Page 1480 - Politics
Kashmir is ours means all Kashmiris are ours: Ram Madhav
Kashmir is ours means all Kashmiris are ours, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said Wednesday, asserting that if something is happening against this spirit anywhere, then the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh stands against it. If some Kashmiris are on the wrong path or are behind anti-national activities, they will be punished but it has to be kept in mind that they have to be made "Hindustani" (Indians by heart) with a "spirit of love", he said. His remarks come against the backdrop of incidents of harassment of Kashmiris in parts of the country following the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed on February 14. Madhav, the BJP's points person for Jammu and Kashmir, was speaking at the launch of a book, The saffron surge-Untold story of RSS leadership, here. Madhav said Hindutva is the ideological foundation of RSS and that Hindutva cannot be exclusive. "It is an inclusive ideology," he added. He explained the evolution of RSS since its foundation in 1925 and its ...
'JK Cong condemns air space, ceasefire violation by Pakistan in JK'
Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress Wednesday condemned Pakistan for breaching the Indian air space and resorting to intense shelling along the Line of Control. The party also urged the state administration to take all precautionary and appropriate measures to ensure safety and security of the border population. "The entire nation is united and together in the fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the neighbouring countries attempts to indulge in mischiefs and misadventures against India," J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in a statement here. Lauding the Indian forces for shooting down a Pakistani fighter jet, he blamed Pakistan for escalating the tension by targeting civilian areas and Army installations through intense shelling and air strikes, which, however, were repulsed effectively by the Indian forces. "The Pakistan fighter jets had to make a hasty retreat without causing any loss, while a Pakistani fighter has been .
Nepal asks India, Pak not to engage in actions that would threaten regional security
Expressing concern over the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, Nepal on Wednesday said that as the current Chair of SAARC it underlines the importance of peace and stability in South Asia and calls on both sides not to engage in actions that would threaten security in the region. The Foreign Ministry in a statement said the Nepal government is concerned about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack on February on February 14. It may be recalled that Nepal immediately condemned the heinous terrorist act, noted the Foreign Ministry. As the current Chair of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), Nepal, while underlining the importance of peace and stability in South Asia, calls on both sides to exercise utmost restraint and not engage in actions that would threaten peace and security in the region," it said. Nepal government has also called both the countries to seek solution through dialogue and peaceful ..
Pakistan does not want war with India, says Qureshi
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that his country does not want a war and asked India to come to the table to resolve all outstanding issues. "Today's strike demonstrates our right, will and Capability to defend ourselves. We do not want war. We hope India will come to the table to resolve all outstanding issues," Qureshi said. His comments came hours after the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said that Pakistan Air Force targeted military installations in India in response to Indian counter-terrorism operations but their attempts were foiled successfully though one Indian pilot is "missing in action". Earlier, Islamabad claimed it hit back at India by bringing down two Indian military aircraft, one of which crashed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir while the other fell in Jammu and Kashmir.
Trump, Kim pose for media, praise each other, enjoy dinner together
US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had a dinner date in Hanoi on Wednesday, at the start of a two-day summit.
Haryana Assembly passes controversial land bill
Despite the opposition parties alleging that the BJP government in Haryana was trying to favour private builders and land sharks, the Haryana Assembly on Wednesday passed the controversial Punjab Land Preservation (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2019.
WB Cong leaders face protest over proposed alliance with
A section of West Bengal Congress workers Wednesday staged protest against senior party leaders--Abdul Mannan and Pradip Bhattacharya-- over proposed seat sharing with the CPI(M) for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The West Bengal Congress had convened a meeting of its election committee during the day to decide election strategy for the 2019 Parliamentary polls. Mannan, who is Leader of Opposition in West Bengal state Assembly and Bhattacharya, a party MP and chairman of state coordination committee, faced protest as a section of the state Congress workers shouted slogans against the duo for trying to compromise interests of the party by forging a seat sharing deal with CPI(M). Congress workers asked then to go back. Bhattacharya hit back at the protestors saying they are acting against the interests of the party. "After being in Congress for last four decades. I don't need lecture from you guys on what is in favour of the party and what is against it," Bhattacharya ...
Rajnath holds high-level meeting on security, border management
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting here to discuss internal security, border management and an early morning air strike by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Indian military installations, a day after the Indian Air Force (IAF) bombed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) biggest training camp at Balakot in Pakistan.
India hands over dossier to Pak with details of JeM role in Pulwama attack
India Wednesday handed over to Pakistan a dossier on "specific details" of involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF as also the presence of camps of the UN-proscribed terror outfit in that country. The dossier was handed over to the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, who was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge a strong protest over Pakistan Air Force targeting Indian military installations, a day after the Indian counter-terror action against the JeM. Government sources have claimed that over 350 JeM terrorists were killed in the pre-dawn strike on the terror camps in Pakistan on Tuesday. The JeM had taken the responsibility of the terror strike in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. "Regret was expressed at continuing denial by Pakistan's political and military leadership at the presence of terrorist infrastructure in territories under its control," the MEA said. "A dossier was ..
