Page 1627 - Politics
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 ...
Amit Shah to visit Odisha Friday
BJP national president Amit Shah will visit Sambalpur in Odisha on Friday to hold a party meeting, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here. Shah's visit will further strengthen the organisation and bolster the BJP's prospects in the coming Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections in Western Odisha, Pradhan said Thursday. Sambalpur is in the heart of Western Odisha, a traditional BJP bastion. The BJP chief is slated to address booth level workers of four Lok Sabha constituencies -- Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sundergarh and Dhenkanal on Friday. The petroleum minister inaugurated a slew of developmental projects at Sambalpur railway station before holding parleys with party leaders ahead of Shah's visit. Pradhan said the country cannot progress without development of the eastern region and the eastern region cannot develop without progress of Odisha, especially its Western region. Attacking the BJD government in the state, Pradhan said its role over the demand for establishment
Pulwama terror attack: President Kovind strongly condemns attack
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday strongly condemned the terror attack which claimed 40 lives of security personnel in Pulwama.The President tweeted, "Strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pulwama, J&K. Thoughts and prayers with the families of martyrs and wishing an early recovery to those injured. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil."A CRPF convoy on its way to Srinagar from Jammu was attacked in Awantipora area of Pulwama district this afternoon by terrorists, causing heavy casualties of security personnel. Around 2500 personnel were travelling in 78 vehicles which were part of the convoy when the incident occurred.A bus, in which 42 CRPF personnel were travelling, was extensively damaged in the blast which was followed by firing on the vehicle.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also condemned the attack earlier today. He said, "Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. The ...
Will Pulwama attack be eye-opener for Kashmir-centric politicians, asks Jitendra Singh
Condemning the Jammu and Kashmir terror attack, Union minister Jitendra Singh Thursday asked whether the incident would be an eye-opener for Kashmir-centric politicians, who are "always apologetic" on such occasions. He termed the dastardly attack on CRPF personnel as a desperate act by terrorists on the run. "Dastardly attack on CRPF personnel is a desperate act by terrorists on the run. While the entire nation solidarily stands with the Indian security forces, will this also be an eye opener for Kashmir-centric politicians who are always apologetic on such occasions," the minister tweeted. Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, is a Lok Sabha Member from Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur constituency. At least 39 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed after a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle in a bus they were travelling in, in the state's Pulwama district.
Pulwama terror attack: 18th big terror attack under Modi government, says Cong spokesperson Surjewala
Congress party on Thursday hit out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government for not being able to restrict terrorist attacks in the country.Addressing the media over the deadly attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in which around 40 CRPF personnel were killed, spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it was the 18th big terror attack in the past five years."We strongly condemn this cowardly attack and we extend condolences to the kin of the jawans who were martyred. This is the 18th big terror attack in the last 5 years under this Modi Govt. When will the 56-inch chest reply?" Surjewala said.Sharpening his attack on the central government he added, "This is the next big attack after the one in Uri. We condemn the attack and pay our tributes to the security personnel who have lost their lives in the same. More than 445 personnel have lost their lives in ceasefire violation which has taken place more than 5000 times in the last five years."A CRPF convoy on its way to Srinagar ...
Former PM Rajiv Gandhi's assassination case: Plea in HC to save lives of fasting convicts
The Madras High Court has been moved for a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to save the lives of two Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, who are on a fast since last week in the Vellore central jail seeking their premature release. The petition is expected to be taken up for hearing on Friday. Bringing to the court's attention that Nalini and her husband Murugan, life convicts, are on a fast in the central prison, petitioner Padma, mother of Nalini, claimed the duo's health has been deteriorating. The petitioner in her affidavit submitted that state cabinet had months ago decided to release all the seven people convicted in the case related to the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in May, 1991. The government had forwarded its recommendation to Governor Banwarilal Purohit to release the convicts, including her son in law and daughter, and the matter was now pending, she said. To urge the Governor to release them as per the government's decision, Murugan ..
