Page 1786 - Politics
Goa minister slams Rahul Gandhi's Rafale remarks on Parrikar
A BJP minister in the Goa government Wednesday accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of "politicising" the courtesy visit paid by him to ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Tuesday by raking up Rafale issue. State Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said one should not "capitalise" on such one-on-one meetings and make unwarranted statements. Godinho's attack came a day after Gandhi met Parrikar at the Assembly Complex here and inquired about his health. Hours after meeting Parrikar, Gandhi told party workers in Kerala that Parrikar has stated that he had nothing to do with the 'new (Rafale) deal' that was "orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani". Parrikar, 63, has not been keeping good health since last year due to a pancreatic ailment. He couldn't attend his office due to frequent hospitalisations. "Gandhi has not done the right thing. When we extend civil courtesies to each other, it should remain at that. We may belong to different .
Centre's plea on Ayodhya land is out of frustration: Mayawati
Hitting out at the government over its plea to return the land around the disputed Aypodhya site, BSP chief Mayawati Wednesday said the move is out of "frustration" as the BJP feels it will not return to power because of her alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Describing the plea as a step aimed at influencing the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said it is BJP's latest poll gimmick. "The step taken by the Central government on Tuesday is a blatant government interference and aimed at influencing the coming Lok Sabha elections against which people need to remain vigilant," Mayawati said in a statement. "BJP is now feeling that it will not return to power at the Centre after the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh and out of frustration both the BJP-led Central and state governments are doing what is least expected from an elected government working as per the Constitution," she said. Facing growing pressure to move swiftly on the Ram temple issue, the .
This guy is a compulsive liar: OSD to Goa CM on Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi is a "compulsive liar," Prasanna Karthik, OSD to Goa Chief Minister, said on Wednesday while commenting on the Congress President's claim that Manohar Parrikar had denied any involvement in finalisation of the Rafale fighter deal.Gandhi met ailing Parrikar here on Tuesday to "wish him a speedy recovery".Hours later, he said at a party workers' meeting in Kerala, "Friends, the ex-defence minister clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the new deal that was orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit (industrialist) Anil Ambani."The Chief Minister's OSD slammed Gandhi for making such a claim, terming it as "disgusting"."This guy is a compulsive liar. He came saying he wants to convey his and his mother's wishes for a speedy recovery. CM met him out of decency. Now he shamelessly lies about him - a person who is fighting cancer without compromising on his commitments to his people. Disgusting," Karthik tweeted.Parrikar, a senior BJP leader, is suffering from a ...
If gatbandhan makes govt, we'll have new PM each day: Amit Shah
Poking fun at the Opposition's 'mahagathbandhan,' BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday said if the alliance succeeded in forming the government, there will be a different Prime Minister on each day of the week with the country going on leave on Sunday.Addressing a gathering here, Shah said: "If the mahagathbandhan makes the government then we will have different Prime Ministers on each day like Monday it will be Bhenji (Mayawati), on Tuesday Akhilesh, for Wednesday Mamata Didi will take charge, on Thursday it is going to be Sharad Pawar, on Friday Deve Gowda will become the PM and on Saturday Stalin will be the PM. On Sunday the country will be on leave."Sharpening his attack on the opposition's alliance he said, "For us '4B' means 'Badhta Bharat', 'Banata Bharat' whereas for them '4B' is 'Bua', 'Babua', 'Bhai' and Behen.' This gathbandhan being formed against BJP is an alliance of crime, corruption and selfish politics. This is basically done to stop our popularity amongst ...
SAC approves 'J&K Reimbursement of State Taxes' scheme to boost investment
The State Administrative Council, headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik, has approved Jammu and Kashmir Reimbursement of State Taxes scheme to encourage investment for industrial development in the state, an official spokesman said Wednesday. In the Industrial Policy-2016, the state has fixed a target of attracting an investment of Rs 2,000 crore per annum in the industrial sector, including services. The state government has already incentivised the existing industrial units by giving them reimbursements of taxes after adjustment of input tax credit under various schemes announced by the Centre from time-to-time. "In order to attract an investment of Rs 2,000 crore per annum, as envisaged in the Industrial Policy 2016, the SAC approved the 'Jammu & Kashmir Reimbursement of State Taxes' scheme for providing reimbursement of state taxes to the industrial units undergoing substantial expansion involving investment of Rs 50 crore or more, either on substantial expansion or new setup," ..
Centre's Ayodhya land move election stunt: Mayawati
BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday described as an "election stunt" the Modi government's proposal to the Supreme Court to return the undisputed land at Ayodhya.
