Page 2355 - Politics
No difference between my report and Maratha quota bill: Rane
Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane claimed Thursday that passage of a bill granting reservation to the Maratha community was his victory, even as he gave credit to Maratha outfits and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Maharashtra legislature passed a bill granting 16 per cent quota to the Maratha community earlier in the day. "I don't see any difference between the earlier bill or report I had prepared and the present bill. Therefore, your victory is my victory," said Rane, a former chief minister. Rane, himself a Maratha leader, had headed a committee formed by the previous Congress-NCP government on the issue of Maratha reservation. In his report, he had discussed how Marathas could be given separate reservation beyond the existing 52 per cent overall reservation in the state, he said. The credit for the passage of the bill does not go to a single person, Rane said. "Leaders of several Maratha organisations pursued the matter for the last three years.... The credit for
Argentina's post-Brexit Falklands hopes up as Britain's May attends G20
Adding to her EU divorce dramas, Prime Minister Theresa May is heading to the G20 summit in Argentina, a country using Brexit to advance its claim on Britain's Falkland Islands. The visit -- the first by a British premier to the Argentine capital since the 1982 Falklands War between the two countries -- is being seen in Buenos Aires as a chance to improve ties. However, the 3,400 Falkland Islanders insist their British sovereignty remains non-negotiable and say a proper thaw in their relations with Argentina remains distant. They have reason to be worried about Brexit: if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, the Falklands' economy -- heavily reliant on tariff-free squid exports to EU member Spain -- could face a hammer blow. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie made waves last month, saying Buenos Aires would exploit Brexit to enhance its diplomatic push for the Falklands. Britain's sovereignty claim to the islands, known in the Spanish-speaking world as the Malvinas, .
Trump calls Cohen a 'weak person' who is 'lying'
President Donald Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is a "weak person" who is "lying" to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohen's guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying to the Senate intelligence committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trump's "political message." Cohen's lawyer says he continues to cooperate withspecial counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer, has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. Cohen made a surprise appearance Thursday in a New York courtroom to enter the plea. He admitted making false statements in 2017 to a Senate intelligence committee about a plan ..
Inquiry being conducted in debris removal contracts: Govt
The Maharashtra government said Thursday that an inquiry is being conducted in the contracts given for removal of debris from the state secretariat premises here in 2015. Congress legislator Anant Gadgil raised the issue in the Legislative Council, alleging a scam. Gadgil said that when renovation of ministers' chambers was underway between February to August 2015, trucks which removed debris made around 650 trips, as per the official records. "It is very surprising. How come so much debris was removed from the Mantralaya (secretariat)," he said. Pravin Pote, Minister of State for Public Works Department, said an inquiry is being conducted in this matter by Chief Engineer of the Nashik division of the PWD. Pote said 20 contracts for removal of debris were given to Labour Cooperative Society for Rs 67.69 lakh during this period. The debris created by the work taken up before the new government came to power in 2014 were also removed, he said. If any scam is found, strict .
BJP, TRS, AIMIM are one, and PM Modi is their leader: Azad
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are one entity and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the undisputed leader of all the three political parties."BJP, TRS and AIMIM are in an alliance and are a single party and Modi is their leader who stays in Delhi," said Ghulam Nabi Azad."AIMIM supports BJP in Karnataka and Maharashtra by contesting only in minority areas. TRS also supports BJP in Telangana and in the centre. TRS, BJP and AIMIM pretend that they are against each other but actually they are in an alliance," he said."Congress party has done an open alliance with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Communist parties in the Telangana," said Azad.He expressed confidence that Congress will form the governments in all the five poll-bound states of Mizoram, Madhya-Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana."Congress is already running the government in Mizoram ...
PM Modi arrives in Buenos Aires for G20 summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived here to take part in the G20 summit during which he will have several bilateral meetings, including with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
BJP coins new 'gotra' for Rahul, calls it 'gotra Itlus'
The BJP Thursday coined a new gotra' for Congress president Rahul Gandhi, mocking his Italian lineage through his mother and party leader Sonia Gandhi. Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party chief Mahendra Nath Pandey called it "gotra Itlus. This is the latest remark in the row over Gandhi's gotra. A priest at Pushkar lake in Rajasthan recently said Gandhi gave out his gotra during a ritual as Dattatreya, who are Kashmiri Brahmins. Some BJP leaders challenged the claim, reminding that Gandhi's paternal grandfather was a Parsi, not a Hindu with a 'gotra'. Pandey told reporters here that Gandhi has no gotra, going by the traditional male lineage. And if we take his gotra going by his mother, it should be gotra Itlus, he said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had said Tuesday that the 'gotra' mentioned by Gandhi while offering prayers at Pushkar was that of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and not of the Congress president. Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, ...