CPI(M), TMC condemn Pulwama attack
The CPI(M) and the Trinamool Congress condemned the terror attack in Pulwama on Thursday in which 39 CRPF personnel have lost their lives. "Violence is not the answer to resolve issues, which require the engagement of all stakeholders in the state. The Modi government had promised, three years ago, to initiate a political process involving all stakeholders through dialogue. This has not happened. This must be done immediately," said the CPI (M) politburo in a statement. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack and said this was not the time to pin blame and politicise the issue. "I condemn the attack and stand in solidarity with them (the CRPF personnel). I do not want to politicise the issue," she said. At least 39 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in Pulwama, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus they were travelling in. Later Banerjee tweeted, "Saddened that 13 CRPF jawans became martyrs today in Pulwama.
Centre has power to appoint CoI and not Delhi government: SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday held that the national capital was a Union Territory, where the Centre had the power to appoint a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and not the Delhi government. The top court said there was no "state government" in the Union Territory and the state government (for this purpose) would mean the central government. It upheld the August, 2016 judgment of the Delhi High Court, saying the power to appoint a CoI rested with the Centre. A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said it was unable to accept the submission of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government's counsel that the expression "state government" in section 2(a) of the Commission of Inquiry Act would mean the government of NCT (National Capital Territory) of Delhi, a Union Territory. "It is not for us to deal with the argument...that Entry 45 of List III confers legislative and executive competence on GNCTD and, therefore, GNCTD can pass an appropriate order appointing a Commission of Inquiry in .
Telangana govt to present vote-on-account budget on Feb 22
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, a brief session of the Telangana assembly session will commence on February 22 during which a vote-on-account budget would be presented. The session would be held till February 25, a release from the chief minister's offices said Thursday. "The vote-on-account state budget of Telangana will be presented on February 22 at 11.30 AM," it said. After the presentation of the vote-on-account, discussions would be held the next day. The Appropriation Bill would be adopted by the House on February 25, the release added. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao told officials that the vote-on-account budget to be presented to the assembly should take care of all the commitments made to people, with maximum budgetary provision made for welfare. Rao held a meeting with officials on budget preparation and other issues. "The CM said adequate budgetary provision should be made in such a way that the commitments made in the recent elections would be fulfilled and
BJD govt neglecting OBCs: Union ministers
Union ministers Ram Kripal Yadav and Dharmendra Pradhan Thursday hit out at the BJD government in Odisha accusing it of neglecting the people belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Addressing a party meeting for the OBCs at Kantabanji in the state's Balangir district, the two senior BJP leaders alleged that the Naveen Patnaik government has failed on all fronts in the last 19 years and was insensitive to the problems of the backward classes. "The BJD government has failed miserably to address the problems of people from backward classes. It is only the BJP which is sincerely working for the uplift of these people," Yadav, the minister of state for rural development, said "The Centre has taken many steps for the welfare of the backward classes ... It will be a boon for OBCs in Odisha if the BJP comes to power in the state in the upcoming polls," he said. Mounting a scathing attack on the BJD government, the union minister alleged that no work can be done in Odisha without ...
Former diplomat Dnyaneshwar Mulay may contest Lok Sabha polls
Former diplomat Dnyaneshwar Mulay, who retired from service a fortnight ago, said Thursday that he was planning to contest the coming Lok Sabha elections. Mulay, a 1983-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, did not reveal which political party he was going to join, though some media reports said that he was on his way to the ruling BJP. "Politics is one option among many options. Most likely, I will be contesting (general elections). I am looking for a proper...ultimately, I should be assured of my winnability," he told PTI on the sidelines of an event here. Politics is not an easy game for a newcomer, Mulay said. A newcomer like him may upset established leaders and face resistance, he added. "I will get (bring) a new kind of politics, but there has to be a demand within the public as well as the political parties for bringing the change," he said. Asked about his probable constituency, he declined to specify. Speculation is rife that Mulay may contest from ...
Sushma on four-day visit to Bulgaria, Morocco and Spain from Saturday
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be on a four-day visit to Bulgaria, Morocco and Spain from Saturday to strengthen India's relations with these three countries, expand avenues of cooperation and discuss key regional and global issues, an statement said.
Telangana's Vote on Account Budget on Feb 22
Telangana's Vote on Account Budget will be presented in the State Assembly on February 22, it was announced on Thursday.
