Page 1829 - Politics
BJP harassing opposition parties: Mamata (Lead, with Correction)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using government agencies to harass opposition parties in the country.
"Operation Lotus" still on, Cong MLA offered gift, says Karna
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday claimed BJP was continuing its Operation Lotus to topple the JDS-Congress government and tried to lure a Congress legislator with 'gift', a charge rejected by the opposition party. Accusing BJP and its state president B S Yeddyurappa of being behind the offer allegedly made Thursday night, he said the MLA informed him that he had rejected the gift. Dismissing the claim as wild allegation, Yeddyurappa hurled a counter charge that Kumaraswamy attempted to lure a BJP MLA. "Operation Lotus is on. Yesterday night also they have telephoned a Congress legislator, asking him- where to send the gift, Kumaraswamy told reporters here. The chief minister's fresh allegation comes days after Yeedyurappa had said the BJP would not destabilise the ruling coalition. The state had remained in the grip of political unrest for several days recently with the Congress on tenterhooks to keep its numbers intact amid fears of poaching by the BJP ..
Rahul launches no-holds-barred attack against Modi, Patnaik
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of being remote-controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as regards the chit fund scam and promised farm loan waiver, if his party was voted to power in the state. He alleged that the "corrupt chowkidar" (watchman, a jibe at Modi) was holding Odisha's remote control and dictating terms to Patnaik owing to the corruption prevailing in the state. Claiming that both Modi and Patnaik had adopted the same strategy of befooling people by making false promises, Gandhi said when the prime minister needed Patnaik's support for the passage of a bill in Parliament, he pressed the remote control's button and the chief minister readily helped him. While demonetisation was condemned by all, Patnaik had hailed it as a good step, the Congress chief said, adding that on the Goods and Services Tax and other moves of the Centre, the chief minister had showered praises on Modi. "Your state is being operated by Delhi .
No contempt can be initiated against striking govt teachers
: The Madras High Court Friday said no contempt can be initiated against government teachers in Tamil Nadu on strike under the JACTO-GEO banner, as it has not stayed the strike or declared it illegal. The division bench, comprising Justices M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam stated this when counsel Naveen Kumar Murthi made an urgent mention to move contempt. Making it clear that the Court had only directed them to return to work by January 25 in the interest of children, the bench said "it is for the government to monitor and take appropriate action against those who flout the order of the Court." On January 23, the bench passed an interim order, directing the striking government to resume work not later than January 25. The court passed the interim order on a plea moved by Gokul, a Class XII student, seeking to stall the strike announced by JACTO-GEO, owing to board examinations and to ensure that classes and revision examinations are conducted as per schedule. The .
KCR welcomes Pranab Mukherjee being selected for Bharat Ratna
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Friday hailed former President Pranab Mukherjee being selected for the country's highest civilian honour of the Bharat Ratna, saying he 'fully deserves it." Mukherjee fully deserves the award, an official release quoted Rao as having said. Rao praised the endeavour of Mukherjee in strengthening the country's democratic system and in implementation of "Constitutional provisions" Mukherjee rendered yeoman service to the country in discharging various responsibilities, he added.
Govt to release Rs 1,500 cr to Air India next week, says official
The government will release Rs 1,500 crore to Air India next week as part of equity infusion under the turnaround plan, a senior official said Friday. Parliament has approved Rs 2,345 crore equity infusion into the debt-laden national carrier under the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants 2018-19. A civil aviation ministry official said the government would release Rs 1,500 crore to the airline next week. This would be out of the Rs 2,345 crore approved supplementary grant. When asked whether the ministry has sought more funds for Air India as part of the upcoming interim Budget, the official replied in the negative. As part of efforts to revive the financial fortunes of the national carrier, the government has decided to transfer debt worth Rs 29,000 crore to Air India Asset Holding Company, a special purpose vehicle. The airline has debt worth around Rs 55,000 crore. Air India is staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the previous UPA regime. The carrier is to ..
BJP, Cong holds rallies ahead of Jind by-poll
The BJP and the Congress put up shows of strength Friday as the Jind by-poll neared, with the ruling party accusing the Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala of not taking his role as an MLA seriously. At a rally, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggested that Surjewala, the Congress' chief spokesperson, hardly attended the state assembly to which he was elected from Kaithal. "Congress is such a buffalo who eats fodder of Haryana but gives milk in Delhi," Khattar said. Of total 72 sittings of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Surjewala attended only seven, Khattar claimed. There was no immediate comment on this claim from the Congress. The by-poll for the Jind seat is scheduled to be held on January 28 and was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha. On the second-last day of electioneering, the entire cabinet and top state BJP leaders addressed the rally in support of party nominee Krishan Middha, the son of Hari Chand Middha. "The Congress has scarcity of .
