Page 1550 - Politics
International Mother's Language Day observe in Tripura
The International Mother's Language Day was observed in Tripura on Thursday with colourful processions, functions, discussions, seminars and other programmes.
US-backed Syria force hands back to Iraq 130 IS jihadists: Security sources
US-backed Syrian forces handed over to Iraq on Thursday 130 Iraqi members of the Islamic State group who were detained in Syria, security officials in Baghdad said. A spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), however, denied the claim. Naim al-Kaood, the head of the security department in Iraq's Anbar province, which borders Syria, told AFP the jihadists were "wanted" by the Iraqi government, while a commander of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force said they were all Iraqi nationals. Iraqi forces "were handed by the Syrian Democratic Forces 130 Daesh terrorists wanted by the Iraqi government," Kaood said. The Hashed commander, who declined to be named, said the jihadists were handed over to authorities including members of military intelligence. "Other groups will be handed over to Iraq, including families of the jihadists," the commander said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights issued a similar report on Thursday. But the Britain-based war monitor said .
PM was busy shooting film in Corbett, had 'chai, samosa' after Pulwama attack: Congress
In a stinging attack, the Congress cited media reports to allege that Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued shooting for a film in the Corbett National Park on February 14 for his own "self propagation", and stayed put till the evening despite the Pulwama terror attack in the afternoon that day. Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, addressing a press conference, also claimed that the prime minister continued to "have tea, samosas, at seven o'clock in a PWD guest house when every single Indian household didn't have food". Taking on the BJP, he also accused its president Amit Shah of indulging in "politicisation of terrorism" in his speech in Assam on Sunday. At a public rally in Assam's Lakhimpur district, Shah had said the sacrifices of the 40 CRPF personnel will not go in vain as there is a BJP government at the Centre now and it, unlike the previous Congress dispensation, will not "compromise" on any security issue. Meanwhile, attending a BJP event in Andhra Pradesh's ...
Learning another language can be very educative: President
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and said that learning the language of another state helped both the individuals and the country.
Chautala family feud echoes in Haryana Assembly
The Chautala family feud echoed in Haryana Assembly on Thursday, with ruling BJP and the opposition Congress taking potshots at the INLD after its split. Notably, main opposition INLD's four of the 17 MLAs have not resigned from their parent party and are supporting fledgling Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) formed after its split. The issue cropped up during Zero Hour when Congress members sought time from Speaker Kanwar Pal to raise some vital matters. As some Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) members too joined in with their demands, Health Minister Anil Vij while pointing towards them, said in a sarcastic tone, "we have heard that your party has split. Vij then pointed towards the Speaker and sought to know whether he had any formal information about INLD's split. As INLD MLA Naina Chautala too got up and spoke a few words, Vij while addressing the Chair, said, "Sir, she (Naina) has accepted on the floor of the House that INLD has split, therefore, arrangement of separate seats for them ..
Arunachal veteran Gegong Apang joins Devegowda's JD(S)
Ahead of the Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh, long time Chief Minister Gegong Apang has joined the Janata Dal (Secular), the party headed by former Prime Minister H D Devegowda. The formal joining of Apang was held at Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district on Wednesday, in the presence of Devegowda, sources close to the former chief minister said here Thursday. The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting held at Pasighat, he said. After joining the party, Apang while talking to reporters said, "The JD (S) has a secular outlook and therefore we have decided now we will be together". The former Arunchal Pradesh chief minister, who ruled the state for 23 in the past, resigned from the BJP on January 15 this year accusing the partys leadership of using every dirty trick to get to the power. Apang was elected as MLA seven times. The veteran Arunchal Pradesh politician was seen at Mamata Banerjee's January 19 opposition parties rally as well in the
India aims to be among world's top 3 economies in next 15 years: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India is on the way to becoming a USD 5 trillion economy soon and hoped that the country would to be among world's top three economies in the next 15 years. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Seoul, the prime minister recounted several steps taken by his government in recent years, including several new initiatives, to take India on a forward trajectory. Noting that India is among the fasted growing economy, Modi said, "our aim is to be among world's top three economies in the next 15 years." Modi said India has jumped to 77th spot on the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking on the back of reforms and is determined to enter in the top 50 next year. Prime Minister Modi arrived here earlier in the day on a two-day state visit. He will hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Moon on Friday. The two leaders are expected to discuss the issue of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, ahead of the Trump-Kim summit.
