Page 1751 - Politics
Kejriwal urges people to elect AAP members in all seven LS seats in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday urged people to elect AAP members in all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital in the next general elections to ensure that the development works initiated by his government are not "hampered". After inaugurating development works in 38 unauthorised colonies in Badarpur Assembly constituency, he said, "You gave us 67 out of 70 seats (in the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls) and our government has initiated development works that were not done for the past 70 years." "I urge you to elect AAP members from the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to ensure that the works are not hampered and get completed in a year." The BJP had won all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi in the 2014 general elections. Kejriwal alleged that fearing defeat in the upcoming polls, the BJP has got deleted 30 lakh voters, including 15 lakh Purvanchalis, 8 lakh Muslims and 4 lakh Banias, and said that he would ensure that those would be added to the city's voter list
No effort will be spared in finding Indian kidnapped in Ukraine: Swaraj
India has taken up at the highest level with the Ukrainian government the kidnapping of an Indian national in that country, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Saturday. Swaraj's assurance came after a woman urged her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help find Indian national Anuj Goel. "@SushmaSwaraj @narendramodi Please help find Mr. Anuj Goel, Indian national. We have been in a lot of stress as he was kidnapped from outside his residence 4 days ago in Ukraine," the tweet seeking help said. Responding to the request, Swaraj tweeted: "I have spoken to the Indian Ambassador in Ukraine. We have taken this up at the highest level with the Government of Ukraine. Please rest assured that we will spare no effort.
Gautam Gambhir shares pic of Army veteran begging in Delhi, def min assures 'quick' action
Cricketer Gautam Gambhir Saturday urged the Ministry of Defence to help a man, claiming to be war veteran, after he spotted him begging in Connaught Place here. The ace cricketer posted a picture of the man on Twitter and said that he could not get support from the Army due to "technical reasons". "He's Mr Peethambaran, who served in the Indian Army in 1965 &1971 wars which can be verified by his ID. He claims due to technical reasons he can't get support from d Army," Gambhir tweeted. "I'd urge @adgpi @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD to intervene as he is begging at A block Connaught Place," he said in the tweet. Responding to the tweet, the defence ministry assured a "quick and complete" response. "We appreciate the concern raised by you and assure that the response will be quick and complete. @adgpi," the defence spokesperson tweeted.
UP farmers call off protest
Hundreds of farmers gathered at DND flyway called off their protest on Saturday after the Uttar Pradesh government promised to look into their demands of compensation as per the latest law for their acquired land.
Odisha govt extends chit fund probe panel's tenure again
The Odisha government has extended the tenure of Justice MM Das Commission of Inquiry, probing into the multi-crore chit fund scam, by another six months, a notification issued by the Home Department said. This has been the second time that the tenure of the panel has been extended. The panel's tenure was to have come to an end on February 4, 2019. "It is required to extend the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry of Justice M M Das (Retd) appointed on February 5, 2015 to take up the inquiry into the unauthorised collection of public deposits in the state," the notification issued on Friday said. Justice MM Das took charge of the probe after the demise of Justice RK Patra. The commission has so far submitted its fifth interim report to the government and recommended refund of small depositors' money on a priority basis. More than 8.5 lakh small investors have so far filed affidavits with the commission.
Those involved in corruption coming together out of fear: Modi on opposition alliance
Taking a swipe at the proposed alliance of opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said those who facing charges of corruption against them and their relatives are coming together as they are scared of his nationwide drive against corruption and black money.
Rajapaksa may lead proposed political alliance in Lanka
Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday indicated that he would lead the proposed political alliance, which would function as the Joint Opposition and also fight all upcoming elections in the island nation. The opposition led by Rajapaksa's new political outfit -- the Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) -- has announced that they would form the broadest political alliance. It also demanded a fresh poll in the country. "The leader of the new alliance needs to be me," Rajapaksa told reporters in Kandy town. The elections to six provincial councils in Lanka are long overdue and are expected to be held in the next two-three months and the Rajapaksa camp is looking towards winning them under the broader alliance to be formed. Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which is also a part of the proposed alliance, wants Sirisena to run for his second term against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe-led United National Party's (UNP) candidate
Nissan to cancel UK X-Trail manufacture plans: Sky News
LONDON (Reuters) - Japanese carmaker Nissan will announce on Monday that it is cancelling plans announced in 2016 to manufacture a new model of its X-Trail compact SUV in Britain, broadcaster Sky News said on Saturday.
