Page 2202 - Politics
11 killed in J&K gunfight, clashes (Fourth Lead)
Eleven people were killed on Saturday in a gunfight and subsequent clashes in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, in one of the bloodiest days in the valley's recent history.
Sri Lanka's disputed PM Rajapaksa resigns amid crisis
Sri Lanka's disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Saturday, seven weeks after he was appointed in a surprise move that sparked a political crisis in the island nation.
Congress sabotaging India's security preparedness: Javadekar
The Congress is trying to sabotage the country's security preparedness by raking up the Rafale deal issue, despite the Supreme Court ruling that there was no need for a probe, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar said here on Saturday.
Dissident Pakistanis gather in US to chalk future course of action
Several prominent Pakistani dissidents currently living in various countries have gathered here at a conference to discuss ways of ensuring greater support for pluralist ideas, human rights, and democracy in Pakistan, organisers of the event said Saturday. The two-day deliberative conference titled 'Pakistan After The Elections' was opened by former Pakistan ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and will end on Sunday with an event to be addressed by US Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman Emeritus of the Asia subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, a statement said. "Terrorism and international isolation, not dissent, are the real threats to Pakistan but unfortunately Pakistan's establishment refuses to recognise that reality," said Haqqani. He said the heavy-handed suppression of diverse views in Pakistan would not end the country's economic crisis nor would it help the government's stated purpose of projecting a positive image for the country. "The best way ..
Political parties condemn civilian deaths in J-K's Pulwama
Mainstream political parties in Kashmir condemned the killing of civilians allegedly in security forces' action during an encounter in Pulwama district Saturday, saying Governor Satya Pal Malik-led administration has "failed" to secure lives of the people. Seven civilians died in south Kashmir's Pulwama district when security forces allegedly opened fire at an unruly crowd that tried to storm the site of an encounter in which three militants and Army man were killed No probe enough to bring back the dead innocent civilians.South Kashmir has been reeling under fear for the last 6 months.Is this what was expected from Gov rule? The admin has failed in securing civilian lives. Deepest condolences to the bereaved (sic)," PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted. She said no country can win a war by killing its own people. "How long are we going to shoulder the coffins of our youngsters? So many civilians killed today post encounterin Pulwama. No country can win a ...
Trump names Mick Mulvaney as interim Chief of Staff
US President Donald Trump has named his budget director Mick Mulvaney as interim White House chief of staff, putting a halt to a chaotic search to who will take over one of the most important positions in the federal government. The US president tweeted on Friday that Mulvaney "has done an outstanding job" in his administration and would take over from John Kelly in the new year. "I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction," Trump tweeted. Kelly leaves the White House month end. Trump's announcement comes amidst reports that several of the potential candidates for this powerful White House position had turned down the offer. White House denied such reports, with Trump insisting that several candidates are under consideration. "For the record, there were many people who wanted to be the White House Chief of ...
India, France hold talks on deepening bilateral cooperation
India and France Saturday held discussions on deepening bilateral strategic partnership through cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, defence, space and civil nuclear energy sectors. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and French minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Yves Le Drian discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. "We had very fruitful talks. We closely looked at all the aspects of our mutual ties. We are taking our cooperation forward in the Indo-Pacific region, which will not only benefit these two countries but also other countries in the region," she told reporters. Noting that the foundation of India and France relations is based on "mutual trust", Swaraj said the two countries are looking to strengthen their ties in various sectors. "Our defence relations are historic and we have been involved in a number of exchanges in the form of training and joint exercises," she said. The External Affairs minister also reiterated the resolve of the two .
Expressway plan has 89 per cent takers, says TN CM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Saturday said the land acquisition proceedings for the Salem-Chennai Expressway project was not opposed by as many as 89 per cent of the people. "..the idea is not to cause inconvenience to anyone...it is the duty of the government to fulfill the needs of the people... many people desire the scheme while some are against it.. on the whole, 89 per cent of people did not oppose land acquisition proceedings for the project and it was only 11 per cent who opposed," he told reporters here on the expressway project. The Madras High Court had Friday reserved its orders on a batch of writ petitions, challenging land acquisition proceedings for the proposed eight-lane Salem-Chennai green corridor project. The highway project was opposed by sections of farmers, and the public as well. Addressing about 1,000 people, who joined the ruling party in his presence from various parties including the DMK on December 14, the Chief Minister had said .
