Page 1640 - Politics
SC to pronounce verdict Thursday on control of services in Delhi
The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on Thursday on a batch of petitions challenging various notifications including on control of services and power of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the ongoing tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre. A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan had on November 1 last year reserved its verdict on the petitions challenging the notifications issued by the Centre and the Delhi government. During the hearings, the Centre had told the apex court that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) has the power to regulate services in Delhi. The powers are delegated to the administrator of Delhi and the services can be administered through him, it had said. The Centre also said that unless the President of India expressly directs, the LG, who is the administrator of Delhi, cannot consult the Chief Minister or the Council of Ministers. On October 4, last year, the Delhi government had told the apex court that it wanted its petitions relating ..
Manmohan predicted demonetisation damage best, says Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday lauded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the "precise" prediction concerning the "damage" caused by demonetisation, saying it was better than any other economist.
Rafale deal: Rahul slams CAG report, accuses govt of 'lying'
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited a purported "dissent note" by some officials who negotiated the Rafale deal to assert that it demolishes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of better pricing and faster delivery of the jets, and dismissed the CAG report on the multi-billion pact as a "coverup" that was "not worth the paper" it was written on. Stepping up its attack on the government within hours of the much-awaited the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the contentious jet deal being tabled in Parliament, the Congress chief accused the Modi government of "lying". Gandhi, at a press conference, said that even though he does not agree with the CAG's submission that the deal was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the UPA-era offer, but it "calls the bluff" of Modi, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who "had lied to Parliament by stating that the price of the 'new deal' was 9-20 per cent lower". The report said the Rafale deal ..
Iran bid to recover funds frozen in US can proceed: world court
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Wednesday that Iran can proceed with a bid to recover billions of dollars in frozen assets the United States says must go to victims of attacks blamed on Tehran. Judges of the UN's top court rejected US claims that the case should be thrown out because Iran had "unclean hands" due to alleged links to terrorism, and that the tribunal in The Hague did not have jurisdiction in the lawsuit. The court will hold further hearings to decide whether Iran can get back USD 2 billion frozen by the US Supreme Court in 2016. Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, the chief judge at the ICJ, said the court "unanimously rejects the preliminary objections to admissibility raised by the United States of America". The court also "finds that it has jurisdiction" to rule on the case, which was filed by Iran in 2016, Yusuf said at the end of an hour-long reading of the judgment. Iran said the freezing of the funds breached the 1955 Treaty of Amity with the United States, an ..
Citizenship Bill destined lapse celebrated
Movement Against Constitution Amendment Bill (MACAB), a platform of six tribal organisations in Tripura, Wednesday expressed its pleasure as the Citizenship Amendment Bill could not be tabled on the last day in Rajya Sabha and hence destined to lapse. Sunil Debbarma, General Secretary of Tribal Student Federation (TSF) Wednesday said, We are delighted, because due to collective movement of different organisations and political parties in the country, BJP government had to lapse the bill. TSF is one of the constituent of the MACAB and six of their activists sustained bullet injuries during an agitation against the bill at Madhabbari in West Tripura district, about 20 km from here on January 9 last. He said, MACAB would organize a victory rally here on February 18 next, where all the constituents of MACAB, many NGOs and civil society members would gather. Debbarma also thanked Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Bihar chief minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena
CAG report on Rafale deal 'total obfuscation of truth': CPIM
The CPIM on Wednesday said the CAG report on Rafale deal presented in Parliament raised more questions than answers and alleging that it is "total obfuscation of the truth". In a detailed statement the party said that it was clear that the deal was "costlier" not "faster in terms of delivery" and the Indian Air Force does not procure the planes in quantity it actually needs. "Therefore, this deal has imperiled our national security interests...the government must clarify that unlike its submission in the Supreme Court, has it also kept the CAG in the dark by not providing all materials?," it said. The party also alleged that the report does not answer a single question concerning the corruption associated with the deal and "crony capitalism". "These answers can only be provided by an appropriate independent probe later. This report is a total obfuscation of the truth. This has, one again reconfirmed the manner in which the independence and autonomy of constitutional authorities is ...
