Page 1444 - Politics
Give BJP higher mandate than 2014 LS poll verdict: BJYM chief at bike rally
Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) president Poonam Mahajan Saturday made a strong pitch for a second term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as she exhorted the people to give a bigger mandate to the BJP in the upcoming general elections. She kick-started the party's bike rally from Ramlila Ground here. "You should give the BJP a bigger mandate than the 2014 Lok Sabha results," Mahajan told the audience. The BJYM chief also hit out at opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for "practising negative politics". She said on one side, the opposition was extending support to deal with Pakistan, but on the other hand, they were asking proof for the surgical strike carried out by Indian armed forces. Mahajan alleged that BJP workers were not safe in West Bengal ruled by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. She also termed the social media site of Congress "fake".
PM says India feeling absence of Rafale, slams Oppn over its stand on air strike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at the opposition for doubting the armed forces on the anti-terror air strike in Pakistan and said the country is feeling the absence of Rafale fighter jets as the results could have been different if India had these aircraft. He said the country has seen the influence of India's foreign policy after the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan within three days of his capture. Modi took on the opposition over the issue of air strike, saying while the entire world stood behind India in its fight against terror, some parties in the country were questioning and raising doubts. He also hit out at his detractors, saying they are free to criticise him but their anti-Modi tirade should not harm the country's security interests and help terrorists such as Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed. "India is feeling the absence of Rafale. The entire country is saying in one voice today, if we had Rafale probably the result would have been .
Modi speaks with Qatar's Emir, underlines need to curb terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Ahmad bin Khalifa Al Thani, over telephone and discussed various matters of common interest.
Jammu and Kashmir internal matter, says India in reaction to OIC resolution
Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the issue is strictly internal to the country, New Delhi asserted Saturday, in reaction to a resolution on the matter by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in its two-day foreign ministers' conclave in Abu Dhabi. "As regards the resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, our stand is consistent and well known. We reaffirm that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India," Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar said. Earlier, the Pakistan Foreign Office said that the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of OIC concluded with a resolution that "supported" Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. "In a resolution, the OIC member states reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains the core dispute between Pakistan and India and its resolution is indispensable for the dream for peace in South Asia," it claimed. The resolution also "expressed deep concern"
"Why terror attacks now and not when Deve Gowda was PM?"
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has sought to know why there were terror attacks now while it had never occurred when his father H D Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister. "Why were there no instance of terrorists carrying out blasts or killing anyone when Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister? Why are they happening now? You need to think over it," he said at a public meeting late Friday night at Mysuru. "Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) needs many layers of security to go to Kashmir, but if there was any Prime Minister who went to the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir in an open jeep, it was honourable Deve Gowda. You should not forget this fact." Speaking about the conflict between India and Pakistan, Kumaraswamy said he was no sure where it would lead to. Slamming the BJP for the manner in which they were celebrating the pre-emptive air strikes by hoisting victory flags, he alleged this was only creating an atmosphere of strife between two communities. "They are ...
AIMIM to contest in Kishangaj in Bihar
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Saturday said his party would contest in Kishanganj Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. Akhtarul Iman will fight election from Kishanganj in Bihar, he said, addressing a gathering at the AIMIM headquarters here. Owaisi, who represents Hyderabad, is the sole Lok Sabha member for his party at present. He said he hold discussions with AIMIM leaders on what to do (in elections) in states like Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Owaisi also said MIM is working with Prakash Ambedkars party in Maharashtra.
BJP MP Savitri Phule, ex-MP of SP join Congress
In a big jolt to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its sitting Lok Sabha MP MP from Bahraich Savitri Bai Phule joined the Congress on Saturday.
PM Modi, Emir of Qatar discuss steps to curb terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Ahmad bin Khalifa Al Thani discussed steps to combat terrorism in a telephonic conversation on Saturday.Prime Minister Modi underscored that terrorism continues to pose a serious risk to peace and security in the region and beyond.He also stressed the importance of demonstrable and immediate action by the concerned for putting an end to all forms of terrorism and ending all support to it.Prime Minister Modi also mentioned that India attached great significance to further strengthening relations with Qatar, which, he said, is "our close friend and with which we share an extended neighbourhood."He went on to thank the Emir of Qatar for his leadership and guidance to the rapid strengthening of bilateral relations, especially in recent years.During the conversation, the two leaders also noted the historic significance of India's participation in the 46th Council of the Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic ...
Rafale's absence has been felt after what happened in last few days: PM Modi
In the backdrop of air strikes at JeM camps in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by IAF on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the entire nation has felt the absence of Rafale fighter planes after what has happened in the last few days.Prime Minister Modi, who was speaking at the India Today Conclave here, said: "Today, the entire nation has felt the absence of Rafale. Had we got Rafale, the result today could have been different. Initially, people were doing 'Swaarthneeti' on it. Today they are doing politics on the same. The country has suffered a lot because of this."The Prime Minister also alleged that the opposition is questioning India's security forces at a time when the entire world is with us."When the entire country is with our forces, there are people who are questioning forces. The world is united to fight against terrorism, and at that crucial time people are questioning the forces," he said.Sharpening his attack on the ...
