Page 1457 - Politics
Two border projects in Tripura put on hold after BGB raises objection
India's two integrated border development projects worth Rs 29.47 crore along the Tripura-Bangladesh borders have not been executed as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has raised objections, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb told the Assembly on Friday.
Swaraj holds bilateral talks with counterparts from Bangladesh, Maldives
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Friday held bilateral talks with her counterparts from Bangladesh and the Maldives and exchanged views on the regional situation. After addressing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting here, Swaraj held talks with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and her Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen. Swaraj and Shahid discussed follow up to Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's visit to India in December last year and also exchanged views on the regional situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. During her meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Momen, the two leaders discussed issues of bilateral importance. She was the first Indian minister to address the meeting of the 57 Islamic countries. India's participation came despite strong demand by Pakistan to rescind the invitation to Swaraj to address the grouping which was turned down by the host UAE, resulting in Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi ..
PM can't do without PR; attacked us despite unity talk: Rahul
Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for criticising the Congress despite talking about the need for unity after the Pulwama attack, party chief Rahul Gandhi Friday said Modi can't refrain from engaging in public relations exercise "even for five minutes". Speaking at a rally in north Maharashtra's Dhule district, the Congress chief also ridiculed industrialist Anil Ambani, saying he cannot make even paper planes. "After the Pulwama attack, I told my party leaders and workers to ensure that nobody criticised the government and (said) the country should stand together in this fight," Gandhi said. Political attacks on the government could be made once the tensions between India and Pakistan eased, he said. "Modi tells media that India is united after the Pulwama terror attack. Immediately after that, he criticises us during the war memorial opening (in Delhi). This country's prime minister cannot stop his public relations even for five minutes. That is the difference ...
Leader of Opposition to meet LG to demand probe into postings by AAP dispensation
Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta Friday said he would meet Lt Governor Anil Baijal to demand a probe into the posting of officers in the Delhi government's Trade and Taxes (T&T) department during the period when the Services department was under the AAP dispensation. Gutpa claimed that between February 14, 2015 and August 2016, when the Services department was under the AAP government, 18 senior officers of its liking were posted in the T&T department. No immediate reaction was available from the Delhi government on Gupta's charge. "During this period, the Kejriwal government posted a large number of their own officers to the Trade and Taxes department. "Nine officers were posted by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and nine officers were posted by the then secretary (Services) Rajender Kumar, at the behest of Kejriwal," Gupta said in a media conference. Gupta claimed later, these officers were surrendered back to the Services department on October 26, 2018, when ...
No delay in general elections due to India-Pak tension: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora clarified that there will be no delay in the 2019 general elections due to heightened tension between India and Pakistan."Election Commission has the capability to hold elections on time," Arora said at a press conference in Lucknow on Friday.Arora, who was was in Lucknow to hold a review meeting with state officials for the upcoming general elections, also warned of "harsh consequences" if a candidate fails to provide accurate information in his affidavit."The consequences will be much harsher than you think," he said in a response to a question on giving wrong information in affidavits filed by candidates before elections.Elaborating further, he said that discrepancies in affidavits, if found, will be updated on Election Commission Website.With regard to the criticism over the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Arora said "EVMs have been turned into footballs. If results are in favour, it is good, if results are not in your favour, they
Swaraj discusses bilateral issues with her Maldivian, B'deshi counterparts at OIC meet
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Maldives' and Bangladesh counterparts, Abdulla Shahid and Dr AK Abdul Momen, respectively on the sidelines of 46th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meeting here on Friday.The Foreign Ministers of India and Maldives discussed follow up to Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's maiden visit to India last year and exchanged their views on the regional situation."A close friend and a maritime neighbour. EAM @SushmaSwaraj met #Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on the sidelines of #OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting in #AbuDhabi. Discussed follow up to Maldives President's visit to India and exchanged views on the regional situation," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.Swaraj and her Bangladeshi counterpart had a "good exchange" of views on bilateral issues, Kumar further informed."Good exchange of views on issues of bilateral importance in EAM @SushmaSwaraj meeting with Foreign ...
Ahead of PM Modi's visit, CM Naidu sports black shirt as a mark of protest
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu sported a black shirt as a mark of protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the port city of Vishakhapatnam today to address a public meeting. This is his second visit to the state in less than a month. On February 10, he addressed a public meeting in Guntur, a city within the state's capital region. Ahead of the Prime Minister's public meeting, black hoardings with the hash tag "We Demand" were erected at the main centres across the city, demanding funds and completion of institution promised by the government under Bifurcation Act.Naidu, while addressing TDP leaders via teleconference on Thursday, had remarked that the Prime Minister "has no right to enter the state without fulfilling all the promises made in the bifurcation Act."The TDP chief, while expressing his dissatisfaction, termed the announcement of a new ...
Captain Amarinder seeks release of 1971 war prisoners from Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday urged Pakistan to admit to, and release the Prisoners of War (POWs) still in its captivity from the 1971 war.In an informal chat with media persons as part of his tour of the border areas in the wake of the escalating tensions at the LoC, the Chief Minister also urged the Indian government to take up the issue with Islamabad.Expressing happiness that talks to further thrash out the modalities for Kartarpur corridor were on track despite the tensions, Captain Amarinder requested the Central government to allow 5,000-10,000 pilgrims to cross through every day once the corridor becomes operational.He recalled his own family's close connection with the Kartarpur Gurdwara, which his grandfather Bhupinder Singh had helped to rebuild after the 1928 floods.On the compensation to the people whose land was being acquired for the corridor, Captain Amarinder said: "The state government will thrash out the matter with the Indian ...
