Page 228 - Politics
Mamata is 'demon': BJP MP
Launching a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee, BJP MP Saumitra Khan on Sunday called West Bengal Chief Minister a "demon"."Mamata Banerjee has become a demon. She is ready to drink BJP's workers' blood. She and her party is asking people to fight on the Hindu and Muslims line," he told ANIHis comments came after four BJP workers were killed in North 24 Parganas district of the state. The BJP has alleged that TMC workers were behind the killing.The deaths took place on Saturday after a clash broke out between workers of the two parties in the Basirhat city of North 24 Parganas district."She has ordered to kill our workers. President's rule should be imposed in West Bengal. The election should be held immediately here, as law and order situation is deteriorating, "he added.Widespread violence involving the BJP and the TMC was witnessed during Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, with both parties trading blame over the issue.The polls have come to a close, but the two parties are still .
Moldova Parliament dissolved, polls on Sept 6
Moldovan interim president Pavel Filip on Sunday dissolved Parliament and announced elections on September 6. Filip signed a decree that dissolved Parliament, according to news reaching here from Chisinau, capital of Moldova, reported Xinhua news agency.
JD(U) will not be part of NDA outside Bihar: K C Tyagi
The Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) Sunday announced that it will not be a part of the BJP-led NDA outside Bihar and will contest the upcoming assembly polls in four states on its own. The decision has been taken in order to expand the presence of the JD(U) and to attain the status of a national recognised party by 2020, party's chief general secretary K C Tyagi said. He was speaking to reporters here after the JD(U)'s national executive meeting, which was chaired by Kumar. "The JD(U) is not a part of the NDA outside Bihar. We will fight (the upcoming) assembly elections in four states on our own strength," said Tyagi, flanked by party general secretaries Pavan Verma and Sanjay Jha. "We want to make the JD(U) a national party. The JD(U) is a recognised party in Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh," he said. "We will fight elections in four states of Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir with all our strength and might. And it will be our endeavour to achieve the status of a ...
West Bengal: Protest erupts as security forces stop BJP leaders from taking bodies of workers to party office
Security forces on Sunday stopped BJP leaders here while they were taking the remains of the deceased workers to the party office following which they started raising slogans against the state government.BJP general secretary Rahul Sinha said: "I have spoken to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi, who has assured me that he will speak to senior officials. Police couldn't prevent the murders and are now stopping us from cremating the bodies.""We have been stopped at three places. I have already assured that there will be no marches. We will peacefully take the bodies to the party office so that others can pay their tribute before their cremation at the designated place," said Sinha.He also said that they are ready to proceed to the party office even in a police cordon, but stopping them like this was unacceptable."We are also ready to proceed further under police cordon. What kind of rule is this? Democracy is being strangulated in this state," added Sinha.Locket Chatterjee, BJP MP from ...
Bungalow likely to be allotted to Shah was residence of Parliament House architect
A sprawling bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to be allotted, had once served as the residence of the architect of Parliament House during the construction of the new imperial capital of India, according to a historian. The bungalow, currently carrying the address 6A, Krishna Menon Marg was originally known as the 8, Hastings Road bungalow in the British-era, and its last occupant was former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. City-based historian and author Swapna Liddle, says this bungalow has had many noted occupants and architect Sir Herbert Baker resided in it while New Delhi was being built as the new capital of the British Raj. While Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens was the main architect of the new imperial capital, Baker and other architects also assisted in designing several iconic buildings dotting the landscape. Baker is chiefly known for designing the iconic North Block and South Block of the government Secretariat on the Raisina Hill and .
Ayushman Bharat programme a jumla, being imposed on Delhi: AAP
The AAP Sunday termed the BJP-led Centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme a 'jumla' and alleged that the scheme is being imposed on the people of Delhi. The reaction came after Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Saturday rebutted Arvind Kejriwal's claim that the AAP government's health scheme is "10 times bigger and comprehensive" than the Ayushman Bharat programme saying the Delhi chief minister's "callous" response shows he is "least interested" in the welfare of the people of the city. Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj, in a video message, said if Vardhan is so concerned about the people of the national capital, then the Centre should allot land for mohalla clinics to Delhi government. He said, "The DDA has not allotted land for a single mohalla clinic. If Harsh Vardhan is so concerned about the well being of the people of Delhi then he should allot land for construction of mohalla clinics." "The Centre wants to impose Ayushman Bharat on Delhi. The
London: Baloch organisations hold joint campaign against enforced disappearances
The World Baloch Organization (WBO) and the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) have jointly launched a human rights awareness campaign in London.The groups aim to highlight the "dire human rights situation in Pakistan," particularly the human rights abuses faced by the ethnic Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, Mohajir and religious minorities in the country through the campaign.The campaign will focus on the issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan, where thousands have been forcibly abducted by Pakistan's military and its intelligence agencies. While most are extra-judicially killed and their bodies dumped on roadsides bearing signs of extreme torture, the groups claimed.Amnesty International has termed it the "Kill and dump" policy. Victims include activists, teachers, students, doctors, intellectuals and journalists who have voiced their opinions against the military's iron grip over the country. The military's control over the local media is such that anyone reporting such incidents risks is
Moldova's interim president calls snap election amid crisis
Moldova's interim president has dissolved parliament and called for snap elections on September 6 amid a months-long political crisis. Pavel Filip announced his decision shortly after his appointment on Sunday by the Constitutional Court to replace Igor Dodon. The new government, formed Saturday from a coalition of the pro-European Union ACUM alliance and the pro-Russia Socialist party, said Filip's move was illegal. ACUM's Maia Sandu was elected prime minister on Saturday. The coalition, however, came about a day after the 90-day deadline for forming a new government after elections, according to the Constitutional Court. The coalition claims the deadline is three months rather than 90 days. Filip is a member of the Democratic Party, which is headed by Vladimir Plahotniuc, the country's de facto leader who is opposed to the new government coalition.
