Page 1908 - Politics
Ram Madhav appeals to AGP to return to BJP-led alliance
Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav on Thursday appealed to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leaders to return to the BJP-led alliance.
Bar dancers hail SC verdict, Opposition charges BJP with 'setting and funding'
Bar dancers, who were abruptly rendered jobless after the Maharashtra government shut down dance bars on August 15, 2005, welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on Thursday permitting re-opening of these joints with certain conditions, even as the opposition slammed the government alleging "setting and funding."
Concept of federal front to create confusion, divide among non-NDA parties: S C Reddy
A concept of the federal front is to create confusion and divide among the non-NDA parties, said Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy on Thursday.While responding to a meeting held between TRS-YSRCP leaders in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Reddy said: ''A concept of the federal front is to create confusion and divide among the non-NDA parties. These two parties TRS and YSRCP are working on the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. YSRCP leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is afraid of cases filed against him, following which, he has surrendered before the Prime Minister."The minister further clarified that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will attend the rally of opposition parties, aimed to oppose the dictatorial policies of the Modi government, on January 19 in Kolkata. However, Reddy did not clarify whether TDP will ally with Congress for the forthcoming state assembly and Lok Sabha elections.Responding to a question whether there will be any ..
US alarmed as Zimbabwe targets, beats activists amid unrest
The US Embassy in Zimbabwe said Thursday it is "alarmed" by credible reports that security forces are targeting and beating activists and labor leaders after a local doctors' rights group said it had treated 68 gunshot cases and scores of other cases of assault. The US also urged Zimbabwe's government to restore access to social media as the country faces its worst unrest since deadly post-election violence in August. Zimbabweans this week heeded a nationwide stay-at-home call after the government dramatically increased fuel prices, making gasoline in the economically shattered country the world's most expensive. Hungry residents of the capital, Harare, on Wednesday reported being tear-gassed by police as they ventured out to seek food. "Are we at war?" one resident asked. The city was quiet on Thursday as people stayed home, with schools and many shops closed and soldiers controlling long lines at the few gas stations open. Zimbabwe's state security minister late Wednesday said more .
Movement seeking justice for my son won't stop until UoH VC's
The mother of Rohith Vemula, the research scholar of University of Hyderabad (UoH) who committed suicide in 2016 sparking a major political row, Thursday said the movement seeking justice for her son would not stop until the varsity Vice-Chancellor was removed. A group of students of the varsity had been demanding Appa Rao's removal from the post of VC and his arrest in connection with the suicide of Rohith, after a case was registered against him and others. Speaking at an event organised on the varsity campus to commemorate the death anniversary of Rohith, Radhika Vemula alleged that Appa Rao has committed many "atrocities" and still continues to do so with support from the government at the Centre. Accusing the police of not initiating any action against Appa Rao in the case, she said there was an "intentional delay." "The VC is harassing students who belong to SC/ST and BC. The ruling party at the Centre is always backing him with great support," she ...
Opposition to 'one man' mahagathbandhan's only glue: Jaitley
The opposition 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) is a club of 'nawabs of negativity' and the only 'glue' of this diverse grouping is its opposition to one man (Narendra Modi), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said here Thursday. People of an aspirational society which is politically conscious will not buy into this "suicidal" alternative, the senior BJP leader said. "The nawabs of negativity may come together but that is not something that will carry credibility as far as people are concerned," Jaitley said, speaking via video link at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leadership Awards event. This was the first time Jaitley, now in the US for medical treatment, addressed a gathering since leaving the country Tuesday. The setback the ruling BJP suffered in Assembly elections in three Hindi heartland states recently has enthused some opposition leaders about the likely electoral success of such an alternative. The 'mahagathbandhan' has neither the ideological cohesiveness nor a .
