Page 1782 - Politics
Former Arunachal CM urges PM to reconsider citizenship bill
Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Centre's decision on introducing the citizenship bill, for the "greater interest" of the indigenous people of the north east. In a letter to Modi, Tuki said the passage of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha and the developments relating to it in the north east states are a matter of "serious concern". "The hurry in which the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in the wake of the ensuing Parliament elections, neglecting the rights, privileges and sentiments of the indigenous people of north east is something which was avoidable at this time," the Congress MLA said. "The Union government should have been more sensitive to the people of north east due to their separate origin, identity, nature, culture and demography," Tuki pointed out in the letter addressed to the PM on Monday. He said the protected tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and other north .
Parties have assured cooperation for smooth functioning of Lok Sabha: Mahajan
On the eve of Budget session, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday said all parties have assured their cooperation in smooth functioning of the house and urged the members to raise issues of national importance. Mahajan on Wednesday chaired an all-party meeting, which was attended by leaders of various parties. Addressing the media after the meeting, Mahajan said, "All parties have assured their cooperation in smooth functioning of the house. Members from various parties have suggested that there should be debate on farmers' issues." Talking about the Budget session being the last sitting of the 16th Lok Sabha, Mahajan suggested that members make it a fruitful session by raising issues of national importance. In total, there will be 10 sittings of the house in this session, Mahajan said adding she will try to ensure that maximum business is transacted. When asked about the Budget, the Speaker said it is up to the government if it wants to bring an interim budget or ...
Rahul attacks PM on Rafale; alleges he 'sold' IAF, took away jobs from youth
Launching a blistering attack on Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the prime minister had "sold" the Indian Air Force and asserted that the truth was coming out from within the government despite attempts to "hide" it. Addressing the concluding session of the Youth Congress nationwide public outreach campaign -- Yuva Kranti Yatra, Gandhi hit out the Centre over the issue of alleged corruption in the fighter jet deal and said voices bringing out the truth were coming out from within the government and no one can silence them. "I understand that you (Modi) cannot sleep in the night, I know that when you sleep, you see Anil Ambani's photo, you see the photo of Rafale aircraft, you see the photo of IAF martyrs. "This is happening due to the Congress that has shown you the truth. The entire country knows that you have sold the Indian Air Force," the Congress chief said in his over half-an-hour speech laced with barbs at Modi on ...
US, China resume trade talks with a chill in the air
Top US and Chinese trade officials returned to the bargaining table Wednesday, working to avoid a sharp escalation in the trade war between the world's two largest economies. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is leading Beijing's delegation to the talks, with just a month remaining in a 90-day truce declared in December. The talks also occur against the backdrop of Washington's sweeping prosecution of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, which has outraged Beijing and infused the negotiations with uncertainty. Should the talks fail, US import duties on $200 billion in Chinese imports are due to more than double on March 2, something economists say could help knock the wind out of global economy's sails. The world's two largest economies are battling for nothing less than future dominance in critical high-tech industries, according to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the lead US negotiator. A little over three years ago, Beijing launched a strategic plan dubbed "Made in China 2025" that .
Will PM sit in Oppn if BJP gets less than 272 seats in LS poll, asks Ahmed Patel
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying that coalition governments had stalled country's progress and asked if he would sit in the Opposition if the BJP got less than 272 seats in the upcoming elections. He also asked why the BJP does not exit from the governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Goa if the prime minister felt that coalition governments do not function properly. "By saying that he can't function in a coalition government has the Prime Minister confirmed that if the BJP gets less than 272 seats it will sit in Opposition and not try to form a government," Patel said on Twitter. "If the Prime Minister thinks that coalition governments do not function properly why doesn't the BJP exit from the state governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Goa. Looks like they have learnt a lesson after trying to steal the people's mandate in Goa, Bihar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Karnataka," he said. Patel alleged that in the
UK PM May and Labour leader Corbyn clash ahead of key meeting on Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday warmed up for their long-awaited meeting to discuss the way ahead on the UK's divorce deal with the European Union by clashing in the House of Commons. At Prime Minister's Questions, Corbyn repeatedly urged May to rule out a no-deal Brexit and to ditch her "red lines" in any upcoming talks with Brussels. May hit back by saying that Corbyn "has no plan for Brexit". The two leaders will meet privately later to seek common ground on Brexit, less than two months before the UK's formal divorce from the 28-member trading bloc. Corbyn agreed to the meeting because MPs voted against the idea of a no-deal Brexit on Tuesday. He had previously ruled out such a meeting unless May ruled out a no-deal Brexit herself. At the Prime Minister's Questions, he said May may have succeeded in "temporarily uniting her very divided party" in Tuesday's votes on amendments to her plan but she had to make "more important .
Mirwaiz Umer wonders why Pakistan FM's call irks India
Senior Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq wondered on Wednesday why the Pakistan Foreign Minister's telephone call to him had irked India.
