Page 1747 - Politics
Cong issues three-line whip for MPs to be present in Parliament from Monday-Friday
The Congress party issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament from Monday to Friday."All Members of Congress Party in the Lok Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11:00 A.M. onwards till the adjournment of the House on 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 February, 2019 without fail and support the party stand," a note from the party read.MPs have been asked to be present during the Budget session to attend discussions on the interim Budget that was presented recently.The Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced on January 31, will continue till February 13, spread across 10 sittings.It will be the last session of the Lok Sabha before the General elections which are due before May.
Iran warns Europe not to force 'strategic leap' on missile range
The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development. "If the Europeans, or anyone else, want to conspire to disarm Iran of missiles, we will be forced to make a strategic leap," the guards' deputy commander Brigadier-General Hossein Salami said on state TV on Saturday. "All that hear me today, come to terms with the new reality of Iran's missile might: there are no obstacles or technical limitations to us increasing (their) range," he added. The Islamic Republic develops its missile technology according to a "defensive strategy" which changes according to need, he said. Earlier Saturday, Iran announced the "successful test" of a new cruise missile with a range of over 1,350 kilometres, coinciding with the anniversary of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Defence Minister Amir Hatami said the Hoveizeh cruise missile had successfully hit its targets, ...
Over 12 lakh first-time voters in UP to exercise franchise in 2019 LS polls
Of the 14.40 crore electorate in Uttar Pradesh, over 12 lakh youth are expected to exercise their franchise for the first time in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. "Names of 12,36,000 voters have been added to the electoral roll in the state. Voters in the age-group of 18-19 is 16.75 lakh. The total number of voters in the state is 14.40 crore," UP's chief electoral officer L Venkateshwar Lu said. Parties have been trying to woo this segment in the politically crucial state which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The BJP's youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, had last month launched a drive across the country to reach out to first-time voters. The exercise came following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to the BJP to connect with those born in this millennium as they would get voting rights from this year. The saffron party had won 71 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 Lok Sabha polls securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP's ally the Apna Dal bagged two ...
Days of TMC government in Bengal numbered: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday lashed out at the "anti-people" Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, saying the days of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's rule are "numbered". Adityanath urged the leaders, who had attended the TMC's January 19 opposition rally in Kolkata, to introspect on how democratic rights were being scuttled by the state government. The UP chief minister who was scheduled to address the "Ganatantra Bachao Rally" at Balurghat in South Dinajpur district Sunday could not attend the rally after permission was denied for his chopper to land near the venue. "The TMC government didn't allow me to come and meet you all. That is why I had to resort to Digital India of Modi-ji to address you. This TMC government is anti-people, anti-democratic and have compromised with national security," Adityanath said, while addressing the rally via audio link. The TMC government is afraid of the BJP as it very well knows that its days in Bengal are numbered, .
Cong nationwide protest on Feb 4 over shooting of Gandhi effigy
The Congress has announced a countrywide protest on February 4 over the re-enactment of the Mahatma Gandhi 's assassination by some members of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) who shot at his effigy at a January 30 event in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh.The protest will take place at party headquarters in all states.Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday said, "In a shocking incident on 30 January, when the nation commemorated the 71st anniversary of Gandhi's assassination, members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha in Uttar Pradesh used a pistol to shoot at an effigy of Gandhiji, distributed sweets and garlanded the statue of Nathuram Godse, Gandhiji's assassin who was a member of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. The group also burnt the effigy of Mahatma Gandhi and shouted pro Godse slogans like "Mahatma Godse Zindabad" etc."The Congress has labelled the right-wing group's actions as "provocative and reprehensible" and said that such incidents "take place with the candid and ..
Interim budget a jumla; BJP destroying institutions: CPI
CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy Sunday termed the interim budget placed by the BJP led government at the Centre as a "jumla" and accused the Centre of destroying all the institutions in the country. "The budget is a jumla just like other promises made by the BJP government. The Modi government is destroying all the institutions in the country. Even Parliament does not function properly. People's issues are not raised inside Parliament," Reddy said while addressing the Left Front's rally here. Calling for defeat of the Narendra Modi government Reddy asserted that there was widespread resentment over the Centre's economic policies. "The repeated assaults on minorities and Dalits, and misuse of institutions such as the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Reserve Bank is not going down well with the people," he said.
