Page 1549 - Politics
LS polls: BJP may drop five sitting MPs in Maharashtra
The BJP, which has inked a pre- poll alliance with the Shiv Sena, is likely to replace its five sitting MPs in Maharashtra in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections due to various reasons, including their performance, sources in the party said Thursday. As for the Sena, its MP Anandrao Adsul may not be able to contest the upcoming elections due to his health condition, sources said. "The BJP, which currently has 22 Lok Sabha members in Maharashtra, is set to bring in maximum changes as at least five sitting MPs are unlikely to get another chance in the 2019 general elections," a senior party functionary said. Some of the reasons for changing the sitting MPs include their shortcomings, their performance in Parliament as well as during the various events organised by the party in the last five years, the BJP leader said. "Kirit Somaiya (Mumbai North East), Anil Shirole (Pune), Sharad Bansode (Solapur), Sunil Gaikwad (Latur) and Dilip Gandhi (Ahmednagar) are the five sitting Lok .
Booth level special camp for voter verification, enrollment in AP from Feb 23
A two-day booth level special camp will be organised across the state on February 23 and 24 to encourage voters to cross-check their names in the voter list and apply for corrections, if necessary, said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gopal Krishna Dwivedi here on Thursday.He has also directed the District Collectors (DCs) and all political parties to depute their booth level members at camps so that if there are any anomalies in the voter list, these can be rectified to avoid any kind of controversy. Reacting to the allegations of omission of lakhs of voters from the voter list, the CEO said: "The Election Commission is verifying the complaints and will take appropriate action wherever needed."Referring to the allegations of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), the CEO also said that stern action will be taken against the officials who are found guilty of committing such mistakes while preparing the electoral rolls.He said the webcasting will be held from all the polling ...
India to stop its share of water flowing into Pakistan: Gadkari
Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari said the water of these 'Eastern rivers' will be diverted and supplied to Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.As per the 1960 Indus Water Treaty governing six common rivers, India has full rights over Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers while Pakistan has full rights over Jhelum, Chenab and Indus.Under the Treaty, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, all flowing through Punjab, have been described as Eastern rivers and Jhelum, Chenab and Indus, all flowing through Jammu and Kashmir, have been identified as Western rivers."Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Sri @narendramodi ji, Our Govt. has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan. We will divert water from Eastern rivers and supply it to our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab," Gadkari tweeted."The construction of dam has started at Shahpur-Kandi on Ravi river. Moreover, UJH project will store our share of water for use in J&K and the balance water will flow from 2nd Ravi-BEAS Link ..
Safety of Indian Army should be our priority: Wrestler Sushil Kumar
Condemning the attacks in Pulwama region of Kashmir, wrestler Sushil Kumar on Thursday said that ensuring the safety of the Indian Army should be our priority."The entire nation is standing with our Army personnel. We have to secure our Army and ensure them that their safety is our priority," Sushil told ANI.The ghastly terror attack on February 14, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, has left sporting relations between India and Pakistan in jeopardy with protests everywhere to stop the sporting relations between the two countries."The nation should come first for everyone. If I talk about the match between India and Pakistan scheduled to be played in the World Cup in the month of June, I pay my best wishes to the team and sincerely hope they defeat Pakistan in a rightful tribute to the martyred," he said.When asked whether the dialogue between the two countries would help in stopping terrorism, Sushil said: "Talks will not help and the government needs to take harsh steps to ...
