Page 186 - Politics
CM agreed to give one post in Maharashtra cabinet and 10 seats in state for upcoming polls: Ramdas Athawale
Union Miniarwe Ramdas Athawale on Friday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reacted positively to his demands for one ministerial berth in the upcoming cabinet expansion and 10 seats for his party RPI in the Assembly polls later this year."I met the CM and demanded that at least one ministerial berth be given to Republican Party of India (RPI) in the upcoming Maharashtra cabinet expansion, I also demanded 10 assembly seats for RPI to contest in polls. The CM was positive to both of my demands," he said talking to reporters after the meeting.Athawale is the president of RPI which is a part of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.He represents the state of Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.Athawale also requested Fadnavis for a national memorial to be made at the site where Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar spent many years of his life and to increase the height of the national icon's statue to 350 meters."I requested to make a national ...
Regime, Russia bombardment kills 28 in northwest Syria: monitor
Regime and Russian air strikes and shelling have killed at least 28 people including seven civilians in embattled northwest Syria, a war monitor said Friday, despite a ceasefire announced by Moscow. The civilians were killed in regime air strikes and shelling on the south of Idlib province and the north of Hama province Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Russian and regime air strikes also killed 21 jihadist and Islamist fighters in the same region the same day, the Britain-based monitor added. The Idlib region of some three million people is supposed to be protected from a massive regime offensive by a buffer zone deal that Russia and Turkey signed in September. But it was never fully implemented, as jihadists refused to withdraw from a planned demilitarised zone. In January, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate extended its administrative control over the region, which includes most of Idlib province as well as adjacent ...
India, Kyrgyzstan hold bilateral on SCO sidelines
Shortly after jointly inaugurating the India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum, the leaders of the two nations held a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit here on Friday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last met the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, a day after his swearing-in ceremony for a second term. Jeenbekov was the first international leader Modi met after taking oath.Apart from the BIMSTEC nations, the SCO Chair and India's important regional ally was invited to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on May 30.Before holding the bilateral on Friday, the two leaders urged the business community from both countries to "explore the untapped potential" at the joint business forum, according to Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed during the meeting between the two leaders.
Iran denies tanker attacks as tensions soar
Iran dismissed as "baseless" on Friday US accusations it executed twin attacks that left two tankers ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, raising fears of conflict in the strategically vital waterway. China called for all sides to "resolve the conflict through dialogue" as oil prices jumped, while the European Union and the United Nations called for restraint. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Washington would defend its regional interests after US Central Command blamed Iranian forces for the attacks -- the second in a month in the strategic shipping lane. CENTCOM released grainy black-and-white video it said showed crew members of an Iranian patrol boat removing an "unexploded limpet mine" from the hull of Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous. No proxy group could be responsible, Pompeo said. But Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that the US had "immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran without a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence". He accused ...
BJP proved that parties can run on values, performance: Madhav
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav Friday said his party has proved that political parties can be run on the basis of values and performance. He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day- long orientation-cum-leadership development programme at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) at Uttan near Bhayandar in Thane district. The training programme is being attended by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and 41 BJP MLAs from his state. RMP, an RSS-affiliated independent research and training institute, is conducting this training programme, which will have sessions on topics like understanding the roles and responsibilities of an MLA. BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Madhav inaugurated the programme. Addressing the lawmakers from the north-eastern state, Madhav said, "You may be quite good popularity-wise, but you should also be as good in terms of performance...BJP is not only a party, but a way of life and a political culture." "We are one of the 1,600 ..
Plea in Calcutta HC seeks chanting of 'Jai Shri Ram' be declared fundamental right
The Calcutta High Court Friday adjourned hearing in a plea seeking its intervention on alleged prevention of and penal action against those who are chanting "Jai Shri Ram" in West Bengal. Moving the PIL before a division bench presided by Chief Justice T B N Radhakrishnan, the petitioner prayed that chanting of "Jai Shri Ram" be declared a fundamental right of the citizens. Citing media reports, the petitioner, lawyer Partha Ghosh, sought that no obstruction be created or no penal action be taken against those who chant the name or perform puja of Lord Ram. Refusing an immediate intervention, the division bench adjourned hearing in the matter for four weeks. The bench, also comprising Justice Suvra Ghosh, observed that it would have understood if the voice of the masses were crushed, but would not do so at the drop of a hat. It said that if anyone is aggrieved by any action of the administration or the police, he or she may take recourse of legal action.
