Page 1630 - Politics
Argentine President Macri to visit India from Sunday
Argentine President Mauricio Macri will visit India from Sunday at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.
Sushil Chandra appointed new EC
CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra was on Thursday appointed the new Election Commissioner ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, making the poll panel a three-member entity again.
Union Home Secy cuts short Bhutan visit, rushing back to Delhi
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, who reached Bhutan on Thursday on an official trip, is rushing back to Delhi after cutting short his visit in view of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Gauba had reached Thimpu this morning for a Home Secretary-level dialogue with his Bhutanese counterpart. He spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after the terror attack. "In view of the terror attack in Pulwama, the home secretary is rushing back to Delhi," a home ministry official said. At least 30 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama district when a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their bus.
LS polls: BJP appointments Y Satya Kumar as in-charge for Kerala
BJP national secretary Y Satya Kumar was on Thursday appointed as in-charge of Kerala for the Lok Sabha polls and Nirmal Surana, a leader from Karnataka, as co-incharge, the party said in a statement. The BJP did not win any of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the southern state in the 2014 elections and has eyed it as one of the regions where it may make gains in the coming polls. The Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-LDF are the two main forces in the state. Seeking to woo Hindu voters, the saffron party has taken an aggressive stand against the implementation of a Supreme Court order that struck down the ban on the entry of women of menstruating age in the Sabarimala temple.
Sharad Pawar condemns Pulwama terror attack
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday condemned the attack on CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which 30 CRPF personnel were killed. He also 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.
Data localisation, e-commerce not discussed at U.S.-India summit: U.S. envoy
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Data localisation, e-commerce legislation and the generalised system of preferences (GSP) were not expressly discussed during talks between the United States and India, U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Juster said on Thursday.
IED blasts signal new terror strategy in Kashmir
The ghastly attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday killing 26 personnel indicates a significant tactical shift in the strategy of terrorists as security agencies fear that the vehicle-ramming assaults, last seen in 2001 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly car bombing, could become a new norm.
Govt should ensure Pulwama-like terror attacks don't happen in future: Priyanka
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday condoled the killing of CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and demanded that the government take concrete steps to ensure such terror attacks do not happen in the future. The AICC general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh East also said there is a need to reflect and be concerned about the "high number" of casualties in Kashmir. She expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the 30 security personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. "I can very well understand the pain and grief of losing a loved one in the family," Gandhi said in a statement. Not only the Congress party, but the entire country is standing shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave soldiers, she said. "But, we must also reflect and be concerned about the high number of casualties in Kashmir. We demand that this government take concrete steps to ensure such terror attacks don't happen in the future," Gandhi said. At
SC rejects Maharashtra govt's plea to close petition on Enron-Dabhol power project deal
The Supreme Court Thursday rejected the Maharashtra government's plea to close the case of alleged corruption involving politicians, bureaucrats and corporates in the Enron-Dabhol power project case. The USD 3 billion mega power project was set up in Maharashtra by US-based Enron and its associates Dabhol Power Corporation in 1996 after signing of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) in 1993. Dabhol Power Company (DPC), now known as Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt Ltd, a joint venture of NTPC Limited, GAIL and Government of Maharashtra was established in 2005 to take over and revive the assets of the defunct DPC. The apex Court had in 1997 admitted the petition of Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) challenging a Bombay High Court order upholding the PPA and issued notice to MSEB only on the role of government and its officials in the signing of the PPA. When the petition came up for hearing Thursday, the apex court was informed by the ...
'Cowardly terror attack in J-K will be avenged in all way possible' : Rijiju
Union minister Kiren Rijiju Thursday said the "cowardly" terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir will not go unpunished and it will be avenged in "all way possible". Rijiju's statement came hours after at least 30 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama district when a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. This is one of the worst terror strikes in the state since the Uri attack in 2016. "We will definitely give befitting response to this cowardly attack. It will not go unpunished. We will avenge in all way possible," Rijiju, union minister of state for home, said in a tweet. More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora. Police said the terrorist driving the suicide vehicle was Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama who joined the
Karna assembly adjourned sine die amid din ahead of schedule
The budget session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly that was marred by protests andan audio clip controversy, was adjourned sine die on Thursday, aday ahead of its scheduled conclusion. The session that began on February 6, with the BJP disrupting Governor Vajubhai Vala's address to the joint sitting of the legislature, questioning the legitimacy of the government, and doubts about budget presentation, was mired in political slugfest without transacting business normally. This is the first session in recent times, where question hour did not take place even for a single day. All the bills, including the Finance bill, were passed amid din without any discussion. The only issue that came up for discussion in the Assembly was allegation of "Rs 50 crore offer to book" the assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar in the audio clip involving BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa in a purported conversation to lure a JD (S) MLA in his alleged attempt to topple the Congress-JD(S) ...
AP Interview: Maldives ex-president says debt under audit
Ex-Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed said Thursday that the country is seeking to reduce the more than USD 3 billion he estimates it could owe China, some of which he said came in the form of "ill-gotten wealth" for the previous government of President Yameen Abdul Gayoom. A close adviser to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and candidate for parliamentary elections in April, Nasheed spoke to The Associated Press at a climate change lecture in New Delhi, a day after Maldives' top prosecutor charged Yameen with money laundering. The charges are linked to USD 1 million allegedly found in Yameen's bank account from a shady government deal to lease islands for tourist development in the Maldives, which is famous for its luxury resorts. Yameen lost last September's presidential election after a five-year term during which he was accused of corruption and misrule. Nasheed, who became the Maldives' first democratically elected president in 2008, said an investigation of Yameen for suspected ..
