Page 1877 - Politics
Rheinmetall plans to sue Germany over Saudi arms embargo: Spiegel
BERLIN (Reuters) - German weapons maker Rheinmetall plans to sue the government over its decision to stop all arms exports to Saudi Arabia after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Spiegel Online reported on Sunday.
Is Sena leadership hobnobbing with Cong brass?asks Prem Shukla
Former journalist and BJP spokesperson Prem Shukla Sunday wondered if the Shiv Sena is "hobnobbing" with top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, whom the party patriarch late Bal Thackeray wanted to oust from politics for "looting" the country. Addressing reporters here, Shukla, who had served as the editor of the Sena's Hindi tabloid "Dophar Ka Saamana" before joining the BJP in 2016, said the "panchak" or quintet of the leaders also comprised Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, her husband Robert Vadra and Ahmad Patel, Treasurer of the Congress. Shukla's remarks came amid uncertainty over prospects of an alliance between the Sena and the BJP for upcoming Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections, and amid growing perception that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is going soft on the Congress chief while criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi relentlessly. "I clearly recall Balasaheb Thackeray's last speech at Sena's 'Viajayadashmi' rally at Shivaji Park in
Trump still 'thinking' on Pelosi's proposal of postponing State of Union speech
United States President Donald Trump early on Sunday again took on House Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stating that he is still pondering over Pelosi's request to postpone addressing the State of Union amid the ongoing partial shutdown in the Federal government, which has lasted 30 days and is still counting."Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech. There are so many options- including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance. While a contract is a contract, I'll get back to you soon!" Trump tweeted.According to The Hill, Pelosi, last week, had pleaded President Trump to reschedule his speech that was slated to take place on January 29 and had also suggested the latter to "work together to determine another suitable date after the government has re-opened."President Trump on Thursday cancelled Pelosi's planned seven-day trip to Brussels, Afghanistan, and Egypt, as a "public relations ...
BJP will form govt on its own in Odisha: Bhupender Yadav
BJP National General Secretary Bhupender Yadav Sunday claimed that the saffron party will form the govenrment on its own in Odisha as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies have gained wide acceptance. "BJP will form the government on its own in Odisha. The people of the state this time will reject the BJD and install a BJP government," Yadav told reporters here. Claiming that the BJD government in Odisha has failed to provide benefits of various central schemes to the people at grassroot level, Yadav said: "We are determined to form our government in Odisha and ensure that central schemes really reach the people here". Yadav, however, avoided questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged soft stand on the BJD chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his last three public rallies in the state. "This may be your personal observation," Yadav said. The BJP leader said he would visit different states carrying the message of resolutions of BJPs national ...
Democrats 'only seeing' 2020 elections: US President Trump
United States President Donald Trump in a series of tweets on Sunday lashed out at the Democrats and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for rejecting his proposal offering temporary protection to the migrants, and accusing them of only acting with the '2020 election' bid in their mind.The US President took to Twitter, as saying, "Nancy Pelosi and some of the Democrats turned down my offer yesterday before I even got up to speak. They don't see crime & drugs, they only see 2020 - which they are not going to win. Best economy! They should do the right thing for the Country & allow people to go back to work.""No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer. It is a 3-year extension of DACA. Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else. Likewise, there will be no big push to remove the 11,000,000 plus people who are here illegally-but be careful Nancy!" Trump added.On January 19, Trump outlined his plans in a bid to end the nearly month-long partial ...
Cong, NCP did not provide land for Ambedkar memorial: CM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged Sunday that the Congress and NCP, when in power, did not provide land in Mumbai for a memorial of Dr B R Ambedkar. Speaking at the national convention of the BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha here, Fadnavis came down heavily upon the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party. "These leaders made so many memorials for their forefathers but Congress leaders could not give land for the father of Indian Constitution (Ambedkar)," he said. "Because their eyes were set on the Indu Mill land and its FSI (floor space index, for commercial development), like they captured other (textile) mill lands in Mumbai," Fadnavis alleged. Dalit organisations had been long demanding the land of the defunct Indu Mill -- which was with National Textile Corporation -- for the Ambedkar memorial. "Congress, NCP and other political parties which ask for votes in the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar did not give an inch of Indu Mill land for the memorial ..
S Africa urges 'all parties' to accept Tshisekedi DRC win
South Africa on Sunday congratulated Felix Tshisekedi on becoming president-elect of DR Congo following a Constitutional Court ruling, despite the African Union and EU warning of doubts over the country's disputed election result. "President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Mr Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo," the presidency said in a statement, calling for "all parties and all stakeholders in the DRC to respect the decision of the Constitutional Court". "President Ramaphosa also congratulated the people of DRC for conducting peaceful elections and commended them for exercising great restraint and staying calm when waiting for the Constitutional Court to make a determination," it added. "Now that the highest Court in the land has ruled, all the people of Congo and all stakeholders are urged to accept the outcome of the Court and move on to consolidate democracy and preserve peace, stability and security." Announcing the final results of the much-delayed poll, the Democratic Republic of ...
