Page 1776 - Politics
BJP Kisan Morcha's national convention to be held in Gorakhpur: Party leader
The two-day national convention of BJP's Kisan Morcha will be held from February 23 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, the forum's national secretary Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said Thursday. Grewal said various topics and issues concerning the farming community will be discussed in the convention. "The event will be inaugurated by BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present on the event's concluding day," he said here. Grewal said Modi will address the convention on February 24. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has started a number of welfare schemes for farmers, he said. "This (the schemes) has benefitted a large number of farmers," the BJP Kisan Morcha leader said. He said the Centre is committed to the welfare of farmers. "From time to time the Kisan Morcha has been taking up the issues concerning farmers of this country," he said. The Centre is also commited towards farmers' welfare and goal is to make every ..
Another judge recuses from hearing plea against Nageswara Rao's appointment as CBI interim director
Another Supreme Court judge, Justice NV Ramana on Thursday recused from hearing a plea of NGO Common Cause against M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Justice Ramana is the third judge who has recused from hearing the case after Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice AK Sikri.The petition filed by NGO Common Cause and social activist Anjali Bhardwaj, to secure "independence and autonomy" of the CBI, sought quashing of the order dated January 10 by which the charge and duties of the CBI Director Alok Verma have been handed over to Nageswara Rao as an interim measure. The petition has sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection and appointment of the CBI Director.The petitioners claim that the lack of transparency in the appointment of the CBI Director allows the government to exercise "undue influence in the appointment process", especially at the stage of short-listing of candidates.After the Selection ...
Jind bypolls: BJP leading over nearest JJP rival
BJP candidate Krishan Middha was leading over his nearest rival from the Jannayak Janata Party by a margin of over 10,000 votes after the sixth round of counting for the high-stakes Jind bypoll in Haryana, officials said Thursday. BJP candidate Middha took a lead over his JJP rival Digvijay Singh Chautala after fourth round of counting. At the end of the sixth of the total 13 rounds of counting, Middha had polled 26,412 votes as against the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) candidate's 16,306 votes, officials here said. Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala was at the third spot as he had polled 11,029 votes. In a setback for main opposition Indian National Lok Dal, which held the seat, its candidate Umed Singh Redhu was trailing at fourth spot. Counting of votes for the bypoll began here Thursday amid tight security arrangements. The counting began at 8 am and results are expected to be out by afternoon, the officials said. Talking to reporters in Chandigarh, Chief Minister Manohar ...
Political considerations shouldn't derail proceedings of RS: Naidu to members
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Thursday appealed to leaders of various parties that their political considerations should not derail the proceedings of the House in the Budget Session. Invoking the spirit and principles of republicanism, Naidu said it would be appropriate to ensure that the Budget Session sets an example, as its is the first session of Parliament in the 70th year of the Indian Republic. The Budget Session is the last sitting of Parliament before the general elections. "Legislatures are important pillars of our Republic through which the sovereignty of the people is ensured. I fondly hope that the spirit of Republic will guide all of us during this Session of Parliament, he said. Naidu made these remarks during an all-party meeting called by him on the first day of the Budget Session. He said the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President and the Budget would constitute the main business before the House. "Political considerations should not be allowed
Cong's Shafia Zubair wins Ramgarh poll in Rajasthan
Congress candidate Shafia Zubair won the Ramgarh assembly poll in Rajasthan by defeating her nearest BJP rival Sukhwant Singh by a margin of 12,228 votes, officials said. With this, Congress's tally has increased to 100 in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. Its ally - RLD- has one seat thus the government is in comfortable position. Zubair got 44.77 per cent votes by securing 83,311 votes while Singh secured 71,083 votes, the officials of the Rajasthan election department said. BSP candidate and former union minister Natwar Singh's Son, Jagat Singh, was third. He secured 24,856 votes, they said. In total, 20 candidates contested the Ramgarh election on January 28. The election to the assembly seat could not be held along with other constituencies due to the death of the BSP candidate ahead of December 7 Rajasthan elections.
