Page 2265 - Politics
MP polls: A dozen septuagenarians to know fate on Tuesday
About a dozen leaders above the age of 70 years, including two cabinet ministers, will know their electoral fate when the counting of votes of the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls is taken up on Tuesday. Prominent among these are Health Minister Rustam Singh (73) from Morena and Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya (71) from his traditional Damoh constituency. Other septuagenarians from the saffron fold include former minister Moti Kashyap (78) from Badwara, Rasal Singh (76) from Lahar, Nagendra Singh (76) from Gudh, former minister Nagendra Singh (76) from Nagod, Jugul Kishor Bagri (75) from Regaon, Shivbahadur Singh Chandel (70) from Sinhawal and Manvendra Singh (70) from Maharajpur. The oldest Congress candidate is 78-year-old Sartaj Singh, who crossed over to the party after the BJP denied him a ticket from his traditional Seoni-Malwa seat. Singh was the sitting BJP MLA when the ruling party snubbed him during ticket distribution. He was fielded by the Congress from ...
UDF alleges corruption in Kerala govt's nod for FMFL sale
: The opposition Congress Monday raised fresh corruption allegations over the LDF government's decision to allow sale of Foreign-Made Foreign Liquor (FMFL) in the state, even as the latter rubbished the charges as "baseless". This comes over two months after the UDF opposition front had levelled corruption of crores of Rupees in allocation of new breweries and distillery, following which the government cancelled the nod for it. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told reporters here that sanction for the sale of FMFL was not part of the LDF government's liquor policy and alleged that it did not follow mandatory procedures. Radhakrishnan alleged that the Left government's move was to help the foreign liquor mafia and to "drown the state in alcohol". The LDF government had earlier given license to sell the FMFL through outlets of the state-run Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco), the leaders said. "But the ...
Nuclear capable Agni-5 missile test-fired successfully
India on Monday successfully test-fired nuclear capable long-range surface-to-surface missile Agni-5, marking yet another step towards strengthening deterrence capability.The indigenously-built inter-continental ballistic missile, with a range of over 5000 kms, was launched from a canister on a road mobile launcher at Dr Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast, a Defence spokesman said.The missile has a payload capacity of 1,500 kg of high-explosive warhead and once inducted in the military, India will join an exclusive club of countries like the US, Russia, China, France and Britain which have intercontinental ballistic missile capabilitiesThe long-range strike capability will enable India to balance out China's military muscle."The launch operations were carried out and monitored by the Strategic Forces Command in the presence of scientists from Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and other associated officials, the spokesman said in a statement."All the mission ...
German govt accepts court ruling on Brexit, regrets looming divorce
BERLIN (Reuters) - The German government accepts a ruling by the European Union's top court that the United Kingdom can unilaterally revoke its divorce notice, a spokeswoman said on Monday, adding that Berlin continued to regret Britain's decision to quit the EU.
Catalan leader slammed for urging 'Slovenian route' to secession
The Spanish government on Monday criticised Catalonia's separatist president for urging the region to follow the example of Slovenia, which sparked a brief armed conflict when it declared independence unilaterally from Yugoslavia in 1991. "It's unfortunate, regrettable. I don't know if he forgot that dozens of people were killed and hundreds were injured in Slovenia," government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa told Spanish radio when asked about Catalan leader Quim Torra's comments. The Catalan government "knows very well that if there is any violation of the law, the Spanish government will act," she added. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borell also weighed in, telling reporters in Brussels that Torra "appeared to appeal for an insurrection" with his language. During a speech in Brussels on Saturday, Torra urged Catalans to follow the "Slovenian route" to achieve independence. "Catalans are not afraid. They do not frighten us. There is no turning back in the path to freedom," added Torra, ..
BJP arousing religious passions as it fears defeat in 2019: Omar
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to whip up religious passions ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as it fears defeat.