J-K BJP, Cong condemn Pulwama terror attack, condole death of CRPF personnel
Jammu and Kashmir BJP and Congress Thursday condemned the terror attack in Pulwama district which has claimed the lives of at least 39 CRPF personnel. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in the state's three decades of militancy, a Jaish suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 39 personnel and leaving many critically wounded, officials said. BJP state president Ravinder Raina, said "Pakistan has been unnerved because of peaceful and successful holding of local bodies and panchayat elections by state administration and have caused this dastardly and inhuman act to spread fear among common man in Kashmir in view of impending elections in the state". Talking to reporters, he said the blood of martyrs will never go waste and the might of Indian Army will crush militancy and their masters across borders. He expressed his sympathies to the families of martyrs. JKPCC also described the attack as "cowardly and inhuman" and ...
Chronology of events in Delhi versus Centre case
Following is the chronology of events in the case related to the power tussle between the Centre and Delhi government in which a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court Thursday delivered a split verdict over control of services and referred the matter to a larger bench. - Jul 4, 2018: Five-judge SC bench unanimously held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state but also said that Lieutenant Governor has to act on aid and advice of the elected government. -Jul 10: SC agrees to hear next week appeals of Delhi government relating to scope of its various powers in view of the Constitution bench that held that LG has no independent power to take decisions. - Jul 18: AAP government tells SC that its functioning is "completely paralysed" and it cannot order transfer or posting of officers despite the recent Constitution bench verdict on the national capital's administration. - Oct 4: Delhi government tells the apex court to hear petitions relating to governance of the national ...
Alliance at national level, may fight each other in states: Mamata
Virtually shutting the doors for an alliance with the Congress in her state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said while there will be a pre-poll alliance of non-NDA parties at the national level to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, they may fight each other at the state level.
SC delivers split verdict on Delhi government's powers on control of services
A Division Bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a split verdict on the issue of control of services between the Delhi government and the Centre, and referred the matter to a larger bench.
Don't know if Left will come with us, we didn't talk: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Thursday that she has not spoken to the Left parties about an alliance in Bengal, amid speculations that the CPI(M) and the Congress were heading for a tactical tie-up in the state ahead of the polls. Banerjee, who has been in Delhi for the past two days, has held a series of meetings with opposition leaders, strategising ways to create an united front to fight the BJP at the national level. "I do not know whether the Left will come with us or not. We didn't talk," she told reporters here when asked if she would tie up with her arch-rival in the state to thwart the BJP. She said she was used to fighting an united Congress and Left in Bengal. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has virtually ruled out his party being part of any "mahagathbandhan". Even at the AAP rally on Wednesday, the Left leaders had vacated the stage upon Banerjee's arrival indicating that they were not keen on any strategic alliance in Bengal with the TMC, which
Response expected from govt: Bhagwat on Pulwama terror attack
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Thursday said a response is expected from the Modi government to the attack on CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which 30 CRPF personnel were killed. Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Bhagwat said, "It is a cowardly act, we strongly condemn it. We expect action in response to this incident." "We have tolerated a lot and are still doing so, as seen from today's incident," he said. "They will get a reply (to the attack)," Bhagwat said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar also condemned the attack and extended condolences to their families. "The cowardly attack on a convoy of CRPF and killing of Jawans in Awantipora, Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir is a condemnable act. My condolences to the families of the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for India," Pawar tweeted. The CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. The Shiv Sena, BJP's ally, alleged .
Delhi govt has powers to fix land circle rates, but needs LG's nod: SC
The Delhi government has powers to fix the circle rates of the agricultural land but it has to seek concurrence of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), the Supreme Court on Thursday held. The decision on circle rate cannot be implemented without referring it to the LG by the Council of Ministers, the top court said. It said that the LG is not expected to differ routinely with the decision of council of minister and "difference should be on cogent and strong reasons". A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, deciding on six vexatious issues pertaining to a long-running feud between the central and the national capital governments, said that circle rates are fixed for the purpose of payment of stamp duty and therefore it does not pertain to right over land. It unanimously upheld the view of the Delhi High Court that the contentious notification dated August 4, 2015 for revising circle rates in national capital was issued under the provisions of Indian Stamp Act and Delhi Stamp ...