Terror in J&K now being fought effectively: Modi
Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is now being fought effectively, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
Venezuela's Guaido pressures Maduro over humanitarian aid
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido was on Sunday set to announce a date for the arrival of humanitarian aid to the crisis-wracked country -- a path President Nicolas Maduro believes will lead to a US-led military intervention. A day earlier, National Assembly head Guaido and socialist leader Maduro held competing mass rallies in the capital Caracas, ten days after Guaido stunned the world by declaring himself "interim president" of the oil-rich nation. During the protest, Guaido announced the installation of collection centers for medicine and food in neighboring Colombia and Brazil. The United States later said it would transport aid to Venezuela in response to a request by Guaido. The 35-year-old received a boost before the demonstration had even started when an air force general became the highest ranking officer to abandon Maduro and recognize Guaido as the country's true leader. US National Security Advisor John Bolton responded to that in a tweet calling on "all military ..
Have to defeat 'chowkidar' Modi to save country: Yechury
Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "chowkidar" (watchman), under whose watch loot and communalism were rampant in the country, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Sunday sought the formation of an alternative democratic government at the Centre. "We have to defeat the Chowkidar Modi in the next elections. We don't need such a chowkidar, in whose presence loot is going on in the country. They have spread the poison of communalism across the country. "The Centre, which has looted the country for past five years, is now doling out sops ahead of elections," Yechury said, while addressing a rally at Brigade Parade Ground here. The CPI(M) leader also said the country needs a change in policy for its overall development. "We are not calling for his (Modi's) defeat just because we don't like him, we are calling for a change so that there can be alternative polices. We have to fight for an alternative secular and democratic government at the Centre," he said. Terming the Budget .
Rahul Gandhi qualified to become PM: Tejashwi
Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said that Congress President Rahul Gandhi was qualified to be the Prime Minister.
Former Cong MLA Sagaria joins BSP in Odisha
Former Congress MLA from Koraput, Krushna Chandra Sagaria, on Sunday formally joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and expressed his desire to contest against Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the coming Assembly elections. Sagaria, a prominent dalit leader who was elected from Koraput on a Congress ticket, joined the BSP in the presence of the BSP's Odisha in-charge, Dharamveer Singh, at a function held here. "I would like to contest elections against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, if the BSP supremo allows me to do so," Sagaria told reporters. On November 6, 2018, Sagaria had resigned from the legislator's post stating that he had no moral right to hold the position after the Kunduli gangrape and suicide incident. He was expelled from the Congress on January 19 along with former Union Minister Srikant Jena for indulging in anti-party activities. On the rape and suicide of the Kunduli victim, Sagarai said the minor dalit girl, who was raped on October 10, 2017, .
BJP to seek people's views for manifesto
The BJP on Sunday launched a campaign to seek suggestions and voters' expectations for a "new India" from 10 crore families across the country before giving a final shape to its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.
Former Assam CM Mahanta warns of 'volatile' situation if Citizenship Bill passed
Former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Sunday warned the Narendra Modi government that a "volatile" situation will arise in the state if the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha. The two-time chief minister and founder-president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said the state is witnessing a mass uprising, similar to the Assam agitation of 1979-85, against the proposed legislation and the situation may turn worse if the NDA government "doesn't respect" people's sentiment. "Situation in Assam will be very volatile if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha. The Modi government will be responsible for it," Mahanta, who is now in Delhi to campaign against the bill, told PTI. The bill provides for Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Mahanta, who led the Assam agitation against the illegal immigrants, said the bill violates the provisions of the Assam Accord and basic tenants
Hazare's fast enters 5th day, villagers block state highway
Social activist Anna Hazare's indefinite hunger strike entered the fifth day on Sunday even as villagers blocked a state highway in support of his agitation in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, leading to traffic jams in the area. Hazare has been on a hunger strike since Wednesday in his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar demanding appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra and resolution of farmers' issue. In support of the 81-year-old Army man-turned- activist's demands, farmers and youth blocked the Ahmednagar-Pune state highway at Supa village in Parner tehsil, located about 38 km from here, in the morning, resulting in huge traffic jams. They supported Hazare's demands for immediate appointment of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states where such statutory anti-corruption watchdogs do not exist, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations on ways to address agrarian distress, besides some electoral reforms, the ...
