Page 1458 - Politics
Every Indian is proud of Abhinandan: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday hailed Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman saying every Indian was proud of him and lashed out at political rivals for suspecting the armed forces which, he said, helped Pakistan. Modi also hit out at the previous Congress-led UPA government for allegedly "blocking," surgical strikes post 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. After inaugurating several government projects here, Modi said "I am proud that India's first woman Defence Mininster Nirmala ji is from Tamil Nadu. Every Indian is proud that the brave wing commander Abhinandan belongs to Tamil Nadu." The events of the past two days, an apparent reference to IAF's air strikes and the IAF shooting down a Pakistan jet, have demonstrated yet again the strengths of the country's armed forces, Modi said. "It has also brought our nation closer," the prime minister said, an obvious pointer to the outpouring of support to Abhinandan and India's armed forces from the people. However, he said, it .
Modi can't leave aside his PR even for five minutes: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he can't leave aside his public relations exercise even for five minutes. The Congress chief was addressing a public rally in Dhule district of north Maharashtra. "Our prime minister tells the media that India is united after the Pulwama terror attacks, but immediately targets Congress," Gandhi said. "India's prime minister can't leave aside his public relations (exercise) even for five minutes. That is the difference between him and us," Gandhi said. The Congress leader accused Modi of misusing solemn occasions to target the Congress. "He (Modi) does the same (engage in PR exercise) at the war memorial opening," Gandhi said, referring to Modi opening an all-out attack on the Congress during the opening ceremony of the National War Memorial in Delhi recently. Gandhi also ridicules Anil Ambani on the Rafale aircraft deal, saying the industrialist can't even make a paper plane. Slamming ...
J-K Cabinet approves 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in general category
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday passed the Bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections in the general category."This (decision) would pave the way for reserving State Government jobs to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir who are from economically weaker sections belonging to any religion or caste," a statement read.Benefit of promotion to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which include Gujjars and Bakarwals amongst others, has also been made applicable to the state."After a long wait of 24 years, the 77th Constitution Amendment of 1995 has now been applied to the State of Jammu and Kashmir," the statement added.Meanwhile, it has also been decided that people living near the International Border (IB) have been brought at par with those living near the Line of Control (LoC) for reservation in the State Government jobs by amending the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 through an Ordinance.The statement added, "Earlier, the provision of .
National Herald case: AJL to approach SC against Delhi HC division bench's judgement
Associated Journals Limited (AJL) has decided to approach the Supreme Court against Delhi High Court's order asking them to evict the Herald House here.Nikhil Bhalla, one of the counsel in the National Herald case, told media here, "(We) had received a notice last evening and we had informed that we will be approaching the Supreme Court in the coming week. Don't know why officials of Land and Development Office came here today. There are no talks of vacating."His statement came after a team of Land and Development of the Ministry of Urban Development on Friday reached Herald House for the possession.AJL is owned by Young India (YI), in which Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi are majority shareholders.On December 21 last year, the Delhi High Court's single bench had dismissed the petition filed by the AJL, challenging the Centre's decision to cancel its lease and vacate the Herald House.The Centre, in its eviction order passed on October 30 last year, had ...
VK Singh attacks Mamata, says some people have no work to do
On Thursday, Banerjee had asked the government to spell out "details" of the exact place where the air raid was carried out and the casualties inflicted as the international media has claimed that there was no damage in the strike."We, as the Opposition, want to know the details of the air strike. Where were the bombs dropped? How many people died? I was reading the New York Times and Washington Post and they said that there were no casualties. Some media houses said one died. We want to know the details," Banerjee had told reporters in Kolkata.Asked about the West Bengal Chief Minister's remarks, Singh, who is the Minister of State for External Affairs, said, "There are so many people in our nation who don't have any work to."He also criticised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his comment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed BJP booth-level workers at a time when the country was worried about Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman who was taken into custody by
This is new India, will return damage done by terrorists with interest: PM Modi
Asserting that the influence of terrorists and terrorism has been curtailed and will be curtailed, even more, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday saidAddressing a public rally here, Prime Minister Modi accused the past government of being soft on terrorism and outlined the action taken by armed forces after the Pulwama and Uri attacks to substantiate his claim."From 2004 to 2014 there were several terror attacks, there were blasts in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and, other places. It was expected that those responsible for this attack will be punished but nothing happened. 26/11 happened in India but nothing happened. But when Uri happened, you saw what our brave soldiers did; Pulwama happened and you saw what our brave warriors did. The vigilance of those serving the nation keeps our nation secure," he said.The Prime Minister also stated that the events of the past few days have demonstrated, yet again, the strength of India's armed forces and questioned the ...
