Page 2352 - Politics
Shiv Sena MLA Vijay Auti elected Maha Assembly deputy speaker
Three time Shiv Sena MLA Vijay Auti was Friday unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Earlier, Harshvardhan Sakpal of the Congress and Independent legislator Bacchu Kadu withdrew their nomination papers. The announcement of the election was made by Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil escorted Auti to the seat of the Deputy Speaker which is next to that of the Leader of Opposition. Fadnavis described Auti as a leader rooted to the ground who enjoys unstinted support from his constituents in Parner Assembly seat in Ahmednagar district. The NCP's Ajit Pawar said the post was lying vacant for four years and the appointment indicates the BJP and Shiv Sena have patched up and an alliance between the two saffron parties was a possibility. Pawar said, as per tradition, the deputy speaker's post goes to the opposition but the tradition was not followed by the .
Telangana CM under fire for snapping at man
Telangana caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao is facing the heat for misbehaving with a man at an election rally.The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) condemned Rao's behaviour and called him a "dictator".The party tweeted, "Drunk with power, KCR acts like a dictator. Mr KCR, you are answerable to the people of Telangana. Arrogance and dictatorship have no space in a democracy!"Rao on Thursday had lost his cool on a youth, who asked him about 12 per cent reservations for Muslims - an assurance the leader gave to the community in 2014.KCR, as he is commonly called, was addressing a public meeting at Kagaznagar, when a man from the crowd stood up and asked him about his promise.Infuriated by the man, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief asked him to sit down, accusing him of doing 'Tamasha' or a gimmick. "Yes, I will talk about it but you just sit down," KCR told the youth.It was then KCR burst out at him. "Baito. Tera baap ko bolunga na. Baito," said the leader to the
Kremlin regrets cancellation of Putin-Trump talks
US President Donald Trump's decision to cancel a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is regrettable, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
Kerala Assembly disrupted for third day on Sabarimala issue
The Congress-led opposition UDF disrupted proceedings in the Kerala Assembly for the third consecutive day Friday, demanding discussion on the Sabarimala Temple issue, leading to an early adjournment of proceedings. The third day of the session saw proceedings, which began at 9 am, lasting hardly 22 minutes after Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan disallowed the opposition demand to suspend all business during the question hour and take up the adjournment motion on the Sabarimala issue. As soon as Question Hour began, UDF MLAs rushed to the speaker's podium armed with a black banner and placards raising slogans demanding withdrawal of Section 144 (prohibitory orders) in Sabarimala Temple complex and protection of faith of pilgrims. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala requested the Speaker to do away with the question hour and take up their adjournment motion to discuss hardships being faced by hundreds of pilgrims visiting Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala during the ongoing "Mandala .
Dilip Ray, Bijoy Mohapatra quit BJP in Odisha
The Odisha unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received a jolt on Friday when two national executive members Dilip Ray and Bijoy Mohapatra resigned from the party.
Kremlin 'regrets' Trump decision to cancel Putin talks
US President Donald Trump's decision to cancel talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit was regrettable, the Kremlin said. "We regret the US administration's decision to cancel the meeting," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies. "This means that discussion of important issues on the international and bilateral agenda will be postponed indefinitely." Putin, he said, "is ready to have contacts with his American counterpart." Trump on Thursday scrapped the meeting over Moscow's seizure at the weekend of three Ukrainian ships and continued detention of a group of Ukrainian sailors. The two had been set for bilateral talks on Saturday at the G20 in Buenos Aires.
Mega farmer rally reaches Delhi's Parliament street
Thousands of farmers from across the country on Friday reached Parliament street in the heart of the city following due permission from the Delhi Police for a mega protest march demanding higher crop prices and farm loan waiver.