CAG report on Rafale deal eyewash: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dismissed as "eyewash" the CAG report on the Rafale deal and contended that two major claims made by the government of cheaper deal and faster delivery of aircraft stood demolished because of the dissent report of three members of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT).
Three Rafale jets land in Bengaluru for Aero India show
Amid a huge raging political storm over the Rafale deal, three French made fighter jets landed here for the Aero India show 2019, beginning February 20. The fighter jets touched down at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, a defence official said. The Rafale jets landed on a day when the Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) report on Indo-French Rafale deal was tabled in Parliament. The Rafale fighter jet will take part in the rehearsals on Thursday for the five-day 12th edition of Asia's premier air show beginning on February 20, the official said. Two of the fighters will be used for flying exercises and the third for static display, reports said. The CAG report revealed that the Rafale deal negotiated by the NDA government to procure 36 fighter jets was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the UPA's 2007 offer. The report also stated that India saved 17.08 per cent money for the India Specific Enhancements while purchasing 36 Rafale aircraft, as compared to the 126 aircraft deal ...
Assam celebrates as Citizenship Bill set to lapse
The failure of the BJP-led NDA government to pass the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday brought cheers to most protesting organisations in Assam, but the ruling BJP termed it a "defeat" for the state.
Neeraj Kundan appointed NSUI president
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appointed Neeraj Kundan as new president of the National Student Union of India (NSUI). Kundan will replace Fairoz Khan who quit following sexual harassment allegations in October last year. Once NSUI's Jammu and Kashmir chief, Kundan was elevated to the post of national secretary of the Congress' student's wing in 2017. Kundan, who belongs to a non-political background, started his political career as a student activist. He was initially appointed as president of the Jammu University (Law School). In 2013, he again contested NSUI Internal organizational elections and became state president of the NSUI, J&K. Kundan was also among the top seven who were shortlisted in final round for NSUI national president.
Five injured in Meghalaya in course of victory rally over
At least five persons were injured Wednesday after they were beaten up for going wild during a victory rally organised by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) in the city to hail the Citizenship Amendment Bill not been tabled in Rajya Sabha and hence set to lapse, police said. Superintendent of Police (City) SA Rynjah said as per the preliminary information some rallyists pelted stones and vandalised a few shops of non-tribals in Rynjah and RR colony areas drawing strong reaction from the locals. Rynjah said the five persons, who most of them sustained grievous injuries, were immediately taken to the hospital. The SP said that the police are still conducting an inquiry into the matter and are yet to make any arrest. We have identified some of the people involved in the incident and we will take action accordingly, the SP said. Meanwhile, a ruling BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai Wednesday hailed the occasion as greatest victory for the indigenous people. The Bill seeks to provide ..
Pak plans elaborate security measures for MBS visit on Feb 16
Pakistan planned elaborate security measures for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's maiden visit to Islamabad on Saturday during which a number of agreements worth billions of dollars investment would be signed between the two countries. Mohammad, who is also the Gulf Kingdom's vice president of the council of ministers and defence minister, will arrive here on February 16 on his first state visit to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of the crown prince in April 2017, the Foreign Office said. An interior ministry official told PTI that a four-tier security arrangements have been made for the crown prince, colloquially known as MBS. The outer most tier will be manned by police, the second by paramilitary Ranger, the third by the army and the fourth and inner most by the royal guards of the prince. About 10 bullet proof vehicles have already been transported to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia which will be used by the prince and his aides. Security officials said that ...
Punjab budget session extended by one day
The seven-day Punjab Assembly session was extended by one day even as the opposition Akali Dal accused the AAP of "playing B team" of the ruling Congress in not demanding extension in the budget session. According to the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) report of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the session would now conclude on February 22, instead of February 21. The session commenced on February 12 with the governor's address. Non-official business and resumption of discussion on the governor's address would take place on February 14 and 15. The budget will be presented on February 18 and there is a holiday on February 19. The presentation of finance accounts, presentation of supplementary demands and general discussion on budget estimates would take place on February 20 while there will be non-official business on the following day. The general discussion on budget estimates will resume on February 22, according to the report. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alleged that the Aam ...