Ghulam Nabi Azad seeks to defend Sidhu after pic with 'Khalistani separatist' in Pak
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Thursday sought to defend Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, under fire for being photographed with "pro-Khalistan" leader Gopal Singh Chawla in Pakistan, saying he had gone there in his personal capacity. "I think the chief minister has made it clear that he has gone in his personal capacity," he told reporters, adding that while one side of Punjab was on this side of the border, the other was in Pakistan and the two states shared cultural relations and language. Azad said Sidhu, more than a politician was a sportsman, and sportsmen and artists were appreciated on both sides of the border. "The BJP thinks negative 23 hours out of 24 hours. Sidhu has gone in his personal capacity. Modiji used to exchange shawls and mangoes with family members of the prime minister of Pakistan for two years, but the BJP did not say anything," he claimed. Sidhu himself played down his appearance in the photograph with the "pro-Khalistan" leader during his visit ..
BSP candidate dies, polls deferred in Rajasthan's Ramgarh seat
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday postponed elections in Ramgarh Assembly constituency under Alwar district of Rajasthan following the death of Lakshman Singh, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate.
China, India to hold two-week military drill from Dec 10
China and Indian will conduct a two-week joint military drill from December 10 in the Chinese southwestern city Chengdu with an aim to improve their capability to counter terrorism and mutual understanding.
BJP to shift Sabarimala stir to Kerala capital
The BJP, which was spearheading the agitation against the entry of young women at Sabarimala, Thursday announced its decision to shift its protest from the temple complex to the state capital to intensify its stir. Reacting to the saffron party's move, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the decision to "stop" the protest in Sabarimala was because the BJP had got an inkling of the secular minds of the people in the state. Talking to reporters here, he said, "We can see that the measures adopted by the governmentin Sabarimala have been welcomed by everyone. Now, BJP has stopped their protest in Sabarimala.. change can be seen there.." BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai said its leaders would launch an indefinite hunger strike before the Secretariat, to press various demands, including the lifting of prohibitory orders and providing basic amenities to pilgrims in and around the Lord Ayyappa temple. The saffron party also wanted the scrapping of alleged 'fake' ...
Not in Pak's interest to allow territories to be used for terror activities in other countries: Khan
Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday conceded that it was not in the interest of Pakistan to allow its territories to be used for terror activities in other countries and said he was ready to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to bring peace between the two neighbours. Khan's remarks came a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj categorically ruled out the possibility of holding talks with Pakistan unless it stops cross-border terror activities in India. Referring to his call for improving ties with India, Khan at the same time said one-sided initiative will not last long and that Pakistan was willing to wait for reciprocity from India till general elections are held there. "It is not in our interest to allow use of Pakistan's territory for terror outside our country," Khan, who completed 100 days in office Thursday, told a group of Indian journalists. After a spate of terror attacks by Pakistan-based terror groups including on the Pathankot air force base, .
Maratha protesters end indefinite fast after meeting Uddhav
Maratha community members Thursday called off their protest after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray assured he will ask the Maharashtra government to accept their key demand of withdrawing "false" cases lodged against agitators during the reservation stir in the state. Thackeray's party is a key member of the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state. Members of the Maratha Kranti Thok Morcha had been on an indefinite fast at the Azad maidan here for the last 10 days in support of a slew of demands, including withdrawal of cases against "13,700 protesters". They were also demanding that the kin of those who had lost their lives in the quota protests be given a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each besides a government job to one member of their family. They were also seeking a complete loan waiver for farmers, among other demands. Thackeray, who visited the protest site in South Mumbai, assured them that all "false" cases lodged against protesters would be withdrawn and those ...
Centre's sanction to prosecute Satyendar Jain exposes 'misdeeds' of AAP govt: BJP
Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari Thursday day said the Centre's decision to prosecute AAP minister Satyendar Kumar Jain exposes "lies and misdeeds" of Kejriwal government. He demanded that Jain should be sent behind bars for facing serious "corruption" charges. "The truth is coming to the fore now. Kejriwal is misusing his post of Chief Minister. Decision to prosecute Jain exposes lies and misdeeds of AAP government," Tiwari said. The Centre has granted sanction to the CBI to prosecute Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain in a case related to alleged possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, officials said Thursday. The CBI has claimed that Jain allegedly purchased 200 bighas of agricultural land in the names of companies controlled by him in Delhi during lasts five years and "laundered black money" to the tune of several crore of rupees. Tiwari said Kejriwal government and his party will be punished by Delhi people for its "corruption". Delhi BJP ...
