Page 197 - Politics
Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP splits in Bihar
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has split with senior party leader and General Secretary Satyanand Sharma, along with several other party office-bearers resigning and forming a new party -- the LJP (Secular).
Hurriyat Conference asks PMs of India and Pakistan to resume talks
Moderate Hurriyat Conference Thursday asked the prime ministers of India and Pakistan to use the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek to break the ice and resume engagement between the two countries. "We reiterate that political engagement is the most effective way to move forward and end the painful bloodshed in Kashmir. We urge India-Pakistan leadership to break the ice at SCO and engage with each other," Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said after a meeting of the amalgam here. He said the Hurriyat Conference is concerned and anguished over the continued bloodshed and killings across the Kashmir Valley. "People of Kashmir are suffering the consequences of the conflict for decades now," he added.
BJP stages protest against JSW land sale, financial fraud
The BJP Thursday took out a protest rally in the city accusing the state government of being lenient towards financial fraudsters and selling precious land to JSW Steel at a throwaway price. Holding placards and waving party flags, hundreds of BJP workers thronged the Maurya Circle and staged a demonstration. They raised slogans against the state government accusing it of being insensitive to people's problems. Leading the protest, former deputy chief minister R Ashok referred to the IMA Jewellers' case. The firm's owner Mohammed Mansoor Khan is reportedly absconding following emergence of an audio clip, purportedly of him, in which he is heard threatening to commit suicide. "They (fraudsters) decamped with the money of 30,000 Muslims... the owner of the firm has escaped," Ashok said, addressing the gathering. Seven directors of the firm at the centre of an alleged financial fraud that left thousands of investors in the lurch have been apprehended. The state government has formed an ..
Iran says tanker 'attacks' as Japan PM visits 'suspicious'
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammd Javad Zarif said Thursday that reported attacks on two tankers off the Iranian coast just as Japan's prime minister held Tehran talks was more than suspicious. "Reported attacks on Japan-related tankers occurred while PM @AbeShinzo was meeting with Ayatollah @khamenei_ir for extensive and friendly talks. Suspicious doesn't begin to describe what likely transpired this morning," Zarif tweeted.
'Modi hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo in major policy speech ahead of India visit
Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed confidence in taking the Indo-US strategic ties to the next level and said the two leading democracies have an "incredibly unique opportunity" to move ahead, including to make sure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Giving a "sneak preview" of his upcoming visit to New Delhi later this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the new External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Pompeo said both countries should build ever-stronger relationships. Noting that the US has a long bond with India, Pompeo said time has come to forge more stronger ties. He said both sides should formalise these individual friendships, building out a diplomatic framework for the two countries. "As Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi said in his latest (election) campaign, 'Modi hai to mumkin hai,' (Modi makes it possible), I'm looking forward to exploring what's possible between our people," Pompeo said in his ...
Guv called meeting of parties at BJP's behest, claims Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday claimed that Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi had convened a meeting of four major political parties in the backdrop of the post-poll violence in the state at the behest of the BJP. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said Tripathi had also called her to take part in the meeting, but she declined as law and order was a state subject and "not the governor's". Tripathi has called the ruling TMC, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress at the meeting on Friday to have a discussion in creating "a harmonious situation, whereby peace and harmony prevailed for the benefit of the citizens". "They (the governor) are the mouthpiece of the BJP. The BJP has asked him to hold an all-party meeting and that is why it has been called," Banerjee told reporters. "He (Tripathi) had called me also. But I said I cannot go because you are the governor and I am the elected government. Above all, law and ...
BJP yet to reach its peak despite success in Lok Sabha polls: Shah
The ruling BJP is set to launch its membership drive as the party begins the process for its organisational polls, party general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said on Thursday. Shah is likely to continue as party president till the organisational elections get over, sources said. The decision was taken at the meeting of the BJP's national office-bearers, which is being attended by the general secretaries and presidents of the party's state units and chaired by Shah. Addressing a press conference, BJP's general secretary Bhupender Yadav shared the details of Shah's speech in the meeting. Yadav said the party president told the organisational office bearers that "the party has still not peaked in terms of its electoral performance despite winning the highest ever 303 seats in 2019". The party's reach is need to be further expanded to new regions and sections of the society, Yadav said quoting Shah. Attributing the party's success in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls to party workers, ..
