Page 1666 - Politics
BJP should run from workers' contributions: Amit Shah
The BJP should run with contributions from its workers, its president Amit Shah said on Monday, asserting that the party's path to reach its goals will be maligned if it depends on donations from "moneybags, builders, contractors and those with black money". Shah also called for a public debate on reducing election expenses and bringing probity in poll funding. He expressed confidence that such an exercise will begin under his party and will lead other parties towards probity. Addressing party workers on the 51st death anniversary of BJP's ideological guide Deen Dayal Upadhyay, he asked party workers to donate a part of their earnings to the organisation and said at least two in every booth across the country should contribute Rs 1,000 through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app or through cheques. Modi and he have already made their contributions, Shah said. BJP workers should say with pride that they run the party from their money and some "industrialist, contractor, money bag or ...
Include 2 health schemes under Ayushman Bharat: Guj to Centre
The Gujarat government has written to the Centre to include two of its health schemes in the latter's Ayushman Bharat initiative, state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said Monday. He identified the two state government schemes as the 'Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana' and the 'Maa Vatsalya Yojana'. Under the Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana, financial help is given to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families for surgeries related to cardiovascular diseases, burns, polytrauma, cancer, renal and neo-natal ailments as well as neurosurgery. As part of the Maa Vatsalya Yojana, medical treatment of up to Rs 3 lakh is provided free of cost at government-empanelled hospitals. "The Centre has assured the Gujarat government that it will seriously consider its plea for inclusion of these two health schemes under the Ayushman Bharat initiative," Patel said. He added that financial help under both the state-run schemes will rise to Rs 5 lakh if the Centre accepts the Gujarat government's ...
Committee set up to examine state toll tax in J-K
The Jammu and Kashmir administration Monday constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the director of Industries and Commerce Department, Jammu, to examine the state toll tax, an order issued by General Administration Department (GAD) read. The committee, having three representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was directed to submit its report by March 1, the order said. It added that the committee would examine the level of toll tax being levied on various products entering the state, production of those products within the state, export of locally produced products from the state and modification, if any, as may be needed in the levy of toll tax. Additional commissioner, State Taxes Department (Administration and Enforcement, Kashmir), additional commissioner, State Taxes Department (Administration and Enforcement, Jammu) and representatives of the Directorate of Industries, Kashmir, would be other members of the committee, the order said. "The committee shall .
Army to get third deputy chief to tackle intelligence, military operations
As a part of its restructuring plans, the Indian Army is planning to get a third deputy chief who will look after all the important directorates of military intelligence and operations in the force.At present, there are two deputy chiefs in the Army. The first is known as Deputy Chief (Planning and Systems) who looks after capital procurement in the force, while the second is known as Deputy Chief (Information systems and Training)."As per the ongoing discussions, there is a plan to have a new Deputy Chief (Strategy) who will look after the directorates of Military Operations and Military Intelligence. This will also help in enhancing coordination between the two directorates," Defence sources told ANI.The two directorates are headed by two different Lieutenant Generals.The Defence Ministry has already been briefed by the Indian Army on its reorganisation plans where they have been given some instructions by the government.In the other significant plans of the restructuring of Army ...
Priyanka Gandhi marks political debut with mega roadshow in Lucknow
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the newly-appointed Congress general secretary for East Uttar Pradesh, on Monday made her much-awaited political debut by holding a mega roadshow along with brother and party president Rahul Gandhi in Lucknow.Wearing a light coloured kurta and churidar with a white dupatta around her neck, Priyanka continuously waved at the cheering crowd; shaking hands at times with people who flocked the streets in huge numbers.The 47-year-old leader, standing next to Rahul, was also joined by party general secretary and in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia and PCC president Raj Babbar.Priyanka's husband, Robert Vadra, also wished his wife over her "new journey"."My best wishes to you P (Priyanka), on your new journey of working in Uttar Pradesh and serving the people of India. You have been my best friend, a perfect wife and the best mother to our children. There is a very vindictive and vicious political atmosphere... But I know, it's her duty to serve the
Thai PM quashes coup rumours
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday quashed rumours of a coup attempt, decrying it as "fake news".Rumours about the coup have been rife ever since the reigning monarch of Thailand, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, publicly disapproved of the political aspirations of his older sister Princess Ubolratana.In the viral Section 44 order - which has now been deemed false by the Prime Minister - Prayut had allegedly transferred chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy to positions of inspector at the Prime Minister's Office, reports Bangkok Post."General Prawit ordered security authorities to monitor the situation and the transmission of fake information in violation of the computer crime law. We are looking for the source of the fake information," Lieutenant General Kongcheep Tantrawanit, the spokesman of the Defence Ministry stated.The spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Colonel Winthai Suvaree opined that the fake order could have been circulated to ...