Cong manifesto to be ready by Feb-end
The Congress manifesto for Lok Sabha elections would be ready by February-end and the party is reaching out to public and various experts to seek their views in addressing problems confronting the nation including "joblessness and agrarian distress", party leaders said. Several rounds of extensive consultations with various sections of society in around 30 locations across the country have already been held to seek their views and include them in the party's manifesto. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has also give suggestions on how to revive the country's economy and the party may also consider them, they said. The party intends to hold around 150 consultations at a total of 60 locations across the country before it comes out with its manifesto for general elections, a senior leader said. He said the party has already received over 10,000 responses from public online, giving suggestions on a host of issues, which the party may include in the document. The Congress has asked the ...
Amid tension, northern army commander visits forward positions in Poonch
Amid heightened tension on the Line of Control (LoC), the Northern Army Commander on Thursday visited forward positions in Poonch district.
Opposition accuses govt of misusing SDCF for KALIA scheme
The opposition Congress and the BJP Thursday came down heavily on Odisha's BJD government and accused the state of misusing the State Disaster and Contingency Fund (SDCF). In its bid to fund the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, the state government has withdrawn Rs 734.66 crore from the SDCF. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of BJP came down heavily on the state government for announcing KALIA scheme without making budgetary provision for this. "This is unfortunate to divert money from the SDCF," Pradhan said. On the other hand, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik said that the state government should not withdraw money from SDCF for any purpose other than disaster or emergency. "For the first time in the history of state administration the government has withdrawn money from SDCF for other purpose," the OPCC president said. Alleging that the government violated all previous rules, Patnaik ...
BJP submits modified proposal for Rath Yatra in Bengal, promises peace, harmony
The West Bengal BJP on Thursday submitted a modified proposal to the state government requesting permission for the Rath Yatra as directed by the Supreme Court and promised that the programme will be a "peaceful political endeavour", a senior state BJP leader said.
Cong seeks to distance itself from B K Hariprasad's remarks on BJP chief Amit Shah
The Congress Thursday sought to distance itself from its leader B K Hariprasad's comments on ailing BJP chief Amit Shah, saying the party wished good health to leaders of opposition parties so that they contest elections soon. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said their leader Rahul Gandhi has already wished good health to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and there can be no doubt about the party's intent. "When the party president has very categorically wished good health to Union minister Arun Jaitley and all the leaders of the BJP, then I think there can be no other question, doubt about the Congress' intent and our good wishes to opposition leaders," she told reporters. The Congress leader said they might oppose opposition leaders over ideas but would never wish anything bad for them. "I wish good health to Amit Shah and BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad ji and Arun Jaitley ji and all their other leaders who may be getting treated in a hospital," Chaturvedi said. She said the .
BSP drafts Satish Mishra for Mamata's mega opposition rally
With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee planning a big anti-BJP show on Saturday here, Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has drafted its senior leader Satish Mishra for the mega opposition rally to be hosted by Trinamool Congress. Besides the host, the rally is also expected to see leaders of Congress, TDP, SP, RJD, JD(S), NCP, DMK, National Conference and Aam Admi Party (AAP) among others sharing the dias to give a clarion call to oust the BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) coalition government at the Centre in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. "The rally will sound the death knell for BJP," Banerjee told reporters here while visiting the Brigade Parade grounds to check arrangements for the January 19 rally. A senior TMC leader said it is a big achievement that all opposition parties will be on one platform ahead of the general elections, making it a defining moment in Indian politics. The party leaders said the BSP has confirmed its participation. Though BSP .
Yashwant, Shourie, Apang to attend Mamata's rally, Mayawati deputes Satish Mishra
Former Union Ministers Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha -- who served in late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet, but are bitterly opposed to the Modi regime -- will be part of the January 19 Brigade Rally convened by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here.