Anti-corruption push prompted oppn 'Mahagathbandhan': Das
Worried over curbs on corruption imposed by the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, the opposition parties have forged an alliance to "loot" the country, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das said Saturday. Addressing a convention of BJP workers at Chandwa in the district, Das called upon the party workers to work hard and make Modi the prime minister once again. "Commission and corruption have been stopped after the formation of the Modi government. Worried opposition parties are out to form 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) so that they can loot the country once again," Das said. Das also asked the party workers to take a vow of abki baar 400 paar" (cross 400 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming general elections) and make the people aware of the 130 welfare schemes that have been rolled out by the Centre. "Political parties starting with the name 'Jharkhand' do not want development of the states people and progress of tribals," Das said, indirectly referring to ...
11 DSPs demoted to Circle Inspectors
In a massive restructuring exercise, Kerala Police has demoted 11 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySP) officers to Circle Inspectors. The state government has on the other hand, promoted 26 Circle Inspectors to the rank of DySP. Apart from this, 53 officers in the DySP rank were transferred. "Government has examined the cases in detail and hearby revert the officers to the cadre of Inspector of Police who were temporarily promoted to the post of DySP and are not included in the select list published," a Government Order issued by the Home Department read. The demotions were made on the recommendations of state police chief Loknath Behra. "The State Police Chief consequently has recommended to revert the said officers from the cadre of DySP to the post of Insspector of Police," the order said.
Rahul Gandhi to address Cong rally in Patna Sunday
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address a rally on Sunday, the first public meeting organized by the party at the Gandhi Maidan in nearly three decades. The state unit of the Congress relegated to the status of a marginal player ever since Mandal burst on the political scene in the 1990s - appears to have shed its ennui and working overtime to ensure that the rally is a grand success. AICC in-charge of Bihar, Shaktisinh Gohil said Saturday that invitations have been sent to alliance partners like Tejashwi Yadav, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi for the event. Congress is part of Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar which also comprises RJD, RLSP and HAM of former chief minister Manjhi. Manjhi has confirmed his presence at the event. It needs to be seen whether Kushwaha, who is nursing wounds at PMCH following clash with the police, will be able to make it to the programme or not. There, is, however, no word about participation of RJD leader Tejashwi ...
Won't contest LS polls: Himachal Cong chief
Himachal Pradesh Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore said Saturday he would not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Talking to the media at the Congress office here, Rathore said he was not interested in contesting in any of the four parliamentary seats of the state. The state Congress chief said he would lead from the front during the election and would campaign in support of the party candidates. In reply to another question, Rathore said appropriate action would be taken in a day or two against the Congress workers who were responsible for a clash at the party office last month. The supporters of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and former state Congress chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clashed against each other in front of senior party leaders shortly after Rathore took charge as the new party president on January 17. Rathore said the action would be taken based on an inquiry report by a two-member committee, comprising advocates Nareshwar Singh Chandel and Rupinder ..
Mamata government hindering Central projects, will be ousted from Bengal: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flayed the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of hindering close to 24 infrastructure development projects worth Rs 90 thousand crore in Bengal and claimed that the people of the state will bring "the change" by uprooting the current regime.
BJP scared helicopter operators to return our advance payment for electioneering: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of threatening helicopter operators who had been paid rent in advance by her Trinamool Congress for using choppers during the Lok Sabha poll campaign.
