Page 2262 - Politics
Leaders of 21 parties resolve to work together to defeat BJP
Senior leaders of 21 opposition parties including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, TDP, AAP, NCP and the DMK met here on Monday and resolved to work together to "defeat the BJP-RSS" and to expose the ruling party's "corruption".
Owaisi stands by KCR, confident of TRS win
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday endorsed Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for the next chief minister of the state and expressed confidence that the latter will form the government without anyone else's support.Addressing the media, Owaisi said, "KCR will become the next chief minister and form the government without any support but we stand with him. We have made no demands, we are standing with him not only for a prosperous Telangana but also for nation building".While saying that he will meet the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) chief again tomorrow, KCR said, "I want all eight of my candidates to win and we want KCR to become the chief minister of Telangana".His comments come a day ahead of the counting of votes for the state, where polls were conducted on December 7. Nearly all the exit polls have predicted a clear majority for the TRS.For Telangana's 119 seats, Times Now-CNX projected a clean sweep for ..
Naidu meets floor leaders of various parties ahead of Winter Session
Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Monday met floor leaders of various parties ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament and urged them to 'aid, assist and advise' him for a smooth session. During the meeting, the ruling and opposition parties assured their cooperation for a productive Winter Session of Rajya Sabha that starts Tuesday and sought equitable allocation of time. Around 31 leaders, including ministers, attended the meeting convened by Naidu. The Rajya Sabha would be adjourned for the day on the first day after obituary references for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. While both the ruling and opposition parties assured the chairman of their full cooperation for a productive session, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad spoke of their keenness on a "meaningful and productive" session. Both of them sought equitable allocation of time for the government's legislative proposals and the issues that opposition .
Trump says payments to women were private transactions, no Russian collusion
US President Donald Trump said Monday that the latest Congressional testimony of former FBI Director James Comey has shown that his campaign had not colluded with the Russians and claimed that his payments to women were private transactions. His tweets came days after Comey, who was fired by Trump as FBI director, testified before a House committee. As per the transcripts of the testimony, the FBI investigations against the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential polls did not include the president. "Democrats can't find a Smocking Gun tying the Trump campaign to Russia after James Comey's testimony. No Smocking Gun...No Collusion'. @FoxNews That's because there was NO COLLUSION," Trump said in a tweet Monday morning. "So now the Democrats go to a simple private transaction, wrongly call it a campaign contribution... which it was not (but even if it was, it is only a CIVIL CASE, like Obama's - but it was done correctly by a lawyer and there would not even be a fine. ...
Mamata meets Kejriwal, Naidu; discusses strategy for Parliament session
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met her counterparts from Delhi and Andhra Pradesh on Monday to discuss strategies for the Parliament session, sources said. Banerjee, who arrived here earlier in the day, met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu before attending the Opposition meeting, in which 21 parties were present. Sources said the two leaders discussed their plan of action and issues to be raised in the Parliament. In fact, sources said the alleged breakdown of institutions, like the CBI and RBI, under the Narendra Modi government were discussed at length. After the Opposition meeting, Banerjee met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh. The two sides, sources said, discussed ways to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2019 general election. They also agreed on common points which they decided to raise in the Parliament session that starts Tuesday, sources said. The Trinamool Congress supremo also met senior Congress ..
Naidu meets Russian Parliamentary delegation, discusses key issues
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Monday met a Russian Parliamentary delegation and held wide-ranging discussions over key issues such as countering terrorism and boosting economic ties. During the meeting, Chairman of the 'State Duma' of the Russian Parliament Vyacheslav Volodin called for enabling a legislative framework to fully tap the immense potential of bilateral cooperation between India and Russia. The 30-member high-level Russian Parliamentary delegation, led by Volodin, held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral ties with Naidu. During the 40 minute-long meeting, both the sides recalled the traditional bonds of friendship between the two counties and underscored the need to further intensify cooperation in the present world order. Volodin stressed on the need for enhancing parliamentary exchanges between the two countries to enable necessary legislative framework to fully harness the potential of India-Russia ties in various sectors. He urged the committees of ...