Regional dynamics should be shifted from confrontation to cooperation: Pak PM
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that enduring peace and prosperity in South Asia will remain elusive until the main dynamics in the region is shifted from "confrontation to cooperation". Addressing the 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit here, Khan said the South Asia continues to be challenged by common enemies, including poverty, illiteracy, disease and under-development. "Enduring peace and prosperity in South Asia will remain elusive until the main dynamic in South Asia is shifted from confrontation to cooperation," Khan was quoted as saying by the state-run Radio Pakistan. The "political differences and unresolved disputes further compound the predicament," the prime minister said. "It is important to seize the opportunities for peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes and collective endeavours for regional prosperity," he said. Khan also said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including "state-terrorism ...
14 decisions signed at SCO summit, Russia to host next meet
Fourteen agreements, including those on cooperation in sports, healthcare and environment, were signed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit here on Friday.Briefing media on the outcome of the summit, attended by heads of government and state the member-countries, officials said that other than this there are the general administrative agreements."In total 14 decisions have been signed by the Council of the Head of States and we have on the sidelines signed some cooperation agreements between SCO and UN-specialised agencies," they said.Joint Secretary (SCO) in the External Affairs Ministry, Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat Sarma, highlighted that discussions regarding terrorism, Afghanistan, and economic issues, especially opportunities for economic cooperation, during the summit.She said India reiterated its long-held stand towards the peace process in Afghanistan, which it believes should be led, owned, and controlled by Kabul."The deliberations were divided into two ...
Xi offers support for improvement of Indo-Pak ties in his meeting with Imran
Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday offered Beijing's support for Pakistan and India to improve their strained relations during his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan here, China's state-run media reported. Xi's remarks comes a day after his meeting with Narendra Modi on Thursday during which the Prime Minister made it amply clear that dialogue with Pakistan is not possible without Islamabad giving up terrorism. During their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, Xi told Khan that China "supports Pakistan and India in improving their relations", state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Prime Minister Modi raised the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan during his talks with President Xi and said India expects "concrete action" by Islamabad to create an atmosphere "free of terror" for the resumption of dialogue. Modi did not meet Khan on the sidelines of the SCO summit, spurning Pakistan Prime Minister's suggestion for a bilateral
India, SCO members unite to condemn terrorism in Bishkek Declaration
India and other members of the SCO Friday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and called on the international community to promote cooperation in combatting the menace. According to the Bishkek Declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Heads of State Council, the member states stressed that acts of terrorism and extremism cannot be justified. Increasing challenges and security threats that are becoming cross-border in their nature like terrorism, spread of terrorist and extremist ideology including on the internet, returning foreign terrorists, proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction, the risk of an arms race among others need special attention, close coordination and constructive cooperation of the global community, it said. "The member states condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "They call on the international community to promote global cooperation in combatting terrorism with the central role of the UN by fully ...
Ambiguity over Rahul as Congress prez continues
A communication from the AICC on the appointments to the Congrests Legislature Party in Maharashtra on Friday appears to strengthen the clouds of uncertainty."The AICC has approved your proposal regarding the apointment of MLAs and MLCs to the following positions in the lower house and upper house of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Maharashtra Legislative Council," read a letter from AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal to another AICC General Secretary Mallikarjun Kharge, who is in charge of Maharashtra affairs.Normally, such communications invoke the office of the Conbgress President for the approval of such appointments. But today's coomunication said "the AICC has approved..."Ever since Gandhi offered to resign from the post of Congress president in the wake of electoral debacle, which was, however, rejected by the Congress Working Committee, the party has tied itself in knots on the issue.The spokespersons have been maintaining that Gandhi continues to be the party and ...
