Page 1467 - Politics
Cong, JDS to discuss seat sharing for LS polls on March 4
The ruling alliance in Karnataka is likely to discuss seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls at the coalition coordination committee meeting on March 4, Congress sources said Thursday. The coalition partners had held first round of talks on seat sharing on February 25, during which the Congress insisted that winnability would be the criteria, while JD(S) maintained its stand to contest for 12 seats. The coordination committee meeting is expected to discuss the seat sharing, following the initial round of discussions between both the parties recently, Congress sources said. Congress state president Dinesh Gundu Rao, deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwara from Congress' side and public works minister H D Revanna, JD(S) state president Adagur H Vishwanath from the regional party's side had met and discussed seat sharing on February 25. The two parties did not reveal the outcome of the meeting. However, Rao had termed the meeting as fruitful and said discussions took place ...
Opposition alliance will send country to ICU: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday pitched the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as an election to fulfil people's aspirations after his government "fulfilled" their necessities, as he cautioned the BJP rank and file against any "smallest lapse" that may result in a setback like in 2004. The Opposition's proposed grand alliance, which he called 'mahamilavat' (highly adulterated), will send the country to ICU (intensive care unit), Modi said, referring to "corruption and scams" under the previous UPA rule and describing the combine as a mixture of "oil and water" that will leave them useless. In a video-interaction with BJP workers and sympathisers from across the country, he referred to the "experience of Atal ji" to say a smallest lapse may stop the fast-paced development under his government and "ease of corruption" and scams will rule again. The first BJP-led NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had suffered an unexpected loss in the 2004 polls. Modi said the Vajpayee ...
China non-committal about move in UN to list Azhar as global terrorist
China Thursday appeared non-committal about its stand on a fresh proposal moved by the US, the UK and France in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group JeM's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. China, a close ally of Pakistan, has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by the 1267 Committee by putting technical holds. Asked whether China will block the move to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as a global terrorist - a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang almost reiterated Beijing's oft-repeated stand at a media briefing here. "As we have said on many occasions, the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council has clear norms on the listing of terrorist organisations or individuals and relevant procedures," he said. China will continue to take a responsible attitude and participate .
China non-committal about move in UN to list Azhar as global terrorist
China Thursday appeared non-committal about its stand on a fresh proposal moved by the US, the UK and France in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group JeM's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. China, a close ally of Pakistan, has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by the 1267 Committee by putting technical holds. Asked whether China will block the move to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as a global terrorist - a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang almost reiterated Beijing's oft-repeated stand at a media briefing here. "As we have said on many occasions, the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council has clear norms on the listing of terrorist organisations or individuals and relevant procedures," he said. China will continue to take a responsible attitude and participate .
India to continue talks on Kartarpur Corridor, Pak has called it off: Sources
India has not ended talks on the Kartarpur Corridor and it will continue doing it; it has been ended by the Pakistani side, sources said.India is ready for talks on Kartarpur and has not called it off, said sources adding that Pakistan has now called it off.The Indian government, on the eve of Guru Purab on November 22 last year, approved the construction of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the India-Pakistan International Border.The Pakistan government had also confirmed the corridor's opening.The Kartarpur route, along the India-Pakistan border, is 3 kms away from Gurdaspur in Punjab.Once functional, the corridor would allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak passed away in 1539.On February 27, Pakistan violated the Indian airspace. This happened a day after India launched an anti-terror strike against a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber ...
India to continue talks on Kartarpur Corridor, Pak has called it off: Sources
India has not ended talks on the Kartarpur Corridor and it will continue doing it; it has been ended by the Pakistani side, sources said.India is ready for talks on Kartarpur and has not called it off, said sources adding that Pakistan has now called it off.The Indian government, on the eve of Guru Purab on November 22 last year, approved the construction of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the India-Pakistan International Border.The Pakistan government had also confirmed the corridor's opening.The Kartarpur route, along the India-Pakistan border, is 3 kms away from Gurdaspur in Punjab.Once functional, the corridor would allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak passed away in 1539.On February 27, Pakistan violated the Indian airspace. This happened a day after India launched an anti-terror strike against a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber ...
I can even die for India, says Rakhi Sawant
Amid rising tension between India and Pakistan, Bollywood dancer and actor Rakhi Sawant said that she can even die for India if needed. The actor also praised the steps India took after Pulwama terror attack. Rakhi stated that whatever step Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken in order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pulwama attack is completely right."We don't want to say anything on this, Modi ji has given the right reply to them. He is doing everything and we support him," Rakhi told ANI on the sidelines of an event in Ludhiana in Punjab.Claiming that she can also die for the India, Rakhi said, "I can also die for the nation, I will willingly go the rival's territory with 50-100 bombs and destroy them if needed."Praying for the safe return of the IAF pilot, Rakhi added, "Modi ji has given the right answer to Pulwama attack. I pray that our pilots reach safely."Meanwhile, Indian wrestler Khali who was also present at the event with Rakhi, too spoke about the ...
