Page 1518 - Politics
Govt keen on playing politics over Pulwama attack in LS polls: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday alleged that though the Modi government 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". Banerjee, while addressing the Trinamool Congress's extended core committee meeting here, vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the upcoming general election. She claimed that her party Trinamool Congress(TMC) will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the polls. "The central government was aware that such an attack can take place, there were intelligence inputs. Then why didn't the government take action to protect our jawans. The government allowed them to die so that they can do politics over the dead body of jawans in the elections," Banerjee said. They want to create a "war hysteria" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC president alleged. The central government is functioning in a peculiar way and ...
Pro-Russian party leads in Moldova parliamentary vote
A pro-Russian party has taken the lead in parliamentary elections in Moldova, results showed Monday, but without the clear majority needed to avoid a hung parliament. With nearly all votes counted, the Socialist party close to President Igor Dodon was ahead with 31 percent, the election commission said. The pro-European ACUM bloc came second with 26 percent, while the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party was third with 24 percent. Political observers fear a new period of instability for the ex-Soviet country after Sunday's vote. Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has struggled to find its place since gaining independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. While many in the country of 3.5 million want to maintain close ties with Moscow, others seek to follow the example of Romania -- with which Moldova shares a language and long history -- and look west to the European Union. The vote was held under a new electoral system that divides the 101-seat parliament into seats
Political parties seek manifesto suggestions online
Political parties in India are reaching out to citizens to understand issues facing them in order to set their election agenda.
Defence personnel alerted against Pakistani spy on Facebook
New Delhi [India], Feb 25 (ANI): Pakistani intelligence agencies are using fake Facebook profiles with names of Indian women in an attempt to honey trap Indian defence forces' personnel, prompting authorities here to send out an alert.The alert was sent out after one such Facebook profile was detected, from which friend requests are being sent."After inputs were received from our personnel about a Facebook profile (Facebook ID name deliberately withheld) using the name of an Indian woman and sending friend requests to military personnel, a thorough check was carried out and found that it was confirmed Pakistani Intelligence Operative and the profile was also created there only," defence intelligence sources told ANI."After this, a warning has been issued to defence forces' personnel to be alert about this profile to avoid falling in their trap," they said.In the recent past, there have several cases where intelligence operatives using fake social media profiles honey-trapped Army ...
SC dismisses plea seeking direction to ECI
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition filed by lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay seeking a direction to political parties against fielding candidates who have more than two children.In his plea, Upadhyay had submitted that a direction be issued to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to insert an additional condition that "political party shall not set up candidates, who have more than two children".A division bench of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said, "We could not pass any order directing the political parties whose candidates are having more than two children.""It is a constitutional court and we cannot direct the political parties to do so," Justice Gogoi said while dismissing the petition.
Holding timely elections in J&K biggest challenge for Modi: Omar Abdullah
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said holding timely elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "biggest challenge".
No political front with Cong anywhere for LS polls: Kodiyeri Balakrishnan
Amid move by the West Bengal unit of CPI(M) to enter into a seat sharing pact with the Congress in the TMC ruled state, a senior Kerala CPI(M) leader Monday said there would be no political front with the Congress anywhere in the country for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "There would be no political front with the Congress anywhere in the country. There is no intention to forge a political front with the Congress in the elections," CPI(M) Kerala state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters here. Balakrishnan, a senior politburo member, said this in response to a question about the move by the West Bengal unit of the CPI(M) to enter into a seat-sharing pact with the Congress for fighting Lok Sabha polls against Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee in the state. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had said after the recent politburo meeting of the party that the election partners would be chosen keeping in mind the state-level equations. The CPI(M), which had a ...
Posters in Moradabad inviting Vadra to contest LS polls
A day after Robert Vadra, Congress President Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law hinted at venturing into politics, posters were put up in Uttar Pradeshs Moradabad constituency on Monday inviting him to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
BSP will not join Grand Alliance in Bihar
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is likely to contest alone in Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as party leaders hinted it will not be a part of the opposition's Grand Alliance.
Maharashtra Opposition calls Governor 'RSS man', boycotts address
The Maharashtra Opposition has labelled Governor C.V. Rao as an "RSS man" and boycotted his customary address to the joint sitting of the state legislature on the first day of the Budget Session here on Monday.
Maha budget session: Oppn boycotts Guv's address over remarks on RSS
The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began on a stormy note on Monday with opposition parties boycotting Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint sitting of both Houses to voice their protest against his recent remarks on the RSS. In remarks made in Nagpur earlier this month, Rao described the RSS as one of the most secular and inclusive organisations and said it has always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith. Expressing displeasure over the remarks, opposition members stayed away from the Central Hall where the governor delivered his address to the joint sitting of both the Houses on the first day of the budget session. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said they decided to boycott the address because they "were doubtful if it will be the governor's address or that of a RSS person". "A governor's post is constitutional. We had doubts whether his speech was going to be in the interest of the state or the ...
North Korea 'could be great power' without nuclear weapons: Trump
North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquishes its nuclear weapons, US President Donald Trump has said on the eve of his departure for Vietnam for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump's comments came hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Pyongyang remains a nuclear threat. Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the second time on the 27-28 February in Hanoi, Vietnam. "We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first summit in Singapore," Trump tweeted, referencing the meeting between the two leaders in Singapore last June. Trump and Kim had their historic first meeting in Singapore last June, wherein they agreed on denuclearisation of North Korea. North Korea has long insisted it will not give up its nuclear arsenal unless the US removes its troops from South Korea. "...I tell Chairman Kim, he has a chance to have a country that is so vibrant, economically. Maybe one of the most in the ...
