Page 2239 - Politics
MP cliffhanger ends; Cong single-largest party with 114 seats, BJP gets 109
The Congress, which was locked in a tantalising see-saw battle with the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as the single-largest party with 114 seats after the vote count ended on Wednesday morning, according to the State Election Commission Office. The party is, however, two short of the simple majority mark, 116 seats, in the 230-member Assembly. The BJP was close behind with 109 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party won two seats and the Samajwadi Party one. Independents bagged four seats, Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told PTI. The BJP, however, edged ahead of the Congress in the vote share by a slender margin. It got 41 per cent of the total votes polled, while the Congress got 40.9 per cent. With the Congress and the BJP falling short of a simple majority, the focus now shifts to smaller parties and Independents who will play an important role in government formation. The Congress and the BJP declared their intention to form government with the help of others, ..
MP polls: Congress set to dislodge BJP with 114 seats
After a neck-and-neck fight between the Congress and BJP, the former is all set to dislodge the 15 years of BJP rule after winning 114 seats -- two short of majority mark -- in the 230-member assembly, leaving the present dispensation with 109 seats.The Congress is learnt to have approached like minded parties like the BSP and SP to back it in the state to form government. It is learnt that the BSP has assured Congress of its support to help the party form the government in a bid to keep BJP out of power.The Congress party sought an appointment with Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on late Tuesday night to stake claim to form government in the state. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath, in a letter to Patel, said that Congress emerged as the single largest party and also has the support of independent candidates.Throughout Tuesday, the trends placed both the parties at the gaining and receiving ends.In the 230-member strong Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh, the ...
KCR to take oath as Telangana CM on Thursday
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrashekar Rao will take oath as the Chief Minister of Telangana on Thursday, according to sources.The TRS emerged victorious in the Telangana Assembly elections on Tuesday, bagging 88 seats out of the 119-member assembly.Rao, commonly known as KCR won from Gajewal constituency by over 50,000 votes while TRS candidate Talasani Srinivas Yadav, a minister in Rao's government, has won from Sanath Nagar constituency by 30,217 votes. KCR son, KT Rama Rao, won from Sircilla with a margin of 89,909.Prajakutami, an alliance of the Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won 21 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged only one seat. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) won 7 seats.On December 7, single-phase elections were held in Telangana, wherein 73.2 per cent voter turnout was recorded.
French Interior Minister strengthens anti-terror measures after Strasbourg shooting
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced on Wednesday strengthening of the anti-terrorism measures in the country after the shooting of Strasbourg."Currently, the anti-terrorism measures have been boosted in France," he said at a press conference in Strasbourg.France also tightened border controls after the incident, Castaner added."The authorities decided to declare terrorism alert. Enhanced control at borders will be implemented. Also, enhanced control will be exercised in all Christmas markets in the country," the minister said.According to the Interior Ministry, three people were killed as a result of the shooting near the Christmas fair in Strasbourg, another 12 were injured. The shooter is still at large. According to media reports, the suspect is a 29-year-old native of Strasbourg, who was previously convicted for an armed attack.
China, US begin talks to sort out trade differences
Top officials from the US and China have begun talks to sort out their trade differences, in particular to identify steps that address the concerns of US President Donald Trump on intellectual property and reduce the balance of trade, a media report said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer held a tele-conference with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He Monday night, The Wall Street Journal reported. Tuesday morning, Trump, without referring to the tele-conference, reported that great progress was being made. About two weeks ago, Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. During their dinner meeting, the two leaders agreed to come out with a solution in the next 90 days. Till then, Trump agreed to give a pause to his additional import tariffs on Chinese products. "Very productive conversations going on with China! Watch for some important announcements!," Trump said in a tweet the morning after
Brexit deal can't be renegotiated: EU leaders
The leaders of the European Union (EU) on Tuesday clearly said that the United Kingdom's withdrawal agreement on leaving the bloc would not be renegotiated, in what was a setback for embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May.May, who was on a whirlwind tour in the EU region, flew to The Hague to meet Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for talks on the Brexit deal. She then paid a visit to Berlin to hold deliberations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She also went to Brussels and met European Council President Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, CNN reported.In all the meetings, the leaders reiterated their stand that the agreement would not be given a relook, adding that it was the only deal possible.May, who is holding frantic meetings with the EU leaders is hoping to get "reassurances" from the EU over the arrangements pertaining to the Irish border. The Irish backstop is a part of the deal to prevent the return of border infrastructure ...
Trump Admin's move on Pak religious freedom a courageous decision: US lawmaker
The Trump Administration's move to downgrade Pakistan as a country of particular concern was a courageous one, an influential US lawmaker said Tuesday. "This administration has had the courage to hold Pakistan accountable for its persistent and systemic failures to protect the civil and human rights of religious minorities," said Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of House global human rights subcommittee. "This designation gives hope and voice to the suffering Shia, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi, and other minority citizens, whose very presence counters religious extremism in Pakistan," he said. Smith welcomed the Trump Administration's move in this regard after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had designated Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC) in a congressionally-mandated annual report. In his report, Pompeo re-designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, .
Exclusive: Trump says China buying 'tremendous amount' of U.S. soybeans
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that China was buying a "tremendous amount" of U.S. soybeans and that trade talks with Beijing were already underway by telephone, with more meetings likely among U.S. and Chinese officials.
