Page 1851 - Politics
Opp leaders have come together out of fear of Modi: Irani
Union minister Smriti Irani Wednesday took a dig at opposition parties over their Kolkata rally and said those leaders who opposed each other all their lives have now come together to serve their own "personal interests" and "out of fear of Narendra Modi". "West Bengal witnessed a peculiar situation where people (opposition leaders) came together on a political platform. They have nothing to do with the development of the people," she told BJP's 'Ganatantra Bachao' rally here. "They (opposition leaders) came together out of fear of Narendra Modi. They came together to serve their personal interests. They have opposed each other all their lives but have come together in order to stop the developmental process initiated by Narendra Modi," she said. Irani mocked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for sharing the stage at the rally and trying to forge an alliance with the Congress, who, she claimed, had once tortured her during her days in that party. Several BJP workers have been
Ban to continue on fish from Andhra Pradesh in Patna
The Bihar government on Wednesday decided to continue its ban on sale, storage and transportation of fish from Andhra Pradesh in Patna following lab tests that confirmed presence of high content of toxic chemical formalin. A team of officials will visit Andhra Pradesh to examine the fish, an official said.
For most, family is party: Modi's attack on Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a jibe at the Opposition parties, saying for most of them family is party while for the BJP the party is the family.
Priyanka takes political plunge, named UP General Secretary East (Roundup)
Playing his surprise trump card, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appointed his sister Priyanka Gandhi the party General Secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, where the SP-BSP alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls had pushed the Congress into a corner ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Ahead of LS polls, pol parties in Bengal try to capitalise on Netaji
Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls, political parties in West Bengal seem to be engaged in a battle over the legacy of Subhas Chandra Bose, leaving no stone unturned to encash on Netaji's public image. Starting from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) to opposition BJP, Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front, all the political outfits organised day-long programs to celebrate Netaji's 122nd birthday anniversary Wednesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presided over the celebration at Darjeeling Chowrasta in the heart of the hill town. She rued that the Centre had not declared the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a national holiday befitting his stature. "It seems they (the Centre) do not consider him (Netaji) a national leader...Netaji had talked of togetherness and unity of all people of the country," Mamata said, adding a person who takes people from all sections along was the only "true leader". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for the last few years since the Centre's ...
Trump wants to deliver State of Union next week as planned
The White House is moving forward with plans for President Donald Trump to deliver his State of the Union speech next week in front of a joint session of Congress despite a letter from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting he delay it. The White House sent an email to the House sergeant-at-arms asking to schedule a walk-through in anticipation of a January 29 address, according to a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the planning by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. "Nancy Pelosi made the invitation to the president on the State of the Union. He accepted," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders. "At this point, we're moving forward." The move is the latest in a game of political brinkmanship between Trump and the House speaker as they remain locked in an increasingly personal standoff over Trump's demand for border wall funding that has forced a partial government shutdown that is now in its second month. The maneuvering began last week when ..
Pak targets forward Indian posts, civilians areas; draws strong reaction
The Pakistan Army Wednesday fired mortar bombs and small arms targeting forwards posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu andKashmir's Poonch district, officials said. The defence spokesperson said the Pakistan Army continued its "nefarious activities along the LoC". They fired small arms and mortars in Mendhar sector at about 4 pm. He said that the Indian Army was retaliating strongly and effectively. The officials said the Pakistan Army was firing 120 mm and 81 mm mortars continuously.
J&K BJP slams Farooq Abdullah over his 'EVM is chor machine' remark
The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit Wednesday hit out at NC president Farooq Abdullah over his remark about the EVM machine and alleged that he wanted the ballot paper system to be brought back so that his party could rig the polls. Speaking at the united opposition rally organised by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee last week, Abdullah had dubbed the EVM as "chor (thief) machine" and demanded that the ballot paper system be brought back "for the sake of transparency". The BJP "denounces" Abdullah's statement, party state spokesperson Balbir Rattan Ram. Such statements reflect the inner designs of the opposition parties as they know that they will be defeated in the upcoming polls, he told reporters here. The BJP leader claimed that the objective behind the opposition's campaign against the EVMs was to belittle the Election Commission. Ram accused the NC of rigging the 1987 state assembly polls by changing ballot boxes and through bogus voting. What happened in 1987, when NC came to power ...