Kharge dissents regularly, says Jaitley
Accusing Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge of dissenting excessively, Union minister Arun Jaitley Sunday said he has made the appointment of CBI director look like a political battle which was never envisaged. Kharge on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving his dissent on the appointment of new CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla, alleging that the officer did not have experience in handling anti-corruption cases and the criterion for selection was diluted in violation of law and Supreme Court judgements. In a blog, Jaitley said the leader of the largest party in Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Kharge, "dissented once again" in the appointment of the new CBI Director. "Kharge dissents regularly," the minister said. Jaitley recalled the Congress leader dissented when Alok Verma was appointed CBI Director, dissented when Verma was transferred and has now dissented when Shukla has been appointed. "The only thing constant in the High Powered Committee comprising of the Prime ...
Mamata defends Kolkata top cop, accuses BJP of 'political vendetta'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday defended Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, who recently came under scrutiny after skipping a meeting with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in the "worst kind of political vendetta".The ECI had on Thursday conducted a meeting with senior officials to review poll preparedness in the state. However, Kumar missed the meeting.The 1989-batch IPS officer, who has been serving as Kolkata's police commissioner since January 2016, has also reportedly not responded summons from the CBI in connection with their probes into the Rose Valley and Saradha ponzi scams.Kumar led the SIT investigation into the scams until 2014 when the agency took over following directions from the Supreme Court. The CBI was slated to question Kumar about documents that reportedly went missing.However, Mamata hailed Kumar as one among the "best in the world"."The Kolkata Police Commissioner is ...
Amit Shah launches exercise to seek suggestions for BJP poll manifesto
The visionary policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has helped establish the foundation for long term development in the country, where previous regimes in the past 30 years have not taken any concrete steps to resolve problems, BJP President Amit Shah said."Before 2014, for over 30 years, there were coalition governments. During this time, about 10 crore families used to wonder if the government can deliver whether the multi-party system had failed? Amid such doubts, the 2014 polls were held and people voted for the BJP and government led by Modi ji with the majority was formed," Shah said.The BJP President was speaking at 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat' a month-long campaign that he jointly launched with Union Minister Ranath Singh here on Sunday seeking views and suggestions from at least 10 crore families to help BJP draft its 'sankalp patra' (manifesto) for the upcoming general elections in the country.Commending the Modi -led government, Shah said, "After 2014, Prime Minister ...
MQM leader Altaf Hussain calls for self-determination for Mohajirs under UN charter
In a significant development, the leader of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement or MQM, Altaf Hussain, has called for self-determination for the Mohajir people - virtually signalling a plan to break away from Pakistan.The MQM said that Pakistan's Military repressive actions date back to decades and the non-Punjabi nations like Baloch, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Kashmiris, settled in different provinces of the country, are forced to live like slaves and have been facing genocide. The organisation further said that these nations have been completely irked and now want freedom from Punjabi establishment's repressive dominance.The political faction also said that the Mohajirs, in particular, are fully repressed, being restricted from involvement in politics and welfare acts. They allege that both MQM, their representative party, and Hussain, their leader, are being placed under an embargo.The MQM's founder has now demanded the right for the self-determination in Pakistan under the aegis of the UN.He ...
PM Modi on J-K visit inaugurates various projects, says Delhi-Leh distance to reduce
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that his government is working to improve the connectivity in the Ladakh region that would not only benefit the tourism sector but will also reduce the distance between Delhi to Leh. "Once Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line is completed, the distance from Delhi to Leh will be reduced. It will also benefit the tourism sector. Protected Area Permit's validity has been increased to 15 days, now tourists will be able to enjoy their journey to Leh," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a public meeting at Leh.Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building of KBR Airport in Leh. He said that Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council is now more powerful due to which people of the region will not have to knock at Delhi's door for everything."I am happy that changes have been made to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act, and the council has been given more rights concerning the expenditures. ...
Ailing CPI(M) patriarch Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee set to attend
Ailing CPI(M) patriarch and former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is set to attend Sunday's Left Front rally at Brigade Parade Ground here. Bhattacharjee, who arrived at the rally ground around 1.30 pm, was seen sitting inside his car along with his wife. The CPI(M) leader had been bed-ridden for the past several months due to Compulsory Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). "Buddhada joining the rally, even if it is for few minutes, will boost the morale of party cadres. He is the tallest leader of our party in Bengal. His popularity among the cadres is still unmatched," a senior CPI(M) leader said. It was part Bhattacharjee's daily routine to visit the CPI(M) state headquarters in the afternoon. But things have changed in the last couple of years with his deteriorating health and fading eyesight. Bhattacharjee had stepped down from the CPI(M) state committee in March last year citing health issues. Earlier he had also stepped down from the party's .