Cong, SAD hold separate meetings in run up to LS polls
The Congress and the Akali Dal Saturday held separate meetings here discussing preparations for the Lok Sabha polls. Having already launched the 'Mission 13' campaign, Punjab Congress leaders, including party affairs in-charge Asha Kumari and state unit chief Sunil Jakhar, held a meeting here to discuss party's preparations on four Lok Sabha seats of Bathinda, Anandpur Sahib, Hoshiarpur and Ferozepur. Punjab has total 13 Lok Sabha seats. Out of these, four seats each are held by the Akali Dal, AAP and the Congress while one is with the BJP. The Congress leaders held discussions with MLAs (representing assembly seats falling in four Lok Sabha seats), former MLAs, district presidents, block presidents and other officer bearers. "We discussed party's preparations and strategy in the meetings for the Lok Sabha polls," Jakhar told reporters here. Party office-bearers also gave their suggestions and feedback to the state party leadership on four parliamentary seats, he said. The Akali Dal .
Odisha tribals neglected under BJD government: Netam
The tribals of Odisha are neglected under the Biju Janata Dal regime as they remain deprived of basic requirements like health, education, drinking water and others, BJP leaders alleged on Saturday. The accusation was made by BJP ST Morcha president Ramvichar Netam after inaugurating party's two-day national convention here attended by nearly 5,000 representatives of tribal communities along with tribal leaders, MLAs and MPs from across the country. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, former Odisha Chief Minister Giridhar Gamango were among the prominent personalities to attend the convention. BJP national president Amit Shah is also scheduled to address the Adivasi Adhikar convention on February 3. A rally has been planned by the BJP ST Morcha, Netam said adding that the tribals of Odisha do not get the minimum support price on minor forest produces due to lack of sincerity of the state government. Netam said the tribals
22nd AIIMS to be set up in Haryana's Rewari
The 22ndAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be established at village Manethi in Haryana's Rewari district. An area of over 220 acres has been identified for this purpose, an official spokesperson of the Haryana government said here. The establishment of the premier in the state will provide opportunity for the youth of Haryana to undergo both under graduate and post graduate medical education in all its branches, the spokesperson said. Another important Government of India project, the National Cancer Institute at Badsa district Jhajjar, the first institute in northern India to have proton facility for treatment of cancer, is likely to be fully functional by February or March 2019, the spokesperson said.
Priyanka neither young nor effective, says UP minister
Uttar Pradesh's Tourism and Family Welfare Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Saturday made light of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into politics, saying "she was neither young anymore nor effective".
Pb minister Gurmit Sodhi expresses keenness to contest LS polls from Ferozepur
Punjab sports minister and Congress leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi Saturday expressed his interest to contest the coming Lok Sabha polls from Ferozepur seat, presently represented by Akali leader Sher Singh Ghubaya. Though Sodhi, an MLA from Guru Harsahai (an assembly seat in Ferozepur), said the final decision will be taken by the party high command. "I am keen to contest from Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat and would like to work for the all round development of this constituency which remained ignored for the last several years," Sodhi said. He claimed that he has the support of all communities, including Rai Sikhs and Jats in Ferozepur. "I can win from this seat if the chance is given to me to contest from here. But the final decision will be taken by the party high command," said Sodhi, who is a cabinet minister in the Amarinder Singh-led government. Sodhi said the Congress last won the seat in 1985 by Gurdial Singh Dhillon won from here. "There has been no development in Ferozepur for .
Miscreants pelt stones on new Train 18 during trial run
Miscreants pelted stones on a new Train 18 during its trial run on Friday, barely a month after a similar incident, officials said. No one was hurt in the incident and no arrests were made after the incident that occurred when the train left Sakurbasti at around 11:03 pm on Friday to reach New Delhi to begin its trial run to Allahabad, railways said. The train was escorted by Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel. "On reaching New Delhi station, the escort party informed about stone pelting. Second coach from the front was hitnear Sadar area under DLT(Delhi Lahori Gate) post. "A railway servant present in T-18 informed the escort party that a stone hit the window glass of coach no.188320 of T-18," a northern Railway official said. No suspect was found. Earlier, stones were pelted on the train onDecember 20 during a trial run between Delhi and Agra. Train 18, the country's first engineless train which has been manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, recently became India's .