Page 1579 - Politics
Convince your friend 'Imran bhai' to act against terrorists: Digvijaya to Sidhu
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday urged Navjot Singh Sidhu, engulfed in a political row over remarks following the Pulwama attack, to convince his "friend" and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to act against terrorists. Singh's tongue in cheek remarks come amid the controversy over Sidhu's comments after the Pulwama attack wherein he asked whether an entire nation could be blamed "for a handful of people". "I know Modi 'bhakts' are going to troll me for this but I don't care. Imran Khan a cricketer who I admire, can't take on these Muslim fundamentalists and ISI sponsored terrorist groups, I can't believe," Singh said in a series of tweets. He also asked the Pakistan Prime Minister to show "guts" and hand over Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India, terming them as "self-confessed perpetrators of terror". Khan would not only bail Pakistan out of the financial crisis, but also be the front runner for Nobel Peace Prize for doing so, he said. "Navjot Singh Sidhu ji apne .
PM should convey nation's sentiments on Pak to Saudi delegation: Ahmed Patel
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Tuesday termed Saudi Arabia signing a slew of investment agreements worth USD 20 billion with Pakistan as "unfortunate" and said he expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey the nation's sentiments to the crown prince of that country during bilateral talks. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, who arrived in Islamabad on Sunday at the start of his South Asia tour, returned to his country on Monday. He is scheduled to reach India on Tuesday night and hold talks with the prime minister on Wednesday. "As Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman arrives in Delhi, his decision to reward Pakistan by giving them a USD 20 billion package, 96 hours after our jawans were martyred is most unfortunate," Patel said in a tweet. "I expect the Prime Minister to convey the nation's sentiments to the Saudi Arabian delegation," he added. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a slew of investment agreements worth USD 20 billion on Sunday. On February 14, in one of the ...
AAP giving BJP a taste of its own political medicine
Just over six years into the game, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which routed the Congress in the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls, is now giving the BJP a taste of its own political tricks as it gears up for the Lok Sabha battle.
CPI(M) never supports violence: Kerala CM
Stating that the CPI(M) never promoted violence, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday asserted that it had no role in the recent killings of two Youth Congress activists in Kasaragod, even as the Left party demanded a CBI probe into the incident. Talking to reporters at the secretariat here, he said the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had already directed the state police to take stringent action against the accused and bring them before law at the earliest. If any CPI(M) activist was found to be involved in the crime, they would never get the party's backing, Vijayan said, adding that they would not only have to face legal action, but also stern party action. "The CPI(M) has never promoted violence. It is a party which had to face violence on several occasions and there was no need for it to conspire the murder of the Youth Congress workers," he said, replying to a reporter's question over the issue. "At a time when the CPI(M) is organising party yatras
MNS, NCP not political untouchables for BJP: Sena told
The Shiv Sena's sudden change from its stated opposition to having a poll truck with the BJP was the result of the BJP managers impressing upon the Uddhav Thackeray-led party that it might lose its "negotiating power" in case of BJP emerging as the single largest party after elections, a BJP leader revealed Tuesday. Moreover, the BJP also pointed out a spate of meetings having taken place between Sena's arch rival MNS and NCP leaders, and the possible backdoor agreement between the two parties. The BJP leader, who was part of negotiations to bring Sena around, also said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party was also told that the MNS and NCP are not politically untouchables for the BJP, which he said came as a "trigger" for Sena to lower its guard. "Though Congress is opposed to forging any kind of alliance with the MNS, the fear of NCP and MNS forming an alliance behind the curtain was conveyed successfully to Shiv Sena leadership," he said. "In one of the recent meetings, it
JK Guv lauds security forces for eliminating JeM terrorists in encounter
Lauding security forces for neutralizing three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) including the mastermind behind the recent terror attack on the CRPF convoy, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Tuesday said it was a matter of pride for the nation that senior officers are leading from the front in the anti-terror operations. On Monday, the three JeM terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, were killed in a 16-hour encounter in Pinglan village of Pulwama district, about 12 km from the site of the February 14 attack on the CRPF convoy which left 40 jawans dead. Two of the slain terrorists were identified as Kamran and Abdul Rasheed alias Ghazi, the so-called divisional commanders of JeM for Pulwama, Tral and Awantipora areas of South Kashmir. The third one was Hilal, a resident of Pinglan in Pulwama. Four Army personnel, including a major, were also killed, while Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Amit Kumar, a Brigadier, a Lt. Colonel, a Major and four ...
