Page 1806 - Politics
Modi urged to come clean on probe withdrawal against CBDT chief's kin
Questioning if a probe against a real estate developer in an alleged land scam in Uttar Pradesh was withdrawn as he was related to a key central government official, the Congress on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on the issue.
Incident involving Siddaramaiah shows how much Cong respects women: BJP
Attacking the Congress over its leader Siddaramaiah alleged misbehavior with a woman, the BJP Monday said it shows how much the opposition party respects women and demanded that Rahul Gandhi take action against the former Karnataka chief minister. A purported video of the incident showed Siddaramaiah shouting at the woman and snatching the microphone from her during a public meet organised by his son Yatheendra. The woman had allegedly questioned Yatheendra's non-availability in his constituency of Varuna. Addressing a press conference at the party office here, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi should take action against Siddaramaiah. "Rahul Gandhi should tell what action will he take against Siddaramiah, who has insulted a woman. This incident shows how much Congress respects women. Only one woman and one family matters to them," he said. The incident is as a test for Karanataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who is leading a coalition government with .
Priyanka's entry will strengthen Congress: Yashwant Sinha
Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said here on Monday the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into active politics will strengthen the Congress and that she has already made an impact.
Sena 'big brother' of BJP in Maha:Raut; Fadnavis says want alliance but not desperate
Amid strains in their ties, the Shiv Sena Monday said it is the "big brother" in the alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra and will remain so, an assertion that could cast a shadow on sharing of seats between the NDA partners for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Reacting to Shiv Sena's assertion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP does want an alliance with the Sena but was not desperate for a tie-up. Speaking to reporters after a meeting chaired by party chief Uddhav Thackeray, the Sena's Rajya Sabha MP and chief whip in Parliament, Sanjay Raut, said the party also wanted the income tax exemption threshold to be raised from the existing Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. "Shiv Sena is the big brother (in the alliance with BJP and other parties) in Maharashtra and will continue to be so," Raut asserted. "There is no proposal from the BJP to form any alliance with the Shiv Sena. Those who wish to forge an alliance with us are talking about it. We are not waiting for any ...
Over 50 AAP MLAs tell Lokayukta it has no jurisdiction on assets, liabilities matter; 2 from BJP, Kapil Mishra file their details
Over 50 ruling Aam Aadmi Party MLAs in Delhi on Monday refused to furnish details of their assets and liabilities to the Lokyukta, stating in their replies to its notice that the ombudsman has no jurisdiction over the matter. Three MLAs including BJP's Vijender Gupta and Manjinder Singh Sirsa and suspended AAP legislator Kapil Mishra furnished details of assets and liabilities to the Lokayukta. The remaining MLAs have been given time till February 27 to file their replies. AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj asserted that "there is no law that MLAs need to file details of their assets and liabilities to the Lokayukta". At the same time, he said the central government should enable the provision under Lokpal and Lokayukta Act making it compulsory for all MPs and MLAs to file annual assets report and "we will support it". Based on a complaint by advocate and RTI activist Vivek Garg, Lokyukta Reva Khetrapal had earlier this month issued notices to Delhi MLAs seeking replies regarding ...
Venezuela's Guaido calls for new protests, Pope fears 'bloodbath'
Venezuela's self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido has called for two new protests, in an effort to push the military to turn against leader Nicolas Maduro as Pope Francis warned on Monday of a possible "bloodbath" in the crisis-wracked South American country. In a video posted on Twitter, the 35-year-old opposition leader Guaido announced a two-hour strike on Wednesday "to demand that the armed forces side with the people." Millions of Venezuelans have been left in poverty or fled the country due to an economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities, began in 2014. The head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly said a second demonstration, on Saturday, would be a "big national and international rally to back the support of the European Union and the ultimatum" from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands that they would recognize Guaido as interim president unless Maduro calls elections by February 3. Speaking after a trip to
Modi has not taken a day's leave, Mahesh Sharma's swipe at Rahul holidaying in Goa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken a day's leave during his tenure so far, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma claimed as he took a swipe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for their vacation in Goa. The Gandhis' trip, described as a "private visit" by the party, came into the public domain when Rachna Fernandes, a local resident, posted a photo of herself with Rahul Gandhi and said she was "awed by his charm and modesty". In response to a question by reporters on the trip. Sharma said, "Our Prime Minister has not taken leave even for one day during his four-and-a-half-year tenure. (Whereas) it is a matter of research where these people go when they are on vacation." Accusing the congress of double standards, Sharma said the party wants to portray itself as a national party, but it essentially remains a "mother-son party". "On one hand they say they want to remove corruption and on the other hand have become icons of corruption.