Patel's resignation severe blow to economy: Manmohan Singh
Expressing sadness over RBI Governor Urjit Patel's resignation, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said Patel's sudden decision to demit office is a severe blow to the Indian economy.
Theresa May delays crucial Brexit vote amid divisions
British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Monday that she is delaying a crucial Parliament vote planned for Tuesday on her controversial Brexit deal, amid continuing divisions over aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement struck with the European Union (EU). Addressing the House of Commons, she admitted that the deal looks set to be rejected by a "significant margin" due to ongoing concerns over the so-called "backstop", which many fear would keep the UK within the EU Customs Union even after Brexit. May told MPs she would be speaking to EU leaders ahead of a summit later this week about the "clear concerns" expressed by lawmakers. "It is the right deal for Britain. I am determined to do all I can to secure the reassurances this House requires, to get this deal over the line and deliver for the British people," she said. "Many of the most controversial aspects of this deal including the backstop are simply inescapable facts of having a negotiated Brexit. Those members who continue .
Will let Parl work only if Centre answers oppn's questions: TDP
The TDP Monday said it would not let Parliament "run smoothly" during the winter session if the Centre dodges key issues raised by the Opposition. In the TDP parliamentary party meeting held here, its president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu discussed the issues to be raised during the winter session which begins Tuesday. "All Opposition parties have decided to work together. From December 12, we have planned several protests," TDP parliamentarian from Guntur Galla Jayadev told reporters after the meeting. "The session will not run smoothly as we are going to raise many issues," he added. Besides the state issues, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) along with the Opposition will raise issues related to the Rafale deal, assault on institutions like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and vindictive raids by the Central Bank of India (CBI) among others, he said. "If the government cooperates, Parliament will function. If they allow discussion, it will run smoothly. If they .
NDA allies meet to discuss parliamentary strategy
All the parties comprising the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) met here on Monday, a day ahead of Parliament's winter session, to thrash out a strategy for both Houses.
Shah's jibe at Manmohan: A 'chaiwala' did a better job of running the country than an economist
BJP president Amit Shah Monday took a jibe at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, saying he respected his knowledge of economy, but a 'chaiwala' has done a better job than him. Speaking at the release of a book, 'Narendra Modi: Creative Disruptor-The Maker of New India', Shah also rejected the opposition's criticism that Prime Minister Narendra Modi functions like an autocrat, saying his critics don't understand the difference between "firmness and autocracy". Heaping praise on the BJP government at the Centre, he said it has not only controlled the fiscal deficit, but also brought down inflation. "Manmohan Singh ji left the economy at the ninth position in ten years. We brought it to the sixth position in five years and in less than six months it will climb up to the fifth spot... "And they are teaching us economics. You (Singh) are an economist and we respect you. We have no issues with the depth of your knowledge, but a chaiwala did a better job of running the country," Shah ...
Patel's resignation 'severe blow' to nation's economy: Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh Monday termed RBI Governor Urjit Patel's resignation as "very unfortunate" and said it was a "severe blow" to the country's economy. In a statement, he said he hoped that the RBI Governor's sudden resignation is not a harbinger of Modi government's attempts to "destroy" the institutional foundations of India's USD 3 trillion economy. Singh said it will be "foolhardy" to diminish institutions for short-term political gains.
BJP asks Omar to prove allegation or apologise
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday asked former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to prove his allegation or apologise for accusing central agencies of putting pressure on legislators to support Sajad Lone.
Urjit Patel's resignation a fallout of rift with Jaitley: CPI
RBI Governor Urjit Patel's resignation was a fallout of a rift between him and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said on Monday. Patel, who had a run in with the government over autonomy of the central bank, resigned from his job earlier on Monday, citing personal reasons. His resignation came 10 months before his three-year tenure was to get over. "It should be an eye opener for the PM. Even Modi's own people are unable to digest these things. I believe this is a setback to Modi government and particularly to Arun Jaitley," Reddy said. He claimed said that a rift with Jaitley was the actual reason behind Patel's resignation. "I think he was very much attacked by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his company," he said. The CPI leader further alleged that Patel was unable to digest the so called reforms introduced by the Modi government and as a result, he resigned. "It should be an eye opener for the PM. Even Modi's own people are unable to ...