SC rejects AAP plea, party gear up to raise issue at polls
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party will take the battle for full statehood to the peoples' bench and will seek votes on the plank as it considers "unfortunate" the Supreme Court verdict over the issue of transfers and postings of Delhi government officers.
UK to debate Jallianwala Bagh massacre in House of Lords
Indian-origin peers in the House of Lords have initiated a historic debate on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919 during the British Raj, to be held next Tuesday. "Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Amritsar massacre", initiated by Lord Meghnad Desai and Lord Raj Loomba, will take place in the main chamber of the Upper House of the UK Parliament and include around nine speakers during what is listed as a short debate. Both Desai and Loomba are members of the newly-formed Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Commemoration Committee, set up to mark 100 years since the tragic event. "This is a historic moment as the centenary of the massacre falls on April 13, 2019. The debate proposes discussing the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in detail, as well as the British government's plans to commemorate the centenary," said a statement from the Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Commemoration Committee (JBCC). "This is the first time in 100 years that there will be a full debate on Jallianwala Bagh. .
SC verdict a lesson for 'urban naxals' like Kejriwal: Delhi BJP chief
The BJP's Delhi unit on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court judgment over division of powers between the city government and the Centre, saying it was a lesson for "urban naxals" like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday gave a split verdict on the contentious issue of who should control administrative services but appeared to agree that the Centre has the final word. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said it was a "lesson" for Kejriwal who always tried to cross the boundaries by adopting "unconstitutional" means. "This verdict is a slap on the face of urban naxals like Arvind Kejriwal. Why, after all, he wants to go across the boundaries of the Constitution. He should now focus on work after this judgment," Tiwari said. Kejriwal should respect the Constitution and learn the history of former chief ministers of Delhi like Madan Lal Khurana and Sahib Singh Verma, he ...
Sharmistha resigns as chief spokesperson of Delhi Congress, wishes to fight LS polls
Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee resigned from her party post on Thursday and expressed willingness to contest Lok Sabha elections. Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, categorically rejected rumours of her joining some other party. "My resignation is perfectly normal. A few months back also, there were such rumours. I just want to say, as I did last time, I would rather quit politics than resign from Congress," Mukherjee said. She currently holds the post of president of Delhi Mahila Congress. "A new committee has taken over, so I have resigned to avoid any kind of overlapping of responsibility and work," she said. She said nothing should be read between the lines and asserted that she has "very good relations" with present Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit. Mukherjee said she can contest Lok Sabha election, if given a Congress ticket. "If given a ticket by the party I will contest Lok Sabha elections. I will apply for the ticket," she ...
Dutch unveil furry Brexit monster
What's big, blue, furry and monstrous? For the Netherlands the answer is simple: Brexit. While the British government has had trouble imagining what its exit from the European Union will actually look like, the Dutch government unveiled its vision in the form of a hairy beast. Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok tweeted a picture of himself with the creature, which is wearing a white t-shirt with the word "Brexit" in red letters, lying on his desk and stopping him from working. "Make sure Brexit doesn't get -- or lie -- in your way," Blok, who has his arms raised in a gesture of mock frustration, said in the tweet. "It's a sort of funny way of warning for Brexit, but in a relaxed way," a Dutch government source told AFP, adding that the creature's name was "Brexit". The government says the idea is to raise awareness among Dutch businesses of the impact of Brexit, especially if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal on March 29. A picture on the government's Brexit awareness website
U.S., India hold talks to calm trade tensions, Ross joins by video
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - U.S. and Indian government officials pressed on with talks on Thursday to resolve their differences over trade and investment, Indian government sources said, even though U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross called off his visit because of bad weather at home.
Thuringia, Coimbatore GIRT signs Mou to promote trade
Thuringia, a state in Germany, has defined India as one of its target markets since 2012, its Minister of Economic Affairs, Science and Digital State Wolfgang Tiefensee has said. He was speaking at a function here Wednesday where the German India Round Table (GIRT) of Coimbatore and Thuringia signed an MoU to promote trade, commerce and research activities between them. Since 2012, the German state had defined India as one of its target markets. "We have successively intensified our contacts with Indian business associations and the Indian Embassy through various measure," he said. Currently 89 Thuringian companies have export relations to India and the region was also active at major international trade fairs, both in India and Germany, he said. There were 19 cooperation agreements between Universities in Thuringia and India, he said. In her addrress, German Counsel General, Chennai, Karin Stoll said Tamil Nadu was the second biggest economic cluster in India. Germany .
Name your PM candidate, Shah asks grand alliance
BJP president Amit Shah Thursday asked the proposed 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) to spell out the name of its prime ministerial candidate. Addressing the convention of Shakti Kendra Pramukh in Sindhanur in Karnatkaa, he mocked at the proposed alliance saying even if it came to power, there will be different "power houses". "I ask 'Rahul Baba' (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi who is the leader of your Mahagathbandhan?" he said. The BJP president also took a jibe at the Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, saying he had openly stated that he was not answerable to the people of the state but only to the Congress.