Page 213 - Politics
India, Bangladesh border forces to hold talks in Dhaka
The 48th Director General Level Border Co-ordination Conference between Border Security Force (BSF), India and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh will be organised in Dhaka from June 12 to 15, and will be attended by a BSF delegation.The conference is being organised to discuss border-related issues and for better coordination between both border guarding forces.During this conference, a 10-member Indian delegation headed by BSF Director General Rajni Kant Mishra, along with senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and other Law Enforcement agencies, will meet 24 members of BGB headed by Gen Md Shafeenul Islam, ndc, psc, Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh, as per an official statement.Issues related to trans-border crimes, smuggling of cattle, fake Indian currency note, Gold, narcotics and psychotropic substances, activities of Indian insurgent groups based in Bangladesh will be discussed.Apart from this, prevention of illegal migration and human ...
Seven-term BJP MP Virendra Kumar appointed pro-tem speaker of Lok Sabha
Seven-term BJP MP Virendra Kumar, a Dalit leader who is seen as a strong contender for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, was on Tuesday appointed the pro-tem speaker, who will administer the oath of office to newly elected members of the lower house of Parliament, an official communication said. It added that Lok Sabha members Bhartruhari Mahtab, Kodikunil Suresh and Brijbhushan Sharan Singh have been appointed by President Ram Nath Kovind as persons before whom MPs can take the oath as well. Maneka Gandhi, an eight-term MP, was widely speculated to be the pro-tem speaker as she is the senior most Lok Sabha member, but the BJP has opted for Kumar, who was a minister in the previous Narendra Modi-led government and comes from Madhya Pradesh. As a pro-tem speaker, Kumar will preside over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha and administer the oath of office to the newly-elected MPs and will also oversee the election of the Lok Sabha speaker. Sources said the development has boosted Kumar's ...
Formalities for starting Imphal-Mandalay bus services at final
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Tuesday said the formalities for starting a bus service between Imphal and Mandalay, the second largest city of neighbouring Myanmar, are at the final stage. Efforts are also on to extend rail and air link from the north eastern state of Manipur to Myanmar, Singh said at a conference on Act East Policy in which delegates of the neighbouring country were also present. The Act East Policy is "a reflection of commitment to deepen ties with the ASEAN region" and more importantly with Myanmar, he said. On improving connectivity between Manipur capital Imphal and Myanmar, Singh said "Formalities for starting Mandalay-Imphal bus services are at its final stages." Myanmarese Communication and Transport Minister U Thant Sin Maung had met his Indian counterpart Nitin Gadkari in October last year in New Delhi and discussed Imphal- Mandalay bus service. It was decided that a bus from India will take passengers to Myanmar border where they will be
Scindia holds meeting to review reasons for Congress rout in western UP
Congress General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday held a meeting here to review the reasons for the party's rout in western Uttar Pradesh in the recent Lok Sabha election.
JD(U) names its leader, dy leader & chief whip in Lok Sabha
Former Bihar minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, was on Tuesday named as the JD(U)'s leader in the Lok Sabha. The party has also appointed its MPs Vaidyanath Mahto and Dileshwar Kamait as the deputy leader and the chief whip respectively in the Lok Sabha, a communication received here from the office of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar - the JD(U)'s national president - said. While Singh, a close aide of the chief minister, represents Munger, Mahto and Kamait are MPs from Valmiki Nagar and Supaul constituencies respectively. An alliance partner of the NDA in the state, the JD(U), which has chosen to stay out of Narendra Modi's council of ministers, has 16 members in the Lower House of Parliament.
Cong-led UDF opposition stages walkout in Kerala assembly
The Congress-led UDF Tuesday staged a walkout in the Assembly after the Speaker refused to allow a notice for adjournment motion seeking proper probe into the attack on a former CPI-M worker, who had contested as an independent in the recent Lok Sabha election. C O T Naseer, a former marxist councillor,was attacked at Thalassery in Kannur district, allegedly by a group of CPI(M) sympathisers on May 18. Five people have been arrested in the case. The motion was moved by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA Parakkal Abdulla who alleged that the investigation into the case was not being conducted properly. "The attack has been captured in CCTV. The visuals aired by the channels clearly shows how brutal the attack was," Abdulla said, alleging that the local leaders of the Left party were behind the attack. Abdulla also alleged that the situation at Thalassery, Vatakara and certain other places in northern Kerala was so bad it was difficult for political opponents to walk ...
