Page 1522 - Politics
Gujjar leader bats for Article 370 and Article 35A
A prominent Gujjar leader in Jammu and Kashmir said Sunday his community and the Bakerwal tribe favours continuation of Article 370 and Article 35A that provides special status to the state. "The Gujjars and Bakarwals are in favour of continuation of Article 35A and Article 370 of the Constitution. We will strongly protest if these articles are removed," Shamsher Hakla Poonchi said in a statement. The Gujjar leader appealed to the Supreme Court and the Centre to not take any step in order to abolish these articles as the state "was brought under the territory of India only because of this Article 370". "If these articles are abolished, the relation between Jammu and Kashmir and India will weaken besides worsening the situation in Kashmir," he said. The comments come ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35A of the Constitution. Poonchi claimed that 34-lakh Gujjars and Bakerwals of the state were strongly in favour of the continuation of the constitutional ...
'Far lesser incidents of terrorism than prior to 2014'
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday said the Pulwama terror attack should not have occurred, but that the government's efforts to thwart several attacks had resulted in far lesser terror incidents in the last five years than before 2014. "I can't tell you in terms of ratio. If I can look at the span ...compared to before 2014, terrorism is far lesser now in the last five years," Sitharaman said. Addressing a gathering at an interactive event organised by theThinkers Forum, the minister said she was mocked at after the terror attacks at Uri, Pathankot and Pulwama, but claimed that compared to the UPA era, other than incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, there was peace in the rest of the country. Asked by a participant on why India cannot respond to the Pulwama terror attack in the way the U.S. did when it went after Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, she said the anger over the matter and on why India could not take similar action, "all that is well absorbed, well received ...
Afghanistan launches new export route to India through Iran
KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan began exports to India through an Iranian port on Sunday, official said, as the landlocked, war-torn nation turns to overseas markets to improve its economy.
EU chief, British PM May to hold Brexit talks in Egypt
British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold Brexit talks with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a potentially pivotal week for her plans to lead her country out of the European Union. Pouring cold water on hopes for European concessions on departure terms for Britain at their meeting Sunday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, an EU official warned "there will be no deal in the desert". He insisted that EU leaders would not formally discuss Brexit at the EU-Arab League summit here. In a speech Saturday, May said "our focus to deliver Brexit must be absolute," even as three of her senior Cabinet ministers suggested they may break with her and back amendments to delay Brexit unless a deal is agreed upon by Parliament in the next week.
PM-KISAN scheme won't help Modi retain power: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not succeed in retaining power by launching the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme at the fag end of his dispensation. The chief minister also gave a twist to Modi's poll slogan for the Lok Sabha elections-- 'Modi hai to mumkin hai' (everything is possible if Modi is there) to 'Modi hai to namumkin hai' (it's impossible, if Modi is in-charge), stressing that not a single promise made during 2014 poll campaigning was fulfilled by the prime minister. "Farmers of the country are wise enough. You have attempted to win the election by formulating Rs 6,000 scheme but you will not be able to succeed," Gehlot said at his first press conference after becoming chief minister of the state. Announcing the scheme from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur on Sunday, the prime minister said the first instalment of Rs 2000 each was deposited in the accounts of 1.01 crore farmers. Questioning the timing of the ...
Reduction in Indo-Pak tension will throw up tremendous opportunities: Saudi FM
The Kashmir issue should be resolved politically in a way that serves India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir has said, amid a war of words between the two neighbours over the Pulwama attack. The Saudi foreign minister also pitched for steps to reduce tension between the two countries, saying it will open up "tremendous opportunities" for both India and Pakistan. "I believe that there ought to be a way to resolve the issue politically in a way that serves India, that serves Pakistan and that serves the people of Kashmir," Al-Jubeir told PTI in an interview last week. He was here as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's delegation. Tensions between India and Pakistan soared after a suicide car bomber belonging to Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in the worst such attack in decades. "I think where there is a goodwill and where there is trust, possibilities open up. But with ...
Apathy and incompetence of Assam government behind hooch tragedy: Rahul
The Congress Sunday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the hooch tragedy in Assam with its president Rahul Gandhi blaming the "apathy and incompetence" of the state's BJP government for it. "The apathy and incompetence of the Assam Government has resulted in the tragic deaths of over 140 people with scores of victims in hospital, poisoned by toxic alcohol," Gandhi tweeted on Sunday afternoon. State government officials put the death toll at 124, with 331 persons undergoing treatment in hospitals. Later at a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera took aims at Modi saying he is busy giving speeches all the time for "politics" but has not spoken even a few words on the deaths of so many people after consuming spurious liquor. "Politics can be done with speeches but government cannot be run by it," he said. He also targeted Modi over the violence in the BJP-ruled Arunachal Pradesh amid protests against the state government's decision to give permanent ...
