Page 1710 - Politics
Former Army chief Gen J J Singh joins SAD (Taksali)
Nearly two months after he resigned from the SAD, former Army chief General J J Singh on Wednesday joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali). He joined the recently floated outfit in the presence of SAD (Taksali) chief Ranjit Singh Brahmpura here. J J Singh, who also served as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh earlier, had joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal ahead of the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls. He had unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls against Congress' Amarinder Singh (present chief minister) from the latter's stronghold Patiala. On December 12 last year, he had resigned from the SAD citing personal reasons. Talking to reporters here after joining the SAD (Taksali), J J Singh said that he was always committed for the well-being of Punjab and wanted to serve the nation from the core of his heart. He said during the Lok Sabha elections, he will help the party to put up a winning performance. "It is a matter of pride that such a noble personality, who
Nepal, India review meeting on trade treaty on Feb 7
Officials from Nepal and India would meet on Thursday in Pokhara to review the trade treaty between the two neighbours. This will be the second Nepal-India Joint Secretary-level meeting to review the trade treaty that was signed between the two countries in 2009. During the two-day meeting, Nepal is likely to raise issues relating to reducing its growing trade deficit with India and increasing its export to the southern neighbour through tariff reduction. "As Nepal's trade deficit with India is growing day by day we will discuss in detail on how to address the issues related to reducing trade deficit and seek wider access to the Indian market for our products," said Ravi Shankar Saiju, Joint Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supply. Nepal is expected to request India for preferential treatment for export of agricultural products and integration of Nepali manufacturing units to its value chain at the meeting, sources said. The two sides will also discuss possible .
BJP workers will put 'Aligarh locks' on 'Bua-Bhatija' shop: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah ridiculed the SP-BSP alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Wednesday, saying party workers would put "Aligarh locks" on the shop of "Bua-Bhatija", referring to BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav respectively. Addressing a meeting of the booth-level workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here, Shah used the "Aligarh locks" coinage as the city was once known for the lock industry, which is now dying. "BJP workers will put Aligarh locks on the shop of Bua-Bhatija," he said amid an applause from the gathering. Shah said reporters often asked him how the BJP hoped to win 74 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) joining hands. "I tell them that if you see the sea of BJP workers, you will get to know where those 74 seats will come from," he added. The BJP and its ally, Apna Dal, had won 73 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and five years on, the saffron party hopes to
Air India Chairman appointed Civil Aviation Secretary
In a minor reshuffle in the top bureaucracy, the government on Wednesday appointed Air India Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola as the new Civil Aviation Secretary.
I support my family: Priyanka after dropping off Vadra at ED office
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday strongly came out in support of her husband Robert Vadra, whom she dropped off at by the Enforcement Directorate's office for questioning in a money laundering case. In an apparent political message, Priyanka Gandhi dropped off her husband before taking charge as the Congress general secretary at the AICC headquarters. "He is my husband, he is my family...I support my family," she said when asked whether she was sending a message by dropping off her husband. Asked if it was a political vendetta, she said that everyone knows why this is being done. The case pertains to money laundering and alleged possession of illegal foreign assets. Priyanka Gandhi's show of support to her husband came days after an emotional message from Vadra on her appointment AICC general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh east. "Congratulations P... always by your side in every phase of your life. Give it your best, Vadra had said in a Facebook ...
Raj Dy CM seeks to shift onus for quota to Gujjar on the Centre of
Seeking to shift the onus of granting five per cent quota to Gujjars in state jobs and educational institutions, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot Wednesday said the Centre should remove the legal hurdles preventing it. "The Centre has enacted the law for 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections," said Pilot, adding the Centre alone can resolve "the legal hurdles" in giving five per cent quota to Gujjars and other communities. Pilot made the statement in reply to a query on Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla's threat to revive the quota stir from Friday, if the government fails to take a decision on the issue. "We discussed the matter today. Everyone knows what the previous government did," said Pilot, adding his government is committed to the issue, which was included in the Congress' election manifesto. The state assembly has passed the resolution and the previous governments gave approval to five per quota in the past but the issue got stuck in legal ...
No need to take Mehbooba's demand for action against Army officer seriously: JK Guv
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday dismissed PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's demand for action against an Army officer, saying "she doesn't need to be taken seriously". Malik's remarks come a day after Mufti demanded action against one Major Shukla, who allegedly tortured a Pulwama resident, Tauseef Wani, at the Shadimarg camp of the Army and threatened to kill him in an encounter. The governor said he stood behind the security forces and would not allow the such statements to demoralise the security forces. "She doesn't need to be taken seriously. We will not allow the morale of the security forces to be affected by statements like that of Mehbooba Mufti," Mailk told reporters here. "I stand by our forces. Wherever there are atrocities, we take action. In some such cases with regard to the police force, we are taking action and are transferring all of them (erring police personnel). But we still stand with our forces," he added. Malik alleged that Mufti's demand was ..
