Page 2209 - Politics
Swedish lawmakers reject PM as head of new govt
Sweden's parliament on Friday voted against outgoing Prime Minister Stefan Lofven as head of a new government, more than three months after an election that has spawned political stalemate. As was widely expected, lawmakers voted 200 to 116 against the Social Democrat Lofven, who had been nominated by speaker of parliament Andreas Norlen. Both Lofven and the leader of the conservative Moderates party, Ulf Kristersson, have been unable to form a government that has the support of a parliamentary majority. Lofven's leftwing bloc holds 144 parliamentary seats, just one more than the centre-right Alliance. But that is not enough for a ruling coalition in the 349-seat Riksdag, where the threshold is 175. Neither side is willing to accept the support of the far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats. With 62 seats, they are now the third-largest party in the Riksdag. The centre-right and far-right together brought down Lofven's previous administration in a no-confidence vote at the end of
Britain's ex-PM Tony Blair pitches for new Brexit referendum
Former British prime minister Tony Blair made a strong pitch Friday for a fresh Brexit referendum to break the current deadlock over a controversial Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (EU). The former Labour Party leader's speech in London came as it emerged that Prime Minister Theresa May had failed to secure any concessions from EU leaders at a European Council summit in Brussels, which would have made the agreement more palatable to a deeply divided House of Commons and clear a crucial parliamentary vote. "Europe should prepare for the possibility, now morphing into the near probability, that Britain will require an extension of time to the Article 50 process, either to negotiate further or more likely to conduct a new referendum," said Blair, who has emerged as one of the leading campaigners in favour of a "People's Vote" or a second chance for the British public to vote on Britain's membership of the EU. The People's Vote campaign is of the view that a lot has changed .
TN health secy appears before panel probing Jaya's death
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radha Krishnan Friday appeared before the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry, which is probing the circumstances leading to the death of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The panel, constituted by the state government in September 2017 under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, had earlier summoned him to appear before it. "I had answered the queries raised by the commission, including from the admission (of J Jayalalithaa). It will not be appropriate for me to comment now," Radhakrishnan told reporters. He said the inquiry would continue and he was asked to appear before the commission again on December 18. "This (inquiry) will continue. I have assured to appear before it on Tuesday (December 18)," he said. The panel's terms of reference was to inquire into the circumstances leading to Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation on September 22, 2016 and treatment provided till her death on December 5, 2016. On Thursday, the panel had summoned Deputy ...
Nepal bans the use of Indian currency notes of Rs 200, 500, 2000
In a move that may severely impact Indian tourists, traders and the Nepalese persons working in India, the Government of Nepal has banned use of Indian currency banknotes of Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2000.The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting on December 10 following which a notice was issued asking the Nepalese citizens not to keep or transact in these banknotes."Indian Rupees 200, 500 and 2,000 banknotes will not be allowed to bring in or to keep with will be illegal. So the notice about not to use, carry and possess those banknotes would be published," the press release made by Nepal's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology said while giving reference to the cabinet decision.With this decision Nepali citizens are only allowed to carry or make the transactions using Rs 100 banknotes as it is not specified in the release about ban on this or explained further.There was no specific clause or provisions about the new Indian banknotes which were issued after the ...
Congress' balancing act in Rajasthan: Gehlot CM, Pilot Deputy
Striking a balance, the Congress on Friday named old guard Ashok Gehlot as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and young blood Sachin Pilot as the Deputy Chief Minister.The announcement came after three days of suspense and hectic confabulations within the Congress, which wrested power from the BJP in the state on December 11.The party has been in a dilemma as to whether hand over the charge in Rajasthan to an old guard like Gehlot or to bring in a young face in Pilot. Finally, the party went for a combination of experience and youth by making Gehlot the chief minister and Pilot his deputy.Gehlot, a 67-year-old seasoned politician, returns as the Chief Minister for the third time. He was the Chief Minister when the Congress lost power in 2013.It is a reward for his organisational skills and swift balancing act through which he got all factions on board. His acumen in setting the chess board within the organisation in a win-win style was witnessed not only in Rajasthan Assembly elections ..
Punjab Assembly passes resolution hailing Kartarpur corridor
Even though Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged all political parties to foil the nefarious designs of Pakistan's ISI supported terrorism, opposition members in the Punjab Assembly advised him not to view the Kartarpur Corridor issue through the prism of terrorism.