S.Sudan urges foreign partners to fund peace deal
South Sudan on Wednesday called on the international community to fund efforts to implement a peace deal, which is already four months behind schedule due to lack of money. In an address to diplomats, deputy foreign minister Deng Dau Deng said the money was needed to move warring forces into cantonment areas, a move seen as vital to addressing security in the country. "Our specific appeal is for our partners and for the diplomatic community in Juba to give support to plug the gaps... so that we can move," Deng said. Goc Mokwach, deputy finance minister, told AFP that parliament last year approved estimated spending of USD 20 million to implement the peace deal, however an overall budget has not been announced. But Deng said the government only had USD 1.6 million for peace efforts. "If you don't have resources, you cannot move," he said. "It is availability of the resources that will actually enhance the process itself." From the fight for independence until it was achieved in 2011, ..
Cong-JDS coordination committee on Thursday to discuss
Karnataka's ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition coordination committee is scheduledto meet on Thursday, amid chinks in the alliance and an alleged bid by the BJP to dislodge the H D Kumaraswamy government. The meeting gains significance as it comes days after political turmoil that also saw Congress, the senior partner, herd its MLAs to a resort to shield them from BJP's alleged poaching bid, where two law makers entered into a brawl, causing embarrassment to the government. The coalition government's coordination committee meeting,chaired by Siddaramaiah (committee Chairman), is scheduled totake place tomorrow (Thursday) at 5 PM, Siddaramaiah's office said in a statement. Sources said that the meeting is expected to discuss the upcoming state budget, preparations for the Lok Sabha polls and recent political developments that include the alleged bid by the BJP to topple the government and disgruntlement within the Congress. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy,who also holds the ..
Mumbai Cong holds protest for bringing back paper ballots
Questionning credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), city Congress president Sanjay Nirupam Wednesday organised a protest demanding that they be replaced with ballot papers. Addressing party workers outside Mumbai suburban district collector's office in Bandra, Nirupam alleged the "goons of the BJP rigged the election results in 2014 by hacking the EVMs". "We are not against using technology or EVMs but unfortunately these machines are being used for the vested interests by the BJP. The Congress has always been voted to power with genuine votes unlike the BJP. The Election Commission has no right to defend the EVMs if they are being used for manipulating the poll results," Nirupam said. He later called on Mumbai suburban collector Sachin Kurve and urged him to take necessary steps to replace EVMs with ballot papers. All India women Congress general secretary Nagma Morarji, who also participated in the agitation, said the women in the country and the ...
Priyanka's appointment as East UP in-charge comes as a 'shocker' to BJP
Priyanka Gandhi's official entry into politics has come as a "shocker" for the BJP even as it was preparing to counter the newly formed alliance of the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh.
Russia displays new missile, says it doesn't violate INF treaty
Russia's Defence Ministry on Wednesday showcased a new missile that the US claims violates a 1987 arms agreement aimed at eliminating intermediate and shorter-range missiles.
After torture accusations, Zimbabwe says lessons to be learnt
Harare on Wednesday acknowledged accusations that its security forces engaged in "systematic torture" during a crackdown on anti-government protests, saying there were lessons to be learnt from the operation. In a blunt statement issued on Tuesday, the government-appointed Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission accused the security forces of "systematic torture" and lambasted the authorities for using soldiers to curb civilian disturbances. "It was quite a strong report against the methods that were used by law enforcement agencies, it was a strong report against the demonstrators who took the law into their own hands," presidential spokesman George Charamba told reporters in Harare. It was the first time the government had reacted to the damning report from the government-funded commission which was created nine years ago. "In every situation of conflict, there are lessons to be drawn," he said, responding to a question about what the government had learnt from the crackdown. But he also ..
