Page 1902 - Politics
Former BJP MP Uday Singh resigns from the party;to join Grand
Former BJP MP Uday Singh, who has represented the Purnea Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar twice, announced his resignation from the party here on Friday alleging that it has surrendered before the discredited JD(U) headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Singh did not reveal his cards saying until resigning from the BJP, I had no right to negotiate with any other party but gave ample hints saying I may join a Grand Alliance constituent. He stated he saw Congress president Rahul Gandhis popularity growing even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi of whom he had been an ardent supporter, seemed to have withdrawn himself from reality even if he has good intentions. He also said that even while in the BJP, I never approved of the slogan of Congress-mukt Bharat. A democracy cannot survive if the opposition is wiped out. It will degenerate into a totalitarian regime. Singh, whose elder brother N K Singh is the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, had lost his seat in 2014
No tie up with Congress in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party, which has been giving mixed signals on the chances of an alliance with the Congress, on Friday finally ruled out any such possibility in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, saying the Congress is not thinking for the nation.
Odisha legislator Jogesh Singh resigns from Congress
Odisha Congress legislator Jogesh Singh resigned from the primary membership of the party on Friday, a day after he was suspended for anti-party activities.
US envoy on Afghanistan Khalilzad holds talks with Pak Foreign Minister
US special envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad Friday held talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and discussed efforts to speed up the Afghan peace process by involving the Taliban. Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad on Thursday from Afghanistan and held delegation level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and also met Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said Khalilzad called on Qureshi. "He briefed Foreign Minister Qureshi on his recent engagements in the region for Afghan peace and reconciliation process," Faisal said. "The FM assured Ambassador Khalizad of Pakistan's support for the peace process," he tweeted. Earlier, a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Thursday after Khalizad's meeting with Janjua said that the two sides agreed on "intra-Afghan dialogue" to end more than 17-year-long Afghan war. Khalilzad is touring the regional countries ahead of a proposed meeting with the Taliban in Saudi ...
Sabarimala Temple issue: VT Rama, on hunger strike, shifted to hospital
Mahila Morcha state president VT Rama, who was on a hunger strike before the secretariat over Sabarimala issue for ten long days, was arrested and shifted to a hospital here. Reportedly, PK Krishnadas has replaced her in the hunger strike.Notably, the Mahila Morcha is the women wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).This wing of the BJP is staging a strike demanding the withdrawal of all restrictions imposed on the Sabarimala shrine and dropping of the police cases against their leaders, who were a part of the protests and strikes. They are also demanding stringent action against those officers for allegedly manhandled devotees while on a pilgrimage.A couple of weeks ago, violent protests also broke out across Kerala after Bindu and Kanakadurga climbed the Sabarimala temple. Protesters blocked highways and forced closure of shops and markets located in various parts of the region.On 28 September, 2018, the Supreme Court had lifted the ban on entry of women of age group between 10 to
LS polls: AIADMK rubbishes possibility of forging alliance with BJP
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and AIADMK senior leader M. Thambidurai on Friday dismissed speculations about an alliance with BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as a "joke"."It is a joke to say that we will carry BJP on our back and help them gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. We will work to strengthen our party, let them work to strengthen theirs," Thambidurai told reporters on Thursday.He substantiated his stance, saying: "What sin has the AIADMK committed to carry BJP on its shoulders? There is no scope for the BJP to establish itself in the state. The AIADMK will strive to ensure for its growth, but will not carry any other party on its shoulders."Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the BJP's doors are "always open for parties", sending out a message amid speculations that his party could have poll alliances in Tamil Nadu.In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had formed a six-party alliance comprising smaller parties like DMDK, PMK, and MDMK. The alliance, however, won .
Opposition parties disrupt Jharkhand Assembly proceedings
Opposition parties on Friday disrupted the proceedings in the Jharkhand Assembly as the House was running beyond the stipulated lunch time of 12.30 p.m.
Amid shutdown drama, Trump retaliates by blocking Pelosi's Afghan trip
US President Donald Trump has barred Speaker Nancy Pelosi from flying on a Pentagon plane to Afghanistan in a tit-for-tat for her blocking his State of the Union Address as a new act unfolded in the farcical drama of egos playing on the sidelines of the government shutdown paralysing all but vital operations.