Saudi Crown Prince arrives in China
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in China on Thursday on the last leg of his Asia tour that earlier took him to Pakistan and India in an attempt to build ties and clinch deals as the kingdom faces a diplomatic chill in the West following journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
We should all work towards early conclusion of RCEP talks: Prabhu
India Thursday called upon all the members of RCEP, a proposed mega trade deal, to work towards early conclusion of the agreement to boost economic ties. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a mega trade agreement being negotiated by 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six free trade pact partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said a successful conclusion of RCEP will help deal with the challenges of global trade in terms of increasing trade tensions and protectionism. "India is constructively engaged in RCEP negotiations and the country believes that ASEAN will remain central to the economic integration of the Indo-Pacific region through RCEP," he said. "As negotiations are intensifying, members are now engaged in bilateral pairing to achieve mutually satisfactory and balanced outcome keeping
J-K govt to take up matter of polls to vacant seats in state Legislative Council with ECI
The State Administrative Council Thursday approved taking up the matter with the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the proposal for holding of elections to the six vacant seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council. This was approved by the SAC meeting chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik, an official spokesperson said. Currently, there are two vacancies and seats earmarked for municipalities and four vacancies and seats earmarked for panchayats to be filled by the electorate of the urban local bodies and panchayats, he said. Consequent to the elections of the urban local bodies and panchayats in the state, the electorate is available for electing members of the Legislative Council against the seats earmarked for the urban local bodies and the panchayats.
Pb assembly passes resolution to pay tributes to Lakshman Singh Dharowali
The Punjab Assembly Thursday unanimously passed a resolution to pay tributes to Lakshman Singh Dharowali who launched the 'Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar' in 1921. Moving the resolution in the ongoing Punjab Assembly session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brham Mohindra said Dharowali launched the movement on February 21 to free Gurdwaras from the control of 'Mahants'. He took a 'jatha' of 156 Sikhs to Nankana Sahib Gurdwara (now in Pakistan) to free it from the control of Mahants, he said. Dharowali was killed by Mahant Narayan Das and his men at Nankana Sahib, added Mohindra. Lawmakers of all political parties supported the resolution.
AGP sets up panel to devise strategy for LS polls
Assam's Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which broke its alliance with the BJP over the Citizenship bill, has set up a nine-member committee to devise its strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, a party leader said on Thursday
UPPSC examination: CBI registers PE to probe nepotism allegations during Mayawati rule
In yet another trouble for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, who was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister from 2007 to 2012, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a preliminary enquiry involving unknown officials of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) and others for nepotism, alleged irregularities and misconduct in the 2010 examination of 250 posts of additional private secretary (APS).
CM says govt committed to inclusive development of Manipur
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said Thursday that his government was committed to uplift all the backward districts to bring inclusive development in the northeastern state. He made the statement while taking part in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on Governors address Thursday, the second day of the budget session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly. Being a state having hill and valley areas, the present government felt the need for a topographical need based budget to bring inclusive development. The state government proposed the same to the Central government soon after it came to power, he said. As a result, the central government introduced Hill Area Development Fund (HADF) for States like Manipur, the chief minister said, according to an official release. The Union government selected 90 backward districts including Tamenglong/Noney district to provide extra funds for development under HADF. Tamenglong/Noney district will receive Rs 90 crore ...
59 lakh fake voters in Andhra: YSR Congress
With an Election Commission (EC) team visiting Andhra Pradesh to audit the state voter list, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Thursday instensified its attack on the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), claiming over 59 lakh fake voters had been added to the list at its behest.
Imran Khan asks Pak army to 'respond decisively' to any Indian aggression
Pakistan's top security body Thursday said the country was "not involved in any way" in the Pulwama "incident", which was "conceived, planned and executed indigenously" as Prime Minister Imran Khan authorised the military to respond "decisively" to any Indian misadventure. In a statement issued after a key meeting of the National Security Council chaired by Prime Minister Khan, the country's top civilian and military leadership said the Pakistan government was "determined to demonstrate" that it is capable of protecting its people. The meeting was convened to discuss the country's security situation in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack by a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers last week in Jammu and Kashmir. Days after the terror strike by JeM, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said security forces have been given free hand to avenge the dastardly act. "This is a new Pakistan and we are determined to demonstrate to our people ..
Rahul to set up task force on national security
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is going to set up a task force on national security headed by a retired Lt. General of the Indian Army, the Congress said on Thursday.
