Page 1736 - Politics
Mamata vows to save Constitution, Rajnath cautions against its
A political firestorm raged Monday as Mamata Banerjee's sit-in protest against CBI's bid to question Kolkata police chief in chit fund scam cases entered the second day, with the West Bengal Chief Minister declaring her agitation to save the "Constitution and country" will go on till the goal is achieved. The ripple effect of political tremors in West Bengal were felt in New Delhi and several state capitals, as Banerjee's combative posturing on the issue drew support from several regional satraps trying to sew up an anti-BJP alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "This is a satyagraha and I'll continue (it) till the country is saved...Constitution is saved," the firebrand TMC boss told reporters at the protest site, as she escalated her confrontation with the Modi government, a day after an all-out war broke out between the two. As Trinamool Congress workers took to streets burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Home Minister ...
CBI conduct in Bengal a conspiracy, says senior SP leader
Samajwadi Party (SP) national Vice President Kiranmoy Nanda on Monday dubbed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with a ponzi scheme scam a 'conspiracy' hatched by the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Amarinder criticizes Badal for seeking doubling of relief for farmers
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday lambasted Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal for demanding the doubling of the Rs 6,000 per annum relief announced for farmers by the Centre in the Union Budget.
You have guts, please talk on Rafale: Rahul tells Gadkari
In wake of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's recent remarks perceived as against his partys top leadership, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged him to also comment on the "Rafale scam" and the agrarian crisis, saying he was the only BJP leader with "some guts".
UK, Spain, France recognise Guaido as Venezuela's interim President
The United Kingdom along with other European nations, including Spain, France and Sweden, have recognised Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim President after embattled President Nicolas Maduro failed to announce fresh Presidential elections by Sunday."Nicolas Maduro has not called Presidential elections within 8 day limit we have set. So UK alongside European allies now recognises @jguaido as interim constitutional president until credible elections can be held. Let's hope this takes us closer to ending humanitarian crisis," Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted on Monday..
22 opposition parties to urge ECI to replace EVMs with ballot papers for conducting coming Lok Sabha polls
As many as 22 opposition parties will meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, seeking the replacement of electronic voting machines (EVMs) with ballot papers for conducting the coming Lok Sabha polls, TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien has said.Talking to media persons outside Parliament on Monday afternoon, O'Brien said: "A delegation of 22 opposition parties will meet and request the Election Commission of India to revert to the ballot paper system and do away with the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for conducting the coming Lok Sabha elections."According to O'Brien, the delegation will include among others Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra, DMK's Kanimozhi, CPI's D Raja and others.O'Brien said: "There is a need to stop the use of EVMs in order to save the Constitution and federal structure of the country. We have spoken .
Lok Sabha adjourned amidst Centre-West Bengal govt face off
The Lok Sabha was not allowed to function amidst opposition parties' slogan shouting "CBI totah (caked parrot) hai" following the high political face-off between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government.The lower house was later adjourned for the day.This comes amidst Mamata Banerjee's 'Save the Constitution' dharna in Kolkata. The sit-in protest started on Sunday after a CBI team moved to arrest the Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from his residence. The team was not allowed and the police, in turn, detained the officials in a high voltage drama.While several opposition leaders raised slogans of "CBI totah hai" and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in Parliament, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh defended the move by CBI saying Rajeev Kumar was not cooperating in the investigation in the case."Detaining CBI officials from performing their duties is unprecedented. The action was taken after the Supreme Court had ordered an ...
Chandrababu Naidu a U-turn CM, NDA's doors shut forever for him: Shah
In a blistering attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday termed the TDP supremo as a "U-turn Chief Minister" and declared he will not be allowed to enter the NDA alliance again.Taking a jibe at the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister for switching parties when either the BJP or the Congress came to power at the Centre, Shah accused Naidu of misguiding the people of the state."As soon as Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power, Chandrababu Naidu joined NDA and left the alliance in 2004 when Congress came to power. He is now supporting Congress party which insulted Andhra Pradesh. He fought the Telangana elections with the Congress, and when he lost, he joined the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance)," Shah said at a rally here."I am sure once the counting for 2019 elections will be over and NDA government will come to power again, Chandrababu Naidu will make all the efforts to join the NDA back. Let me tell you that this time, the ...
