Page 192 - Politics
Cong, BJP 'silently formed alliance' against AAP in North MCD polls, Gopal Rai alleges
AAP Delhi Convenor Gopal Rai Thursday alleged that the NDMC zonal elections have exposed the nexus between the Congress and the BJP, who he claimed had "silently formed an alliance" against the Aam Admi Party. The NDMC is divided into six zones -- Narela, Rohini, Civil Lines, Karol Bagh, Keshav Puram and City-Sadar Paharganj. "As MCD zone elections come to an end, a shocking development emerges from the political corridors of Delhi this week as the BJP and the Congress silently formed an alliance to defeat the Aam Aadmi Party in the North MCD elections. "I firmly believe that this has happened at the behest of the top leadership of Congress party," Rai alleged, demanding that the party clear their stand on why they decided to ally with the BJP to win in North MCD zone. Rai alleged that this corroborates why the Congress fielded strong candidates to divide the anti-BJP votes in the Lok Sabha election in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
US Commerce Secy urges Modi govt to open up Indian economy, market
Describing India as a "high-tariff market", US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday urged the Modi government to carry out reforms that will open up the Indian economy and market. In an unusually blunt remarks, Ross asked India to remove the overly restrictive market access barriers for American companies. "As President (Donald) Trump has said, we look forward to working with the (Indian) Prime Minister and his administration to address a mutual trading opportunities and the mutual investment potentials," the commerce secretary said in his key note address to the India Ideas Summit of US Indian Business Council (USIBC) here. Ross said he is planning a trip to India in the near future to discuss and address some of the key issues challenging the India and US trade ties. The US official was in India just before the Lok Sabha elections during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top Indian government officials. The US, he said, is a good place to invest and the country is .
Bengal govt mulls strict action against agitating doctors
West Bengal government is mulling strict action against the striking junior doctors in the state, including cancelling their registration and withholding the internship completion letter, if they do not resume their duty, West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president Nirmal Maji said on Thursday.
Andhra CM moots disqualification of defectors
Aiming to set an example for the entire country, Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday urged Assembly Speaker to immediately disqualify legislators defecting to the other party.
HC pulls up activist over speeches, grants pre-arrest bail
The Madras High Court Thursday pulled up pro-Tamil activist Thirumurugan Gandhi, who is facing a slew of cases over his remarks against the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government on various issues, while granting conditional anticipatory bail to him and others. Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan, passing orders on the petitions by Gandhi, founder of the May 17 Movement, and others said they shall not make such speeches in public meetings. He also directed them to appear before a city police station for two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation. According to the prosecution, the speeches by Gandhi and others at various public meetings on issues such as Cauvery river water sharing, Pulwama attack and Sterlite protests attracted charges, including under IPC sections 153A (1)(a) and 505. The judge in his order said, "... it is seen from the speeches of the petitioners it is not appreciable one. Though the petitioners have right to freedom of speech under the Constitution, ...
BJP's Assam social media team slam arrests of members
The Assam Police has arrested two members of the ruling BJP's social media team who had been vocal against the state government, and particularly Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, over some issues, leading to allegations of "intolerance" from their colleagues.
Maha Cong leaders seek early conclusion of alliance talks
Congress leaders in Maharashtra urged the state leadership Thursday to finalize alliances and seat-sharing for the coming Maharashtra Assembly elections at the soonest. While the Congress and NCP have already decided to contest the elections together, there is uncertainty over whether Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) would join hands with them. State Congress chief Ashok Chavan and other leaders Thursday held a meeting to review, district-wise, results of the Lok Sabha elections and chalk out plans for the state polls. Party's Maharashtra in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge was also present at the meeting. A party source said that some leaders opined that the decision on tie-up with the VBA should be taken at the earliest, and if Ambedkar was not willing to join the alliance, there was no point in wooing him at the cost of displeasing the party's own cadre. "Leaders also requested that seat-sharing should be finalized at the earliest," the source added. With ..
Politics divides, but cricket unites Goa rival netas at India-Pak WC match
If politics divides, cricket "especially an India versus Pakistan match" unites, said Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai, whose photographs at London's Heathrow airport with newly elected Congress MLA Atanasio Monserrate went viral on Thursday.