Karnataka Cong recommends disqualification of 4 dissident MLAs
Karnataka Congress on Monday recommended disqualification of its four MLAs who did not attend the ongoing state budget, as well as the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet ahead of the budget.The four MLAs - Ramesh Jarhikoli, Umesh Jadhav, Mahesh Kumatalli and N B Nagendra - did not attend the state budget session as well as the CLP meeting despite a whip issued by the party.CLP leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwar met Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar to submit the request for disqualification of the four dissident MLAs from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.The budget session of the Karnataka Assembly commenced on Wednesday.
Naidu holds hunger strike, gets support from Cong, TMC
Addressing a gathering at Andhra Bhavan here, Naidu claimed Modi is "inefficient and unfit" to rule the country."Modi is acting shamelessly and egotistically. He is thinking of winning the elections by colluding with some parties. Modi is unfit to rule the country. He is inefficient. Rulers should keep in mind the aspirations of the people," the Chief Minister said.He said the TDP came to Delhi to explain to the nation the "injustice" done by the Centre to Andhra Pradesh."Yesterday, Modi went to Guntur and slammed me but did not announce anything for Andhra Pradesh. The BJP will be washed out in Andhra Pradesh forever. The BJP is dividing the nation. We are here for uniting the nation. We are here to explain to the nation the injustice done by the Centre to Andhra Pradesh. We are also part of this country. Our aspiration must be fulfilled. We will take the help of all parties and achieve our target," the Chief Minister said.Naidu had pulled out of the NDA in March last year on the ...
Prashant Kishor denies crafting poll strategy for Shiv Sena
JD(U) Vice President and poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Monday denied reports that he may craft an election strategy for Shiv Sena in Maharashtra for upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Kishor's comments followed his last week's meeting with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai."Shiv Sena is an ally of NDA," said Kishor. "I was in Mumbai and they called me for lunch. I went to meet them. I am JD(U)'s Vice President, and hence there is no question of devising a strategy for Shiv Sena."On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently joining the Congress rank as in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East, Kishor said he had suggested the same earlier but his advice was not followed by the Congress."Now just two months ahead of the elections, she came as party's general secretary. Let's see what difference does that make," he said.Kishor also reiterated the JD(U) stance that there is no dispute among NDA allies about Prime Minister Narendra Modi being the next Prime Ministerial candidate. "NDA leader is Narendra .
Australia signs 50 billion AUD defence pact with French company
Australia has signed a defence deal worth 50 billion dollars (AUD) with French shipbuilder Naval Group to produce 12 attack class submarines for the Australian Navy."Today is a defining moment for Australia with the formal signing of a 50 billion AUD agreement to build 12 submarines in Australia for the Navy. This agreement will create around 2,800 jobs for Australians while helping to protect our country and keep Australians safe," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted on Monday.The attack class submarines are a major part of Canberra's AUD 90 billion national shipbuilding plan put in place to meet the 2016 Defence White Paper, a statement issued by Australia's Minister of Defence Christopher Pyne noted.Negotiations regarding the deal were ongoing for several years, with fears mounting of an increase in the budget than initially anticipated."The attack class submarines will give Australian Navy the capability and regional superiority that an island nation like Australia ...
Gujjar quota stir in Rajasthan: Bhanwar Lal urges protesters not to resort to violence
Rajasthan Minister Bhanwar Lal on Monday urged the protesting Gujjar community, demanding five per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutes, not to resort to violence and protest peacefully.The protest launched by the Gujjar Community entered its fourth day today.Lal stated, "Would like to appeal to Gujjar community that please do not resort to violence, protest peacefully. I would also like to appeal to Bainsla Ji to send his team for dialogue, and we will discuss as to how their demands can be met within limits of Constitution."He also urged the protesters to pressurise the Centre to give the reservation. "Would like to appeal to the Gujjar community that they pressurise the PM to give five per cent reservation, the way they gave 10 per cent reservation to General Category. Our government is 45 days old, we're not saying no. If they will block roads then the government will also do its work," he said.Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, on Monday, said: "We ...
