Page 1509 - Politics
Ramdev for removal of Articles 370, 35A
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Monday batted for the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A from the Constitution, which give special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that there should be "one rule for one nation.""Article 370 and Article 35A should be removed. There should equal laws for everyone. Why are Kashmiris getting everything special? Kashmiris can fight elections anywhere in the country but anyone other than Kashmiris cannot fight polls in the state. The whole country should be united and should be one," he told ANI.Article 370 of the Indian Constitution grants special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, Article 35A, incorporated into the Indian Constitution in 1954, grants special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.It is worth mentioning that the Supreme Court is hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the Constitutional validity of Article 35A.Responding questions on Pakistan and Pulwama terror attack, Patanjali ...
Spoken to BJP CMs to file review petition in SC on tribals eviction
BJP President Amit Shah on Monday claimed that he has spoken to all chief ministers in the states ruled by the party regarding Supreme Court's order on the eviction of tribals living in forest areas. He has assured that states will soon be filing a review petition.He said, "I have spoken to all chief ministers of BJP ruled states in the situation arising out of Supreme Court's order on the eviction of tribals living in forest areas. States will soon file review petition and care will be taken to safeguard rights of tribals and prevent eviction."Shah's remark comes after the apex court on February 13, while acting on a wildlife group petition, had directed the Central government to evict tribals, who didn't possess any rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, before July 27.Meanwhile, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday wrote a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel to file a review petition on the Supreme Court's order directing state governments to ...
Mirza Riyaz ul Hasan Effendi to be AIMIM MLC candidate
AIMIM chief Assaddudin Owaisi on Monday announced that Mirza Riyaz ul Hasan Effendi will be the MLC candidate.Owaisi tweeted, "Happy to inform that Mirza Riyaz ul Hasan Effendi will be the MLC candidate from AIMIM."Meanwhile, Telangana Legislator C H Malla Reddy took charge as Minister of Labour, Women and Child Welfare in Telangana Secretariat on Sunday.Telangana Chief Minister KCR won a second term with an overwhelming majority. KCR led TRS won 88 out of 119 legislative seats in the recently held elections.
'Be strong and smart': Trump warns Republican senators ahead of emergency declaration vote
US President Donald Trump on Monday cautioned Republican senators to not fall into the "trap" of Democrats pertaining to "weak and ineffective" border security, a day ahead of the crucial vote on his national emergency declaration."I hope our great Republican Senators don't get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security. Without strong Borders, we don't have a Country - and the voters are on board with us. Be strong and smart, don't fall into the Democrats "trap" of Open Borders and Crime!" Trump tweeted.Trump's remarks come as the House Democrats on Tuesday are set to vote on a resolution of disapproval that would block the US President's emergency declaration, in order to get his long-proposed wall built along the country's southern border with Mexico.On February 15, a defiant Trump declared a national emergency to bypass Congress and fulfill his long-pending demand of building the wall along the border with Mexico. Defending his move, the US President asserted that ..
Issue health bulletins on ailing Parrikar: Congress to govt
As Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar remains hospitalised, the opposition Congress Monday demanded the state government issue regular health bulletins to counter "rumours and speculation" around his medical conditions. Parrikar, 63, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, was admitted to the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here last Saturday. "The Congress Legislative party (CLP), which met on Monday evening, resolved that state government should issue health bulletin on the Chief Minister to counter the rumours and speculation around his medical conditions," Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar told reporters. He said "rumours" floating around Parrikar's health on social media has "created panic among the people". "To avoid it, we urge government to release daily health bulletin on chief minister's medical condition till the time he is admitted in GMCH," he said. The Congress leader said his party wishes Parrikar a speedy recovery and ..
Arunachal government orders probe into violence over PRC issue
The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet on Monday decided to set up an inquiry committee to probe the violence over the permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue that led to the death of three people and damage to public and private property in arson attacks.
Circus of transfer-postings saps governance: Sisodia
Deputy Cheif Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia here on Monday slammed Lt. Governor Anil Baijal and the central government for crippling the Delhi government by running a "circus" of transfer-postings.
