maharashtra, to discuss steps as per the directives of the Election Commission. All 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will vote in four phases, beginning from Vidarbha region on April 11. Addressing reporters here, the DGP said police will ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. Responding to a query on police's preparedness to handle any threat against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack, Jaiswal said the state had witnessed incidents like the Mumbai terror strike and bomb blasts in the past. "Police's capability is increased considerably. Our ...
PM 'cynically exploiting' national security issue to divert attention from 'colossal failures': Cong
The Congress Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "cynically exploiting" the issue of national security to divert attention from his "colossal failures" and "persistent falsehoods" and asserted it won't allow him to befool the people again. Seeking to send out a strong message to the people from Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat, the Congress said it will appeal with humility a mandate for change in the Lok Sabha elections for providing better governance and repair the damage caused to the economy and the country by the BJP government. The strong attack on the prime minister came in the resolution adopted by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, which was chaired by party president Rahul Gandhi and attended by all senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad besides Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Congress also urged all democratic and progressive forces to unite and pool their energies ..
DMK moves SC for holding by-polls to three vacant assembly seats in Tamil Nadu
The Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear DMK's plea seeking a direction to the Election Commission to issue a notification for by-elections to three vacant assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khana said it will hear the petition on March 15. The party has sought the direction to the poll panel to notify by-polls for the Tiruparankundram, Ottapidaram and Aravakurichi assembly constituencies. Senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi, appearing for the DMK, said the Election Commission has notified by-polls for 18 of the 21 vacant seats, which are to be held on April 18 along with the Lok Sabha polls, in the state. He said a notification should also issued for by-polls to the remaining three seats in Tamil Nadu. The party has also made a representation to the poll panel for holding by-polls to the three seats. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo had on Sunday said by-polls are not scheduled for the ...
UK police: Irish dissidents make claim in letter bomb case
British police say they are "aware" of a claim of responsibility by Irish dissidents with regard to the sending of letter bombs last week. The Metropolitan Police said Tuesday that a media outlet in Northern Ireland received a claim of responsibility Monday using a recognised code word. The group making the claim said five devices were sent, but police have so far only found four. "The claim was allegedly made on behalf of the 'IRA,'" police said, referring to the Irish Republican Army. The IRA has been in a cease-fire for years but dissident groups are still active. Police say they were already investigating possible dissident links to the packages, which did not cause any injuries. The statement says counter-terrorism police are keeping an "open mind.
LS polls code: Hoardings carrying pictures of party leaders, govt schemes being removed
Public hoardings carrying images of party leaders, government schemes or any political references are being removed or covered up in the city in accordance with the model code of conduct for the general elections, officials said Tuesday. Pictures of political leaders have been ordered to be removed even from websites, they said. "All public hoardings carrying images of party leaders, government schemes or any political references have been ordered to be removed or covered up in accordance with the model code of conduct," Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh said. Another senior official said use of any imagery of armed forces or invoking references to air strike on posters, hoardings or any other publicity platform "would amount to violation of the poll code of conduct". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's pictures on Mohalla Clinics establishments or on hoardings put up for the fourth anniversary of the AAP government are also being removed or covered in keeping with the ..
TDP racing against time to finalise candidates' list
The ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh is racing against time to finalise its candidates for the April 11 state assembly and Lok Sabha elections with less than a week left for the commencement of nomination process. According to party sources, TDP has finalised its candidates for at least 125 out of 175 assembly seats, including Pedakurapadu for Naidu's son Lokesh, but a formal announcement was yet to be made. Chief Minister and party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu held several rounds of talks over the past few days with sitting MPs and MLAs besides other leaders to give shape to the candidates list. However, the process is said to have been hampered by various factors such as rebellion against many candidates, including some ministers. The TDP is also facing trouble selecting suitable candidates for many of the 25 Lok Sabha seats as two sitting members deserted the party while some others have declined to contest again. Pandula Ravindra Babu, who represented ...
Rahul attacks Modi on home turf with GST, Masood Azhar swipes
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 2014 promise of "depositing" Rs 15 lakh in the account of every citizen. He was speaking at a rally in Adalaj village of Gandhinagar district, held after the Congress Working Committee meeting. Gandhi also played to the gallery in the business- driven state by claiming that "Gabbar Singh Tax", his oft- repeated jibe for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was beyond the understanding of traders. "Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) can't be understood by our traders even today (after its was implemented nationwide last year)," he said. "Did people get Rs 15 lakh into their bank accounts as promised by Narendra Modi?" he asked at the well-attended rally. Turning his attention on the Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent air strike by India and the aerial engagement with Pakistan Air Force the next day, Gandhi said it was National Security Adviser Ajit Doval who has sent Jaish-e- Mohammed chief Massod .
