Page 2281 - Politics
Intelligence was passed on to Centre just before Kargil conflict: Dulat
Intelligence reports pointing to intrusion of Kargil heights were submitted to the Centre ahead of the Kargil conflict in year 1999, former RAW chief A S Dulat said at the Military Literature Festival here on Saturday. Moderating a discussion on 'Wisdom of Spies', Dulat said the intelligence reports were shared with the Centre with all pointers gathered by the Army before the war started, a statement by the Punjab government said. Dulat, who was with the Intelligence Bureau at the time of the Kargil conflict, said the vital information was shared with the then Union Home minister L K Advani, who was also holding the charge of the deputy prime minister. Earlier, Lt Gen (retd.) Kamal Davar highlighted the importance of putting all the three defence wings physically under one unified command, ensuring convergence in decision making, the statement said. Cautioning against the current trend of NSA being the 'intelligence czar' of the country, Davar said it was one thing to have information
Final Rajasthan voter turnout is 74.21
Rajasthan has recorded a turnout of 74.21 per cent in the Assembly election on Friday, around 1.02 percentage point less than a turnout of 75.23 per cent in 2013. The polling percentage of female voters was higher (74.66) as compared to male voters (73.80), according to the final-voter turnout released by the election commission on Saturday. The state has a total of 4.74-crore electorate, that included 2.47-crore males and 2.27-crore females. Pokaran constituency in Jaisalmer district recorded the highest turnout of 87.47 per cent, whereas the lowest turnout was in Marwar Junction seat of Pali district. There were as many as 2,274 candidates in 199 out of total 200 seats, which went to polls on Friday. Election in Alwar's Ramgarh seat was postponed and the polling will take place later due to the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh. Results will be announced on December 11. The BJP is trying to retain power in the state it won in 2013, when it displaced Ashok Gehlot's Congress ...
AAP rebels begin 'march for justice', may launch new party
Aam Aadmi Party rebels in Punjab began Saturday a 180-km march for justice, which may end with the announcement of a new political party. The Insaaf march led by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who was expelled by the AAP when he rebelled after being removed as Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly. The organisers said they are seeking justice in cases related to the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015. The group's leaders include suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi from Patiala, expelled AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu, Lok Insaf Party MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains, Baba Hardeep Singh of Dal Khalsa and gangster-turned-social worker Lakha Sidhana. They began the march after paying obeisance at Damdama Sahib gurdwara in Talwandi Sabo near here. The march will end with a public meeting in Patiala on December 16. They will seek a mandate then from the people to form a third alternative in Punjab to contest the Lok Sabha elections. AAP rebels had earlier said if the people give their go-ahead, they
PRC for non-tribals: APACC slams govt's hasty announcement
Arunachal Pradesh government's announcemment that it was considering granting Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) to non-tribals residing in Namsai and Changlang districts of the state has evoked strong resentment from a prominent tribal group here Saturday. The Arunachal Pradesh Abotani Community Confederation (APACC), a prominent community based organisation, has slammed the state government for announcing it hastily without considering a report which is due to be filed shortly. APACC also demanded the state government to immediately retract statement. Addressing mediapersons here, chairman of APACC Taba Taku said that the organisation was not against granting PRCs to genuine non-tribals but the government should wait for the report which is due to be filed by the Joint High Powered Committee headed by state Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia which is studying the issue. "The state government had undermined the sentiments of the indigenous people of the ...
SAD leadership prays at Akal Takht, seeks apology for 'inadvertent mistakes'
The Shiromani Akali Dal leadership led by party patron Parkash Singh Badal offered prayers Saturday at Akal Takht, the supreme temporal body of Sikhs, to seek atonement for the "mistakes" it committed "inadvertently" in the past. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ridiculed the party for indulging in "political theatrics" in the name of religion with their "farcical" display of regret over the "misdeeds" committed during their 10-years of misrule. The SAD had faced severe criticism over several incidents pertaining to desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and following police firing incidents in 2015 that had taken place during the SAD-BJP regime. The party was also eye of storm over the issue of granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case, which was later withdrawn by Akal Takht. Badal refused Saturday to comment on what the party was seeking forgiveness for. He said he would answer all media queries on Monday after the 'bhog' ceremony of .
Cong terms ED raids on Vadra associates as BJP's 'dirty, malicious tricks'
The Congress party on Saturday termed the raids of ED on the properties of close associates of Robert Vadra as 'dirty and malicious tricks' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre.Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that faced with an imminent loss in all five states where assembly elections were held recently, Singhvi said, "The Modi government is back to its dirty tricks and malicious tactics."It is worth mentioning that Robert Vadra, son-in-law of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, has been on the radar of Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly committing irregularities ever since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014."The tools being employed by the Modi government to hide its massive failures are mudslinging, muckraking and hatchet jobs by the 'dirty tricks department' - the CBI and the ED, to smear opposition leaders," he said."The illegal raids on the ...
