Page 1376 - Politics
Pak Oppn lawmakers protest exclusion of Bhutto's name in Govt ad on Women's Day
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's name was missing in an official advertisement highlighting the contribution of Pakistani women in diverse fields on the International Women's Day, triggering protest by Opposition which demanded a probe into the matter. Pakistan Peoples Party's parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman raised the issue during a session of the Senate, regretting that the name, photograph and mention of the twice-elected prime minister of Pakistan was missing from the official advertisement, the Dawn reported. She said Bhutto was an identity of Pakistan and her achievements brought her worldwide fame. She said roads were being named after Banzir Bhutto in different parts of the world while international universities were creating chairs in her name. She sought an official apology over the issue and an amendment to the advertisements by the evening, before the opposition staged a walkout from the House in protest over the issue. Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Leader of the ...
Canada political crisis hurts Trudeau's image as elections loom
Justin Trudeau rose to power in Canada as a champion of feminism and indigenous rights, quickly earning him golden boy status at home and abroad as a progressive leader. But a major political scandal that sparked the resignation of two of his ministers -- both women, one indigenous -- has tarnished his image just seven months before national elections. Pundits say the 47-year-old premier faces a tough battle just to stay in office, with the latest polls showing his Liberals trailing the Conservatives for the first time. For weeks, Trudeau's government has been rocked by accusations of meddling in the criminal prosecution of engineering giant SNC-Lavalin, which was charged with corruption over alleged bribes paid to secure contracts in Libya. His attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould, who said she experienced "consistent and sustained" political pressure to shield the company from a trial, stepped down. Budget minister Jane Philpott followed suit, as did longtime Trudeau friend and top
Kerala CPI (M) announces its 16 candidates
The CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Saturday announced its list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party's ally, the CPI, had earlier announced its four candidates.
Rahul blames BJP for JeM chief Azhar's release
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday blamed the BJP for setting free Masood Azhar, chief of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, in 1999.
Former Odisha CM Hemananda Biswal's daughter joins BJD
Former Odisha chief minister Hemananda Biswals daughter and Congress leader Sunita Biswal Saturday joined the ruling BJD, barely two days after the Congress had announced that it will strictly follow 'one family, one ticket' policy for the upcoming polls. Sunita Biswal, also the former executive president of the Sundargarh district Congress, joined the BJD along with hundreds of her supporters in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. "I am glad that Smt. Sunita Biswal, daughter of former chief minister Hemanada Biswal has joined our party along with her supporters. I welcome them to the party. I am sure they will strengthen the BJD further," Patnaik said. Sunita said she joined the regional party after consulting her in-laws. "Since my father is in the Congress, I was not open to quitting the party. "I am impressed by Naveen Patnaik's welfare programnme for women, farmers and youths. I hope, I will be able to do something for the people of Sundergarh," Sunita told .
Cong will fight polls in UP on its own strength: Scindia
The Congress will fight the general election in Uttar Pradesh on its own strength, party's west UP incharge Jyotiraditya Scindia said Saturday, asserting the path of his party may be different from that of the SP and the BSP but their objective is the same. Scindia also said that as far as talks for alliances are concerned, "like-minded parties should also think in a like-minded way". The AICC general secretary incharge UP west's remarks assume significance as they come amid reports that there may be a rethink on the grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh to include the Congress. On Akhilesh Yadav's remarks that the Congress was very much in the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance and two seats were being left for it, Scindia said, "If this is his thinking, then we may also leave 2-3 seats for them." "The current situation is that the SP and the BSP have taken a decision that they want to walk on a different path with the same objective that the Congress has. Our ..
Rupani expands ministry, Cong turncoat made cabinet minister
Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani Saturday expanded his cabinet by inducting three members, including Congress turncoat Jawahar Chavda, who was rewarded with a ministerial berth a day after he joined the BJP. BJP MLA from Manjalpur of Vadodara district Yogesh Patel and Jamnagar West MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who had crossed over from Congress, were the other two members inducted into the cabinet. Gujarat Governor O P Kohli administered the oath of office to them. "The ministry of Vijay Rupani was expanded today with the induction of three ministers," deputy chief minister Nitin Patel told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar after the ceremony in the afternoon. "Jawahar Chavda was inducted as a cabinet minister, while Yogesh Patel and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja were included as minister of state," Patel said, adding that they will be allocated portfolios later. The function was held in the presence of select few including chief minister, few ministers and some top officials ..
Pakistan court to hear Khan's disqualification plea on March 11
The Lahore High Court on Saturday said it will hear a petition seeking Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's disqualification on March 11.
Assam Governor takes additional charge of Mizoram
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi was on Saturday sworn-in as the 24th Governor of Mizoram after being given the additional charge.
Satellite images reveal activity at North Korean rocket facility
Satellite images suggest that North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or space rocket in the near future, American analysts have said, signaling a potential blow to Washington-Pyongyang relations.