Mainstream politicians decry withdrawal of security, separatists call it 'non-issue'
While mainstream politicians on Thursday said withdrawal/downgrading of their security cover would make them vulnerable to attacks, separatist leaders have dismissed the decision as a 'non-issue'.
TDP, YSRC pruning list of aspirants for AP legislative council
The ruling Telugu Desam Party and the main opposition YSR Congress are busy pruning a list of aspirants to pick five candidates to fill as many slots in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, the election notification for which has been issued Thursday. The five Council seats will fall vacant on March 29. Election for these seats under the Legislative Assembly quota, if required, is scheduled to be held on March 12. Last date for filing nominations is February 28. On its strength (100+22) in the Assembly, the TDP is expected to win four seats and the YSRC (44) will get one. While renomination of state Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, who is one of the five retiring members, looks certain, there are one too many aspirants for the three other seats that the TDP can win. Though Municipal Minister P Narayana will also retire, he will not seek a Council renomination as he is set to contest the coming Assembly election from his hometown Nellore. The Congress will have ..
Delhi government extends support to protesting employees
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday met the protesting employees of the Delhi government and promised them that he would take up their demands with the Lt Governor and the Union Home Minister.
Sheila Dikshit rejects Kejriwal's claim on alliance; says AAP has reached stage of frustration
Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit said Thursday she was never approached by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to forge an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as claimed by him and asserted the AAP leader has reached the "stage of frustration". "He has not spoken to us. He does not know what he is saying. The Aam Aadmi Party has reached the stage of frustration," Dikshit, a three-time chief minister of Delhi, told reporters here. Addressing a public rally near Jama Masjid on Wednesday, Kejriwal had claimed that the AAP leaders were tired of trying to convince the Congress to form an alliance with the party. In his speech, Kejriwal on Wednesday had said, "We are tired of convincing the Congress to form an alliance, but they do not understand. "If there is an alliance, the BJP will lose all the seven Lok Sabha seats it currently has in Delhi. The rally was organised in the minority dominated pocket of Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, currently held by Union minister Harsh ...
Cash-strapped Pakistan gifts gold-plated submachine gun to Saudi Crown Prince
At a time when Pakistan is under immense global pressure to combat terrorism, the country's cash-strapped government has gifted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman a gold-plated assault rifle, according to media reports on Thursday. The unusual gift for a visiting foreign dignitary was presented to Mohammad during his first official visit to Islamabad. The News International reported that Pakistan's Senate delegation called on the Crown Prince at the Prime Minister's House where Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani gifted him a portrait of himself and a gold-plated submachine gun. The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a submachine gun developed by German engineers, and this modified weapon has an elaborate pattern engraved on its gold-plated components, CNN reported. The Prince is also Saudi Arabia's defence minister. Presenting the Saudi Crown Prince with a weapon will likely raise eyebrows at a time when he has been embroiled in controversy over the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, ..
Amit Shah lambasts Naidu for remarks on Pak view on Pulwama
: Launching a scathing attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for his remarks on Islamabad's claim of it not being involved in the Pulwama terror attack, BJP president Amit Shah Thursday said the former had more faith in Pakistan Prime Minister than Narendra Modi. "Chandrababu endorses what Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says on Pulwama that his country is not involved in the dastardly attack. He is taking Imran Khans side in his greed for vote bank politics and is seeking to create doubts on Indias Prime Minister. Dont indulge in such mean and low politics," the BJP president said. Shah said the people of Andhra Pradesh would seek an answer from Naidu on this in the coming elections. "Fix a border... how low do you want to stoop in politics," Shah said. Naidu had Wednesday reportedly said: "Pakistan has made it clear that it has no role in the Pulwama attack. Suspicion is now strengthening across the country that political expediency could be ...
