Page 1603 - Politics
Two senior BJP leaders join Congress in Arunachal Pradesh
Two senior BJP leaders Saturday returned to the Congress' fold ahead of the elections, three years after joining the saffron party. The fresh blow to the BJP came within a month of former chief minister Gegong Apang's quitting the saffron party, citing unhappiness with its functioning. The former state ministers -- Atum Welly and Tatar Kipa -- resigned from the primary membership of the BJP and joined the Congress at a function organised at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here. Gegong Apang is yet to join any political party as of now. The two senior BJP leaders alleged that the saffron party was not following norms and procedures in selecting candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. Both Welly and Kipa, in similar letters to state BJP president Tapir Gao on Thursday, said that they were tendering their resignations from both the primary and active memberships of the party and from all portfolios assigned to them because the party had violated the norms and procedures by ...
Pulwama attack: LS Speaker pays tribute to slain CRPF jawans
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given full freedom to security forces to give a befitting reply to the perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said here Saturday while paying tribute to the slain soldiers. She said there was anger among people over the attack and exuded confidence that it would be avenged. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. "Heads of various countries have expressed condolences over the Pulwama attack. India has slammed Pakistan for the attack and blamed it for supporting Jaish-e-Mohammed and its founder Masood Azhar. This should be the last terror attack in the country," Mahajan said. She was in the city to attend the 68th convention of the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal at Kelanpur on the outskirts of ...
BJP, Congress take out candlelight marches in Delhi to pay homage to slain CRPF jawans
Delhi units of the BJP and the Congress took out candlelight marches across the city on Saturday to pay homage to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Jammu Kashmir's Pulwama. BJP leaders and workers took out the candlelight march from Udyog Bhawan to India Gate where a large gathering condoled the deaths. Congress workers also took out candlelight marches across the city. Slogans were raised against Pakistan with people demanding government to give a befitting reply to perpetrators of the Pulwama attack. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 40 personnel and leaving many critically wounded. The Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed the responsibility for the attack. The Delhi unit of the BJP will observe 'Atankwad Virodh Divas' (Day against terrorism) in all districts of the city paying homage to
BJP to organise condolence meetings at all district headquarters on Sunday
The BJP will organise condolence meetings across the country on Sunday to pay tributes to the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack. The party has also asked its elected members and office bearers to attend the exercise. The party's media head and Rajya Sabha member Anil Baluni said the condolence meetings will be held at all district headquarters. Party workers will also resolve to take a pledge for a decisive battle against terrorism, Baluni said. The party said in a statement that it stands with the families of the martyred and noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that their sacrifice will not go in vain. BJP president Amit Shah had also asserted that terrorists will be given a befitting reply by security forces and rooted out, the statement added. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives .
Trump-era US Europe rift wide open at Munich security talks
The US and European powers voiced sharply differing views on issues from Mideast security to trade Saturday, laying bare a deep trans-Atlantic rift in the era of President Donald Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders at a three-day international security conference voiced dismay at a range of Trump decisions deemed hostile to America's NATO allies. In one awkward moment Friday, US Vice President Mike Pence said he was bringing greetings from Trump, only to be met with stony silence from a room full of national leaders, ministers and generals. Merkel said a looming new shot expected in a trade war -- Washington readying to declare European car imports a "national security threat" -- was "frightening", speaking at the Munich Security Conference. Especially Trump's announcement he would soon pull American troops out of Syria has left allies scratching their heads about how to prevent further chaos and instability there. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le ...
Pulwama terror attack will throw regions into flames of war: Altaf Hussain
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founding leader Altaf Hussain on Saturday said Pulwama terror attack, which took place on Thursday, would throw the regions into flames of war.Hussain vehemently slammed Pak-based terror outfit, JeM, for carrying out the suicide terror attack on a convoy of CRPF. He expressed his solidarity with the slain soldiers and bereaved families.He said: "It is an established factor and reality that JeM was founded in Pakistan and operates from Pakistan across the world. Its headquarters is based in Pakistan. The videotaping of the suicide attack proved that JeM is not an ordinary terrorist but is an organisation fully trained by the ghoulish ISI."MQM leader claimed that he has always supported the idea of establishing friendly ties with the neighbouring countries like Iran, India, Afghanistan, and China but that does not necessarily mean that Pakistani soil should be leased out to China."The entire Gwadar region has been converted into Chinese Red Zone where the .
JD-U to contest Lok Sabha polls from Assam, Manipur
Bihar's ruling Janta Dal-United (JD-U) on Saturday said it will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from two northeastern states - Assam and Manipur.
Sonowal, Sarma turn pallbearers as slain jawan paid tributes
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma turned pallbearers as the body of a CRPF jawan killed in the Pulwama attack reached the IAF airport here. Sonowal laid a wreath at the coffin wrapped in the national flag at the IAF airport, adjacent to the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International airport here. CRPF head constable Maneswar Basumatari was among the 40 personnel killed in the attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday. "The nation will fight unitedly to protect the sovereignty of our country. Basumatari's sacrifice along with the other CRPF jawans will not go in vain. We are united to fight those anti-national forces for ensuring the security of our country," Sonowal told reporters here. Sarma said he had full faith in the Army. "I have full faith in our Army that they will fight till the last terrorist is wiped out of Kashmir. The Army and security forces have been given free hand by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Victory will .
SAD asks Cong to expel Sidhu from party
The Shiromani Akali Dal Saturday asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to expel Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu from the party for calling for dialogue with Pakistan even after the Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF jawans died. Though Sidhu had condemned the "cowardly" attack by a Pakistan-based terror group, he had also called for dialogue to find a "permanent solution" to end the bloodshed. Sidhu, who had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan prime minister last year, had said, "For a handful of people, can you blame the entire nation and can you blame an individual?" SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said if the Congress president does not sack Sidhu, it would mean his statement was "made at the direction of Rahul Gandhi". "I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if he will sit quietly... Every patriotic Indian is asking if Rahul will respect their wishes and rise above politics. Sidhu should be sacked promptly," he said. The Akali leader said the credibility of .
Puducherry CM's dharna against Guv continues for 4th day,
Continuing his dharna for the fourth day outside the Raj Nivas against Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Saturday shot off a letter to the Centre in which he charged Bedi with adopting an "autocratic" style of functioning and said the stir will continue till his demands are met. Bedi, now camping in New Delhi, has offered to discuss all issues with Narayanasamy and his ministers at an open public forum here on February 21. In his letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the chief minister alleged that Bedi "had been running a parallel day-to-day administration totally blocking welfare schemes meant for SCs, BCs, fishermen and other downtrodden people." Bedi neither cared for the decisions of the cabinet nor cared to follow the rule of law, he alleged. Narayanasamy also charged the Lt Governor with "adopting a high handed, arm twisting and autocratic style of governance" in Puducherry He apprised the Home Minister of the letters he had .
Rajnath holds meeting with RAW chief, NSA, other security officials
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday held a meeting with RAW chief A. K. Dhasmana, Additional Director IB Arvind Kumar, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and NSA Ajit Doval in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that left 49 CRPF troopers dead.
Sidhu puts Congress, Amarinder on back foot with Pulwama comments; trolled on social media
With a growing clamour on social media seeking his sacking, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has again put the Congress party and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on the back foot with his comments defending Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy which left 49 troopers dead.
Surgical strike alone won't do: Shiv Sena on Pulwama terror attack
Carrying out surgical strike only will not yield results and the time has come that attacks have to be deep inside Pakistan, including in Lahore and Islamabad, the Shiv Sena told the central government at an all-party meeting on Saturday following the Pulwama terror attack. After attending the all-party meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Shiv Sena parliamentarian Sanjay Raut told reporters the Narendra Modi dispensation should do what former prime minister Indira Gandhi had done. "Surgical strike alone will not do, now the strikes have to be deep inside till Lahore and Islamabad. The Modi government has to do what the Indira Gandhi government had done," Raut said. India had won the 1971 war against Pakistan under the leadership of Indira Gandhi. India had carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the border with Pakistan in 2016 in response to a terrorist attack on an Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. At the meeting Saturday, political parties ..
Ever prepared to deliver 'appropriate response' as assigned by political leadership: IAF chief
As India's military establishment mulls options to avenge the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa Saturday said the IAF was ever prepared to deliver "appropriate response" as assigned by India's political leadership. Speaking at the inauguration of the Vayu Shakti exercise, a massive day and night drill here, he did not mention Pakistan or the Pulwama attack but it was clear that he was referring to cross border terror supported by Islamabad. "The IAF is ever prepared to deliver appropriate response as assigned by our political leadership and will always remain at the forefront in executing its missions," he said in presence of Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat and defence attachs of several countries. "I wish to assure the nation of the IAF's capability and commitment in meeting national security challenges and defending sovereignty of our country," he said. Around 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as a large range of ..