Pulwama attack: MP traders, farmers ban Pak imports, exports
Traders in Indore in Madhya Pradesh have announced the stoppage of sale of edibles imported from Pakistan in protest against the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 which killed 40 CRPF troopers. The state's farmers have also said that they would not export tomatoes to the neighbouring nation. The Pakistani items that have been banned by traders here are 'sendha namak' (rock salt), 'kharak' (dry dates) and mangoes. Ramesh Khandelwal, president of Indore's Siyaganj Wholesale Grocery Traders Association said his organisation would not import kharak and sendha namak from Pakistan. He informed that, prior to the Pulwama attack, more than 300 quintals of kharak would reach Siyaganj Mandi from Pakistan and would then be supplied ahead to Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. Khandelwal said many grocers had even cancelled orders for these items that were placed before the attack took place. Jagdish Rawalia, Kisan Sena state secretary, told PTI, "Farmers have decided that they
No Brexit deal vote for MPs this week, but by March 12: May
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Sunday that MPs would not have a chance to vote again on her Brexit deal this week but promised this would happen by March 12, reports said. "We won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week. But we will ensure that that happens by March 12," she told British media en route to a summit of European and Arab leaders in Egypt. After MPs rejected her withdrawal deal last month, May is seeking ways to address their concerns about its most controversial element, the so-called Irish backstop clause. May will hold talks on the sidelines of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit with other EU leaders and said her team would return to Brussels next Tuesday. She has previously promised that if she cannot bring a revised deal back to the Commons this week, she will allow MPs on Wednesday to debate their own ideas for the way forward. Three of her cabinet ministers on Saturday warned that if there was no breakthrough this week then parliament would vote to delay
J-K administration appeals for calm, urges people not pay heed to rumours
The Jammu and Kashmir administration Sunday appealed to the people of the state to stay calm and not pay heed to rumours. The statement comes a day after tension mounted in Kashmir as the government launched a massive crackdown on separatists and detained over 150 people, mainly from the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir, ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35-A of the Constitution. The development, coupled with other administrative measures, triggered a "war hysteria", prompting people in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir to stock up on groceries and essentials and buy petrol for their vehicles. "During the past few days several rumours are in circulation and panic messages are being disseminated. We urge people not to pay heed to rumours and get panicky on the basis of unsubstantiated and exaggerated pieces of information which are in circulation" Rohit Kansal, senior bureaucrat who has been designated as the chief spokesperson of the governor's administration, told ...
Arunachal govt to not accept recommendations to grant PRC to 6 communities: Rijiju
Amidst violent protests in Arunachal Pradesh, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said Sunday the state government has decided to not accept the recommendations of a high-level committee to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities, and blamed the Congress for "instigating" a section of people. In separate tweets, Rijiju said the Arunachal Pradesh government has passed an order to not accept the recommendations of the Joint High-Powered Committee to grant PRC to six communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts. Widespread violence has been reported in the state capital Itanagar and other places, leading to the death of at least two persons, injury to several and destruction of properties and vehicles. The central government has dispatched 1,000 paramilitary personnel to the state to help the administration in maintaining law and order. "Everyone must come together without blaming each other for the sake of peace. It's very unfortunate that innocent lives were lost in ...
Arunachal backtracks on PRC after massive violence
The Arunachal Pradesh government on Sunday froze its decision on the controversial permanent residence certificate (PRC) that triggered widespread violence for a third day, leading to the torching of the Deputy Chief Minister's house.
AAP's statehood movement plan ready
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday prepared a road map for mass movement for full statehood to Delhi, starting on March 1. During the movement, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will go on an indefinite hunger strike and run the government from the venue of fast.
Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Rajouri
Pakistan violated ceasefire by targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Sunday, officials said. "At about 1715 hours (5.15 pm), Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector," a defence spokesperson said. "Pakistan continues with its nefarious designs along (the) LoC. Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively," the spokesperson said in a brief statement. A police official said dozens of mortars were fired by Pakistan from across the LoC, hitting several villages, including Kalsia, Manpur and Ganiya. No one was injured in the shelling that was still continuing when last reports were received, the official added.
