Page 1784 - Politics
"Peace talks should not be hit after NDFB's life sentence"
An organisation of Bodo women Wednesday expressed hope that the life sentence awarded to National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) chief Ranjan Daimary would not derail its ongoing peace talks with the government. Ranjan Daimary and nine others were sentenced to life imprisonment by a CBI special court on Wednesday in the 2008 Assam serial blast case that had claimed 88 lives. "We appeal to the government that there is still time and that they give priority to peace process to ensure that it is not derailed," Bodo Womens' Justice Forum president Anjali Daimari, also sister of Ranjan Daimary, said. How can the organisation carry on with the peace process when its president is in jail to serve a life term, Anjali Daimari asked. The NDFB is under a ceasefire agreement with the Assam and Union Government since May 2005. "He (Ranjan Daimari) was engaged in every talk (held earlier)," she told reporters outside the CBI court after her brother was sentenced to life. Anjali ..
Move to bring Maha CM under Lokayukta ambit a 'PR stunt': NCP
The Maharashtra government's decision to bring the office of Chief Minister under the ambit of Lokayukta was nothing but a "PR exercise" aimed at building the image of incumbent Devendra Fadnavis, opposition NCP said Wednesday. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Tuesday at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Fadnavis. However, the anti-corruption ombudsman can't initiate an inquiry against a sitting CM. Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik accused Fadnavis of "fooling" the people of the state by making such an announcement. As per the Cabinet decision, a Chief Minister will face inquiry only after he demits office and after the governor gives permission for the probe, he said. "When Fadnavis was opposition leader, he was in the forefront of demanding strengthening of the Lokayukta Act on lines of the Lokpal Act enacted at the Centre in 2013 which gives powers of policing, filing of chargesheet, seizure of property and arrest to the Lokpal. "Even .
Separatist Bilal Lone renames his faction of People's Conference as 'People's Independent Movement'
Separatist leader Bilal Lone, brother of former minister Sajad Lone, Wednesday renamed his faction of People's Conference as the 'Jammu and Kashmir People's Independent Movement'. Bilal announced the change in the name of his party at a press conference at the Hurriyat headquarters here. He said it was done to avoid confusion among the people. "I took my party workers into confidence and we decided to change the name of the party. The body (of office-bearers) will remain same as earlier," he said. The People's Conference was formed by Abdul Gani Lone, slain father of Bilal and Sajad, before the eruption of militancy in the state. The party became an important constituent of the Hurriyat Conference when the amalgam was formed in 1993. It continued to be in the separatist amalgamation even after Abdul Gani Lone was shot dead by militants in 2002 after a function held in memory of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, who also fell to the bullets of ultras in 1990. However, the People's Conference ...
Parrikar denies discussing Rafale with Rahul
Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday denied having a discussion with Congress President Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale deal during a brief meeting on Tuesday when Gandhi held a closed-door meeting with the former Defence Minister at the state legislative assembly complex.
Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar takes charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff
Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar on Wednesday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff here.
Shah exhorts BJP workers to ensure win on 74 LS seats in UP
BJP president Amit Shah Wednesday exhorted party cadres to ensure party's victory in 74 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming 2019 general elections by working to secure 50 per cent of polled votes for its candidates at every booth. Addressing the party's booth-level workers, Shah sought to put the party's poll machinery in election mode and asked them to resolve to get 50 per cent of polled votes for the BJP at every booth. The 2019 elections should be remembered as the one in which Uttar Pradesh gave 74 seats to make Narendra Modi the prime minister again, Shah told the BJP workers. "Behenji says she wants a 'majboor' (weak) government that can indulge in corruption, but we want a 'mazboot' (strong) government," Shah asserted. "Tell me what do you want. Narendra Modi is the only one who can give a strong government. They, however, do not want a government which is run by a leader but by a dealer," he said. "As it was said in 2014 that Modi could form a ...
Rahul strategically wears Janau only near polls, must clarify Tharoor's statement: Smriti Irani
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday mounted a scathing attack on Congress while asserting that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's alleged defamatory statement on Kumbh and Hindu beliefs was made with the tactical support of the Congress president Rahul Gandhi.Speaking to media, Irani said: "It is appalling that a Congress MP, with the tactical support of his president Rahul Gandhi, has indulged in smearing of the Kumbh. Crores of Hindus across the world consider Kumbh not only as a part of their faith but they throng to Prayagraj, as Sanatan Dharm tells us that Kumbh is a place where Tapasvis (sage) come for the betterment of mankind.""Shashi Tharoor has made a statement which tantamounts to a religious slur. This has been done with the tactical support of Congress party and the question needs to be asked to Rahul Gandhi who strategically wears a 'Janau' only when there are polls. He must be asked as to why he has allowed this attack on the beliefs of millions of Hindus across the ...