S Korean President bats for 'new Korean Peninsula regime'
Amid the breakdown of the Hanoi summit in Vietnam, South Korea outlined its vision for its region on Friday, batting for a "new Korean Peninsula regime"."The coming 100 years will differ from the past in quality. We will push ahead with a bold transition toward a new Korean Peninsula regime and prepare for unification," South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said during a ceremony at Gwanghwamun.Elaborating further, Moon said, "The new Korean Peninsula regime refers to the order of the coming century in which we will take on a leading role. Working together with the people and with North Korea as well, we will create a new order of peace and cooperation," reports Yonhap News Agency.He put forth that a "permanent peace regime" would be established, saying, "We will establish a permanent peace regime without fail on the basis of our unwavering will, close ROK-U.S. coordination, a settlement in North Korea-U.S. talks and support from the international community."Expectations were high from .
Pak violates ceasefire in Nowshera sector
Pakistan violated ceasefire at various places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. At 1615 hours, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Rajouri district's Nowshera sector along the LoC.Earlier in the day, Pakistan violated ceasefire at Gawahalan, Chokas, Kiker and Kathi posts in the Uri sector.Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively.Further details are awaited. .
By questioning air strikes, Mamata speaking Pakistan's language: Bengal BJP chief
A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the success of Indian air strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camps in Pakistan, state BJP President Dilip Ghosh on Friday accused her of speaking in Pakistan's language.
Lok Sabha polls on time, says CEC Sunil Arora
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Friday said the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan will have no bearing on the upcoming general elections in April-May this year.
Balance of influence shifting in favour of India in the Muslim
The balance of influence is shifting in favour of India in the Muslim world, said former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, who sees India's address to OIC for the first time as correction of a "historic wrong". "I think that this is a very significant development", Ahmad said of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's address to the grouping of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Abu Dhabi Friday. "I see it as a shift in the balance of influence in favour of India, and away from Pakistan in the Muslim world," he told PTI. Fifty years ago, a Pakistani general (Yahya Khan) who had come to power as a result of coup d'etat had insisted that India should be evicted from the Rabat platform, he said. "50 years later, this historic wrong is being corrected. And it is significant that it is Pakistan that is missing from this Islamic forum. So, the entire scenario has shifted in favour of India and this is a result of the shift in regional and global ...
2019 LS polls is about stability versus vulnerability: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the 2019 Lok Sabha election was about offering strength against vulnerability, asserting the BJP-led NDA would provide stability. Hitting out at the opposition and dynastic politics, Modi said "My only family is 130 crore Indians. I will live for them. I will die for them," he said. After launching some projects in the Rail and Road sectors here, Modi also took a dig at Congress leader P Chidambaram, saying the 'recounting minister' has to now apply for bail just like the party's 'first family', apparently referring to the Aircel-Maxis deal. "The 2019 Lok Sabha elections have two distinct sides. Our side offers strength and stability. The other offers weakness and vulnerability. Our leaders' work culture is known across India. But the other side is in confusion. They have no name to offer as national leader and have no vision for India's growth," he said. Modi has been describing the proposed opposition coalition or ...
TN CM requests Modi to set up naval station in Kanyakumari
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami on Friday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sanction a naval station here for fishermen's safety.
Vijayvergiya slams Mamata for "doubting" success of Balakot
BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya Friday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "doubting" the success of the strike by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at training camps of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed at Balakot in Pakistan. BJP's state president Dilip Ghosh also criticised her saying it is "condemnable" that an Indian politician, and not a Pakistani one, is demanding evidence of success of the air strike. "It is a matter of shame that just for the sake of politics, a chief minister is doubting our armed forces, when the entire country stands by the armed forces. We condemn such statements," Vijayvergiya told reporters on the sidelines of a party meeting here. Banerjee Thursday said the nation has a right to know what actually happened at Balakot in Pakistan following the IAF's air strike there, as several foreign media had reported that not much damage was done by the air strike. She had said, "We have the right to know, people of this ..
HC questions creation of separate category for Maratha quota
The Bombay High Court Friday questioned the Maharashtra government's decision to create a separate category called Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) for providing reservation to the Maratha community. A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre asked why the Maratha community was not included in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. "If, according to the government the SEBC and OBC are one and the same then what was the need to create a separate class?" Justice More asked. "The state could have included the Maratha community in the OBC category and granted them (Marathas) 16 per cent reservation. Why the segregation?" the court said. Responding to the court's query, government counsel V A Thorat said the state's intention was to give the Maratha community reservation only in government jobs and educational institutions. "Had the government included the Maratha community in the OBC category, then they would have automatically got full reservation, ...
Elections in India come at critical time amid tensions with Pak: DBS Group
India's general elections come at a critical juncture for its economy amid tensions with Pakistan, a top Singapore bank has said. In a report on India's economy, the DBS Group said that despite some reforms, a welcome improvement in the business climate and a discernible decline in governance lapses, growth has been lacklustre. The savings-investment gap remains large, external vulnerabilities loom against an improved but still modest buffer to absorb shocks, and financial sector stress remains high, according to a DBS Group Research team. Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to govern with strength and has considerable popularity, but a recent spate of state election setbacks and some fledgling governance scandals have dented the aura of inevitability from the elections, said the report. "A spike in political tensions vis-a-vis Pakistan is another complicating factor," said Chief Economist Taimur Baig and Economist Radhika Rao at the DBS Group Research. Resumption in border ...
India getting Islamic countries' cooperation in fighting terror: Rajnath
Terming terrorism as a major challenge for the entire world, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that India was getting full cooperation from the Islamic countries in its fight against terrorism.
Parliamentary panel briefed on India-Pakistan tensions
External Affairs Ministry top official on Friday briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on bilateral relations with Pakistan in view of India's attack on terror camps in the neighbouring country, followed by Pakistan's aerial incursion.