Page 1698 - Politics
Political remarks don't affect morale of troops, says Northern Army chief
Playing down the statements of former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah targeting the army, a top official Thursday said such statements do not affect the morale of the Indian armed forces and will continue anti-terrorism operation "as per our mandate". "The Indian army does not get affected by variousstatements. We know that the Government of India is committed to ensuring peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. "They havemandated the Indian army to conduct counter terrorismoperations in Jammu and Kashmir and those operations are beingconducted," Northern army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh toldreporters here. He was replying to a volley of questions seeking his reaction about the statements of Mufti and Abdullah targeting the army on counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir and their effects on morale of troops. "We will continue to do so (counter terrorismoperations). These statements does not affect the moral of thearmed forces, if any person makes any statement to ..
Chhattisgarh budget tomorrow
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will present the first Budget of his government Friday. "The second phase of the first session of the fifth Chhattisgarh Assembly will commence from February 8 and is scheduled to be held till March 8," Speaker Charandas Mahant said at a press conference here Thursday. The first phase of the session had begun on January 4. On Friday, Chief Minister Baghel, who also holds finance portfolio,will present the Budget for 2019-20, he added. On February 11 and 12, general discussion will be held on the budget while discussion on demand proposals will be held from February 13 to March 6, he added.
SC asks EC to consider allotting common symbol to Dinakaran's AMMK
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Election Commission to consider allotting a common symbol -- pressure cooker -- to the T.T.V. Dinakaran-led AMMK for contesting the Lok Sabha elections, and by-elections to 20 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
US rebukes Germany for deporting Islamic militant to Turkey
The United States sharply rebuked Germany on Thursday for deporting a wanted Islamic militant to Turkey instead of extraditing him to New York to stand trial on terror-related charges. Adem Yilmaz, a Turkish citizen, has been charged by a US federal grand jury with conspiring to carry out a 2008 suicide bombing in Afghanistan, which left two US soldiers dead and 11 others injured. Yilmaz, also known as Ebu Talha, was deported to Turkey recently after serving 11 years in a German prison for his role in planning large-scale attacks in Germany. The United States had demanded that Yilmaz be handed over to face the charges against him brought in New York. Acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said he was "gravely disappointed" by Germany's decision to deport Yilmaz to Turkey rather than extradite him to the United States. "The German government deliberately helped Yilmaz escape justice by placing him on a plane to Turkey," Whitaker said in a sharply-worded statement. "The German ...
Meghalaya BJP legislator threatens to quit party
One of the two BJP legislators in Meghalaya on Thursday threatened to quit the party party if the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha.
Modi slams grand alliance as 'mahamilawat', calls Rahul 'thief'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dubbed the opposition alliance as "mahamilawat" (grand adulteration) and said that those believing in healthy democracy will stay away from it just like healthy people keep off "milawat" (food adulteration).
EC to institute annual lecture to promote democratic values
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Thursday said the Election Commission would institute an annual lecture in the memory of first Chief Election Commissioner of India Sukumar Sen.
PM Modi 'blinded by revenge': Cong on Vadra questioning
The Congress on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Robert Vadra's questioning by the Enforcement Directorate, alleging he was "blinded by revenge" and taking out his anger fearing an "imminent defeat" in the coming Lok Sabha election. Vadra, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, was questioned by ED for nine hours on Thursday, the second day of his deposition in connection with a probe into allegations of money laundering to purchase assets abroad. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is blinded by revenge. Prime minister Modi is taking out his anger due to the imminent defeat in the upcoming polls," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said. "False cases on opposition leaders and their families are being registered... The whole country knows that since 2012 there has been a conspiracy against Robert Vadra by Modi and BJP. Seven years have gone by, but no evidence has been found against Robert Vadra or his associates," he said. Vadra's wife and Congress ...
Veteran Tripura CPI leader quits party
In a setback for the opposition Left parties in Tripura, a veteran CPI leader and three-time MLA on Thursday quit the party and joined Janata Dal (United), party sources said late Thursday night.
BJP to launch 'My family, BJP family' campaign
The BJP will launch an 18-day nationwide programme 'My family, BJP family' on February 12 under which the party cadres would put up party flags over five crore houses.
EU refuses to open withdrawal agrrement
A top European Union (EU) official on Thursday said he was willing to clarify points in the joint non-legally binding political declaration on the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the bloc, but seemed to dash any hopes the British Prime Minister Theresa May had.
UK, EU leaders spar during 'robust' Brexit talks
British Prime Minister Theresa May and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sparred on Thursday during "robust" talks on the U.K.'s Brexit plans, and agreed to hold more negotiations that could push the sealing of any deal to within a month of Britain's scheduled departure. Looking at the ever tighter deadline and yawning divisions, May said "it's not going to be easy" but vowed: "I am going to deliver Brexit. I am going to deliver it on time." The two leaders agreed to meet for more talks "before the end of February to take stock of these discussions," a joint statement said. Two years ago, May set Brexit day as March 29 and originally plans were to have a deal in place six months ahead of time. Both sides still fundamentally disagree on whether a draft legal withdrawal agreement could be changed to take the latest British objections into account, greatly reducing the chances of a quick breakthrough. "The EU27 will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement, which represents a ...