Priyanka addresses 1st rally after getting key post; takes on PM in his home state of Gujarat
Nearly two months after she was given a key party post, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Tuesday launched her first political rally taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his home state of Gujarat over "unfulfilled" promises and also alleged that hatred was being spread under his rule. With her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi by her side, Priyanka said she was "saddened" by what was happening in the country and asked where were the promised jobs. Priyanka officially joined Congress and was made AICC incharge of Uttar Pradesh(east) on January 23. With Lok Sabha elections round the corner, Priyanka asked people to be vigilant, treat their vote as a "weapon", raise the right issues and take wise decisions. "Our institutions are being destroyed. Wherever you see, hatred is being spread," she told the rally near Adalaj village of Gandhinagar district. "Nothing matters more to us that you and I protect this nation, work for it and move forward ...
CPI, CPM forge understanding to fight 4 LS seats in Telangana
The CPI and CPI(M) Tuesday struck an electoral understanding in respect of four Lok Sabha seats in Telangana going to the polls on April 11, a senior CPI(M) leader said. Accordingly, the CPI would contest Mahabubabad and Bhuvanagiri seats, and the CPI-M Khammam and Nalgonda, CPI(M) state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram told PTI. Telangana has a total of 17 Lok Sabha segments. In the December 7 2018 assembly elections, the two Left parties had fought in different fronts. The CPI had sailed in the Congress-led "Mahakutami" (People's Front), which also had the Telugu Desam Party and Prof. M Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). The CPI(M) had fielded candidates under the banner of the Bahujan Left Front (BLF), which comprised several smaller parties. "For the remaining (13 Lok Sabha) seats we are trying to align with Pawan Kalyan (Jana Sena), Kodandaram's party and BLF partner parties", Veerabhadram said.
Kejriwal meets CPI delegation to discuss political situation in Delhi
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday met a delegation of Communist Party of India (CPI) to discuss the political situation in the country especially in Delhi and discussed ways to defeat the BJP. CPI leader D Raja said the delegation discussed with Kejriwal how the saffron party must be defeated in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Kejriwal, responding to question earlier on Tuesday on his recent decision to form alliances with other political parties, said the "the Modi-Amit Shah duo is dangerous for the country and the whole country should unite to remove them" He said "in this direction whatever has to be done would be done". Noting that the country is important, Kejriwal said no party or leader is small in front of the country. "There are two types of people in the country - one are Modi bhakts and another are those who want Modi to lose. The number of Modi bhakts is lower than that of the people who want to defeat Modi," he told reporters earlier.
No alliance with Congress in any state: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati on Tuesday asserted that her party will not stitch an alliance with Congress in any state for the upcoming elections."It has been reiterated once again that BSP will not have any alliance with Congress party in any state, to contest the upcoming elections," she said after a meeting with BSP's state party presidents over the party's election preparation, candidates' selection and strategy for Lok Sabha polls."BSP-SP alliance is working with respect and it is considered as 'first and perfect' in UP, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. This alliance is capable of defeating BJP and bringing about societal changes which are needed for national interest," it read."There are many parties willing to forge an alliance with BSP but we do not want to do it for political benefits."Earlier, SP and BSP, while announcing their alliance, said they will contest 37 and 38 seats, respectively, in the upcoming polls.The two parties had also agreed not to field ...
EC to hold by-polls in 3 TN Assembly seats once petitions in court are withdrawn
The by-polls in three assembly seats of Tami Nadu-Aravakurichi, Ottapiadaram, and Tiruparankundram-will be held once the petitions in the court with regard to these constituencies are withdrawn, the Election Commission of India has told the DMK.Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader T Siva on Tuesday, who met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora, said: "The election panel has said that by-polls in three out of 21 Assembly constituencies will be held once the election petitions pending in the Madras High Court are withdrawn."The by-polls in 18 out of 21 Assembly seats will be held along the Lok Sabha elections on April 18 in Tamil Nadu, where 39 parliamentary seats are at stake.Speaking to ANI after meeting Arora, T Siva said: "We put forth our plea to the Election Commission on behalf of the DMK asking why the poll panel amended its decision not to hold by-polls in three assembly seats, though initially announced to hold the by-polls in all 21 Assembly seats.""We told the EC .
