Page 2381 - Politics
SL parliament urged to order media not to refer Rajapaksa's regime as lawful
A senior Sri Lankan lawmaker Tuesday urged Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to direct the media not to refer controversially appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime as the lawful government of the island nation. Rauff Hakeem, the leader of the main Muslim minority party Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, urged Speaker Jayasuriya that "the print and electronic media are continuing to recognise MP Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. Please issue an order that the media should not give recognition to an illegal government". Jayasuriya has officially conveyed that the House does not recognise Rajapaksa as the legal prime minister until he proved his majority in the House. The island nation is witnessing a political crisis since President Maithripapala Sirisena's controversial move to sack prime minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe and install Rajapaksa in his place on October 26. Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. .
Mizoram polls litmus test for CM Thanhawla, BJP looks to uproot Cong from last bastion in NE
Polling in Mizoram will be held on Wednesday with over 7.70 lakh voters expected to exercise their franchise in the state where Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is seeking a third consecutive term and the BJP looking to defeat the Congress in its last bastion in the Northeast. The Congress and the Mizoram National Party (MNF) have ruled Mizoram since 1987 when it became a full-fledged state. Interestingly, no party has been able to form government thrice since that year. Elections to the 40-member assembly in Mizoram, which has a population of about 10 lakh, is significant for the BJP that considers it to be the 'final frontier' in the region. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while its main opposition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), got five and the Mizoram People's Conference bagged one seat. The Congress and the MNF have fielded 40 candidates each, while the BJP is contesting in 39 seats. The Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), an alliance formed by two political parties .
Congress did blunder by aligning with TDP in Telangana: BJP leader Rao
Alleging that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) lacks legitimacy in Telangana, a senior BJP leader has said the Congress has committed its biggest blunder by forging an alliance with Chandrababu Naidu's party. The BJP national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao said the Congress will understand its mistake after the results are announced and the party is likely to ditch the 'Mahakutami' or grand alliance to help TRS in forming the government. "TDP is a liability in Telangana and lacks legitimacy in the state. TDP is seen as a party headed by Chandrababu Naidu and people are seeing Naidu as an anti-Telangana leader who is becoming obstruction in the state development," Rao told PTI in an interview. He said any engagement with TDP will be a "liability" in Telangana and the Congress has committed its "biggest blunder". Voting for 119 seats of the Telengana assembly will take place on December 7, while counting is scheduled for December 11. The elections have got advanced as Chief Minister K ..
Grand Alliance formed to save people from KCR's dictatorship: TDP's Telangana chief
Exuding confidence that the grand alliance or 'Maha Kutami' will form the next government in Telangana, TDP's state chief L Ramana has alleged K Chandrashekar Rao used the opportunity as the first chief minister to benefit his family and the mega tie-up of opposition parties has been formed to save people from his "dictatorship rule". In an interview to PTI, Ramana said that KCR, as the state's first chief minister is popularly known as, has failed on many fronts despite spending Rs 8 lakh crore and borrowing Rs 2.2 lakh crore. "The alliance was formed to save people from the dictatorship rule of KCR. People elected TRS in 2014, but the opportunity given to KCR was used for the benefit of his family. The dictator's rule is not good for welfare of Telangana. Therefore, four parties have come together," he said. KCR is seeking a second term as chief minister after dissolving the assembly in September. KCR's party TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) is fighting in all seats, while TDP (Telugu
Maha Council adjourned amid farm relief, Maratha quota uproar
The Maharashtra Legislative Council Tuesday witnessed uproar as the government and opposition faced off over farm relief and the Maratha quota issue. Soon after the House assembled for Question Hour, the Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde said the government has not disbursed financial aid to farmers whose crops have been damaged by pink ballworms. "I challenge the government to show us a single farmer who has received full compensation of Rs 34,500 for the losses. If you do that, I am ready to resign from the post of opposition leader," Munde said. He further demanded that the government table in the House the State Backward Class Commission report on Maratha reservation as well as the Tata Institute of Social Sciences report on reservation for the Dhangar community. In response, state Revenue Minister and Leader of the House Chandrakant Patil said the state government has submitted a proposal to the Centre demanding compensation for crops affected by pink ...
Two Army officers injured in landmine blast in Poonch
Two Army officers were injured on Tuesday in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.