CAG says NDA's Rafale deal 2.86% cheaper; Cong says report not worth its paper
The Modi government secured a 2.86 per cent cheaper price for Rafale fighter jets than what was negotiated by the UPA regime, the CAG said on Wednesday, but flagged that removal of 'sovereign guarantees' only benefitted the French manufacturer, and not India. The much-awaited audit report on the controversy-hit deal also pointed out that certain India-specific enhancements in the new deal were "not required" and the Ministry of Defence overruled the Indian Air Force's proposal to reduce the number of these enhancements. Soon after it was tabled in Parliament, the report was lapped up by BJP to hit out at Congress with senior leaders and ministers from the ruling party asserting that the CAG has exposed "lies" of the opposition party chief, Rahul Gandhi, on the Rafale issue and it vindicates their position that Prime Minister Narendra Modi got the country a better deal in purchase of 36 fighter jets. The Congress, however, rejected the CAG audit, saying it was an "eyewash" and "not ...
Opposition's Delhi rally wants Modi out, admits to differences
Top opposition leaders on Wednesday called for the ouster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they rallied in the national capital in a show of strength but some of them admitted to differences within their ranks ahead of the Lok Sabha battle.
Mulayam creates flutter, says wishes to see Modi as PM again; Modi acknowledges "blessings"
Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav Wednesday created a flutter in the Lok Sabha when he said he wished to see Narendra Modi back as prime minister, a sentiment acknowledged by the BJP leader with folded hands. The "blessings" for Modi by Yadav that left opposition members squirming come at a time when his son Akhilesh Yadav has joined hands with arch-rival Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party to challenge BJP in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "I wish that all members come back to the House," Yadav said during the last sitting of the 16th Lok Sabha, . And pointing to Modi, Yadav said, I wish pradhan mantriji becomes pradhan mantri again." The remarks drew applause from the treasury benches. Later, when asked to comment during a press conference on Yadav's remarks, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, I disagree with him.' But he added Yadav has had a role in politics, and I respect that role. In the House, the ruling NDA ...
Modi spreading lies to be PM again: Kanhaiya Kumar
Former JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was spreading lies in order to once again assume the top post after the Lok Sabha polls. Kumar, who is facing sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-India slogans on the JNU campus in February 2016, said it was his right to question the BJP government over its "failure" to provide jobs or strengthening education and health sector. "To become the PM again, he (Modi) is spreading lies one after another. His act is tarnishing Gujarat's image. Modiji you have to tell us what you have done during your tenure. You cannot stop me from seeking answers," he said while addressing a rally in Rajkot city. Along with Kumar, independent MLA in Gujarat and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were also present in Rajkot to address 'Save Constitution Save Nation Rally', organised by former Congress MLA Indranil Rajyaguru. Accusing the BJP of indulging in ..
Mulayam causes a flutter, hopes Modi returns as PM
Veteran Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday created a flutter in political circles when he heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha and expressed his wish to see him re-elected to the office again.
Local OBC outfit allies with Cong for Lok Sabha polls
The Congress Wednesday roped in a little known local outfit Mahan Dal in an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls. The announcement was made in the presence of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the newly appointed Congress general secretary for east Uttar Pradesh. Jyotiraditya Scindia, another general secretary of the Congress looking after western UP, and Keshav Dev Maurya of the Mahan Dal announced the alliance at the state Congress office here. "I welcome Keshav Maurya ji. We will fight the elections jointly. Rahul ji has given us the task of creating a political atmosphere in which everyone is taken along and all sections of the society are represented," Priyanka Gandhi said. "We will contest with full might," she asserted. Maurya said, "The Congress has always thought about the welfare of Dalits and backward castes. It is the only party which thinks of taking everyone along with itself." "At present, there is an atmosphere of anarchy in the entire state. The alliance between ...
I didn't want to be Prime Minister: Sonia in LS
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that she did not want to be the Prime Minister.