'Her countdown has begun': Giriraj Singh hits out at Mamata Banerjee over Bengal violence
Union minister Giriraj Singh Sunday alleged Mamata Banerjee's party is perpetrating politics of violence in West Bengal out of frustration as her countdown has begun. The comments of Singh, a senior BJP leader, came a day after the killing of four persons in clashes between the activists of the saffron party and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the neighouring West Bengal. Accusing the TMC of being responsible the killings, Singh said, "She (Banerjee) has begun to take recourse to the same tactics as the Left Front which preceded her in power and which she had vowed to end." The TMC had ousted the CPI(M)-led Left Front government in 2011 after it ruled West Bengal for 34 years. "In election after election - from the local bodies to the Lok Sabha - she has been facing people's wrath. Democracy has no place for violence, but she is using it out of frustration. Her countdown has begun," Singh told reporters here. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, .
Increased expectations, aspirations of people guarantee for
: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said that increased aspirations and expectations of people as reflected in the recent general elections verdict-- were a guarantee for making India brighter. "Given the huge mandate we got, some people think expectations and aspirations (on the government) have increased. They also wonder what can Modi do. We should see it as a great opportunity. I see it as a guarantee for a brighter India," the Prime Minister observed. Modi, who reached the temple-town of Tirupati from Colombo at the end of a two-day two-nation visit, addressed a thanks-giving public meeting organized by the Andhra Pradesh BJP at Renigunta. The Prime Minister said he has confidence in 130 crore Indians. "With their contribution and support, I am confident we can give a new direction to the country," he said. Two good occasions beckoned the country in the near future, Modi pointed out, referring to the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in October 2019 and ..
Terrorism a joint threat, needs collective action: Modi (Roundup)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena for the second time in 10 days and agreed that terrorism was a "joint threat" that needed collective and focussed action. The two leaders had last week met at Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
The country saw our dedication and gave us a second chance: PM Modi in Tirupati
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he had come to Tirupati to seek blessings of Lord Venkateswara after forming the new government."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 here.PM Modi thanked the people of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for participating in the elections and forming the government of their choice in the two states."I want to thank the people of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for participating in the festival of democracy, whether we won or not is irrelevant, we just want to serve. I want to thank the people for upholding democracy," he said.Modi added that all BJP 'karyakartas' including himself were servants of the nation and added that even when the party wasn't able to win seats in the municipality ...
Case opened: Democrats begin public airing of Mueller report
President Donald Trump says it's "case closed." But Democrats are just getting started with Robert Mueller. House Democrats have scheduled a series of hearings this coming week on the special counsel's report as they intensify their focus on the Russia probe and pick up the pace on an investigative "path" in the words of Speaker Nancy Pelosi that some of them hope leads to impeachment of the president. In doing so, they are trying to draw the public's attention on the allegations that Trump sought to obstruct a federal investigation and they want highlight his campaign's contacts with Russia in the 2016 election. And they will lay the groundwork for an appearance from Mueller himself, despite his stated desire to avoid the spotlight . The hearings will focus on the two main topics of Mueller's report, obstruction of justice and Russian election interference. The House Judiciary Committee plans to cover the first topic at a Monday hearing on "presidential obstruction and other ...
