Page 2257 - Politics
NITI Aayog official plays down shock departure of RBI governor
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The vice chairman of an influential government think tank on Tuesday played down the shock resignation of Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel, saying the government would do whatever is required to ensure stability.
Congress leads in Chhattisgarh, TRS in Telangana, MNF in Mizoram
The Congress on Tuesday appeared to be on the road to victory in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh and possibly Rajasthan and was locked in a close fight in Madhya Pradesh while the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was headed for a landslide win in Telangana, dealing a blow to the Congress.
Trends reflect people's desire for change: Scindia
With trends indicating that the Congress was ahead in the assembly polls in three Hindi heartland states, senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the figures reflected the people's desire for a change. According to initial rounds of counting, the Congress was ahead in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan -- the three states where the BJP has been in power. Scindia, who spearheaded the Congress campaign in Madhya Pradesh, said he was very confident that the Congress would form the government in the state. Asked about posters being put up that Kamal Nath would be CM, Scindia said: "Lets not put the cart before the horse. Let us wait for the verdict." He said the trends reflected the people's desire for a change. Scindia made the remarks after landing in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath also exuded confidence that it will form the government in Madhya Pradesh.
Chhattisgarh polls: Congress ahead in 33 seats, BJP in 11
The opposition Congress was leading in 33 seats, and the ruling BJP in 11 constituencies in Chhattisgarh as per trends in 47 seats, poll officials said Tuesday. The Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) of former chief minister Ajit Jogi was ahead in two seats in Bilaspur division, they said. Counting for all the 90 seats started at 8 am at the district headquarters. The counting of postal ballots was first taken up followed by counting of votes from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), an election official said. Ajit Jogi was leading in Marwahi seat while his wife Renu Jogi was ahead in Kota constituency, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking a fourth straight term in office under the leadership of Chief Minister Raman Singh, while the Congress is aiming to stage a comeback after being in the opposition for 15 years. The state had recorded 76.60 per cent voter turnout.
Trends hint at huge win for TRS in Telangana
The ruling TRS looked set to sweep the assembly polls in Telangana on Tuesday, with its candidates leading in 90 constituencies, leaving challenger People's Front led by the Congress way behind. Trends were available for all but one of the 119 seats of the state assembly. The Congress, which sew up a 4-party coalition, is leading in 15 seats, its ally the TDP in one, while Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM that backed the TRS was leading in five. BJP nominees were ahead of their rivals in four constituencies and others were leading in three. TRS chief Rao was leading by 9,212 votes after the fifth round over his nearest Congres rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel assembly constituency. His son and minister K T Rama Rao is leading in Sircilla by 15,096 votes after the third round of counting over his Congress rival K K Mahender Reddy. In Siddipet, Rao's nephew and a minister in the caretaker government T Harish Rao was leading by 26,098 votes over his nearest Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) rival .
Urjit Patel's resignation signals dangerous trend: AIBEA
Although the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) had earlier demanded RBI Governor Urjit Patel's resignation, his calling it quits on Monday has left the banking body shocked and disturbed and it has termed it a "dangerous trend".
Ex US senators warn of 'constitutional crisis' under Trump
Forty-four former US Senators from both major US parties warned Monday of threats to US democracy under President Donald Trump, and a "constitutional crisis" for America. They said the convergence of events -- as special counsel Robert Mueller probes whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to tilt the 2016 election in his favor, and a soon-to-be Democrat-led House starts launching related investigations -- made for highly precarious political waters. The 44 include Democrats such as Bill Bradley and John Kerry and Republicans such as Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Richard Lugar, and they paint the situation ominously as a constitutional crisis. "It is our shared view that we are entering a dangerous period, and we feel an obligation to speak up about serious challenges to the rule of law, the Constitution, our governing institutions and our national security," the ex-lawmakers wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece Monday. "We are at an inflection point in which the foundational .
