Page 1448 - Politics
Rahul Gandhi to visit Odisha on March 8
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to undertake another tour of Odisha on March 8 and address two public meetings in the state, OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik said Saturday. The Odisha Pradesh Congress (OPCC) chief said that Gandhi will attend the meetings at Jeypore in Koraput district and Bargarh. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is likely to accompany Gandhi, Patnaik said. Jeypore MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati said Gandhi will hold an interaction with women before addressing the public meeting in Koraput district. Issues relating to farmers, youth, dalits, women and tribals will be in focus of Congress president's visit, he said. This will be Gandhis third visit to Odisha this year. He had earlier addressed a rally at Tomando on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on January 24 and visited Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district and Rourkela in Sundergarh district on February 6.
Tejashwi dares Nitish to demand special status for Bihar
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday dared Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to demand special status for Bihar from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the NDA's Sankalp rally, here on Sunday.
IJK pledges support to DMK
The Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi which was part of the BJP-led front in Tamil Nadu during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections Saturday announced its support to the DMK. IJK chief Pari Vendhar, alongwith his party senior leaders called on DMK chief M K Stalin here and pledged his party's support to the Dravidian outfit for Lok Sabha polls. "As per the decision taken in our party's general council, I have apprised the DMK chief that we will support his party in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections," Pari Vendhar said. "Given the situation in Tamil Nadu, a big change is needed and only Stalin can usher in such a change," he told reporters. It is, however, not known immediately if the IJK will be allotted seats in the DMK front. He said the IJK cannot have an electoral tie-up with the BJP-AIADMK combine since the PMK, which had allegedly troubled his party, was part of it. The IJK was part of the seven-party rainbow alliance formed by the BJP in Tamil Nadu in 2014.
PM hands over 'chadar' to be offered at Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday handed over a 'chadar' to be offered at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in the coming days. "Handed over a 'Chadar' that would be presented at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah on the 807th Urs in the coming days," the prime minister tweeted. A delegation comprising heads of both 'anjumans' of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Committee on Saturday met Modi, who handed them over the 'chadar'. The delegation welcomed the prime minister with 'dastarbandi' and prayed for the country's peace, safety, harmony, a statement from the delegation said. Minority Affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was also present.
AAP names LS candidates for six Delhi seats, no tie-up with Congress (Third Lead)
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday announced the names of candidates for six of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital and ruled out an alliance with the Congress.
DRDO Chairman honoured with Missile Systems Award by US-based AIAA
DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has been honoured with the prestigious Missile Systems Award by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) for his excellence in the field of missile systems technology. Reddy will be awarded the Missile Systems Award 2019 along with Arizona-based Raytheon Missile Systems' Rondell J Wilson, the Virginia-based professional society of aerospace engineering announced in a statement. The 55-year-old renowned scientist was appointed as the chairman of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) last year. The award, presented biennially in odd-numbered years, is presented for excellence in developing or implementing missile systems technology, the AIAA said. It can be presented for a significant accomplishment in developing or implementing technology that is required for missile systems or for inspired leadership of missile systems programs, it said.
It's a diplomatic victory: Rajnath on OIC invite to India
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday hailed Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) invite to India as a "diplomatic victory", asserting that the entire world stood together against the scourge of terrorism."Entire world stands together against terrorism. No representative of India used to be invited to Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) but India's image has become such, that OIC invited India for the first time. It is a diplomatic victory," Rajnath said at a rally here.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was invited as a 'Guest of Honour' to attend a conclave of the OIC in Abu Dhabi. She addressed the plenary session of the conference, which was boycotted by Pakistan, as a protest against the invitation to India for the first time in the grouping's 50-year-old history.In her speech, Swaraj said the fight against terrorism is not against any religion but underlined that the countries providing shelter and funding to it, must be asked to dismantle the ...
