Page 1769 - Politics
NPF Rajya Sabha MP will oppose Citizenship Bill in Parliament
The Opposition Naga Peoples Front (NPF) Thursday said the party's Rajya Sabha MP, K G Kenye will vote against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. A NPF Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting Thursday decided that if the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) is not withdrawn then the party's Rajya Sabha MP will vote against the CAB. The meeting also endorsed the decision of the party's Core Committee to boycott the Consultative Meeting on CAB convened by NDPP-led-PDA government at Chumukedima on Thursday. It stated that the NDPP-led-PDA government has no moral right whatsoever to convene a consultative meeting either with the political parties or civil societies on this particular issue as it did not opposed the bill when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha. NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu claimed that the NPF represents the identity of the Naga people and will continue to serve and protect the interest of the people till an amicable and honourable solution to the ...
Eyeing Lok Sabha polls, BJP to hold series of meetings in Rajasthan
The BJP will hold series of meetings across Rajasthan in the first week of February to discuss issues and formulate a strategy in the run up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a party leader said Thursday. Issues like political challenges, campaigning, organisational matters among others will be discussed in the meetings, state general secretary Bhajan Lal said Thursday. Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, party's national joint secretary V Satish, national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna, state president Madan Lal Saini, general secretary Chandrashekhar, Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, former state president Arun Chaturvedi and other senior leaders will visit different Lok Sabha constituencies from February 1-7, he said. Party's national and state office bearers, members of the working committee, present and former MPs and MLAs, district president and other office bearers will attend ...
BJP is 'anti-reservation, anti-Dalit and anti-Constitution': Oppn leaders
Terming the BJP "anti-reservation, anti-Dalit and anti-Constitution", opposition leaders Thursday said the party will witness defeat in the coming elections and they called for a 'Bharat bandh' to demand an ordinance on reservation roster. A march was organised by the Joint Forum for Academic and Social Justice. After the march, several political leaders addressed the gathering at Jantar Mantar as slogans of 'Jai Bhim', 'Inquilab Zindabad' reverberated through the air. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is against this system which is "trying to destroy" social justice in every form. "I spoke to our party leaders and they will raise this issue in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The maths is not in our favour in lower and upper houses but the upcoming elections will make sure that it will also become in our favour," he said. Earlier in media, issues were raised that the current government is going to remove the reservation policy, Sisodia ...
India displayed 'new policy and strategy' through surgical strike: President
In his customary address to the joint sitting of Parliament, he said the country's defence forces and their morale symbolise the prowess of the India of the 21st century.He said while India is a staunch supporter of friendly ties with all countries, "there is also a need to constantly strengthen our capabilities to tackle any challenges."In this context, he spoke about the surgical strike carried by India's special forces on terror launch camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)."My government believes that neglecting the country's defence needs even for a moment is detrimental to the present as well as future of the country," said0 the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed forces.The new agreements relating to defence sector signed last year, purchase of new defence equipment and indigenous production within the country under the 'Make in India' initiative have all helped in boosting the morale of the defence forces and increasing the .
J-K: Omar Abdullah urges Governor Malik to focus on work instead of doing politics
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday advised Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to focus on work instead of indulging in politics.The reaction from Omar Abdullah came after Governor Malik, while addressing a gathering in Akhnoor on Thursday, said that corruption is the biggest problem in Jammu and Kashmir and accused former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti of not wanting to "empower the state but themselves".Omar, taking to Twitter, reacted: "Please stop with the insults & snide remarks Mr Governor. They do not behove a person in your position. It is only my respect for the office you occupy that stops me from repeating what all you told me when we met. @jandkgovernor. Please stop playing politics & focus on your work.".