Cong if comes to power in Haryana will waive farm loans: Surjewala
Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala Saturday said if Congress came to power in Haryana next year, then it will waive farm loans of up to Rs one lakh per farmer. "The countdown of BJP government in Haryana has begun and the Congress will waive the farm loans up to Rs 1,00,000 after forming government in state of Haryana, said Surjewala while addressing public meeting at Prithla in district Palwal on Saturday. Referring to recent assembly elections in five states, Surjewala said the public response indicate that the people of all five states have voted against the BJP. Similarly, the people of Haryana have already made up their mind to vote out the 'incompetent and anti-people' Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana. The situation is so worse for the BJP that even Khattar was looking for a safe seat for himself, he claimed. Surjewala accused the BJP led government of failing the people of the state specially the youth, the farmers and the poorer sections of the ...
After a lull, long queues, packed crowds back in Sabarimala
: After a 20-day lull since the annual pilgrim season began, long queues and packed crowds are back at the Lord Ayyappa Temple here, which had witnessed a drastic dip in pilgrim arrivals in the initial weeks. The lifting of restrictions imposed by police and ease in tension that had prevailed at the shrine, following protests against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict, permitting women of all age groups, have triggered high inflow of devotees after the initial lull. According to temple sources, over 61,000 pilgrims visited the hill top temple on Friday alone, indicating a steady increase in the footfalls. While the head count was 79,306 on December 3, it was 61,037 on December 4 and 51,335 on December 5, as per the figures. Over 45,000 pilgrims had visited the Lord Ayyappa temple on December 6, the anniversary of the Babari Masjid demolition day, though there had been extra vigil and additional security arrangements at the temple complex. Unlike the previous
Congress, Communist instigated judges to criticise CJI, says laudatory book on Modi
Congress and Communist parties instigated some apex court judges to openly criticise the then Chief Justice of India, claims a new book about Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it seeks to knock down the so-called "ruckus" about intolerance, stating that a majority of those in the forefront of the intolerance protest were "Congress retainers and Left-oriented darbaris (courtiers)".
Will oppose any attempt to create disunity: J&K Cong
The Congress said Saturday it would oppose any attempt to create disunity in the Jammu and Kashmir society under the garb of seeking administrative facilities. The remark comes a day after Peoples Democratic Party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti warned of an agitation if the J&K administration, headed by Governor S P Malik, accords divisional status to Ladakh region, while ignoring Pir Panjal and Chenab valley. The Congress said major policy decisions needed to be considered when an elected government was in place, so that the demands and aspirations of every area was duly considered on its own merit for just decision. "The Congress will oppose any attempt to create disunity or disharmony in the society under the garb of seeking administrative facilities," the party said in a statement here. The party said it is in favour of the creation of a separate division for Ladakh region in view of its administrative accessibility, locational disadvantages and vast area, .
Modi used surgical strikes for political capital: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday over a retired Army officer's remarks that it would have been better if the 2016 surgical strikes were carried out secretly, alleging that the PM used the military action for "political capital". Lt Gen. (retd) D S Hooda, responding to a question during a panel discussion at the Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh Friday, had said in hindsight, it would have been better had "we done it (surgical strikes) secretly". Hooda was the Northern Army commander when Indian troopers carried out the surgical strikes on September 29, 2016 across the Line of Control (LoC) as a response to a terror attack in Uri earlier that month. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said: "Spoken like a true soldier General. India is so proud of you. Mr 36 has absolutely no shame in using our military as a personal asset. "He used the surgical strikes for political capital and the Rafale deal to increase Anil Ambani's real capital by ...
TRS,rival Cong-led 'People's Front' confident of winning polls
As some exit polls predicted a close battle between the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi in Telangana and the Congress-led 'People's Front', the rivals Saturday expressed confidence about getting a comfortable majority in the Assembly polls The results of exit polls announced by several news channels after polling concluded Friday evening predicted a win for TRS, while some others said the contest would be close. Counting of votes would be taken up on December 11. TRS leader and minister in the caretaker government K T Rama Rao Saturday said the TRS would come to power with more than two-thirds majority. "Many (survey agencies) said directly TRS will come to power. But, we are definitely confident that beyond what they estimated in exit polls, TRS is going to come to power with more than two-thirds majority and 100 seats (among 119 seats)," Rama Rao, son of TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, told reporters here. The high turnout of voters indicated a silent revolution ..
SC upholding nomination of 3 BJP MLAs to assly; govt to file
: The Puducherry government Saturday said it would file a review petition in the Supreme Court on its recent verdict, upholding the Centre's nomination of three BJP legislators as members of the assembly. "The Apex court has delivered its verdict, upholding the nomination of three members to the Legislative Assembly. The government will file a review petition on the matter after consulting legal experts," Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told reporters here. Lt Governor Kiran Bedi had administered the oath of office to the three members, V Saminathan, K G Shankar and S Selvaganapathi,in her chamber on July 4, 2017, but Speaker V Vaithilingam declined to recognise them as MLAs and had cancelled their nomination. The issue had intensified the rift between Bedi and the Congress government. with the latter assailing her action as unconstitutional and contending that the Centre had 'unilaterally' nominated the MLAs without consulting the territorial government. The MLAs then ...