Russia slams USA over INF Treaty ultimatum
Russia has again slammed the United States over its 60-day ultimatum for Moscow's compliance with the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, calling it a "game made to cover up their domestic decision to withdraw"."The United States imposed a 60-day period during which we had to fulfil their ultimatum. I conclude that the United States was not expecting any decision and all this was a game made to cover their domestic decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty," Sputnik quoted Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying in Beijing.Ryabkov's comments came just after he held talks with the US Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Andrea Thompson, on the sidelines of a nuclear weapons meeting here.Russia outlined its resolution to continue working towards a settlement over the arms control treaty which dates back to the Cold War era.Moscow's deputy Foreign Minister also said that Washington has taken a "destructive" position on the ...
Missiles specialist Vice-Admiral Ajit Kumar P. is new WNC chief
Vice-Admiral Ajit Kumar P. a missiles specialist, took over as the new Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command (WNC) of the Indian Navy, here on Thursday, an official said.
God wanted Trump to become President: White House official
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she believes that God wanted President Donald Trump to win the 2016 election, the media reported.
TDP MPs protest inside Parliament premises for special status to Andhra
Telugu Desam Party MPs on Thursday staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises, demanding special status to Andhra Pradesh.On the first day of the Budget Session, scores of TDP leaders were seen holding yellow placards and flags displaying their various demands, which include financial assistance to the state capital, Amravati. Yellow is the colour of the party flag."In 2014, when our state was bifurcated, we had put forward 20 demands. But the BJP government has miserably failed to fulfil our demands. The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) himself had given us assurance," said a TDP MP.The TDP had also held protests during the Winter Session of Parliament in December last year to press for their demands. The demand to bring Andhra Pradesh under the Special Category gained momentum after the region split into two states. Telangana, which is India's youngest state, was carved out of Andhra in 2014. Andhra Pradesh's capital Hyderabad, also a rising IT hub ...
Naxals set ablaze vehicles in Gadchiroli
Naxals set ablaze vehicles in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra on Thursday.The incident happened in the villages of Kurkheda, Korchi and Potegaon.Security has been beefed up in the Maoist-affected areas of Maharashtra and adjoining states in the wake of a bandh call given by Naxals today against the Centre's Operation Samadhan to counter Maoists.Gadchiroli district is a Maoist hotbed. Last year, 40 Naxals were smoked out in two encounters in April in the forested areas of Kasansur in Bhamragad taluka of the district.Thursday's incident came amidst spike in Naxal-related violence in the region and bandh call given by CPI (Maoist) against the central government's anti-Maoist policies and operations.On Tuesday, four Maoists from Chhattisgarh torched a Telangana Road Transport Bus after making all the passengers de-board at Sarivela village of Chintoor on Tuesday.Same day, five Maoists were killed during an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district.
Five foreign journalists arrested in Venezuela
Venezuelan authorities have detained five foreign journalists covering the standoff with opposition forces seeking the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. Two others, from Chile, were deported as the crisis spilled over to hit journalists covering the oil-rich but economically crippled nation's latest taste of crisis. Two of the detained are from France, two from Colombia and one from Spain. The latter three worked for the Spanish national news agency Efe and had all come from Colombia to cover the growing turmoil. Their detention was reported by the Efe bureau chief in Venezuela, Nelida Fernandez. Two French journalists working for a TV program called Quotidien were detained Tuesday while filming outside the presidential palace, diplomatic sources said. A local producer working with them was also detained. Two Chilean TV journalists were detained Tuesday night near the presidential palace and held for 14 hours before being expelled from the country, Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto ..
Modi govt working for 'New India'; has given hope to people: Prez
India was going through "uncertain times" ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the Narendra Modi government after assuming power resolved to work towards a 'New India', giving hope to the people, President Ram Nath Kovind said Thursday. Addressing the joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget Session, he said the NDA government has been trying to pass the triple talaq bill to empower Muslim women so that they can live a life without fear. The government has been working to fulfil hopes and aspirations of all sections of people, he said. "The country was going through times of uncertainty before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and after the polls my government resolved to make a New India," the president said. Highlighting the governments achievements and various welfare schemes, Kovind said 21 crore poor people were covered under the PM's life insurance scheme, while over 2 crore households got power connection as part of the PM's Saubhagya scheme. "Under Swachh Bharat
Trump to make significant announcement on ISIS next week, says Pompeo
The US President Donald Trump will make a significant announcement on the status of the fight against the ISIS in Syria during his State of the Union Address next week, the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said. Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union Address in a joint session of the US Congress on February 5. "The President will make a significant announcement, I think, in the State of the Union next week with respect to the status of the caliphate, the real estate, the grounds from which ISIS had been operating in Syria when this administration came in," Pompeo told Fox News in an interview. Pompeo also informed that Trump would host foreign ministers of the "Global Coalition to Defeat the ISIS" and have discussions with them. "You remember prisoners in cages, people kneeling on the beaches and being beheaded. This was tragic. Next week on February 6, he is hosting foreign ministers of the "Global Coalition to Defeat the ISIS" for an in-depth discussion on defeating .