Verdict on Mallya extradition shows Govt.'s commitment to fight corruption: RS Prasad
Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday hailed the London's courts order on extradition of Vijay Mallya and termed the development as a victory of the Central Government's commitment to fight corruption.The Westminster Magistrates Court's Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot ordered extradition of Mallya after finding merit in the charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering registered against him in India.Mallya is wanted in India for alleged loan default to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore for the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines. The 62-year-old has the option of moving higher courts against the decision. The CBI and the ED will have 14 days to file an appeal.He said, "This is a very proud day for the country. The decision of London's court concerning Vijay Mallya's extradition showcases the commitment of government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has made it clear that if anyone would flee India after doing corruption or taking bank's money, the ...
BJP lauds Modi govt, attacks UPA after UK court orders Mallya's extradition
The BJP Monday hailed the Narendra Modi government after a UK court ordered extradition of fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to India and hit out at the UPA dispensation, claiming maximum loans were given to him under it. BJP leader and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that the entire record of the UPA was to give "maximum patronage" to defaulters like Mallya and forcing the banking system to give loans to them and restructure the money they owed to banks. "It is a great day in pursuit of fight against corruption against those who flee from the clutches of law by siphoning thousands of crores of bank money. The decision to extradite Mallya is based on strong evidence and, most importantly, shows the effective and robust willpower of the Modi government to pursue these elements," he said. Prasad also referred to the recent extradition of Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the VVIP chopper deal being probed by the CBI, and said these developments underscored Modi's
Plea in HC wants poll expenses to be recovered from 18 disqualified MLAs, AIADMK
The Madras High Court on Monday issued notice to the Election Commission and 18 disqualified AIADMK MLAs on a petition seeking a direction to recover the expenditure made on conducting elections to their constituencies in 2016 from the former legislators and the party. A bench of justices K K Sasidharan and P D Audikesavalu turned down the request to postpone the bypolls till the petition was disposed of, but directed the EC to file its reply regarding holding of by-elections to fill the vacancies. Petitioner K K Ramesh said by-elections to the 18 seats will be held with public funds because the MLAs had defected and the money spent on the polls in 2016 had been wasted. He wanted the government to recover the money from the 18 disqualified MLAs and AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam and Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami and spend it on rehabilitating the cyclone 'Gaja' hit people. The petitioner also sought a stay on holding fresh elections till the recovery was made. Refusing to order .
Russian Parliament to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Duma, the Lower House of Russian Parliament, Monday announced to hold an event to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suggested to the Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin to hold the function in the Russian Parliament, saying the Mahatma had close contacts with famous Russian author, thinker and philosopher Leo Tolstoy. Volodin agreed to hold the event in Russian Duma, a statement from the Lok Sabha secretariat said. The chairman of the State Duma is leading a delegation to participate in the India-Russia Parliamentary Commission meet here. Mahajan said young parliamentarians have an important role in promoting Indo-Russian relations. She emphasised on public participation in democracy and enhancing the bilateral relations through cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. The Lok Sabha Speaker also suggested to hold a conference of young parliamentarians, including women, so as to develop a better understanding on ..
Pompeo sees strong US-Britain ties in hard Brexit
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday promised strong ties with Britain if the longtime ally heads for a complete split with the European Union. Speaking as Prime Minister Theresa May postponed a parliamentary vote she looked likely to lose on a softer Brexit deal, Pompeo said the United States and Britain work "incredibly closer together across every front of our relationship," including trade. "If there's a hard Brexit, I remain very confident the United States and the United Kingdom will continue to have a special relationship," Pompeo said in an interview with the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. "It matters certainly to them, but it matters a great deal to us as well," he said. President Donald Trump, who has vowed to fight for national sovereignty as part of his "America First" philosophy, has openly praised May's internal Conservative rivals who want a hard break with the European Union following Britain's 2016 referendum for Brexit. Faced with no votes both from ...
Financial assistance for Assam movement victims: Sonowal
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said the government will provide one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to everyone who suffered bullet injuries during the Assam movement.