BSF arrests Indian national on suspension of spying for Pak
The Border Security Force has arrested a 21-year-old Indian national from Maboke, near border outpost in Punjab on suspicion of spying for Pakistan."21-year-old accused, Mohammed Sharukh, from Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad is a suspected Pakistani spy. He was arrested on Thursday from border outpost, Maboke," officials told ANI. "The BSF has seized a mobile phone with Pakistani sim card and the contact number used by him was added in eight Pakistan-based groups. Six other Pakistani phone numbers were also retrieved from him," officials said while elaborating about his arrest.The officials further said that the accused had wrapped himself in a bed sheet and was trying to hide his mobile. Following which, he was interrogated by BSF personnel. Later it was found that he was allegedly using his cell phone to communicate with Pakistan-based terror groups."During interrogation, Sharukh gave incoherent and contradictory answers asked by BSF. He has been handed over to police for further ...
Cong-JDS combine will win more than 20 LS seats in Karna:Rao
The ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance will win more than 20 out of total 28 Lok Sabha seatsin Karnataka during the coming Lok Sabha elections, stateCongress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao claimed Friday. "..since we are going in coalition this time...inKarnataka, in more than 20 constituencies, the Congress and JD(S) will win," Rao said. Speaking to reporters after inducting former Molakalmuru BSR Congress MLA Thippeswamy into the party, the KPCC chiefsaid his decision to join the party would help Congress win Chitradurga constituency with much higher margin thistime. According to him, there are good prospects for the Congress-JD(S)alliance this time with its decision to go for polls together. The party's performance was affected during assembly polls in the region due to various reasons, but local leaders were united now, Rao said. Congress' B N Chandrappa is sitting MP from Chitradurga. Chitradurga is one of the constituencies, which JD(S) is keen on contesting this ...
BJP leader from Muzaffarpur Bhagwan Lal Sahni to head NCBC
Bhagwan Lal Sahni, a BJP leader from Bihar's Muzaffarpur, has assumed charge as the chairman of the newly constituted National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), according to sources in the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry. BJP leader and former Varanasi mayor Kaushalendra Singh Patel, BJP national secretary and former MP Sudha Yadav from Haryana, and Telangana BJP general secretary Achary Talloju have been appointed as members of the commission. Their names were approved by President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday. The NCBC was given constitutional status by Parliament last year, after repealing the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The NCBC which previously only could recommend on the issue of inclusion or exclusion of a community in the Central list of OBCs will now have the powers of a civil court as it has been given Constitutional status, on par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan leaves for Wagah Border
Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman left for the Wagah Border from here on Friday to be handed over to India, two days after he was captured by Pakistani authorities. The Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot left Lahore in a convoy comprising vehicles of the Pakistani government officials. The Pakistani officials will hand over him to the Indian officials at the Attari-Wagah Border crossing here.
Shah slams Imran Khan for not condemning Pulwama attack
BJP president Amit Shah Friday slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for not condemning the Pulwama terror attack and asked how India can trust him. Speaking at the India Today conclave here, Shah said the Modi government has been able to create "fear" among those behind terrorism with its actions against Pakistan-based terrorists, and asserted a message has gone that India is no longer ruled by a dispensation that was at the helm between 2004-14, referring to the Congress-led UPA. Asked about Khan's offer for talks with India, the BJP chief said, "He does not have two words of condemnation that the incident (Pulwama attack) was wrong. He should condemn it. How can we trust you. What are you talking?" "You will speak and we will listen without finding out your intentions," he said, referring to Khan's comments that he was ready for talks. In his brief reference to the Pulwama incident in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terror attack, Khan had said on Wednesday, "We know .
Actor Amol Kolhe leaves Sena, joins NCP
Marathi actor Amol KolheFriday quit the Shiv Sena and joined the Nationalist Congress Party, saying he wanted to "strengthen the hands of Sharad Pawar". Kolhe, who is currently playing the title role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji in a popular tv serial on the life of warrior king Shivaji's son, was a deputy leader in the Sena. Addressing a press conference here along with senior NCP leaders, he said the youth population is growing fast and "the country is in the midst of a defining moment and needs the right direction". "(NCP chief) Sharad Pawar is capable of givingthe right direction to the country. I want to strengthen his hands," he said. He described Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as a "cultured man". "I am indebted for the love and affection of Shiv Sena workersfrom all over the state," he added. However, he was quitting the party as "some decisions have to be taken at the right time", Kolhe said. He would continue his acting career but spare time for political work when the .
Yeddyurappa urges BJP workers to live up to Modi's expectations
Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa Friday urged the party workers to live up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expectation of winning 300 seats in the coming Lok Sabha elections by winning all the 28 seats from the state alone. "We have to live up to the expectation of Modiji by winning more than 300 seats and hence, we have to win all the 28 seats in Karnataka. This is the responsibility we have," said Yeddyurappa in his address to the 'pramukhs' (heads) of 10 Shakti Kendras in the run-up to the parliamentary polls. He also asked the party cadres to serve as full-time workers just as Modi has been doing ever since he assumed office. Giving a clarion call for "Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot", the party's slogan to the grassroots level workers for aggressive campaigning ahead of the elections, Yeddyurappa said the election dates could be announced any time soon. He reminded Shakti Kendra 'pramukhs' that the prime minister had a vision to see India as a superpower in the world. Hence, ..
