Page 14 - Politics

LS polls: 28% of BJP candidates so far are defectors, mostly from Congress

Out of the total of 417 candidates announced so far, 116 are turncoats, claims report while saying majority defections happened after PM Modi came to power

Lok Sabha elections: CPI(M) manifesto promises super-rich tax, nixing FRBM

CPI (M) said it stands for state governors to be chosen out of a panel of three eminent persons proposed by the chief minister, state funding of elections and banning corporate donations to parties

Manmohan Singh retires from politics: A look at his 33-year long tenure

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bid adieu to the Rajya Sabha On April 3, 2024. Singh is known for ushering in a new era of bold economic reforms in India.

Kerala CM Vijayan blasts Rahul Gandhi for contesting election in Wayanad

Congress leader has pitted himself against CPI candidate, proves party's 'unreliability'

Election Commission asks Centre to stop Viksit Bharat WhatsApp campaign

After receiving several complaints from citizens and Opposition parties, the ECI directed MeitY to stop the delivery of 'Viksit Bharat' WhatsApp messages since the Model Code of Conduct is in force

LS polls: EC censures Cong's Shrinate & BJP's Ghosh for offensive remarks

The Election Commission said the two leaders violated the model code of conduct and that their election-related communications will be closely monitored from now on

Last 10 years a trailer: PM Modi vows big steps in 100 days of new govt

Begins campaigning in UP from Meerut

RSS writes to EC, cops seeking action on man for maligning organisation

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has written to the Election Commission and police seeking action against a man who it said was maligning the name of the organisation. In a letter written on Friday, the secretary of RSS Nagpur Mahanagar said local resident Janardhan Moon had organised a press conference here in which he made an "absolutely false" claim that the organisation was supporting the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls. Moon had earlier tried to register a "sanstha" by the name 'RSS' but this was rejected by the assistant registrar of societies and his petitions challenging this rejection had been dismissed by the Bombay High Court, the letter said. It sought action against Moon for personation, cheating by personation, spreading rumours to create enmity and other offences and also wanted a directive to Youtube to delete a video of the press conference in which he is making such claims. "Janardhan Moon has no registered sanstha as RSS but only with a view to mislead he is ...

US welcomes new Palestinian govt following its call for political reform

The United States has welcomed the formation of a new Palestinian autonomy government, signalling it is accepting the revised Cabinet lineup as a step toward Palestinian political reform. The Biden administration has called for revitalising the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority in hopes that it can also administer the Gaza Strip once the Israel-Hamas war ends. The war erupted nearly six months ago, triggered by an October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. In a statement late Friday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States looks forward to working with the new group of ministers to deliver on credible reforms. A revitalised PA is essential to delivering results for the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza and establishing the conditions for stability in the broader region, Miller said. The Palestinian Authority administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. It is headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has not faced a

Jailed gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies; here's a look at his career

Mukhtar Ansari straddled the worlds of crime and politics in Uttar Pradesh. The gangster-politician was booked in 65 criminal cases ranging from murder to extortion and was elected an MLA five times on the tickets of different political parties. Ansari, 63, died of cardiac arrest in a hospital in Banda on Thursday. Born into an influential family in 1963, Ansari entered the world of crime to establish himself and his gang in the government contract mafia that was then flourishing in the state. His tryst with crime began as early as 1978, when Ansari was just 15 years of age. He had his first brush with the law when he was booked for criminal intimidation at Saidpur Police Station of Ghazipur. Almost a decade later in 1986, by the time he had become a well-known face in the contract mafia circle, another case of murder was lodged against him at Muhammad Police Station of Ghazipur. Over the next decade, Ansari became a common face of crime with at least 14 more cases under serious .

LS polls: PM, 10 Union ministers, 5 CMs among BJP's star campaigners in Raj

The BJP has released its list of star campaigners for the Lok Sabha polls in Rajasthan. The list of 40 names includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 10 Union ministers and the chief ministers of five states. The names of Jhalawar MLA and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and former MLAs Rajendra Rathore and Satish Poonia also feature in the list. The Union ministers who would be campaigning in the desert state include Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Bhupendra Yadav, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kailash Choudhary. The chief ministers of five states, including Rajasthan's Bhajanlal Sharma, will also campaign in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates. Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Mohan Yadav Madhya Pradesh), Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat) and Nayab Saini (Haryana) are the other chief ministers who would campaign for the saffron party in the desert state. Besides Raje, state BJP president C P Joshi, Rajya Sabha MPs Ghanshyam Tiwa

LS polls: Congress releases list of 14 candidates for UP, Telangana, MP

It also fielded Pratap Bhanu Sharma against former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Vidisha. Tarvar Singh Lodhi has been nominated from Damoh

Jolt for AAP in Punjab: MP Sushil Rinku, MLA Sheetal Angural switch to BJP

Sushil Kumar Rinku was AAP's sole Lok Sabha member and was already announced as the party's candidate from Jalandhar

ED seeks time from HC to reply to Kejriwal's plea in liquor policy case

The Enforcement Directorate says it got Delhi Chief Minister's petition just yesterday

PM speaks to BJP candidate Rekha Patra, lauds her as 'Shakti Swaroopa'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from Basirhat, Rekha Patra, who had highlighted the plight of women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, and lauded her as "Shakti Swaroopa", party leaders said. Patra, who had raised voice against the alleged atrocities by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his cronies, was picked by the BJP as its candidate from Basirhat Lok Saha seat, under which the village falls. Modi spoke to her about her campaign preparations and the support for the BJP among voters and other issues, while she narrated the ordeal of Sandeshkhali women. He hailed him as "Shakti Swaroopa", they said. Shakti is a Hinduism term associated with goddesses like Durga and Kali. Basirhat, one of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, is currently represented by the TMC. Sheikh, who has been suspended by the TMC, and some of his associates have been arrested in connection with attack on ED officials and are in CB

All women deserve dignity, says Kangana replies to Cong leaders' comments

Every woman, irrespective of her background and profession, deserves dignity, actor Kangana Ranaut said on Tuesday as Congress leaders' comments on Mandi from where she is contesting the Lok Sabha elections snowballed into a massive political row. Ranaut, who makes her political debut as a BJP candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, said she was particularly pained by the derogatory comments on the constituency that is often referred to as Chhota Kashi the world over. The Congress has been in the crosshairs after demeaning remarks on Ranaut and Mandi were posted on the social media handles of its leaders Supriya Shrinate and H S Ahir. The party has always believed there is no place for such language in public discourse and the matter should end with Shrinate clearing the air, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told reporters at the AICC headquarters. "Whatever be the profession of a woman, be it teacher, actress, journalist, politician or sex worker, all of them deserve dignity. I'm

Telangana phone tapping case: Two police officers arrested; details here

A team of officers are accused of illegally tapping phone calls of political figures under the previous K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS regime, last year

Ensure no shortage of free medicine: Kejriwal issues second order from jail

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said the jailed Chief Minister is worried about the people of Delhi and has asked its ministers to ensure they don't suffer

Tale of two crossovers

Many ethical, competent corporate leaders aspire to join public life today. However, the transition to politics is far from easy

An uncommon man behind bars: Fallout of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

The arrest and the trial of Kejriwal will have a profound impact on his governments in Delhi and Punjab as well as on the party itself