Pakistan striving for peace in 'belligerent' neighbourhood: Alvi
Pakistan is striving for peace in a "belligerent" neighbourhood and the country's weapons are for "peaceful intent", President Arif Alvi said on Tuesday. Alvi was addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2018 here. "We want peace, we have been striving for peace in a belligerent neighbourhood but we must stay strongOur weapons are for peaceful intent," he said, without naming any country. Alvi also appreciated the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and bringing peace in the country. Over 262 companies from from China, Russia, USA, France, Germany, Turkey, Poland and South Korea have established their pavilions at the EXPO Center to display their products, according to Radio Pakistan.
In Rajasthan, Shah equates BJP to 'foot of Angad'
Making a comparison between the immovable foot of Angad- a mythological character- and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) presence in poll-bound Rajasthan, the party's national president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that nobody can oust BJP from the state.Addressing a public rally in Jalore, the BJP chief said, "In Rajasthan, BJP is the foot of Angad, nobody can remove it." According to the epic Ramayana, nobody was able to lift Angad's foot in the court of Ravana.Shah added that after 2014, when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the Congress was dethroned in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.Comparing the funds given to Rajasthan by the Congress and the BJP governments during their respective tenures, Shah said, "The UPA gave only Rs 1, 09,000 crores to Rajasthan. After Modi became the Prime Minister, he gave Rs 2, 65,000 crores to Rajasthan. Apart from these,
Madhya Pradesh all set for single-phase polls on Wednesday
Amid tight security, Madhya Pradesh will vote for a new assembly on Wednesday. The voting will begin at 7 am at 65,341 polling booths, which have been set up for the single-phase elections to 230 seats of the state Assembly. As many as 2,000 booths will entirely be operated by women staff. Special arrangements have been made for visually impaired people to help them cast their votes."Three lakh government employees including 45,000 women have been deployed for polling duty. Over 65,000 polling booths are being made in the state. Around 2,000 entirely women-only polling booths would be functional. 160 polling booths will be fully operated by differently-abled personnel," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhya Pradesh, VL Kantha Rao has informed while sharing details of the poll preparedness in the state.According to Rao, apart from three lakh employees from the state, 12,000 Central government employees will be working as micro-observers at different places. For the convenience of ...
Introspect, be more nimble towards innovation: Sitharaman to DRDO
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday nudged the DRDO, the in-house R&D branch of the Defence Ministry, to "introspect" and be more "nimble" towards innovation. The Defence Research Development Organisation has to play an active role in R&D, the minister said at the launch of Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti, a Defence Ministry programme focussed on enhancing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) culture. "The DRDO should, in a way, introspect to make themselves more nimble towards innovation," the defence minister said at the event attended by top officials of the DRDO, the defence ministry and the three services. R&D is a "difficult area" which requires attention and has a long gestation period, Sitharaman noted. She asked the DRDO to "refocus" its attention on R&D and "be on its toes" to exploit the opportunity and support extended by the government. The minister said it is necessary to invest in R&D in a big way and the government is willing to do ...
Cong has no leader, no programme: Amit Shah
BJP president Amit Shah said Tuesday the Congress has no leadership and no programme as he addressed a public meeting in Rajasthan, which goes to the polls on December 7. At a meeting in Jalore, he reiterated that the BJP government was committed to sending back illegal migrants. The point was also made in the manifesto released Tuesday by the ruling party in Jaipur ahead of the assembly polls. I want to say once again that the BJP is going to form the government here, Shah said. The Congress is just dreaming of forming the government but the party has no leadership and no programme, Shah said. He said the BJP will also retain power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Praising Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for financial management, he said the BJP government increased the state's revenue and put it on the path of growth and development. The Congress did nothing to address the issue of illegal migrants, he said.
Congress considers surname as a 'political brand', says Jaitley
Coming down heavily on the Congress for considering "surname as a political brand", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Tuesday the BJP will "gladly accept" the challenge of 2019 general elections if the Congress wants it to be between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the son of lesser-known parents, and someone who is known for his parentage. In a Facebook post titled ' What was the name of Sardar Patel's father', Jaitley said that in a dynastic party like the Congress, talent and merit has no space and the crowd around the family is the cadre. Jaitley's post comes days after some Congress leaders stoked a controversy by naming family members of Modi. "If the Congress party wants the 2019 elections to be between Prime Minister Modi, who is the son of lesser-known parents and someone who is known only for his parentage rather than capacity, merit and competence, the BJP would gladly accept the challenge. Let this be the agenda for 2019," the minister said. Jaitley said while the age of ...
