Page 227 - Politics
Basirhat violence: BJP to observe black day in West Bengal tomorrow
BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha on Sunday said that his party will be observing a "black day" in West Bengal tomorrow in the wake of the killings of BJP workers.He also said the party would move court over police role.Talking to the media, Sinha said, "The party has called a 12-hour 'bandh' in Basirhat tomorrow. In entire West Bengal, we will observe a black day. BJP will move court over police role. The mortal remains of the deceased BJP workers are being taken to their native places for last rites."Earlier, the security forces had stopped BJP leaders and workers while they were taking the mortal remains to the party office. This led to slogans being raised against the Mamata Banerjee-led government.Four workers of BJP were allegedly shot dead by members of TMC in Basirhat's Sandeshkhali area, BJP leader Mukul Roy had said.The deaths took place on Saturday during a clash between workers of the two parties in Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district.Violence broke out after TMC ...
WB Governor expresses concern over violence in state
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has expressed concern over the violent clashes between BJP and TMC workers in the state, Press Secretary to Governor Manab Bandyopdhyay said on Sunday."Governor Tripathi is sad at the unfortunate loss of lives and properties of citizens. He extends his heartfelt sympathy for families of the deceased. He appeals to all to see to it that no violent incidents take place, and peace and harmony prevail in the state," Bandyopdhyay said.The clash between the two factions was triggered by the removal of BJP's flag in Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency of North 24 Parganas on Saturday.BJP leader Mukul Roy has alleged that four workers of his party were shot dead by the members of TMC.The state's ruling party, on the other hand, has alleged that a member of their party has also died in the clashes.Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought a report from the state government on the incidents of violence, said sources.
We target to win 65 Assembly seats in Jharkhand, says Chief Minister Das
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Sunday said that BJP would clean sweep the assembly elections in the state which are going to be held later in the year."The voters of Jharkhand will once again choose the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. Our goal for 2019 state elections is 'Abki Baar 65 Paar.' This sentiment was shared in the meeting," Das told reporters here.Das attended a meeting presided over by Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah of the Core Groups of Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. The meeting discussed strategies for the assembly polls for the three states.Das said the strategy for ensuring the BJP's win in the state elections was discussed and it was decided that the ground level workers would be roped in to boost the party's chances."We also conducted a review of the preparations for the state elections in the meeting after which we will work with the workers across the state at the booth, mandal, and district level in the state," he said.The ...
Prashant Kishor's organisation has nothing to do with JD(U): K C Tyagi
The ruling JD(U) in Bihar has nothing to do with its vice president and poll strategist Prashant Kishor's organisation that devises poll strategies for political parties, a senior party leader said Sunday. Kishor had met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Thursday, raising speculation about working with her in the near future to help her foil the BJP's growing influence in the state. The chief minister and Kishor are understood to have agreed that the poll strategist's organisation, I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee), would provide professional assistance to the Trinamool Congress for the 2021 Assembly polls. Banerjee's meeting with Kishor took place at a time when the TMC supremo is facing a tough challenge from the BJP on her home turf. "The JD(U) has nothing to do with I-PAC... It is not a part of JD(U) either. Why was this question not raised when he (Kishor) worked for Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections," JD(U) national chief ...
Separatist leader Masarat Alam spearheaded 'stone pelting' from J&K jail (IANS Exclusive)
Hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat was in constant touch with terrorist organisations from the Jammu and Kashmir jail where he was in detention since 2010 before being shifted here, and was instrumental in orchestrating stone pelting and attacks on security forces in the state.
Moldova faces snap polls, thousands rally
Moldova plunged deeper into crisis Sunday as a new, acting president dissolved parliament and called elections after months of wrangling between pro-Russia and pro-European lawmakers failed to form a workable government. The tiny country nestled between Ukraine and Romania has been in political chaos since a general election in February failed to give a clear majority to any party. On Saturday, parliament approved a new government based on an unprecedented alliance between pro-Russian and pro-European forces. It comprised the Socialist Party of then President Igor Dodon, which took 35 out of 101 seats in February's vote, and the pro-European ACUM alliance, which got 26 seats. The Democratic Party, the second largest in parliament with 30 seats and led by powerful oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, was effectively frozen out. The move came however after the Constitutional Court had ruled Friday that new elections should be held. On Sunday, the court suspended president Dodon and appointed Pavel
Shah holds meetings with BJP leaders from 3 Assembly poll-bound states
BJP president Amit Shah Sunday held deliberations with the party's core group leaders from three Assembly poll-bound states. Party sources said Shah held separate meetings with leaders from Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana, all of which would go to polls later this year, at the BJP headquarters here. The deliberations among the party leaders are believed to have focussed on the preparation for the polls, with Shah taking stock of the prevailing political situation and discussing the BJP's strategy. The BJP is in power in all the three states and their chief ministers also attended the exercise. The BJP's main rival in all three states is either the Congress, as in Haryana, or an opposition alliance in which it is a major presence, as in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The saffron party decimated its rivals in these states in the recent Lok Sabha polls but Assembly elections will be fought on state-specific issues, with the performance of the respective state governments likely to be ...