Another MLA joins 'single leader' chorus, AIADMK calls meet
In yet another indication that all is not well in the ruling AIADMK, a party MLA Sunday backed its Madurai-based veteran V V Rajan Chellappa's pitch for a single leader to steer the outfit and asserted that anyone trying to divide the outfit for "family" would be viewed as another "Sasikala." As such voices grew louder, the AIADMK called a meeting of its seniors, including Ministers, district secretaries, MPs and MLAs on June 12 and issued a gag order restraining party men from airing their views in public. The meeting would be chaired by party coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami and it would be held in party headquarters here. The top level meet is the first to be held after the party's dismal performance in Lok Sabha polls and following a cry for a "single leadership," by two MLAs. The AIADMK, though could win only nine of the 22 Assembly seats that witnessed bypolls, the tally propelled the party to
BJP delegation arrives at Basirhat hospital, will hold protest on June 12
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation on Sunday arrived at the Basirhat hospital where the postmortem of the deceased BJP workers was taking place.Speaking to media, BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, "Post mortem of our party's members is going on and two bodies have been handed over till now. We will remain here till remaining bodies are given to relatives. On June 12 we do a massive protest against the brutal killing of BJP members".Four workers of the BJP were shot dead by members of the TMC in Basirhat's Sandeshkhali, BJP leader Mukul Roy has alleged.The deaths took place on Saturday during a clash between workers of the two parties in the city of North 24 Parganas.Violence broke out after TMC workers allegedly removed the flags with BJP symbol from a building here.Earlier in the day, the Home Minister Amit Shah had sought a report from the West Bengal government on the incident of violence between the BJP and TMC workers in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday in which ...
"Cabinet expansion will be 'foundation stone' for collapse of
Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda Sunday said the much awaited expansion of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy led cabinet in Karnataka, aimed at saving the coalition government, would be the "foundation stone" for its collapse. "I feel this expansion will be the foundation stone for the collapse of the government. Everyone knows about disgruntlement (in the coalition). I don't want to get involved in their internal fighting or issues," he told reporters in response to a question. "But I feel that this adventure to save (the government), will be the last adventure. The attempt to save itself in a way will affect them this time," he said. Kumaraswamy on Saturday had announced that Governor Vajubhai Vala has fixed 11.30 AM on June 12 for administering the oath of office for the new ministers. Routed in the Lok Sabha polls and facing growing disgruntlement within, leaders of the Congress-JD(S) coalition had decided to go for cabinet expansion by filling in three vacant ...
Rahul doubts PM's "Kerala dear to me" remark
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday accused the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi of according step-motherly treatment to the states not ruled by the BJP, which he dubbed as a party "blinded by hate and anger". The Congress president made the allegations, doubting Modi's remarks on Saturday that Kerala from where the BJP won no Lok Sabha seat, was as dear to him as his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. Winding up his three-day thanksgiving visit to the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency from where he was elected in the recent polls, Rahul Gandhi said the BJP viewed those not following the RSS ideology as non-Indians and vowed to fight out the alleged bias. Gandhi, who held over 10 roadshows across his constituency spread over three districts of Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode, left for New Delhi from the Kozhikode airport this afternoon. On the final day of his tour, he held roadshows at Engapuzha and Mukkam, two small towns in Kozhikode district to thank voters. He chose ...
Buried hatchet with Khotkar, but we pretended to be at odds:
Senior BJP leader and Union minister Raosaheb Danve has said that although he and Shiv Sena leader Arjun Khotkar had ironed out their differences months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, they pretended before people that they were at loggerheads. Danve, who won the Lok Sabha election from Jalna constituency and made Minister of State Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the Narendra Modi government, was speaking at his felicitation function here Saturday. "Sena leader Arjun Khotkar and I had ironed outour differences two months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. But even after that we pretended before the people that were were at odds," Danve, who is also the Maharashtra BJP chief, said. Although the BJP and the Sena had entered into an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, Khotkar, a minister in the Maharashtra government, had been demanding that he either be allowed to fight from Jalna Lok Sabha seat on Sena ticket or to engage in a "friendly" fight with ...
AAP challenges Congress to show single state where power tariffs lower than Delhi
Hitting back at the Congress for its allegation that the Delhi government benefited power discoms at the cost of consumers, the Aam Aadmi Party challenged the party on Sunday to show a single state governed by it where power tariffs are lower than that of the national capital. The Congress had on Saturday alleged that the AAP government coaxed people living in rented accommodations to install separate power meters, following which the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission increased fixed charges benefitting the discoms. At a press conference, the Congress party's Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit alleged the Arvind Kejriwal government "enacted a drama of installing lakhs of meters to benefit the power companies". "Electricity bills used to be nominal before. In the name of fixed charges, the government collected crores of rupees and gave it to power discoms," she alleged. Hitting back, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said the Congress has made a wild allegation against the Aam ..
Surjewala demands Khattar govt make written exam marks of all recruitments public
Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala Sunday demanded that the M L Khattar dispensation in Haryana should disclose the marks awarded in written examinations and interviews for all government recruitments made in the last five years. "It is a matter of grave concern that the Khattar government is not following the clear cut directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had ordered the state government to upload the details of written examinations and interviews for all the public recruitments," Surjewala, who is an MLA from Kaithal, said. He said since the government claims to have adopted transparency in job selections, it should follow the directions of the high court. "Uploading of details will expose the fake claims of the Khattar government with regard to fair selections in recruitments in government jobs and the people will get to know the reality," Surjewala said in a statement here. He also accused the state government of "interrupting" the fair investigations