Parrikar slams Rahul for using his visit for 'petty political games'
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar slammed Rahul Gandhi for claiming that he had denied any involvement in the finalisation of the Rafale fighter deal, saying that he felt let down that the Congress president used the courtesy visit to him for 'petty political games'.Parrikar, the ailing former Defence minister, asserted in a letter to Rahul that the Rafale issue was not even mentioned during the five minutes that Gandhi spent at his office yesterday. "Reading media reports covering your visit to my office has caused me distress. It is reported in the media today that you have said quoting me that I was nowhere in the process of procuring Rafale nor did I have any information then about it," Parrikar wrote in the letter. "The Inter Government Agreement (IGA) and the procurement of Rafale are as per the Defence Procurement Procedure. I have said this before and wish to reiterate it again in today's context too. The fighter aircraft are procured following all stated procedures keeping .
Rahul Gandhi equates Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches with garbage, gas
Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday equated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches with garbage and gas.Rahul also talked about his meeting with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and claimed that the former Defence Minister told him that the Prime Minister had changed the Rafale fighter deal and not informed him."I met Parrikar ji yesterday. He had said the Prime Minister didn't even ask and inform the ex-Defence Minister (Parrikar) about the changes made in Rafale deal under his rule. The deal was signed to benefit Anil Ambani," Gandhi said in his speech at the Yuva Kranti Yatra.The Gandhi scion said, "Kahin jaenge, kahenge badi shandar cheez dekhi maine, ek dhaba tha, nala tha, ek steel ka bartan rakha pipe lagaya, gas nikli chulha jalaya. Modi ji ek kaam kariye, aap bahot bolte hai, apne saamne ek pipe lagao, dekhte hain gas nikalti hai ya nahi (Wherever the Prime Minister goes he claims to have seen a ...
Amit Shah in UP takes potshots at Congress, UPA govt, Priyanka
On his visit to Uttar Pradesh to kickstart BJP's poll preparations, party president Amit Shah took potshots at the previous UPA regime, the Congress Party and the Opposition's 'mahagathbandhan' while also reiterating his party's commitment to building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Addressing a gathering here, Shah alleged, "When the UPA government was in power, terrorists would kill our men just like that and go. But since Prime Minister Modi has come into power we have taken revenge by killing terrorists in their home Pakistan."Training his guns at the previous UPA government he said that the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party had no right to comment on the Ram Janmabhoomi matter."Congress should not say anything about Ram Janmabhoomi case. Whenever the court wants to hear that matter Rahul's lawyer does not let it proceed. The Modi government has decided to return the 42 acres of land that the Congress had acquired from the Ram Janmabhoomi trustee, but the party is opposing that decision .
32 activists arrested for anti-govt protests in Nepal
At least 32 Nepalese human rights activists, including nine women, were arrested on Wednesday in Kathmandu for staging anti-government protests. The protest was organised by the Human Rights and Peace Society, Nepal demanding resignation of Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari for his alleged involvement in wide body aircraft purchase corruption and fulfillment of demands of agitating senior surgeon Dr. Govinda KC. According to a Parliamentary committee report, Rs. 4.5 billion loss was incurred while purchasing two air buses for state-owned Nepal Airlines and Tourism Minister Adhikari had allegedly made false statement on the issue in his explanation to the Parliamentary committee. Dr. KC has been staging fast unto death for the past 20 days demanding sweeping reforms in the medical sector but the government last week passed a medical bill through majority vote in the Parliament without addressing his demands. Those arrested include senior human rights activist ...