BJP to complain to EC over Kanthi violence, 11 arrested
The BJP's West Bengal leadership has decided to inform the Election Commission (EC) about the clashes that broke out between workers of it and the TMC on Tuesday following a rally of BJP president Amit Shah in East Midnapore district. The police arrested 11 persons for their alleged involvement in the violence. "We will inform the Election commission about the clashes that took place yesterday at Kanthi. We will portray the real picture of the ground situation that prevails in Bengal," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said here Wednesday. He claimed that several party workers are yet to return home after the rally. "We don't know what happened to them. They are missing. This is a dangerous situation," he said. A TMC party office was ransacked, several workers of both the BJP and the TMC were injured, and vehicles ferrying BJP workers were set on fire in the violence at Kanthi, the parties claimed. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb, who accompanied Ghosh during the press ..
Ally of S Korea leader jailed over opinion rigging scandal
A political ally of South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday received a two-year prison term for his involvement in an online opinion rigging scandal. The conviction of South Gyeongsang Gov Kim Kyoung-soo is a blow to Moon, a liberal who is struggling to revive stalled negotiations on North Korea's nuclear program and address diverse economic woes at home. The Seoul Central District Court said that Kim was immediately arrested after his conviction. He was to be held at a detention facility near Seoul, a court official said, requesting anonymity citing department rules. Both Kim and prosecutors have one week to appeal. If Kim's prison term is upheld in higher courts, he will be stripped of his governor post, the court official said. The court gave no further details. But local media reported Kim allegedly colluded with a power blogger to sway online public opinion to support Moon ahead of the 2017 presidential election. Moon isn't directly involved in the scandal. His office ...
George Fernandes a political colossus, says Jaitley
Paying glowing tributes to veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, Union Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday said he was a politician with a difference and with his death India has lost a political colossus. Fernandes, who served as defence minister between 1998 and 2004, died Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 88. "With the passing away of veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, India has lost a political colossus. George was a politician with a difference. He had the ability to stand alone, take a position, however extreme, and sustain that position. "He was a political worker, an extraordinary leader, a powerful trade unionist, a parliamentarian that many would dread to face and above all a dissenter," Jaitley wrote in a Facebook post. In the post titled 'George Saheb as I knew him', Jaitley said he was one of the most charismatic speakers and the last of the veteran Lohiaites. Ram Manohar Lohia, the mentor of Fernandes, represented the anti-Nehru, anti-Congress ...
BJP not on back foot in Northeast over citizenship bill: Deb
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb claimed on Wednesday that the citizenship bill had not put the BJP on the back foot in the Northeast. Deb accused some organisations "with no support base" of portraying the Northeast as a troubled region for personal gains. "The claims that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has caused trouble in the region and has put the BJP on the back foot is completely false and baseless. Had this been the truth, the BJP would not have won autonomous council elections in Assam," the saffron party leader said. The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 19 of the 28 seats in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, where elections were held on January 19 amid protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. "The victory in the election means people are with us," the chief minister said. The bill seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslims who had fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, after
Crowdsourcing can help battle online fake news menace
Using public opinion surveys to vet the authenticity of political stories may be an effective strategy to combat the menace of fake news and other kinds of online misinformation, an MIT study has found. False news stories have proliferated online in recent years, and social media sites such as Facebook have received sharp criticism for giving them visibility. Facebook also faced pushback for a January 2018 plan to let readers rate the quality of online news sources. However, the study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US suggests such a crowdsourcing approach could work well, if implemented correctly. "What we found is that, while there are real disagreements among Democrats and Republicans concerning mainstream news outlets, basically everybody -- Democrats, Republicans, and professional fact-checkers -- agree that the fake and hyperpartisan sites are not to be trusted," said David Rand, an MIT scholar. Using a pair of public-opinion surveys to evaluate of 60 US
Brexit envoy insists EU united as UK's May seeks concessions
The European Union's Brexit negotiator says the EU stands united in defence of its divorce deal with Britain, after Prime Minister Theresa won a parliamentary mandate to reopen the agreement. Michel Barnier said Wednesday that "the EU institutions remain united, and we stand by the agreement that we have negotiated with the UK, never against the UK" Barnier made his brief remarks after he met top European Parliament officials to discuss the Brexit votes in the British Parliament late Tuesday. Britain is set to leave the EU in less than two months, but the main sticking point in London to sealing a Brexit agreement is the so-called "backstop." It's aimed at ensuring that no time-consuming customs checks happen on the Irish border after Britain leaves, until a better arrangement is found.
BJP MLA says Rahul is Ravana, Priyanka Surpanakha
Making yet another controversial remark, BJP MLA Surendra Singh has compared Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Ravana and his sister Priyanka Gandhi to Surpanakha. The Baria 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 on 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 face the character and uprightness of Modi? It is a matter of honour that we have a leader like him, he said. Singh called the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi a joke. This is a ...