Why fear JPC probe if your conscience is clean?: NCP to Centre
In the wake of the Supreme Court dismissing the pleas challenging the Rafale deal, the NCP Friday said the Modi government should not fear a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue if its conscience was clean. In a relief to the NDA government, the apex court Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making process" warranting setting aside of the contract. "Honourable Supreme Court is correct in not interfering on the pricing decision of #Rafale. If the Modi government is clean in conscience, why fear a Joint Parliamentary Committee? What are they hiding? #RafaleDeal #RafaleVerdict," Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil said on Twitter. The apex court rejected the pleas seeking lodging of an FIR and the court-monitored probe alleging irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal, in which both the countries have entered into an ...
Justice Sen communal, can't be judge: CPI-M
The CPI-M on Friday condemned Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen of the Meghalaya High Court for making what it said were communal observations and said he had lost the moral right to be a judge.
Supporters of Gehlot, Pilot break into celebrations
Celebrations broke out among the supports of both Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot here Friday with the announcement of their appointment as chief minister and deputy chief minister of Rajasthan respectively. Firecrackers were burnt and jubilant supporters danced on beating of drums as soon as confirmation of Gehlot's appointment was made. Since morning Gehot suppoters were camped in his civil lines residence here, waiting for the announcement. From young to elderly, men and women, all were overenthusiastic and optimistic that Gehlot will be next chief minister and had put up hoardings and banners congratulating him on becoming the chief minister for third time, even before the announcement. "There was no doubt. We were saying this since yesterday that Ashok Gehlot will be the chief minister. He is experienced, mass leader and everyone connects with him so well, a supporter of Gehlot told reporters. Supporters of Pilot were also celebrating his appointment as the deputy chief ...
Modi to visit Congress stronghold of Rae Bareli on Sunday
Notwithstanding the setbacks BJP suffered in assembly polls in three major Hindi heartland states this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Rae Bareli, the traditional seat of the Gandhi family, on Sunday. This will be the first visit by the prime minister to the constituency represented by United Progressive Alliance chairperson and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and before her by other members of her family. Modi's visit is being seen as a strategy of the BJP to pin the Congress leadership in their respective constituencies in the 2019 general election. His visit was planned before the counting of votes polled in the five states was taken up on December 11, following which the Congress party threw out BJP governments in three states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani, who contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from the neighbouring Amethi against Congress president Rahul Gandhi, often visits Rae Bareli apparently as
Taiwanese cabinet passes bills banning foreign-funded election ads
Taiwan's government on Friday approved two draft amendment bills banning political ads funded from abroad, including China, amid suspicions that Beijing interfered in the local elections held in November.
Amarinder flays Akali Dal for politicising Kamal Nath issue
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday slammed the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)for politicising the 1984 riots following Congress leader and former union minister Kamal Nath being named as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.
UP CM seeks Cong apology after SC verdict on Rafale deal
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision dismissing petitions for a probe into the Rafale jet deal and sought an apology from the Congress. At a hurriedly convened press conference at his residence here, the chief minister cited the verdict while demanding an unconditional apology from the Congress for spreading "false propaganda" against the BJP and the central government. "The false propaganda of the Congress has come to the fore with the verdict of the apex court," Yogi remarked, and charged the party with defaming the central government and the BJP for political mileage. "Rahul Gandhi should tell his source of information. With baseless allegations, he tried to play with the security of the country," he said. "The Congress should have acted responsibly on the issue of security," Yogi said. "Everyone knows what the Congress did with Constitutional bodies when it was in power. On Ram Temple issue, the Congress threatened the justice, .
Congress and Communist portray models of efficient corruption: PM Modi
While addressing the booth workers of Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress and Communist party and said that both parties provide Kerala with a model of efficient corruption and inefficient governance."In Kerala, there are two governance models currently. The Congress model and the Communist model. Both models are models of efficient corruption and inefficient governance," he said.Acknowledging the death of Venugopalan Nair, who had set himself ablaze yesterday in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister endorsed the 'bandh' called by his party while advising the party workers to exercise necessary self-restraint. BJP has claimed that Nair was an Ayyappa devotee"I want to tell BJP karyakartas, this should inspire everyone across the state to avoid taking any extreme step. Whatever points we have, we should express them firmly and convince the people about them," the Prime Minister said.Lambasting the Kerala government further, he also criticised them for not performing
French Minister arrives in India
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in India on Friday for a two-day visit.He will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "Soyez le bienvenu en Inde, Monsieur le Ministre. French Minister for Europe & Foreign Affairs @JY_LeDrian arrives on a 2-day visit. He will hold talks with EAM & call on PM. This visit caps a year of intensive high level political exchanges between our two countries.