TDP in AP copying TRS govt schemes, alleges TRS leader
The TDP government in Andhra Pradesh copied schemes being implemented by the TRS government in Telangana, TRS working president K T Rama Rao alleged Monday. "Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister) abuses us everyday. But, he copies all our schemes. We introduced 'Rythu Bandhu' two years ago, suddenly he remembered farmers since election are coming near. He says 'Annadata Sukhibhava' (the AP government's welfare scheme for farmers)," the TRS leader said, addressing a gathering here. The other schemes of AP government like 'Anna Canteens' and 'Pasupu Kumkuma' were also copied from the Telangana governments schemes, he alleged. The TRS governments investment support scheme for farmers, 'Rythu Bandhu', provided inspiration to states like West Bengal, Orissa and also the NDA government, he had said earlier. The TRS and TDP have been bitter rivals and the latter contested the recent Assembly polls in Telangana in alliance with the Congress and other parties.
Ready to face probe in CLU case: Punjab min Bharat Bhushan Ashu
Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is at the centre of a controversy over his alleged role in a matter related to unlawful change of land use norms in Ludhiana, said Monday he was ready to face probe but Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ruled out any "arbitrary action" in the case. The chief minister said the law will take its course when the opposition demanded Ashu's resignation as food and civil supplies minister in the state assembly. The assembly witnessed uproarious scenes over the Ludhiana Change of Land Use (CLU) case with the main opposition Aam Aadmi Party twice walking out of the House on the issue. As the Question Hour began on the last day of the budget session, AAP legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, raised the matter and sought Ashu's resignation. After storming into the Well, they demanded that an audio clip purportedly connected with the case be played in the House. Though the Speaker urged them to not disrupt the Question Hour, they ...
UDP demands BJP's ouster from ruling Meghalaya coalition
The United Democratic Party, a key partner in the National People's Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, here on Monday demanded ouster of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the coalition following controversies and violence over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Open to contest LS polls if BJP wants: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday hinted that he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if his party, the BJP, is keen on it, but made it clear he will not feature in the 2021 assembly polls. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting here in Lakhimpur district, Sarma said, "As I have stated earlier, I want to leave state politics and I don't want to contest the 2021 assembly elections. I have conveyed my decision to my party." On the prospect of contesting the general elections, he said: "I cannot take the decision... They (the BJP) can nominate me to contest for the Lok Sabha if they wish, and I will contest." Asked which parliamentary constituency would the minister prefer, Sarma said he was "okay" to contest from any of the 14 seats in Assam. Sarma, who is also convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), exuded confidence that the BJP would win 19 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats from the Northeast at the upcoming hustings.
CP(M) brings CPI, RSP on board over seat adjustment with Cong
Amid the ongoing impasse with the Congress over seat sharing deal for the Lok Sabha polls, the West Bengal CPI(M) Monday manged to bring along two of its allies - the RSP and the CPI - on board on the issue. It has been decided at a Left Front meeting that the Congress needs to leave it's claim over Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats presently held by the CPI(M), in order to take forward the seat sharing discussions. At the meeting here, the CPI(M) convinced the RSP and the CPI that seat-adjustment with the Congress was a necessity, a senior CPI(M) leader said. The meeting was convened to decide on the number of seats its allies such as the RSP, the Forward Bloc and the CPI will contest. Till date, the CPI(M) used to contest 32 seats, the RSP four and the CPI and the Forward Bloc three seats each. "With two Left allies on board, only the Foward Bloc is left. The party is not keen on alliance with the Congress. May be they are afraid that they might have to share with
Pak's Senate passes resolution condemning 'threats' by India
Pakistan's Senate or upper house of the parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning "threats" by India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. The move comes amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The resolution - moved by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz - appreciated the Imran Khan-led government's stance of offering assistance to India in investigations of the attack and to take action on actionable intelligence or evidence, Radio Pakistan reported. The resolution reiterated that no one should underestimate Pakistan's ability and commitment to defend its borders against any external aggression.
UP Cong election committee meeting held
The Uttar Pradesh election committee of the Congress met here Monday and entrusted the party's central leadership with the responsibility of deciding candidates for Lok Sabha polls. In a statement issued after the meeting at the UP Congress headquarters here, Piyush Mishra, the joint media coordinator, said, "The meeting was held under the chairmanship of UP Congress chief Raj Babbar. Detailed discussions regarding selection of Congress candidates from different regions of the state were held in the meeting." After elaborate discussions, it was unanimously decided to refer the matter to the central leadership. Some of the prominent leaders who attended the meeting are senior party leaders Nirmal Khatri, Ajay Singh 'Lallu' and Pradeep Mathur.
