Page 2233 - Politics
'SP, BSP support raises hopes of mahagathbandhan'
The support extended by the SP and the BSP to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh has raised hopes of a grand alliance of anti-BJP parties in states like Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha election next year, analysts said. Ramesh Dixit, former head of Political Science department at Lucknow University, said doubts over a mahagathbandhan of anti-BJP parties have been cleared by the manner in which the SP and the BSP have risen to the occasion. On Monday, both BSP chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav skipped a meeting of non-BJP parties to discuss opposition unity. But on Wednesday morning, Mayawati said in statement that her party would extend support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh to form a government and, if needed, in Rajasthan. Yadav also extended support to the party in Madhya Pradesh. In both states, the Congress fell slightly short of the halfway-mark on its own as results of the December 7 elections came in. "There was already an understanding between ...
Betul remains bellwether seat of Madhya Pradesh
Betul Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh stood true to its reputation of being a bellwether seat - determining the winner in the elections this time too.
PM only paying lip-service to federalism: TRS
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi alleged Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not done enough to empower States and is paying only lip-service to federalism. The TRS would play a "very vital role in Delhi, and should be able to influence Delhi to the extent that states will get more powers," party leader K T Rama Rao, son of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), said. Noting that Modi was earlier Chief Minister of Gujarat for three terms, he said: "We would have believed, we would have hoped that he being former Chief Minister himself would have empowered states much much more because stronger the states, stronger the country; that's true federalism; can't just be federalism for lip-service.
Don't be sore losers: TRS to Cong raising suspicion of EVM manipulation
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti Wednesday ridiculed the Congress for raising suspicion about manipulation of EVM in the December 7 assembly polls and said the party should not behave like "sore losers". Telangana Congress president Uttam Kumar Reddy said Tuesday that there was a 'strong' suspicion that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the polls had been manipulated. When TRS leader K T Rama Rao's reaction was sought on the issue, he said that the Congress leadership, especially in Telangana, should have the common sense to understand that if the EVMs worked fine in the Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan polls, how could they be blamed in Telangana. "The Congress can continue to blame the EVMs till the next elections and they can continue to do the same after the next elections," he said. Instead of being "sore losers", the Congress has to come to terms with the verdict of the people, said Rama Rao, son of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. "The Congress has to rise above pettiness and ..
Rahul Gandhi has brought Congress 'back onto board': Scindia
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday credited victory in the Assembly polls in three states to party chief Rahul Gandhi, saying it was he who brought the Congress back in the reckoning. The Congress on Tuesday wrested back power from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Speaking at the India Economic Conclave organised by Times Network here through video conference, Scindia accused the BJP of destroying the "institutional framework". "People in India are concerned about their lives, their livelihood and development. They are concerned about an atmosphere of peace and security and an environment of tolerance," the Guna MP said. The BJP presented an antithesis of "these factors" which was rejected by voters, he said. "This is clearly Rahul Gandhi's election. He has brought the Congress back onto the board of India," he said. About the BJP targeting Rahul Gandhi during the campaign, Scindia said the saffron party had ...
Akhilesh asks UP CM to also 'reveal' caste of other Gods
Taking a dig at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asked him to "reveal" caste of other deities so he could pray to the God of his caste. Yadav's remarks come days after the chief minister described Lord Hanuman as a Dalit. Adityanath had, during a poll rally in Rajasthan's Alwar district, said, "Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. Bajrang Bali worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west." "Caste of only some Gods have been revealed. It will be good if he tells caste of all of them. I will also pray to the God of my caste," Yadav told reporters Wednesday. Adityanath was strongly criticised by the opposition for his remarks while one of its own Dalit MP quit the party. Bahraich BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule claimed that Lord Hanuman was "a Dalit and a slave of 'manuwadi' people" and alleged that Dalits and backwards were being called 'bandar' (monkey) and 'rakshas' (demon). The ...