Death toll in Strasbourg Christmas market shooting rises to 4: Mayor
Four people were killed and 12 more injured by a gunman who opened fire at a busy Christmas market in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Tuesday, the city's mayor told AFP. Three or four of the injured are in critical condition, Mayor Roland Ries said. A manhunt was underway after the assailant managed to flee after exchanging shots with security forces patrolling the area at around 8:00 pm (1900 GMT).
Google has 'no plans' to launch Chinese search engine - CEO
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Google has "no plans" to relaunch a search engine in China though it is continuing to study the idea, Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told a U.S. congressional panel on Tuesday amid increased scrutiny of big tech firms.
Exclusive: Trump says he could intervene in U.S. case against Huawei CFO
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would intervene in the Justice Department's case against a top executive at China's Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China.
Guterres to attend intra-Yemeni talks in Sweden
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will take part in the closing day of the intra-Yemeni political consultations on December 13 in Sweden, his press office said on Tuesday.
Congress stakes claim in MP, BJP says it is in hurry
Hour after the Congress party sought an appointment with Madhya Pradesh Governor staking claim to form the government in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the party is in a hurry while advising it to wait for the final results.Madhya Pradesh BJP general secretary VD Sharma said, "They are in a hurry the final result has not come yet. They should wait, when the final results come, BJP will be the one with the majority."The Congress party on late Tuesday night wrote a letter to Governor Anandiben Patel seeking an appointment with her to stake claim to form the government in the state. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath, in a letter to Patel, said that Congress emerged as the single largest party and also have the support of independent candidates.However, the Governor House said that an appointment would be given only after the situation is made clear by the Election Commission.In the 230-member Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh, the BJP and the Congress ..
Congress seeks Guv's appointment to stake claim in MP
The Congress party sought an appointment with Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on late Tuesday night to stake claim to form the government in the state.Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath, in a letter to Patel, said that Congress emerged as the single largest party and also have the support of independent candidates."The Congress party has emerged as the single largest party with a majority support. All the independents have in addition assured support to the Congress party," the letter read."As president of Pradesh Congress committee I seek an appointment with your Excellency late tonight as soon as the results are officially declared along with my senior leaders to apprise you and seek your permission to form the government in Madhya Pradesh," stated the letter.However, the Governor House said that an appointment would be given only after the situation is made clear by the Election Commission.In the 230-member Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh, the BJP and the ...
Congress dethrones Raje-led BJP in Rajasthan
The Congress on Tuesday managed to dethrone BJP's Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan and registered a comeback by winning 99 seats out of 199 in the 2018 Assembly elections. The final tally saw BJP finishing second with 73 seats, CPI-M 2, BSP 6, Independents 13 and others 6.The Congress party, however, fell short of a clear majority and will now have to look for allies to cross the half way mark. Already RLD, with one seat, has announced support to the Congress while the CPI-M, that opened its account in the state, too is expected to back. The Congress is expected to stake claim to form the government in Rajasthan on Wednesday.The total assembly strength in Rajasthan is 200. However, the election for Alwar seat was postponed following the death of the BSP candidate. The Congress had in the 2013 Assembly election managed to win only 21 seats in the state.On Tuesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot gave credit to the party workers for their hard work in the ...
UN says Guterres to attend Yemen talks in Sweden
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend the last day of talks between warring Yemeni parties in Sweden on Thursday, the world body said. Guterres will participate in UN-brokered negotiations between Yemen's government and Huthi rebels in the rural village of Rimbo, north of Stockholm. He will "hold meetings with the two delegations and will address the closing session of this round of consultations", the UN said in a statement. The talks aim to broker deals on major issues in the Yemen war, a complex conflict between the Huthi rebels -- armed northern tribes backed by Iran -- and the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, allied with a powerful military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The war has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 14 million people facing imminent starvation and one child dead every 10 minutes from preventable causes. While the talks do not aim for a mutual ceasefire, ...
Netanyahu threats Hezbollah with 'unimaginable blows'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that the Lebanese Hezbollah militia will be dealt "unimaginable blows" if it resists Israel's recent operation to destroy cross-border tunnels.
Trump, Democratic Congress leaders exchange blasts over border wall
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he would be "proud to shut down the government for border security" during a heated meeting with Democratic congressional leaders inside the White House.
Trump shutdown is a luxury that Americans cannot afford: Pelosi
Blaming President Donald Trump for an imminent government shutdown for his stand on a border wall, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday said that American people cannot afford this. Trump has made securing the country's southern border with Mexico a focal point of his presidency, with plans to beef up border security and create a wall as key components. "The Trump shutdown is something that can be avoided, that the American people do not need at this time of economic uncertainty, people losing jobs, the market in a mood and the rest. It is a luxury. The Trump shutdown is a luxury that the American people cannot afford," Pelosi told reporters soon after her meeting with Trump at the White House. Senate Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer accompanies Pelosi, next Speaker of US House of Representatives, for the meeting with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. "As I have mentioned to the President, he has the White House, the Senate, he has the House of Representatives all in ...
Congress pips BJP in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, MP; TRS takes Telangana (Intro Roundup)
Delivering a severe blow to the BJP in the Hindi heartland months ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress on Tuesday dislodged the saffron party out of power in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and was just two seats short of majority in Madhya Pradesh where the two parties were locked in a nail-biting contest throughout the day.