Hopeful of alliances in Punjab: AAP leader Bhagwant Mann
AAP senior leader Bhagwant Mann said Wednesday that he was still hopeful of alliances in Punjab for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Sangrur MP, who was reappointed as party's state unit chief at a function here, said his party would go all out to reach out to the remotest village in Punjab. "We are in talks with the SAD (Taksali) and the BSP. They are holding meetings with (AAP rebel group) Sukhpal Khaira group and we too have met them. We are hopeful that an alternative against the Congress and the SAD-BJP will materialise. We hope an alliance will come up," Mann told reporters here. On speculations of an alliance with the Congress, Mann said, "that matter is clear, there will be no tie up". Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema and many other AAP MLAs from the state were present at the function. Mann had resigned as state unit chief in March 2018 following party supremo Arvind Kejriwal's apology to former minister Bikram Singh Majithia. "It
Iran's Rouhani tells critics: blame 'oath-breaker' US
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani slammed his critics on Wednesday, defending the political achievements of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal and calling the US an "oath-breaker". "One should not condemn the government or the great Islamic system instead of America -- this is the greatest damage that can be done," he said on state TV. Hardliners have repeatedly hammered the 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers since the early stages of negotiations, calling it a fool's errand and a deception. They contend that Iran has gained nothing from the agreement despite complying with its restrictions on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme, intensifying their criticism after Washington withdrew from the treaty last year. Speaking during an annual ceremony of allegiance to the late founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Rouhani said: "America has not been an oath-breaker only to us, but also to Europe, China, NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)." President ...
Minimum income a 'worthwhile dream', says Kamal Haasan
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan Wednesday described as a "worthwhile dream" Congress president Rahul Gandhi's promise of minimum income for the poor but said implementing it would be very difficult. Addressing reporters here after launching the Puducherry unit of his party Makkal Needhi Maiam, he also welcomed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's foray into active politics. "It is a great dream, nice dream. I would not say it is epiphany. But is a nice worthwhile dream. We'll pursue it. But to enact and actually bring it into force is very difficult. I hope he (Rahul) succeeds," Haasan said. Addressing a 'Kisaan Abhaar Sammelan' in Raipur on Monday, Rahul Gandhi had promised Congress would ensure "minimum income guarantee" for every poor person if it comes to power at the Centre. When asked about his opinion on Vadra being appointed Congress general secretary, Hassan said "Welcome sister." On the Ram temple issue, the MNM leader said he stood for amity and unity of the country. "My ...
BJP hits out at Gehlot over warning against proposed demonstration
The BJP hit out Wednesday at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over a purported warning to opposition party workers against a planned demonstration next week. Deputy leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore called Gehlot's remarks arrogant. "Gehlot is referred to as the 'Gandhi of Rajasthan' and by uttering such words, he has denigrated the perception of Gandhi. It does not behove a person of the stature of the chief minister of state," Rathore told reporters here. At a Congress party meeting here on Tuesday, Gehlot had purportedly said BJP workers should think twice before taking to the streets and courting arrest, adding it might be difficult for them to come out of jail. The chief minister was referring to the proposed demonstration by the BJP workers on February 8 over demands of a full farm-loan waiver, unemployment allowance and implementation of the 10-per cent reservation to the "economically-weaker" sections in the general category. Rathore alleged that by saying this, ..
Bangladesh Opposition demands fresh polls as maiden session of 11th Parliament begins
Bangladesh's Opposition renewed its demand for fresh polls in the country, alleging that the December elections were "farce and rigged" as Parliament's maiden session began on Wednesday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League returned to power for the third consecutive term. Former premier Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies said they would boycott Parliament and vowed to hold huge demonstrations unless fresh polls were held within six months. Several hundred BNP activists rallied in the capital Dhaka to protest against the elections, demanding resignation of the new government to pave ways for fresh polls. In the beginning of the first session of the 11th national parliament, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah were re-elected to their old posts. President Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office to Speaker Choudhury who chaired the House during the previous ninth and 10th parliament as well. The December .
MP CM claims multi-crore farm loan scam under previous BJP
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Wednesday sensed a Rs 2000 crore farm loan "scam" under the watch of the erstwhile BJP government. Quoting some farmers who had called on him, the chief minister said the fraud took place during the BJP rule. "Farmers from 3-4 districts met me today. Someone said that their names figured on the list of the loan defaulters though they had not taken any loan," Nath told reporters. "My guess is that this 'ghotala' (scam) could run into more than Rs 2000 crore," he said. "...I told them to file a case, an FIR in police. We will take strict action," the chief minister said. When contacted, a senior BJP leader said the Congress government should prove these allegations, which he termed as "baseless". "Instead of levelling such charges, the Congress government should inquire into them. They have to fulfil their loan waiver promise," said state BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat. The BJP leader alleged that a farmer from Agar Malwa district
Parrikar too abused 'courtesy visit' for political ends: AAP
Minutes after ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of indulging in politics over a "courtesy visit", the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday accused Parrikar of acted similarly during the 2017 state Assembly elections.