PM running 'fraudster settlement' scheme for likes of Nirav Modi: Congress
The Congress slammed the government on Saturday over a media report that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. The opposition party 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. The government has said that the UK still considering the request to extradite Nirav Modi and India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition. British daily The Telegraph reported that billionaire diamond tycoon, accused in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has been tracked down by it to an 8 million pound apartment in London's West End. "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. "First loot Rs ...
Rahul asks Modi to tell nation who released Masood Azhar from jail
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tell the nation that it was the BJP government which released terror outfit JeM chief Masood Azhar from an Indian jail. Addressing a public rally here in north Karnataka, Gandhi said, "Let Modi make me understand who sent Masood Azhar from Indian jail to Pakistan." The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF men were killed. "I have a small question for Modi. Who killed CRPF jawans? What is the name of JeM chief? His name is Masood Azhar," the Congress chief said, adding it was the BJP government in 1999 that sent him from Indian jail to Pakistan through Kandahar in Afghanistan. "Why are you not speaking about it. Why are you not saying that the person who killed CRPF jawans was sent to Pakistan by BJP... Modiji we are not like you. We don't bow in front of terror. Make it clear to people to India who sent Masood Azhar," he said. Pakistan-based Azhar was .
India now follows new policy of dealing with terrorists
: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said India now follows a new policy of dealing with terrorists, citing the retaliatory strikes against Pakistan during his term. Addressing a public meeting here, Modi said the country should have responded to the Mumbai terror attack during the term of the previous Congress-led government. There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge the terror attack even then, but Delhi was cold. The forces were not allowed to take any action, he said. The prime minister said after the Uri attack in 2016, Indian soldiers conducted a surgical strike for the first time, teaching the terrorists a lesson in a language they understand. Modi said India now works on nayi reeti, nayi neeti (new methods, new policy).
Lalu to select seats, party candidates for Lok Sabha polls
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, who is in jail after being convicted in three fodder scam cases, will select seats and party candidates for his party for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, party state president Ramchander Purbe said on Saturday.
Nirav Modi's extradition request awaiting UK govt.'s response: MEA
In the wake of reports that Nirav Modi is living and working in London, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Saturday said that India is making strong efforts to bring back the fugitive businessman and was waiting for a response from the United Kingdom with regard to its extradition request sent in August last year.At a media briefing here, Raveesh Kumar said the government is aware of Modi's presence in the UK and had made the request for his extradition in August last year. He added that the fact UK was sent that request clears that India is aware of his presence in that country and action has been initiated for his extradition."The fact that we have requested the UK government for the extradition of Nirav Modi means that we are aware that he is in the UK. Otherwise, we would not have made the extradition request," said Raveesh Kumar."We first made a request for extradition based on information provided by the ED in early August and then by CBI in late August. .
Need credible, verifiable, sustained action on terror from Pak not mere words: India
The Indian government on Saturday sought credible, verifiable and sustained action from the Pakistani side against terror groups while saying that mere words will not be enough to appease the international community. "Pakistan will be judged by not the words it speaks but action it takes...The proof of action is not issuing notification but dismantling infrastructure which should be verified. Pakistan is well aware of its own commitment and concrete action that has to be taken against terrorism... If Pakistan claims to be a 'naya (new) Pakistan with nayi soch (new thought)', it should show 'naya (new) action' against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross border terrorism in support of its claims," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Saturday while addressing a media briefing.The MEA response comes barely 12 hours after Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said in Islamabad that he will not allow Pakistan's soil to be used for
Pulwama: Pre-emptive strike, counter-strike and after
New Delhi [India], Mar 9 (ANI): Tension between India and Pakistan, following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 and its aftermath, seems to be subsiding.Pakistan has begun some sort of crackdown on terrorist organisations; banning some and arresting a few elements related to the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar.Time will tell whether what is being done is cosmetic and tactical, as on earlier occasions, or is it because of international pressure and Pakistan's precarious economic situation has led to more lasting action.Some basic questions surrounding the turn of events that triggered the face-off between the two neighbours have however got lost in the political squabble over electoral gain.To recap, Adil Ahmad Dar, an unemployed indoctrinated Kashmiri youth, posted a video of communal rant and deadly intent. On February 14 he carried out his threat by ramming his explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of the CRPF Jawans near Pulwama- killing over 40.The JeM, a ...
Former Odisha CM's daughter joins BJD
Sunita Biswal, daughter of former Odisha Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal, joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) here on Saturday.
Gujarat Congress MLA gets cabinet berth hours after joining BJP
Jawahar Chavda, the Congress MLA who quit the grand old party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, was made a cabinet minister on Saturday.
Saudi junior foreign minister to visit India on Monday
Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir will visit India on Monday, days after his trip to Islamabad. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Jubeir will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during his trip. The Saudi minister met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in Islamabad, and delivered a "special message" from Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, according to Pakistani media reports. His visit to Islamabad took place amid global efforts to de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan triggered by the Pulwama attack and subsequent aerial strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. In Pakistan, Jubeir also held talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Countries like the US, ...