Atmosphere for talks with Pak not possible if incidents like Pulwama take place: Omar Abdullah
An atmosphere for talks with Pakistan cannot be created if incidents like Pulwama terror attacks continue to happen, said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday.Taking on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Abdullah said: "Extending the hand of friendship is good. But at the same time, an incident like Pulwama should not happen. If this continues to happen, an atmosphere cannot be made for talks.""Because of these incidents (like Pulwama terror attack), people like us who are pro-talks get weakened. I favour talks with all sections including Hurriyat," said Abdullah while talking to media persons here.Pakistan Prime Minister Khan had earlier promised "action" against the perpetrators of Pulwama terror attack if "actionable intelligence" is provided by India about links to this attack in his country but warned of retaliation, without even thinking, if any kind of military action is launched by India.Expressing concern over the alleged attacks on Kashmiris, he
Congress using Imran Khan's language: Ravi Shankar Prasad
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday accused the Congress of weakening the morale of the nation and said that the language of the party bore a "striking resemblance" to that of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Mulayam questions logic behind SP-BSP seat sharing formula
On a day that the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced the seat allocation formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the party he founded 27 years back had been given a raw deal.
Bengal government harbouring anti-nationals: VHP leader
Senior VHP leader Surendra Jain accused the TMC government in West Bengal on Thursday of harbouring anti-national elements and wondered whether being a nationalist was a crime in the state. The international joint general secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) alleged that under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule, Bengal had become a safe haven for jihadis, Rohingya migrants and anti-national elements, while Hindus were facing persecution. "The TMC government is giving protection to anti-nationals and attacking those who are patriots. If we wave the national flag and raise slogans in favour of Mother India, is it a crime in Bengal?," he asked. Claiming that VHP workers were being arrested by the police in the state, Jain said, "We do not need permission from the TMC government to wave the national flag, it is our constitutional right." Commenting on Wednesday's attack on an anti-war march taken out by a human rights organisation in the city, he said, "What do you except a patriot
SP-BSP alliance announces seat division for LS polls
Over a month after announcing an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced the allocation of seats to each partner on Thursday.
Mahagathbandhan leaders don't want stern action against Pak: VHP
Senior VHP leader Surendra Jain Thursday claimed that the entire country wants revenge against the perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack but leaders of 'Mahagathbandhan' don't want "stern action" against Pakistan. Jain, who is the VHP international joint general secretary, also cautioned the Centre about Saudi Arabia, saying "its role in dealing with terror is not unquestionable". "We should teach such a lesson to Pakistan that it doesn't forget in days to come. We think there should be a final and ultimate war against Pakistan," he told reporters here. Hitting out at the opposition, Jain said when the country is united, the leaders of the "so called Mahagathbandhan" are opposing stern action against Pakistan and are calling for peace. "Their real intentions can be understood from this," he said. Asked to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the airport when that country has not named Pakistan while condemning the ...
Sitharaman wants defence PSUs to target global markets
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday asked public sector defence firms to aim at selling their products to other countries also and not rely only on the "captive market" of the Indian armed forces. She was addressing a gathering after launching off-shore patrol vessel 'Sachet' of the Coast Guard at Goa Shipyard Limited, a PSU, in Vasco. "I want every defence public sector undertaking to look at themselves as manufacturers of international class, not just depend on your captive market which is the defence forces, or the Coast Guard...," she said. "You have a market everywhere," the minister added. When the Indian defence or commerce minister goes abroad, foreign countries show immense interest in buying from India things such as off-shore patrol vessels and speed-boats for guarding their coasts, she said. Several South East Asian countries are interested in buying from India defence products which they would have otherwise procured from western firms, Sitharaman ...