Page 2274 - Politics
Nepal Parliament okays Nilambar Acharya as new envoy to India
Nepal's Parliament on Sunday endorsed the appointment of former law minister Nilambar Acharya as the country's next ambassador to India. There is a provision in the Constitution that the names of ambassadors should go through the parliamentary hearing committee once they are nominated by the government at the recommendation of the Constitutional Council before formally being appointed by the president. The committee endorsed the names of Acharya, Udaya Raj Pandey, Anjan Shakya and Krishna Prasad Dhakal, as Nepal's envoys to India, Malaysia, Israel and the UAE, respectively. The names of the four proposed ambassadors will now be forwarded to President Bidya Bhandari for formal appointment. While responding to questions in the parliamentary committee, Acharya said that although there is an open border between Nepal and India, the "hearts of the two countries are yet to be opened". There is a need to create an environment of confidence as some kind of suspicion still persists in ...
Qatar dispute overshadows Gulf Arab summit as emir stays away
RIYADH (Reuters) - Bahrain and Qatar traded barbs over the Qatari emir's decision not to attend a Gulf Arab summit in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, an absence that suggests a rift between Doha and three Gulf Arab states is unlikely to be resolved soon.
BJP says it will win Rajasthan again; Cong waits to 'surpass' exit poll numbers
Ahead of the counting of votes on December 11, arch-rivals BJP and the Congress have both claimed they are forming the government in Rajasthan, a state that has seen the two national parties alternate power over the last 20 years. While the BJP claimed it would get a majority in the state, irrespective of what the exit polls predicted, the Congress said it will go past the numbers the poll of polls projected for it. The BJP on Sunday held a meeting of its core committee at its headquarters here to discuss the strategies post counting process. "I am not going to comment anything on the exit polls. The results will come on December 11. The BJP is going to form the government with majority" Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje told reporters after the meeting. Exit polls have predicted a win for the opposition Congress in Rajasthan. Union minister and BJP state election management committee convener Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also exuded confidence that his party will form the government with a .
BJP pursuing a politics of "hate and lies": Sanjay Singh
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused the BJP of pursuing a politics of "hate and lies" and stressed on the need for ousting it from power at the Centre. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who is also the party's in-charge for Bihar, alleged that in Delhi - which is ruled by his party - "names of about 30 lakh voters half of whom are from UP-Bihar have been deleted from the electoral roll at the behest of the BJP". "Where will the disenfranchised voters of Delhi go. Are they Bangladeshi infiltrators. Amit Shah indulges in rhetoric on the issue of illegal immigrants and in practice his party has been pitting people of one region against the other", Singh said in response to a query on the BJP chief's recent remark "India is not a dharmshala" in the context of the National Registry of Citizens in Assam. The Bulandshahr incident in which two people died in mob violence in the district following an alleged cow slaughter, is another example of BJP's politics of "hate and
SAC approves legislation for setting up special security force for governor's security
The Jammu and Kashmir State Administrative Council (SAC) Sunday approved a bill for setting up special security force for providing proximate security to the state governor, an official spokesperson said. The SAC, which met under the chairmanship of governor Satya Pal Malik here, approved the Jammu and Kashmir Governor's Special Security Force Bill, 2018, he said. He said the bill contains provisions related to the constitution and regulation of a separate security force in the state for providing proximate security to the governor, members of his immediate family and matters connected therewith. "The legal framework related to constitution and regulation of a separate security force in Jammu and Kashmir for providing proximate security to the chief minister, members of his immediate family and other connected matters is contained in the Jammu and Kashmir Special Security Group Act, 2000," the spokesperson said. He said there is no provision contained in the said act related to ...
Abhay Chautala dares brother's son, wife to resign as INLD MP, MLA
Moments after his nephew and Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala announced a new political outfit, INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala on Sunday dared him and sister-in-law Naina to resign as the party's MP and MLA, respectively, to test their popularity. Dushyant launched the Jannayak Janata Party and unveiled its flag at a well-attended rally in Haryana's Jind district earlier on Sunday. The announcement came a month after Dushyant, along with his father and brother Ajay Chautala and Digvijay Chautala, respectively, was expelled from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Speaking to reporters here after a party meeting, Abhay Chautala said the newly launched party will soon "start to disintegrate". He claimed that supporters of the Congress, the BJP and some opponents of the INLD were also present at the Jind rally. The leader of opposition (LoP) in the Haryana assembly challenged Dushyant and his mother Naina, MLA from Dabwali, to resign. "If they consider themselves very popular, they should ...
No lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights: Farooq
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Sunday said there can be no lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights and the rule of law. In his message on the world human rights day, Abdullah, the MP from Srinagar, said basic human rights of a man include right to education, right to assembly, right to profess any religion and above all right to live a dignified life. We in the NC took it upon ourselves to ensure the people of our state all these basic rights. The 'naya Kashmir' (new Kashmir) progressive ideology abounds in all the rights and our leadership has been striving hard to ensure people all the rights, he said. The NC president said that our hopes for a more just, safe and peaceful world can only be achieved when there is universal respect for the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human beings. It was the NC that made a common peasant master of his land. The revolutionary steps like single line administration, upgradation
Union Cabinet 'biggest casualty' in Modi government: Sinha
Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of destroying various institutions in the country, including the Union Cabinet. Speaking at a talk show, 'Idea of Bengal', organised by the ruling Trinamool Congress, Sinha accused the prime minister of trying to "undermine" the Rajya Sabha during the passage of key bills. "The Modi government has destroyed various institutions of the country. But the biggest casualty is the Union Cabinet," the former Union minister alleged. "I am saying this because several important decisions are being taken without informing the Cabinet, be it the Rafale jet deal or demonetisation," added Sinha, who held the finance and external affairs portfolios in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Parliament was the "second casualty" as the Modi government has "tried to undermine" the Rajya Sabha, during the passage of several important bills, Sinha said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not enjoy majority in the Upper House of .
Qatar emir skips Saudi-hosted summit with Gulf rivals
Qatar's emir skipped a summit in Saudi Arabia on Sunday with fellow Arab Gulf leaders whose boycott of the small but energy-flush neighbour has sparked a major regional diplomatic row. Riyadh is hosting the annual gathering as crises rumble on over the 18-month-old dispute with Doha, the war in Yemen and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul. The regional powerhouse had invited Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to attend the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council talks, but the foreign ministry in Doha said he would not go. Instead Qatar was represented by the minister of state for foreign affairs, Sultan al-Muraikhi, it said. Saudi Arabia, along with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, severed diplomatic ties with Doha in 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and fostering close ties with their regional rival Iran. Doha -- which announced this month it was quitting the Saudi-dominated OPEC oil cartel -- denies the allegations, ..
Parliament Session: BJD to demand 'special category status' for Odisha
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Members of Parliament (MPs) have decided to raise the issue of 'special category status' for Odisha during the Winter Session of Parliament, which commences on December 11.The decision was taken on Sunday in the BJD Parliamentary Party meeting here, which was held under the leadership of party president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. BJP MPs will also raise the issue of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures.The BJD meeting also decided to raise the funding pattern for the scholarship given to Backward Classes students, Polavaram project, Chhattisgarh barrage on river Mahanadi, assistance and relief for cyclone Titli affected people and state farmers' problems."By raising these important issues during the coming Winter Session of Parliament, BJD wants to highlight the negligent attitude of Central government towards Odisha," he said, adding that the BJD opposes the Centre's statement that the special category status ..
Thousands turn out for pro and anti Brexit marches in UK
Thousands of protestors marched through London in support of Brexit on Sunday amid tight security measures in place by Scotland Yard. The pro-Brexit march through London, dubbed the "Brexit Betrayal" march, was met by a counter-protest at the same time but taking different routes. The Metropolitan Police had earlier urged protesters to keep their demonstrations peaceful but indicated it is taking no chances against the backdrop of some violent clashes during the "Yellow Vests" street protests in the neighbouring French city of Paris over the weekend. "The right to protest is a fundamental right in our democratic society, but this right must be balanced against the right of people to go about their day without fear of violence, disorder or disruption," said Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor. "Experience has shown us that when groups with conflicting views come together it can create tension and disorder, not just on the day itself but in the longer term, he said,
Vasundhara Raje, Raman Singh confident of retaining power
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Sunday dismissed the prospects of her government being ousted in the state by the Congress Party, as a number of recently-conducted exit polls have indicated.Addressing the media following a core committee meeting of the BJP's Rajasthan unit, Raje said, "The results will be there on the 11th, BJP is going to make the government. I'm very confident (of winning)".The chief minister further deflected questions regarding her expectations about the number of seats her party will secure, saying, "I told you it's going to be a majority".Exit polls conducted by a number of news channels on Friday indicated a clear majority for the Congress in Rajasthan, where voting was conducted on December 7. Times Now-CNX predicted the Congress prevailing in 105 seats in the 200-member Assembly and 85 being bagged by the BJP. India Today-Axis My India indicated 119 to 141 seats for the Congress and 55 to 72 for the BJP.Republic-C Voter, on the other hand, ...
Kannaur airport opens: Political parties rush to claim credit
A political row has broken out between rival political factions in Kerala to pitch the Kannur International Airport Ltd (KIAL) -- that opened here on Sunday -- as their success story.