Rafale deal done to benefit Modi's crony businessman: Yechury
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday alleged that the deal for 36 Rafale jets with France by the Narendra Modi government was done for the benefit of his crony businessman. Yechury's remarks come in the backdrop of a news report which claimed that the NDA's decision to buy 36 aircraft instead of the 126 asked for by the Indian Air Force pushed the price of each jet up by 41.42 per cent compared to what the previous UPA government had negotiated. "Modi's sudden announcement in Paris, to buy only 36 Rafale jets, not 126 that the Air Force wanted, violated all procedure. But it also compromised India's national security and increased the price by 41%! That is why Modi has been running scared of sharing details," Yechury said in a tweet, citing the media report. He said the CPI(M) had long demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the deal but the government had blocked all such efforts. "No doubt that the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets with France was done in a ..
Former Afghan national security adviser announces candidacy
A former national security adviser has registered as a candidate for president of Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to engage in peace negotiations to end the country's 17-year war. Mohammad Hanif Atmar, of the Peace and Moderation party, announced his candidacy Friday in an address to hundreds of supporters at a hotel in Kabul. Afghans go to the polls to elect a new president on July 20. Current Afghan president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani says he will register to run for re-election in the coming two days. The Taliban have been steadfast in their refusal to enter peace talks with the Afghan government and have also threatened to halt talks with the United States.
President Trump cancels Speaker Pelosi's foreign trip citing government shutdown
US President Donald Trump has denied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a military plane for an "excursion" to Brussels and war-torn Afghanistan, a tit-for-tat retaliation that deepened the divide between the two leaders amidst the longest-ever federal government shutdown. President Trump's unusual move to postpone Pelosi's overseas trip came on Thursday, a day after the 78-year-old top Democrat, urged him to reschedule his annual State of the Union address slated for January 29, citing security concerns triggered by the shutdown that has entered its 27th day. The shutdown is a result of the bitter political divide over border security issue as the Democrats who now enjoy majority in the House of Representatives have refused to pass a legislation approving USD 5.7 billion in federal funding to construct a wall across the US-Mexico border, a poll promise by the Republican president. "Due to the shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been ...
Ahead of CLP meet, Congress leaders say no threat to coalition govt in K'taka
Senior Congress leaders in Karnataka asserted on Friday that there was no threat to the coalition government in the southern state, while hitting out at the BJP for making "futile attempts" to destabilise it, saying the saffron party's conspiracy had been "exposed". "All are in contact, you cannot say that any one person is not in contact...you (media) had listed out the names of those who may switch from the party. Most of them have come, the others will also come," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said. Speaking to reporters here ahead of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, he said, "Let whatever happen, there is no threat to this government. It will complete five years. The BJP is making futile attempts to destabilise the government." Pointing out that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had confined all of its MLAs in the state to a hotel at Gurugram in Haryana, Rao said he felt "pity" for them. "There is no threat to this government... ...
Swedish lawmakers elect PM Lofven to second term
Sweden ended a four-month political vacuum Friday when lawmakers elected Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to a second term, after he elbowed out the far-right to save one of Europe's few left-wing governments. Lofven's new minority centre-left government - comprising his Social Democrats and the Greens - won the backing of the Centre and Liberal parties, until now members of the four-party centre-right opposition Alliance. Friday's vote wrapped up months of wrangling after September's inconclusive legislative elections. Lofven ultimately made major concessions to the centre-right parties to win their support, notably pledging to introduce market rates for newly-produced rental housing and easing Sweden's strict labour laws. The prime minister is expected to formally present his new government and its full programme on Monday. It will be one of the weakest administrations in Sweden in 70 years, with just 32.7 per cent of voters having cast ballots for the two parties. Together with the ...
UP third state to approve quota for poor among upper castes
The Uttar Pradesh government Friday approved 10 per cent reservation for economically backward among upper castes in jobs and educational institutions. The nod was given at a meeting here of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, senior cabinet minister and UP government spokesperson Shrikant Sharma told mediapersons. Uttar Pradesh became the third state after Gujarat and Jharkhand to approve the legislation which has to be ratified by at least half the state Assemblies in the country. The Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill, 2019, providing for 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to the economically weaker sections in the general category was passed by Parliament in its recently concluded winter session. President Ram Nath Kovind has since given his assent to the bill. "The cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the notification granting 10 per cent reservation to the poor among the upper castes ...