Zoramthanga sworn in as new Mizoram CM
Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga was Saturday sworn in as Mizoram's new chief minister, heading a 12-member ministry. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rajasekharan during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan here. Zoramthanga took oath in Mizo language. This was his third stint as chief minister of the north eastern state, having led the MNF government in Mizoram in 1998 and 2003. Tawnluia will be the deputy chief minister. Along with Zoramthanga, 11 others -- five cabinet ministers and six ministers of state -- were also sworn in. The five cabinet ministers are -- Tawnluia, R Lalthangliana, Lalchamliana, Lalzirliana and Lalrinsanga. The six ministers of state are -- K Lalrinliana, Lalchhandama Ralte, Lalruatkima, Dr K Beichhua, T J Lalnuntluanga and Robert Romawia Ralte. Chairman of Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), a conglomerate of 16 major churches in the state, Rev R Lalhmingthanga, read out from the Bible and offered prayers during ..
BJP ally Om Prakash Rajbhar to give PM's Ghazipur rally a miss
Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar has announced he will not attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Ghazipur, slated for December 29. Rajbhar, who represents the Zahoorabad assembly constituency in Ghazipur district, is the Backward Class Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment minister in the state government. His SBSP is an ally of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. "I will not attend the December 29 programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ghazipur," Rajbhar told reporters here Saturday. The prime minister is to visit Uttar Pradesh on December 29 to issue a commemorative postal stamp on backward caste Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar and lay the foundation stone of infrastructure projects in Ghazipur. An MLA from a constituency falling in Ghazipur and also a part of the state government, Rajbhar claimed he was never invited at the programmes of the prime minister held in that district and other parts of Poorvanchal. Asked if .
Modi instigating violence in Kerala: CPI-M leader
A top Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of instigating violence in Kerala.
Federal judge rules Obamacare as "unconstitutional", hands political victory to Trump
A federal judge in Texas Friday struck down the entire Affordable Care Act, popular as Obamacare, ruling that the health-care law's individual coverage mandate was "unconstitutional", handing a major political victory to US President Donald Trump who has long been seeking its end. The ruling was over a lawsuit filed this year by a group of Republican governors and state attorneys general. It came on the eve of the Saturday deadline for Americans to sign up for coverage in the federal insurance exchange created under the law. In a ruling, that is likely to be challenged and was immediately opposed by the Democrats, District Court Judge Reed O'Connor ruled that the individual mandate of Affordable Care Act requiring people to have health insurance "can no longer be sustained as an exercise of Congress's tax power". Judge O'Connor, a George W Bush appointee, said that "the individual mandate is unconstitutional" and because the mandate cannot be separated from the rest of the law, ...
Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka's PM, Wickremesinghe to be reinstated
Ending the power tussle in Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed as Prime Minister by President Maithripala Sirisena in a controversial move, resigned Saturday and Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to take oath as the island nation's Premier on Sunday. Rajapaksa resigned after two crucial Supreme Court decisions made the embattled former strongman's efforts to cling to premiership untenable. Pro-Rajapaksa lawmaker Shehan Semasinghe told reporters that the former President signed his resignation letter in a ceremony held in his house in Wijerama in Colombo. "Rajapaksa informed the lawmakers of United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) that he has resigned from the post," MP Semasinghe said. Rajapaksa was appointed as Prime Minister on October 26 by President Sirisena in a controversial move after sacking Wickremesinghe, which plunged the country into an unprecedented constitutional crisis. The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously declared that the dissolution of Parliament by ...
There are many eligible candidates, that is why it's taking time: TS Singh Deo on C'garh CM
There is more than one eligible name for the post of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and that is why the process is taking time, said senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo, on Saturday.As suspense looms over who would be the next chief minister of the state, Deo, one of the Chief Minister hopefuls for Chhattisgarh told ANI, "We have more than one eligible name that is why process is taking time, in any case final result came late on 11th so it has just been four days today. BJP which took more than 7-8 days to appoint its recent CMs should not comment on us."Along with Deo, other contenders for the post are party's state unit chief Bhupesh Baghel, Congress OBC wing's chief Tamradhwaj Singh and former Union minister Chandras Mahant.On December 11, the Congress party rose to power in the state after thrashing BJP and winning 68 seats.