Boycott everything Kashmiri, says Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy on Tuesday supported a call for a boycott of "everything Kashmiri", including the Amarnath Yatra and purchasing products from the state. Roy, who describes himself as a right-wing Hindu socio-political thinker, writer, ideologue on Twitter, went on the microblogging site to air his views. "An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don't visit Kashmir, don't go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don't buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri. I am inclined to agree," he tweeted. The BJP leader turned governor also referred to the Pakistan Army "who are handling the Kashmiri separatists" and its role in "East Pakistan", mentioning war crimes like slaughter and rape. "... And they would have kept East Pakistan but for the whacking from India," Roy tweeted. "I am not suggesting that we go that far. But at least some distance?" he wrote. Roy's comments come in the wake of the ...
AIADMK gains headstart to LS poll alliance, clinches deal with
In a first step towards putting up a broad based front to face the coming Parliamentary elections, the ruling AIADMK Tuesday announced a poll alliance with the Pattali Makkal Katchi. Announcing the tie up in the presence of Chief Minister K Palaniswami, AIADMK coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said PMK would contest in seven Lok Sabha seats. It was also decided that the PMK would be allocated a Rajya Sabha seat. A formal agreement on the poll alliance was signed between the leadership of AIADMK and the PMK at a city hotel. Under the deal, the PMK would support AIADMK in the bypolls expected to 21 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, Panneerselvam said. For the AIADMK, the deal with the PMK, which has a significant clout in several northern and western pockets of Tamil Nadu, is seen as a shot in the arm. The AIADMK is expected to soon formalise a poll deal with the BJP. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the PMK, which was part of the BJP-led rainbow ...
SC refuses to interfere with Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim CBI director
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to interfere with M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a full-time director has already been appointed."No interference is called for as CBI director has been appointed," said a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra.The court's order came on a plea filed by NGO Common Cause against Rao's appointment as CBI director after the then CBI Director Alok Verma was transferred from the post.The plea had sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection and appointment of the CBI Director, however, the bench refused to pass any direction on the issue and said a separate petition can be filed on the issue if need arises.The petition filed by NGO Common Cause and social activist Anjali Bhardwaj, to secure "independence and autonomy" of CBI, sought quashing of the order dated January 10 by which the charge and duties of Verma was handed over to Rao as an interim measure.The petitioners ...
Ex-Bihar CMs cannot hold bungalows for lifetime: Patna HC
In a fresh turn of developments, the Patna High Court on Tuesday ordered that all former Chief Ministers of Bihar will have to vacate the government bungalows allotted to them for the lifetime.The judicature issued this notice after taking suo-motu cognisance of a provision that allows former chief ministers to occupy their official bungalows for life.Speaking to ANI, Lalit Kishore, Advocate General, Bihar said, " Earlier there was a provision in Uttar Pradesh of accommodating former state CM but supreme court intervened and rejected it. On the basis of that judgement of the Supreme Court, Patna high court also rejected it.""In 2010, an amendment was made in Bihar in which there was security act which has now been rejected and has said that it is out of the constitution. It depends of the state and what decision they will take after reading this judgement," he added.The court on February 11 had reserved the order on the issue.The decision from the Court came on a PIL was filed by ...
Ready to take action on Pulwama, says Imran but warns against military action against Pakistan
In a televised address to the nation, he asked India to provide "actionable evidence" about Pakistani links to the February 14 attack, promising that his government will "take action".India has asserted that Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit was responsible for the attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in which 40 personnel were killed.Khan, in the brief address, claimed that Pakistan was being accused by India even though "there is no evidence.""I want to tell India, we are ready for any kind of investigation. If there is any actionable evidence, give it to us. We will take action," the Pakistan Prime Minister said.He said his government will take action, "not because Pakistan is under pressure" but because terrorism and those indulging in terrorism are "enemies" of his country.Khan also offered to have dialogue with India on the issue terrorism, claiming that the "naya (new) Pakistan" did not want anybody to indulge in terrorism from the Pakistani soil nor wanted ...
