Page 2218 - Politics
Regret not acting on report submitted by interlocutors on Kashmir: Chidambaram
Former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said he "deeply regrets" not acting on the report submitted by three interlocutors on Kashmir following a massive unrest in the valley in 2010 and asserted that talks are the "only way forward" to resolve Kashmir's problems. Speaking at Lokmat National Conclave, Chidambaram noted that bringing an amendment to Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and removing "inhumane" provisions will send a very powerful signal in Jammu and Kashmir. He termed the "muscular military" approach to Kashmir as the "biggest mistake" of the government and claimed it has only driven more youths towards militancy. Three Kashmir interlocutors, M.M. Ansari, Radha Kumar and Dileep Padgaonkar, were appointed by the Centre as part of its eight-point package for the state following the massive unrest in the valley in the summer of 2010 The report was submitted to the Union Home Ministry in 2011, when Chidambaram was the Home Minister. "I deeply regret the way the ..
Top Democratic lawmakers seek probe into Deutsche Bank controls
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two top Democratic U.S. senators called on Thursday for the Senate to open an investigation into Germany's Deutsche Bank over its compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering and bank secrecy laws.
Saudi package would be 'biggest foreign investment' in Pak history: Minister
Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar said Thursday that an incoming investment package from Saudi Arabia would be "the biggest foreign investment" in the country's history. The announcement of the package will be made following a cabinet approval next week, the Dawn reported. "The ball is in our court. We have to get cabinet approval next week, after which an announcement will be made," the paper quoted quoted Umar as saying at an event in Islamabad. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been in talks recently over a bailout package for Islamabad. At a time when various foreign countries and business delegations were pulling out of an investment conference in Saudi after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, Prime Minister Imran Khan attended the event, inviting foreign investors to put their money into projects in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia announced to provide cash-strapped Pakistan USD 3 billion in balance of payment support and additionally give oil ...
India, Russia discuss joint manufacturing projects, including Kamov helicopters and naval frigates
Defence ministers of India and Russia held intensive talks Thursday on deepening defence ties and joint manufacturing projects, including the Kamov-226 helicopters, naval frigates and projects related to land systems, the Defence Ministry said. In a meeting of the 18th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) held here, the two sides also agreed to take forward inter-governmental arrangements for facilitating joint manufacturing of spares for Russian origin equipment in India under the 'Make in India' initiative. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu. In the framework of the bilateral Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, the IRIGC-MTC meeting discussed a wide range of issues relating to defence equipment, industry and technological engagement between India and Russia as well as after-sales support, upgradation of military equipment of Russian origin, ..
Raje 'second home' to be her residence as outgoing CM
Rajasthan's general administration department (GAD) on Thursday allotted outgoing chief minister Vasundhara Raje a bungalow where she had controversially stayed during her term. She had mostly stayed at 13, Civil Lines instead of the official chief minister's residence at 8, Civil Lines, which was not allotted to anyone else. The GAD said bungalow number 13 has now been allotted free of cost to Raje as per a 2013 order of the cabinet secretariat. But, the allotment will be subject to the decision of the Rajasthan High Court on a writ petition pending before its Jaipur bench, it added. Former BJP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari had protested over the chief minister holding on to a "second" bungalow, and had demanded that she should shift to the official CM's residence. Tiwari had also argued that the Rajasthan Ministers' Salaries (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017, entitling former chief ministers to a government bungalow for the rest of their lives, was unconstitutional. Raje submitted her ...
May not expecting a 'breakthrough' on Brexit at EU summit
May has arrived at the EU summit after surviving a vote of confidence organized by the lawmakers from her Conservative Party."What I will be talking to European leaders about here today is about what I think we need to get this deal over the line ... I will be showing the legal and political assurances that I believe we need to assuage the concerns that members of parliament have on this issue ... I don't expect an immediate breakthrough but what I do hope is that we can start the work as quickly as possible on the assurances that are necessary," May told reporters.The UK prime minister also said she would not lead the Conservative Party into the next general election scheduled for May 2022.On Monday, May said she was postponing a parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal with the European Union, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, amid lawmakers' concerns over the Irish border backstop.
Digvijaya defends Kamal Nath, says no case against him in anti-Sikh riots
In a significant development, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Thursday came out in defence of party colleague Kamal Nath, who is considered a front runner for chief ministership, on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots issue, rubbishing allegations against him.Singh insisted that there is no FIR or case against Nath in the case and alleged that the BJP is running a campaign against him despite him not being an accused."The incident is 35 years old. There is no FIR against him, no charge sheet or a case against him; he is not an accused in the case," he told ANI about Nath.The comments by Singh, a former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, in defence of Nath may be considered significant since the two leaders have always been seen as competitors within the Congress in Madhya Pradesh."Whenever his (Nath's) name comes up, BJP people run such kind of campaign. Kamal Nath was a minister from '85 to '90 as well as between '91 and '96. He was also a minister from 2004 to 2014. At these times no .