BSF seizes abandoned Pakistani boat off Gujarat coast
An abandoned Pakistani boat was seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) near Sir Creek area off the Gujarat coast in the Arabian sea, an official said Tuesday. The fishing boat was found abandoned in the Sir Creek estuary along the Indo-Pakistan border near Kutch off the Gujarat coast Monday night by a BSF patrolling team, he said. No fisherman was found in the boat, the official said. A search operation was launched in the area but no one was found, he said, adding that some fishing equipments were seized from the boat. Pakistani fishermen have several times crossed over to the Indian waters on boats during fishing. In October, the BSF had caught five Pakistani nationals from Indian territorial waters from creek area in the Arabian Sea near border pillar number G-33 close to the Indo-Pakistan border.
Babri Masjid demolition shook spirit behind Constitution: Sharad Yadav
Veteran politician Sharad Yadav on Monday said that demolition of the Babri Masjid has shaken the very spirit of the Constitution of India."The day Babri Masjid was demolished, it was not just a structure which was brought down but the Indian Constitution was also brought down along with it. Even the sanctity of the Constitution was also let down," said Yadav.ANI spoke to leaders across party lines on the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute issue.Rashtriya Janata Dal party leader Manoj Jha was of the view that Lord Ram has been made a political instrument before the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi led central government of trying to decimate rule of law in its fifth year. On Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Jha criticised the leader for being too vocal about Ram temple construction."Lord Ram has been made a political instrument. The government is trying to decimate the rule of law in its fifth year. The Bharatiya ...
Ashok Gehlot's remarks demeaning to women: Vasundhara Raje
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday took objection of remarks made by Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and said the comments made by the Congress leader were "mortifying for all the women residing in the country".Raje was referring to Gehlot's comments on the courtesy Raje showed to her party president Amit Shah.Gehlot, the former chief minister of Rajasthan, while addressing a public meeting at Makrana on November 25, had said, "Raje is doing a half bow in front of the president of his party (Amit Shah) but she has never met the public in five years. It would be better to bow down in front of the people of Rajasthan rather than Shah. Everyone knows that Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and Raje were at loggerheads. But now that the elections are approaching, she is bowing down to Shah just to please him."Strongly objecting to the remarks, Raje said, "The demeaning comments made by Gehlot reflects upon his perception about women. Being a woman, I cannot even repeat his ...
KCR relies on astrologer, 'pooja paat': PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao is so insecure that he relies on astrologers and 'pooja paat.
Ranbir Singh appointed as Delhi's new CEO
Bureaucrat Ranbir Singh has been appointed as the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi, officials said Tuesday. Singh, a 1991-batch IAS officer, succeeds Vijay Kumar Dev. "Ranbir Singh, who earlier also served as the commissioner of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation, has been appointed the new CEO for Delhi," a senior official of the Delhi CEO office said. Dev held the charge until recently when he was appointed as the chief secretary of the Delhi government. The Ministry of Home Affairs had last Thursday issued the order appointing the 1987-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre. Dev will succeed Anshu Prakash following his transfer to the department of telecommunications in the central government.
Chilli powder attack on CM: AAP playing victim card, detailed probe needed, says BJP
Delhi BJP legislators Tuesday sought a detailed probe into the chilli powder attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to unearth a "conspiracy" by the AAP, which, they said, was playing the "victim card". The MLAs met Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and demanded the arrest of an aide of Kejriwal, who, they alleged, facilitated the entry of the man who threw chilli powder on the chief minister at the secretariat here. "It is surprising that the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and the AAP have not filed a complaint. Do the CMO and the AAP have nothing to do with the safety and security of the chief minister," Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said. Demanding the arrest of an aide of the chief minister, the BJP leader said the aide had allegedly facilitated the entry of the accused, Anil Sharma, into the secretariat. "The high voltage drama by the AAP in Delhi, smells (like) a conspiracy to play victim card over the issue," Gupta said. Sharma threw the chilli powder at Kejriwal .
Bihar Assembly adjourned minutes after commencement
The Bihar Assembly was adjourned within minutes of commencement Tuesday as the opposition created a ruckus demanding discussion on "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state. Members of parties like the RJD, the Congress and the CPI (ML) had alleged that the Home department was excluded from the business of the current session to disallow debate on the issue. The opposition MLAs trooped into the well as the House assembled at 11 am raising slogans against the Nitish Kumar government and demanding discussion on the adjournment motion moved by them on the matter. Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary pleaded with the opposition members to go back to their seats and allow the Question Hour. The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shravan Kumar said if opposition leaders wanted to raise any issue urgently, they could do so from their respective seats. Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said that the discussion on the adjournment motion was necessary as the law and ...
People jailed for over 2 years can't contest polls: Bangladesh court
A Bangladesh court on Tuesday ruled that people who have been jailed for more than two years with their appeals pending, cannot contest the December 30 general elections.