South Sudan sentences prominent activist to more prison time
A South Sudan court on Tuesday sentenced a prominent activist and economist to two years in prison after being accused of inciting an uprising behind bars in the capital, Juba. Relatives wept as Peter Biar Ajak and five other men were sentenced. They were accused of causing chaos in the country's main national security prison in October. Four men received five years in prison. Businessman and philanthropist Kerbino Agok Wol received 15 years after being accused of leading the uprising. Lawyers for Ajak and Wol vowed to appeal. Amnesty International said it had received reports of intimidation or witnesses and defense lawyers. "It's a very controversial decision," Philips Anyang Ngong, Ajak's lawyer, told The Associated Press. His client also had been accused of giving an interview to an international media outlet during the uprising. Each of the men originally landed in prison for different reasons. Ajak had been detained at the airport in the capital in July. South Sudan's government
Ukraine's Zelensky defends parliament dissolution in court
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday defended his position at the Constitutional Court, which is set to rule on the legality of his decision to dissolve parliament and call for early elections. Zelensky was elected on a wave of popular support amid disillusionment with predecessor Petro Poroshenko. But the former comedian and political novice has struggled to work with lawmakers largely hostile to him. He announced his intention to dissolve parliament in his inaugural speech on May 21 and signed a decree to this effect shortly afterwards. As some political analysts called the move unconstitutional, several MPs appealed to the Constitutional Court to decide whether it was legal. The tribunal has to make its decision by June 29, Zelensky's team said. "Our legal position is indisputable and impeccable," Zelensky told the court. "I think you will make a fair decision, which will not make us ashamed." Ukrainians have "no confidence" in parliament, he added. Current lawmakers ..
Mamata claims 8 Trinamool workers among 10 killed in Bengal post-poll violence
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that eight people from her party have been killed so far in post-poll violence in the state and accused Governor Kesri Nath Tripathi of misquoting the number of deceased.
MQM founder Altaf Hussain arrested in London over anti-Pakistan speeches
Altaf Hussain, the exiled leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), one of Pakistan's biggest political parties, was arrested on Tuesday by Scotland Yard in London over his anti-state speeches, especially the one in 2016 in which he said Pakistan was the "epicentre of terrorism" and "a cancer for entire world". The Metropolitan Police would only confirm that a man in his 60s had been held in an investigation into speeches related to his MQM party. The MQM has dominated politics in Karachi for three decades because of its support in the densely populated working class neighbourhoods of Urdu-speaking Muhajirs, descendants of Muslims who migrated from India when Pakistan was created in 1947. Hussain, 65, requested asylum in the 1990s and later gained UK citizenship. But he maintains a firm grip over the MQM and its main power base, the financial capital of Karachi. Following his arrest, Karachi city police chief Amir Ahmed Shaikh issued directions for stepped up patrolling and vigilance .
Detained US resident freed by Iran, on his way to Lebanon
A US permanent resident and Lebanese businessman who was imprisoned for years in Iran has been freed and is on his way back to his native Lebanon, an official in Beirut said Tuesday. Nizar Zakka, held in Iran since 2015, was on a plane accompanied by the chief of Lebanon's General Security Directorate, Maj Gen Ibrahim Abbas, heading to the Lebanese capital, according to the official. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The Directorate, on its official Twitter page, released a photo showing Zakka, wearing a dark suit, seated with Abbas aboard the private jet carrying them to Lebanon. Zakka is one of several prisoners with either dual nationality or links to the West held in Iran. His release comes as tensions between Iran and the US remain high after President Donald Trump withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Lebanese officials have for years asked for Zakka's release, and it was not clear why Iran ...
Iran press slams German FM's defence of EU on nuclear deal
Iran's conservative press Tuesday mocked the EU's position on a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington, accusing Germany's foreign minister of exhibiting both impotence and high-handedness during talks in Tehran. Since US President Donald Trump quit the agreement in May last year, the European Union has repeatedly renewed its own commitment and pledged to reward Iran's compliance with the sanctions relief promised under the deal. But its failure to find an effective mechanism to enable its firms to continue doing business following the reimposition of US sanctions has left Tehran increasingly frustrated. And strong criticism by the EU last month of Iran's decision to retaliate by declaring itself no longer bound by some of its commitments has sparked further anger. The ultra-conservative Javan newspaper ran a front-page cartoon depicting Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wearing a swastika armband, sporting a toothbrush moustache and performing a Nazi salute. "The stinking leftovers of ..
Sheila Dikshit to meet Delhi CM over power, water problems
Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit will meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday to talk about power and water woes being faced by people in the city. Delhi Congress media secretary Naresh Kumar said the former three-time Delhi chief minister will meet Kejriwal at his Flagstaff Road residence on Wednesday morning along with a party delegation. "Dikshit will meet the Delhi chief minister regarding power and water problems in Delhi," He said in a statement. Dikshit had on Saturday alleged that the AAP government coaxed people living in rented accommodations to install separate power meters, following which the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission increased fixed charges benefitting the discoms.