Rahul Gandhi a compulsive liar: OSD to Goa CM
Rahul Gandhi is a "compulsive liar," Prasanna Karthik, Special OSD to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, tweeted on Wednesday dismissing the Congress president's claims on the Rafale deal after visiting the ailing Parrikar.Rahul Gandhi, who met Parrikar on Tuesday, said during a meeting of booth level party workers that former defence minister Parrikar "clearly denied" any involvement in the Rafale fighter jet deal "orchestrated" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "benefit" Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani.Karthik said that Rahul is lying about Parrikar."This guy is a compulsive liar. He came saying he wants to convey his and his mother's wishes for a speedy recovery. CM met him out of decency. Now he shamelessly lies about him - a person who is fighting cancer without compromising on his commitments to his people. Disgusting," Karthik tweeted.Earlier in the day, Goa Minister for Animal Husbandry Mauvin Godinho said that Rahul Gandhi should not try to take political advantage out
Mamata dares PM to prove she took money for paintings
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prove that she took money selling her paintings. The TMC chief's strong reaction comes after BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday alleged Banerjee's paintings were bought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees. Addressing a public meeting here, Banerjee said the BJP leaders have no courtesy and her party has initiated defamation proceedings "over the baseless allegation". "Modi Babu (PM), I challenge you to prove that I have taken a single penny (for selling the paintings) in my account. You talk like a barbarian and have no courtesy," Banerjee said.
EC reviews poll preparations in Jharkhand
The Election Commission on Wednesday met political parties and Jharkhand officials here ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and reviewed the poll preparations.
TN governor condoles death of former defence minister
: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit Wednesday condoled the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. Fernandes was an able minister, committed trade unionist and a great political leader, Purohit said in a statement from his official residence Raj Bhavan. "He (Fernandes) was a great champion of human rights and democracy who fiercely fought against the imposition of Emergency. An able minister, a committed trade unionist and a great political leader, Fernandes was known for his praiseworthy qualities," the Governor said. "My thoughts are with his family and friends, and lakhs of people grieving for him. I pray to the Almighty God to rest his soul in peace," Purohit added. Fernandes (88) passed away Tuesday following prolonged illness. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had recently contracted swine flu.
King of Spain visits Iraq, first in 40 years: diplomat
Spain's King Felipe VI on Wednesday visited special forces helping Iraq fight jihadists, during the first trip by a Spanish monarch to the war-ravaged country in four decades, a diplomat said. The king, whose country is a member of an international coalition battling the Islamic State group, also later met President Barham Saleh. Iraq in 2017 declared victory over IS following a bruising months-long campaign backed by the coalition, which continues to carry out operations against the jihadists. Spain, which took part in the US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq that overthrew dictator Saddam Hussein, went on to support Iraqi troops as they battled to roll back IS, which seized a third of the country including second city Mosul in 2014. Hundreds of Spanish military instructors remain in the country. King Felipe is one of a series of leaders to visit Baghdad since the start of the year, including US President Donald Trump, who drew criticism for failing to meet a single Iraqi official. Baghdad ..
BJP performs 'bhumi pujan' ahead of Shah's visit
The Uttarakhand BJP performed a "bhumi pujan" at the Parade Ground here on Wednesday, ahead of the visit of party president Amit Shah, who is slated to formally launch the saffron party's Lok Sabha poll campaign in the state on February 2. Shah is scheduled to address the booth level workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the venue named as "Trishakti Sammelan". "Trishakti" refers to the three categories of booth-level party workers -- booth adhyakshas, booth palaks and booth-level agents. "The bhumi pujan was in line with our age-old tradition of beginning every work on an auspicious note by invoking the almighty. It gives a fitting start to the party president's visit on February 2, when he will formally launch the party's campaign for the Lok Sabha polls in the state at the venue," state BJP chief Ajay Bhatt told reporters after the ceremony. Shah's visit is aimed at galvanising the BJP cadre ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, in which the party faces the challenge of ...
Cong hits out at govt over resignation of National Statistical commission members
The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of destroying yet another institution after two members of the National Statistical Commission resigned and said one more venerable institution has died due to the government's "malicious negligence". Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said the party mourns the death of the National Statistical Commission and will remember its valiant fight to release 'untainted' GDP data and employment data. His colleague Ahmed Patel said the resignations serve the government's objective to "black out" all data and statistics of its "mis-governance", while party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi wondered if this has come in the wake of the "very embarrassing" jobs data and whether the NSC was "being forced" by government to do more data doctoring. The attack on the government came in the wake of two independent members of the National Statistical Commission (NSC) -- P C Mohanan and J V Meenakshi -- resigning on Monday over ..