Ramgarh election: Cong candidate leading with over 16,000 votes
Ruling Congress is leading in the Ramgarh assembly constituency in Rajasthan where the party's candidate Shafia Zubair is leading with over 16,000 votes after 14 out of total 20 rounds of voting, officials said Thursday. BJP's Sukhwant Singh is trailing behind by securing 35.30 per cent votes against Congress's Zubair who has so far secured 47.73 per cent votes, according to the election department. BSP candidate and former union minister's son Jagat Singh, a former MLA, is trailing on third position. The counting of remaining votes is going on amid tight security arrangements in Ramgarh. As many as 20 candidates contested the Ramgarh election on January 28. The election to the assembly seat could not be held along with other constituencies due to the death of the BSP candidate ahead of December 7 Rajasthan elections.
Ready for debate on all issues in Parliament: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the government is ready to debate on all issues and hoped the Budget Session of Parliament will be a fruitful one.
BJP's Vijay Goel urges Opposition not to stall Bills during Budget Session
BJP leader and former Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel urged the Opposition not to politicise issues and stall the Bills related to development during the Budget Session of Parliament that opened on Thursday.Speaking to ANI, Goel said," I request all the Opposition parties not to politicize issues and block the Bills. It will send out a wrong message to the public about them. All the Bills will be passed in accordance with the laid-down procedure."The Vote on Account to be presented on Friday will only be for three months before the new government presents a full-fledged Budget in July. Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal who has taken interim charge of the Finance Ministry will be presenting the budget on February 1.
PM urges lawmakers to utilise Parliament's Budget Session for having constructive debates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday urged all lawmakers to utilise Parliament's Budget Session for having constructive debates and said those who do not take interest in discussions in the House, resentment is generated against them in society. Speaking outside Parliament before the start of the session, the prime minister said there is awareness among the people in the country and all citizens watch the proceedings closely. "Small things reach the common man. Those who do not have interest in discussions, resentment is generated against them in the society," he said. "I hope legislators will keep these sentiments in mind and will utilise this session and participate in the debates that benefit Parliament, benefit government and people, and make use of the opportunity," Modi said. He said his government's mantra is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and the same spirit will be seen in Parliament. "We are looking forward to discussing all issues," the prime minister said.
Jind by-poll: JPP leading after third round of counting
Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) candidate Dijvijay Chautala is leading with 11,226 votes in the Jind by-poll. Counting of votes is underway. Jind Assembly constituency went to polls on January 28. At the end of the third round of counting, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Krishna Lal Middha is in second place with 9,350 votes. Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala is in third place with 5,813 votes.The counting of votes for Jind by-election started at 8 am on Thursday amid tight security at the multi-purpose hall of Arjun Stadium here.Returning Officer (RO) and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Virender Sehrawat said that adequate security arrangements have been made at the counting centre and security arrangements have been ensured by installing 10 CCTV cameras.Over 75.77 per cent voting was recorded in Jind by-poll, which has 2.32 lakh registered voters registered voters. The by-poll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Midha, father of Krishna Midha.
Eager to hold debate on all important issues: PM ahead of Budget Session
Ahead of the Budget Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government is "eager" to debate on all important issues and hoped for a meaningful discussion by all MPs during the session, the last before the Lok Sabha elections.Addressing the media he said, "Today, the country is observing the proceedings of the Parliament. The MPs should hold a meaningful debate in this session of Parliament. We are eager to hold a debate on all important issues."He also took a jibe at the Opposition, stating that it is obvious that those who are not in discussion people will not be happy with them.The session will see the government presenting an Interim Budget on Friday.The session will commence with the customary address by President Ram Nath Kovind to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.The session, which will continue till February 13, will have 10 sittings.This will be the last session of the Lok Sabha before the general elections.
Congress leads in Ramgarh assembly seat
Congress is leading in the Ramgarh assembly seat with a margin of 15,794 votes on Thursday after counting of 12 rounds out of 20 ended, Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar said.