We love all languages as we don't believe in divisive politics: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed love for all languages while strongly voicing dissent against the attacks on Kashmiris and against all divisive voices.
After initial reluctance, Odisha says it will be part of PM-Kisan yojna
Shedding its initial hesitation, the Odisha government Thursday decided to be part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and extend all support for its implementation in the state, a top official said. The announcement was made by Chief Secretary A P Padhi after reviewing the state's Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, also meant for providing financial assistance to farmers. Padhi said the central scheme (PM-Kisan), which promises to provide Rs 6,000 per annum to small and marginal farmers having cultivable land up to two hectares (about five acres), will be launched in Odisha on February 24 along with other states. Earlier, after receiving a formal communication from the Centre about the mega farmers welfare scheme, the Odisha government had not shown any interest and dubbed the programme inferior to its own KALIA scheme. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had early this month written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that Odisha's .
Shah to visit Jammu Sunday, pay homage to security personnel killed in Pulwama attack and encounter
BJP national president Amit Shah will visit Jammu city on Sunday and pay homage to the security personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack and in the encounter four days later, BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Kavinder Gupta said on Thursday. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14 when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus. On February 18, an Army major and four security forces personnel lost their lives in a fierce 16-hour encounter in south Kashmir in which three JeM terrorists, including two top commanders believed to be behind the Pulwama attack, were killed. Gupta said the BJP chief would pay homage to the security personnel killed in Pulwama attack and in the encounter at the 'Shradhanjili Samaraoh' on Sunday and address party workers there. BJP state general secretary Narinder Singh said after paying homage to the security ...
BJP polarizing country to hide its failures: Farooq
Accusing the BJP of "polarizing the country to hide its failures, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Thursday said it was time to forge unity and give a befitting reply to those who were "hell bent to destroy our social fabric. "The BJP is polarizing the country to hide its failures. With a reduced credibility, the BJP and its ideologue will again rack up the emotive issues. The situation that we are facing today is a grim reminder of how low the communal forces can stoop to axe their own grind. The BJP, faced with pulverizing debacles in Hindi heartland, is shifting to a higher level of divisive politics, Abdullah said here. The NC president was addressing a provincial working committee meeting of the party at NC head quarters Nawa-e-Subha. He said RSS and its proxies in the state will try to polarize the situation by fanning passions because they have nothing to offer in terms of development and stability and cautioned the people of the state to not fall prey to the .
Corruption in WB over procurement of paddy from farmers :
BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha Thursday alleged that there was corruption in West Bengal over procurement of paddy from farmers and demanded CBI inquiry into it. The famers were committing suicide in many parts of the state as as they are not receiving proper price of their produce, Sinha claimed. While, the minimum support price of paddy was set at Rs 1750 by the Centre. But in Bengal in many places the the farmers are getting Rs 1350 and are forced to sign receipts where it states that they were receiving Rs 1750, he alleged. "We demand CBI inquiry into it," Sinha said. He announced that BJP will organise a massive agitation programme across West Bengal on the issue on February 27. State Food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick denied the allegations and said BJP should stop making them without any proper evidence.
S Africa to extradite Mozambique ex-minister: Report
South Africa will extradite Mozambique's ex-finance minister Manuel Chang, held in a Johannesburg jail since December on a US-issued international arrest warrant, a respected news site reported Thursday. Chang, 63, was arrested at Johannesburg's O R Tambo International Airport on December 29 over his alleged involvement in USD 2 billion of fraudulent loans to Mozambican state firms. His own government issued an extradition request for Chang on suspicion of financial misconduct. Last week, he lost a court bid to be freed on bail. Now South Africa's Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has said Chang will be handed over to Maputo. "We're sending him to Mozambique to be tried," Sisulu told South Africa's Daily Maverick news site. "We believe that is the easiest thing for everybody. "As soon as we are done with the Interpol case, we will allow Mozambique to have their former minister back." She said the process will be "expedited". Chang is due back in court in Johannesburg on February ...