Kejriwal to hold meeting with AAP leaders to discuss strategy for 2019 Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday
AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting with leaders of the Delhi unit Tuesday, after the results of polls to the five state assemblies are declared, to discuss the strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi convener Gopal Rai Monday said the party would also finalise the second phase of its campaign to reach out to voters in Delhi. He said all Delhi ministers, party in-charges for Lok Sabha seats, councillors and district presidents would attend the meeting to be held at the CM's residence. Counting of votes for the five state assemblies Madhya Pradesh, Chattishgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana are scheduled to begin at 8 am on Tuesday. "After results of five state assembly elections, the AAP will hold a Delhi-level meeting with its several leaders, including cabinet ministers, Lok Sabha in-charges, councillors and MLAs on Tuesday," Rai told reporters. "An overall strategy such as finalisation of Lok Sabha .
DIPP floats draft patent rules
The commerce and industry ministry has floated a draft to amend the existing patent rules with a view to further streamline examination of applications. The draft rules will amend the Patents Rules, 2003, the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), under the ministry, said in a notification Monday. The department has sought views of stakeholders on the draft rules till January. It has suggested amendment in the rules pertaining to expedite examination of applications, opposition proceedings to grant of patent, and fees for international application. The draft rules have suggested removal of the transmittal fee for international application (for e-patent cooperation treaty filing) for startups and small entities. "The draft rules to further amend the Patents Rules, 2003 which the central government proposes to make...and notice is hereby given that the said draft rules will be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of thirty days...," according to the ...
Shift RBI to New Delhi: Maharashtra Congress
Since no RBI Governor is allowed to work independently due to the governments constant interference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should move the apex bank headquarters to Delhi, the Maharashtra Congress said on Monday.
Urjit Patel eased out by Centre to bring in someone 'more pliable': Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday alleged that RBI governor Urjit Patel was eased out by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre to bring in a "more pliable" person to fill the post. 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. "RBI governor Urjit Patel has been eased out since he refused to allow the Modi govt to plunder Rs three lakh crore of RBI reserves. Now Modi govt will get a more pliable RBI governor who will allow this loot," Kejriwal said in a tweet. Soon after Patel quit as RBI Governor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded his contribution saying he steered the banking system "from chaos to order" and ensured discipline. He said Patel is a thorough professional with "impeccable integrity".
UN proposes Yemen rebels share control of key port with government
The UN has proposed Yemen's Huthi rebels withdraw from Hodeida as part of a ceasefire deal placing the flashpoint port city under joint control, according to a document seen by AFP Monday. The document, verified by two sources in a Yemeni government delegation at UN-brokered talks in Sweden, stipulates that the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Huthis cease all operations in the rebel-held city in exchange for a Huthi withdrawal. The area would then be put under the control of a joint committee and supervised by the United Nations. The document does not propose the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops. The government was expected to issue a formal response to the proposal "soon", state representative Hadi Haig told AFP. "The special envoy's paper is under study. The response will come soon, God willing," Haig said on the sidelines of the talks. Huthi representative Salim al-Moughaless said the rebels would only consider a withdrawal as part of a full political solution to the .
Indian, US air force learn from each other at COPE India 2018
Air forces of India and the United States Monday said the two sides were learning the best practices of each other during the ongoing COPE India 2018 exercise, in which 33 fighter aircraft are taking part. While 12 F15 fighters of the US Air Force (USAF) are participating in the exercise, 10 Sukhoi 30s, six Jaguars and five Mirage 2000s of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are taking part in the exercise at Kalaikunda Air Force station here, Air Commodore S Antony, Air Officer Commanding here, said. Apart from these, an AWACS and a refueller plane of the IAF from Agra air force station and two C130 transport aircraft each of the two air forces are also part of the exercise, he said. The two air forces are performing air defence, air combat and attack drills as part of the exercise, the officer said. "The joint exercises are held so that we can operate together in times to come. Both the air forces are very good. Technologically, they may be better but both are at par professionally," ...
No self respecting scholar or academic can work in NDA govt: Chidambaram on Urjit
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said he was saddened but not surprised by the resignation of Urjit Patel as RBI Governor and claimed no self respecting scholar or academic can work in the NDA Government. In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader said the last meeting of the Reserve Bank of India Board held on November 19 was the "day of reckoning" and Patel should have resigned on that day. "Dr Patel may have thought that government will re-trace its steps. I knew it would not. Good he quit before another humiliating meeting. "Saddened, not surprised, by Dr Urjit Patel's resignation. No self respecting scholar or academic can work in this government," he said. Amid differences between the RBI and the government on a variety of issues, Patel on Monday resigned from his post citing personal reasons. His resignation was being speculated right from the time the government cited a never-before-used provision of the RBI Act to get him to consider its views on ...