Tiwari attacks Kejriwal, says power cuts, water crisis gripping Delhi
Accusing the Arvind Kejriwal government of failure to address the basic needs of Delhiites, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Tuesday said power outages and acute water crisis were gripping the national capital.In a letter to Kejriwal, Tiwari said, "With Delhi temperature touching 48 degree Celsius, it is appalling to learn that the government led by you does not have the summer action plan in place till date. The government is clueless about power arrangements to meet the ever-growing electricity demand of the city which is constantly over the 7000 MW mark."The MP from North East Delhi said a large number of localities in South, North, Outer and East Delhi have "already plunged into darkness".The city is "staring at further power crisis due to short supply from power generation units in different states" since Delhi is dependent on other states for its power requirements, he said.Tiwari, who is also the Delhi BJP president, wrote, "It is not just the power cuts but also severe water crisis that
Boris Johnson builds momentum in UK Conservative race
Boris Johnson has solidified his front-runner status in the race to become Britain's next prime minister by gaining backing from leading pro-Brexit lawmakers. Johnson is promising to lead Britain out of the European Union by Oct. 31, with or without a divorce deal. Brexit-backing ex-party leader Iain Duncan Smith wrote in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph that Johnson "is the most likely to deliver on the requirement to leave the EU" by that date. Ten candidates are running to succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader and prime minister. In votes starting Thursday, Conservative lawmakers will narrow the field down to two, who will be put to a vote of party members nationwide. In a straw poll among some Tory lawmakers on Monday, Johnson received almost double the votes of his nearest rival.
Planned right to secede bill if BJP pushed citizenship bill,
A political party of Mizoram on Tuesday said it has informed the Election Commission that it would have introduced a right to secede bill in Parliament only in the event of the central government pushing the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill. The EC had issued a showcause notice to the People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party asking it to explain its poll plank to introduce a right to secede bill in Parliament. The poll panel served the show cause notice to the party on May 20 giving the deadline for reply on June 20, but it was sent on Monday, PRISM president Vanlalruata said. "The decision to introduce the right to secede bill in Parliament was made only after BJP chief Amit Shah had said that the party, if returned to power after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, would reintroduce and ensure the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill," Vanlalruata told PTI. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provided for ...
Odisha: K Surya Rao resigns from Congress
Former Paralakhemundi MLA K Surya Rao on Tuesday resigned from the Congress party accusing it of "ignoring" him.In a letter to party resident Rahul Gandhi, he said "I put all my best efforts for the overall development of the party from all fronts, but how even for the reasons better known to the OPCC, they always ignored my services.""In the context further they declared to issue party tickets to all sitting MLAs six months prior to the election date. But the party had totally ignored that aspect and in my case I did not get any confirmation till March 23, 2019, which happened to be the last date for filling of the nomination while others got tickets on March 18 for first phase of the election instead," he added.He added, while star campaigners including Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and Baijayant Panda campaigned for the BJP and Naveen Patnaik campaigned for BJD, no such campaigning was conducted by the Congress.He lost to BJP's K Narayana Rao from Paralakhemundi seat.
Jyotiraditya Scindia takes review meeting on LS election debacle in UP
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): Congress general secretary in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday held a review meeting at 15 GRG with presidents of 10 districts and the candidates from Uttar Pradesh who fought in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.Also present in the meeting was president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress committee Raj Babbar.Congress leader Meem Afzal said the meeting was held to review the Lok Sabha election results of the party in UP. He added that all the leaders presented their points of view and the measures that will be undertaken.Among the districts covered in the meeting are Saharanpur, Bijnor, Gautam Budh Nagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Nagina, Bulandshahr and Kairana.Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had also held discussions with Raj Babbar and other general secretaries, including Scindia, to build the party again at the block level, post its dismal performance in the ...
Telangana HC issues notices to Congress defectors over merger with TRS
The Telangana High Court on Tuesday issued notices to 14 state Congress legislators over their merger with the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in both houses of the state legislature.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh is JDU Parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha
Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh on Tuesday was elected as the Leader of the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) Parliamentary Party for the 17th Lok Sabha.Baidyanath Prasad Mahto would be the party's Deputy Leader in the Lower Houser of Parliament, while Dileshwar Kamat would be the Chief Whip.It is worth mentioning that the JDU has not joined the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, but has decided to stay as a part of the alliance.Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday had said that JDU would never compromise on its core principles, while asserting that there was no ill-will with BJP over his party not joining the government at the Centre.