Page 1800 - Politics
Congress stages walkout from Goa Assembly
The main Opposition party, the Congress, on Tuesday staged a walkout even as Goa Governor Mridula Sinha was addressing the Assembly on the opening day of the three-day Budget session.
Bihar mourns death of George Fernandes
A wave of sorrow swept across Bihar Tuesday following the death of veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, who had virtually adopted the state as his second home and political 'karmabhoomi', representing its various constituencies in Parliament for a period spanning over four decades. Condolences poured in from all quarters, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declaring a two-day state mourning. Sources in the CM's office said Kumar was likely to rush to Delhi for attending the funeral of Fernandes, with whom he had founded the Samata Party in the 1990s. Jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who remained in the crosshairs of the fiery Fernandes for much part of his political career, tweeted, "Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of socialist leader, freedom fighter and former Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes". Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said on Twitter, "A great fighter and symbol of anti-Congressism. Architect of alliance between BJP and ...
Intel announces Israel expansion government values at $10 bn
Intel said Tuesday it is expanding its operations in Israel, where government ministers said the US computer chipmaker will invest some 10 billion dollars in a new plant. "Intel today announced it will submit a business plan to the government of Israel for continued investment in the company's Kiryat Gat manufacturing site," a statement from Intel's Israeli representatives said. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said late Monday he was informed by Intel of their decision "to invest another 40 billion shekels, an unprecedented decision expected to bring thousands of jobs to the south." Economy Minister Eli Cohen said Intel had chosen to "build its most advanced plant here in Israel." Last year, Intel had already decided on a USD 5 billion upgrade to the site in Kiryat Gat, a small city in southern Israel. In 2017, Intel closed a $15 billion deal to buy Israeli autonomous technology firm Mobileye, the country's biggest cross-border high-tech deal ever. The Silicon Valley giant currently ...
Mongolia's parliament speaker ousted after protests
Mongolia's parliament voted to oust the speaker on Tuesday following protests demanding his resignation over a corruption scandal. Enkhbold Miyegombo, a former presidential candidate and prime minister, has been under pressure to resign since a failed no-confidence vote against the current prime minister in November. Five MPs had spearheaded calls for Enkhbold's resignation, leading a boycott of parliament that paralysed the legislature for a month. Thousands of protesters gathered in December and January to vent their anger at corruption, bribery scandals and embezzlement of government funds. Enkhbold has been accused of selling government positions, such as vice minister and state secretary, to raise at least 60 billion tugrik (USD 24 million). Earlier this month, President Khaltmaa Battulga - who defeated Enkhbold in the 2017 presidential election - introduced legislation to allow a vote to oust the speaker. Political instability has been a constant problem for the young Central ...
Death of Fernandes marks end of an era: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday condoled the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes and said his passing away marks an end of an era.
Sardesai rules out mid-term polls in Goa
Goa minister Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday ruled out mid-term polls in the state and said the Congress first needed to look at its coalition government in Karnataka before criticising the Manohar Parrikar-led dispensation over infighting between allies. He was referring to opposition Congress's earlier claim that the BJP may opt for early dissolution of the Assembly and go for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state polls this year. The Congress has also been criticising the BJP-led Goa government over the infighting between two alliance partners - Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Independent MLA Govind Gawade. Sardesai said the opposition party should rather ponder over its government formed in alliance with the JDS in neighbouring Karnataka, where Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had on Monday threatened to step down following adverse comments by a Congress MLA. "In Karnataka, the chief minister has threatened to quit. Here (in Goa), our chief minister is not threatening ..
George Fernandes dead at 88
Former Defence Minister George Fernandes, a committed socialist and trade unionist who went underground against the 1975-77 Emergency and fought the Congress all his life, died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was 88.
CPI condoles demise of Fernandes
The CPI Tuesday condoled the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes, recalling the departed leader's contributions as a trade unionist. "He (Fernandes) led many trade union movements. As a socialist leader, he contributed a lot. But, unfortunately,... he joined the BJP and supported the rightist politics, though he did not become a part of it. However, his contribution is to be remembered," CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy told PTI here. "I convey my heartfelt condolences at the demise of Fernandes," he said. Reddy recalled that he had worked with Fernandes in the Parliament during 2004-2009. Fernandes, who was Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, passed away Tuesday following prolonged illness. He was 88.
Bihar announces two-day state mourning for George Fernandes
The Bihar government on Tuesday declared a two-day state mourning and cancelled all official functions following the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes.
George, a street-fighter committed to anti-Congressism (Lead Obit)
A fierce socialist who fought for workers - be it the taxi drivers of Mumbai or railway employees, George Fernandes rose from the streets to become one of the towering personalities and remained a bitter and staunch critic of the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family's "dynasty politics" after battling the Emergency of 1975-77 imposed by Indira Gandhi.
British MPs to vote on moves wrestling control of Brexit
British lawmakers will vote on Tuesday on whether to try to take control of the Brexit process in a series of crunch votes that threaten to pile more pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May. With the Brexit deadline only 60 days away, MPs will vote on May's "Plan B", which she presented to parliament last week after her initial deal was comprehensively rejected on January 15. They will also vote on amendments that will indicate whether lawmakers have the numbers to instigate a legally-binding parliamentary takeover of the process. One amendment would open the door for the Remain-dominated House of Commons to bring in legislation preventing Britain leaving the European Union without an official deal on March 29. It would force May to delay Brexit for nine months if her deal is not approved before February 26, and give lawmakers the ability to indefinitely extend the deadline. Increasing numbers of government ministers have warned they will not accept the prospect of Britain leaving ...