BJP leader suggests workers should carry sticks to rallies
BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha on Wednesday suggested that party activists should carry sticks for self-protection while attending rallies. Sinha's proposal came a day after the saffron party's workers were allegedly attacked by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadre at Kanthi in East Midnapore district after a rally of BJP president Amit Shah there. "The way our party workers are being attacked, I would suggest they should carry sticks for self-protection while attending rallies organised by the party. If you are attacked, you can protect yourselves," Sinha told a press conference here. A TMC party office was ransacked, several workers of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the TMC were injured and vehicles ferrying the saffron party's workers were set on fire at Kanthi on Tuesday, the parties claimed. The BJP as well as the TMC organised protests here and in other parts of the state on Wednesday, blaming each other for the violence.
Govt, Goa Shipyard ink pact to construct two missile frigates
The Defence Ministry and the state-run Goa Shipyard have inked a pact for construction of two missile frigates for the Indian Navy at a cost of around Rs 14,000 crore, officials said. The two Talvar-class warships will be constructed by the PSU in cooperation with Russia's state-run defence major Rosoboronexport. "The ships would carry highly sophisticated and state-of-art weapon systems and sensors," said a senior defence ministry official. India has already sealed a separate agreement with Russia for the project. The first ship is scheduled to be handed over to the Navy by June 2026, while the second one will be delivered in December that year. The ships are being constructed as part of the government's efforts to enhance operational capabilities of the Indian Navy. The government has already approved induction of 56 new ships and six submarines to augment Indian navy's strength. The 56 new ships will be in addition to 32 ships and submarines, which are presently under construction .
Ashok Chavan unlikely to contest LS polls from Nanded
Former Maharashtra chief minister and sitting Congress MP Ashok Chavan is not likely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Nanded constituency, his home turf, party sources said Wednesday. Chavan is the Maharashtra unit chief of the Congress and sitting MP from Nanded Lok Sabha constituency. He was one of the only two Congress party members who had won the 2014 general elections from Maharashtra, the other being Rajiv Satav, who had won from Hingoli. Satav is currently the Gujarat Congress in-charge. Chavan's wife Ameeta, who is the MLA from Bhokar constituency in Nanded, is likely to contest the upcoming LS polls, sources in the party said. Party workers from Nanded had earlier urged Ashok Chavan to contest the Assembly elections scheduled later this year, instead of the Lok Sabha polls. However, he had told them that a decision regarding contesting elections will be taken by the party's central leadership. The State Election Committee of the Congress, which ...
BJP MLA compares Rahul to Ravanaand Priyanka to Surpanakha, invites Union minister's disapproval
BJP MLA Surendra Singh has compared Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Ravana and his sister Priyanka Gandhi to Surpanakha, prompting angry reactions from the local Congress workers and swift disapproval from Union minister Mahesh Sharma. The Congress workers too lodged a complaint Wednesday with Ballia police against the MLA for making the remarks. The Bairia MLA called Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ram, while likening the two Congress leaders to the villains in Ramayana. "My Modi is in the role of Lord Ram and Congress president Rahul Gandhi is Ravana and his sister Priyanka Surpanakha," he said Tuesday. "Ravana has put up his sister against my Ram, he said. Rest assured that Lanka will be conquered," the Bharatiya Janata Party legislator said referring to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into politics. "By appointing Priyanka as general secretary, Rahul has already proved his incapability to fight against Modi. Now the brother and the sister will fight together, he said. How will they .
Derogatory remark against any daughter not supported by BJP, Modi: Mahesh Sharma
Neither the BJP nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi support derogatory statements against any "daughter of the country", Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said on Wednesday. His statement came after BJP MLA Surendra Singh, who represents the Bairia assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh, compared Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Ravana and Surpanakha respectively -- the villains in Ramayana. "The BJP is a party with discipline. If a person, be it an MLA or anybody else, makes any derogatory statement against any daughter of this nation, we do not support it," Sharma told reporters on sidelines of an event here. "Neither the prime minister nor our government or our party president has ever supported such statements," he said. Sharma also dismissed a US intelligence report suggesting a strong possibility of communal violence in India if the ruling BJP stresses on Hindu nationalist themes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May. "I am not .
Congress party fought British, RSS begged for mercy: Rahul Gandhi
The Congress party is the organisation that fought the British while the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders begged for mercy, said Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.Speaking here at the Yuva Kranti Yatra, Gandhi said, "The Congress party is the organisation that fought the British while the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders begged for mercy.""The RSS is confused because they think that they are bigger than India. The RSS leaders think they are the authority and source of knowledge in this country. They are absolutely wrong. It's the people of this country who are the source of knowledge." he added.Continuing his tirade against the BJP and RSS, Rahul said, "Both the RSS and BJP wanted Congress-mukt-Bharat, but, even the BJP leaders have told me that they want to join the Congress. Our party is not just an organisation, it is a representation of the country. The Congress party's history and BJP-RSS' history is very different. We protect truth and they protect ..