With early trends in their favour, TRS confident of retaining power
With the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) surging ahead in early trends, party MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Tuesday asserted that her party will retain power in the state.With counting of votes underway in the state, Kavitha underlined that the Chandrashekhar Rao-led party will win the state with a huge majority.As per early trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) TRS is leading on 12 seats, while Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are leading on one seat each."We believe people of Telangana are with us. We have sincerely worked and utilised the opportunity given to us. So, I believe voters will bring us back to power and that too independently. We are very confident about it," Kavitha opined.Telangana, the country's youngest state, went to polls on December 7 to elect representatives of the 119 seats of the State Assembly.Elaborate security arrangements have been made for counting of votes in the state.The major players in the southern state are the ...
Economist Surjit Bhalla resigns from Economic Advisory Council to PM
Economist Surjit Bhalla on Tuesday announced that he resigned as a part-time member of EAC-PM (Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister) earlier this month."I resigned as part-time member PMEAC on December 1st," Bhalla informed on Twitter.The role of the EAC- PM is to "analyse issues, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the Prime Minister and advising him thereon," according to the information on its website.It also addresses issues of macroeconomic importance and presents views thereon to the Prime Minister. "This could be either suo-motu or on reference from the Prime Minister or anyone else," states its official website.The economic body is headed by Dr. Bibek Debroy, who is also a member of the NITI Aayog.The news of Bhalla's resignation came a day after Urjit Patel stepped down as the governor of the RBI.
Rajasthan: Cong leading at 52 seats, BJP at 39
Independents were leading at seven seats while others were leading at three, according to the trends.In the state, 200 Assembly seats are at stake.Among the prominent contestants, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was leading by 6532 votes in Jhalrapatan constituency, Congress leader Sachin Pilot was leading by 2007 votes in Tonk constituency and Ashok Gehlot was leading by 5112 votes in Sardarpura constituency.Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria was trailing by 330 votes in Udaipur.Before the counting began, Raje offered prayers at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur. Raje, who also served as the chief minister from 2003 to 2008, is looking at retaining power in the state for the third consecutive time.Congress members, in a show of confidence, have brought firecrackers to their Jaipur party office. They also celebrated outside state party president Sachin Pilot's residence in Jaipur as he is leading from Tonk constituency, as per early figures.The Election Commission of India had set ..
MP polls: Kailash Vijayvargiya confident of BJP's win
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win a fourth term in Madhya Pradesh, said party's National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya.The senior BJP leader also underlined that his party will retain power in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan as well.Speaking to ANI, Vijayvargiya stated, "We (BJP) will definitely form a government in Madhya Pradesh. Seeing the early trends coming from Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, we believe BJP will form a government there as well."However, as per the data compiled by the Election Commission of India, till 9:40 am, in the state of Madhya Pradesh the trend reflects that the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party is leading on 43 seats, while BJP is lagging behind with 29.The BJP with Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the state chief minister was first voted to power in November 2005. Chouhan contested a by-election from Budhni assembly constituency the following year, winning his old seat by a margin of over 36,000 votes.The elections for the 230-member Assembly in Madhya ..
Akbaruddin Owaisi wins in Telanagana
In Telangana Akbaruddin Owaisi of AIMIM was declared winner from Chandrayangutta seat. Early trends coming from the state showed incumbent Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) in lead in 12 out of 15 seats while the Congress, AIMIM and Independent were also leading in one seat each till 10 am.Chandrayangutta is Akbaruddin Owaisi traditional seat. Akbaruddin is the younger brother of AIMIM chief Asadudin Owaisi.The K. Chandrashekar Rao-led TRS was moving towards a clean sweep with trends showing 50.3% vote share in its favour, followed by the Congress 8.9%, AIMIM 4.9% and TDP 1.9%. Congress and TDP are in alliance in Telanagana while TRS and AIMIM are contesting together.TRS-AIMIM have expressed confidence of winning the Assembly elections with a huge majority.
Madhya Pradesh polls: Scindia evasive on chief ministership, assures development if Cong wins
As initial trends showed Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, Jyotiraditya Scindia said the party will work for the development of the state if they win, even as he remained evasive on the question of chief ministership."We will create an environment of peace, justice, and development if we come in power in Madhya Pradesh," Scindia told reporters.The 230-member Assembly of Madhya Pradesh went to polls on November 28 with as many as 2,899 candidates in the fray, including 250 women and five third gender candidates. The state saw a voter turnout of around 75 per cent.Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party is hoping to make a comeback after the party lost the polls to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the central state.Most exit polls suggest that the Congress party has an edge over the BJP in the state.
