Page 1566 - Politics
Lockheed unveils new F-21 fighter jet configured for India
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin offered India on Wednesday a new combat jet to be made locally, the F-21, in an attempt to win a large military order worth more than $15 billion.
India, Saudi Arabia agree on need to exert pressure on countries backing terror
Against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack, India and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said there was a need to exert "all possible pressure" on countries which extend any kind of support to terror activities as they agreed for biennial summit meetings and formation of the Strategic Partnership Council.
Two NRI entrepreneur brothers in Dubai pledge Rs one crore for Pulwama attck victims
Two Indian-origin entrepreneur brothers in Dubai have announced a financial support of Rs one crore to the families of 40 CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Sudhakar Rao and Prabhakar Rao of Dubai-based real estate firm Gemini Group have announced a contribution of AED 500,000 for the families of the martyred soldiers through the Government of India, according to a statement. The brothers said they will dedicate a portion of their organisation's financial resources as a token of respect for the well-being of the bereaved families. The incident happened at a time when we are promoting tolerance, peace and harmony in the UAE - a country that is known to be an oasis of peace and stability in the world, Sudhakar said, adding that in this Year of Tolerance, let us pray for greater peace and harmony across the world and join hand to promote peace, so that no soldiers are attacked, no children become fatherless. Indian Consul General .
NIA takes over Pulwama terror attack probe
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case and is launching a fresh probe into the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which 40 troopers were killed on February 14.
Parties spreading hatred, indulging in shameless politics: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here on Wednesday accused certain political parties and people holding constitutional positions in the country of rumour-mongering and spreading hatred in the society, and termed it "shameless politics".
'BCCI should take unprecedented stand on India-Pak cricket'
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should take an "unprecedented stand" with regard to India-Pakistan cricketing matters, a top BCCI official told ANI on condition of anonymity.The official also said there should be no hasty decision taken on India's World Cup clash against Pakistan."BCCI should take this opportunity to take an unprecedented stand and tell Imran Khan, who is first a cricketer and then a prime minister, to sort their own internal issues or it'll become impossible to maintain sporting ties not only bilaterally but also internationally," the official said."For world cup, there are many things involved India should not take a hasty decision."Earlier in the day, another BCCI official had said that the World Cup match between India and Pakistan "will not take place if the Indian government is against it."In response to this, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said any decision on cricketing matters of India and Pakistan will be taken collectively by the ...
SAD always plays 'dualism': Punjab Congress on Navjot Singh Sidhu row
After the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) demanded a privilege motion against Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his comments in the aftermath of the ghastly Pulwama terror attack, the Punjab Congress on Wednesday criticised it for playing "dualism". "As far as Akali Dal is concerned, it has always played dualism. They have not taken a single stand. As far as the Congress is concerned, the party is fully aware of the matter related to Navjot Singh Sidhu. The Congress party's leadership is aware of the matter and whatever he said we all know and it will take its course in the coming days," Punjab Cabinet Minister Vijay Inder Singla told ANI.Defending Sidhu, Congress leader Pargat Singh said that the Punjab cabinet minister does not need to prove his nationalistic character. "Navjot Singh Sidhu does not need to prove himself a nationalist. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia levelling allegations against him as a traitor or an anti-national does not make him the same."This came
Telangana minister faces flak for saying no woman in Cabinet as they are at home
Telangana minister G Jagadish Reddy is facing flak from his own party TRS and opposition leaders for reportedly saying that no woman got a ministerial berth in the state as they are "at home".Asked why no woman found a ministerial post in the Cabinet expansion on Tuesday, Reddy, who was given the education portfolio, reportedly said they are backing the TRS and are at home.A newspaper also quoted him as saying yesterday that there should be no special consideration on gender, caste, religion or region basis except for merit in picking up persons for ministerial positions.Talking to ANI, TRS spokesperson Abid Rasool Khan said, "I strongly deny that any such remarks were made by any minister, and even if they have been made, the party does not stand by such remarks."He said, "TRS has the greatest respect for women leaders. In further induction of ministers which will be done in due course, I am sure that an important ministry would be handled by a woman in Telangana."Khan said, "Women ..
Terror attacks should not affect investments: British High Commissioner to India
British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith on Wednesday said the UK and India have suffered from terror attacks but commitments over investments between the two countries should not be affected."UK and India have suffered from terrorist attacks. So, what happened in India last week in Kashmir is something that we regret. We send our condolences and we deplore terrorism wherever it takes place. Our commitment with India remains extremely strong," said Asquith, while talking to ANI exclusively. "But we would never expect that because of these terrorist attacks the investors from the UK go away. Our commitment to India remains very strong and we will be successful partners even in the future as we have remained in the past," he said."India is the second biggest defence exporter in the world and the UK is particularly interested in the possibilities that exist here," Asquith said, while expressing investment plans in the defence sector of India.Meanwhile, Russian Minister Denis ...
TRS to back Asaduddin Owaisi in Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency
The TRS would back AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha elections and seek his support for candidates of the ruling party in the remaining 16 seats in Telangana. The move does not come as a surprise as the TRS or Telangana Rashtra Samiti and AIMIM, who describe each other as "friendly party", worked together in the Assembly elections. In fact, Owaisi, the three-time Hyderabad Lok Sabha member, had campaigned for TRS in some Assembly segments. The K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS returned to power with 88 seats in the 119-member Assembly. AIMIM had bagged seven seats. "They (AIMIM) are our friendly party, they have reciprocated to us, they will help us. We will take their help in winning 16 seats and we are not targeting the seat held by Owaisi, Hyderabad, we will extend support," TRS spokesperson Abid Rasool Khan told PTI Wednesday. Meanwhile, on the defensive after none of the woman aspirants could find cabinet berth in the expansion made by the chief minister ..
Sena, BJP differ on formula for CM's post?
Though the BJP and the Shiv Sena have inked a seat-sharing pact for upcoming polls, top leaders of both the parties seem to be speaking in different voices over which party will get the post of chief minister after the Maharashtra assembly elections, due later this year. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has been vocal about its demand for the post of chief minister post the elections. As per the tie-up announced on Monday for elections to Lok Sabha and state assembly, the BJP sill contest 25 seats and Sena 23 of total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. For assembly polls, the two parties will contest an equal number of seats after accommodating the allies. The BJP and the Sena had contested the 2014 assembly elections separately. Of total 288 seats, the BJP had won 122 seats and the Sena 63. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday night told select party workers at his residence here that he had rejected the poll formula proposing that the party winning maximum number of seats .
Section of political parties, groups spreading hatred: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said a section of political parties and groups were indulging in rumour mongering and spreading hatred with their "dangerous statements". "One section of political parties/groups along with people holding constitutional positions (are) indulging in rumour mongering, spreading hatred with dangerous statements," Banerjee said in a tweet. "Even journalists not spared. This is shameless politics. What levels of polluted politics have we descended to?," she said. Her statement comes a day after Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy supported a call for a boycott of "everything Kashmiri", including the Amarnath Yatra and purchasing products from the state. Roy's comment came in the wake of the February 14 terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. Earlier, Banerjee had accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Punjab seeks Britain's apology on Jallianwala Bagh massacre
As we approach the centenary year of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, in which hundreds of innocent people were killed by the British forces, the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to mount pressure on the Centre for seeking a formal apology from the British government "for one of the worst ever bloodbaths in the world".
AAP stages walkout from Punjab Assembly
The opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on Wednesday staged a walkout from the Punjab Assembly on the issue of there being a large number of proclaimed offenders in the state.
Restoring dialogue fitting tribute to Namwar Singh: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called the death of celebrated Hindi author Namwar Singh as end of an era and said restoring dialogue in the country will be the true tribute to him.
Odisha needs double engine growth: UP CM
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday called for Odisha's support in the upcoming elections to ensure "double engine" growth with BJP governments in the Centre and the state.
We are with you: Rahul, Priyanka tell CRPF trooper's family
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday met the family of Amit Kumar who was among the 40 CRPF troopers killed by a suicide bomber in Kashmir and pledged to stand by the family.
BJP desperate to form alliance of its own: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati claimed on Wednesday that the BJP was afraid of its tie-up with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and was now desperate to forge an alliance of its own. Her remarks came in the wake of the BJP announcing a tie-up with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. "Does the BJP's move to forge alliances in Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, in absolute helplessness and on its knees, show its strong leadership? In fact, the BJP is so afraid of the SP-BSP alliance that it is now running from pillar to post to forge an alliance of its own," Mayawati tweeted in Hindi. She said, "No matter how much efforts the BJP makes during the election period, people of the country are fed up with its anti-people policies and will not forgive it. The public will shatter its arrogance in the elections and their government will go.
Pak's ISI responsible for Pulwama attack: Congress
The Congress on Wednesday held Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, responsible for the ghastly terror attack in Pulwama in which nearly 40 security personnel died on February 14."ISI is the designer of terrorism and protects Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Masood Azhar is under ISI's protection. JeM took responsibility for Pulwama attack. So when the designer of terrorism is in Pakistan protecting terror attacks, we know who is responsible for all this," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal told ANI.Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed after a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle, laden with massive explosives, into a CRPF convoy on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on February 14 around 3.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora in Pulwama district.The convoy consisted of 78 buses in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling.Later, the Pakistan-based and backed terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed the responsibility for the attack.Breaking silence on the attack, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan
Saudi Crown Prince says ready to extend cooperation to India in fighting terror but skips mention of Pulwama
He skipped any reference to the Pulwama attack at a joint press interaction here even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the "barbaric" terror incident and emphasised that pressure must be mounted on countries supporting terrorism so that they dismantle terror infrastructure existing on their soil and take action against the terror elements."Extremism and terrorism are our common concern. We would like to tell our friend India that we will extend all kinds of cooperation, including intelligence sharing. We will work with everyone to ensure a brighter future for our upcoming generations," Mohammed bin Salman, who is popularly known as MBS, said at a joint press interaction with Modi.The terror attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14, in which 40 personnel were killed, was claimed by JeM.The skipping of mention of Pulwama attack by MBS assumes significance as only two days back he was in Pakistan where a joint statement issued after his talks with Prime Minister Imran .