Tankers ablaze in suspected attacks near Gulf oil chokepoint
Suspected attacks left two tankers ablaze in the waters of the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, sparking fears of a broader conflict and sending world oil prices soaring. The mysterious incident came amid spiralling tensions between Iran and the US, which pointed the finger at the Islamic republic last month over similar attacks in the strategic sea lane. The UN Security Council is to hold a closed-door meeting later on Thursday at the request of the United States to discuss the suspected attacks. The Norwegian Maritime Authority said three explosions were reported on board the Norwegian-owned tanker Front Altair after it was "attacked" along with the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous. Iran said its navy rescued 44 crew members after the two vessels, which were carrying highly inflammable material, caught fire. Footage aired on television showed thick, black plumes of smoke and flames billowing from one of the tankers as it lay out to sea. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said ...
PM Modi holds 'excellent' meeting with Putin in Bishkek
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he had an "excellent" meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and they reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations to further boost the strategic relationship. The meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit here is their first interaction after Modi's re-election following the stunning victory of the BJP in the general elections last month. "PM @narendramodi and President Putin had a wonderful meeting in Bishkek. Various subjects pertaining to India-Russia relations were discussed during the meeting," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. Prime Minister Modi said that the meeting with President Putin was "excellent." "We had wide-ranging discussions on ways to further boost the India-Russia strategic relationship. We look forward to increased trade and people-to-people linkages with Russia," he said. The meeting began with Putin congratulating Modi over his election victory. External Affairs ...
Baloch organisations use reverse graffiti to protest against human rights abuses in Pak
Baloch activists from the World Baloch Organisation (WBO) and the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) organised reverse-graffiti protests (also called 'clean graffiti') in various spots around the London city centre in the early hours of Thursday.The graffiti read, "Help End Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan," highlighting the dire human rights situation in the South Asian country."Men, women and children are disappearing on a daily basis in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mothers, sisters and daughters weep on the streets of Quetta every day demanding justice. Their voices are being suppressed by a blackout enforced by the military. These activities are the only way where we get to raise awareness amongst the international community," said Bhawal Mengal, a WBO campaigner.This comes as part of a human rights awareness campaign recently initiated jointly by the WBO and BRP. The campaign focuses on the dire human rights situation of the Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, Mohajir and other
Parties discuss ways to ensure peace at meet called by Bengal governor
An all-party meeting convened by Governor K N Tripathi was held on Thursday to discuss steps to end political violence in West Bengal in which all the parties agreed on "certain points" regarding restoration of peace and harmony in the state. However, there was no joint declaration by the political parties, especially the main stakeholder the BJP and the TMC, who have been engaged in pitched battles in various parts of the state since the Lok Sabha polls. "The leaders of the political parties expressed their views frankly and in detail about how to ensure peace and harmony in West Bengal. The governor feels that all the political parties should adopt a constructive approach for the welfare of the state and its people, and he appeals to the people to work unitedly for peace and harmony consistent with the culture and traditions of West Bengal," a statement issued by Raj Bhavan said. According to the statement, six points that were agreed upon stressed on restoration of peace, ...
Advisors to J-K Guv condemn attack on CRPF jawans in Anantnag
Advisors to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Thursday strongly condemned the dastardly attack on CRPF personnel in Anantnag district of south Kashmir in which five jawans were killed and a police officer was injured. In a joint condolence message, the advisors -- K Vijay Kumar, K Skandan, Khursheed Ganaie and K K Sharma -- have expressed deep anguish over the killing of CRPF soldiers in the terrorist attack, an official spokesperson said. He said the advisors conveyed their sympathy to the families of the martyred jawans and prayed for peace to the departed souls. They also wished for early recovery of a police Officer injured in the attack on wednesday. "The state will always remember officers and jawans who have fallen in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives for safeguarding the future of our citizens," the message read. While hailing the role of security forces in fighting against terrorism and maintaining peace in the state, the advisors said that such "frustrated actions of the .