Kumaraswamy expands cabinet in a bid to save govt
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy expanded his cabinet Friday by inducting two Independent MLAs in an apparent move to give stability to his 13-month-old wobbly government. R Shankar and H Nagesh were sworn in as cabinet ministers, months after they withdrew support to the government and sided with the BJP before making a U-turn to move close to the ruling coalition. The exercise is seen as a move to quell growing dissent within the coalition and to ensure that the two lawmakers don't jump the ship once again. Shankar was inducted from the Congress' share and Nagesh from the JD(S) quota in the ministry. Under the coalition arrangement, of the total 34 ministerial positions, the Congress and JD(S) have shared 22 and 12 berths respectively. With the two independents in the government, the coalition strength in the 224-member assembly stands at 118 (Congress-78, JD(S)-37, BSP-1 and Independents-2), besides the Speaker. The BJP has 105 MLAs. Prior to the expansion, three posts were
Uddhav Thackeray, 18 Sena MPs to visit Ayodhya this Sunday
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya with 18 newly elected party MPs Sunday, making a fresh pitch for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site there. Thackeray will offer prayers at the makeshift Ram Lalla temple at the site. This will be Thackeray's first visit to Ayodhya after the Lok Sabha results last month. He had visited Ayodhya in November last year. The Shiv Sena had earlier announced that Thackeray and the newly elected MPs would visit Ayodhya before the beginning of the Parliament session on Monday. However, the party's state unit chief Anil Singh said the visit should not been seen from the electoral lens and it was "a matter of devotion and faith". Maharashtra will be going to the polls later in the year. When asked about the purpose of the visit, Singh said, "Before the Lok Sabha elections, Uddhavji went to a number of religious places for darshan. Now, after the party performed well in the polls and is a part of the NDA government, he is going
Will start movement for return of ballot papers: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday intensified her demand for the return of the ballot paper system in polling and said her party will start a movement with this demand on the July 21 Martyr's Day Rally.
Delhi court sends 3 separatists to judicial custody till Jul 12 in terror funding case
A Delhi court Friday sent Kashmiri separatists Shabir Shah, Asiya Andrabi and Masarat Alam Bhat, arrested by NIA in connection with a terror funding case, to judicial custody till July 12. The case relates to alleged terror funding in the Valley and involves Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind based in Pakistan. Special Judge Rakesh Syal sent the trio to custody after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) did not seek any further custodial interrogation, advocate M S Khan, appearing for the accused, told PTI. NIA had arrested the three separatists on July 4 during in-chamber proceedings in the court and the agency was granted 10-day custody of the trio. Shah and Andrabi were already in custody in separate cases, while Alam was earlier brought from Jammu and Kashmir on transit remand where he was lodged in jail for alleged terror activities. NIA had filed a charge sheet in January 2018 against Saeed, another terror mastermind Syed ...
AAP asks MEA to ensure return of two women from Punjab stranded abroad
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators from Punjab on Friday met officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, urging them to ensure the safe return of two Punjabi women "trapped" in Australia and Kuwait.
Monsoon session of Goa Assembly from July 15 to August 9
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha Friday called monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly from July 15. The session will end on August 9. It would be the first full-length session of the government since Pramod Sawant became chief minister. Sawant, who was Speaker of the Assembly, took reins of the government after the death of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar. The session will have discussion on the state Budget 2019-20, though a full-fledged Budget was not tabled in the House in February owing to Parrikar's health.
Pakistan-bound Sikh pilgrims stranded at Attari
At least 130 Sikh pilgrims heading for Pakistan were left stranded at the Attari railway station on Friday as the Indian government did not grant them permission to cross the international border.
Abe fails to broker dialogue between Iran, US
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a two-day trip to Iran sought to mediate a de-escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran and offer to broker dialogue between the two countries, but his bid was rejected by Iran, officials here said on Friday.
May's deal 'only agreement possible' for orderly Brexit: Barnier
The Brexit deal negotiated by Theresa May is the only one possible for an orderly withdrawal from the EU, the bloc's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Friday as the race to succeed the British prime minister hots up. "I repeat calmly that the United Kingdom still wants to leave the European Union... so the agreement that is on the table is the only agreement possible for an orderly withdrawal," Barnier said. "This is where we're at and we're waiting on the nomination of a new prime minister in London and what it will tell us, that's what matters," Barnier told European and African senators meeting in Paris, including the speaker of Britain's House of Lords, Norman Fowler. On Thursday former London mayor Boris Johnson, a figurehead of the 2016 Brexit campaign, topped the first round of voting for a new leader of the Conservative party and the country. Johnson, who wants to negotiate better withdrawal terms, has pledged to take Britain out of the EU by an October 31 deadline "deal or