Pakistan concludes Indus Waters inspection
A delegation of officials from India and Pakistani on Thursday, concluded an inspection of two hydel power projects on the Chenab river basin as part of the bilateral Indus Water Treaty.The delegations returned to New Delhi on Thursday evening after undertaking a tour of the Chenab river basin in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani delegation is scheduled to return to Pakistan tomorrow.Pakistan's Indus Commissioner Syed Mohammad Mehar Ali Shah and Indian Commissioner PK Saxena accompanied by their respective advisers visited the under-construction Indian hydropower projects - Pakal Dul (1000MW), Ratle (850 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48MW).This tour is an obligation imposed on both the countries by the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan, which mandates both the commissioners to undertake, once in every five years, a general tour of inspection of the rivers to ascertain facts connected with various developments and works on the rivers on both sides.The treaty specifies that the
3 more Journalists detained amid political crisis in Venezuela
Venezuelan authorities have detained three journalists and a driver of the Spanish news agency EFE, covering the ongoing country's political crisis and US-backed efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro. The arrests come after two Chilean reporters were detained earlier this week.According to AL Jazeera, the news agency had reported that its photographer, Leonardo Munoz and driver, Jose Salas had been arrested while reporting on protests against the government.Nelida Fernandez, EFE's bureau chief in Caracas later informed that reporter Gonzalo Domínguez Loeda and TV producer Mauren Barriga were detained by intelligence officers at their hotel.The EFE team had travelled from Bogota in the beginning of the month.Amid the political crisis, President Nicolas Maduro is facing the hardest challenge to his rule after being accused of election fraud and overseeing a deep economic collapse.Opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself as the interim president last week and called for ...
Akali Dal abstains from Central government's all-party meeting
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), also known as Akali Dal, and a key ally of BJP in Punjab, on Thursday abstained from the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government here to discuss the issues to be considered and taken up during the Interim Budget Session of Parliament, beginning January 31.SAD MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, who was supposed to attend the meeting on behalf of his party, said that "there are some issues, which need to be sorted out and I am confident these issues will be resolved mutually.""It was actually a coincidence that at the same time I had to attend a programme. But, yes, there are some issues, which need to be sorted out and I am confident that these issues will be resolved mutually," said Prof Chandumajra while speaking to ANI. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, however, said: "Akali Dal MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra had attended the all-party meeting. He had to leave for some work. So he informed me and ...
Why speak of Thugbandhan when NDA has 42 parties: Shotgun
Disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday disapproved of Prime Minister Narendra Modi using the term Thugbandhan to describe the opposition Grand Alliance and asked him about the "unity" of 42 parties in the NDA. In a series of tweets, the Patna Sahib MP also remarked that while the PMs recent Pariksha pe charcha initiative was laudable, the government would do well to focus on the parikshas (tests) faced by itself which included sensitive issues like the Citizenship Amendment Bill and great agni pariksha of general elections. Sir, your initiative of Pariksha pe Charcha is truly appreciated and applauded. But sir, we are going through so many parikshas ourselves. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the North East and the great Agni Pariksha of the general elections, Sinha tweeted in his trademark style, refraining to address the Prime Minister by name. All pending burning issues still remain unanswered. We need to handle every step with extra care and fasten our ...
BJP wins Jind bypoll, JJP puts up spirited fight, INLD loses deposit
Ruling BJP Thursday won the high-stakes Jind bypoll, which also saw the newly floated JJP scoring convincingly higher than the parent party INLD and Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala settling for the third spot. BJP nominee Krishan Middha (48) wrested the seat from the main opposition Indian National Lok Dal, forcing it to the fifth place. The Jannayak Janata Party, which broke away from the INLD just weeks ago following a feud in the Chautala family, put up a spirited fight and finished second. The BJP candidate defeated JJP's Digvijay Singh Chautala (27) by 12,935 votes, Jind Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Amit Khatri said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the people of Jind for voting for the BJP. This is a seat where the Party has never won before, he tweeted. The bypoll was ordered after the death of Middha's father, INLD's Hari Chand Middha. Out of 1,30,828 votes polled, Middha secured 50,556 against Digvijay Chautala's 37,631. Randeep Singh Surjewal, a ..
George Fernandes cremated, VVIPs in attendance
Former Union Minister George Fernandes was on Thursday cremated at the Lodhi Road electric crematorium here in presence of a large number of VVIPs in attendance.
Nagaland govt, other organisations oppose citizenship bill
The Nagaland government, along with a host of civil societies, tribal organisations, political parties and NGOs, on Thursday opposed the citizenship bill to "safeguard" the rights of the indigenous people of the north east. During a consultative meeting convened by the state government here, a five-point resolution was adopted that expressed solidarity with the rest of the north east states, which have flagged concerns about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. "Nagaland stands in solidarity with the rest of the region in order to safeguard the rights of the indigenous people of the region," members present at the meeting said. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton attended the meeting along with members of political parties like the BJP, the NDPP, the NPP, the JD(U) and the NCP. Prominent organisations in attendance were the Eastern Naga People's Organisation, the Naga Students' Federation, the Naga Mothers' Association, the Angami Public ...