AIIMS resident docs to boycott work on Friday
Several resident doctors at the AIIMS here worked with bandages on their heads in a symbolic protest and have decided to boycott work on Friday in solidarity with the doctors protesting against an attack on their colleagues in West Bengal. Condemning the violence in West Bengal, the AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) has also urged the RDAs across the country to join the token strike. In a statement issued on Thursday, the AIIMS RDA said the ongoing and worsening of violence against medical doctors in West Bengal is worrisome and disheartening. "There is a complete breakdown of law and order, with reports of mobs attacking doctor hostels with weapons. The government has failed to provide protection and justice to doctors," the statement read. "AIIMS RDA condemns this in words and in spirit. Residents across the country are deeply hurt by these turn of events. Keeping in view of our commitment towards safe and non-violent working environment for residents, AIIMS RDA stands in ...
CPI once again reaches out to CPI(M) for reunification
The CPI has once again reached out to the CPI(M) for a reunification of the two communist parties, hoping this time the cadre would exert pressure on its leadership to respond positively after their Lok Sabha poll debacle. Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy recently met his CPI(M) counterpart, Sitaram Yechury, and handed over a letter on the need for the coming together of the two Left parties. The CPI has long held the view that the unity was an imperative as the causes for the split in the communist movement in 1964 were no longer relevant, and there are "no differences" between the two parties for many years now. According to the CPI sources, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) circulated the letter in its party committee, but no decision had been taken. The CPI's latest pitch is to reignite the debate on the unity and aimed at the CPI(M) cadre, which it expects to exert pressure on the leadership to move forward on the the issue of ...
US Navy assisting 2 tankers targeted in Gulf of Oman
Two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz were reportedly attacked on Thursday, an assault that left one ablaze and adrift as sailors were evacuated from both vessels and the US Navy rushed to assist amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Japan's Trade Ministry said the two vessels had "Japan-related cargo" as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was wrapping up a high-stakes visit in Tehran that sought to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. Benchmark Brent crude spiked at one point by as much 4 per cent in trading following the reported attack, to over USD 62 a barrel, highlighting how crucial the area remains to global energy supplies. A third of all oil traded by sea passes through the strait, which is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. The latest incident comes after the US alleged that Iran used mines to attack four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah last month. Iran has denied being involved, but it comes as Iranian-backed rebels
Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy denies meeting Ram Madhav
Rejecting reports of him meeting the BJP general secretary Ram Madhav in Delhi, Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Thursday said he would file defamation cases against media houses for trying to defame him."I am in my native place Nalgonda District and few media houses have played and published news that I have met BJP leader in Delhi. It's completely false and baseless, I even called some of them and said the allegations are completely false," said the Congress leader."I am going to file defamation suit on few media houses for defaming me with a baseless allegation," Reddy said.Days after 12 Congress MLAs joined the ruling TRS in the state, there were reports that Congress leader Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Revanth Reddy held talks with BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and may join his party.Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said, "I have been into Congress party for over 30 years. How could a senior leader such as me leave the party?"Revanth Reddy has also denied meeting the ..
CPI-M admits to losing support among 'basic classes'
The CPI-M has admitted that its rout in the Lok Sabha elections follows "an erosion of support among the basic classes".
Congress objects to proposed ARTRAC shift from Shimla
Shimla, June 13 IANS) Congress MP Anand Sharma has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the government's proposed shifting of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) from Shimla to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
'We are not Sheep or Buffaloes to be purchased': Gandra Venkataramana Reddy who defected hits back at Congress
Gandra Venkataramana Reddy, one of the 12 MLAs who switched sides to TRS, has slammed the Congress for alleging that they were lured by the TRS into making the decision."Congress party said that we left the party because of fear or because TRS purchased us. Neither are we small kids to be afraid of anything nor can we be purchased as we are not sheep or buffaloes," he said.On June 6, 12 Congress MLAs had met Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and sought merger of the group with the ruling TRS.The MLAs met the Speaker at his residence and submitted a memorandum claiming that the decision to merge with the TRS was taken at a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).Congress has moved the court against the merger. The Telangana High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the legislators over the issue.