Sudan's pro-military movement calls for nationwide 'civil disobedience'
In the aftermath of a bloody military crackdown that left at least 113 people dead in Khartoum, Sudan's pro-military movement has called for a nationwide 'civil disobedience' movement to demand civilian rule in the country.The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), an umbrella group for multiple trade unions in the country, said that the movement would end only when the ruling generals "transfer power to civil transitional authority in accordance with the Declaration of Freedom and Change (DFC)," reports CNN.In its statement released on Saturday, the SPA called upon "the workers in all institutions and facilities, in the public and private sectors, to engage and strictly adhere to the tools of civil disobedience and the general political strike."The call to civil disobedience comes as several opposition leaders were arrested by security forces following an overnight raid in the capital on Saturday."We have received several reports about the continued campaign of the Military Coup ..
Some people yet to get over polls' impact, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that some people were yet to get over the impact of the Lok Sabha poll results.
Shah reviews party's poll readiness in 3 states
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah here on Sunday met party core group leaders from Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand to discuss organisational issues and strategy for the Assembly polls in the three state due later this year.
Amid continuing US sanctions, Javad Zarif urges Europe to normalise economic ties with Iran
Iran on Sunday reiterated its threat to further withdraw from its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) in case the European countries do not normalise economic ties with Tehran amid continued US sanctions."The Europeans and other signatories of the JCPOA should normalize economic ties with Iran. We will halt our commitments or will take action in accordance with their measures," Russia Today quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying.The country has already partially withdrawn from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal (officially called JCPoA) that it had signed with the USA, UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia under Obama administration. The withdrawal implied that Iran no longer had any limits for the production of enriched uranium.The JCPoA was signed with an aim to limit Iran's civilian energy programme, thereby preventing it from developing nuclear weapons at some point in the future, in exchange for relief from sanctions that were ...
Olympic wrestler enters ring for Ukraine's Zelensky
Ukraine's new president Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday named candidates including an Olympic wrestler with Rwandan roots to represent his party in snap parliamentary elections next month. Zelensky, a former comedian, has called early polls for July 21 in a move widely seen as a bid to cement his grip on power after winning a landslide victory in April. On Sunday, his party, named Servant of the People, unveiled its first 100 candidates. Short on experienced politicians, the list includes Greco-Roman wrestler Zhan Beleniuk, who won silver for Ukraine at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The 28-year-old is the son of a Ukrainian seamstress and a Rwandan pilot killed in the country's civil war of the 1990s. He grew up in a one-room flat in Kiev. He may become Ukraine's first mixed-heritage lawmaker but by entering politics is following in the footsteps of another heavyweight -- former professional boxer Vitaly Klitschko, who is Kiev's mayor. Also on the list are Dmytro Razumkov, the
PM Modi arrives at Tirumala temple to offer prayers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Tirumala temple on Sunday to offer prayers. He was accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy."I have had the good fortune to come to Tirupati many times in the past too, I have come here to take the blessings of Lord Venkateshwara after forming the new government. I want the Lord to bless us so that we can fulfil the dreams of 130 crore Indians together," Modi said at a public meeting before coming to the temple.Earlier today, PM Modi was welcomed by Jaganmohan Reddy at the Tirupati Airport on his arrival from Colombo.Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan and five deputy chief ministers in the newly elected Reddy government along with other leaders were also present to welcome the Prime Minister who was returning after his trip to Maldives and Sri Lanka.The YSRCP leader and newly elected CM received a pat on the back from PM Modi after he tried to touch the latter's feet twice.
MP govt shuts down steel mines owned by BJP legislator on SC orders
The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered closure of iron ore mines belonging to BJP MLA and former state minister Sanjay Pathak's family in Jabalpur district, on the directions of the Supreme Court.