Kumaraswamy ministry expansion before legislature winter
The H D Kumarawamy-led JDS-Congress ministry in Karnataka would be expanded before the winter session of the state legislature commencing on December 10, state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said Thursday. Speaking to reporters here, he said the Congress and the JDS would decide on their respective nominees to the six-month old cabinet, whose expansion was expected last month itself. "I had said cabinet expansion will be done before the assembly session. Session begins on 10th (December), before that cabinet expansion will happenwe will do it," Rao said. His statement came amid speculation that the expansion was likely to be delayed further. Recent comments by Deputy Chief Minister GParameshwara and former chief minister Siddaramaiah that theywere waiting for appointment to meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is busy with elections in five states, to discuss about the expansion had triggered the speculation. There is growing clamour from legislators, especially of
12 state govt staff detained for protesting near Nabanna
At least 12 state government officials were detained Thursday when they tried to stage a protest near the state secretariat 'Nabanna' demanding Dearness Allowance (DA), police said. "They had gathered in an area which is a high security zone and such assembling is not allowed here. We have detained them," an officer of Howrah Police said. The protesters had raised slogans before they were taken off in police vans to Sibpur police station. The Calcutta High Court has ordered that DA is a legally enforceable right of workers. The order has set aside an earlier order by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) that the DA was payable at the government's discretion because it was a "donation". The SAT had said DA was discretionary, sending workers organisations to challenge it in the High Court.
PM to hold bilateral meetings with Saudi Crown Prince, UN Secretary-General: Source
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Buenos Aires to attend the G-20 summit, will hold a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman and United Nations Secretary-General Antonia Guterres on Thursday, said sources.In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a valuable partner. The relationship has expanded beyond the Indian community to issues related to the economy, energy and security. All issues of bilateral and regional interest will be discussed.The UN Secretary General has reached out to the Prime Minister for the second time in two months. The two leaders give utmost importance to the issue of climate change. This outreach comes just a week before COP24 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Katowice, Poland. It reflects the respect in which the Prime Minister and his initiatives are held globally to take the lead on issues of global importance.In October, Guterres visited India for a three-day ...
Pak on road to progress due to govt transparency: PM Khan on 100 days in office
Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that his government had put Pakistan on the road to progress by ensuring transparency and setting clear long term targets. Addressing a ceremony to mark the first 100 days of his government, Khan, who took oath as prime minister on August 18, said that investors from several countries had shown interest in making investments in Pakistan. "We have the resources and manpower and important location so the investors want to come here. We just need to create an environment for making it easy to do business," he said. Highlighting the success of his first 100 days in power, he said Pakistan had signed agreements with 26 countries to bring back money stashed abroad. He said an agreement is also being signed with Switzerland. "USD 11 billion is stashed abroad. This is the information we got from 26 countries. It does not include money kept in Switzerland," he said. Pakistanis bought properties worth USD 9 billion just in Dubai in the last four years.
World leaders arriving to pivotal G-20 summit in Argentina
World leaders began arriving in Buenos Aires on Thursday for the summit of the globe's largest economies, with attention expected to focus on issues including a trade war between the US and China, a new North American trade deal and the conflict in Ukraine. Heads of state from Italy, Canada, South Korea, Singapore and Turkey were among the first in the country, joining the French president and Saudi crown prince who arrived the previous day. The meeting could be a defining moment for the Group of 20, for better or for worse, said Thomas Bernes of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, a Canada-based think tank focusing on global governance. "The G-20 Leader's Summit is at risk of falling into disarray with the summit being overshadowed by items not on agenda, such as the United States and China trade war, Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the presence of the Saudi crown prince," Bernes said. "The true test will be whether the other members of the G-20 will act ...
Arunachal to train staff, MLAs for better discharge of duty
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said his government will soon impart training to its employees and all MLAs to make them more efficient in discharging duties. The state government in coming days will give more emphasis on training of legislators and its employees to make them aware of all the plans and policies of the government," Khandu said while laying the foundation stone for the district secretariat building at Tawang, bordering China. This is also for them to have the necessary ability, knowledge, skill and competency to serve the people efficiently. We will be able to serve the public effectively only when we first ourselves become efficient and capable as well as aware of our own duties and responsibilities, the chief minister said. Khandu said, the state cabinet had recently decided to take up all those left out districts where mini secretariats are yet to be sanctioned. Funds have been sanctioned in all such districts and Tawang is ...