Unruly scenes in Punjab Assembly over Amritsar train tragedy
The Punjab Assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Monday between members of ruling Congress and the Akali-BJP over the Amritsar train accident last year where 60 people died. On the last day of the budget session, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legislator Bikram Singh Majithia sought to draw the attention of the revenue minister towards non-payment of the compensation to the victims of the accident that occurred on Dusshera. Majithia accused the state government of cheating with families of the victims by not providing them government jobs that were promised to them. Intervening in the matter, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Sidhu, in whose constituency the accident had occurred, took on Majithia and claimed that he had been supporting eight families of victims by giving each of them Rs 8,000 per month from his own pocket. Sidhu asked the Akalis whether they had ever given compensation to any victim out of their own pockets. SAD chief Sukhbir Badal asked the government whether there had been ..
Election Commission reviews poll preparations in Maharashtra
Top Election Commission of India officials Monday reviewed preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa, Sushil Chandra and state chief electoral officer Ashwani Kumar were present at a meeting held here in this connection, a senior official said. The ECI team, on a two-day visit to Maharashtra, met senior stateadministrationand election officials and also sought inputs from registered political parties. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik, who participated in the deliberations, said his party demanded that if voting is held through EVMs, then 20 per cent VVPAT slips should be counted and if there was a mismatch, then 100 percent slips should be counted. The party also demanded hikein the limit of election expenditure. Malik said 30 to 40 per cent of voter rolls are without photographs of voters. He also demanded stoppage of election campaign on social media 48 hours beforepolling, but did not elaborate how that will be achieved. The
Council polls: State Home Minister files nomination
Telangana Home Minister Mohd Mehmood Ali and other TRS nominees Seri Subhash Reddy, Satyawati Rathod and E Mallesham Monday filed their nominations as the ruling party's candidates for the Legislative Council elections. The TRShas decided to field four of its candidates and leave the fifth seat to ally AIMIM for the biennial election to the Council by the members of the Legislative Assembly to be held on March 12. The election is being held in view of the expiry of the term of five members in the Council on March 29. AIMIM has fielded Mirza Riyaz Ul Hasan Effendi as its MLC candidate. The AIMIM nominee, who is presently the partys Corporator in Hyderabad from Dabeerpura division, has also filed his nomination, AIMIM sources said. The TRS has 88 MLAs in the 119-member House. An independent and a member of AIFB have also pledged their support to the ruling party. The AIMIMs strength in the Assembly is seven. Meanwhile, the main opposition Congress is staring at the ...
Kashmir Pandit delegation visits family of Major killed in encounter with terrorists
A delegation of Kashmir Pandits visited the family of Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month, and expressed condolences. The joint delegation of the All India Kashmiri Samaj and the Kashmir Sevak Samaj visited the parental home of the widow of the Major in Faridabad on Monday, according to a statement. Major Dhoundiyal was married to a Kashmiri Pandit. The Major was among five security forces personnel killed in the February 18 encounter in which three JeM terrorists, including two top commanders believed to be behind the Pulwama terror attack, were gunned down.
Why continue Indus Water Treaty if Pakistan doesn't honour its spirit: Gadkari
Slamming Pakistan over cross-border terrorism, Union minister Nitin Gadkari Monday asked what is the point of continuing the Indus Water Treaty if its spirit of mutual love, harmony and cordial relations is not being honoured by the neighbouring country. Addressing a public meeting here, Gadkari said Pakistan should stop sponsoring terrorists, supporting terror outfits and sending terrorists into India, otherwise it would have to reel under shortage of water. Following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, the Union minister had said India had decided to "stop" the flow of its share of river water to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty. Under the Indus Water Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the three rivers, namely Ravi, Sutlej and Beas (eastern Rivers) averaging around 33 million acre feet (MAF), were allocated to India for exclusive use. The waters of western rivers -- Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab -- averaging to around 135 MAF were allocated to ...
BJP-ruled states to file review plea in SC against order on eviction of tribals: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah Monday said states ruled by his party will file a plea in the Supreme Court for a review of its order that is likely to cause eviction of lakhs of tribal people from forest areas. "I have spoken to all CMs of BJP-ruled states in the situation arising out of the Supreme Court's order on eviction of Tribals living in Forest areas. States will be soon filing review petition and care will be taken to safeguard the rights of our tribals and prevent (their) eviction," Shah said in a statement. The BJP remains committed to the uplift of "our tribal brothers and sisters" and will do everything to protect their rights, he said and took a dig at the opposition parties as he urged tribal people "not to fall in the trap of rumours from usual suspects". Shah asserted that what the Modi government has done for the welfare of tribal people during its rule of 55 months the previous Congress dispensations could not do in 55 years. He cited the rise in budgetary allocations for .