Page 1516 - Politics
Nigeria election violence killed 'at least 39': monitors
Civil society groups monitoring Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary election said on Monday that 39 people have been killed in violence linked to the vote. The Situation Room, an umbrella group of more than 70 organisations, said "election-related violence... led to the death of at least 39 Nigerians" in the last two days. The body, which previously gave a death toll of 16, had more than 8,000 observers on the ground for Saturday's vote, at which President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term. "Situation Room reiterates that no election in Nigeria should cost the life of any citizen and condemns in the strongest terms the lack of empathy, concern and sensitivity by the police class regarding these events," it said in a statement. A total of 16 people were killed in the southern state of Rivers, which has long been a flashpoint for political violence. Bayelsa, which neighbours Rivers to the west, saw four deaths, and Delta, the next state along, had two fatalities. Eight ...
IPS officer blames Mamata for suicide, TMC claims charge
A retired IPS officer, who allegedly committed suicide last week, blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for taking the extreme step of ending his life, a charge dismissed by the state's ruling TMC as "baseless". In a 6-page letter to the chief minister, Gaurav Chandra Dutt, who retired earlier this year, accused her of abetting his suicide by keeping him "compulsory waiting" for posting. The 1986 batch IPS officer also alleged he was "harassed and tortured in devious ways" by various state institutions at the behest of the chief minister. "Thus a self imposed death sentence by me should give you peace of mind, happiness and contentment and may this act result in sinful reactions which will cleanse you and awaken in other senior police officers some compassion and empathy which is sadly lacking today," Dutt's letter to Banerjee read. "This act is a symbolic protest against the dirty games of ruling government meant to pick and choose honest, hardworking ...
Turkey seeks 110 more arrests over Gulen ties
Turkish police on Monday launched operations to detain 110 more individuals, mostly soldiers, suspected of ties to the group blamed for the 2016 coup attempt, the Ankara public prosecutor's office said. Tens of thousands of people have been held over alleged ties to US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen since the failed coup while over 140,000 public sector employees have been sacked or suspended. Although Ankara has come under heavy criticism from its Western allies and human rights defenders over the scale of the crackdown, Turkish officials stress that the raids are necessary to remove Gulen's influence in state institutions. The prosecutor's office said Monday that among the latest suspects sought were 43 lieutenants and 50 sergeants from the Turkish land forces. The prosecutor's office said 67 of the suspects were active duty soldiers. The prosecutor also issued warrants for nine civilians -- of whom it said eight had already been taken into custody on Monday -- who had ...
Govt keen on playing politics over dead bodies of jawans in LS polls: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday targeted the Modi government, alleging that though the Centre had intelligence inputs about the Pulwama attack, it did not take any step as it was more keen on "playing politics over the dead bodies of jawans". The BJP-led Union government wants to create a "war hysteria" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to draw political mileage, Banerjee claimed. Addressing the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) extended core committee meeting here, she alleged that in the last over four-and-a-half years, the BJP, along with forces like the VHP and the RSS, has tried to divide the country on religious lines by injecting the "poison of hatred and communalism among the masses". She vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the upcoming general election. The TMC supremo, who had organised a conclave of over two dozen anti-BJP parties at the Brigade ground here on January 19, is all set to attend a crucial meeting of the opposition ...
US-China relations to remain contentious: Moody's
Reacting to US President Donald Trump's decision to delay the date for American tariff hike on Chinese goods, US ratings agency Moody's on Monday said although the compromise reached had become increasingly likely, the US-China relationship would continue to be contentious, "swinging between compromise and conflict".
Mamata warns TMC workers against infighting, vows to oust Modi
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Monday cautioned party workers against infighting and asked them to work hard as there was "no place for complacency". Addressing the party's extended core committee meeting here, Banerjee vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from the Centre and win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "We all have to work hard to ensure that this Modi government is defeated. We have to ensure that we will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. When I say we have to win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats, I mean it. We should not be afraid of any form of threat and intimidation," Banerjee said. "We should remember that the party can provide ticket to only one person per constituency. The rest of the leaders and workers will have to work to ensure that the party candidate wins," she added. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo further said that there was no place for complacency or grudges against the party's official ...