PM Modi stole Rs 30,000 crore from IAF and gave money to Anil Ambani: Rahul Gandhi
Against the backdrop of airstrikes in Pakistan, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that while the Air Force protects the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stole its Rs 30,000 crore to give it to Anil Ambani.Rahul, who was addressing a public meeting here, alleged: "Indian Air Force (IAF) protects the country. Air Force pilots sacrifice their lives but our Prime Minister steals money from the Air Force, and puts it in Anil Ambani's pockets. It is a shame."He further alleged the Prime Minister not only robs the IAF but also steals money from farmers, small businessmen, and other common people.IAF on February 26 targetted training camps of Jaish-e-Mohammad led by Masood Azhar at Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in retaliation of Pulwama terror attack on February 14, in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed."Initially, the people used to say 'Acche din aayenge.' Now everybody says 'Chowkidar Chor Hai.' What they did in these four and a half years that the ...
Poonch, Rajouri to get 400 more bunkers
In view of heightened border tensions, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday sanctioned 400 additional bunkers for civilians living in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
No uncertainties in tie-up with DMDK, good news soon: AIADMK
Asserting that there were no uncertainties regarding a tie-up with actor Vijayakanth-led DMDK for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK Saturday said there would be good news soon. The ruling AIADMK, which is in an alliance with the BJP and PMK, has been making all-out efforts to rope in the DMDK. "There are no such uncertainties. In one or two days we will be taking a good decision and will announce a happy news (in this regard)," AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam, who is also the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, told reporters after a meeting at the party headquarters here. While the AIADMK has concluded its poll deal with the BJP and the PMK for the Lok Sabha polls by allotting five and seven seats in the state to them respectively, talks with the DMDK and other smaller outfits are yet to be formalised. BJP's Tamil Nadu in-charge and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had gone to DMDK chief Vijayakanth's house last month. Though the meeting between the two leaders was touted
400 additional bunkers sanctioned for border residents in J-K's Poonch, Rajouri
The Jammu and Kashmir administration Saturday sanctioned additional 400 individual bunkers for the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri which witnessed intense shelling from Pakistani troops over the past five days. "In view of the heightened cross-border shelling, the government has sanctioned additional 200 individual bunkers each for Poonch and Rajouri districts," an official spokesman said. The administration has directed officials to ensure speedy construction of these bunkers and it said the funds would be placed with the deputy commissioners concerned through the Rural Development Department. "The bunkers will get built in the next one month as per the prescribed specifications," the spokesman said. According to locals, he said the bunkers have been found to be an effective response to cross-border shelling, providing border residents a safe place to shelter themselves during shelling incidents. Meanwhile, a prominent Gujjar leader Shamsher Hakla Poonchi expressed grief over ...
PM asks private sector to help government's housing scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the private sector to help his government meet the goal of providing proper housing for every citizen by 2022.
AAP announces LS candidates for six Delhi seats
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here on Saturday announced names of candidates for six of the seven parliamentary constituencies in the national capital.
AAP announces 6 candidates for Delhi LS seats, puts up Raghav Chadha from South Delhi
The Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday announced candidates for six out of seven Lok Sabha seats, which are at stake in the city-state. The party has fielded Raghav Chadha from South Delhi.The name of six Lok Sabha candidates was announced by Minister Gopal Rai here, thus bringing all speculation about the Congress-AAP alliance in Delhi to an end. The Congress has already clarified that the party was not in favour of having an alliance with the AAP in Delhi.AAP has fielded Brijesh Goyal from New Delhi, Atishi from East Delhi, Dilip K Pandey from North East Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South Delhi, Pankaj Gupta from Chandani Chowk, and Gugan Singh from North West Delhi. AAP has not yet announced the candidate for West Delhi Lok Sabha seat.