DMK names seat sharing team for LS poll, tries early bird edge
The DMK Sunday named a committee headed by party treasurer Duraimurugan to hold seat-sharing talks with allies including the Congress for the coming Lok Sabha elections. Apparently eyeing an early bird advantage in the run up to the polls, DMK said the panel would consist of five other leaders including party organisation secretary, R S Barathi and deputy general secretary I Periasami. The ruling AIADMK is yet to announce if it would forge electoral ties with the BJP or not while leaders like Deputy Lok Sabha Speaker M Thambidurai have voiced their opposition to "shouldering" the saffron party in Tamil Nadu. A DMK leader said the seat sharing panel would facilitate "firming up ties with friendly parties and formally rein them in as allies to face polls under the leadership of party chief M K Stalin." It may be recalled that DMK had recently said that only Congress and IUML were its allies while others including Vaiko-led MDMK and Viduthalai Chiruthailgal Katchi were only
Pilot demands white paper from the Central govt on its work in 5 yrs
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot Sunday demanded a white paper from the Union government on its works in the country during its tenure. Pilot, also the Pradesh Congress Committee chief, raised the demand while talking to reporters here in the city. He had visited Jodhpur to attend a programme Turning the Tide, organized by Young President Organisation of India. "The Modi government should release a white paper on its works in the country in 5 years of its tenure," said Pilot adding that this government has done the job of only scaring various sections of the society and damaging constitutional institutions of the country. About the new Congress government in the state, Pilot said his government was currently engaged in bridging the gap between the people and the government. Rahul Gandhi had said the gap between the government and the people should end. It's the people's government in the state now and we have started working towards making people-friendly policies after ...
DMK says TN Dy CM held 'yagna' for post, AIADMK rejects claim
DMK chief M K Stalin Sunday claimed that Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam held a 'yagna' at his office in the Secretariat here and objected to it saying Fort St George was common to people of all religions. Stalin, addressing a wedding ceremony here claimed that the yagna performed by Pannerselvam early Sunday may have been done to get the "Chief Minsiter's post." The ruling AIADMK, however, was quick to dismiss the claim as a rumour spread by the DMK with an intention of dividing an united party. The DMK top leader said Panneerselvam should answer why he held the 'yagna' at Fort St George that houses the Secretariat. "How can you hold it at Fort St George, what right do you have? it is a place common to people of all religions," he said. Noting that he would not have objected if the yagna had been performed either at the Deputy Chief Minister's residence or a temple, Stalin said the premises of Fort St George belonged to the government and people of all ...
Cries of help are of those seeking freedom from tyranny: Rahul on Modi's 'bachao' jibe
Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday over his "bachao, bachao" swipe at the Opposition, saying the cries of help were of people "begging" to be freed from "your tyranny and incompetence". Gandhi's attack came a day after Modi, taking a dig at the Opposition rally organised by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, said the BJP had only one MLA in West Bengal, "but still they are so afraid of us, because we follow the path of truth, that they have gathered parties from across the country and are crying 'bachao, bachao, bachao' (save us)". "Your Highness, The cries for help are the cries of millions of unemployed youth; of farmers in distress; of oppressed Dalits & Adivasis; of persecuted minorities; of small businessmen in ruin; begging to be freed from your tyranny & incompetence. In 100 days they will be free," Gandhi said in a tweet. Unfazed by the Opposition's show of unity in Kolkata on Saturday, Modi dismissed it
Rajnath justifies EWS quota, says B R Ambedkar wanted equality
Accusing the Congress of trying to secure votes of dalits in the name of B R Ambedkar, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said the new law guaranteeing 10 per cent quota for the poor among the general category was in tune with Modi government's commitment to ensure development of all sections. The Constitutional amendment to provide the 10 per cent quota in government jobs and higher education to the Economically Weaker Secions (EWS) among the general category received assent of President Ram Nath Kovind January 12. Some sections of the society have opposed this provision saying it has violated the Constitution which doesn't recognise economic backwardness as the criterion for reservation. Addressing a public rallyhere on the concluding day of the national convention of BJP's scheduled Caste (SC) cell, Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the new reservation to realise Dalit icon Ambedkar's dream of the egalitarian society. "Babasaheb Ambedkar had ...
Kashmir went through its worst phase under PDP-BJP government: Farooq Abdullah
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said the Valley went through its worst phase under the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP government as the two parties in power communalised Hindus and Muslims.
JD(U) to vote against citizenship bill in Rajya Sabha
The Janata Dal (United) Sunday said it would vote against the controversial Citizenship Bill when it is tabled in the Rajya Sabha, notwithstanding the party's alliance with the BJP. The party's national general secretary and chief spokesman K C Tyagi said this while criticising the Congress for staging a walkout from the Lok Sabha when the bill was being put to vote, saying it was a "farce" and "tantamount to support". The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document. A large section of the people and several organisations in the northeast have opposed the bill saying it would nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for deportation of illegal immigrants irrespective of ...
