Page 1738 - Politics
French Navy seizes 670 kg heroin in Indian Ocean
A French frigate, which docked at a military port in Mumbai last week, intercepted 670 kg of heroin in the Indian Ocean subsequently, the French envoy here has said. French Defence Minister Florence Parly said the "record" seizure is a blow to the financing of terrorism. "The Frigate Cassard which was docked last week in the military port of Mumbai has intercepted 670 kg of heroin on the 31st of January. "More than ever, France is committed to the security of the Indian Ocean, a common goal shared with India," France's Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler said. The frigate had docked at Mumbai on January 29.
Modi govt has snatched farmers' sleep:Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday alleged that the Modi government had "snatched" farmers' sleep and claimed they were being cheated before the general elections. Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress chief, assured that if the government at the Centre changes, farmers' interests will be given priority. The chief minister is on a dharna since Sunday night over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police commissioner in connection with chit fund scams. From the dharna site in front of Metro Cinema in the heart of the city, Banerjee addressed a state conference of farmers over phone, which the participants at the Netaji Indoor Stadium heard over loudspeakers. "The BJP, the Modi government have snatched farmers' sleep," Banerjee said, claiming that nearly 12,000 farmers have committed suicide in the country. "Farmers are being cheated before the elections," she alleged, referring to the sops announced in the interim budget placed by the NDA government in Parliament ..
Former KSRTC conductors hold symbolic 'shroud' protest
Sacked temporary bus conductors of the cash-strapped KSRTC Monday lay down on the road in front of the state Secretariat here wrapping themselves with a white 'shroud', in a symbolic protest to highlight their plight. Acting on a directive from the Kerala High Court, the State Road Transport Corporation had removed 3,861 empanelled (temporary) conductors from service on December 17. "The government has the responsibility to protect us and the chief minister should immediately intervene and find a solution," the protesters, who have been agitating for the past 15 days here, said. They, however, said they not given up hope on the CPI(M)-led LDF government. The former KSRTC conductors lay on the busy Mahatma Gandhi Road in front of the Secretariat covering themselves in a white cloth, symbolising a shroud. "This is a symbolic protest, tomorrow we do not know what is in store for us and if there is no other go, many would be forced to end their lives," a former employee ...
CPI-M, Nair community cross swords in Kerala
A war of words has broken out between the CPI-M and the Nair Service Society (NSS) -- the socio-cultural arm of the Hindu Nair community, with each threatening the other.
BJP delegation approaches EC alleging TMC govt not allowing party's political programmes in WB
The BJP on Monday accused the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal of not allowing its political programmes in the state and sought the Election Commission's intervention so that the Lok Sabha polls can be held in a "free and fair" manner. A high-level BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to the poll panel to highlight instances that show that the TMC does not "believe" in democracy, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was also a member of the group, told reporters. Besides Sitharaman, the other members of the delegation included Union ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and S S Ahluwalia, and BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Bhupender Yadav, Anil Baluni and Mukul Roy. She claimed that the TMC is rattled by the BJP's growth in West Bengal, which is why it is restricting the saffron party's programmes and even not allowing some rallies. The party had Sunday alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government denied permission to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's chopper to .
Protest against CBI 'non-political', but political support welcome: Mamata
Describing her sit-in over the CBI's attempt to question Kolkata Police chief as a "non-political" protest, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said support has poured in for her from different quarters of the country. The chief minister, who has been sitting on a dharna since 8.30pm Sunday on a makeshift dais at Metro Channel here, said she will continue her "satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved". Banerjee also asked his party members to ensure that the protest was peaceful. The unprecedented development came after the CBI's attempt to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with multi-crore chit fund scams. The CBI team, which went to Kumar's residence in the city's Loudon Street area Sunday, was denied permission, bundled into police jeeps and whisked to a police station. Welcoming support for her dharna, Banerjee said, "It's not a political programme. But all political parties can join us in our protest." Banerjee ...
Jagan urges EC to delete 60 lakh 'defective voters' in Andhra
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday urged the Election Commission to delete the names of nearly 60 lakh "defective voters" from the rolls in Andhra Pradesh.
Uproar in LS over Bengal, House adjourned till 2 p.m.
The Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed uproar as opposition parties led by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) protested against the CBI raid in Kolkata, calling it a misuse of the agency against political opponents.
SC declines urgent hearing of CBI plea against Kolkata Police chief
The Supreme Court will hear on Tuesday a CBI plea against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar who is accused of allegedly destroying evidence related to the Saradha chit fund scam.
WB developments unfortunate;indicate constitutional breakdown:
Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said the "unfortunate" and "unprecedented" developments in West Bengal involving the CBI and the Kolkata Police indicate a constitutional breakdown, warning that the Centre has powers to take action. Members from the Congress, BJD, NCP, SP and RJD spoke out against the Centre over the developments in West Bengal, with many of them alleging that the Narendra Modi government was misusing the CBI. Amid noisy protests by Trinamool Congress members, Singh told the Lok Sabha that it was "unprecedented" that the CBI was stopped from lawfully doing its duty when it wanted to question Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar regarding chit fund scams on Sunday. A political slugfest has broken out over the incident, with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee sitting on a dharna, alleging misuse of the CBI. Various opposition parties, including the Congress, BJD, TDP, SP and NCP, have come out in support of Banerjee. In the first reaction from the .
DMK chief Stalin backs Mamata's protest
DMK president MK Stalin has lent support to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her face-off with the CBI, saying he was with the TMC chief in her 'fight' to "save democracy." The independence of every institution has been "compromised" under the "fascist" BJP government, he said in a tweet Sunday night. "The independence of every institution has been compromised under this fascist BJP Government. I stand with @MamataOfficial Didi in her fight to protect the federal structure of this country and to save democracy. #SaveDemocracy," Stalin said in the tweet. Stalin, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu, had earlier attended a mega rally organised by TMC supremo Banerjee in Kolkata last month, against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. In a dramatic showdown with the Centre, Banerjee has embarked on a sit-in in Kolkata to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. She went on the protest Sunday night, hours after a CBI
Will not take accept any funds from Centre: Mamata
Continuing with her 'Save the Constitution' dharna here against the BJP-led central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her government will not accept any money from the Centre as part of any scheme.Addressing the public at her overnight dharna site at Kolkata's Metro Channel station, the Trinamool Congress chief said, "We have taken a decision we won't take any money from the Centre regarding any of the Yojanas."She accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government of "stealing" farmers' rights."Modi government has taken away the rights of farmers. Over 12,000 farmers have committed suicide. Farmers' lands have been snatched away. Back in 2006, I had sat on a dharna for 27 days to return their lands. Many farmer families are left with nothing. We are the only government which doesn't allow farmers' rights to be snatched away," Mamata said."We have started schemes like Krishi Bondhu, as part of which, farmers get Rs 5,000 per year. We ...
PMs prior to Modi sat in the last row and clap : Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all others holding the post used to sit in the last row at any international platforms and just clap.Adityanath was addressing a public meeting at Lucknow BJP office at the start of 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat' here on Monday."The earlier prime ministers used to sit in the last row at the global platforms and just clap. However, today the Prime Minister inaugurates such programmes in the presence of the US President and deliver the inaugural speeches," said Adityanath.He said that both country and the Uttar Pradesh saw unprecedented development since the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014."In Uttar Pradesh alone, 13 medical colleges were built between 1947 and 2014 whereas in just four years' time, from 2014 onwards, the state got three new medical colleges, two AIIMS, two cancer institutions and lakhs of beneficiaries of schemes such as Ayushman Bharat," said Adityanath.
CBI being used as 'election agent' by BJP: Akhilesh
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP wants to stay in power "by hook or by crook" and was using the CBI as an "election agent". Yadav's remarks came against the backdrop of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's sit-in over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police commissioner in connection with chit fund scams. "The BJP wants to stay in power by hook or by crook. They are so scared of losing (general elections) and the CBI is being used as election agents," Yadav tweeted Sunday night. An all-out war broke out between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government Sunday, with the feisty West Bengal leader beginning her sit-in protest last night in front of Metro Cinema in Kolkata to protest against "the attack on constitutional norms". "This is undemocratic and against the spirit of the Constitution. We demand due process be followed so that the CBI is not used as a tool of political interference," he said. While Yadav spoke to .