Pak's attempted attack face saving exercise: Fmr Army chief
Pakistan's attempted attack on India's military installations was a mere "face saving exercise", former Army chief Gen V P Malik (Retd) said here Wednesday. "The (attempted) attack by the Pakistan Air Force on Indian territory is just a face saving action taken by the government of that country," Malik told the media here. "It's inadequacy was amply exposed during yesterday's air strikes by Indian Air Force on the terrorist camps when their forces were caught unaware," he added. He said that the Pakistan government was left with no other choice but to retaliate even if the attack failed to achieve anything. Earlier in the day, a Pakistani Air Force F-16 fighter jet was shot down by an Indian Air Force (IAF) MIG-21 jet in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. In a press statement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, accompanied by Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, said the Pakistani jet had on its target the country's military installations. The attempted attack came a ..
TRS to focus on canvassing for LS polls
Unlike Assembly elections when it announced a majority of candidates on the day the Assembly was dissolved, the ruling TRS in Telangana may not declare nominees for the coming Lok Sabha elections early, according to party sources. The party would focus on canvassing for the polls and not announce candidates even if there is unanimity within the party about the nominee, Telangana Rashtra Samithi sources said Wednesday. The party is likely to announce its nominees for Lok Sabha elections only ahead of nominations, they said. "The candidates will be selected by the party and party Chief KCR (K Chandrasekhar Rao) whenever it is required," they said. Rao had announced candidates for 105 out of the 119 assembly seats on September six last year when the Assembly was dissolved prematurely. Aiming to win 16 of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, the TRS had planned to hold preparatory meetings, to be addressed by its working president K T Rama Rao,from March one to gear ..
SP chief voices concern over safety of 'missing' IAF pilot
SP president Akhilesh Yadav Wednesday voiced concern over the safety of the IAF pilot "missing in action", saying he was praying for his safe return. Shortly after the MEA said it was ascertaining Pakistan's claim that a missing IAF pilot was in its custody, he also said the nation stands with him. "I am praying for the safe return of our brave pilot. May God protect you and give you courage and strength. The nation stands with you," Samajwadi Party chief said in a tweet. In another tweet later in the evening, Yadav said, "When the all-party meet happened, they were campaigning. When our pilot went missing, they were launching apps. The country demands that petty politics are set aside and our media acts responsibly so that our brave pilot is safely brought back home." In a brief statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, accompanied by Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, said details are being ascertained about Pakistan's claim of having captured an Indian ...
B-Town celebs urge Pakistan to send IAF pilot home
Bollywoood celebrities on Wednesday called for peace and wished for the safe return of an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot who is in Pakistan's custody.
India seeks immediate, safe return of pilot in Pakistan custody
India on Wednesday said that Pakistan has committed "unprovoked act of aggression" by targeting Indian military posts with its air force and sought immediate and safe return of an Indian pilot in its custody.
Cong gives ultimatum to CPI(M) to take a call on seat sharing
Miffed with CPI(M), the West Bengal Congress Wednesday said there will be no seat sharing with the CPI(M) by compromising party's dignity and gave an ultimatum to the Left Front to take a call on the tie-up by this Sunday. The Congress convened a meeting of its state election committee, which was chaired by Congress in-charge of Bengal Gaurav Gogoi, to decide on election strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. State Congress sources who spoke to PTI on condition of anonymity, said it has been decided that chairman of the state co-ordination committee Pradip Bhattacharya and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Abdul Mannan will speak to CPI(M) on the issue of the seat sharing and the matter should to sorted out by March 3. "We can't wait till eternity for CPI(M). They have our list of seats. Now it is for them to take a call on the matter on what they want. We will not compromise with our dignity for the sake of seat sharing. We have our list of 42 candidates prepared," .
Khattar denies early Haryana Assembly polls
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here on Wednesday reiterated that the Assembly elections in the state would be as per the schedule.
Supporters of terrorism must be held accountable, brought to justice: RIC (Third Lead)
India, Russia and China on Wednesday "strongly condemned" terrorism in all its forms, stressing that extremist groups cannot be used in political and geopolitical goals and those committing or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice.
Modi must suspend political activity till pilot returns: Omar
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must suspend all political activities till India gets back Wing Commander Varthaman Abhinandan who is in Pakistan's custody.
HC verdict on Sasikala-Dhinakaran plea for AIADMK name, two leaves symbol on Thursday
The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce on Thursday its verdict on TTV Dhinakaran and VK Sasikala's pleas challenging the Election Commission's (EC) decision recognising the group led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami as the real AIADMK party and allotting it the 'two leaves' symbol. A bench of Justices G S Sistani and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had on February 8 reserved its decision on the matter after hearing arguments on behalf of the EC and the two factions. The bench had said it would deliver the judgement within four weeks in view of the February 7 Supreme Court order that the EC can decide Dhinakaran's plea for an interim poll symbol, if the high court's decision does not come within four weeks. Dinakaran had floated Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) after he and Sasikala were expelled from the Palaniswami-led AIADMK. The apex court on February 7 had also vacated its order of abeyance on the high court's interim decision of March 9, 2018 directing the EC to allot
J&K Guv launches portal to monitor infra projects
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Wednesday launched an official portal for the management and monitoring of the ongoing infrastructure projects in the state. The State Infrastructure Monitoring System (SIMS) will provide a single platform for all the state departments to upload the information of their respective languishing projects, an official spokesperson said. Developed by the finance department in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the portal will deal with the management, monitoring, information and payment system of infrastructure projects funded through the Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC). Navin Choudhary, Principal Secretary Finance, briefed Malik about the salient features of the portal which will also help in processing payments in a streamlined manner for each project. The Governor congratulated the finance department for taking the significant step towards e-Governance besides ensuring ...