None in Oppn has courage and caliber to challenge Modi: Ram Madhav
Exuding confidence that the BJP would return to power at the Centre after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, senior party leader Ram Madhav Sunday said none in the Opposition has the "courage and caliber" to challenge Prime Miniser Narendra Modi. There is no reason for the people to dislodge Modi from the chair there is no one in the Opposition camp having the calibre and courage to challenge the prime minister and the BJP, the party general secretary told reporters here. He said the BJP would repeat its 2014 performance in 2019 too and would emerge winner with more seats than its present tally along with its NDA coalition partners. Madhav said the BJP has already started its poll preparation amid "enthusiastic and dedicated" participation by its workers under the guidance of its president Amit Shah. "Even if the entire Opposition comes together, they will not be able to win as the BJP enjoys the support of the people across the country, he said. Dubbing the Saturday's Opposition rally in ...
Telangana Assembly session: KCR attacks Congress over land survey
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday attacked the Congress over the issue of land survey in the state."We have never ignored land surveys, the Congress government did that. I promise all the farmers that we will conduct all the land surveys, Till now we have handed over land pass books to 54 lakh farmers," the Chief Minister said in his address to the Karnataka Assembly.Rao said that while the Congress had for decades neglected farmers, his government was providing them 100 per cent subsidy for building double bedroom houses.He further rebuked claims by Congress members that the Kanti Velugu initiative of his government has resulted in the loss of vision in a lot of people."I want to make it clear that we haven't done a single eye operation till now we will start doing it soon. It's completely wrong that some people lost their eyes," the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) chief said.Rao also assured implementation of the Panchayat Bill immediately after the general ...
BJP creating issues out of a slip of tongue laughable: Sharad Yadav on his Bofors comment
Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav on Sunday said it is "laughable" that the BJP is trying to create an issue out of his "slip of tongue" remark at a rally in Kolkata, where he said that the country was looted via the Bofors deal, which was signed by the Congress government in 1986.Speaking to ANI, Yadav said: "It is laughable. I was actually quoting N Ram's (senior journalist) report in The Hindu. The story is about the Rafale deal. Now if they start making issues out of a slip of tongue, then imagine their helplessness."During the mega rally of opposition parties in Kolkata on Saturday, the former Member of Rajya Sabha attempted to attack the BJP on the controversial Rafale deal, but, instead said, "Robbery was committed in the Bofors deal."In an interaction with BJP workers in Maharashtra and Goa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the irony in the mention of the Bofors scandal from a platform where the 'Mahagathbandhan' leaders had gathered to talk about saving the ...
AAP to contest on all Lok Sabha seats in Punjab
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced that his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would contest on all 13 seats in Punjab in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."AAP will contest on all Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. The people of Punjab were upset with Akali Dal and now even the Congress has failed to fulfill all their promises. We will work in Punjab the same way we worked in Delhi," he told media persons here."The country is fed up with the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. If they will come to power again in 2019, then they will divide the nation. The entire nation and anti-BJP forces want to defeat them," Kejriwal said.During his visit, Kejriwal addressed a rally in Barnala town.Earlier while talking to ANI, AAP leader Gopal Rai said that the party would contest the Lok Sabha elections all alone in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana."Our party will contest the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana alone. For Congress, their arrogance is bigger than the ..
Afghanistan's incumbent president registers for re-election
President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday formally registered as a candidate for Afghanistan's delayed presidential election, setting up a rematch with Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in the July ballot. Ghani, who is seeking a second term, was elected in a fraud-tainted poll in 2014 that was only resolved in a US-brokered power-sharing deal with Abdullah. De facto prime minister Abdullah -- Ghani's partner in the fragile unity government -- is among at least 14 other candidates who have joined the race. The president has replaced his current first vice president, Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, with Amrullah Saleh, an ethnic Tajik and a staunch opponent of the Taliban, for his 2019 ticket. Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, needs to expand his support beyond Afghanistan's largest ethnic group and build alliances with other ethnicities. "A strong government can solve the current crisis. The crisis this country has faced in the past 40 years has been because of lack of a strong government," Ghani ..
CAIT to launch campaign to strengthen importance of traders in polls
Traders' body CAIT Sunday said it has decided to launch a nation-wide campaign in order to establish the importance of trading community in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is launching a national campaign 'One Nation-One Trader-Ten Votes' beginning February 1 to establish the importance of trading community in polls, the association secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said in a statement. The Lok Sabha elections are likely to be held in April-May this year. As part of the campaign, it said, special teams of local trade associations in each city affiliated with the association will contact traders in their respective area and will make them aware of the importance of traders in national economy and urge them to cast their vote on the whip by CAIT. "The Lok Sabha poll is an opportunity to underline our importance in Indian economy and we are gearing ourselves for the cause," he said. There are about 7 crore small businesses providing livelihood ..