Union minister meets J-K guv, discusses law and order situation
Union minister Jitendra Singh Saturday called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan here and discussed various issues, including the prevailing law and order situation in the winter capital, an official spokesman said. The governor and Singh discussed various important issues, including the prevailing law and order situation in Jammu, and hoped that the situation will normalise soon as the people of Jammu region are known for upholding the values of communal harmony and mutual brotherhood, he said. The spokesman said Singh apprised the governor that he met various sections of the society in Jammu, including college students, and appealed to them to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
Goa's ex-deputy CM D'Souza laid to rest with state honours
BJP legislator and Goa's former Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza was laid to rest with full state honours Saturday evening at his hometown Mapusa near here. D'Souza, 64, had died on February 14 after a prolonged illness. The mortal remains of the BJP leader were kept at his private residence in Mapusa, around 9 km from here, for the last two days during which thousands of people paid homage to their beloved leader. D'Souza's body, wrapped in the tricolour, was carried from his residence to St Jerome Church in the town in a decorated truck. A funeral mass was conducted at the church in the presence of hundreds of people, including Archbishop of Goa and Daman Fr Filipe Neri Ferrao and senior leaders. Paying tribute to his father, the late BJP leader's son Joshua D'Souza termed him as a "man of the people who was always eager to help those who approached him". State BJP president Vinay Tendulkar, in his address during the mass, recalled how D'Souza helped him during his
JK guv reviews law and order situation, appeals for peace
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday reviewed the law and order situation in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony so that the forces trying to disrupt the peaceful environment of the state are defeated. Malik was speaking at a high-level meeting convened at Raj Bhavan here to review the present law and order situation in the state in the aftermath of the terror attack which left 40 CRPF personnel dead in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district Thursday, an official spokesman said. He said the governor directed the police to take strict action without mercy against those indulging in any type of violence, arson or rumour mongering irrespective of political and religious affiliation Malik also reviewed the situation of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in various universities and colleges across the country, the spokesman said. He said the meeting was informed that liaison officers appointed at
Puducherry CM's dharna against Guv continues for 4th day, writes to Centre on reasons for stir
Continuing his dharna for the fourth day outside the Raj Nivas against Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Saturday shot off a letter to the Centre in which he charged Bedi with adopting an "autocratic" style of functioning and said the stir will continue till his demands are met. In his letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the chief minister alleged that Bedi "had been running a parallel day-to-day administration totally blocking welfare schemes meant for SCs, BCs, fishermen and other downtrodden people." Narayanasamy also charged the Lt Governor with "adopting a high handed, arm twisting and autocratic style of governance" in Puducherry. He apprised the Home Minister of the letters he had written to Bedi, asking her to follow "the Constitutional provisions, democratic norms and statutory laws and to respect elected institutions of governance." The chief minister also alleged in the letter that the Lt Governor had stopped implementation of 'free .
UK and Russia hold first talks in over a year
Junior foreign ministers from Britain and Russia met in Germany on Saturday in the highest-level contact between the two countries since an alleged nerve agent attack in Britain last March froze diplomatic relations. Britain's Minister for Europe Alan Duncan held talks with Russia's First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov on the margins of the Munich Security Conference, according to the foreign office in London. "Alan underlined that we have deep differences, and the Russian state would need to choose a different path and act as a responsible international partner before there can be a change in our current relationship with Russia," it said in a statement. The meeting is the first between ministers from the two countries following the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the English city of Salisbury on March 4 which Britain has blamed on Moscow. The attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal, which Britain said was done using a Soviet era nerve agent Novichok, plunged relations
IAF carries out mega exercise at Pokhran
The Indian Air Force Saturday carried out a mega exercise here involving around 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters, in a fire power demonstration close to the border with Pakistan that came two days after the Pulwama attack. As India's military establishment mulls options to avenge the strike by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said the IAF was prepared to deliver "appropriate response" as assigned by India's political leadership. Speaking at the inauguration of the day and night Vayu Shakti exercise, he, however, did not either mention Pakistan or the Pulwama attack. "I wish to assure the nation of the IAF's capability and commitment in meeting national security challenges and defending sovereignty of our country," he said. Top IAF sources said though the Vayu Shakti was planned in advance, the drill was a demonstration of the force's capability to hit targets with "pinpoint accuracy" and carry out missions at short notice. Forty CRPF ...