Page 2359 - Politics
TMC will contest elections in neighbouring states: Mamata
TMC president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said her party would contest elections in neighbouring states such as Jharkhand and Assam to protect the people from alleged attacks by the BJP. Accusing the saffron party of attempting to divide the nation on religious lines, she urged the people not to fall prey to any provocation. "Our party will contest elections in the neighbouring states to protect people from saffron attacks," Banerjee said at a public meeting in the state's coal belt here in West Burdwan district. She alleged the BJP was bringing in paid goons from Jharkhand to foment trouble in the districts adjacent to the state, and Bengalis and Biharis were being driven away from Assam which was ruled by the saffron party. "We will contest Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in Jharkhand in future. We will also contest in Assam and Odisha," Banerjee said in the meeting. Referring to the BJP's alleged attack on tribals in Jharkhand, she said the land of .
Trump threatens to declassify Mueller probe documents to compromise Democrats
United States President Donald Trump has threatened to declassify documents related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election that would hurt Democrats if they decided to launch probes into the president's administration.In early November, media reported that Democrats in the House of Representatives were preparing to launch investigations into the Trump administration as soon as they took control of the lower chamber of Congress in January 2019."If they go down the presidential harassment track, if they want go and harass the president and the administration, I think that would be the best thing that would happen to me. I'm a counter-puncher and I will hit them so hard they'd never been hit like that," Trump said, as quoted by the New York Post newspaper on Wednesday.According to Trump, the documents would expose a conspiracy against him orchestrated by the FBI, Justice Department and campaign of former ...
Bengal for stronger ties with Latin America & Caribbean region
West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra on Thursday called for stronger ties with the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region saying that the state was willing to play a bigger role in securing closer economic relations with the region. The LAC is an extensive area, extending from Bahamas to Chile and Argentina. Speaking at the India-LAC business cooperation meeting organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here, Mitra said that in the last 4-5 years, diplomatic relations with the region has slowed down. "Only five leaders (from the LAC) had visited India compared to 10-15 leaders visiting earlier," he said. Mitra also called for more Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with the LAC region since it has "taken a backseat" under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime. Trade between India and the LAC region has grown from USD 2 billion in 2000 to USD 35 billion in 2017-18. In October, the 8th India-LAC Conclave was held in Chile. "After slowdown in trade and ..
Sri Lankan Parliament votes to cut finances to PM's office
A majority of Sri Lankan legislators on Thursday voted in favour of a special motion presented to Parliament to halt the finances provided to the Prime Minister's office amid the current political instability.
Merkel warns 'no military solution' to Ukraine conflict
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday there is "no military solution" to the Ukraine conflict after President Petro Poroshenko asked for NATO naval support in his country's standoff with Russia. Blaming Russia for the tensions, Merkel said: "We ask the Ukrainian side too to be sensible because we know that we can only solve things through being reasonable and through dialogue because there is no military solution to these disputes". Russia fired on and then seized three Ukrainian ships on Sunday, accusing them of illegally entering its waters in the Sea of Azov and detaining their crew, in a dramatic spike in tensions that raises fears of a wider escalation. Kiev accused Russia, which annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, of launching "a new phase of aggression". Poroshenko asked Germany and other NATO countries in comments to Bild newspaper on Thursday to "relocate naval ships to the Sea of Azov in order to assist Ukraine and provide security". Ukraine is not a ..
Naidu intensifies pressure on Oppn parties to take on BJP
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday intensified pressure on political parties to come together to "save democracy".Earlier in November, Naidu called on Congress president Rahul Gandhi to discuss Telugu Desam Party(TDP)-Congress alliance against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.Citing "democratic compulsions", Naidu said parties including those having differences with Congress need to come together to fight elections in 2019."Today there is a democratic compulsion which overcomes political compulsions. That's why we're joining (alliance), even those who at some stage had differences with Congress, we've to come together to fight the elections to save India and democracy," the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister told reporters here.Naidu has been meeting leaders of non-BJP parties and its allies in view of the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections.On October 27, Naidu had met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and veteran leader Sharad ...
Rajasthan: Shah takes on Rahul for questioning PM Modi on development
Ahead of the upcoming legislative polls in Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Thursday criticised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on development issue in the BJP-ruled state, Rajasthan.Addressing a public rally in the Karauli town in the state, Shah said, "I have brought farmers with me. Tell them what the Congress party did with Rs 1 Lakh 9 thousand crores taken from the Centre for farmers during their rule in Rajasthan?"Comparing the efforts of farmers' upliftment by his party with that of the Congress, Shah claimed, "Our party provided Rs 2 Lakh 65 thousand for farmers' fund. Apart from these, Rs 36,000 crore were given through various schemes."Stressing on the funds allocated by the Modi government for development in various sectors, Shah informed the people gathered at the rally that it was his party, which always invested money in different sectors, including "Rs 30,000 crores for Mudra Bank, Rs 409 crores .