Modi says RBI governor Patel steered banking system from chaos
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Urjit Patel, who abruptly resigned on Monday had steered the banking system from chaos to stability.
RBI Governor Urjit Patel resigns, stuns markets
MUMBAI (Reuters) - Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel resigned for "personal reasons" on Monday, a decision analysts linked to intense pressure on the central bank from the government to ease regulatory curbs.
Consensus in opposition to fight against BJP's assault on institution such as RBI, CBI: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi attacked the government after RBI Governor Urjit Patel quit, saying that there is an assault on institutions like RBI, CBI among others.Gandhi, flanked by leaders of various opposition parties, was speaking to media here, after a crucial meeting of 18 parties, on the eve of Parliament's winter session."The RBI chief has resigned because he could no longer work. There was consensus in the room that we have to stop BJP's assault on institutions be it CBI, RBI, election commission or all different institutions, also assault on the constitution," Rahul said.He added that there was consensus among the opposition parties that "BJP's corruption on demonetisation, Rafale and other areas are not acceptable and we are going to fight. We are also going to have similar coordination, inside the parliament as well as outside the house."Earlier in the day RBI's 24 Governor Urjit patel resigned citing personal reasons.
BJP govt has unleashed a defacto financial emergency: Cong on Urjit Patel's resignation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unleashed a defacto financial emergency which has put the country's reputation and credibility at stake, said senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel while reacting on the sudden resignation of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit R. Patel.There have been reports in the past few months about Urjit Patel considering resignation following a rift with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. In response to the media reports, the Finance Ministry on October 31 clarified that the government holds "extensive consultations with the RBI from time to time".Terming RBI Governor's resignation a blot on India's monetary and banking system, Ahmed Patel reacted: "BJP government has unleashed a defacto financial emergency. The country's reputation and credibility are now at stake."Echoing similar sentiments, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also said, "Integrity of another institution, RBI, stands denigrated by a tyrannical Modi regime as reflected in RBI ...
BJP accuses Rahul of getting money from scamster
BJP on Monday accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of getting money from scamster and compared him with Alibaba, while terming his party cadres as 'chaalis chor' (forty thieves)."Launching a scathing attack on the Congress president, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is 'Alibaba' and his party cadres as 'chaalis chor' (forty thieves)."Addressing a press conference here, Patra alleged that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra rented out their 4.69-acre farmhouse in Delhi in 2013 to an alleged 'scamster' Jignesh Shah, who was under investigation for his alleged corrupt practices when the Congress was in power at the Centre. It is alleged the farmhouse has been let out at the monthly rent of Rs 6.7 lakh.Referring to the farmhouse owned by Gandhis in Delhi's Mehrauli area, BJP leader further alleged that the two took money from Jignesh Shah, the alleged scamster linked with the National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) payment scam, by renting the ...
Media, institutions under attack during BJP regime: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre of curbing the freedom of the press and other vital institutions like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)and Supreme Court."Ever since the BJP came to power at the Centre, the press is not being allowed to work freely. If you see the press today, you will notice how the front pages of newspapers are filled with weddings, cricket, and so on. You can seldom read about the plight of farmers, youth. This is not only about national newspapers. In every state, the media has been captured," he said while speaking at an event here.Further sharpening his attack, Rahul said, "All vital institutions have been encroached upon by the BJP government under Prime Minister Modi. The Supreme Court is not allowed to function independently. The army is used for political gains. BJP ministers are also threatened. All this will be stopped in 2019."Gandhi claimed the ...
Sonia, Mamata, Chandrababu attend opposition meet to take on BJP
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, N. Chandrababu Naidu and Arvind Kejriwal, NCP leader Sharad Pawar and DMK leader M.K. Stalin were among senior opposition leaders who attended a meeting here on Monday to discuss ways to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year.