Rahul quotes Tolstoy in appeal for patience
In line with the party's narrative regarding the prolonged wait for the announcement of the chief minister in the recently-elected state governments, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday quoted Russian author Leo Tolstoy to advocate the virtues of patience.Taking to his Twitter handle, the Congress president posted a picture of the two chief ministerial candidates from Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with the caption, "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. - Leo Tolstoy".Downplaying the tensions within the party, Madhya Pradesh campaign committee in-charge Jyotiraditya Scindia said that he and MPCC chief Kamal Nath are not "in a race"."It is not a race, it is not about the kursi (the chief minister's office). We are here to serve the people of Madhya Pradesh. I am leaving for Bhopal and you will get to know the decision today," Scindia told the media after leaving Rahul's New Delhi residence.Meanwhile, Kamal Nath told the media that ...
Pol parties disrupt Parliament as part of agenda, must evolve code of conduct for members: Naidu
Political parties disrupt Parliament as part of an agenda and they must develop a code of conduct for their members to ensure that people's trust in the institution is not affected, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said Thursday. Addressing a gathering at the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards here, he suggested that the government and the opposition should not treat each other as enemies but as rivals and must maintain the decorum of Parliament rather than obstructing its business. "The government and opposition are rivals not enemies and must treat each other like that atleast inside Parliament. There are very high expectations from Indian Parliament both inside and outside the country. It is observed that political parties disrupt Parliament as part of an agenda. "They must evolve a code of conduct for its members. This will ensure that the stature of parliamentarians and Parliament is enhanced. This will reinforce people's trust in this sacred institution," Naidu said. "Every word you ...
Close ties with AIMIM will hurt KCR,says newly elected BJP MLA
Newly elected BJP MLA in Telangana Raja Singh Thursday suggested to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao that maintaining close ties with the AIMIM would hurt him. Rao should take along all parties, Singh, a bitter critic of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM), said. "If you keep MIM party near you, it will hurt you only. I am personally suggesting to Chief Minister. Wherever MIM is, it has hurt the concerned party (ally), did not benefit," he told reporters. Singh, who was elected to the Assembly from Goshamahal Assembly segment in Hyderabad, congratulated Rao on taking over as Chief Minister for a second term. Rao was sworn-in as Chief Minister Thursday. Singh, a firebrand leader, is the only BJP candidate to win in the December seven Assembly polls. AIMIM and TRS have been on friendly terms.
RBI is going to be history, says CPI(M) as central bank gets new governor
Reacting to the appointment of Shaktikanta Das as the new RBI governor, the CPI(M) Thursday said the Narendra Modi-led government has tried to takeover India's central bank. CPI(M) deputy leader in Lok Sabha Md Salim alleged that the government has appointed only those in the board of the RBI who have Sangh connection, a reference to BJP's ideological mentor RSS. "RBI's independence is at stake. RBI is going to be history. There will be Modi signature on notes," Salim told reporters. Asserting that independence of the RBI is a core strength of the country's financial system, he said, "Sanghis who are economically illiterate have been appointed on board of the central bank." In an abrupt departure, Urjit Patel resigned as RBI governor Tuesday amid a face-off with the government over issues related to governance and autonomy of the central bank. Former Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das Wednesday assumed charge as the new RBI governor.
Madras HC quashes order for probe into construction of new secretariat
The Madras High Court on Thursday quashed the Tamil Nadu government's order for a Directorate of Vigilance Anti-Corruption (DVAC) probe against DMK leaders for alleged irregularties in the construction of the new assembly-cum-secretariat building here.
Dhinakaran takes a swipe at party strongman Senthil Balaji
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T T V Dhinakaran Thursday made a veiled attack on V Senthil Balaji, former minister and his senior party colleague, saying none will repent if some with selfish interests were to quit the party. In the wake of speculation that Senthil Balaji, a Karur based party strongman is likely to join the DMK, Dhinakaran, without naming him, said it will be wrong to assume that the party will be affected "if some persons or a small group is to leave the organisation for their selfish interests." Dhinakaran, in a statement here, comparing dedicated party workers to "true gold," said no one will repent if gold plated "fake" were to move out of the party. "Our foundation is Amma's (Jayalalithaa) ideals, and people's welfare is our task," the AMMK leader said. Without naming the former minister, he said it would be better if those who held views contradictory to the goals of the party eased themselves out of the outfit. Balaji was transport minister ..
Sri Lankan Parliament sacking illegal: Supreme Court
The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Thursday ruled as "unconstitutional" President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and conduct a snap parliamentary election in early January.