Rahul promises to bring land acquisition, Tribal bill in Odisha
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday promised to apply the Land Acquisition Bill and bring a Tribal Bill in Odisha, if voted to power.Addressing a public rally here, the Congress president said: "We will apply the land acquisition bill in Odisha. We will also bring the Tribal bill and make it applicable in Odisha." "Tribal land acquired by Tata company, that was unused for more than five years, was returned to the Aadivasis by Chhattisgarh's newly formed Congress government, and we will do the same in Odisha," Rahul added.The land acquisition bill was drafted with an intention to discourage land acquisition. It was passed by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government in 2013, and now the Narendra Modi government has introduced Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to make changes in the current Act.Referring to Dana Majhi's case, who shook the nation's conscience after being forced to walk back home ..
BJP ally in Goa 'working on Plan B for political stability'
Turning the heat on the Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government in Goa, its ally Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Wednesday said it is working on a "Plan B" to ensure political stability, irrespective of the fact which party heads the new dispensation in the state.
Maratha quota decision a poll gimmick by Maharashtra govt, HC told
The Maharashtra government's decision granting reservation to the Maratha community was an "election gimmick and politically motivated", petitioners challenging the quota told the Bombay High Court Wednesday. They also claimed that the government did not have the legislative power to take such a decision. A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre Wednesday commenced the final hearing on a bunch of petitions challenging the 16 per cent quota granted to the numerically strong community in government jobs and educational institutions. Advocate Gunaratan Sadavarte, appearing for one of the petitioners Jaishree Patil, argued that the government's decision was "politically motivated and a a poll gimmick". "The Central legislation says reservation in any state should not exceed 50 per cent. Presently, reservation in Maharashtra stands at 78 per cent (including the Maratha quota). The state cannot go beyond what the Central legislation says," Sadavarte said. Senior counsel ..
UP govt made mockery of religion by holding cabinet meet at Kumbh: SP MLC
The Samajwadi Party on Wednesday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of making a mockery of religion by holding a cabinet meeting at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. During the Zero Hour at the Legislative Council, Samajwadi member Shatarudra Prakash stressed that clicking photographs while taking a holy dip at the Sangam after the recent cabinet meeting during Kumbh was a clear violation of the 'United Provinces Melas Rule, 1940. The SP members also barged into the well of the House and raised slogans against the government for making a "mockery" of religion and culture. According to Prakash, Section 18 of the 'Uttar Pradesh Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran Adhiniyam-2017' stated that collection of people for any purpose other than religious work was prohibited in the Kumbh area. "The holding of the cabinet meeting in the Kumbh Mela area is definitely a non-religious programme." The Samajwadi MLC said the photographs of the cabinet ministers taking a holy dip in the Sangam and getting ...
Din in Karnataka Assembly as BJP claims JD(S)-Congress govt in minority
There was total pandemonium in the Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday as BJP shouted slogans and staged a walked out in the midst of Governor Vajubhai Vala's speech, claiming that the incumbent JD(S)-Congress alliance government is a minority government.Soon a commotion ensued, as opposition parties, led by the BJP, protested that the government does not have the requisite numbers as more than nine MLAs were absent on the first day of the Budget Session."There is no government at all; there has been no development activity at all since the last five to six months which is why we boycotted the Governor's speech," BJP's Karnataka chief BS Yeddyurappa told media.The former chief minister claimed that there was unrest in the Congress ranks and files, saying: "More than 20 Congress MLAs openly told in the legislature party meeting that they are not going to accept Kumaraswamy as the chief minister of Karnataka"."We are not going to move a no-confidence motion. We are going to meet our MLAs ..
Vajpayee's portrait to be installed in Parliament on February 12
The portrait will be unveiled by President Ram Nath Kovind in the presence of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministers, and leaders of various parties, official sources said on Wednesday.Vajpayee, a towering BJP leader, was the Prime Minister thrice - first for 13 days in 1996, then for 13 months from 1998 to 1999, and then from 1999 to 2004.Born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP veteran passed away on August 16, 2018 after a prolonged illness.The decision to install the portrait of the Bharat Ratna was taken on December 18 at a meeting of Parliament's Portrait Committee chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.The meeting, which was attended by Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, BJD's B Mahtab, TMC's Sudip Bondopadhyay, TRS' Jithendra Reddy, Shiv Sena's Ananth Geete and BJP's Satyanarayan Jatia, had taken the decision unanimously.The leaders whose portraits already adorn the Central Hall ...