After Verma, Rakesh Asthana and three more officers 'axed' from CBI
The Centre Thursday curtailed the tenures of Special Director Rakesh Asthana and three more senior officers in the CBI with immediate effect, days after the agency's chief Alok Verma was shunted out by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led panel. Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Asthana, who had an unprecedented feud with his boss Verma, was sent on forced leave by the government in October last year. The tenures of Asthana, Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General Manish Kumar Sinha and Superintendent of Police Jayant J Naiknavare have been curtailed, the Personnel Ministry said in an order. Verma and Asthana had levelled allegations of corruption against each other. They were sent on forced leave by the government. Amidst the feud between the two, the CBI registered a corruption case against Asthana when Verma was the agency's chief. Meanwhile, the government appointed M Nageshwara Rao as the interim CBI chief. Rao had then transferred Sinha, who was probing the FIR ...
US envoy on Afghanistan holds talks with Pak Foreign Secretary
US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad Thursday held talks with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary here after extensive discussions in Kabul as part of his efforts to arrange the first-ever direct talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Khalilzad has held three round of talks with the Afghan Taliban in order to reach a settlement that would allow the US to withdraw its army and end a 17-year-old war America's longest. This is Khalilzad's fifth trip to the region. He would call on the Foreign Minister on Friday 18 January. The Foreign Office (FO) here said that Khalilzad held delegation level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad on developments in the Afghan reconciliation process. Ambassador Khalilzad was accompanied by an interagency delegation representing Departments of Defence, State and National Security Council. Foreign Secretary Janjua was assisted by senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, the FO said in a ...
Two NPP MLAs join Cong in Arunachal Pradesh
Two National People's Party (NPP) MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh Thursday quit the party and joined the Congress. At a function here the two NPP MLAs - Tapang Taloh and Rajesh Tacho- joined the Congress and expressed their faith in the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and PCC chief Takam Sanjoy. Former ministers and BJP functionaries Komoli Mossang and Lichi Legi also joined the Congress in the function which was attended by Sanjay at the party headquarters here. The Congress has only three MLAs in the Arunachal Assembly at present. With induction of the two Thursday now its strength has increased to five. Strength of the NPP in the 60-member Arunchal Pradesh Assembly has come down to five. NPP headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma though a member of BJP-led NEDA but, is not in the government in Arunachal. BJP has 48 MLAs and it also enjoys support of two Independents. Congress legislature party leader Takam Pario said that these leaders will make a .
Party workers come to blows at Himachal Cong office as new state president takes over
Supporters from two Congress factions exchanged blows and flung chairs at each other in a brawl at the Himachal Pradesh Congress headquarters shortly after a new state unit president assumed charge, party members said. The clash allegedly took place between the supporters of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and outgoing state unit president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Eyewitnesses said at least two Congress workers were hurt in the fight, which brought into the open the factionalism in the party's state unit. What happened at Congress Bhawan should not have happened. Appropriate action will be taken against those involved after identifying them, Kuldeep Rathore, the new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president told reporters later. The brief fight took place in the presence of Virbhadra Singh, Rathore, Sukhu, AICC office bearer Rajni Patil and some party MLAs. Shortly before the fracas at the party office, Kuldeep Rathore took charge of his new assignment at a public meeting ...
Factbox: UK PM May's Brexit next steps - Nothing has changed, or new approach?
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May has proposed a collaborative approach to finding a new Brexit deal after the agreement she had negotiated was crushed by parliament on Tuesday in the biggest defeat for a British government in modern times.
TMC rally a platform to battle against BJP: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rally, to be held here on January 19, is a demonstration of the unity of the opposition parties in India and a platform to battle against the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections.Addressing the media, Mamata said "many leaders" including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, JD(S) leader Deve Gowda, DMK supremo M K Stalin and BSP leader Satish Mishra will be coming tomorrow.AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will be coming on Saturday.She said others who will attend the rally include NC leaders Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge."This will be a United India rally. It's a platform to fight the battle against the BJP, the 2019 (Lok Sabha elections) being the battle. Every political party will give its message,"
BJP dares Rahul to sack Hariprasad as Congress General Secretary
The BJP on Thursday hit out at Congress after its senior leader B.K. Hariprasad mocked the health condition of BJP President Amit Shah and dared Rahul Gandhi to oust him as General Secretary of the party.