CBI-Kolkata Police showdown: IB topbrass meets West Bengal Governor
Amid West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 'Save the Constitution' dharna here against the Central government, Manoj Lall, Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), on Monday met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at Raj Bhawan here.On Sunday, a CBI team had come to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar at his residence in the city. The team was denied entry to Kumar's residence by the cops there and later detained CBI sleuths.A 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, Rajeev Kumar was heading an SIT on the Saradha and Rose Valley scams. The CBI wanted the top officer to hand over the seizure list made during his probe, sources said.Escalating her confrontation with the Centre, Chief Minister Banerjee started a 'dharna' to protest against what her Trinamool Congress Party called a "coup" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre.
Sirisena says opposed to forming national govt
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday said he is opposed to forming a national government only to expand the Cabinet of ministers, indicating that his rift with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was far from over. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe-led government on Friday sought the consent of the Speaker of Sri Lanka's Parliament to form a 'national government', a move seen as a step to get a majority in the 225-member House. Addressing the nation at the 71st National Independence Day celebrations, Sirisena said the proposed national government is simply an attempt to increase the number of Cabinet ministers and provide privileges to the ministers at the people's expense. Calling the move unethical, the president said the people's wish is to limit the Cabinet to 25 ministers. "I have seen media reports of an attempt to form a national government. I stand opposed to the move as this would be an exercise only to expand the cabinet of ministers and attain more privileges," ..
We want peaceful, fair LS polls in Bengal: BJP
A BJP delegation met the Election Commission on Monday and requested it to conduct the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal in a "violence free and fair" atmosphere.
Niti Aayog open to have a role in allocating developmental funds to states: Rajiv Kumar
The Niti Aayog is open to the idea of having a role in fund allocation to states for developmental expenditure and would discuss the matter with the 15th Finance Commission, the think tank's vice chairman Rajiv Kumar said Monday. Former chairman of the Finance Commission Vijay Kelkar recently suggested that the Aayog should be given financial powers to help address regional imbalances. The Aayog, unlike its predecessor Planning Commission, does not have financial powers nor any say in preparing annual plans of the states. "I have always respected Dr Kelkar and his views comes from a very long experience, both as finance secretary as well as chairman of the Finance Commission. "I having worked as the vice chairman of Niti Aayog for 16-17 months, what I do feel is that there needs to be some independent allocations for states to undertake their developmental expenditure," Kumar told PTI in an interview. He said that if the Aayog would be given some role in allocating development ...
Union Minister Babul Supriyo accuses Banerjee of shielding 'corrupt', demands Prez Rule in WB
Union Minister Babul Supriyo on Monday demanded imposition of President's rule in West Bengal as he slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of aligning with those indulging in corruption. The MP from Asansol in West Bengal also alleged that Banerjee was doing a "drama" and creating a constitutional crisis to shield her "corrupt and tainted accomplices". "President's Rule should be imposed on West Bengal to control this 'Rogue' #TMchhi Govt under a corrupt CM Mamta Banerjee. This is a constitutional crisis 'created' by Mamata to shield her corrupt & tainted accomplices (sic)," Supriyo said in a tweet. In an unprecedented development Sunday evening, Banerjee sat on a dharna, protesting the CBI's attempt to quiz Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scams. Banerjee said Monday she will continue her "Satyagraha till the country and its Constitution are saved". The chief minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night on a makeshift ...
