Page 1375 - Politics
Modi govt allowed Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya to flee country: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Saturday that the Modi government allowed economic offenders Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya to flee the country, and wondered whether this was the prime minister's "patriotism". "Why did Modi government make the two flee country. Is this the patriotism of Modi ji?" Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief was reacting to a tweet saying Mallya and Nirav Modi have met several times in the past to discuss evading extradition to India. There was a fresh focus on the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi after a British daily Saturday reported that the accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank(PNB) scam has been living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Saturday the United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings.
Nirav Modi video shows uncanny similarity between him and PM Modi: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the recent video of the PNB scam accused Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". Gandhi's jibe came after a UK media report claimed that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, has been living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is running a new diamond business just yards away. "The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice," the Congress chief tweeted. In a video posted by the Telegraph newspaper, Nirav Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. On being accosted by reporters and ...
Will win Haryana's all 10 LS seats on our own: BJP
Haryana's ruling BJP said on Saturday that it was capable of fighting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on its own and was focussing on winning all the 10 parliamentary seats in the state.
Army chief reviews preparedness on western borders
Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday visited the Western Command Headquarters and reviewed the operational preparedness along the western borders amid tensions with Pakistan, a release said.
PM Modi is Anil Ambani's 'Chowkidar,' not of nation: Rahul Gandhi
Launching a scathing attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "Chowkidar" of Anil Ambani, and not of the nation.Gandhi, who was addressing a public gathering here, said: "When I raised questions over Rafale deal, PM Modi couldn't see into my eyes. He said he wants to be 'Chowkidar' of the country but he is 'Chowkidar' of Anil Ambani whose Rs 45,000 cr debt was waived off, and also gave him Rs 30,000 crore Rafale jet deal.""Why was Anil Ambani given the deal? And why was HAL sidelined, stealing many job opportunities from the youths of Karnataka," he asked."The slogan of 'Acche Din Aayenge' has changed into 'Chowkidar Chor Hai," he said.He stated that the BJP wanted to divide the nation into two parts-"One for people like Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi and the other for poor farmers, labourers, and the marginalised ones.""We want one nation where everyone gets justice," said the Congress president.Talking about the removal of Alok Verma ..
Stop youth from going on path of militancy: Lt Gen KJS Dhillon urges Kashmiri mothers
Indian Army Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon on Friday made an appeal to mothers residing in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent their children from entering the paths of militancy and terrorism.He also assured them that the Indian Army will ensure the return to the mainstream of those who had gone astray by joining the militants and wanted to return."I appeal to the mothers of those who have taken the path of violence, to ensure they do not join militancy or terrorism. If they have joined militant ranks and want to return, we will ensure they return to the mainstream," said Dhillon in his address to a passing out parade of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry where 152 youth of the state joined the Indian Army.This statement from the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, came after a (Central Reserve Police Force) CRPF convoy, moving from Jammu to Srinagar, was attacked by a suicide bomber in Pulwama's Lethpora area on the national highway on February ...
After Modi became PM, fugitives absconded fearing action: Javadekar
Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar Saturday held the Congress responsible for the alleged financial frauds involving Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi, adding all such fugitives will be extradited to India by the Modi government. "After Nirav Modi was spotted in London, Congress people are happy that he is spending good time there, but the Modi government will bring back all the fugitives. They (fugitives) as well as those who helped them will be punished," he said at a press conference here. "They were allowed to loot banks. Then prime minister Manmohan Singh had also said Kingfisher airlines (owned by Vijay Mallya) should be helped. It was the Congress government which allowed them to take away depositors money," he said. Targeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Javadekar said the former had attended a programme organised by Nirav Modi's company on September 13, 2013 and alleged that next day, Allahabad bank approved a loan of Rs 1,550 crore to the diamantaire. "...Now, .
Alpesh Thakor says he is not joining BJP, will continue work for Thakor community from Congress
OBC leader and Congress MLA from Gujarat Alpesh Thakor on Saturday refuted all speculations of joining the BJP and said he will continue to fight for the rights of his Thakor community by staying with the Congress Party. Thakur also said he will support the Congress even though he was upset with the party's top brass in the state.Thakor's decision comes amidst rumours about his plans to join the BJP and the possibility that he might be given a Cabinet berth in the Vijay Rupani government.Addressing a press conference here, Alpesh said: "I am going to continue to fight for my people. I will stay in Congress and continue to support the Congress.""Everyone wants to hold the position of a minister. Even I thought of becoming a Minister and had talks regarding that. People working with me belong to deprived sections of society. I'm representing a backward part of society where we need to bring development from the basic level. So, I don't need power from where I cannot work for my own ...