In Madhya Pradesh Congress, BJP in close fight
The early trends coming from Madhya Pradesh indicated close fight between Congress and the incumbent BJP.Though the Election Commission website showed BJP in lead in two seats, the general trend coming from the counting centres showed that Congress was giving BJP a tough fight in the state. According to trends the Congress was leading in 110 seats while the BJP was close behind it with leads in 108 in the 230 Assembly.Though not a single winner was announced from Madhya Pradesh till 10 am, Congress supporters had already started celebrating with songs, slogans, crackers and sweets even as the trends kept swinging in the state.
Chhattisgarh: Congress gives tough fight to BJP
The Congress is giving a tough fight to the incumbent BJP in Chhattisgarh where the Opposition party gained early lead on 13 seats, while the BJP was ahead on 4 seats.Congress candidate Karuna Shukla -- niece of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee -- was leading from Rajnandgaon against Chief Minister Raman Singh. From Sarguja, former Congress union minister Charan Das Mahant was leading at the time of last information at 10 am..
Top Congress leaders trailing in Telangana
Several top Congress leaders were trailing in the Telangana Assembly elections as the initial trends from across the state indicated on Tuesday.
Our victory was never in doubt: KCR's daughter
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's daughter K. Kavitha said on Tuesday that there was never a doubt that the party will retain power with a huge majority.
MNF surging ahead in Mizoram with leads in 21 of 40 seats
The Mizo National Front (MNF) is surging ahead having a lead in 21 of the 40 seats in Mizoram Assembly while the ruling Congress is trailing way behind, according to trends available at 10 am. The Congress is leading in six constituencies, Election Commission sources said. The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is leading in 10 seats and the BJP is leading in one seat. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is trailing behind ZPM's chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma in Serchhip. He is also trailing behind T J Lalnuntluanga of the MNF in Champhai South seat. Finance Minister Lalsawta is trailing in the prestigious Aizawl East-II behind MNF nominee Robert Romawia Royte. BJP candidate and former minister Dr Buddha Dhan Chakma is leading by over 1,000 votes against MNF nominee R M Chakma in Tuichawng seat in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai district. Former assembly speaker Lalchamliana of the MNF is ahead of Cooperation Minister and the lone woman legislator Vanlalawmpuii Chawngte in Hrangturzo seat.
Chhattisgarh polls: Congress ahead in 16 seats, BJP in 4
The opposition Congress was leading in 16 seats, and the ruling BJP in four constituencies in Chhattisgarh as per early trends, poll officials said Tuesday. The Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) of former chief minister Ajit Jogi was ahead in two seats in Bilaspur division, they said. Counting for all the 90 seats started at 8 am at the district headquarters. The counting of postal ballots was first taken up followed by counting of votes from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), an election official said. The Congress was leading in Ramanujganj, Samari, Ambikapur, Katghora, Pali-Tanakhar, Beltara, Saraipali, Basna, Bilaigarh, Baloda bazar, Raipur Rural, Raipur Nagar Uttar, Sanjari balod, Durg rural, Kavardha and Narayanpur seats. The BJP ahead in Vaishalinagar, Pamgarh, Bilaspur and Rampur seats. Ajit Jogi was leading in Marwahi seat while his wife Renu Jogi was ahead in Kota constituency, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking a fourth straight term in ...
Cong races ahead in Rajasthan, 12 BJP ministers trailing
Early trends indicated that the Congress was headed for a majority in Rajasthan, taking the lead in 89 seats while the ruling BJP is ahead in 62 constituencies, with 12 of its ministers trailing behind their rivals. State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan are among those trailing after the initial rounds of counting, according to the state election commission's website. Independents are leading in 10 seats and candidates of other parties are ahead in five seats. The BSP is leading in one seat, and the CPIM in two. Ministers who are trailing are -- Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria (Udaipur), Transport Minister Yoonus Khan (Tonk), Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi (Civil Lines), Water Resources Minister Rampratap (Hanumangarh), Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini (Anta), UDH Minister Srichand Kriplani (Nimahera), Gaupalan Minister Otaram Devasi (Sirohi seat), Health Minister Kalicharan (Malvia Nagar), Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh (Degana), .