Page 1652 - Politics
AAP's K'TAKA co-convener quits party
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Aam Aadmi Party in Karnataka Tuesday suffered a jolt when its state co-convener Shivakumar Chengalraya quit the party accusing the central leadership of ignoring Karnataka. "I quit because you know that it (AAP) is losing relevance. Everyone of us has contributed for it. Blaming Prithvi Reddy, (party's national executive member from Karnataka) alone will not serve the purpose. The national team also kept on ignoring us (Karnataka unit of AAP).Even today it continues," Chengalraya told PTI. Upset over the party's leadership making some appointments in the state unit allegedly without consulting the unit leaders,he said in a statement he was not inactive politics and was not associated with any political partyfor the past few months. Chengalraya said he will start political activism at the ground level soon with well-known activists in the state. "During the state assembly election Arvind (Delhi chiefminister Arvind Kejriwal) did not come. ..
Include MNS in any secular alliance: Ajit Pawar
Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday called for including the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in any opposition alliance of secular forces in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
NATO planning for more Russian missiles: Stoltenberg
NATO is planning for "more Russian missiles" after the collapse of a landmark Cold War arms treaty, but will not deploy new nuclear warheads in Europe, the organisation's chief said Tuesday. Fears are growing of a new arms race in Europe after Washington started the process of exiting the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty claiming that Russia violated the pact with a new missile system. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would beef up its defences but insisted this did not mean "mirroring" any Russian build-up of missiles. The fate of the INF treaty, signed by the US and the Soviet Union in 1987 to ban ground-launched mid-range missiles, will be high on the agenda as NATO defence ministers meet in Brussels on Wednesday. Western capitals want Russia to return to compliance with the treaty by abandoning its new 9M729 missile system. "We are both urging Russia to come back in compliance but at the same time we are planning for a world without the INF ..
Vietnam foreign minister arrives in North Korea
Vietnam's foreign minister arrived in North Korea on Tuesday ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam's capital later this month. Pham Binh Minh is expected to stay until Thursday. No further details of his schedule have been released by his North Korean hosts. Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, is to host the summit between Trump and Kim on February 27-28. The two leaders held their first summit last June in Singapore. The United States is hoping to get a firm commitment on denuclearization from Kim.
May asks MPs to hold their nerve on Brexit talks
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday urged lawmakers to stand firm as Brexit negotiations with the European Union ostensibly enter the final stages with the government's ambitious plan to secure last-minute legal changes to the withdrawal agreement.
Marine Reserve Battalion may be deployed in Gujarat
The Centre on Tuesday said a proposal of the Gujarat government to deploy four Marine Indian Reserve Battalions is under consideration to protect the 1,640 km of coastal areas of the state bordering Pakistan.
Pakistan censors NYTimes article by activist critical of military
An opinion piece in the International New York Times criticising Pakistan's powerful army was censored by its local publisher Tuesday, replaced by a blank space in a country where it can be dangerous to reprimand the military. The article by Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of a movement which calls for an end what it says are enforced disappearances and extra-judicial murders of ethnic Pashtuns by security officials, was widely available online, however. It was headlined "The Military Says Pashtuns Are Traitors. We Just Want Our Rights". In it, the former veterinary student detailed how the impoverished northwest, along the Afghan border, has been "desolated" in Pakistan's long fight with militancy. He described his group, the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM), as "peaceful". "We held numerous sit-ins and protests and continued to hope that Pakistan's leaders would try to address our concerns. Instead, they responded with intimidation and violence," he wrote. "After every major protest, .
Mark Kelly announces run for McCain Senate seat in Arizona
Retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who rocketed to the national spotlight when his Congresswoman wife Gabrielle Giffords was shot in a failed assassination attempt, announced Tuesday he's running to finish John McCain's last term in the U.S. Senate. Kelly is a top Democratic recruit to take on Republican Martha McSally in one of the most closely contested Senate races of the 2020 election. McSally is a former Republican congresswoman who was appointed to McCain's seat last year after she narrowly lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. McSally leaned heavily on her record as the first woman to fly a combat mission as a fighter pilot, but she was hurt by her embrace of President Donald Trump. If Kelly is nominated, the race would pit a Navy veteran and astronaut against a trailblazing Air Force pilot in the contest to replace McCain, a legendary Navy flyer who was famously shot down and held captive. Democrats are eagerly watching the Arizona contest, having already defeated McSally in a Senate ...
Wont agree to a number that is less than what Kushwaha gets:
Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Tuesday asserted his Hindustani Awam Morcha must get a number of seats that was not less than what would be offered to former Union minister Upendra Kushwahas Rashtriya Lok Samata Party a late entrant into the Mahagathbandhan. Manjhi made the statement at a press conference here, after a meeting of his partys core group. Under no circumstances would we agree to a number of seats that is less than what is given to Kushwaha. We are not demanding any specific number but our contention is we must not get less than RLSP. Rather, we should get more, the HAM founding president said. Asked whether he would consider returning to the NDA if his demand went unheeded, Manjhi said the question does not arise. Why would I have left NDA if I were to go back. When I joined Mahagathbandhan I had vowed that I will strengthen the hands of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. I am going to meet him shortly. To a pointed query as to what alternatives he had in
Northern Army chief reviews operational preparedness in Ladakh
Northern Army chief Lt General Ranbir Singh Tuesday reviewed the operational preparedness of the force in Ladakh sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said here. "Lt Gen Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, visited the headquarter of the Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps today, where he reviewed the operational preparedness in the Ladakh sector," defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. He said Lt Gen Singh was briefed by General officer Commanding of the Fire and Fury Corps Lt Gen Y K Joshi. Lt Gen Singh also interacted with officers and men of the corps and appreciated their commitment and steadfastness in service of the nation even in the extreme terrain and weather conditions. He urged them to continue to uphold the Indian Army's cherished motto of "Nation First" at all times.