Will discuss with Centre on allowing MLAs to hoist national
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday said he would discuss with the Centre on changing rules to facilitate legislators to hoist the national flag on national festivals at taluk level functions. The Chief Minister was responding to a question raised by Naganagouda (JDS) during the zero hour in the legislative assembly, which is holding its winter session here. Naganagouda questioned as to why MLAs don't get the privilege to hoist the national flag on national festivals like Independence Day and Republic day. "Hoisting national flag is a great honour... Prime Minister hoists the flag at Red Fort, Chief Minister hoists the flag at Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru, at district level MLAs do it, but at taluk level Tahsildars do it," Naganagouda said. "Why should we MLAs being public representatives be deprived of this privilege?" he asked. To this, Kumaraswamy said, this requires change in rules by the central government. "State government cannot do it, I will ..
Cong chooses Gehlot as Rajasthan CM, Pilot to be his deputy
The Congress on Friday named Ashok Gehlot Rajasthan next chief minister and Sachin Pilot his deputy after party president Rahul Gandhi successfully brokered peace between the veteran leader and his younger colleague over several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days. Congress observer to the state K C Venugopal made the announcement at a media briefing here, ending the suspense over who would be appointed chief minister of the state -- experienced hand Gehlot, who will be chief minister for a third stint, or the Pradesh Congress Committee chief who is credited for being instrumental in the party's turnaround in the desert state. Addressing the press conference, Gehlot, 67, thanked Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of the state for a third time and promised that he and Pilot will give "good governance". Pilot, 41, exuded confidence that Congress' good electoral performance will continue, saying the party will get a big mandate in 2019 polls and form ..
KCR appoints son Rama Rao as TRS working president, wants to focus on national politics
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday named his son K T Rama Rao as the party's working president, virtually anointing him as his successor while making clear his intention to concentrate more on national politics. Rama Rao, who served as IT and Industries minister in the previous TRS government, is seen to have played a key role in the party's thumping win in the recent Telangana Assembly polls and the move indicates his growing influence in the party. The 42-year-old leader is expected to be inducted into the cabinet in its next expansion. The TRS president took over as the Chief Minister for a second term Thursday and only one minister, Mohammed Mehmood Ali, took oath along with him. Rama Rao's appointment was necessitated as Chandrasekhar Rao will have to concentrate on national politics and also focus on various developmental activities in the state, a release from the chief minister's office said Friday. "KCR (as Chandrasekhar Rao is popularly ..
T S Singh Deo front-runner in chief ministerial race for Chhattisgarh
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Friday met the four contenders for chief ministership in Chhattisgarh, including T S Singh Deo who appears to be the front-runner for the post. Besides Deo, Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel, Charan Das Mahant and Tamradhwaj Sahu were in contention for the top job of state where Congress wrested power from the BJP after 15 years. Gandhi had last night deferred the decisions on chief minister of Chhattisgarh as he wanted to hold discussions with prominent party leaders of the state. Last evening, Gandhi held a meeting with the party's central observer for Chhattisgarh Mallikarjun Kharge. AICC in-charge of party affairs in Chhattisgarh P L Punia was also present in the meeting.
UK's May returns to face EU leaders after Brexit deal rebuff
British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to face EU leaders Friday after they rebuffed her pleas for help to sell her Brexit plan back home and warned of the growing threat of a "no deal." May had sought to persuade her 27 colleagues she could overcome huge opposition to the divorce deal among British MPs if they gave her some assurances over the thorny problem of the Irish border. But they were not convinced, and European diplomats said May had been unable to explain what she wanted or how she could deliver a British parliamentary majority to endorse the deal. "The signals we heard yesterday were not particularly reassuring on Britain's capacity to honour the commitments that were made," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michael said. "So we will make sure to prepare for all scenarios and prepare also for a no deal scenario," he added, as he arrived for the second and final day of the EU summit. On Thursday, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker repeated statements made ..