BJP 'invites' Rahul to visit new Goa bridge, Cong hits back
The BJP Monday took a dig at the Congress and its chief Rahul Gandhi against the backdrop of the inauguration of a 5.1 kilometre long cable-stayed bridge, christened Atal Setu, on the Mandovi River. Hitting back, the opposition party said Rahul Gandhi will visit the bridge after becoming Prime Minister in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Earlier in the day, the BJP "requested" Gandhi to "visit" the bridge, named after late BJP patriarch and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to see how the ruling party was "transforming" India. Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were in Goa since last Saturday on a private visit. The cable-stayed bridge, the third on the Mandovi River, was opened to public on Sunday at a function attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Tweeting from its official handle Monday, the BJP said, "Dear Shri @RahulGandhi, We have come to learn that you are currently on a vacation in Goa. We request you along with .
OROP means 'Only Rahul, Only Priyanka': BJP chief
BJP President Amit Shah on Monday took a jibe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra by equating them with 'One Rank, One Pension' or OROP scheme for the armed forces.
Govt shields 'suit-boot wallas', calls probe against them 'investigative adventurism': Cong
The Congress on Monday accused the BJP of stalling probe against corporate bigwigs, saying that when opposition leaders are "persecuted" by probe agencies, it is termed as investigative integrity, but when "suit-boot wallas" are arraigned, it becomes "investigative adventurism". The attack by the opposition party came following Union Minister Arun Jaitley's advice to the CBI last week to avoid "adventurism" and concentrate only on the bull's eye, after the probe agency named banking doyen K V Kamath and virtual who's who of the sector for questioning in the alleged fraud case against former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also questioned the alleged withdrawal of an SIT probe by the Uttar Pradesh government against businessman Arvind Goel and demanded an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and "interim" Finance Minister Piyush Goyal. Refering to Jaitley's remarks, Tewari said: "It is not often that a very ...
'Unconstitutional' for government to present full Budget: Yashwant Sinha
Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha on Monday said it will be "unconstitutional" on part of the Narendra Modi government to present a full-fledged Budget instead of a vote-on-account in an election year.
Trinamool wants to finish us, pave way for BJP: Congress on Mausam Noor's exit
Shocked over party MP Mausam Noor joining the Trinamool Congress, the Congress Monday accused Mamata Banerjee's party of trying to finish it off and paving the way for the "communal" BJP in the state. Noor, niece of the late Congress stalwart A B A Ghani Khan Chowdhury, is a two-time Congress MP from Malda (North). "TMC's claim that it wants to fight the BJP and strengthen secular forces in Bengal and India is absolutely bogus and this poaching of our MP is the biggest example of it. TMC is trying to finish the Congress," state Congress president Somen Mitra said. "If someone wants to leave the Congress and join some other party how can we stop him or her... When I met Congress president Rahul Gandhi last year I told him to talk to Mausam as she might switch over to TMC," he said. He said the Congress will put up its candidate from the constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. According to state Congress sources, 39-year-old Noor has been a strong advocate of alliance with the TMC
'Delayed' dialogue with India in view of Lok Sabha polls: Pakistan
Pakistan has said it had "delayed" its efforts to hold talks with India because of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and will move forward once the new government is formed in New Delhi.Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Pakistan felt the talks at this stage would be useless."We have delayed our efforts to hold talks with India because we do not expect any big decision from the present Indian leadership," Chaudhry told Gulf News on Sunday.In the interview, he argued that it is not the right time to hold dialogue as "Indian politics is currently in turmoil" because of the upcoming elections. "It is useless to talk to them (India) now unless there is some stability. We will move forward once the new government is formed after the elections," Chaudhry added.Asked which Indian leader - Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi - would suit Pakistan more for peace talks, the minister said it does not matter for Pakistan."We will respect any Indian leader and the party elected by
Was an accident, she is like my sister: Siddaramaiah on 'misbehaviour' incident
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Monday asserted that the incident that occurred during his interaction with a woman was an accident and the lady is just like his sister.Speaking to media-persons, Siddaramaiah said, "When I was trying to stop a long speech of a party worker that incident happened, it was an accident, there was no bad intention. I know her since 15 years, she is just like my sister."Earlier in the day, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah was caught on camera losing his cool while interacting with a woman in Mysuru.In a video, Siddaramaiah could be seen furiously snatching away the mike from the woman's hand and in the process, her 'dupatta' also dropped.The woman was apparently raising some issue, which agitated the Congress leader.However later, the woman with whom Siddaramaiah was caught misbehaving downplayed the entire episode, saying that she had no complaint against the Congress leader.Talking to ...