Body of CRPF SI killed in terror attack arrives in Assam
The body of CRPF Sub-Inspector Nirod Sarma, who was killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, arrived at his home in Nalbari district of Assam on Thursday. The mortal remains of the brave officer reached the Guwahati airport late evening and was received by Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Chief Minister's Media Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami and senior officials of the CRPF. Patowary, Goswami and CRPF officials carried the casket of Sarma and kept it at the airport for people to pay tributes. Then it was transported to his village in Nalbari district, where his last rites will be performed with full military honour. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family of Sarma. Along with Sarma, Sonowal also offered his condolences to the other four CRPF personnel killed in the attack. Two terrorists, believed to be from Jaish-e-Mohammed group, struck in a busy road in Anantnag district of .
Anand Sharma requests Rajnath Singh not to shift ARTRAC from Shimla
Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opposing the proposed shifting of the Army Training Command Headquarters of (ARTRAC HQ) from Shimla to Meerut. In a two-page letter to the Defence Minister Singh, Congress leader Anand Sharma Wednesday said that the ARTRAC HQ is being shifted from Shimla to Meerut without any justification. He requested the defence minister to cancel the proposal. "In view of the popular demand and opinion of senior Army officers, including retired service chiefs and strategic experts, I seek your urgent intervention to retain the ARTRAC HQ in Shimla," he said in the letter. Shimla has been a strategic location for the Indian Army for almost 150 years and was the headquarters of the Indian armed forces even during the British period, he added. After India's Independence, the Western Command headquarters was located in Shimla during Indo-Pak wars in 1948, 1965 and 1971 as well as the Sino-India war of .
AAP sees religious discrimination in NDA govt's Muslim students scholarship scheme
The AAP on Thursday accused the BJP-led NDA government of "discriminating" between students on religious grounds by announcing its scheme of providing scholarships to five crore Muslim students over the next five years. "With Muslim-only scholarship, the Bharatiya Janata Party is continuing appeasement policy of the Congress party. Divisive language used by BJP leaders during election campaign and behaviour post-election reeks of hypocrisy," Singh said at a press conference. He said while the Aam Aadmi Party welcomed the fact that the government's attention has been drawn to Muslim students, it does not support religious discrimination. "The Muslim scholarship is being publicised by the government with great fanfare. The AAP welcomes the fact that the NDA government's attention has been drawn to Muslim students. But the question is why discriminate between students on religious grounds? How is this different from the same appeasement politics that BJP used to accuse the Congress of ...
Modi to Xi: Pak must take concrete action against terror
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that his countrys "all-weather friend" Pakistan must take concrete action against terrorism as "proposed" to it by India and that his efforts to develop peaceful bilateral relations with the western neighbour had been "derailed".
Andhra Pradesh: Tammineni Seetaram elected unopposed Assembly Speaker
YSRCP leader Tammineni Seetaram was on Thursday elected unopposed as the new Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.A six-time MLA, Seetaram belongs from the OBC community and was elected from the Amudalavalasa constituency. He is also a three-time minister.After his election, Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, several ministers, TDP deputy floor leaders K Acchen Naidu, among others, accompanied the Speaker to his chair.Seetaram filed his nomination for the post on Wednesday. As many as 30 MLAs of ruling party seconded his nomination. He was elected unopposed as no one else filed nomination.Congratulating the Speaker on his election, the Chief Minister, in his short speech, trained guns at the opposition TDP."Almighty wrote an extraordinary script. Those who bought 23 of YSRCP MLAs are now left with the same number of representatives in the Assembly. Those who bought three MPs of YSRCP are now left with the same number of MPs," Jagan Reddy said.The Chief Minister also slammed former
Shah to continue as BJP chief till next round of Assembly polls
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will continue as BJP President till the year-end, at least, as the party said the issue about the next BJP chief will be considered only after completion of the fresh enrollment drive launched on Thursday.
Delhi govt notifies draft parking policy, allows free parking in residential areas
The Delhi government has notified its draft parking policy discouraging on-street and banning footpath parking while allowing free parking in residential areas. The government had come out with the draft parking policy in June last year which said that "parking may be allowed in residential areas on payment of (parking) charges and higher charges may be levied for parking in those areas during the day-time". The notified draft of the parking policy lacks this provision. The draft policy titled "Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules 2019" was notified on Wednesday after approval of the Transport minister, a senior government official said. The rules provide for two times higher parking fee for on-street parking vis a vis off-street parking. Also, on-street parking fee will increase exponentially with time to discourage long duration of on-street parking, according to the rules. "Dynamic pricing mechanism such as peak and off-peak fees and exponential increase per ...