Jana Sena firms up alliance with CPI, CPI(M) for AP elections
: The Jana Sena Friday firmed up its electoral alliance with CPI and CPM for the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh. While the CPI(M) agreed to work with the Jana Sena in Telangana as well,the CPI sought more time to take a decision. Leaders of the Jana Sena, CPI and CPI(M) held a round-table here Friday to discuss various political issues. Jana Sena Chief Pawan Kalyan, party leader Nadendla Manohar, CPI National General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, CPI(M) politburo member B V Raghavulu and state leaders of the two parties attended. A resolution was adopted at the meeting on the electoral alliance, a Jana Sena release later said. The meeting also resolved to request the Election Commission of India to form a committee of experts to address the concerns raised over the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines. It also requested the ECI that VVPAT paper trail verification be made mandatory in 10 per cent of the votes polled and counted. The meeting felt that the ...
EU drafting appeal for Venezuela's Maduro to call elections: Diplomats
EU countries are drafting an appeal for Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro to convene quick elections, with some demanding recognition of Juan Guaido as interim president if he does not, diplomats said. "We want an immediate call for elections in the near future," one diplomat told AFP following a meeting of European Union ambassadors who discussed wording for a new and tougher declaration. Another EU diplomat said France proposed organising elections in a week that would be monitored by international observers. Both diplomats said several EU countries were proposing recognising Venezuela's parliament president Guaido as interim president if Maduro failed to convene elections. Guaido, the opposition leader, has already self-declared himself president. "The idea to condition the recognition has had many supporters," the diplomat said, naming supporters as France, Germany, Britain and Denmark in addition to Spain. Spain's foreign minister Josep Borrell earlier Friday publicly pushed the .
BJP minister in Bihar stokes controversy with remarks about Priyanka
Stoking a controversy, senior BJP leader and Bihar Minister Vinod Narain Jha said Friday that newly appointed Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has no other quality except being "very beautiful" and the party should remember that beauty does not garner votes. The remark by Jha, who holds the Public Health and Engineering portfolio, was met with disapproval from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) even as the opposition Congress-RJD combine demanded his sacking, accused him of having displayed a "perverse" attitude towards women. The BJP also sought to distance itself from its leader's sexist comments with its national spokesperson Sambit Patra saying in New Delhi that his party clearly believes that everybody, bet it women or any other section of the society, should be respected in politics. "Except for being beautiful, I see no quality that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may be credited with. Nature has showered its bounty on her. But the Congress should remember that beauty ...
Ram Nath Kovind graces National Voters' Day celebrations in New Delhi
New Delhi [India], Jan 25 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday hailed the role of voters and Election Commission in Indian democracy, which he termed as a "shining example" of vibrancy for the world. Themed on 'No voter to be left behind,' President Kovind on Friday attended the 9th National Voters' Day celebrations here.Speaking on the occasion, President Kovind said: "Indian democracy is a shining example for the world. We are both the largest and most diverse democracy.""And while the contribution of all stakeholders in our election process is important, two stakeholders stand out. These are the voters and the Election Commission. In their roles, they complement each other."He further said that India's sheer size and the logistics of elections in the country make it critical to embrace modern technology and India's democracy and electoral system is held in high regard internationally."Election institutions of many countries have studied our electoral management system.
Pak Army ready to defend country against 'any misadventure': Gen Bajwa
Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Friday the Pakistani military wants peace in the region but is fully prepared to defend the country against "any misadventure". He made the remarks while speaking to Pakistani troops near Jhelum, where he went to witness a military exercise of a Brigade along the Line of Control (LoC). The exercise was aimed at stimulating battlefield conditions to train the troops in a realistic environment. Fire of various weapon systems including tanks, anti-tank weapons, multiple calibre artillery guns and PAF fighter jets was part of the exercise, according to the military's media wing. "Pakistan Army is fully invested in peace and stability of the region. However we are ready and resolute in defending the motherland against any misadventure," Bajwa said. He asked the troops to focus on training to deter any belligerence.