Mumbai, the city which catapulted Fernandes on national scene
Former defence minister George Fernandes first shot into national prominence when he defeated Congress stalwart S K Patil in the 1967 parliamentary elections. He also had a strong Mumbai connection. Recalling the veteran socialist's association with the city, CPI leader Prakash Reddy told PTI Fernandes had in 1967 emerged as the "giant killer" by defeating Patil, who was then called the "uncrowned king of Bombay" and represented the Bombay South Lok Sabha seat. Mumbai at that time had a tradition of strong labour force in the industrial sector, civic body and small businesses known as 'gumasta'. Fernandes stood up for the workers of the civic body, BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) undertaking and the gumasta workers and fought for their rights. He made a name for himself among the labour class in the 1960s, Reddy said. "Patil was a very powerful leader. He was invincible. George said S K Patil can be defeated and decided to contest against him. He got the ...
Andhra CM to hold all-party meeting on special status tomorrow
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will hold an all-party meeting on Wednesday over the non-issuance of 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh and incomplete implementation of AP Reorganisation Act.This development came to light after state Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with TDP leaders in this regard on Tuesday morning."All the parties should come together in order to increase the pressure on Delhi and to safeguard the rights of 5 crores people of Andhra. TDP is fighting relentlessly against the Centre," he said."Centre should at least give Rs. 1.16 lakh crores to the state for its development. Though we had written several letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he repeatedly neglected us. People of Madurai also protested against PM Modi by showing black shirts and flags, for his negligent attitude in connection with cyclone Gaja. We should now launch much severe protest for the injustice been done to our state," he added.In his concluding remark, the
Rahul Gandhi meets Goa CM Parrikar
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is in Goa, met Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.Chandrakant Kavlekar, Goa Congress Legislature Party said: "Rahul ji is on a private trip to Goa. He visited the Chief Minister to check on his health. I also requested him to meet our Congress MLAs, he obliged and met all of them."Rahul and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrived in Goa on January 26 on a private plane and are residing in a five-star resort.Recently, the Gandhi scion also demanded action against the Goa Chief Minister, claiming that he is in possession of files pertaining to the Rafale deal, as claimed by Congress in an audio clip the party released in January. Parrikar is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since February 2018.
Putin's envoy in Pakistan to discuss Afghan peace process
Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to discuss the Afghan peace process, in the wake of the US and Taliban agreeing on a framework deal to end the 17-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.The diplomat is visiting the country following Russia's wish to discuss the Afghan peace process. He was met by senior officials of the Foreign Office and Russian Embassy, Pakistan Today reported.He will hold talks with Pakistan's top civil and military leadership at the Foreign OfficeThe visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for Afghanistan comes in the wake of last week's marathon talks between U.S. special representative Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban in Qatar.The United States and Taliban have agreed in principle to chalk out a framework for a deal that could eventually end the 17-year old conflict in Afghanistan.Khalilzad, in an interview to the New York Times, said the United States and the Taliban have agreed in principle on a ...
We will cremate body, bury ashes: Jaya Jaitly on George Fernandes
The body of former Defence Minister George Fernandes will be cremated while his ashes will be buried, said social activist and former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitly on Tuesday."He (Fernandes) had earlier expressed his wish to be cremated, but during his last days, he said he wanted to be buried. So, we will cremate the body and bury the ashes, to fulfil both his wishes," Jaitly told media here.The last rites of Fernandes, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 88, will be performed on Wednesday, Jaitly said."We are waiting for his son, who lives in the US. His last rites will be performed tomorrow. His body will be embalmed and put at his residence," she said.Fernandes had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for a long time and was down with swine flu for the last few days as well.He was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government when the Kargil War broke out between India and Pakistan in 1999, and India ...
TN CM condoles demise of George Fernandes
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Tuesday condoled the demise of former defence minister George Fernandes, hailing him as a "multi-faceted" personality. His demise is a "great loss" to the country, the chief minister said. Fernandes (88), who died Tuesday, was one of the politically important leaders in the country and had founded the Samata Party before going on to hold various posts in Janata Dal, Palaniswami said. Fernandes was elected as Lok Sabha MP nine times and had performed efficiently, he noted. "He was a multi-faceted personality, being a politician, trade union leader and journalist. He was a good administrator and a hard working person who was affable to all," the chief minister said in a statement. "The demise of former Union minister George Fernandes is a great loss for India," he said and extended his sympathies to the departed leader's family and supporters. Palaniswami also prayed for Fernandes' soul reaching the holy abode. Fernandes passed away Tuesday ..
Rahul meets Parrikar in Goa
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the Goa Assembly and met ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in his official chamber.
Nagaland Cabinet rejects citizenship bill
The Nagaland Cabinet has rejected the citizenship bill, following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, in a press release, said that taking into account the will and desire of all sections of the people, the Cabinet meeting on Monday made it amply clear that the state government remains opposed and rejects the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the northeastern region, they said. The people of the state have expressed their opposition to the bill in various forms in a democratic manner and the Cabinet discussed the bill at length on Monday, they said in the release. The Cabinet had earlier said that the CAB was not applicable to the state. The National Democratic People's Party-led People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in the state had said that Nagaland enjoys .
Trump to deliver State of the Union Address on February 5
Donald Trump will deliver the State of the Union Address on February 5 after it was delayed due to a government shutdown over the US president's demand for funding for a wall along the border with Mexico. The traditional annual speech by President Trump was initially scheduled for January but had to be postponed because of the largest government shutdown due to differences between the White House and the Opposition Democrats on the issue of the wall. Trump is demanding USD 5.7 billion to build his border wall while Democrats were holding firm at USD 1.3 billion for border security measures. Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to pass the necessary resolutions in Congress to allow for a State of the Union Address and told the president that he needed to first allow the federal government to fully re-open. Pelosi cited security concerns because government workers were not being paid during the shutdown. Trump considered moving the address to another location but ultimately decided to wait to ..