I can even die for India, says Rakhi Sawant
Amid rising tension between India and Pakistan, Bollywood dancer and actor Rakhi Sawant said that she can even die for India if needed. The actor also praised the steps India took after Pulwama terror attack. Rakhi stated that whatever step Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken in order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pulwama attack is completely right."We don't want to say anything on this, Modi ji has given the right reply to them. He is doing everything and we support him," Rakhi told ANI on the sidelines of an event in Ludhiana in Punjab.Claiming that she can also die for the India, Rakhi said, "I can also die for the nation, I will willingly go the rival's territory with 50-100 bombs and destroy them if needed."Praying for the safe return of the IAF pilot, Rakhi added, "Modi ji has given the right answer to Pulwama attack. I pray that our pilots reach safely."Meanwhile, Indian wrestler Khali who was also present at the event with Rakhi, too spoke about the ...
Combat terror outfits operating in your soil: Germany to Pakistan
Germany on Thursday urged Pakistan to take strong and effective action against terrorism by taking steps to eliminate the terror outfits operating in the country."There is terrorism on the ground. In Pakistan, too, every effort must be made to ensure that terrorist organisations, which are known to have their base in Pakistan, are not only not able to carry out their nefarious deeds there, but are in fact combated," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.He added that he spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi over the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, underlining that Germany is "very concerned about the current state of affairs".Urging India and Pakistan to ensure that there is no confrontation between the two sides, Maas further said, "I spoke on the telephone with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan about this a few days ago. We hope that the situation does not trigger an escalation.""We know that the situation in Kashmir is not how we ...
Combat terror outfits operating in your soil: Germany to Pakistan
Germany on Thursday urged Pakistan to take strong and effective action against terrorism by taking steps to eliminate the terror outfits operating in the country."There is terrorism on the ground. In Pakistan, too, every effort must be made to ensure that terrorist organisations, which are known to have their base in Pakistan, are not only not able to carry out their nefarious deeds there, but are in fact combated," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.He added that he spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi over the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, underlining that Germany is "very concerned about the current state of affairs".Urging India and Pakistan to ensure that there is no confrontation between the two sides, Maas further said, "I spoke on the telephone with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan about this a few days ago. We hope that the situation does not trigger an escalation.""We know that the situation in Kashmir is not how we ...
Pakistan will release Wing Commander Abhinandan tomorrow: Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday announced that Indian Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan will be released on Friday as a peace gesture.He made the announcement while addressing a joint session of the Parliament.Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets which transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir yesterday and crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely and was taken to the custody by Pakistani Army. Khan said the decision to release Abhinandan was a peace gesture of Pakistan."Pakistan wants peace and development... War will destroy both the nations," the Prime Minister said."War is not a solution… but don't consider de-escalation as our weakness," he added.
2014-19 was an effort to come out of 'fragile five', 2019-24 about entering top 5 economies across the world: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said while India strove to come out of the 'fragile five' nations between 2014 and 2019, the country during the next five years would make efforts to enter the league of the global top five economies."The years between 2014 and 2019 was an effort to come out of 'fragile five'. Now from 2019 to 2024 we are about to enter the top five economies across the world," Prime Minister Modi said in his address to BJP booth workers across India via video conference.Prime Minister Modi said prior to 2014 Lok Sabha elections, "the government in Centre was drowned in corruption.""There was policy paralysis in the country. There was a need to form a government which can make the country corruption-free and strong. We have given this type of government.Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee leadership, the NDA government did much work in the country. But with the end of his governance in 2004, all work stopped and his efforts went in vain. The country was pushed back. In .
Nation relieved, Imran Khan acted like statesman: Mehbooba on Abhinandan's release tomorrow
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday stated that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is going to be released tomorrow, is good news and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has behaved like a statesman."This is very good news, with this not only will Abhinandan's family but the entire nation will be relieved. Imran Khan has acted like a statesman, so we should give it to him," said Mehbooba while hailing the move.The Pakistan Prime Minister, while addressing a joint session in Parliament today, announced that Wing Commander Abhinandan will be released on Friday as a peace gesture.Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets which transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir yesterday and crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely and was taken to the custody by the Pakistani Army. Mehbooba expressed hope that the central government will de-escalate the situation to end the ...
Don't need third parties to mediate: Sources
As US President Donald Trump said his country is trying to be involved to cool down the tense situation between India and Pakistan, sources here underlined that New Delhi does not require any third party to mediate.They, however, said that three permanent members of the UN Security Council have moved a proposal in the world body for the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist under the United Nations Sanctions Committee (UNSC) 1267.The sources were apparently referring to the US, the UK and France which are pushing the proposal which is being stalled by China.Earlier, Trump said in Hanoi, "It has been going on for a long time, decades and decades. There is a lot of dislike (between India and Pakistan), unfortunately. So we have been in the middle, trying to help them both out so that we can get some organisation and some peace, probably that is going to be happening."Indian sources said they were not aware of what Trump was talking about.They said ...