Yemen rebels open to more talks if 'progress' made in Sweden
Yemen's Huthi rebels are open to more talks with the rival government if progress is made this week at UN-brokered talks in Sweden, a spokesman said. "If we leave these consultations having made progress -- progress in building confidence and finding a framework -- we can hold a new round of talks" in the coming months, Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam told reporters.
Amarinder sees bigger design of Pak Army in Kartarpur affair
Dubbing the whole affair initiated by Pakistan on the Kartarpur corridor as a "bigger conspiracy" hatched by the Pakistan Army, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said the hostile neighbour is trying to revive militancy in Punjab but it will not be allowed to succeed.
Bangladesh's jailed ex-premier Zia seeks HC intervention to fight polls
Bangladesh's imprisoned former prime minister and opposition BNP leader Khaleda Zia on Sunday challenged an election commission order disqualifying her from contesting the upcoming general election, as she filed three writ petitions in the High Court here. The development came a day after the EC rejected 73-year-old Zia's appeals challenging the cancellation of her nomination papers by returning officers as she intended to contest the December 30 polls from three constituencies. "We have sought a High Court directive to overturn the 'illegal' Election Commission decision that disqualified her from contesting the polls," Zia's counsel Nowshad Jamir said after filing three separate writ petitions with in the court. The EC rejected her plea a week after returning officers scrapped the nomination of Zia and several other high-profile politicians, mostly opposition candidates, as they were convicted by courts on graft and other charges such as defaulting on bank loans or due to technical ..
French protests: PM calls for 'national unity' following violence
Following the violent "yellow-vests" protests in the French capital on Saturday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said that it was time for a dialogue "to knit our national unity back together" and called for a discussion with the protesters."No tax is that important to threaten national unity. We must continue with dialogue, with coming together," Al Jazeera quoted the French Prime Minister as saying.Official data showed that approximately 125,000 protesters took to streets across France on Saturday, with 10,000 in Paris alone. Thousands of protestors, most of who were dressed in 'gilets jaunes,' the yellow fluorescent vests that have symbolised the movement, gathered at the Champs-Elysees at around 11 am (local time) and chanted "Down with Macron" and "Calm down police," CNN quoted the French police as saying.A number of France's monuments, including the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, remained closed on Saturday as authorities anticipated a repeat of last week's violence, ...
Cong registers complain in MP EC over EVMs security
A Congress delegation on Sunday registered a complaint with Madhya Pradesh Election Commission expressing concern over the security of strong rooms across the state where the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept.Madhya Pradesh went to polls on November 28. Counting of votes will take place on December 11.On December 7, Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed a plea filed by the Congress party alleging EVMs malfunctioning. The court has refused to interfere in the matter expressing satisfaction on the action by the Election Commission of India (ECI).The court has reserved its decision on the plea over the counting of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips along with EVMs.On December 4, a Congress party delegation led by senior leaders Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibal visited the ECI and highlighted the issue of alleged faults in EVMs, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The delegation demanded that EVMs be protected in a secure place and counting be done in an ...
Shivpal attacks BJP at PSPL rally attended by Mulayam, Aparna
Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Singh Yadav hit out at the BJP Sunday, saying the saffron party had "weakened" the country and it wanted to "instigate riots" for political gains in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Addressing the 'Jan Aakrosh Rally' here, the first such event by the PSPL after its formation this October, Shivpal Yadav said, "The BJP has weakened the country. We will oust the BJP from power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh... We want peace and brotherhood, the communal people want to instigate riots." Adding an element of surprise to the Sunday gathering was the presence of SP patriarch and Shivpal Yadav's elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav, who attended the rally barely two days after sharing the stage with his son and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Firozabad. Mulayam Singh Yadav, while addressing the gathering, started speaking about the SP rather than the PSPL, causing embarrassment to Shivpal Yadav. "The SP carries everyone along with it, treats all ...
Police complaint against BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya, 3 others
The West Bengal Police has filed a suo motu complaint against state BJP president Dilip Ghosh and three other party leaders for conducting a public meeting in Coochbehar district on Friday without requisite permission, police said. Besides Ghosh, BJP state-in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, national secretary Rahul Sinha and general secretary Raju Banerjee have been named in the complaint registered on Saturday, a senior officer of the district police said on Sunday. "We have registered a suo motu case against four BJP leaders for holding the rally without proper permission from the administration. We have started taking necessary action against them," he said. The BJP leaders have been booked under different sections of the IPC and the Police Act, he said. Ghosh, along with other party leaders, addressed the rally on a private land in Jhinaidanga in Coochbehar district after BJP's rath yatra was put on hold, the officer said, quoting the complaint. When contacted, the state BJP chief ..