Former J-K MLA Abid Ansari quits PDP
Former PDP MLA Abid Ansari Saturday quit the party, alleging that it "failed" the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said he did not want to be a part of the "lies and deception being perpetuated" by the party. "I hereby announce my resignation from @jkpdp as the party has failed the people of J&K on all fronts. I don't want to be a part of the lies and deception being perpetuated by the party. Hv sent a detailed letter of resignation to @MehboobaMufti. Will soon interact with the media (sic)," Ansari wrote on Twitter. Ansari, uncle of influential Shia leader Imran Ansari, represented Zadibal constituency of Srinagar in the state assembly. The assembly was dissolved by Governor S P Malik last month. The two had distanced themselves from the party in July after the PDP-led government in the state fell when the BJP decided to pull out of the alliance. Imran also resigned from the PDP last month and joined the People's Conference (PC).
NC delegation meets J-K Guv
A senior National Conference leader Saturday expressed satisfaction over the assurance of Governor Satya Pal Malik against any attempt of "trampling with basic constitutional" framework of Jammu and Kashmir and other issues involving legalities like rotation of reserved seats and resettlement laws pending in the apex court. "The Governor has assured that his administration will focus on governance and leave legal and constitutional matters to the elected government, NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana told reporters here after a 12-member party delegation met Malik here. He said the delegation invited the attention of the Governor to media reports about the BJP's "overt and covert machinations" in getting eight assembly seats of Kishtwar, Bishnah, Billawar, Nagrota, Vijaypur, Akhnoor and Ramnagar rotated. He said desperate BJP is showing signs and symptoms of defeat by resorting to behind the curtain conspiracies in the mistaken belief of manipulating the institution of the ...
Congress in Goa to prep for mid-term Assembly polls: Kamat
The Congress on Saturday said "anything could happen" in politically sensitive Goa in the coming days, with former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat hinting that the coastal state could be heading for mid-term assembly elections, along with the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.
BJP delegation submits letters to Bengal govt over 'rath yatras'
A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation submitted letters to the West Bengal government on Saturday, stating its readiness to join discussions over its 'rath yatra' as directed by the Calcutta High Court a day ago. Led by BJP state vice-president Jayprakash Majumdar and senior party leader Mukul Roy, the delegation had to wait for some time at the state secretariat till an official received the letters, which were addressed to the officials mentioned by the high court on Friday. "We have said in the letters that the BJP is ready to join the discussion in an hour's notice on any time within December 12 (Wednesday) as directed by the Calcutta High Court," Majumdar told PTI. The high court had on Friday came down heavily on the government for not responding to BJP's letters seeking permission for its 'rath yatras' in the state and directed top officials to take a decision on the processions by December 14. "We have informed the state government that we are ready for discussion on the 'rath ..
Shivpal Yadav to hold PSP (L) rally in Lucknow on Sunday
Shivpal Singh Yadav, the estranged uncle of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, will hold the first major rally of his newly floated Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) in the state capital Sunday. The rally is being regarded as a show of strength by Shivpal Yadav who parted ways with the SP, accusing the parent party of neglecting him. A PSP (L) spokesperson claimed several Samajwadi Party leaders are expected to attend the rally. He, however, did not comment when asked if SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav too was among the invitees. "Tomorrow's rally will be like the launchpad for the PSP (L) to present a political alternative to the people before the coming Lok Sabha elections," party spokesperson Deepak Misra said here Saturday. About two lakh supporters and workers hailing from Uttar Pradesh and other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar, are expected to attend the rally, Misra claimed. He said Sunday's rally is aimed at lending a voice to the people ...
PM Modi has no shame in using our military as personal asset: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hailed Lieutenant General (retd) DS Hooda over his comments on surgical strike saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "absolutely no shame" in using Indian military forces as a personal asset.Lt Gen (retd) Hooda on Friday took the stand that the hype associated with the surgical strike was not needed.Referring to Prime Minister Modi as 'Mr 36', Rahul tweeted: "Spoken like a true soldier General. India is so proud of you. Mr 36 has absolutely no shame in using our military as a personal asset. He used the surgical strikes for political capital and the Rafale deal to increase Anil Ambani's real capital by 30,000 crore."Resonating similar sentiments, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI: "People should talk about such things only after understanding it completely. It's not like our forces saved the border areas only after you came into power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talks about surgical strikes during all his political ...
Pakistan government opens President House to public for a day
The Pakistani government on Saturday opened the President House here for the general public as part of its plans to allow public access to government-owned buildings.