TMC backs Naidu's special status demand for Andhra Pradesh
Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday threw its weight behind Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has launched 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' here to press for the demand of special status category for his state.TMC MP Derek O' Brien said that the no-confidence motion brought by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) "scared" Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Chandrababu Naidu ji, I would like to congratulate TDP. We started this fight four years back but there is a very important date--July 20, 2018--when the TDP brought in 'no-confidence motion' in the Lok Sabha. This scared Modi," he said at the 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' here."After that on January 9, 2019, SP-BSP came together. After that, what happened on January 19, 2019--BJP is finished. On that day, senior leaders of 22 political parties came on the same stage. Why am I mentioning these dates? Because after all of these, the BJP got one new ally--CBI," said Derek.Chief Minister Naidu is observing 'Dharma Porata Deeksha,' a day-long ..
CPI(M) demands high level probe into Rafale deal
The CPI(M) Monday demanded a high level investigation into the Rafale deal and alleged that the CAG report's credibility was "severely compromised" because of conflict of interest of its auditor. Quoting newspaper reports, CPI(M) in a Politburo statement said that not only was the Prime Minister's Office conducting parallel negotiations, it also "batted" for no guarantees. "The PMO was conducting parallel investigation keeping the official negotiating team in the dark. The PMO refused the suggestion of an escrow account. Not only was there no sovereign guarantee from the French government but it now appears that the PMO also batted for no bank guarantees. All this to facilitate the loot of the Indian exchequer by the Prime Ministers crony capitalist friend," the party alleged. Demanding that the Supreme Court revisit its earlier ruling in the case, the Left party said the only way to get to the bottom of the "scam" was a high level probe. "The CAG which is supposed to present a report
Political parties must run with donations from party workers, not black money: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Monday stressed on purity in election funding and said that political parties must run with donations from party workers and not from the black money of the rich.
Oppn parties corrupt, people standing with Modi: BJP leader
All "corrupt and opportunists" have united to form the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance), but their desire to oust Narendra Modi will not be fulfilled as the people of this country are standing with the prime minister, BJP national secretary Arun Singh said Monday. Addressing a press conference here, Singh said the opposition parties "do not have any agenda or policy, their sole intention was to grab power". "All corrupt and opportunists have united to form a 'Mahagathbandhan' out of fear of Narendra Modi. Their desire, however, will never be fulfilled as the people of this country are standing behind Modi ji like a rock," he said. The BJP leader, who was in the Steel City to take part in a conference of booth-level party workers, also highlighted the achievements of the NDA government under Modi's leadership. "The country is the fastest growing economy in the world with an average GDP growth rate of 7.3 per cent. The travel index has also improved in the past five ...
Telangana CM to appeal to AP voters to support Jagan-led YSRCP
Telangana Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao would make an appeal to the people of Andhra Pradesh to back Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP in the State and Lok Sabha elections due by May. Spokesperson for the ruling TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) Abid Rasool Khan said the party expects YSRCP to reciprocate the gesture by being part of a federal front proposed by Rao. "Basically, the whole idea is to have a front comprising secular parties and regional parties who will join together and after the elections would either play an important role or form the government depending upon the numbers", he told PTI. Describing Reddy as a "key secular person and a friend of the poor", Khan said YSRCP is definitely "going to have good results in the elections." Noting that there was a sizeable population of "Telangana people" in Andhra Pradesh -- like relatives, family members and business partners --, he said Telangana's good work and Rao's appeal "will go a long way ..
Chidambaram hits back at Modi over his "recounting minister" taunt
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for apparently calling him "recounting minister", insisting that there was no re-count of votes in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls as was being said. Chidambaram wondered "how many times can people in high places peddle a lie". "In the 2009 elections, in Sivaganga constituency, there was only one count and no re-count. A simple check with the Returning Officer would have confirmed that there was no re-count. How many times can people in high places peddle a lie?" Chidambaram said in a tweet. The former Union minister's response came a day after Modi taunted him as "recounting minister" of the UPA regime, during his public meeting at Tirupur on Sunday. Citing his government's step of offering tax exemption for those with income of up to Rs 5 lakh, Modi had said that it was a reflection of genuine concern for the middle class, unlike the previous UPA regime. Referring to this, Modi had said he wanted to recall
Vadra urges people to keep Priyanka safe (Lead, with Corrections)
Robert Vadra on Monday urged people for safety of Priyanka Gandhi, his wife and Congress General Secretary, saying the political atmosphere is "vindictive and vicious".
Trinamool links BJP with party MLA's murder
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday blamed the BJP for party MLA Satyajit Biswas' murder and claimed those who are seeking protection from central leaders in Delhi will be brought back and put to justice.
China angry after US sails warships in South China Sea
China on Monday chided the US for sailing two warships in the disputed South China Sea, a move that comes ahead of the latest round of trade parleys between the countries this week.