Page 1835 - Politics
Twitter India celebrates National Voters' Day
Twitter India on Friday launched the second phase of its initiative #PowerOf18, that aims at encouraging the youth to contribute to the public debate and participate in civic engagement, on the occasion of ninth National Voters Day.
Punjab Cong revokes suspension of Zira MLA
The Punjab Congress Friday reinstated party legislator Kulbir Singh Zira, days after he was suspended for indiscipline following his public outburst at an event. "The party has revoked the suspension of Kulbir Singh Zira," Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said here. Reacting to the development, Zira said that he was thankful to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Jakhar and Punjab Congress in-charge Asha Kumari. Zira's suspension was revoked ahead of a meeting of Punjab legislators, office bearers and party leaders here to chalk out party's strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was attended by Amarinder Singh, Asha Kumar and Jakhar among others. On January 16, taking serious note of his public outburst, the Punjab Congress had suspended the lawmaker representing Zira constituency for indiscipline. The action was taken a few days after the MLA had left his party red-faced with his remarks at a district level function to administer oath to the newly elected Sarpanches ...
LJP welcomes SC's order on 10 per cent quota
The Lok Janshakti Party Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision not to stay the government's decision to give 10 per cent quota to the general category poor and expressed hope that the constitutional amendment for the reservation will pass muster with the judiciary. While agreeing to examine the Union government's decision to grant 10 percent reservation in jobs and education to the economically weaker candidates of the general category, the apex court did not stay the operation of the new quota. "We welcome it. I am confident that the 10 per cent quota will get the judiciary's nod," LJP president and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who is also a BJP ally, said. He also welcomed the Supreme Court's refusal to stay the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018, which restored the provision that no anticipatory bail be granted to the accused.
BJP, BJD follow Gujarat model, says Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the BJP and the ruling BJD in Odisha, saying both follow the "same Gujarat model" in which there is a "deal" between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists and governance is later handed over to key bureaucrats.
India, South Africa to deepen strategic partnership
India and South Africa on Friday signed an agreement to further deepen their strategic partnership following delegation-level talks led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here.
Not aware of speculation about Varun joining Cong: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said he was unaware of any speculation about BJP leader Varun Gandhi joining his party. The Congress chief's remark comes two days after his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra formally entered politics on Wednesday ahead of the elections. "I have not heard this speculation," Gandhi said while responding to a query about Varun Gandhi joining Congress in a move to reunite the Gandh-Nehru family. Varun Gandhi, cousin of Rahul Gandhi, is at present a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha member from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh. His mother Maneka Gandhi is the Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development in the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.
Queen urges common ground in remarks seen as Brexit nod
Queen Elizabeth II has urged people to seek "common ground," in remarks being seen as a veiled reference to the toxic debate surrounding Britain's departure from the European Union. Though her remarks were similar to her Christmas Day address, the timing of her decision to revisit them Thursday is important. British lawmakers last week threw out the divorce deal Prime Minister Theresa May had struck with the EU, and attempts to find a replacement have been gridlocked. In her speech marking the 100th anniversary of the Sandringham Women's Institute, the monarch urged people to respect other points of view and suggested "coming together to seek out the common ground and never losing sight of the bigger picture." The queen remains publicly neutral and does not express her views.
Naidu, PM urge people to enrol as voters
On the 9th National Voters Day, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday urged the youth to enrol in voters' list, saying people's participation in the electoral exercise strengthens democracy's foundation. In 2011, the Election Commission had started observing January 25 as the National Voters Day. The EC came into being on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a republic. "On the National Voters day, I urge all countrymen to enrol themselves in the voters list and exercise their franchise during elections. People's participation in the electoral process is essential to strengthen the democratic foundations of the country," Naidu's office tweeted. The PM, while greeting people on the occasion, said, "This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and national levels." He said, it will go a long way in building a New India. "I urge people .
Queen sends Brexit message to UK politicians: end your bickering
LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth has sent a delicately coded message to Britain's factious political class over Brexit, urging lawmakers to seek common ground and grasp the big picture to resolve the crisis.
France is preparing for the worst over Brexit, finance minister says
LONDON (Reuters) - France is preparing for the worst as the clock ticks down to Brexit, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday, adding that he does not have any more to give as Prime Minister Theresa May battles to break the deadlock.
Trump takes aim at Indian duty on US whiskey, Harley-Davidson
President Donald Trump has taken aim at the 150 per cent customs duty he says India charges on whiskey imported from the US and the 50 per cent on Harley-Davidson motorcycles as he pushes for a law to impose reciprocity in tariffs in his battle to cut trade deficits.