Modi govt implemented 'antyodaya' concept in true sense: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said it was the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that had, in true sense, implemented the concept of "antyodaya" (benefits reaching the last person in the society), adding that no one had ever imagined that the PM would wash the feet of sanitation workers with his own hands. Addressing a gathering here after handing over certificates to the beneficiaries of various schemes, he said, "You would have never imagined that the prime minister of any country would wash the feet of safai workers with his own hands. Serving the poor is serving the almighty and it is with this feeling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did this." Singh also said, "We are a firm believer of Antyodaya, which aims at the development and betterment of the person belonging to the last strata of the society. Inspired by this feeling, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working on this." The home minister, who is also the Lucknow MP, said in the history of independent ..
J&K parties rise in support of Article 35A
All mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir have come out in defence of Article 35A that gives the state legislature powers to define the residents of the state and their privileges.
Kashmiri Pandits' exodus reminds of atrocities on Jews: PDP MP
Kashmiri Pandits' exodus from the Valley reminds the world of the atrocities committed on Jews in the 20th century, People's Democratic Party (PDP) MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said.
Modi shooting PR films, rubbing salt into wounds of sufferers: Yechury
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly shooting "PR films", saying such photo shoots only "rubbed salt into the wounds of those suffering". In an apparent reference to Modi allegedly shooting a "propaganda and publicity" film till the evening of February 14, the day of the Pulwama terror attacks, and photographs of him washing the feet of sanitation workers on Sunday, the Left leader said the PM should make his priorities clear. "105 deaths in sewers and septic tanks in 2018 & 11 in 2019 alone. Nothing done to redress the grave situation despite Court Orders. PR photoshoots with multiple cameras only rub salt into the wounds of those suffering historical injustices," he said in a tweet. "It is just not Kashmir. The North-East is in immense turmoil. But Modi is busy shooting PR films in a Forest resort or mouthing inane film dialogues, irrespective of whether soldiers die or civilians. That makes clear what his real ...
Winnability will be criteria in seat sharing with JD(S):Siddaramaiah
As ruling coalition partners in Karnataka began parleys on seat sharing for Lok Sabha polls, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday said winnability will be the criteria. The leader of the Congress Legislature party also ruled out his contesting the parliamentary polls and said, he would like to continue in state politics. "There is hope that there will be agreement on seat sharing... no ratio, who will win from where is important," Siddaramaiah, who is also the head of Congress-JD(S) coordination committee told reporters in Hubballi. Pointing out that the first meeting on seat sharing is on between coalition partners, he said, KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara from the Congress' side; JD(S) state chief H Vishwanath and PWD Minister H D Revanna from the regional party's side will be holding discussions today. "I will then call a coordination committee meeting, where we will discuss again," he added. Congress and JD(S) ..
If Pak attacks India with one N-bomb, they could 'finish us by attacking with 20 bombs': Musharraf
Pakistan's former military dictator Gen (retd.) Pervez Musharraf has termed talk of any nuclear war with India as rubbish, saying if Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then New Delhi could "finish us by attacking with 20 bombs". "It is not so simple. Do not talk like this. There is always a military strategy," Musharraf, who is on self-exile in Dubai, said in response to a question at a news conference in Dubai on Friday evening. His statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed countries after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, termed talk of any nuclear war as rubbish, Dawn newspaper reported. "If Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs," he was quoted as saying by the paper. "The only solution is that we ...
Indefinite hunger strike by Arvind Kejriwal to garner support for his demand of full statehood: Rai
AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will sit on indefinite hunger strike from March 1 to garner support for his demand of full statehood for Delhi, party convenor Gopal Rai said Monday. Rai said he will write letters to Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari asking them about their stand on the issue. The BJP and Congress have questioned Kejriwal's decision to go on fast, saying it is a move targeted to gain political mileage weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "Kejriwal has no demand from the government and his fast is being held to organise people on the issue of full statehood. He will decide when people are organised over the issue. Till then the hunger strike will go on," Rai told reporters. He said the venue of Kejriwal's hunger strike is yet to be decided. Speaking at Delhi Assembly's ongoing budget session, Kejriwal on Saturday had announced to go on indefinite hunger strike from March 1. Rai said it is surprising that Delhi ..