Working on programme to push agri exports from NE states: Commerce Ministry
The Department of Commerce is working on a programme to push exports of agricultural goods from northeastern states of the country, a senior government official said Friday. "The department is prepared to give a viability gap funding (VGF) for which a programme is being worked out so that the fresh agriculture produce from the northeast (NE) region can be taken to the international market because virtually, the entire region is organic and fertile," Sudhanshu Pandey, additional secretary in the department, said here. He was speaking at the North East Business Summit here. Pandey said the region produces one of the best fruits and vegetables, which holds huge export potential. VGF is a one-time grant provided by the public sector for financial support to public-private partnerships in infrastructure, with the objective of making a project commercially viable. This will also lead to increased private sector participation in developing infrastructure in the country through the ...
Ram temple will be built only when Cong comes to power: Rawat
Describing the BJP as a party with no regard for ethics, senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said a Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya only when his party comes to power at the Centre. "The BJP is a party of unethical people. Those who have no regard for ethics and dignity cannot be devotees of Maryada Purushottam Ram," the AICC general secretary said on Thursday. "We believe in ethics and in the Constitution. A Ram temple will come up in Ayodhya only when the Congress comes to power. That is for sure," Rawat told reporters in Rishikesh. Accusing the BJP of trying to topple the government in Karnataka, he said, "The BJP is out to dislodge rival parties from power by hook or by crook, by misusing money, muscle power and institutions like the Enforcement Directorate, the CBI and the Income Tax Department as political tools." Rawat exuded confidence that the Congress-JD(S) ruling combine will win all 27 seats in Karnataka in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "The game that the BJP is ...
Rashik Mohan Chakma to become new CEM of CADC
Former legislator and Mizo National Front (MNF) leader Rasik Mohan Chakma Friday won the floor test of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) and was set to become the chief executive member (CEM) of the 20-member council, official sources said. The sources said Lawngtlai district deputy commissioner N Chakhai conducted the floor test Friday during which 11 members of district council voted in favour of Rashik Mohan and only one voted in favour of the present CEM Shanti Jiban Chakma while seven members were absent. Rashik Mohan had staked claim to form the executive committee in the CADC while submitting a motion of no confidence against Shanti Juban on Monday last and the state governor Kummanam Rajasekharan had ordered the floor test to be held on Friday. In the CADC elections held early last year, the MNF emerged as the single largest party by bagging eight seats. But one MNF member died recently. The Congress and the BJP secured seven seats and five seats ...
Forward Bloc writes to PM, demands renaming of Netaji Jayanti as 'Deshprem Divas'
The Forward Bloc has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the birthday of its founder Subhas Chandra Bose as "Deshprem Divas", more than eight years after the demand was rejected by the then Congress-led government. Bose had quit the Congress and floated the All India Forward Bloc in 1939. Calling Modi an "ardent admirer of Netaji", the Left party, in a letter to the prime minister, requested that the day be renamed as soon as possible as January 23, 2019 would be the 123rd birth anniversary of Bose. "His supreme sacrifice and love for his country are rare instances of noble quality that are found in the history of our freedom struggle. Gandhiji himself once paid the highest tributes to Subhas by mentioning him as the 'patriot of patriots'. "We have made many representations to the government of India and our MPs have raised the demand several times in Parliament to declare January 23 as 'Deshprem Divas'. But the government of India is suspiciously reluctant to accept this .
Will contest all 80 seats in UP, if BJP fails to keep promise: OP Rajbhar
The Suheldev Bahujan Samaj Party (SBSP) on Friday said it will contest all the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fails to implement divisions under the 27 per cent reservation for backward classes. It also proposed to release the SBSP candidate list on February 25."BJP had promised to implement divisions under 27 per cent reservation for backward classes. 80 days are left till the elections, when will you do it? If you don't keep your promise we will contest on all 80 seats, we will release candidates list on February 25," SBSP chief OP Rajbhar told ANI.OP Rajbhar, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, has always been critical of the BJP government.Earlier, Rajbhar had said his party would part ways with the NDA if BJP was not interested in continuing with the alliance.This comes at a time when political rivals Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) joined hands to take on Prime Minister Narendra ...
LS polls: AAP to go solo in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana alone."Our party will contest Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana alone. For Congress, their arrogance is bigger than national interest, it is visible from recent statements of Punjab Chief Minister (Captain Amarinder Singh) and Sheila Dikshit ji," AAP leader Gopal Rai told ANI.Earlier this month, Captain Amarinder Singh had dismissed the need for Congress to ally with the AAP in Punjab for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections but asserted that the final decision would be taken by the Congress high command."Till now there is no question of Congress allying with the AAP as the party does not have its presence in Punjab," Singh had said after an informal meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi.He had also said that the AAP in its present form is different from what it was in the last general elections."The AAP now has been split as many of its leaders have resigned. However, any ...