Pakistan needs to show positive step on ground first: Indian Army Chief
The Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat feels that Pakistan's claim of taking strong steps towards good bilateral relations is contradictory unless there is a direct impact visible on the ground about its claims. The Army Chief added that a positive step from Pakistan is what is needed presently because India has a clear policy that terror and talks cannot go together.Responding to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement that if India will take one step forward towards friendly bilateral relations, Pakistan will take two steps forward, General Rawat said on Friday: "They (Pakistan) are saying you take one step, we will take two. There is a contradiction in what they are saying. One step from there should come in a positive manner, we will see if the step has an effect on the ground. Till then our nation has a clear policy- terror and talks can't go together."Delivering a lecture during the National Defence Academy (NDA) Passing out Parade ceremony in Pune, the Army Chief said
Dragging my name to controversy is BJP's Plan B to distract people ahead of Rajasthan polls: Robert Vadra
Responding sharply to a media report about the company that gave loans to his firm got relief from tax panel, Robert Vadra on Friday said that it is part of Bharatiya Janata Party's Plan B to drag his name into controversies to distract public attention from its governance failures. Vadra, who is a Congress member and brother-in-law of party president Rahul Gandhi, underlined that it is part of BJP's strategy to drag his name whenever they find themselves on the back foot "be it Rafale or the prospect of losing assembly elections."Issuing a clarification on the social networking site, Vadra said: "A flurry of media queries are suddenly being sent to me based on entirely false allegations probably being leaked by the government as polling day in Rajasthan comes close!! Interestingly, most of the issues arising thereof happen to be sub-judice. Is it a mere coincidence that this also coincides with certain government agencies accelerating their activities and raking up issues that either
Kartarpur corridor: US welcomes efforts by India, Pak to increase people-to-people ties
The United States on Thursday welcomed efforts by India and Pakistan to increase people-to-people contact, days after the two countries laid foundation stones for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.In a briefing here, US State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters, "I'm aware of the reports of this Kartarpur corridor, as you referenced there. I understand that it's kind of a visa-free way for Indians to visit this important Sikh site. And of course, the US -- we would welcome efforts to increase people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan."The route along the India-Pakistan border is three kilometres away from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Once opened, it would allow Sikh pilgrims a direct access to the historic Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev died in 1539.Replying to a question on US President Donald Trump's tweets on stopping aid to Pakistan at a time when the US is seeking its cooperation on bringing the Taliban to the negotiating .
Army commander reviews security situation in Kashmir
The Army's Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and was briefed about the recent anti-militancy operations in the valley, a defence spokesman said Friday. The Northern Army Commander arrived in Kashmir Valley on Thursday to review the prevailing security situation, the spokesman said. "Accompanied by the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt, the Army commander visited units in south Kashmir and was briefed by commanders on the ground about the current situation and recent counter terrorist operations," the spokesman said. He said the Army commander complimented troops for their remarkable successes in eliminating militant leadership from south and central Kashmir. Lt Gen Singh also commended them for their dedication to duty and high standards of professionalism and was appreciative of measures and Standard Operating Procedures instituted by units and formations to minimise civilian causalities. "The need to be prepared for meeting ...
Saudi crown prince meets Modi in Argentina, plans to ramp up investments
NEW DELHI/CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and told him about plans to scale up investments in India's tech, farm and energy sectors, an Indian official and the Saudi news agency (SPA) said on Friday.
N Korea FM in Vietnam for lessons on economic reform
North Korea's foreign minister kicked off an official visit to Vietnam Friday as the hermit nation seeks to learn lessons from the one-party state's post-war economic reform that has transformed the communist nation into one of Asia's fastest-growing economies. Ri Yong Ho is expected to meet with leaders in Hanoi and visit a hi-tech zone and speak to agricultural experts, according to state media and diplomatic sources. North Korea, with an economy long crippled by wide-ranging sanctions and years of self-imposed isolation, is seeking to learn from Vietnam's "doi moi" economic reforms introduced in the 1980s, according to Seoul's official Yonhap News Agency. Vietnam's economy has flourished as it has embraced market reforms, opened its doors to foreign investment and embraced free trade deals, with GDP growth hitting five per cent or higher for the past decade. It has done so while maintaining a single-party state with a tight grip on power and little tolerance for dissent, a model ...