Odisha: NSG, state police officials discuss security arrangements
Keeping in mind the expected frequent visits of VVIPs for election campaigning due to simultaneous general and legislative elections, a high level meeting of State Police, National Security Guards (NSG), Special Protection Group(SPG) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials was held here on Tuesday to discuss the security arrangements.The meeting was chaired by the Odisha DGP Dr. RP Sharma. Several senior police officials attended the meeting via video conference.Senior officers from IB, NSG and SPG apprised the officers in the field through a power point presentation about the possibilities of multi-faceted security threats to VVIPs during campaigning.IB and NSG experts also suggested several precautionary and preparatory measures during the visit of VVIPs and other dignitaries.Keeping in view the chances of anti-social activities which may disturb the election process, the district SPs were adequately sensitized."Since there will be frequent visit of VVIPs and other several Political .
Priyanka targets Modi govt in maiden rally on PM's home turf
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Tuesday targeted the Modi government over "unkept promises and spread of hatred" in the country. Addressing her first political rally in Gujarat after assuming charge as Congress general secretary, she said she was saddened by what was happening in the country. "Our institutions are being destroyed. Wherever you see, hatred is being spread," she said. "Nothing matters more to us that you and I protect this nation, work for it and move forward together," the Congress leader said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were present at the rally near Adalaj village of Gandhinagar district. Priyanka said the Modi government did not fulfil its promises of providing jobs to crores of people in the country. The Congress held a rally in Modi's home state to sound its poll bugle for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Tuesday, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held in Gujarat after a gap of 58 years.
Theresa May claims Brexit breakthrough ahead of crunch vote
British Prime Minister Theresa May claimed to have secured the breakthrough required to get her Brexit withdrawal agreement through a crunch vote in Parliament on Tuesday evening. However, it was received with caution by British MPs unsure of the legal ramifications, leaving Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) still precariously poised ahead of the March 29 Brexit deadline. In a last-minute dash to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Monday night, May emerged alongside European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker to declare that the UK and EU have agreed "legally binding" changes to the controversial Irish backstop clause to ensure any such arrangement would not be permanent. The move is aimed at addressing the concerns of hard-Brexiteers in her own Conservative Party and the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which provides her government with its majority in the House of Commons. "MPs were clear that legal changes were needed to the backstop. .
Ousted RLSP leader claims Kushwaha charged him Rs 90 lakh for LS ticket, he denies allegation
Expelled Rashtriya Lok Samata Party leader Pradeep Mishra Tuesday alleged that party chief Upendra Kushwaha took Rs 90 lakh for allotting him a ticket to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, a charge denied by his former boss, as the two leaders demanded a CBI probe into the matter. At a press meet here, Mishra, who was last week sacked from the post of RLSP national general secretary for alleged anti-party activities, provided details of the purported bank account in which he allegedly deposited the amount in two equal instalments for contesting the polls from the East Champaran seat. The RLSP has not formally announced its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, even as internal parleys continue to decide the names. Mishra announced he would join the ruling JD(U) shortly. He was accompanied by the party's former national working president Nagmani, who was ousted last month, and a host of other former RLSP leaders. "Today I am going to carry out a surgical strike on RLSP chief Upendra ...
Political slugfest looms over EC's gag order on Sabarimala
A day after the poll authority here gagged parties from raising the Sabarimala issue in the run up to the elections, a political slugfest appeared to loom over Kerala's political horizon with the BJP and Congress opposing the move and ruling CPI(M) backing it. Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan, who arrived here Monday to a rousing reception after resigning as Mizoram Governor, said the matter was about beliefs and added that the BJP would approach the Chief Election Commissioner on this issue. "The directive not to use the Sabarimala issue during the time of elections is baseless. The issue being raised here is that of freedom of religion... It is the issue of freedom of worship and about rituals and beliefs," he told reporters here. The senior saffron party leader, who was at the helm of several campaigns in the past like a drive against an international airport at Aranmula, said the matter was not confined to the hill shrine alone, indicating his party was not ..
A 'systematic' campaign on against my son's candidacy: Karnataka CM
Hitting out at critics opposing his actor son Nikhil Kumaraswamy contesting from Mandya in the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Tuesday said a "systematic" campaign was being run against his candidacy. Facing flak for promoting his son, Kumaraswamy said those posting on social media are not voters. The real voters are in villages and it is they who will decide, he added. Claiming that there was a "systematic" campaign against Nikhil's candidature, he said several top political leaders, including Yeddyurappa and himself, were born somewhere, while their political activities are elsewhere. "Pro and contra views will be everywhere. Several leaders who were born somewhere, have won from elsewhere and have become members (of Parliament and assembly)," Kumaraswamy said to a query about the opposition to Nikhil's candidacy. Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said Union Minister Sadanada Gowda, who was born in Mangaluru, has become an MP from Bangalore North, Yeddyurappa, .