Naqvi-led Muslim delegation invites PM Modi to Ajmer Sharif Dargah
A 10-member delegation comprising prominent people from the Muslim community, led by Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence here on Saturday to invite him to visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah on the occasion of 'Urs'. During the meeting, several issues related to the community and the current situation in the country were discussed.Speaking to the media after the meeting, Naqvi said, "We congratulate Prime Minister Modi for his leadership in the success and security of the country. He handed over a 'chaadar' (ritualistic offering) to be offered at Ajmer Sharif Dargah on the occasion of 807th Urs.""We discussed several issues including the situation in the country over the last few days. We pray for his (Prime Minister Modi's) well-being", said Sayed Moin Hussain 'Sarkar' from Ajmer Sharif Dargah.Another Khadim of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Shikzada Abdul Jrar Chishty said, "We had a good interaction with Prime Minister Modi. We .
LS: Puthiya Tamilagam joins BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu
Days after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its seat-sharing agreement with AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) in Tamil Nadu for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, which are scheduled to take place in May, on Saturday, another regional party named Puthiya Tamilagam joined the BJP-AIADMK alliance.The announcement came from Puthiya Tamilagam President Dr K. Krishnasamy, who formally declared his alignment with BJP and AIADMK on Saturday afternoon.While speaking to ANI, party president Dr K. Krishnasamy said: "We have joined the alliance to contest and win over 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry."Visuals shared by ANI showed Krishnasamy standing next to Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O. Panneerselvam in the alignment ceremony. The formal declaration comes after the BJP and AIADMK said that both the parties would fight in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls together in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.Under the joint agreement, it was announced that BJP will contest five
Defence Minister, Air Chief meet Abhinandan
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on Saturday met Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a day after he returned from Pakistan.Varthaman was medically examined particularly considering that he had ejected after his MiG 21 was shot down in the PoK air space while chasing Pakistani fighter planes which had transgressed into Indian air space on February 27.During a separate meeting with the Air Chief, Varthaman is believed to have briefed him about his detention in Pakistan, officials said.Varthaman was expected to be debriefed by the IAF on his detention in Pakistan, which is yet to take place.After a delay of over five hours by Pakistan, Wing Commander Varthaman reached India at 9.20 pm on Friday. He was in the custody of the Pakistan Army since Wednesday when his parachute drifted and fell inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.On Wednesday, Abhinandan, flying the MiG 21 Bison, was chasing Pakistani F-16 fighters which had transgressed into the ...
Yogi praises PM for 'befitting reply' to Pak; says 'Modi hai to mumkin hai'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan."Prime Minister has conducted himself as a 'Lauh-Purush' (iron man) during the recent incidents with Pakistan. It has shown that India, today, has a Prime Minister with a strong will and determination, who can make impossible things possible. Modi hai toh mumkin hai (if Modi is in power, anything can happen)" he said at a rally here on Saturday."You would have heard when the Pulwama attack happened, PM said that martyrdom of our soldiers won't go in vain. And valiant IAF pilots destroyed terrorist camps inside Pakistan even before 13 days. Our Wing Commander went to Pakistan and returned on Friday. This shows the determination of a strong government." he added. Adityanath also slammed the earlier governments for their inaction against terrorism."There were Prime Ministers earlier too, there were governments earlier too but lack of determination to act against ...
Petition filed by people in Pakistan seek Priyanka Chopra's removal as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has found herself in the tight spot after she cheered for war in a recent tweet when tensions were running high between India and Pakistan, which has upset her fans in Pakistan.An online petition started by people in Pakistan tagging the UN and UNICEF, seeks the removal of global icon Priyanka Chopra as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, reported The News International.Pertaining to actor's tweet "Jai Hindi #IndianArmedForces" after the Indian Air Force conducted multiple air strikes in Pakistan's Balakot, the petition argues that the actor 'Cheered for war', despite being the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.Priyanka Chopra was made the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in December 2016.On February 26, twelve days after the Pulwama attack, India had launched an anti-terror strike against a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror training camp in Pakistan's Balakot, in which a large number of terrorists were killed by the Indian Air Force, according to Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.
PM 'snatched' Rs 30,000 crore from IAF, says Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, farmers' issues and the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 during a rally at the Morabadi Ground here.