TRS is brewing fear in minority communities against BJP: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath on Thursday said that Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) are brewing fear among the minority communities against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)."Don't create fear among the minorities taking BJP's name. We don't do the politics based on caste, creed and religion. BJP is committed for the empowerment of all," Rajnath said, while addressing a public rally ahead of the Assembly elections in poll-bound Telangana.Taking on TRS government, Rajnath said, "They have failed on the development front and hence are trying to divert the attention on the issue of minority reservation. How can reservation be given to minorities without curtailing others quota."He also said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government came to power at the centre, Rs 1, 15,000 crores was given to Telangana under 14th Finance Commission but the TRS government failed to develop the state.He further underlined that the Congress ...
TRS is Telangana-RSS : Rahul Gandhi
Taking on the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, Congress president Rahul Gandhi compared the party with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) saying that TRS should be better named as TRSS, which stands for Telangana-RSS, while KCR should be named as Khao Commission Rao.While addressing an election rally in poll-bound Telangana's Nizamabad, Rahul said that there is a nexus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rao.He said that Rao has filled his own coffers at the cost of the state and has looted public money."Profits hoarded by Rao's son increased 400 times while each family in Telangana plunged into a debt of Rs. 2.5 lakh. In four and a half years of TRS rule, Telangana is indebted with Rs. 2.5 lakh Crore," said the Congress president.He said that Rao's only aim is to rule the state and help Narendra Modi in ruling the centre. "Rao helped Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha, RajyaSabha, presidential election and Vice ...
Notebandi will do to Modi what 'nasbandi' did to Indira: Yechury
CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said that demonetisation or 'notebandi' will spell doom for the BJP, much like the vasectomy campaign or 'nasbandi' did to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Mehbooba welcomes Pak PM's offer on opening Hindu temples to Indian pilgrims
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Thursday welcomed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's offer on opening several shrines, including Sharada Peeth, to devotees from India, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should consider the offer. "Great initiative of offering peace through these channels. PM @narendramodi ji should consider the offer by PakPM (Pakistan Prime Minister) @ImranKhanPTI for opening of SharadaPeeth in Kashmir, Katasraj & other shrines too this will certainly bridge the gap & usher peace in region," Mehbooba said in a tweet. She was responding to Khan's interview to Indian English language daily "The Hindu", in which he reportedly said, "We can consider other proposals including opening up travel for the Sharada Peeth in Kashmir, Katasraj and other Hindu shrines too.
Rajashan Congress manifesto: Farm loan waiver, free education for women and jobs
The Congress on Thursday promised a loan waiver for Rajasthan farmers, free education for women and right to health in its manifesto released in the state capital for the ensuing assembly polls due on December 7.
BJP petitions RS panel for disqualification of 2 TDP members
The BJP has petitioned the Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha seeking disqualification of two Telugu Desam Party members, Y Satyanarayana Chowdary and C M Ramesh, as they were facing serious allegations of massive financial bungling and fraud. BJP MP G V L Narasimha Rao, who filed the petition with Ethics Committee Chairman Narayan Lal Pancharia, told reporters here Thursday that the two TDP members were "the Mallyas of AP" and the stature of Parliament and public faith in the institution was seriously damaged because of the cases. "Rajya Sabha suffered a serious dent to its image because of the allegations against Vijay Mallya. The case of Y S Chowdary is even more dangerous as his business operations remain shady. It seems thousands of crores were borrowed using political clout and patronage," Rao said in his letter. "C M Ramesh is involved in benami operations and evaded income tax running into hundreds of crores of rupees. His public conduct has also been repugnant and ..
French companies in denial over Brexit, says minister Darmanin
PARIS (Reuters) - French companies are not facing up to the reality of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) next year and are ill prepared for a hard Brexit, said French minister Gerald Darmanin who is in charge of customs.
PDP protests over J&K Bank
Dozens of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) activists staged a protest march here on Thursday seeking revocation of the Governor's order turning the Jammu and Kashmir Bank into a public sector undertaking.
UN emergency relief coordinator in Yemen
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator arrived in Yemen on Thursday for a three-day visit to address the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.
Trump, Putin to meet at G20: Russia
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will meet on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told state news agency RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Fixed tenure of 2 years as CBI chief cannot be altered, Verma tells SC; next hearing on Dec 5
CBI Director Alok Verma, who has been divested of all duties by the Centre and sent on leave, told the Supreme Court on Thursday that he was appointed for a fixed tenure of two years and cannot even be transferred. Verma, who has a feud with his deputy Rakesh Asthana, Special Director in CBI, had approached the apex court seeking stay on the Centre's order contending that it was against the guidelines laid down by the top court. During the hearing, the apex court made it clear that it was not going into the allegations and counter allegations. "We are and only testing the issue as pure question of law," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. Challenging the government's decision, Verma's counsel and senior advocate Fali S Nariman said the CBI Director was appointed on February 1, 2017 and "the position of law is that there will be a fixed tenure of two years and this gentleman cannot be even transferred". Making his submission before the bench, also comprising Justices S K
India determined to get balanced, equitable RCEP: Official
India is determined to ensure that the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is currently being negotiated, would be "balanced, equitable, and beneficial" to all participating countries, an official said here on Thursday.
Polling ends for 5th phase of Panchayat polls in J&K
Polling for the fifth phase of Panchayat elections ended peacefully on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir.