Page 1626 - Politics
Cong cancels Friday's lunch for G20 ambassadors in view of Pulwama terror attack
In view of the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed at least 39 CRPF personnel on Thursday, the Congress has cancelled the lunch it was scheduled to host on Friday for the ambassadors of G20 nations. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the party stood in solidarity with the brave jawans who lost their lives, while strongly condemning such cowardly attacks. He added that Friday's lunch was cancelled as the Congress party stood in solidarity with the fight against terror. The former Union minister said the lunch for G20 ambassadors was to be attended by top Congress leaders, including party chief Rahul Gandhi. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bus in Pulwama district on Thursday, killing at least 39 personnel and leaving many critically wounded.
Modi govt has failed in checking terrorism, alleges Cong after Pulwama attack
The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of "failing" to check terrorism emanating from Pakistan and remaining a "mute spectator" to attacks on security personnel, after at least 39 CRPF men were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Terming the attack in Pulwama as an "act of cowardice", Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala questioned the government policy on terrorism and Pakistan, and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not compromise on national security. "In the past 55 months, Pakistan committed more than 5,000 ceasefire violations at the Line of Control and the International Border -- a whopping 1000 per cent increase compared to the last 55 months of the UPA," he said. "Where is the '56 inch chest'? Where is the 'laal aankh' (red eyes)?" Surjewala asked. He claimed this is the 18th major terror attack under the Modi government. Every day India's jawans are killed on the borders facing terrorists coming from Pakistan or in .
Gujarat to pay Rs 5 lakh to Godhra train victims' heirs
Following the Supreme Court's order, the Gujarat government on Thursday announced to pay Rs 5 lakh each to the heirs of victims of the Sabarmati Express train incident at Godhra in 2002.
Pulwama terror attack an act of desperation: RSS
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said Thursdays terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 43 security personnel were killed, was an act of desperation due to the growing clampdown on terrorism.
JK terror attack carried out by Pak-sponsored JeM will be avenged: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday assured the people of the country that the terror attack on a CRPF bus in Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed, will be avenged. In a statement , he said the central government is determined to foil the designs of those who want to disrupt peace through such a terror attack "sponsored and sheltered by Pakistan". "Jaish-e-Mohammed has carried out this terror attack. We assure the country that we will undertake whatever it takes to avenge this," he said. Singh will be visiting Srinagar Friday to take stock of the situation in the wake of the attack on the convoy that killed at least 39 CRPF personnel. He will also hold review meetings with senior security and police officials to make ground level assessment and review further operational actions. Singh has cancelled all his political engagements in Bihar Friday. He called up Governor Satya Pal Malik, who apprised him about the prevailing situation in the state. Singh .
Congress eyeing 11 of 21 LS seats in Odisha: Satheesan
The Congress will concentrate more on 11 of the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Odisha in the upcoming general elections, AICC screening committee member VD Satheesan said Thursday. "We have better prospect in 11 Lok Sabha seats. However, the party will focus on all the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha," Satheesan said. The AICC leader was talking to reporters after screening candidates for Jagatsinghpur and Puri Lok Sabha constituencies. Though Satheesan did not divulge the name of the 11 seats on which the party has been pinning hope, party sources said he was referring to constituencies where Congress nominees had finished second in the 2014 general elections. Though the Congress could not win any of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in 2014, its candidates finished second in Aska, Berhampur, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Koraput, Kandhamal, Nawrangpur and Puri. The BJP had won the Sundargarh seat in 2014 and was runners up in nine constituencies -- Balasore, ..
BJP govt's "divisive" politics will face huge backlash:CPI
The BJP-led NDA government's divisive politics will face huge backlash from the people in the coming Lok Sabha elections, CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said Thursday. Reddy was speaking after inaugurating the 'Kerala Samrakshana yatra' led by CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to highlight the "failures" of the central government. He claimed that the minorities in the country were living under constant fear. "The minority Muslim community, intellectuals, Dalits, all are living under constant fear and threat.In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the people of the country will drive away the Modi government," the CPI leader said. "The divisive politics of the BJP-led government will face huge backlash from its people," Reddy added. Praising the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala, he said the LDF government had set an example to the nation for implementing welfare schemes and development activities for the people. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Left ...
Pulwama terror attack act of cowardice: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah termed the terror attack that killed at least 39 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday an "act of cowardice" and asserted that security forces would defeat those involved in such activities. "Pained beyond words by the terror attack on our soldiers in Pulwama (J&K). It is an act of cowardice. My deepest condolences are with the families of our soldiers who have lost their lives. Our forces will remain firm against such acts of terror and defeat them," he said in a tweet. Shah said the Narendra Modi government, since it assumed power in 2014, had adopted a policy of "zero tolerance" against terrorism, adding that a befitting reply would be given to defeat such terror forces. At least 39 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Pulwama when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in, one of the worst terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent ...
BJP-RSS using Citizenship Bill to make India religious state: KMSS
KMSS Adviser Akhil Gogoi Thursday slammed the BJP over the Citizenship Bill and alleged that the saffron party with its parent body RSS tried to convert India into another Pakistan through the divisive bill. Addressing a press conference, the RTI activist-cum-peasant leader, who has been at the forefront of the agitation against the bill for the last two years, said the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS)-led 70 groups will soon approach the Supreme Court to cancel the Passport (entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015. "It was a classic fight of the regional forces of northeast against the communal forces. It showed the actual enemies of Assam and northeast. It proved that RSS and BJP are all time biggest enemies of the region and they cannot be our friends," Gogoi said. Gogoi, litterateur Hiren Gohain and a senior journalist Manjit Mahanta were booked under sedition charge for their remarks on the controversial bill earlier. He termed the ...
Nepal-India ties move upward, joint projects gain momentum: PM Oli
Nepal-India relations saw new heights in the last one year and the execution of joint projects have also gained momentum following high-level bilateral visits, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said here on Thursday. Addressing the nation on completion of one year of his government, Oli said the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal and his tour to India last year helped the two neighbours to scale up their ties. Modi visited the Himalayan country in May 2018 and inaugurated a direct bus service between Janakpur (the birthplace of Lord Sita) in Nepal and Ayodhya (the birthplace of Lord Ram) as part of a "Ramayan Circuit" to promote religious tourism in Nepal and India. In August, Modi attended the fourth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Kathmandu. Oli visited New Delhi in April after taking charge as Nepal's prime minister for the second time in February 2018. The Nepalese premier said the visits further enhanced ..
Congress Working Committee to meet in Ahmedabad on Feb 26
The next meeting of the Congress Working Committee will be held in Ahmedabad on February 26 in the presence of all the key party leaders. The announcement was made on Thursday by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) through a communique. "It has been decided to convene a meeting of CWC on February 26 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat to discuss the current political scenario and progress made for the upcoming general elections," it said. Top leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh and other CWC members are expected to remain present during the crucial meet ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the AICC said. The announcement came on the day Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Valsad district in Gujarat.
Rajasthan BJP chief hits back at Rahul Gandhi for comments on RSS
BJP Rajasthan president Madan Lal Saini Thursday hit back at Rahul Gandhi for his comments on the RSS, saying the organisation needs no certificate from the Congress president. Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday, alleging its members wield lathis and spread hatred. Addressing a meeting of the Congress Seva Dal, he asked Congress men to counter the hatred spread by the BJP and its ideological fountainhead RSS with love. Saini also challenged the Congress leader for an open debate on the role of the RSS in the freedom struggle. "He is dreaming of making Seva Dal stand parallel to the RSS but from where they will get dedicated volunteers like that of RSS," said Saini. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje also condemned Seva Dal leader Lalji bhai desai's comments against the RSS. She in a statement said that the insult of the RSS will not be tolerated. Desai also targeted RSS and made comments against it on Wednesday. Pti ...
Nepal strongly condemns Pulwama terrorist attack
Nepal on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district and said such heinous acts of terrorism cannot be justified on any ground. "The Government of Nepal strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir today that has resulted in the loss of many precious lives," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement here. It extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as the Government and people of India. "In line with its principled position, Nepal unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and believes that such heinous acts of terrorism cannot be justified on any ground," it said. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a suicide bomber from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district on Thursday, killing at least 39 personnel and leaving many critically wounded.
BJP seeks report cards of works done by its Lok Sabha MPs
Almost a month after initiating a survery on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's App, seeking responses from the people about the three most popular party leaders in their constituencies, the BJP has now sought a report card of works done from its Lok Sabha members.