Yogi Adityanath arrives in Nepal to participate in Bibaha Panchami festival
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached Janakpur on Wednesday to participate in the celebrations of 'Shri Ram-Janaki Bibaha Panchami' festival and offered prayers at the Janaki Mandir.Adityanath was welcomed by India's Ambassador to Nepal MS Puri and Chief Minister of Province 2 of Nepal Lalbabu Raut.Preparations have been in full swing in Mithilanchal in Nepal's Janakpur region for the 'Bibaha Panchami' celebrations which is observed traditionally to celebrate the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita.The week-long marriage celebrations formally started on December 7 and will conclude on December 13.
Pak rejects listing as religious freedom violator by US
Responding to United States Department of State's designation of Pakistan as 'Countries of Particular Concern' under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, Islamabad rejected the profiling, terming it 'unilateral and politically motivated pronouncement'."Besides the clear biases reflected from these designations, there are serious questions on the credentials and impartiality of the self-proclaimed jury involved in this unwarranted exercise," Pakistan stated in a press release.Hitting back at Washington, Islamabad stated that it does not need counsel by any individual country how to protect the rights of its minorities.Pakistan further slammed the US stating, "An honest self-introspection would also have been timely to know the causes of the exponential rise in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the US."United States Department of State Secretary Michael R Pompeo designated Pakistan along with Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, .
Cong played important role in giving alternative to BJP: Sharad Pawar
Hailing the Congress for its victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi-led party has played an important role in giving an alternative to the BJP and others."There is happiness among all parties except the BJP. Congress has played an important role in giving an alternative to the BJP. Congress was receptive towards other smaller parties," Pawar said, adding that the people have expressed displeasure over 4.5 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NAD government at the Centre.He also said that BSP and SP should be a part of the opposition alliance. "BSP and SP should be a part of this alliance. They are not yet together with us," he said.Referring to demonetisation, Supreme Court Judges' press conference, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other issues, he said: "Independent institutions are being attacked." NCP chief also expressed displeasure over the way Gandhi family was targeted by the
BJP leading Assam Panchayat elections
The counting of Panchayat votes is underway in Assam amid tight security. As per the latest trends provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP is leading, while the Congress party is trailing.Till 2 pm, the BJP had won 481 seats while the Congress had got 248 seats. On the other hand, the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) had bagged 62 while the All India United Democratic Front managed to get only 11 seats.Out of 2,199 Anchalik Panchayat Member seats, BJP had won six, while the Congress got one seat. Overall 82 per cent polling was reported in the panchayat polls held on December 5 and 9 to elect Zila Parishad members, Anchalik Panchayat members, Gram Panchayat presidents, and Gram Panchayat members.
Theresa May to face no-confidence motion on Wednesday
"The threshold of 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded," the statement said."In accordance with the rules, a ballot will be held between 1800 and 2000 on Wednesday 12th December in committee room 14 of the House of Commons. The votes will be counted immediately afterwards and an announcement will be made as soon as possible in the evening," the press service added.
Congress says it has the numbers, stakes claim to form govt in MP
Congress on Wednesday formally staked claim to form government in Madhya Pradesh. A Congress delegation of MP Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and other party leaders, submitted a letter of support from 121 MLAs to Governor Anandiben Patel."We have met Governor and staked claim to form government in Madhya Pradesh, we have the support of 121 MLAs, the situation is clear," Congress leader Narendra Saluja told media.Earlier in the day, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) andd four Independents extended support to the Congress in forming the government in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress that got 114 seats needed 116 seats to prove majority.Sensing victory, the Congress promptly opened backchannel talks with the BSP, SP and Independents, who were leading at the time of counting. The BJP had garnered 109 votes in the 230-member strong Legislative Assembly of MP.