Taliban to take part in 'intra-Afghan' talks in Moscow
The Taliban said Monday they will participate in what they call "intra-Afghan" talks in Moscow designed to bring together prominent Afghan figures, including former President Hamid Karzai, opposition figures and tribal elders but no Kabul government officials. The two-day meeting in the Russian capital, which starts Tuesday, is seen as another step in a process aimed at resolving Afghanistan's 17-year war, a process that has accelerated since the appointment last September of US peace envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad. Khalilzad has been holding separate negotiations with the Taliban even as he presses for a dialogue that would bring together all key Afghan players. However, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's office criticized the meeting in Moscow, saying that Afghan politicians attending the gathering were doing so "in order to gain power." Ghani's chief adviser, Fazel Fazly, tweeted that it was "regrettable." Suhail Shaheen, spokesman for the Taliban's political office in the Gulf Arab state ..
Mamata on dharna to save herself from CBI: Javadekar
Union minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar Monday claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was on a dharna to save herself from the CBI. Banerjee began her sit-in protest at a city landmark on Sunday night over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams, insisting it stifled the spirit of "Constitution and federalism". In a dramatic showdown with the Modi government, the furious Trinamool Congress chief began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, hours after a CBI team that had gone to question Kumar was detained in a rare face-off between the police establishments of the Centre and the state. The West Bengal chief minister had on Sunday said that she would not attend the presentation of the state Budget at the state Assembly on Monday and described the evolving situation an "emergency". Hitting back, ...
BJP acting with vengeance against Mamata as oppn rally in Kolkata was successful: Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu Monday alleged that the BJP government at the Centre was acting with vengeance against Mamata Banerjee as the opposition parties' rally in the West Bengal capital on January 19 had been a great success. An all-out war broke out between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government on Sunday over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police commissioner in connection with chit fund scams, with the feisty West Bengal chief minister beginning a sit-in protest in front of Metro Cinema over the issue. In his daily teleconference with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders, Naidu said after Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati, it was now the turn of Mamata Banerjee to face a "witch-hunt". Expressing solidarity with the West Bengal chief minister, the TDP chief supremo said, "Cases against those who surrender to the BJP are being lifted. They are digging out old cases against those who oppose the BJP. The recent Kolkata rally was ...
Trinamool protests against Centre in LS; House adjourns till 2
Lok Sabha proceedings Monday were disrupted in the wake of protests and sloganeering by Trinamool Congress members over the alleged misuse of the CBI in West Bengal. The House was adjourned for the second time till 2 PM after the Zero Hour went on for around 25 minutes. Members of the Trinamool Congress, who alleged that the Centre was misusing the CBI to politically capture West Bengal, trooped into the Well during the Zero Hour. Members from other parties, including the TDP, SP and Congress, were also in the Well. Soon after the papers were laid, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy to speak about the incident in Kolkata involving the CBI and the Kolkata Police. BJD leader B Mahtab, Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and those from the Left, SP, NCP and RJD also spoke against the Centre during the Zero Hour. Saumitra Khan, who won on Trinamool Congress ticket and recently joined the BJP, also spoke from Treasury ...
BJP trying to intimidate opposition through CBI: Akhilesh
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the Modi government of trying to scare and intimidate the opposition by using government agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Raj Thackeray, water activist Rajendra Singh meet Hazare
MNS chief Raj Thackeray and noted water conservationist Rajendra Singh Monday met social activist Anna Hazare, who has been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike over his demand for appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra. On the sixth day of Hazare's fast, Thackeray met the 81-year-old anti-graft crusader at his protest site in Ralegan Siddhi village of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra and extended his full support to his agitation and asked him not to sacrifice his life for the "useless" government. He asked Hazare to end his protest and conduct a joint tour of the state with him to "bury" the BJP-led government. The MNS leader and Hazare held a closed door meeting at a room in the Yadavbaba temple premises for around 20 minutes. After the meeting, Thackeray addressed the gathering at Hazare's protest site and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "cheating" the nation and not following his party's own poll manifesto. He quoted some tweets and .