Next round of US-China trade talks to take place on Feb 21-22
The seventh round of trade talks between China and the United States is slated to take place in Washington later this week the Chinese Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Tuesday.The talks between the two nations will be held on February 21 and 22.Sputnik quoted the Chinese Ministry as stating that the trade negotiations will be attended by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, while the US delegation will be headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.During the previous round of trade negotiations between the US and China that took place on February 14-15, the two countries managed to reach some progress during the talks but still had to do "much work", the White House said in a statement.The ministerial meetings are conducted in order to enhance efforts to reach a deal before increased tariffs are slapped on Chinese imports by the US. If the deal is confirmed, officials will look forward to confirming the next proposed China-US summit anytime soon in
Pak asks UN to "defuse tensions" with India post Pulwama attack
Pakistan has called for UN intervention to "defuse tensions" with India in the wake of the Pulwama attack, which left 40 CRPF men dead."It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions," a letter by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday.Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the ghastly attack, which has been condemned by the international community. The United States has told Pakistan to stop providing safe haven and support to terror outfits.The letter said that there exists a "threat of use of force against Pakistan by India"."The Pulwama attack on Indian Central Reserve Police Force was ostensibly and even by Indian accounts carried out by a Kashmiri resident of Indian Occupied Kashmir. Attributing it to Pakistan even before investigations is absurd," it claimed.The letter also asked Guterres to "consider asking India to ...
Haryana Assembly's Budget session begins on Wednesday
The two-week long Haryana Assembly's Budget session beginning Wednesday is likely to be a stormy affair, with the opposition set to corner the BJP-led government on several issues including law and order and farmers' plight. However, the ruling BJP, buoyed by its recent win in the Jind bypolls, is expected to launch a fierce counter attack on opposition parties. The session will start with the Governor's address followed by obituary references. On Thursday, the House will have non-official business and the Motion of Thanks on the Governor's address would be taken up on February 22. The budget would be presented on February 26 and discussion on it would begin the nextday. The voting on budget estimates would take place on March 1 after the Finance Minister's reply. The session will conclude on March 5. While the ruling BJP is claiming that it has ensured all-round development in the state during its four-and-a-half year rule, opposition parties claim the M L Khattar regime has failed ..
PM slams opposition leaders for targeting Vande Bharat Express
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday hit back at opposition leaders for "targeting and mocking" semi-high speed train Vande Bharat Express, terming it an an "insult" to engineers and technicians. The prime minister was responding to the criticism by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav of the train, which had developed a snag on its return journey from Varanasi to Delhi on Saturday, hours after its inaugural run. "Some persons targeting and mocking at semi-high speed train. This is unfortunate. This is an insult to engineers and technicians involved in the project. People should remain alert against such persons who are insulting engineers and technicians and mocking the country," the PM said while addressing a public meeting here. He asked the people not to get "demoralised by those surrounded by negativity". "I salute engineering professionals, who will in future make a bullet train in India and run it also...I am getting letter of people who are hurt", ...
PM Modi to visit Amethi on Feb 27
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Amethi, the home turf of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on February 27, a BJP leader said Tuesday. The PM is likely to visit the ordnance factory in Munshiganj here and later address a public meeting, BJP's convenor of Amethi Lok Sabha constituency Rajesh Agrahari said. The Prime Minister may also inaugurate and lay foundation stones for various projects, Agrahari said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi had defeated BJP's Smriti Irani by a margin of over 1.07 lakh votes, retaining the Amethi seat.
Priyanka to address maiden rally in Gujarat
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will address her maiden public rally in Gujarat along with brother and party President Rahul Gandhi on February 28, signalling the intent to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah in their home state.
AIADMK ropes in PMK into alliance with 7 Lok Sabha seats
Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK on Tuesday sealed an electoral alliance with the PMK for the Lok Sabha polls whereby the latter will contest in seven constituencies and for one Rajya Sabha seat.
Pakistan will retaliate if India attacks, says Imran
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said his country will have no other option to retaliate if India wages war against it in the wake of the February 14 suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF troopers.
Patna High Court orders all ex-CMs to vacate official bungalows
The Patna High Court on Tuesday ruled that former chief ministers of Bihar cannot hold their official bungalows for life time.