Talks being held with major political parties: DMDK's Premalatha
DMDK Treasurer Premalatha on Sunday said alliance talks are being held with major parties and politics discussed with leaders who called on party chief A. Vijayakant.
Raja-maharaja govt in Pb, 'mahagathbandhan' leaderless: Shah
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress dispensation in Punjab, BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the "raja-maharaja" government brought to a standstill the development projects and schemes started during the SAD-BJP rule. He also hit out at Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for hugging Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Imran Khan's swearing-in ceremony in Islamabad last year. Addressing a state-level BJP workers' meet here, Shah made light of the opposition parties' effort to stitch up a 'Mahagathbandhan' saying a leaderless alliance cannot take the country forward. The people of this country have made up their mind to bring the BJP-led NDA back to power, Shah said. "This grand alliance cannot take the country forward, it cannot make the country superpower. Only a government under PM Modi can do so. Can Congress party give befitting reply to terror attacks? Only Narendra Modi government can," he claimed. At the meeting, a two-minute silence was ..
Breakaway Maoist faction behind Ncell tower explosion: Minister
The CPN-Maoist faction, led by Netra Bahadur Chand 'Biplav', is allegedly involved in a powerful explosion outside the headquarters of a Malaysia-based telecommunications company , Nepal's Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa said on Sunday. The explosion, which took place on Friday night, was plotted to thwart the Nepal Investment Summit scheduled for March, he added. A 49-year-old man was killed while two others were injured in a powerful explosion which occurred outside the headquarters of Ncell, a telecommunications company mostly owned by Malaysia-based Axiata Group Berhad, in Nakkhu of Lalitpur district, on the outskirts of Nepal's capital Kathmandu. "Information has been received that the Biplav group, that is preparing to run a parallel government, planted the explosion," Thapa said at a meeting of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee in Parliament on Sunday. Thapa claimed that the government has also received a copy of Biplav-led party's recent meeting, which also indicated
Goyal hails Jaya as "iron lady," latches on to her legacy
Days after his party inked a poll pact with AIADMK, senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal Sunday hailed the late Dravidian party supremo J Jayalalithaa as a champion of the weaker sections and lauded her pro-poor initiatives like the "Amma canteen." Participating in the launch of the Prime Minister's monetary assistance plan for the farmers here, he said Jayalalithaa implemented several welfare measures like the low cost food chain Amma canteens. Also, she introduced schemes for sale of medicines at discounted rates, gave free textbooks to students, uniforms, bags, cycles, and she was always caring for the poor and for the farmers, he said. The Union Minister quoted Jayalalithaa's maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha (in 1984) when the late leader had said: "I have come here as a representative of the weakerer sections of our society." She had said that she represented humble workers,farmers, poor agriculture labourers and women, Goyal recalled and added that "her heart was for ...
India has taken multiple actions against Pak post Pulwama attack: UP minister
India has taken multiple actions against Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, Uttar Pradesh minister Shrikant Sharma said Sunday. Talking to reporters here, the BJP leader said Pakistan was now cornered. The government has taken multiple actions against Pakistan, including imposing economic restrictions on it, he said. Following the terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, the government withdrew the most favoured nation status given to Pakistan, a move which would enable New Delhi to increase customs duty on goods coming from the neighbouring country. The minister was here to inaugurate a 220 KV transmission sub-station in Madhuaka village. The facility has been built at a cost of Rs 103.74 crore. According to the minister for power, the facility will ensure uninterrupted power supply in over a dozen villages. Electricity connection to one crore households has been provided since the BJP dispensation assumed office in Uttar ...
Ram temple; Have faith in govt, says Nirmala Sitharaman
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday said people have high standards of expectations from BJP,including on issues like Ram temple and asked them to have faith in the government, which had taken steps on the matter. She asked party workers and sympathisers not to complain on this account as genuine work was happening in India, which was at the crossroads and the country could not afford to lose the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a gathering at an interactive event organised by theThinkers Forum,she referred to issues like Ram temple and asked the people not to punish BJP for not building it. "Your high standards of expectations should not be used for this election, like saying no, no, you didn't build the Ram temple in Ayodhya... Because the temple couldn't be built, don't punish us. I am giving this example because it is very close to my heart. Sitharaman asked the voters to note the approach of the government, which had moved the Supreme ...