Select committee meeting on appointment of CBI Director must take place soon: Kharge
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded another meeting of high-powered Select Committee at the earliest and said that yesterday's meeting was "inconclusive" because of the absence of necessary material.The Selection Committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held on Thursday over appointment of a new CBI Director."We have said it to the Prime Minister for a meeting at the earliest. If this keeps on getting delayed like this then naturally the person who has been appointed at the post of CBI Director will keep continuing in the post. They have already made a mistake by posting an ineligible interim director. On the other hand, they called a meeting without preparation, and the material that must be placed in front of the committee wasn't presented, hence it was delayed. If we had all the material we could have decided upon it. This meeting should be held before 21 February when his term ends," Kharge told ANI.Names of 80 officers from four IPS
Selection committee meeting on appointment of CBI director must take place soon: Kharge
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded another meeting of high-powered Selection Committee at the earliest and said that yesterday's meeting was "inconclusive" because of the absence of necessary material.The Selection Committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held on Thursday over the appointment of a new CBI Director."We have said it to the Prime Minister for a meeting at the earliest. If this keeps on getting delayed like this then naturally the person who has been appointed at the post of CBI Director will keep continuing in the post. They have already made a mistake by posting an ineligible interim director. On the other hand, they called a meeting without preparation, and the material that must be placed in front of the committee wasn't presented, hence it was delayed. If we had all the material we could have decided upon it. This meeting should be held before 21 February when his term ends," Kharge told ANI.Names of 80 officers from ..
Omar Abdullah hits out at Sumitra Mahajan for remarks on Priyanka Gandhi's political entry
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, on Friday hit out at Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for her comments on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's appointment as Congress party's general secretary of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and said that Mahajan is the speaker of the Lok Sabha and should "save the cheap shots" when she is not occupying the "high office"."Ma'am you are the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Can you save the cheap shots for when you no longer occupy that high office," read his tweet.Mahajan on Thursday said that Priyanka Gandhi's entry into politics is a confirmation of party president Rahul Gandhi realising that he cannot handle politics alone."As far as Priyanka ji is concerned, she is a good woman, but the thing is, Rahul ji has in a way accepted that he cannot handle politics alone, he has realised that. It is a big thing that he has realised it now, and that is why he has brought in Priyanka ji for help, so it is a good thing," said ..
India closely following situation in Venezuela
India said on Friday it was closely following the situation in Venezuela where Speaker of the National Assembly Juan Guaido has proclaimed himself as the interim President to take on leftist President Nicolas Maduro.
BJP attacks Congress over Odisha chief's role in fraud case
A day after police summoned Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik and his son Navajyoti Patnaik for questioning in an alleged fraud case, the BJP on Friday hit out at Congress for the backwardness of the state and demanded answers from party President Rahul Gandhi.
US needs to stay out of Venezuela, says Tulsi Gabbard
The US needs to stay out of Venezuela, Democratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard has said after the Trump administration backed the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the Latin American country's interim president. Gabbard, 37, the first Hindu elected to US Congress and a four-time Democratic lawmaker, recently announced she will run for President in 2020. "The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela. Let the Venezuelan people determine their future. We don't want other countries to choose our leaders-- so we have to stop trying to choose theirs, Gabbard said in a tweet Thursday. A veteran of Iraq war, she has been opposed to American interventionist policy overseas and is against deployment of US troops in other countries. Describing hard-left President Maduro as "illegitimate", US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the National Assembly, headed by Guaido, is "the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by ...
Iran holds infantry drill involving 12,000 troops
Iran's state TV says the army has launched an annual infantry drill involving some 12,000 troops. It quotes Gen. Nozar Nemati as saying the two-day exercise will unfold over a 190-square mile (500-square kilometer) area in the central Isfahan province. He says the ground forces will practice new offensive tactics. Iran regularly holds exercises to display its military preparedness and has vowed to respond strongly to any attack by Israel or the United States, both of which view it as a regional menace.
National award-winning film director attacked, Ker CM condemns
National award-winning Malayalam film director Priyanandanan Friday claimed he was attacked and cow dung water poured on him and suspected the hand of BJP-RSS workers in the incident that comes days after his objectionable Facebook post on the Sabarimala women's entry issue. However, the BJP has denied any role in the attack. The director said the incident took place at 9 am as he came out of his house at Cherpu in Thrissur district. "As I came out of my house, a man came running, hit me on the face and head and poured cow dung water on me," Priyanandan later told reporters. "The aim is to weaken me with this attack," he added. He alleged that BJP/RSS workers were behind the attack. Police has begun investigation on the complaint filed by the director. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on Priyanandan. In the name of a Facebook post, a few days ago Sangh Parivar organisations had threatened and initiated a cyber attack against him. This was an attack on the ...
US pulls non-essential diplomatic staff from Venezuela
The US has ordered the removal of its non-essential diplomatic staff from Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro gave them 72 hours to leave amid a political crisis.