Bihar: Rift in LJP, disgruntled members form own outfit
In a jolt to Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) headed by Ram Vilas Paswan, a national general secretary of the party on Thursday decided to part ways and announced the formation of a new party.Dr. Satyanand Sharma, who held the post of National General Secretary in LJP, on Thursday issued a statement claiming that he along with over hundred of national executive members have decided to leave the party and form a new outfit with the name Lok Janshakti Party (Secular).Sharma and another senior leader of the party, Ramesh Chandra Kapoor, accused the LJP chief of indulging in dynastic politics and ignoring the interests of loyal party workers.In the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, LJP had contested six seats in Bihar as a constituent of the BJP-led NDA and have won on all of them. LJP president Ramvilas Paswan's brother Ramchandra Paswan won the from Samastipur constituency whereas Ramvilas's son Chirag Paswan was re-elected from the Jamui (SC reserved) seat for the second time. LJP ...
Mamata asks junior doctors to resume work; blames BJP, CPI(M) for strike
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked the agitating junior doctors across the state to resume work by 2 pm and warned of action if the order was not followed. Banerjee, who reached the state-run SSKM hospital around 12.10 pm in the wake of disruption of medical services in several parts of the state over the past three days, directed the police to clear the hospital premises, asserting that no one apart from patients should be allowed on the campus. She had given the doctors a four-hour deadline to rejoin service, but later revised it to 2 pm. The chief minister claimed that the agitation was part of a conspiracy of her political rivals. "I condemn the agitation. The junior doctors' strike is a conspiracy by the CPI(M) and the BJP," Banerjee, who also holds the health and family welfare portfolio, said. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief alleged that outsiders had entered medical colleges and hospitals to create disturbances. She also accused the Bharatiya ...
PM Modi arrives in Bishkek to attend SCO Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Thursday afternoon to attend the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.The Prime Minister's special aircraft took a longer route to reach Bishkek as it skipped Pakistan airspace. Instead, it opted for a circuitous route by flying over Oman and Iran. The Summit begins today.Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Summit on Thursday.After the meetings, Modi will join an informal dinner hosted by Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov for the SCO leaders.It will be the first time that the Prime Minister will share the same table with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan amid strained relations between the two neighbours since the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. India has already clarified that there will be no official meeting between Modi and Khan.Later in the evening, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with ...
A "weakening" Cong & BJP's gameplan to challenge TRS in
With the Congress facing desertions in Telangana, a resurgent BJP is now pushing ahead to expand its base, occupy the main opposition space and emerge as the only viable alternative to the ruling TRS. Winning four seats of the total 17 in Telangana in the Lok Sabha elections has given the Amit Shah-led party new confidence and energy that it indeed can challenge the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, headed by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Seen as only a marginal player and not a force to reckon with in Telangana, the BJP's Lok Sabha election performance has come as huge suprise to political circles. The BJP had bagged only five seats in the 2014 assembly elections and it came down to a mere one in the polls held last December, amid signs that it would take a long time for the party to make inroads in the State. But it has all changed now, and the BJP sees a clear opportunity to emerge as the main opposition, replacing a "weakening" Congress. Twelve Congress MLAs, of the ..
Blasts damage 2 ships in Gulf of Oman: Reports
Two large oil tankers have been hit by explosions in the Sea of Oman, the Iranian state media reported on Thursday without citing any clear evidence.Iran's Al-Alam television network cited local sources in Oman as saying that two successive explosions were heard in the Sea of Oman on Thursday morning.At the same time, a United Kingdom maritime safety group also warned regarding an unspecified incident that took place in the Gulf of Oman and urged for "extreme caution" in the region.The UK's Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy, put out an alert today in which it did not elaborate on the incident, but said it was investigating it, Al Jazeera reported.Joshua Frey, a spokesman for the US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, said his command was "aware" of a reported incident in the area and is currently investigating the matter.The incident comes one month after four tankers were sabotaged in the Gulf of Oman off the UAE port of Fujairah. The previous incident was ...
Petition filed in SC seeking fresh LS polls through ballot
A fresh petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday by lawyer M.L Sharma seeking an urgent hearing and direction to conduct fresh Lok Sabha polls through ballot.The petitioner claimed that as per The Representation of the People Act, 1951, the elections can only be held using ballot. He has thus, sought cancellation of recently held Lok Sabha polls.The general elections for the 17th Lok Sabha was recently concluded which witnessed highest ever turnout in a Lok Sabha poll and saw Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) forming the government with absolute majority.