Questioning of Vadra is nothing but political vendetta by Modi govt: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the summoning of Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen by the Enforcement Directorate for a probe into an alleged land scam "is nothing but political vendetta ahead of the Lok Sabha polls". Vadra, who is the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and his mother appeared before the ED in Jaipur during the day in connection with an alleged land scam in Rajasthan's Bikaner district. Banerjee was speaking to reporters at the Kolkata airport on her way to Delhi where she is scheduled to participate in a mega rally of non-BJP leaders convened by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on February 13. "They (BJP) are doing it everywhere, this (questioning by ED) is nothing but political vendetta ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Narendra Modi is aware that he is not coming back to power after the elections. "Within 15 days we will go for polls (elections will be announced). This government has passed its expiry date," said Banerjee, who is one of the ..
Turkey detains more than 600 over alleged links to coup attempt
Turkish authorities detained 641 people in nationwide raids Tuesday over alleged links to a group blamed for a 2016 failed coup, state news agency Anadolu reported. Earlier Tuesday, Ankara's public prosecutor said officials had sent, to authorities in 75 provinces, the names of 1,112 people under investigation over suspected ties to US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen and his movement. Gulen is accused of ordering the attempted putsch, a claim he strongly denies.
NATO rules out new missiles in Europe
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has no intention of deploying new ground-based nuclear missiles in Europe in the event that a Soviet-era treaty aimed at eliminating short and medium-range missiles is abandoned, the head of the Alliance said on Tuesday.
Grand Alliance possible among some parties before polls: Naidu
There may be a Grand Alliance at the national level even before the Lok Sabha elections between parties like the Congress, TMC, AAP and TDP, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said here on Tuesday.
Delhi-Varanasi Chair Car journey by Train 18 to cost Rs 1,760
For travelling between New Delhi and Varanasi by Train 18 -- rechristened as Vande Bharat Express -- which is scheduled to make its maiden run on February 15 -- the passengers will have to shell out 30-40 per cent higher fare than they do for Shatabdi Express, Railway Ministry officials said on Monday.
Theresa May asks MPs for 'some time' to hold Brexit talks
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday asked MPs to give her "some time" to complete negotiations with the European Union (EU) in order to bring back a deal for a Parliament vote and deliver Brexit in time for the March 29 deadline. In an important update to the House of Commons, May called for patience as the talks with the EU were at a "crucial stage" and promised MPs a "meaningful vote" over a reworked withdrawal agreement. "Having secured an agreement with the European Union for further talks, we now need some time to complete that process. When we achieve the progress we need, we will bring forward another meaningful vote," she said in her statement. "The talks are at a crucial stage. We now all need to hold our nerve to get the changes this House requires and deliver Brexit on time," she said. May said that by getting the changes required to the controversial Irish backstop the insurance policy against a hard border between the UK and EU member-country Ireland
SP workers clash with police as govt clips Akhilesh Yadav's wings
Samajwadi Party workers clashed with police in several parts of Uttar Pradesh Tuesday after the state government clipped the wings of their president Akhilesh Yadav, preventing him from flying to Allahabad on the grounds of law and order. Protests broke out in Allahabad, Jaunpur, Jhansi, Kannauj, Balrampur, Jalaun, Azamgarh and Gorakhpur, among other places, where SP supporters smashed windscreens of vehicles and clashed with the police. Roads were blocked in Gorakhpur. Yadav said he was stopped by authorities at the Lucknow airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad, triggering outrage by party lawmakers in the state legislature and workers outside the airport. The issue rocked the Rajya Sabha as SP and other opposition parties protested over the incident, disrupting the proceedings of the House. The matter also caused an uproar in both Houses of the Uttar Pradesh legislature. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told reporters that Yadav's visit could have triggered violence .
Kamal Nath likely to contest Assembly bypoll from Chhindwara
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who was mulling contesting the Assembly bypoll from Sausar seat, is most likely to fight it from his home turf Chhindwara, his aide said on Tuesday. According to the aide, Nath also wants his eldest son Nakul to fight the upcoming general elections from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency. "Nath, a nine-time MP from Chhindwara, has almost made up his mind to contest from Chhindwara Assembly seat. Earlier, he was thinking of contesting the by-election from Sausar," his aide said on the condition of anonymity. The chief minister changed his mind as he thought that if he contests from Sausar, a little known assembly seat in Chhindwara district, the BJP may run a campaign to defame him saying that he was running away from his home turf, he added. "Nath wants Congress to field his son Nakul (37), a graduate from Boston University, as the party's candidate from Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections," the aide ...
Pakistan, India hope to reap investment from Saudi prince's visit
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to announce investments in energy and infrastructure during a visit to India and Pakistan in coming days as part of his efforts to wean the Saudi economy off oil exports.
Thai party leader contrite after rebuke for princess' PM candidacy
A Thai political party leader expressed public contrition on Tuesday for selecting a princess as a candidate for prime minister, days after the move provoked a rebuke from her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Thai Raksa Chart, a party linked to the powerful Shinawatra clan, on Friday proposed Princess Ubolratana as its prime ministerial candidate for March polls, an unprecedented bid in Thailand where the royal family is seen as above the political fray. But Thai monarchs have intervened in times of political crisis since 1932 when the country became a constitutional monarchy. King Vajiralongkorn quashed the candidacy the same day it was filed in a royal command calling it "highly inappropriate", prompting an immediate reversal from the party. Thailand's wealthy and powerful monarchy is revered by Thais and protected by a draconian lese majeste law, and the king's word is seen as final. The princess was disqualified Monday by the Election Commission, which is currently discussing ...