Asiya Andrabi, two others produced in Patiala House court
Dukhtaran-e-Milat (DEM) chief Asiya Andrabi and her two associates, Sofi Fahmeeda and Naheeda Nasreen, arrested on charges of waging war against India, were produced in a Patiala House Court here on Wednesday.The court asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to supply electronic documents of speeches, videos, social media links, and so on in connection with the case. The copy of the documents including the charge sheet was supplied to the accused.According to NIA charge sheet, Asiya and other two accused were using various media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and TV channels including channels in Pakistan to spread "insurrectionary imputations and hateful messages and speeches against India."The three were arrested in July on the charges of waging war against India and sedition charges were also filed against them for spreading hate speeches.DEM, a banned outfit under the First Schedule to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, was allegedly involved in ...
Akhilesh Yadav pledges support to Congress in MP
Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday announced its support to Rahul Gandhi-led Congress to form the government in Madhya Pradesh.Speaking to ANI, Yadav tweeted: "Samajwadi Party will support Congress in forming the government in Madhya Pradesh."This announcement from the Samajwadi Party leader came just a few hours after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) headed by Mayawati made a similar offer to the Congress for the formation of the government in the 'Hindi heartland,' Madhya Pradesh.The Congress which was neck-and-neck with rival BJP in the state, has emerged victorious as the single largest party by bagging as many as 114 seats and fell short of magical 116 mark, in the 230-member Assembly. The BJP was close behind with 109 seats.
BJP should hold Modi responsible for defeat: Omar
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the party's electoral defeats in heartland states, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday.
UK PM Theresa May to contest no confidence vote 'with everything I've got'
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May will face a vote of no-confidence on Wednesday triggered by her own party lawmakers over her handling of the controversial Brexit deal, as she vowed to fight the latest challenge to her leadership with "everything I have got". May is set to face a vote of no-confidence in her leadership after the required 48 MPs from her Conservative Party filed letters with the influential 1922 Committee, which represents rank-and-file Conservative MPs in the House of Commons. "I will contest that vote with everything I have got," May said in a statement at Downing Street, warning that the leadership challenge will delay or even cancel Brexit. "I stand ready to finish the job," the 62-year-old prime minister said. May, who has been prime minister since shortly after the UK voted to leave the 28-member European Union in June, 2016, has faced criticism in her party for the Brexit plan she has negotiated. The vote will take place in the form of a secret ...
Will try to uphold RBI's autonomy, credibility: Governor Das
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Wednesday said he will try to uphold the autonomy, credibility and the integrity of the "great institution" and take every stakeholder, including the government, along in a consultative manner. The former bureaucrat, who took over the reins of the Reserve Bank earlier in the day following the resignation of Urjit Patel, said he will take measures which the economy requires in a timely manner and as the first step, will meet the heads of public sector banks. Addressing media hours after taking over as the 25th Governor of RBI, the former Union finance secretary who was the pointsman for the government during the demonetisation in November 2016, describing the bank as a "great institution". "I will uphold the autonomy, integrity and credibility of RBI as an institution. I will ensure that it is intact," he said. "The RBI is a great institution, has a long and rich legacy," he added. The government is the key stakeholder and the owner which run
Likely to take oath as CM Thursday: TRS chief Rao
TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to take oath as Chief Minister of Telangana for the second term Thursday. Rao, who was unanimously elected leader of the party Wednesday, told reporters that the oath-taking ceremony would take place once the Election Commission publishes the gazette notification. "The Election Commission of India has to publish the final gazette. If that is done, the government can take oath. Likely by tomorrow..it may be possible. It may not be possible also," he told reporters. "Would like to take oath tomorrow. It is a good time also. But it is possible only when the Election Commission publishes the gazette. We will see what happens, by evening", he said. Rao said he alone may take oath or with two other "colleagues" . "We can expand (the Ministry) after five-six days. We can do like that." Rao was earlier elected leader of the legislature party, paving the way for his return as Chief Minister for the second straight term. The newly-elected MLAs met at .
Vijayan to meet his fate like Modi did: Congress
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will meet his fate the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi did in the just-concluded assembly elections, sufering at the hands of the Congress in three states, Ramesh Chennithala said on Wednesday.
500 Indian fishermen in Pakistan, Sri Lanka jails
A total of 500 Indian fishermen are lodged in various jails in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the government said on Wednesday.