Pak violates ceasefire, third time in a day
Pakistani armed forces on Thursday violated ceasefire for the third time in a day when they resorted to unprovoked firing and heavy shelling of mortars along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani, Mankote, Khari Karmara and Degwar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.Shelling and firing which started at 6 a.m. paused and resumed at 3 p.m.The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.Earlier in the morning, the Pakistani Rangers resorted to firing and shelling of mortars at posts in the Krishna Ghati sector. The gun-battle which commenced at 6 a.m concluded after an hour. At 2:15 p.m. they violated ceasefire in Rajouri's Nowshera Sector.Owning to tensions between the two countries schools up to five kilometers from the LoC have been shut for an indefinite timeOn Wednesday, Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors in the Rajouri district, to which the Indian Army gave a befitting reply.On Tuesday, India carried out an air strike on a terror camp run by ..
Be cautious of Opposition's attempt to spread fake news over social media: PM tells party workers via video conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged people to not get influenced by fake news being spread over social media by enemy countries. He also cautioned BJP party workers to be wary of attempts of attack by the Opposition, whom he called the "masters of fake news". "Social media is a democratic media. On it, every person gets an opportunity to speak. Social media has worked to make a big difference in the world over the past few years. Social media and our social media volunteers will have a big contribution to the 2019 Lok Sabha election," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the BJP booth workers via video conference.Urging party workers to use social media to "connect, communicate and correct", Modi said caution must be exercised not to share fake news."The Opposition has received 'maharat' (masters) in using fake news. It's a normal thing, somebody who does not have own agenda, will make fake news as its agenda. Fake news should not be deleted from phones only, but from .
Congress attacks PM Modi on booth workers meeting, says BJP places party over nation
Congress on Thursday slammed the BJP for putting party before the nation in contrary to its claim that nation comes first in its priority.Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing BJP's booth level workers amidst India-Pakistan tension, Congress said: "It is really shocking that when the nation wants its leadership to speak, the Prime Minister chose to address the booth workers of BJP rather than addressing the nation."Whereas the Congress postponed its CWC meeting and other political programmes, said Congress leader Manish Tiwari adding, "We believed that this is not the appropriate time to go ahead with political programmes."He told media persons that the conduct of BJP since the pre-emptive non-military strike is a matter of "grave anguish".He said, "It is unfortunate that at a point when the priority should be of further strengthening the nation, the Prime Minister thinks that this is the time to strengthen their electoral booths. In speeches, the .
Mamata Banerjee questions aerial strikes against JeM terror camp
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked the government to spell out "details" of the exact place where the air raids were carried out and the casualties inflicted as international media has claimed that there was no damage in the strikes."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 told reporters here.She said that her party respected the armed forces and did not like politicisation of the sacrifices made by the soldiers."We are with the armed forces. We respect them. But, I don't like those who indulge in politics over the sacrifices made by our jawans. This is unacceptable and I condemn this," Banerjee further said.Tensions spiralled between India and Pakistan after the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out aerial ..
Swaraj going to OIC, to underscore India's historical ties with member countries: Sources
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) New meet beginning tomorrow in United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant first for India.Swaraj, who will be attending as "a Guest of Honour' despite Pakistan's objections, will underscore India's long and historical relationship with the OIC member countries, sources said on Thursday.Swaraj will address the plenary of the two-day 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the 57-member body. She has been invited by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address the OIC meet.India considers its bilateral ties with the UAE as vital, the sources said.Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has threatened to boycott the OIC meet if Swaraj participated.The OIC on Tuesday "condemned" the aerial strikes carried out by India deep inside Pakistan, urging New Delhi and Islamabad to exercise restraint to avoid further provocations that would "endanger peace ..
Bihar Grand Alliance: Rahul Gandhi likely to meet Lalu Yadav
All is not well within the RJD-led Congress alliance in Bihar. The talks have not concluded yet and the seat-sharing formula has hit a dead end.To end the deadlock, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to meet RJD leader Lalu Yadav to resolve the issue of seat sharing on March 2. Congress hopes that Yadav's intervention will help to settle the issue.Gandhi is scheduled to address a Congress rally in Ranchi on the same day.The problem arose with former Bihar Chief Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi escalating his demand for seats, which the RJD is not relenting.The Congress is demanding 12 seats, including a seat for senior leader Tariq Anwar who switched sides and joined the party. The RJD is adamant in contesting at least 20 seats.Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha may settle for five seats and one seat for CPI. In this formula, Manjhi has to settle for one seat and he is seeking green pastures across the fence, sources ...