BJP doesn't trust its own, says Guj Cong chief on defections
The BJP does not trust its own leaders and so was poaching those from the Congress, said the opposition party's state unit chief Amit Chavda Saturday. He was reacting to Jawahar Chavda being inducted into the Vijay Rupani cabinet on Saturday, a day after the former quit the Congress as well as the Legislative Assembly and joined the ruling BJP. Jawahar Chavda, a four-time MLA, represented Manavadar seat in Junagadh district and is considered to be an influential OBC leader from the Ahir community. He had submitted his resignation from the House to Speaker Rajendra Trivedi on Friday. "The BJP is staring at defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. It does not trust on its own workers and lacks capable leadership. This is the reason why the BJP is getting Congress leaders to join it using greed and threats," state unit chief Amit Chavda said. "BJP workers spend their entire life for the party but get no value within it. Just to win polls, the BJP takes away winning Congress ...
Rahul asks Modi to tell nation who released Masood Azhar from Indian jail
Stepping up attack on the Narendra Modi government over the Pulwama terror strike, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday asked the prime minister to explain to the nation why the then NDA dispensation had released terror outfit JeM chief Masood Azhar from Indian jail. Raking up the release of Azhar by the Vajpayee dispensation in 1999 in exchange for passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines plane, he said Modi should tell the country "how Masood Azhar was sent back (to Pakistan), who sent and which government sent him (back)". He also asserted that the Congress would not bow down to terror. Gandhi's attack on the Modi government on national security comes amid an escalating war of words between the BJP and the Congress over India's air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan after a suicide bomber attack on a CRPF convoy killed 40 jawans in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, with each accusing the other of politicising the issue. In a fierce attack on the opposition, Modi had called them ...
Lalu to approve RJD poll candidates; alliance partners
RJD chief Lalu Prasad will have the final say on the selection of candidates and choice of alliance partners for the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly bypolls, his party said Saturday. The decision was made at the RJD's central parliamentary board meeting which was preceded by another meeting of state units of Bihar and Jharkhand at former chief minister Rabri Devi's 10, Circular Road residence here. The party's central parliamentary board has unanimously authorised Lalu Prasad to select the candidates for Lok Sabha elections and state Assembly bypolls, RJD's national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha told reporters. "Besides, the party chief has also been authorised to hold parleys with like-minded parties to find out the possibilities and give a final shape to the alliance for Lok Sabha polls," the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said. Prasad is presently serving prison sentences in Ranchi after being convicted in a number of fodder scam cases. RJD leaders meet Lalu in .
Former TDP leader Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, son join YSRCP
Former TDP leader and senior politician from north Andhra region, Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and his son, Dadi Ratnakar on Saturday joined YSR Congress Party in the presence of YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy.Party Chief welcomed the new entrants into the party fold and draped shawls around their necks.Rao joined the Telugu Desam Party in the 1980s. However, prior to 2014 Andhra assembly elections, he affirmed his association with YSRCP. His son, then, contested and lost from Visakhapatnam's west constituency on YSRCP's ticket. After that, the father-son duo remained silent for four years.Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Rao and Ratnakar were both approached by the TDP and the Jana Sena Party.
Saudi Foreign Minister to visit India on March 11
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubier will visit India on Monday, Ministry of External Affair spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a press briefing here on Saturday.Adel is scheduled to hold a meeting with the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. The meeting will follow-up on announcements made during last month's visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman."My understanding is that he [Adel] is visiting to discuss some important follow-ups from the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to India. Beyond that, once the meeting takes place, then we will issue some kind of statement on his visit," said Kumar.Kumar denied the speculations about the attempt by Saudi Arabia to mediate in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan."There has been no offer of any mediation from any country; not from Saudi, not from any country," said Kumar. "There cannot be any mediation; our position is very clear on it," said Kumar.Adel's visit comes three days after he made a ...