Army Chief visits White Knight Corps in Jammu, reviews operational preparedness of forces
Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and Army Commander of Northern Command Lt Gen Ranbir Singh visited White Knight Corps on Saturday to review the operational preparedness of the forces in the Corps Zone in view of the current situation along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).Lt Gen Paramjit Singh briefed General Rawat on the action taken to meet the challenges of increased ceasefire violations and measures put in place to thwart the nefarious designs of the adversary. The Army chief was also briefed on the measures reinforced in the hinterland in the Area of Responsibility towards ensuring peace and stability.General Rawat commended all soldiers for their unwavering dedication to duty, selfless devotion and high standard of professionalism. He was appreciative of the measures and standard operating procedures instituted by the units and formations in the Corps Zone to minimise the casualties due to ceasefire violations and infiltration bids.The Army Chief also ...
Chidambaram lauds NDA for bid to clean up River Ganga
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday lauded the BJP-led Centre for making a determined effort to clean up River Ganga, about which he 'felt proud'. The top leader also credited the NDA government for "succeeding" in its National Highway building programme and further building on the initiatives of the UPA regime like the Aadhar. Every government took some initiatives, which are good and beneficial, he said, adding,"I mean even the most incompetent government will do a few things which are good for the country. How can you deny that.? any government will do some good things." Answering a question from the audience, at his "Undaunted: Saving the Idea of India," book release event here, he said he was very angry with the BJP-led government because they did "the largest evil to the largest number (of people) by demonetisation." Also, through the "flawed" implementation of the GST, he alleged the "largest evil" was done to business and trade. On the positive side, he
Opposition of NC, Cong to extension of quota law politically motivated: BJP
The opposition of the National Conference and the Congress to the central government's move to extend benefits of a new quota legislation to Jammu and Kashmir "is totally politically motivated", the BJP said Saturday. The two parties want to "deprive" the common masses of their due rights, state BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi told reporters here. The National Conference (NC) took out protest rallies in many areas of Kashmir on Saturday, expressing "dismay" over the amendments to the Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Order, 1954. The party said the amendments were "a blatant violation of Article 370 of the Constitution", which gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. The central government brought in the amendments for giving reservation benefits to economically weaker sections and for promotion in government jobs to SCs and STs in Jammu and Kashmir. The NC said it was not against granting reservation to specific groups, but such a decision should have been ...
If we had Rafale results would have been different, says Modi
Days after the airstrike against terror camp in Pakistan and subsequent events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country was feeling the absence of Rafale and results would have been different if India had the fighter jets as he attacked the Congress for its tirade against his government over the aircraft deal. "India is feeling the absence of Rafale. The entire country is saying in one voice today, that if we had Rafale, the results would have been different. The country has suffered a lot due to selfish interests earlier and now politics over Rafale," he said at the India Today conclave. Modi said he wanted to tell all those opposing him that they were free to criticise him and point out shortcomings but they should not harm the country's security interests. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been attacking Modi over the Rafale deal, alleging corruption and favourtism. The government has denied the charges. Tearing into the Congress, Modi alleged its rule saw many .
Time has come for total transformation: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that time had come for a "total transformation" where fruits of development must reach "each and every citizen".
India should release evidence of air strike, says Digvijaya
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday demanded that India should release evidence of IAF air strike on a training camps of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan's Balakot, like the US did after killing Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Andhra Congress leader Suryaprakash Reddy joins TDP
Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy and his family members on Saturday joined Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Two Cong MLAs decide to join TRS
In a setback to Congress in Telangana, two party MLAs Saturday announced their decision to join TRS in the interest of Adivasis and for the development of their constituencies. In a press statement, the two MLAs Rega Kantha Rao (Pinapaka) and Atram Sakku (Asifabad)- said they recently met Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and discussed the problems relating to education, health and 'Podu' farming, facing STs, especially Adivasis. Rao had assured that the issues would be addressed and that he would personally visit areas inhabited by Adivasis, they said. They also believed that the issues of Adivasis would be addressed under the leadership of Rao. Hence, they have decided to join TRS. They further said they would quit their Assembly memberships and contest as TRS candidates, if necessary. With the two MLAs quitting the party, the strength of Congress in the Assembly would be down to 17. In the December 7 assembly elections held last year, the Congress had won 19 ...
Citizens must fulfil constitutional duties, responsibilities: Debroy
The country can only progress when citizens carry out their duties and responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution, Prime Minister's economic advisory council chief Bibek Debroy said Saturday. "India is not going to become a better governed state, a prospering economy, if one expect only the government to do various things. India will become better only if we, as the citizen, also play our duties and responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution," Debroy said at a seminar organised by Foundation for Public awareness and policy. Debroy said that governance involves people and it is more about decision making process. He pointed out towards Swachh Bharat Mission saying it is successful due to public participation. "Most important role for any government is ensuring defence, external security, internal security and speedy administration of justice delivery. If it is not done, it is not a success," he said while mentioning the government's initiative to reduce litigation through
Assam govt to set up mini secretariat in Barak Valley: Sonowal
Responding to the long pending demand of the people of Barak Valley, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Saturday laid the foundation stone for setting up a mini secretariat here. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said that ever since his government has come to power, facilitating infrastructure development in the valley has been one of the core agenda of the government. In the last two-and-a-half years, the government has started work on constructing of 2,000 km road in the valley area, he said. A total of 120 wooden bridges are being converted into concrete bridges also, he added. In the near future expansion of Silchar town will also be taken up, Sonowal said. He also said that state government is in touch with the civil aviation ministry for setting up another airport at the valley. The government is of the view that all the three districts of the Valley should be developed in the field of education, culture and sports and therefore the state has decided to build a ...
Country felt absence of Rafale during Balakot strikes: Modi
In a strong attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the results of air strikes on Pakistan "would have been different" had Rafale fighter jets been procured earlier and accused the opposition party of first worrying about "self-interest" and later doing politics over it.