Japan prince wades into controversy over imperial rite funding
A senior Japanese prince has issued rare public criticism of the government over plans to spend state funds on religious rites related to the enthronement of a new emperor next year. Prince Akishino, the younger son of the emperor, will become crown prince in 2019 when his father steps down and his brother Crown Prince Naruhito takes over. He took the highly unusual step of wading into a controversy about whether using state funds for an enthronement ritual would violate a constitutional principle separating state and religion. Speaking at a press conference last week that was made public on Friday, he said the Daijosai ritual that will take place in November next year "has a highly religious nature". "I wonder if it is appropriate to finance this highly religious thing with state funds," he said, adding that he had expressed his opposition to the government's Imperial Household Agency chief but he "didn't listen to me". Local media said agency chief Shinichiro Yamamoto reacted by ...
Yoga is India's gift to World: PM Modi
Yoga is India's gift to the world for health, and peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as he highlighted the benefits of the ancient Indian practice for overall wellbeing. Addressing participants at a yoga event here, he said the practice connects everyone to happiness. "I arrived here just a few hours ago after travelling over 15,000 kilometers in more than 24 hours. And because of your love and enthusiasm, I did not feel at all that I am outside India," the prime minister said in Hindi. Praising the organisers of the "Yoga for Peace" event, he said it's hard to think of a better name. "Yoga keeps both your body and mind healthy. It strengthens your body and keeps your mind at peace," Modi, who is here to attend the G20 Summit, said. The prime minister said if the mind is at peace, there would be peace in family, society, country and the world as well. "Yoga is India's gift to the world for health, wellness and peace. It connects us with wellness and happiness. "Yoga .
Yoga is India's gift to world for health, peace: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described yoga as India's gift to the world for health, wellness, and peace, adding that the exercise improves the health of both the mind and body of an individual.Addressing a 'Yoga for Peace' event here, Prime Minister Modi congratulated 'The Art of Living' for organising the programme, and said yoga is joining India and Argentina with a spiritual bond.The event featured a mass yoga demonstration by 600 people. The programme also featured a song by the famous Argentine singer, Patricia Sosa, a chanting of "Aum Namah Shivaya", and a short Indian classical dance performance.The Prime Minister spoke of Argentina's interest in Indian philosophy, art, music, and dance, and the immense popularity of Argentine soccer stars such as Diego Maradona in India.Furthermore, he congratulated the Argentinian hockey team for winning their first match against Spain during the ongoing Hockey World Cup tournament being held in Bhubaneswar.Prime Minister Modi ...
TN farmers threaten to walk naked to Parliament if demands go unanswered
Farmers from different corners of the country have started gathering at the Ramlila Maidan on the second day of the two-day protest, demanding debt relief and better Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.Over 1,000 farmers from Tamil Nadu have reached Delhi in the early hours of Friday carrying skulls of their colleagues who had committed suicide. The group threatened to march naked if they are not allowed to go to parliament today."We are only demanding MSP for us. Today, we expect that the government will announce the Right of Loans and profitable price to the farmers. If they fail to do so, then we (farmers from Tamil Nadu) will march naked to the Parliament," President of National South Indian River Interlinking Agriculturalists Association from Tamil Nadu, Ayyakannu, told ANI.The rally has been organised by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) for two days (29-30 November) against the ongoing rural distress. The committee claims to be an umbrella body of .
Uninvited guests keep watch for China inside Uighur homes
The Chinese government has launched a program in its far west which analysts say effectively puts informants inside living rooms, dining areas and prayer spaces, not to mention at funerals, weddings and other occasions once considered intimate and private. The ruling Communist Party's official newspaper said last month that 1.1 million civil servants are participating in an initiative which the government says will alleviate poverty and foster ethnic unity between the majority Han Chinese and Uighurs and other Muslim minorities. The Associated Press spoke to five Uighurs living in exile in Istanbul who shared the experience of family members who have had to host Han Chinese civil servants in Xinjiang. Interviewees said their loved ones saw the homestay program as a chilling intrusion into their personal lives.
India says expects significant scaling up of Saudi investments
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India expects Saudi Arabia to ramp up investments in several sectors including technology, farm and energy over the next couple of years, a senior Indian official said, after a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Saudi crown prince meets Modi in Argentina
CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed cooperation between the two countries in security, energy and investments, the Saudi press agency (Spa) said on Friday.