No poll officer will be allowed to continue in home district during elections: Punjab CEO
Officers directly connected with polls shall not be allowed to continue in their home districts in the wake of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Stating this, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S KarunaRaju said if an official has completed three years in respective district during last four years or will be completing three years on or before March 31, 2019 then he or she will not be able to continue with the present posting. The directions were passed as part of transfers and postings criteria for officials of the state government issued by the Election Commission. The directions have been conveyed to the state government to implement till February 28, he said. While implementing these instructions, the concerned departments of the state government should ensure the officials are not posted in their home districts. It should also be ensured that no district election officer, returning officer, police inspector, sub-inspector or above rank is posted back or allowed to continue in the assembly ...
Reports of possible communal flare-up before polls disturbing: Shahi Imam
The US intelligence report that there was "strong possibility" of communal violence in India ahead of the Lok Sabha elections if the ruling BJP stresses on Hindu nationalist themes is a matter of concern, Shahi Imam Maulana Ahmed Bukhari said here on Thursday.
Guaido rules out risk of civil war in Venezuela
Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido ruled out the possibility of civil war in his country, saying the overwhelming majority of his compatriots wanted Nicolas Maduro to step down. In an interview to Spain's El Pais newspaper published Thursday, Guaido repeated an appeal to Venezuela's armed forces to take his side. "The risk of a civil war in Venezuela does not exist, despite what certain people want to believe or want to let us believe. Why? Because 90 per cent of the population wants a change," he said. But there was "a risk of violence" from Maduro's government, which he said used specialised police forces and "paramilitaries" to quash opponents. "They have killed dozens of youths in one week. Over 140 in 2017," he said. Guiado, the head of Venezuela's congress, proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, saying the constitution entitled him to serve as chief of state because Maduro's re-election last May was invalid as his strongest opponents were ...
British MPs' break scrapped as Brexit clock ticks down
The British government announced Thursday it was scrapping MPs' February holiday in the rush to get ready for Brexit on March 29 but hinted it may need extra time amid chaos and confusion over strategy. In a rare move, MPs were warned to ditch their holiday plans in order to cram through vital legislation over the next two months as Britain careers towards the EU exit door after 46 years of membership. British lawmakers have not had their holidays pulled since they were recalled from their 2013 summer break to debate the escalating conflict in Syria. After two years of tortuous talks following the seismic 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union, the two sides still do not have a withdrawal pact agreed - which means Britain could crash out of the bloc in political and economic turmoil. "We are determined to have everything in place in order for us to leave on March 29 this year," Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman told reporters. "The fact that recess won't be taking place
Press Council seeks report from Tripura govt over assault on journalists
The Press Council of India has taken suo-motu cognizance of the reported attacks on two journalists in Tripura and sought a report from the state government. A report has been sought from the state's chief secretary and the director general of police over the alleged attack on Asish Chakraborty of Dainik Sambad and freelance journalist Sadek Mila. The Council expressed concern over the incident, which it said tends to undermine the freedom of press.
No one who cheats India can hide anywhere in the world and escape: Jaitley
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday hailed the Modi government for the extradition of AgustaWestland chopper deal case co-accused Rajiv Saxena and corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar, saying the government has introduced a culture of honesty in governance and no one who cheats India can hide anywhere in the world and escape.
Netanyahu to visit India for short working visit: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to India for a short working visit whose details were being worked out. Sources said the visit could be just for a few hours. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said, "We have agreed to receive the prime minister of Israel for a short working visit to India. The dates and other details of the visit are still being worked out." On reports of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman planning to visit India, he said, "We are still trying to work out the details of the visit. When the dates are finalised, details will be shared." To a separate question on India's request to extradite absconding billionaire Mehul Choksi, who is accused of cheating state-run Punjab National Bank in alleged collusion with his nephew Nirav Modi, Kumar said, "We continue to reiterate our request for his extradition which is under the consideration of the Antigua and Barbuda ...
In Lok Sabha, PM shares lighter moments with opposition leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked up to the opposition leaders and interacted with them for several minutes in Lok Sabha on Thursday. As soon as the House was adjourned for the day after tabling of the copy of the President's address, Modi walked up to TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay and spoke with him for a few minutes along with Bhartruhari Mahtab of BJD. Later he went to Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and was seen sharing lighter moments with him. The BJP has been at loggerheads with both the Congress and the Trianmool Congress over a slew of issues. Leaders from both sides of the aisle have been attacking each other in the House and outside. The prime minister also interacted with members from his own party, as well as allies.