Khaira and Taksali leaders are Congress B-team: Sukhbir Badal
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal Wednesday said by tying up with former leader of the opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Taksali leaders have proved themselves to be the Congress 'B-team'. "The so called Taksali leaders have proved that they are the B-team of the Congress by tying up with another closeted Congressman Sukhpal Singh Khaira," Badal alleged here. Interacting with party workers at Attari and Baba Bakala, the SAD president said however much MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura may deny his Congress links, the tie-up with former AAP leader Khaira has proved that he as well as Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Rattan Singh Ajnala were working as per the "Congress party's agenda". "Brahmpura hatched a conspiracy during a meeting with chief minister Amarinder Singh. However Brahmpura denies this... but the people will never forgive him for betraying his 'panthic' past to become a Congress agent," he alleged. Taksali (old guard) leadersBrahmpura, Sekhwan and Ajnala had formed SAD
After PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah to set foot in Odisha
BJP president Amit Shah and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi are set to tour Odisha this month, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's back-to-back visits to the state. Shah will address a public meeting at Kulia in Cuttack district on January 29 and attend the party's tribal front convention at Puri on February 3, general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said. The senior BJP leader's scheduled visit to the state on January 18 was cancelled in view of his illness. All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi will visit Odisha every month till the general elections, Congress' Odisha In-charge Jitendra Singh told reporters here. Gandhi's tour to Odisha will kickstart on January 25 from Tamando on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar city, where he will attend public rallies and meet party workers. "He has a special place in his heart for the people of Odisha, especially the tribal and underprivileged population in the state," Singh said. Asked about Gandhi's agenda ...
Kejriwal warns against division of votes, claims Cong can't win single LS seat in Delhi
Attending a gathering of Imams of mosques in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday warned against division of votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Delhi and claimed that the Congress would not win a single seat in the national capital. At the event hosted by the Delhi Waqf Board, its chairman and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan said the hike in the salaries of the Imams and Muajjins (mosque staff who give the prayer call) of the 200-odd mosques under the board will be implemented from February. He added that the salaries of the Imams and Muajjins of 1,500 other mosques in the city would also be increased. Urging the Imams to support the AAP, Khan said, "People are saying they will vote for the Congress because the next prime minister will be from that party. If that is indeed so, we will also extend support to the Congress, but in Delhi, only the AAP can defeat the BJP, not the Congress." Echoing the same sentiment, Kejriwal said, "If I felt the Congress
MP Cong hails Priyanka's entry into active politics
Madhya Pradesh Congress Wednesday welcomed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics saying it shows the party's strong will to emerge victorious in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. A group of party workers celebrated the development by dancing and distributing sweets outside the state Congress office- Indira Bhawan. Various party leaders and ministers also hailed the move saying it would benefit the party. Ending years of speculation, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra formally entered politics on Wednesday with the Congress appointing her general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East in a move reflecting the party's intent to go full throttle in the state ahead of the general elections. Senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was also appointed as AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh West. "Warm wishes and Congratulations to Priyanka Gandhi ji and Jyotiraditya Scindia ji on being appointed as All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Uttar ...
France won't enter a 'stupidity contest' with Italy: minister
Paris will not be drawn into a "stupidity contest" with the populist government of Italy, where officials have launched several verbal attacks on President Emmanuel Macron, France's Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau said Wednesday. "Our intention is not to have a stupidity contest," Loiseau said, adding that the government would not wage a war of words or otherwise seek to retaliate against Rome. Tensions have flared between the two countries since the Five Star Movement aligned with the far-right League party came to power in Italy last June. Macron targeted the populist government specifically last year as he sought to form a pro-Europe alliance of parties ahead of European Parliament elections in May, raising the hackles of politicians in Rome. On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio accused Paris of continuing to colonise Africa and causing people to migrate from the continent to Europe. That prompted France to summon Italy's ambassador in protest over Di Maio's comments ...
Money is the grey polluting cloud over our political system :
Former West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi Wednesday said money is presently the grey polluting cloud which floats over heads of political parties in the country. Addressing the keynote lecture on the occasion of the 122nd birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at 'Netaji Bhavan' here, he said "The five letter word money today is the grey cloud of polluting miasma (fog) which floats over heads of political parties." Stating the "crown made of money" is now sitting on the heads of political parties, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi said, "that is a very great failure of our political leadership. The other great failure is complete absence of mutual faith and trust." He said the trust which marked the "equation between Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Bose, between Jawaharlal Nehru and Bose" is conspicuous by its absence now. "The presence of money and absence of trust are the two most important signs of collapse of quality of political leadership in India," the ...