Nirav Modi began cheating banks under UPA, was exposed under Modi govt: BJP
Facing flak from the Congress after fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was spotted in London, the ruling BJP on Saturday hit back saying he began his fraud in 2011 when the UPA dispensation was in power and that the Modi government detected and exposed it. "Many of these who cheated India during the UPA government have been brought back and are in custody. Others will follow. They are living the life of fugitives and refugees," the BJP tweeted, terming the allegations of the opposition party a case of pot calling the kettle black. The Congress had earlier slammed the government on Saturday over a media report that the fugitive diamantaire was living in a swanky apartment in London and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. It also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them has been caught in five years of the Modi government. In its tweets, the BJP asserted that no one who ...
No person, outfit will be allowed to carry out terror acts using Pak soil: PM Imran
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that no person or organisation would be allowed to carry out terror acts in other countries by using the soil of Pakistan, a media report said Saturday. Addressing his first public gathering on Friday in Thar district of the Sidh province since becoming the prime minister, Khan said his government is fully committed to protecting religious minorities across the country," the Dawn newspaper quoted him as saying. Prime Minister Khan said his government was acting upon the teachings of the country's founding father Mohammad Ali Jinnah who had called for ensuring full protection to all races and religions in Pakistan. Khan has said that no person or organisation would be allowed to carry out terror acts in other countries by using the soil of Pakistan. His comments came as Pakistan is under global pressure to act against terrorism and militant groups operating from its soil after the Pulwama terror attack. Pakistan authorities on Thursday sealed the ...
Alpesh Thakor dispels speculations, says with the Congress only
Congress' maverick OBC lawmaker Alpesh Thakor, who had been keeping the party on tenterhooks amid speculation that he was headed for the ruling BJP, cleared the air on Saturday saying that his concerns had been settled for now.
IUML fields 2 sitting Lok Sabha members (Lead, correcting intro)
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second biggest ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala, on Saturday announced its decision to field sitting MPs from two seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Former Kerala Minister Thankappan dies
: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala minister, V J Thankappan died Saturday due to age-related ailments at his residence in nearby Neyyattinkara. He was 87, family sources said. A member of the Left party since 1963, Thankappan had served as a minister in the E K Nayanar cabinet during the 1987-91 period. He had represented Nemom constituency thrice and Neyyattinakara once in the assembly. Besides acting as the pro-tem speaker of the assembly, the Left leader had also served as the Neyyattinkara Municipality chairman and councillor, party sources said. He is survived by his wife and three children. Condoling his death, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Thankappan had been a good administrator and MLA who had made remarkable contributions in strengthening the local self-government (LSG) institutions. In his capacity as LSG minister, the late leader had played a key role in successfully implementing decentralisation in the state, Vijayan said in his message .
Rahul Gandhi to address public rally in Malda on March 23
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set to address a public rally in Malda district of West Bengal on March 23, as part of the party's Lok Sabha election campaign in the state. According to a senior state Congress leader, the rally is aimed at boosting the morale of party workers. "Malda has been our stronghold, and we hope Rahulji's presence in the district on March 23 will encourage party workers to carry out the election work with zeal," he said. The Congress leader also said the party wanted to send out a strong message to Malda (North) MP Mausam Benazir Noor, who recently defected to the Trinamool Congress. The district has been a Congress bastion for several decades. In the last few years, however, the party lost much of its ground to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), following several defections. Noor, the niece of one of the tallest leaders of the Congress, ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, joined the TMC in January, contending that it was the only party that can rise against
Ruling LDF in Kerala to field 6 sitting MPs, MLAs in LS polls
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala will field six sitting MPs and an equal number of MLAs in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. While the CPI(M)--the largest partner in the Left Front-- will field 16 candidates, including six Members of Parliament (MPs) and four Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the CPI, the second major ally, will contest four seats and two will be sitting MLAs. Two women and two CPI(M)-backed independents are also among the candidates announced by the ruling coalition. With sharing of all the seats by the CPI(M) and CPI, other coalition partners of the 10-member-strong LDF have been left with no seat. Announcing his party's candidates list, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Saturday said the coming Lok Sabha polls were crucial and inevitable to enhance the strength of the Left front in Parliament. The sitting MLAs were chosen considering the winnability, he told reporters at the party headquarters, AKG Centre here. "It is not for the .