Abhay Chautala says no clouds hanging over INLD-BSP alliance
INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala rejected reports that his party's alliance with the BSP was under strain after the drubbing it received in the Jind bypoll, asserting that the two parties will jointly contest the coming polls. "Has anyone said that the INLD-BSP alliance ended? Our alliance stands. We entered into an alliance (last year) to fight (the upcoming) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls together and we will jointly contest these polls," he said. "If there are any issues, we will sit together and discuss them," he said at a press conference after his party's executive committee meeting, which was chaired by Indian National Lok Dal's state unit chief Ashok Arora here. Abhay Chautala, the younger son of INLD president and former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, said that "a section of media is trying to portray as if our alliance has broken. Has any BSP leader given a statement that this alliance has ended?" "(Bahujan Samaj Party supremo) Mayawati has said that the INLD, which ..
HC rejects PIL over families dominating political parties
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL petition which alleged that only a few families are dominating the political scene in the country, thus thwarting the basic mandate of the Constitution.
BJP launches campaign to reach out to masses in J-K
In the run-up to Lok Sabha elections, the BJP Wednesday launched a campaign here to seek suggestions from the public to prepare its "vision document" besides highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government. State BJP president Ravinder Raina launched the campaign 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat, Modi Ke Saath' from the party headquarters at Trikuta Nagar here. "This is a campaign to engage the people in crafting the agenda for the next five years and to collate their expectations and suggestions. This is a campaign to involve every citizen in moulding the future of India," Raina told reporters. He said the month-long campaign would cover nook and corner of Jammu region, highlighting the achievements of the Modi-led NDA government while at the same time seek suggestions from the public. "People can record their video suggestions or drop their suggestion in a box placed on the rath (vehicle)," he said, adding the suggestions would form the core of the party's 'Sankalp Patra' ..
BJP attacks Cong, Vadra after ED questions him in money laundering probe
The BJP on Wednesday attacked the Congress and its chief Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra after the ED quizzed him connection with a money laundering probe, alleging he got "kickbacks" from petroleum and defence deals during the UPA regime. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that Vadra "bought eight to nine properties in London" from the money he got as kickbacks in 2008-09 when the UPA was in power. Addressing a press conference here, Patra said he would like to ask Vadra "what is the formula of becoming crorepati from roadpati?" Alleging that "corruption" has been the "core agenda" of the Congress party, Patra said, "Everybody knows every member of the family is out on bail." "The 2019 Lok Sabha election is a fight between the gang of corrupt versus transparency of Narendra Modi government," he said. Vadra has in the past denied allegations of wrongdoing and termed them a political witch hunt against him. Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi is married to Vadra and has
AAP's Elvis Gomes to contest Lok Sabha polls from South Goa seat
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Wednesday announced party's Goa unit convener Elvis Gomes as candidate from the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency for the upcoming national elections. In a statement, AAP's in-charge of Goa Durgesh Pathak declared the former bureaucrat as party's candidate from the South Goa seat. The candidate on North Goa seat will be announced later by the party. Gomes who was AAP's chief ministerial candidate in state's Assembly elections in 2017, had lost his deposit in the polls from Cuncolim constituency. The decision to field Gomes from South Goa was taken by AAP's political affairs committee.
In counter rally, TMC alleges BJP trying to create
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) Wednesday organised a rally at Thakurnagar where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting last week, and senior party leaders accused the BJP of trying to create "constitutional crisis" in West Bengal. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is following the orders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and has become the "BJP Bureau of Investigation" that has singled out opposition leaders, Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim alleged at the rally in Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district. Thakurnagar is known as the hub of Matua community. The Matuas, originally hailing from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), started migrating to West Bengal in the 1950s, mostly due to religious persecution there. The community, with an estimated population of three million in the state, exhorts influence in at least five Lok Sabha seats in North and South 24 Parganas districts. At his rally here on Saturday, Modi had made a strong pitch
Sarpanches should work for all round development of villages:
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday said the newly-elected Sarpanches and ward members in the State should work together for the all-round development of villages with participation of all villagers. Rao, who had an interactive session with resource persons who would be imparting training to the newly-elected sarpanches and village secretaries, said the state government would provide required funds and responsibilities to the village panchayats. Since important activities like drinking water, power supply and roads are directly handled by the state government, the village panchayats should concentrate more on cleanliness, sanitation, greenery and construction of crematoriums, he said. The chief minister made it clear that the government would be very liberal in devolving and delegating the powers as well as in providing funds, a relase from the CM's office said. "But at the same time, if either the funds are misused or if they are negligent in ...