Politically-motivated cases against politicians during BJP rule will be withdrawn, says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday said that all politically-motivated cases registered against politicians would be withdrawn.Addressing a rally in Raipur's Atal Nagar, the Chief Minister said: "All politically-motivated cases registered with the police against political leaders will be withdrawn in Chhattisgarh."Praising Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his leadership, the Chief Minister said: "According to me, Rahul Gandhi means to waive the loans of farmers. Rahul Gandhi means Rs 2,500 support price for the paddy. Rahul Gandhi means to get backlands of the farmers of Lohandigunda. "Earlier, Rahul after distributing loan waiver certificates to some of the beneficiary farmers during the function, accused the BJP of trying to create two India--one of Rafale scam, Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi and the other of the poor farmers."Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', Rahul said: "We have waived ...
Congress MP Mausam Noor joins TMC
Congress' Lok Sabha member Mausam Noor on Monday joined the Trinamool Congress here, just a few months before the general elections.Noor, niece of legendary congress leader A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury, joined TMC in presence of Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nabanna.The 39-year-old is a second time member of Lok Sabha.
BJP not helpless: Fadnavis
Amid continued criticism by ally Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday asserted that the BJP is not "helpless".Shiv Sena, which is part of the BJP-led governments at the Centre as well as the state, has been bitter with the BJP lately. At the party's national executive meet here in January last year, the Shiv Sena had reportedly resolved to fight the General and Assembly elections on its own. The Chief Minister's comment today came after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told reporters that his party will continue to be the "big brother" in any alliance."BJP is not helpless, yes we want alliance but for development of the nation. Don't want power to go in hands of people who looted nation for long. We're trying to get into alliance but we are not helpless. BJP is the party which reached 200 from two," said Fadnavis while addressing a gathering here.In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP and Shiv Sena contested as alliance partners and won 41 seats out of a total of 48 at .
Javadekar asks Rahul to tell what action he will take against Siddaramaiah
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday slammed Congress leader Siddaramaiah for allegedly misbehaving with a woman in Karnataka's Mysuru.Javadekar questioned what action Congress president Rahul Gandhi took against his party leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah after he was caught on camera misbehaving with a woman here on Monday."Rahul Gandhi should tell what he will do with him. This is a crime, the way he abused her. That's how they see women; they have not changed since the tandoor case. They only respect women from one family," Javadekar said.In a video, Siddaramaiah can be seen furiously snatching a mike from a woman, in the process of which her dupatta also fell. The woman was apparently raising some issue, which agitated the Congress leader.An infuriated Siddaramaiah then asked the woman to sit down, while the latter kept arguing. Few second later, when the woman again stood up to speak up, the former chief minister tapped her on the shoulder, asking her
Meghalaya's ruling coalition member UDP passes resolution to
United Democratic Party, the main ally of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), on Monday passed a resolution to oppose the Centre's move to implement the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill in the state, party officials said. The leaders of the party will be attending the NPP-AGP-sponsored meeting of all the regional political parties in Guwahati on Tuesday to oppose the CAB. We have adopted a resolution to oppose the Bill piloted and sponsored by the Centre under the BJP to regularise and invite all those people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to come to India and become Indian citizens, UDP working president B M Lanong told mediapersons after the Chief Executive Committee meeting of the party here chaired by party president and Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy. He said the party is of the view that the Citizenship issue should be dealt within the law of the Citizenship Act and Illegal Migrant Act. The UDP leader accused the BJP of passing the ...
Maharashtra: BJP wins 39 seats in municipal council elections
The ruling BJP has bagged 39 of the 90 seats across five municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra. The municipal councils of Karjat (Raigad district), Malkapur (Satara), Shrigonda (Ahmednagar) and Armori (Gadchiroli) and the nagar panchayat of Mahadula (Nagpur) went to the polls Sunday. Besides, by-elections for seats in other local bodies were also held. The State Election Commission announced Monday that the BJP won 39 seats in total. The Congress won 30, NCP 10, Shiv Sena seven, Communist Party of India and Bahujan Samaj Party one each. Independent candidates won two seats each, the EC said. The BJP bagged president's post in Mahadula and Armori, while the Congress won president's post in Shrigonda and Malkapur municipal councils. The Shiv Sena won president's post in Karjat municipal council. Results of by-elections to a seat each in five local bodies were also announced Monday. The Congress won in Dudhni Municipal Council (Solapur district), the BJP in