Venezuela's Guaido meets with foreign allies for anti-Maduro strategy
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is meeting with members of a multinational support group in Bogota Monday to hammer out a strategy to remove his rival Nicolas Maduro from office. The trip comes after two people were killed and hundreds wounded as Guaido supporters clashed with Venezuelan security forces in a failed attempt to cross in truckloads of humanitarian aid from Colombia and Brazil. The European Union condemned Venezuela's use of violence and armed civilians to block the aid entry, while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked and saddened" by the civilian deaths. Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself acting president in January after the opposition controlled legislature concluded that Maduro was fraudulently re-elected. Some 50 countries recognize him as Venezuela's legitimate president. Guaido flew to the Colombian capital Sunday for the meeting with members of the Lima Group - 13 Latin ...
Democrats ready to fight to make Mueller report public
A top House Democrat has threatened to call special counsel Robert Mueller to Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and sue the Trump administration if the full report on Mueller's Russia investigation is not made public. Rep Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said his committee will keep close watch on new Attorney General William Barr to see if he were "to try to bury any part of this report." Schiff, D-Calif., also pledged to "take it to court if necessary." He said anything less than complete disclosure would leave Barr, who now oversees the investigation, with "a tarnished legacy." Schiff's comments come as Democrats have made it clear that they are ready for an aggressive, public fight with the Justice Department if they are not satisfied with the level of access they have to Mueller's findings. Mueller is showing signs of wrapping up his nearly 2-year-old investigation into possible coordination between Trump associates and Russia's efforts to sway the 2016 ..
Pakistan Foreign Minister delays Japan tour over 'sensitive' regional situation
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has postponed his trip to Japan due to the "sensitive situation in the region" following the February 14 attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF troopers, his office announced on Monday.
Congress demands Arunachal CM's resignation, imposition of President's Rule
The opposition Congress on Monday demanded the resignation of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and the imposition of President's Rule in the state following violence over the controversial permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue.
PM's ego not allowing him to meet demand for 'shaheed' status for slain paramilitary jawans: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Monday trained his guns on Narendra Modi, alleging that the prime minister's ego is not allowing him to meet his demand for granting "shaheed" (martyr) status to personnel of CRPF and other paramilitary forces killed in action. He, however, hoped that the prime minister would act on the Supreme Court's order for better pay to paramilitary forces personnel. "We must recognise the sacrifices of our paramilitary forces, like the CRPF & award their martyrs the title of 'Shaheed'. Even if the PM's ego will not allow him to act on my request, I hope he will act on the SC's order for better pay to the Paramilitary," he tweeted. He attached a media report alleging that before the Pulwama terror attack, the Centre had opposed salary hikes to CRPF in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, ahead of the inauguration of the National War Memorial in Delhi, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Modi what he had done to save the lives of soldiers in the past five ...
Goa BJP holds meet, denies discussion on leadership change
The BJP in Goa held a crucial meeting of his MLAs, MPs and office-bearers here on Monday which comes in the backdrop of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's hospitalisation. However, some senior BJP leaders who attended the meeting said there was no discussion on the ailing chief minister's health or change in leadership and that they deliberated on the party's preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Parrikar, 63, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, is admitted at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) since Saturday. BJP national general secretary and Goa desk in-charge B L Santhosh chaired the party meeting held in Panaji. While Santhosh refused to talk to media persons, some other leaders who participated in the meeting said there was no discussion on Parrikar's health or change in leadership. Emerging from the meeting, Union AYUSH Minister and Lok Sabha member from North Goa Shripad Naik said they held discussions on implementation of ...
Make public commitment to retain Article 35A: CPI(M) to govt
The CPI (M) on Monday demanded that the Centre make a public commitment to retain Article 35A in the Constitution that provides special privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and opposed any move to interfere with it. On Sunday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had said its stance remained unchanged that only an elected government would be able to take a stand on Article 35A before the Supreme Court, which is hearing a batch of petitions challenging its validity. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir and shades of political opinion there are highly perturbed by reports of efforts to do away with Article 35A of the Constitution...The Politbureau of the CPI(M) expresses its strong opposition to the move to interfere with Article 35A. It calls upon the central government to make a public commitment that the Article will be retained intact in the Constitution," it said in a statement. It also asked the central government to make its position clear on the matter. The Jammu ..