Stalin attacks Modi& BJP led government at Centre on 5 issues
DMK President M K Stalin Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP-led government at the Centre, saying its policies are confined to construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, cow protection, 'imposition' of Hindi and hatred for minorities. The leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly wondered if Modi had fulfilled any of the promises made to the state during the 2014 polls and alleged that he was coming to Madurai this Sunday to lay the foundation stone for AIIMS only with an eye on the coming elections. He also alleged that the BJP has been imposing Hindi and Sanskrit after Modi came to power. "Construction of the Ram temple, cow protection, Hindi imposition, Sanskiritsation and minority hatred-- these five have been the policy of the BJP government," he said at a public rally here. Stalin, whose DMK sailed to power in 1967 on a massive anti-Hindi agitation in the 60s, however, said that his party was not against Hindi, ...
Mahajan has not right to continue as LS Speaker: Nirupam
Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam Friday slammed Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan over her comments on Rahul Gandhi's leadership qualities and said she was "unfit" to occupy the Constitutional post. "Sumitra Mahajan's comments prove she is not fit to occupy the Constitutional post. She has no right to continue as the speaker. Her comments denigrate the august office of speaker of Lok Sabha," Nirupam said. Mahajan, a BJP veteran who represents Indore Parliamentary seat, had Thursday said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into politics showed that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi could not handle politics alone and needed his sister's help. "Priyanka is a good woman. But her appointment also shows Rahul has understood that he cannot do politics alone, so he asked his sister Priyanka to help him," Mahajan had said in Indore.
Rahul wins praise for coming to aid of a photo journalist
Odisha media Friday was all praise for Rahul Gandhi as he rushed to help a photo journalist, who fell from a strair while taking picture of the Congress president on his visit at the Biju Patnaik Airport. The incident took place when Congress president was being welcomed by party leaders after arriving at the airport in the morning here. Mediapersons, including photo journalists, had gathered at the airport in large numbers to cover the event. In the melee, a photo journalist accidentally slipped from a strair and fell down. Rahul Gandhi immediately rushed to rescue the photographer before anyone could notice him. Gandhi also extended his helping hand and picked up the photo journalist.
Queen calls for 'common ground' amid Brexit rows
Queen Elizabeth II on Friday made a plea for "common ground" amid ongoing uncertainty over the vexed negotiations for the UK's planned exit from the European Union (EU) in March. The 92-year-old monarch, who is apolitical in her role as head of state, did not make a direct reference to Brexit and the government's controversial Withdrawal Agreement which failed to clear Parliament earlier this month. However, a speech she made at the centenary of the Sandringham Women's Institute was inevitably seen as her indirect intervention in the crucial debate in the House of Commons where MPs are due to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal on leaving the EU next week. "The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago. Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities," said the Queen in her speech. "As we look for new ...
Sack Goa minister Gawade for "abusing" our leader: MGP
The MGP, an ally in the BJP-led government in Goa, Friday alleged Independent MLA and minister Govind Gawade verbally abused their leader Sudin Dhavalikar and demanded his sacking from the Cabinet. Addressing a press conference here, MGP Executive President Narayan Sawant claimed Gawade verbally abused Dhavalikar, also a minister, over disagreement on some petty issue during the state Cabinet meeting held Thursday. Gawade is Goa's art and culture minister, while Dhavalikar holds the transport portfolio. The Independent MLA did not respond to calls and messages seeking his comment on the alleged incident. Sawant alleged the incident happened in front of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was presiding over the Cabinet meeting. "We demand that Parrikar drop Gawade from the Cabinet for his unruly behaviour," the MGP leader said. "The action of Gawade does not go well in a democratic set up where difference of opinion can be solved by discussion," Sawant said. "This action .
Ministers running amok at cabinet meetings, Parrikar should hire bouncers now: Congress (Lead, correcting headline)
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should hire bouncers and post them at his cabinet meetings, for fear of ministers lashing out at each other physically, Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said on Friday.
Stone, close collaborator of President Trump, arrested in Russia probe
One of US President Donald Trump's former close associates was arrested by the FBI in Florida on Friday on charges stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election, according to an indictment released by the investigation.
Ministers running amok at cabinet meetings, Parrikar should hire bouncers now:
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should hire bouncers and post them at his cabinet meetings, for fear of ministers lashing out at each other physically, Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said on Friday.