MP govt announces stipend scheme for youth
Fulfilling a poll promise, the Madhya Pradesh government Thursday announced 'Yuva Swabhiman Yojana' scheme, under which unemployed urban youths will get a hundred days' employment and a stipend of Rs 13,000. It also announced 'Indira Grah Jyoti Yojana' under which 100 units of power would be provided to all households at Rs 100. The decisions were announced a day ahead of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's 'Aabhar Sammelan' rally of farmers who have benefited from loan waiver scheme here Friday. Urban Administration Minister Jaivardhan Singh, Public Relations Minister P C Sharma and Energy Minister Priyavrat Singh briefed the media about the decisions. "Under the Yuva Swabhiman Yojna, youths between the ages of 21 to 30 having annual family income of less than Rs 2 lakh will be eligible," Jaivardhan Singh said. They will get employment for 100 days, including 10 days of training, and will get a stipend of Rs 13,000 per annum. "For the first time in the country such a ...
Posters in Bhopal describe Rahul as 'Ram Bhakt' ahead of his visit
Several posters appeared in the city on Thursday describing Congress President Rahul Gandhi as 'Ram Bhakt,' a day ahead of his visit to Madhya Pradesh to express "gratitude to voters" after the party succeeded in dislodging the BJP government in the state, party sources said.
PM's statement in Parliament proved to be 'jumlon ki dukaan': Cong
The Congress on Thursday said Prime Minister Narenda Modi's statement in Parliament proved to be a "jumlon ki dukaan" (a shop of rhetoric) and it was characterised by "false stories" and "made-up facts". Congress' scathing attack came after Prime Minister Modi mocked the Opposition's proposed grand alliance as "maha-milawat" which the country's "healthy democracy" will reject, as he blasted the Congress for "intimidating" judiciary, targeting the Election Commission and "betraying" the nation by neglecting the armed forces. Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, in a press conference, slammed Modi for his attack saying that the Prime Minister has "no right" to talk about national security as he has answers to give on issues such as the Rafale deal and loss of lives of soldiers in attacks on the border. "You (Modi) are khota sikka (useless currency) which people have rejected and in the next 60 days, your government's farewell is certain," Surjewala said attacking the Prime ...
Weeks before declaration of LS poll schedule, PM to visit three N-E states
Weeks ahead for the announcement of the 17th Lok Sabha election schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Friday would embark upon a two-day visit to the three northeastern states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, officials and party leaders said on Thursday.
Rahul, Priyanka to visit Lucknow on Feb 11
Seeking to invigorate party's campaign in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha elections, party chief Rahul Gandhi and new party general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia will visit Lucknow on February 11.
Amit Shah takes stock of BJP's poll preparation
BJP president Amit Shah discussed election strategy and took stock of the party's preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls with state unit presidents during a video conference meeting on Thursday. BJP flags will be hoisted in over 5 crore houses in the country, as part of the party's 'mera parivaar, Bhajapa parivaar" campaign, between February 12 and March 2, a party statement said. Shah told them that BJP workers and supporters will put up the flags at their houses, and later discussed poll strategy with the leaders. The party's national general secretaries and general secretary (organisation) of all states also participated in the video conference meeting.
'Mahagathbandhan' an outcome of desperation, despair: Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has termed the "mahagathbandhan" an "outcome of desperation and despair" which has all the constituents but any public base. Khattar, who was in Jodhpur on Thursday to address a meeting of BJP party workers in four parliamentary constituencies falling under the Jodhpur cluster, said this while talking to media. "Mahagathbandhan was an outcome of desperation and despair. The parties in this gathbandhan have no public base and support," Khattar commented on the grand alliance. He said people are well abreast of the intentions and agenda of these constituencies of the alliance and would not be influenced by them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of "New India" and it would be in the interest of the country to bring Modi back to power, he said. "Narendra Modi, by way of his policies, has laid the foundation of new India. It is in the interest of the country to bring Modi back to take the country further," Khattar said. Before .
EC to institute annual lecture in memory of first CEC Sukumar Sen
The Election Commission has proposed to institute an annual lecture in memory of the country's first chief election commissioner Sukumar Sen so as to build awareness about his contributions to the electoral system, the current CEC said Thursday. Sen served as the first CEC from March 21, 1950 to December 19, 1958, overseeing the first general elections in 1952. "The EC has proposed to institute a lecture in memory of Sukumar Sen, the first CEC of the country, to build awareness about his contributions to the electoral system," CEC Sunil Arora said during a book launch event. The book -- "The Great March of Democracy: Seven Decades of India's Elections" -- is a compilation of essays by several scholars, authors and political leaders, among others, and edited by former CEC S Y Quraishi. Quraishi said Sen is among the people, the book is dedicated to. "His contributions to this field are immense... About 80-85 per cent of the electoral system we still use today, was laid down by him," he