UN appeals all parties to avoid violence in Venezuela
The United Nations on Sunday expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in Venezuela and has appealed "all parties" to avoid violence "at any cost"."The Secretary-General appeals for violence to be avoided at any cost and for the lethal force not to be used in any circumstances. He appeals for calm and urges all actors to lower tensions and pursue every effort to prevent further escalation," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a statement.The UN statement comes in the wake of Saturday's violence that broke out between locals and Venezuela's security forces along the Columbian borders. Five people were killed in clashes with the security forces. At least 285 people were hurt after the Venezuelan National Guard fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors, reported CNN.The global body has also expressed grief over the loss following the violence. "He (António Guterres) was shocked and saddened to learn that a number of civilians lost ...
Vietnam deports Kim Jong-un impersonator
An impersonator of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un on Monday said Vietnamese authorities were deporting him from the country, just 24 hours before Pyongyang's leader was expected to arrive here ahead of his summit with US President Donald Trump.
MNM not BJP's "B Team," it is TN's A team: Kamal Haasan
Rejecting the claim that his party was BJP's "B team," Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan said it was being targeted as they were growing in stature. Addressing a party rally here late Sunday night, Haasan, without directly naming any outfit, said he was being targeted as his party was growing in stature. One of the attacks was calling his party "the BJP's B team," he said. Refuting it, he said,"I am not a B team for anyone, this is Tamil Nadu's A team." Days ago, the DMK organ 'Murasoli," had alleged that he was accusing it of corruption due to "BJP's pressure." Attacking the grand alliance of the opposition parties, Haasan said the partners of the so called "mahaghatbandhan" would jump on to the winning side after the Lok Sabha poll outcome if the opposite camp won. During such times, only his party would stand upright -without giving room for horse trading- for the Tamil Nadu people, he said. His party's voice will be heard in such a situation, he said, adding "we
N. Korea still remains nuclear threat: Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that North Korea still remained a threat, a reversal to President Donald Trump's remark that Pyongyang was no longer a nuclear threat to Washington.
Okinawa 'no' vote won't delay US base move: Japan PM
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that the controversial relocation of a US military base in Okinawa will not be delayed despite a referendum that saw voters reject the move. "It has been 20 years since Japan and the US agreed" to relocate the Futenma base, Abe said. "We cannot delay this any further." His comments came after voters in Okinawa rejected the relocation plan in a non-binding referendum over the weekend. Some 72 percent voted against the move, with 19 percent in favour in a vote that drew 52 percent of eligible voters, officials said. Abe said he accepted the outcome "sincerely" and would seek "understanding" from Okinawa residents on his decision to move forward with the relocation. "We have spent many years holding dialogue with people in the prefecture. We will continue our dialogue so that we can gain their understanding," Abe said. "Reducing the burden of Okinawa is a major responsibility for the central government... we will continue our utmost efforts ..
T Padma Rao Goud takes charge as Deputy Speaker of Telangana Assembly
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) senior leader T Padma Rao Goud on Monday took charge as the Deputy Speaker of the newly-elected Telangana State Assembly.Goud's name was recommended by the TRS working president and MLA K Taraka Rama Rao. He filed his nomination for the post-Deputy Speaker on Saturday.Rao was elected unanimously as the Opposition political quarters such as Congress, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not field their candidates.In the previous Assembly, Padma Devender Goud was the Deputy Speaker. As she refused to take either Speaker or the Deputy Speaker post, the Chief Minister selected Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Padma Rao Goud as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.Notably, Rao is the close aide of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. He was elected as MLA thrice from the Secunderabad Assembly constituency.In addition, he was also one of the founder-member of the TRS floated by KCR in 2001 and fought for the ...
No report of any violence in Arunachal Pradesh: Police
There was no report of any violence from anywhere in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday even as the indefinite curfew imposed in Itanagar and Naharlagun and the suspension of internet services remained in force, police said. Arunachal Pradesh witnessed massive violence for three days from Friday over the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) recommendation granting permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six communities who are not natives of the state but have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Satya Gopal issued a statement on Sunday, saying: "Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in grant of PRCs." There was no report of violence from anywhere in the state on Monday but shops and market establishments in Itanagar and Naharlagun were closed, police said, adding
Posters inviting Robert Vadra to contest Lok Sabha polls put up at Moradabad
A day after Robert Vadra hinted at his possible venture into the active politics through his Facebook post, posters welcoming him to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from the Moradabad were seen put up here on Monday."Robert Vadra Ji, you are welcome to contest the election from the Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency," the posters read.Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has hinted at joining politics, a month after his wife Priyanka Gandhi made her debut into active politics and was appointed a general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East in the party.In a Facebook post, Vadra said, "All these years of experience and learning cannot be just wasted and should be put to better use...Once all these accusations and allegations are over, I feel I should dedicate a larger role in serving the people."The forty-nine-year-old Vadra, who has been repeatedly questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the recent past in connection with money laundering and