MNF takes office in Mizoram
The Mizo National Front (MNF) government led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Saturday assumed office, ending the Congress' 10-year rule in the state.
Goans suffered in absence of strong regional party: Sardesai
Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai has rued that Goa "lagged behind" in forming a true "regionalistic" party. He said the absence of a strong regional political entity has resulted into decisions that are skewed against the people of Goa. "I can say that Goa has lagged behind in forming a true regionalistic party due to which there is a wanton interference in creating policies and decisions which are skewed against Goans", Sardesai said while addressing a gathering of Goan diaspora in Dubai Friday evening. He cited examples of parties like TRS in Telangana, BJP in Odisha and DMK in Tamil Nadu which are deep-rooted in their respective regions. GFP is an ally of the BJP-led coalition government in the coastal state. The MGP is another party that is part of the ruling dispensation, apart from three Independent MLAs.
Rajapaksa resigns, Wickremesinghe to take oath tomorrow
Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 after ousting Ranil Wickremesinghe has resigned from his post.Daily Mirror Sri Lanka quoted Member of Parliament Shehan Semasinghe as stating that Rajapaksa informed United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs that he has resigned as the Prime Minister of the South Asian island nation.Earlier, Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Namal confirmed on Friday that the former President would step down as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka "to ensure the stability of the nation".Ousted Prime Minister and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will take the oath as the Prime Minister on December 16.UNP MP Ashoka Abeysinghe said that the decision was taken after Sirisena and Wickremesinghe held a discussion on the phone.The island nation was engulfed in a constitutional turmoil after Sirisena, on October 26, abruptly ousted the then-Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and appointed
Zoramthanga takes oath as Mizoram CM
Mizo National Front (MNF) President Zoramthanga on Saturday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Mizoram state.Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Zoramthanga and his Council of Ministers at Raj Bhavan located in Aizawl.Chief Ministers of other northeastern states were present during the ceremony.During the recently held election in the 40-member Assembly, the MNF bagged as many as 26 seats. The state, which went to polls on November 28, saw a voter turnout of about 80 per cent. As many as 7,70,395 lakh voters were eligible to cast their vote in the state including 3.75 lakh males and 3.95 lakh females.Two days back, MNF President Zoramthanga was been nominated as the leader of the legislative party by its newly elected legislators. This will be for the third term that the MNF is forming the government in Mizoram and after a gap of 10 long years.Earlier, it has run governments during 1998 to 2008 for two consecutive terms and was headed by ...
Rahul holds hectic parleys with top Cong leaders to select next Chhattisgarh CM
After selecting chief ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi held hectic parleys with top party leaders Saturday to decide on the top post for Chhattisgarh. Sources said Gandhi met Chhattisgarh's four potential chief minister candidates -- T S Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Bhupesh Baghel and Charan Das Mahant -- at his Tughlaq Lane residence and held discussions with them. This is the third round of discussion that the Congress chief is holding before selecting the chief minister for Chhattisgarh, where the party romped home to power after 15 years with two-third majority. Congress' central observer Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC in-charge for party affairs in Chhattisgarh P L Punia were also present at the meeting. The sources said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present at the Congress chief's residence. They said that a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) is slated to be held at 4.00 pm in Raipur, ...
Keshav Prasad Maurya welcomes SC ruling on Rafale deal
Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday welcomed Supreme Court's latest verdict on Rafale fighter jets deal and stated that that the truth has prevailed over the lies. He also added that the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party must issue an apology for misleading the public on the matter.Speaking to ANI, Maurya said, "Today the truth has triumphed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the reflection of the truth. The Congress lies have been busted. Rahul Gandhi and Congress should apologize to the nation for spreading misinformation in the country."Further training guns at the rival Congress, the 49-year-old leader stated, "The Congress has a history of corruption and people now have complete faith in Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party. Congress has a history of practising corruption".The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal. The fighter jet is a twin-engine