Maneka Gandhi lashes out at Odisha govt over 'non-utilisation' of ICDS funds
Union minister Maneka Gandhi has lashed out at the Odisha government over "non-utilisation" of the ICDS funds, saying malnutrition is a major cause of worry in the state because a large number of children are deprived of supplementary nutrition. The Union Minister for Women and Child Development also said the decision to increase the remuneration of anganwadi workers was an "initiative of the Centre and not that of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's government". "Recent CAG reports have pointed out non-utilisation of ICDS funds in Odisha. The obvious consequences are in the open: malnutrition is a major cause of worry in the state because a large number of children are deprived of supplementary nutrition owing to logistic mismanagement," Gandhi said in a tweet on Tuesday. She said while the Centre approved the increase in honourarium of anganwadi workers in October last year, the Odisha government announced it in the state only in January this year. "I would like my sisters working under
Trump says he's still insisting on border wall
President Donald Trump is insisting that congressional negotiators working on a compromise border security deal include money for his proposed wall between Mexico and the southern US border. Trump tweeted that if the negotiators, scheduled to hold their first meeting Wednesday, aren't "discussing or contemplating a Wall or Physical Barrier, they are Wasting their time!" Trump's insistence on a wall led to an impasse with Democrats that resulted in a 35-day partial government shutdown. On Friday, Trump agreed to a temporary deal reopening the government while negotiators work toward a longer-term border security deal. Democrats have been adamant against a wall. In recent days, Trump has appeared to retreat from using the word. On Tuesday, GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, suggested that "barrier" was "the same thing" as a wall. Negotiators are facing a February 15 deadline to reach a compromise. Capitol Hill negotiators are hopeful of an agreement as they officially kick ...
Mamata dares Modi to prove she took money for her paintings
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prove that she took money selling her paintings.
Minimum income guarantee will bring a revolution: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said if the minimum income guarantee, as announced by Congress president Rahul Gandhi earlier this week, is implemented, it will bring a revolution in the country. On Monday, Gandhi had said his party would ensure minimum income guarantee for every poor in the country if it returns to power after the Lok Sabha polls due in April-May. "The government should give the guarantee of minimum income. If this is done, it will be a revolution," Gehlot told reporters here. No one will be hungry and an individual will be able to fulfil his needs if he will get a minimum income, he said. Gehlot said the Rajasthan government would examine the initiative. He also called upon the governments of other states, irrespective of their political affiliation, and the Centre to look into it. He said the UPA brought the Right to Information Act, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Right to Education Act and National Food Security Act when
Hung parliament an illness; stalled development for 30 yrs: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stressed the need for a full-majority government at the Centre, saying "hung parliaments" stalled the country's progress in last three decades. Addressing a gathering here, he also defended the government's demonetisation move, saying it brought down prices of houses and made them affordable for the young generation by checking black money in the real estate sector. "As you all know, India witnessed instability for 30 years due to hung parliaments, as no party received a majority. This had stalled the country's development. And the country even regressed on some parameters due to that situation," Modi said. "We are progressing today because the people applied their wisdom in casting votes (in 2014 elections). Their votes eradicated that 30-year-old illness called hung parliament and helped form a full majority government at the Centre," the prime minister said. "You can ask me what I have done and I can give you answers because you voted for ..
Trump pushes back on intelligence assessment of North Korea
President Donald Trump is lashing out after top US national security officials told Congress that North Korea is unlikely to dismantle its nuclear arsenal as promised. Trump tweeted Wednesday that the relationship with North Korea "is the best it has ever been with the US." He points to a halt in nuclear and missile tests by North Korea, the return of some US service members' remains and the release of Americans once detained there as signs of progress. Still, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats told Congress on Tuesday that intelligence information doesn't support the idea that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon) will get rid of his nuclear weapons. Kim committed to denuclearization after meeting with Trump last year. A second Trump-Kim meeting is expected in February.
Fernandes was one of the architects of NDA: Jaitley
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday dubbed George Fernandes as one of the architects of the NDA and revealed that the socialist leader wanted to boycott the 1977 general elections and finally signed the nomination papers after former Prime Minister Morarji Desai intervened.
Counting of votes for Rajasthan's Ramgarh polls on Thursday
Counting of votes in Ramgarh assembly constituency of Rajasthan's Alwar district, which went to poll on January 28, will take place on Thursday. As many as 20 candidates contested the Ramgarh election, which could not be held along with other constituencies due to the death of the BSP candidate ahead of the December 7 assembly polls. "Counting will be held at Arts College in Ramgarh tomorrow. There will be a total of 20 rounds starting 8 am amid tight security arrangements," Pankaj Sharma, Returning Officer of Ramgarh, said Wednesday. Ramgarh has 2.35 lakh voters that include 1.10 lakh female voters. A victory on the seat will help the Congress touch 100 in the 200-member House, reducing its dependence on support from other non-BJP parties. However, Congress leaders on different occasions have said that the party has support from Independents, the BSP and the RLTP and there is no threat to the government's stability. At present, Congress has 99 MLAs, RLD 1, BJP 73, BSP 6, RLTP 3, CPI .
Congress will assure minimum income to poor if voted to power: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reiterated that if his party takes power, it will assure minimum income to the poor that will be directly transferred to their bank accounts.