Pak Parliament condemns as 'aggression' India's counter-terrorism operation
Pakistan Parliament's joint session on Friday passed an unanimous resolution strongly condemning as "aggression" India's counter-terrorism operation in the country. The resolution was moved by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who earlier announced that he was to skipping meeting of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation over the invitation to Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj. Indian fighter jets bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. In the operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for suicide attacks were eliminated. The House rejected as "self-serving" and "fictitious" India's claims of having destroyed terrorist facility and causing heavy casualties. The resolution said that "facts on the grounds clearly contradict India's false claim and so have been testified by independent observers. The resolution noted that timely and ...
Pak Parliament condemns as 'aggression' India's counter-terrorism operation
Pakistan Parliament's joint session on Friday passed an unanimous resolution strongly condemning as "aggression" India's counter-terrorism operation in the country. The resolution was moved by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who earlier announced that he was to skipping meeting of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation over the invitation to Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj. Indian fighter jets bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. In the operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for suicide attacks were eliminated. The House rejected as "self-serving" and "fictitious" India's claims of having destroyed terrorist facility and causing heavy casualties. The resolution said that "facts on the grounds clearly contradict India's false claim and so have been testified by independent observers. The resolution noted that timely and ...
Pompeo: US to make sure China can't blockade South China Sea
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that the United States is committed to ensuring the South China Sea remains open to all kinds of navigation and that "China does not pose a threat" of closing the disputed sea lanes. Pompeo assured the Philippines during his visit to Manila that America will come to its defense if its forces, aircraft or ships come under armed attack in the South China Sea. His comments were an attempt to address local concerns over the vagueness of the allies' 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which the Philippines wants re-examined. "I think the whole world understands that the Trump administration has made a true commitment to making sure that these seas remain open for the security of the countries in the region and the world, open to commercial transit," Pompeo told a news conference in Manila. Washington will back the Philippines and other countries in the region "so that these incredibly vital economic sea lanes are open and China does not pose a threat ..
Sheila Dikshit turns down AAP alliance offer
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Sheila Dikshit on Friday turned down a proposal to tie-up with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national capital for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.Prior to taking a call, Dikshit met partymen at her residence and discussed with them about the proposal.On Thursday, Dikshit had conveyed the high command's willingness to ally with AAP to leaders of the party. Following this, a meeting was held with party workers at her residence.After two hours of deliberation, they declined the idea of aligning with AAP for general elections, Dikshit told ANI."Top leaders of Congress held discussion over the issue of a tie-up with AAP in Delhi but most of the leaders are not in favour of an alliance with AAP. We will convey our decision to party high command," she added.Earlier Dikshit had asked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on what basis he said that his party was tired of convincing the Congress to make an alliance."There should be only one candidate ...
Nepal President, PM pay tribute to tourism minister, six others killed in helicopter crash
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli Friday paid tributes to Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari and six others killed in a helicopter crash in the country's mountainous Taplejung district. The Air Dynasty helicopter crashed on February 27 killing the 39-year-old tourism minister, Nepal's prominent aviation and hospitality entrepreneur Ang Tsering Sherpa, Prime Minister's personal aide Yubaraj Dahal, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Deputy Director General Dhurba Bhochhibhoya, CAAN Deputy Director Yubaraj Dahal, Nepal Army official Arjun Kumar Ghimire and the pilot, Captain Prabhakar KC. The helicopter burst into flames after it hit a hill while Tourism Minister Adhikari was returning to Kathmandu after visiting famous Hindu temple Pathibhara in Eastern Nepal. The minister accompanied by the technical team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation had gone for a feasibility study for an airstrip in Chuhandanda, in Tehrathum ...
Goa Minister defends use of 'bouncers' at official meeting
A Goa Minister on Friday defended using "bouncers" at a state government meeting instead of police, saying they were "healthy Goans", who just happened to be wearing jeans and black shirts.
TRS sees non-Cong, non-BJP govt at Centre after LS elections
The ruling TRS in Telangana claimed Friday that a non-Congress, non-BJP government would be formed after the Lok Sabha elections, and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao would play a "very important role". "There would be a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre (after the elections) and KCR (as Rao is popularly known as) will play a very important role, with 16 MPs," TRS spokesperson Abid Rasool Khan said. The TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) has repeatedly said it aims to win 16 of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Khan denied suggestions that KCR's push towards forging a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties was losing steam. "Things will change as the election results come out, or in the run up to the elections", he claimed. TRS is open to talk to any party which is "secular" in nature and is not aligned with BJP and Congress, he said. Several regional parties fit in "that bracket", Khan said listing YSRCP, BJD, TMC, SP and BSP in this .