NRC is defective, nobody should try to make India another Islamic country: Meghalaya HC judge
A Meghalaya High Court judge has said the NRC is "defective" as many foreigners "became Indians" due to the exercise and nobody should try to make India an Islamic country. Justice S R Sen, in a judgement passed on Monday while disposing of a petition of a man who was denied domicile certificate by Meghalaya , also observed that he was confident that only this government under Narendra Modi will understand the gravity. He said that like Pakistan which declared itself an Islamic country after Independence, India "should have also been declared a Hindu country but it remained as a secular country". At the same time, he urged the Centre to bring a law to allow Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist, Parsis, Christians and Khasis, Jaintias and Garos tribals who are presently residing in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to live in this country peacefully and with full dignity, without making any cut-off year. "The NRC is defective as many foreigners became Indian and original Indians are left
France sees 6th yellow vest protester die in road accident
A sixth "yellow vest" protester has been killed in France after being hit by a truck at a road blockade near the southern city of Avignon, French authorities said Thursday, as the protest movement showed no signs of abating. Officials in the Vaucluse department said the driver was arrested and taken into custody after he tried to flee the scene. The Vaucluse prefect's office said the protester got emergency treatment but died from his wounds overnight. The prefect urged the protesters who wear the yellow fluorescent safety vests that France requires drivers to keep in their cars to use "the utmost caution," especially at night, in order to avoid more accidents. In an effort to defuse tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged he's partially responsible for the anger that has fuelled the protests and has announced a series of measures aimed at improving the spending power of ordinary French workers. But many yellow vest protesters have expressed disappointment at the
Rahul tweets pic with Kamal Nath, Scindia as race for CM moves to Bhopal
After hours of hectic deliberations over selection of chief ministers, Congress president Rahul Gandhi late Thursday evening tweeted a smiling picture with Madhya Pradesh chief ministerial contenders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia and quoted Leo Tolstoy to say that the two most powerful warriors are patience and time. "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time," he tweeted quoting Leo Tolstoy. Kamal Nath leads the race for chief ministers post in Madhya Pradesh and his name appears to have been cleared by the party high-command but will be announced later at night in Bhopal. Jyotiraditya Scindia also tweeted the same picture saying there is no race for chief minister in Madhya Pradesh and the issue is to serve the people. He said the chief minister of the state would be announced soon. "It is not a race, it is not about kursi (chair), we are here to serve the people of Madhya Pradesh. I am leaving for Bhopal and you will get to know the decision (on chief minister) ...
Decision on continuing People's Front will be taken later:
Senior Congress leader in Telangana Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Thursday said the party-led People's Front was forged for the assembly elections and a decision on whether to continue it for the Lok Sabha and local body polls wuld be taken at a later time. The front comprising Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samithi fared badly in the December 7 elections to the 119-member assembly, winning only 21 seats. "The Praja Kutami (people's front) was a decision taken for the assembly elections. When those elections (local body and Lok Sabha) come, the state leadership will sit and think about it (the alliance)," Vikramarka told a press conference here. He was responding to a question whether the Congress would continue with the alliance for the Parliamentary and local body elections. Vikramarka, who was the Congress' campaign committee chairman for the assembly polls, said notwithstanding the disappointing results, the party cadre should gear themselves up for the Lok Sabha .
UK PM Theresa May wins confidence vote over Brexit deal; not to lead party in 2022 polls
British Prime Minister Theresa May won a crucial vote of confidence in her leadership of the ruling Conservative Party over the controversial Brexit deal, after she placated rebel lawmakers by agreeing that she would step down before the 2022 general election. Though she won the backing of her party to stay on as prime minister, more than a third of Conservative MPs voted against her, underscoring the uphill battle she faces in getting her Brexit deal through Parliament. In the secret vote held Wednesday night, May secured 63 per cent votes with 200 in favour of her and 117 against, out of a total of 317 of her Conservative Party MPs. May, who has been prime minister since the UK voted to leave the 28-member European Union (EU) in June, 2016, is now immune from a leadership challenge for at least a year. The vote of confidence was triggered by 48 of her MPs angry at her Brexit policy, which they say betrays the 2016 referendum result. "Whilst I am grateful for the support, a ...
Pilot, Gehlot appeal to supporters to maintain calm
Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot, the two Congress contenders for chief ministership in Rajasthan, Thursady appealed to party workers in the state to maintain peace and decorum even as Rahul Gandhi held marathon consultations to decide on the party's pick for the top post. Their appeal came following reports of violence by Congress workers in parts of Rajasthan, demanding nomination of their respective favourite leaders as the CM. "I appeal to all party workers to maintain peace and discipline. I have full faith in the Congress leadership. Will welcome whatever decision party chief Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will take. We all have a responsibility to maintain dignity of the party," Pilot said in a tweet in Hindi. Soon after Pilot's appeal, Gehlot too urged party workers to maintain calm while playing down reports of infighting among Rajasthan Congress leaders. "I appeal to workers to maintain peace. Today, the party needs its workers. The Congress president has already credited the ...