Hundreds arrested as Kazakhs elect first new leader in decades
Police in Kazakhstan arrested hundreds of opposition protesters Sunday at polls to elect the country's first new president in 30 years following the departure of historic leader Nursultan Nazarbayev. His hand-picked successor Kassym Jomart-Tokayev is a shoo-in to win the vote contested by six other candidates. But the day was marked by the biggest protests the Central Asian country has seen in three years, as demonstrators urged a "boycott" of what they see as fixed polls. The build-up to the vote was marked by an intensifying crackdown on the opposition with courts sentencing protesters to short stays in jail and police raiding activists' homes. AFP correspondents in Kazakhstan's two main cities Nur-Sultan and Almaty witnessed hundreds of arrests Sunday. Two AFP journalists were among those detained in the largest city Almaty, where police broke up a protest involving several hundred people. Protesters shouted "shame, shame, shame!" and said "police come to the side of the people" ...
MHA issues advisory to WB government, expresses 'deep concern' over death of people
Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory to West Bengal government expressing "deep concern" over the death of people in a post-poll clash that ensued between BJP and TMC workers, sources said on Sunday.In the advisory to the state government, MHA has stated: "'It is strongly advised to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquillity. It is also requested to take strict action against officials found delinquent in the discharge of their duty."The clash between the two factions was triggered by the removal of BJP's flag in Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency of North 24 Parganas on Saturday.BJP leader Mukul Roy has alleged that four workers of his party were shot dead by the members of TMC.State's ruling party, on the other hand, has alleged that a member of their party has also died in the clashes.Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought a report from the state government on the incidents of violence, said sources.
BJP luring Cong MLAs with crores of rupees, posts: Chodankar
Opposition Congress Sunday accused the ruling BJP of trying to lure its MLAs to switch sides by offering crores of rupees and posts, even as the saffron party rubbished the allegation. Talking to reporters, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girish Chodankar claimed that the legislators of his party were being offered different packages, including Rs 40 crore and chairmanship of any state-run corporation, to switch sides. However, the BJP hit back saying the opposition party was failing to keep its flock together and levelling false charges. "Congress MLAs are being offered three different packages by the BJP to switch sides. The first one is cash of Rs 40 crore and chairmanship of any state-run corporation. In addition, they will get Rs five crore to take care of their workers who might resist the MLA's change of political affiliation," Chodankar said. "The second package is Rs 20 crore and a cabinet rank, while the third one is Rs 60 crore to quit politics ...
Mulayam launches fresh efforts to unite clan
After Samajwadi Party's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav has launched fresh efforts to end acrimony between his son Akhilesh and brother Shivpal, sources in the party have said. Over the past few days, Mulayam separately met Akhilesh and Shivpal, and the entire clan to settle the differences, they said. The meetings have taken place in Delhi and Saifai in Uttar Pradesh. His initial efforts have not yielded much results as Shivpal has refused to merge his Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party with the SP which he had left in August last year. He has blamed cousin and SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav for the split in the clan. But, the sources claimed that Shivpal is not averse to contesting the coming 12 bypolls to the Uttar Pradesh assembly with the SP. Nine BJP and one MLA each from SP and BSP won the Lok Sabha elections. Another vacancy was created when a BJP MLA was disqualified upon his conviction in a murder case. Mulayam is learnt to .
Will meet PM to congratulate him on reelection, report on violence not on agenda: Bengal Guv
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi Sunday said he will be meeting Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday to congratulate him on his reelection, dismissing media reports that he would brief the prime minister on the post-poll situation in the state. He, however, expressed concern about the clashes between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP on Saturday in North 24 Parganas district in which four persons were killed. "I had sought an appointment with the prime minister to congratulate him (on winning the Lok Sabha elections and becoming the PM again). I have come here for that," Tripathi told PTI over phone from New Delhi. On media reports that he would be submitting a report on the violence during his meeting with Modi, the governor said, "There is no such thing scheduled. I did not have time earlier (to go to Delhi to congratulate Modi) and had sought time for a meeting with the PM. I have been given time tomorrow." Tripathi, however, extended his condolences to the families of ..
President Xi to meet PM Modi on sidelines of SCO summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit this week at Bishkek where he would also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first meeting between the two leaders after the BJP's massive victory in the general elections. Xi will pay state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan from June 12 to 16, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang announced here on Sunday. The SCO summit is due to be held on June 13-14 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The SCO is a China-led eight-member economic and security bloc with India and Pakistan being admitted to the grouping in 2017. From June 12 to 14, President Xi will pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan and attend SCO summit, Lu said in a statement. Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri said last week that the two leaders would meet on the side-lines of the SCO summit. Recalling last year's successful first ever informal summit between Xi and Modi at Wuhan which was widely regarded a milestone in the bilateral ties, ...