Pawar to contest Lok Sabha polls from Maharashtra's Madha
Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar will re-enter electoral politics by contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Maharashtra's Madha seat, party leader Praful Patel said here on Thursday.
BJP 'purifies' Jantar Mantar with Ganga jal after opposition rally
The BJP's Delhi unit observed "Black Day" on Thursday, marking fourth anniversary of the AAP government, and "purified" Jantar Mantar with Ganga jal, where the ruling party hosted opposition leaders in its 'Tanashahi Hatao, Loktantra Bachao Rally' targeting the Modi government. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari accused the Arvind Kejriwal government of committing 74 "frauds" with Delhi people, saying BJP workers will expose the AAP all across the national capital in the run up to the upcoming polls. "We have come here to purify Jantar Mantar with the sacred Ganga jal because yesterday an alliance of sinful persons with negative thinking was seen here," Tiwari told reporters. AAP government in Delhi has committed "frauds" by not fulfilling its 70 poll promises and also by "misleading" voters, saying their votes have been deleted. They also did not implement 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker section, "obstructed" Ayushman Bharat scheme, and blamed the prime minister for its
AP CM condemns attack on CRPF jawans
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Thursday strongly condemned the attack on CRPF jawans at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister, in a statement, said such a deadly attack on CRPF jawans was unprecedented and said terrorism posed a threat to the country's sovereignity. He extended condolences to the bereaved families. At a press conference in Vijayawada, BJP general secretary V Ram Madhav called it an act of "frustration and helplessness" by the terrorists. "It is very unfortunate that several CRPF jawans have been martyred in Jammu and Kashmir today. The strong measures taken by the Centre in the last five years yielded good results as scores of terrorists, including 10 commanders, were neutralised. There is frustration and a helpless situation among terrorists and they are resorting to such heinous acts," Madhav added.
Tussle between AAP govt, bureaucracy may linger on as SC refers services issue to larger bench
The tussle between the AAP government in the national capital and the bureaucracy may continue after the Supreme Court on Thursday referred the issue of who controlled services in Delhi to a larger bench. An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary said the apex court order meant maintaining status quo on the matter related to services, on which the lieutenant governor (LG) would continue to have a direct say. On several occasions in the past, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leaders had accused the LG of working at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, which was allegedly creating hurdles in the Delhi government's works through officers. A senior bureaucrat expressed apprehension that the tussle between the AAP government and the officers would continue in the coming days as the ruling party would have political pressure to execute their schemes. The AAP dispensation and the bureaucrats have been at loggerheads on a range of issues. In December 2015, the Delhi, Andaman .
No proposal for free power to govt schools in Punjab: House told
There was no proposal for providing free power to government schools in Punjab, the government told the state Assembly Thursday, noting that a total of 4,130 government schools in the state had pending electricity bills of Rs 7.03 crore. During the Question Hour on the third day of the Budget Session here, AAP legislator from Sunam, Aman Arora, asked the state government to give details of the pending electricity bills towards government schools in the state. Replying to the question, power minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar informed the House that Rs 702.78 lakh was pending against 4,130 primary, middle and senior secondary schools of the Punjab government. "Fourteen connections of government schools have been removed due to non-payment of electricity bills," the minister said. He said the total annual electricity bill of all government schools in Punjab is about Rs 1,684.87 lakh. To a question on whether there was any proposal of the government to provide free electricity to government .
Puducherry CM, ministers continue dharna outside Raj Nivas for
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his ministerial colleagues continued their dharna outside the Raj Nivas for the second day Thursday protesting Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's "negative stand" towards his government' proposals awaiting her approval. After sleeping on a pavement close to the Raj Nivas wearing black shirts Wednesday, Narayanasamy, his ministers and party MLAs stayed put at the same place through Thursday even as Bedi left for New Delhi early in the morning amid tight security by Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel. They have been demanding that that the Lt Governor accord sanction to 39 government proposals, including a free rice scheme. Functionaries of different wings of the ruling Congress and the DMK have also joined the protest, which came close on the heels of similar agitations by Narayanasamy's West Bengal and Delhi counterparts Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal against the Centre. Irked by the deployment of RAF, Narayanasamy slammed Bedi and ...