EU nations recognise Guaido as Venezuela leader
Spain, Britain, France and other EU nations on Monday recognised Venezuela's opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader after President Nicolas Maduro defiantly rejected an ultimatum to call snap elections. Russia, one of the main allies of Maduro's regime, slammed what it dubbed European "interference" in the oil-rich but impoverished Latin American country, saying it was an attempt "to legitimise usurped power." Already recognised by the United States, Canada, Australia and several Latin American countries, Guaido is trying to force the socialist leader from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new elections. After announcing the Spanish government's official recognition of Guaido, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged the 35-year-old National Assembly head to "call elections as soon as possible, elections that have to be free and democratic". Sanchez added he wanted to spearhead a plan of humanitarian aid for Venezuela in the European Union and United Nations.
Telangana govt draws fire from Oppn over delay in full cabinet formation
The TRS government in Telangana came under attack from the opposition parties on Monday over "delay" in formation of a full-fledged cabinet, with the Congress and the BJP alleging violation of constitutional norms. However, the ruling party dismissed the criticism, saying an exercise was on to streamline the administration and that the two-member cabinet would be expanded very soon. K Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR, was sworn-in as chief minister on December 13 after his Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) returned to power with a thumping majority in the assembly elections. Along with him, Mohammad Mahmood Ali also took oath and was given the Home portfolio. The Congress and the BJP alleged that even after more than seven weeks of the government taking charge, the absence of a full-fledged cabinet is a violation of Articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution, which deal with the council of ministers in states. Taking aim at the government, AICC spokesperson Sravan Dasoju said ...
'Traders, industrialists at loggerheads over toll tax in JK
Lobby groups of traders and industrialists in Jammu and Kashmir have locked horns over the demand for removal of toll tax at Lakhanpur which generates a revenue of over Rs 1,000 crore annually. While the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has threatened to start an agitation if the governor administration failed to implement 'one nation one tax' by abolishing the toll plaza, Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) and Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) said such a decision would be a death knell for the local industry. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not ready to pay a whopping amount of toll tax after the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) regime in the country," JCCI president Rakesh Gupta said. He said that the chamber had decided to launch a protest during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Sunday but deferred the move conditionally after getting an assurance from Governor Satya Pal Malik that their issues would be taken on ..
Modi govt playing with fire in Bengal: Shatrughan Sinha
Disgruntled BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Monday fired a fresh salvo at the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of playing with fire by targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee whom he called a tried and tested mass leader. The second consecutive term Patna Sahib MP also rued that the party in power at the Centre has almost lost its credibility and people are not accepting anything we are saying, a day after Banerjee sat on a dharna in Kolkata in protest against visit of a team of CBI officials to question the police commissioner in connection with a corruption case. Sirji, what is happening. Why are we playing with fire through the much-maligned, disgraced and condemned government institutions, that too when elections are around the corner, Sinha, who had recently annoyed his party by addressing an opposition rally organized by Banerjee at Kolkata, tweeted. By targeting the tried and tested mass leader with impeccable image, Bengal Tigress @MamataOfficial
UDF alleges bias in ATF tax relief to Kannur airport;walks out
Alleging bias in the tax cut on aviation fuel announced for Kannur airport, opposition UDF Monday demanded in the Kerala assembly that the LDF government extend the relief to the three other airports in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended the decision to levy only one per cent tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for airlines operating from the Kannur airport, saying it was given as a support to the newly commissioned airport. The Congress-led UDF members, who claimed that Kannur airport had been given the relief because it was in Vijayan's home district, staged a walkout in protest after not getting any assurance from the government on their demand. Earlier, raising the issue, they said the decision was 'discriminatory' as reduction of the tax to one per cent had been a long-pending demand of the managements of the three other airports -- Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Karipur. UDF also alleged that Vijayan was showing "over enthusiasm" to support the new
Is Mamata trying to save top cop or herself, asks Javadekar
Questioning West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sit-in protest over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with a ponzi scheme scam, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar on Monday asked whether she wanted to save herself or the top cop.
Congress files police complaints against offensive tweets on Priyanka
The Congress on Monday filed police complaints in Delhi and across India seeking action over obscene and offensive posts on social media targeting party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi.