Page 2391 - Politics
Starvation death reports untrue, WB govt giving rice at Rs 2/kg: Mamata Banerjee
Iterating that starvation death reports in Jangalmahal area of West Bengal were "untrue", Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Monday her government had been running several welfare schemes in the former Maoist bastion. Allegations were rife during the Left Front regime that people in Jangalmahal, comprising forested areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts, went without food for months, but the TMC government ensured development of the people there, she said. "Immediately after coming to power, I ensured that people in the Jangalmahal area get rice at Rs 2 per kg. So if someone says people are dying of starvation, it is untrue. I will not accept it," she said at a public meeting here. A section of media recently reported that seven people of Sabar community in Jangalmahal area of Jhargram district died due to starvation. Sabar community is an ethnic tribe, mainly residing in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. The chief minister also claimed ..
Congress targets Modi for politicising national security, calls him 'emperor of lies'
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using "blood and sacrifice of soldiers as a vote garnering tool", the Congress on the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks on Monday blamed the BJP-led Centres "flip-flop Pakistan policy" for its failure to bring the perpetrators including mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi to book.
PM likely to attend BJP rath yatra rallies in Bengal: Ghosh
West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend four rallies during the party's December "rath yatra" campaign in the state. The "rath yatra" (chariot march) rallies by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state is scheduled to start from Coochbehar district in the north on December 7, from Gangasagar in the south on December 9, and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum district on December 14. The rallies would cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal, where BJP has set a target of winning over 22 seats. BJP national president Amit Shah is scheduled to attend the programmes on all the three dates. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend four rallies in Bengal during our rath yatra campaign in the state. We have informed the party central leadership and the PMO. The final dates are yet to be fixed," Ghosh told reporters here. The four rallies in which Modi is expected to be present include the proposed one to be held ..
Omar raises questions on ex-Norwegian PM's visit to Kashmir
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Monday raised questions on the recent visit of former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik to Kashmir.
Campaigning concludes in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram
The high-decibel campaign, often marked by bitter personal attacks, ended on Monday in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram which go to polls on Wednesday to elect new Assemblies. The electioneering saw both the BJP, which is power in Madhya Pradesh for the past 15 years, and the ruling Congress in Mizoram trying to stave off anti-incumbency to retain power.
Campaign ends, Mizoram to vote on Wednesday
The month-long campaign for the November 28 Assembly elections in Mizoram came to a close on Monday afternoon, with no major untoward incident reported from any part of the state so far.
KCR slams Shah for opposing quota to Muslims
Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Monday slammed BJP chief Amit Shah for his opposition to the TRS government's proposal to increase reservation for Muslims in the state. Rao, who was speaking at an election rally at Dichpally, said he will continue his efforts to get quotas increased for Scheduled Tribes and Muslims. BJP chief Amit Shah Sunday attacked the TRS government's proposal to give 12 per cent quota to Muslims, saying his party would never allow it as religion-based reservation is unconstitutional. Taking exception to Shah's comments, Rao said the TRS would not like pleading with the Centre, and the BJP would not be in power after the next Lok Sabha elections. "Yesterday, their president also came... He spoke wide and straight and left. They say they will not give. He spoke that we will not let Muslims get reservation... Amit Shah... You will not be in power. It is not you giving (something) and we taking it," he said. A ...
Amarinder joins Venkaiah Naidu in laying foundation stone for Kartarpur corridor
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday joined Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in laying the foundation stone of Kartarpur corridor, which would facilitate Sikh pilgrims in visiting the 16th-century Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The gurdwara, on the banks of Ravi river, has historical significance for Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent 18 years there. Established by the Sikh Guru in 1522, it is about three-four km from the international border. The opening a corridor to the historical shrine was a long-pending demand of Sikhs. The decision to build the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the International Border was taken by the Union Cabinet on November 22. Pakistan is to build the corridor on their side and its ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday. The proposal to open the passage for Sikh pilgrims comes at a time when India-Pakistan ties have nosedived and all bilateral engagements postponed following a number of ...
Bhim Army not to contest LS polls; to back joint opposition nominee
The Bhim Army Monday said it will not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and instead support the candidates fielded jointly by the opposition parties against the BJP. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekar alias Ravan called for Dalits and Muslims of the country to unite under one banner to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "which talks of changing the Constitution". "Neither are we going to constitute a (political) party nor will we contest (Lok Sabha elections). We will make 'Bahujan Samaj' aware and unite them against the BJP," he told reporters. "The BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) is strong and I want a strong alliance of other parties with it. I also appeal to all (non-BJP parties) to contest the elections under the leadership of (BSP supremo) Mayawati. I ask all Dalit organisations to unite," he said. He further claimed to have the support of the country's "Muslim brothers" and said everyone was uniting against the BJP. "We will uproot the BJP, which talks of changing the Constitution," ..
RJD for hike in salary of panchayat bodies representatives
Senior RJD leader and former union minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Monday demanded the Bihar government to increase the salary, allowances of elected representatives of the three-tier panchayati raj bodies on the lines of the hike given to the legislators. On November 20 last, the Bihar cabinet had approved the hike in the salary, allowances and perks of legislators and ministers. The quantum of hike is yet to be officially revealed but, media reports put the hike at around 30 per cent. "Bihar government has taken a decision to increase the salary and allowances of legislators due to increasing price rise but it has deliberately ignored elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions," Singh told reporters here at party office. Singh, the RJD's national vice president, said that there are around 1.75 lakh elected representatives- like village head (Mukhiya), Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, District Board member etc.- whom the state government did not ...
BJP govt stopped loot carried out under Cong rule after coming to power: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that after coming to power the BJP had stopped the "loot" that was being carried out under the Congress rule and "people sitting in AC rooms in New Delhi" were trying to devise strategies to oust the party. Addressing an election rally here, he said one vote doesn't enthrone a political party or an individual but it gives power to change the country and shape its future. Modi said people sitting in AC rooms in New Delhi were trying to devise strategies to oust the BJP from power, but they should come to Rajasthan's Kota town and see the ground situation instead. He claimed an army of thieves had siphoned off Rs 90,000 crore to claim pension, scholarship and LPG subsidy by fudging information in government records, but one vote given to the BJP government at the Centre put a stop to such dubious beneficiaries. "Rs 90,000 crore theft was stopped, broadband network reached 1 lakh villages, 2.5 to 3 lakh km optical fibre line was laid, 12 crore LPG
'Chowkidar chor hai' new slogan in India: Rahul Gandhi
While addressing a public gathering in poll-bound Rajasthan's Pokhran, Congress President Rahul Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying a new slogan, 'Chowkidar chor hai', is the new slogan in India."Now a new slogan is rising in India Chowkidar chor hai", Rahul said, while adding, "Modi ji says don't make me the Prime Minister, make me the chowkidar (watchman) of this country. But, after coming to power, the prime minister has betrayed the trust of people."Continuing his tirade against the Prime Minister, Rahul stated: "Modi ji says India was a sleeping giant before he became Prime Minister. This is an insult to all the Indians who have built this nation."The Gandhi scion also blamed Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in divisive politics. "BJP divides people and spreads hatred among them, however, Congress always speaks for a united nation and brotherhood," he opined.While alleging that the Prime Minister has forgotten the promises made by him, Rahul ..
Will go to people's court: Mehbooba Mufti
In the midst of high political drama played out at the fragile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the state's former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said that she was ready to face 'people's court' rather than approaching other forums as suggested by some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders after she staked claim to form the government along with National Conference and Congress.She said, "Some sincere suggestions from well-wishers for me to go to court against Governor's dissolution of the Assembly. PDP, NC, INC had come together to safeguard state interests. It is my considered opinion that we must go to people's court which is superior to any other forum," she said.On Nov 21, arch rivals PDP, NC along with Congress confirmed that they stitched up an alliance to form the government in the state which has been under Governor's Rule since June after BJP ended its ruling alliance with the PDP. Hours after Mehbooba staking claim, however, Governor ...
Sidhu's own way of thinking: Capt on minister's decision to visit Pak
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday said that his Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu's decision to go to Pakistan for the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor was "his way of thinking" but he personally could not think of going there while Indian soldiers and civilians were being killed by them."As an army man, he could not tolerate the killing of innocent Indians," the Chief Minister said, pointing out that even today an Indian army personnel was killed by Pakistani snipers. He could not go to the neighbouring country in these circumstances, he said, in an informal chat with media persons after laying the foundation stone for Kartarpur corridor.As for the Central government's decision to send its ministers to the Pak ceremony, the Chief Minister said it was for them to do as they deem fit but he personally felt thought should have been more sensitive to the feelings of Indian soldiers and citizens. "The Centre cannot close its eyes to what is happening
Make Delhi Police accountable to Assembly: AAP Minister
Demanding an amendment in the Constitution, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday moved a government resolution in the Assembly to bring Delhi Police under the control of the elected government and to make it accountable to the Legislative Assembly like in other states.
Sharief's mortal remains laid to rest
The mortal remains of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister C K Jaffer Sharief were on Monday laid to rest with full state honours at the Khuddussab burial ground here. Sharief, 85, died at a private hospital here Sunday following a cardiac arrest. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, along with Karnataka in-charge of party affairs K C Venugopal, paid their last respects at the burial ground. "The burial ceremony started at 2.30 pm and culminated at 3 pm," Riazuddin, who was working with Sharief as his personal assistant said, adding that the body was buried with full state honours. Other leaders who paid their respects were Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. Before the body was brought to the burial ground, it was kept at the Masjid-E-Qhadria for prayers and at the office of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee for people to pay their last ...
US asks Pak to act against 26/11 perpetrators, offers new USD 5 million reward for info on attackers
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has asked Pakistan to act against those responsible for the barbaric 2008 Mumbai attacks as Washington announced a new reward of USD 5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of those involved in the carnage. The Trump administration offered the new reward (of over Rs 35 crore) on the 10th anniversary of the terror attack in which 10 Pakistan-based LeT terrorist went on a shooting rampage in India's financial hub killing 166 people, including six Americans. Describing the Mumbai terror attack as a "barbarity", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called upon Pakistan and other nations to uphold their UN Security Council obligations to implement sanctions against those responsible for the atrocity, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliates. "It is an affront to the families of the victims that, after ten years, those who planned the Mumbai attack have still not been convicted for their involvement," Pompeo ..
NATO calls emergency meeting with Ukraine on sea clash
NATO will hold an emergency meeting with Ukrainian officials at alliance headquarters in Brussels on Monday over the naval standoff with Russia off the coast of Crimea. Russia fired on and then seized three Ukrainian ships on Sunday, accusing them of illegally entering its waters in the Sea of Azov, in a dramatic spike in tensions that raises fears of a wider escalation. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg held phone talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, and officials from the two sides will meet later in the day. "The Secretary General expressed NATO's full support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including its full navigational rights in its territorial waters under international law," NATO said of Stoltenberg's call. Kiev demanded the return of its ships and sailors, denouncing "another act of armed aggression" by Russia, which annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. The Ukrainian military has been put on high alert and the country's parliament is to vote on a ..
Bahrain 'rejects' attacks targeting Saudi's reputation
Bahrain has said it "completely rejects" attempts to tarnish the reputation of neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose powerful crown prince has been under intense scrutiny since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was in Manama Sunday night for talks with Bahrain's King Hamad as part of a regional tour, the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported. "The king reiterated Bahrain's complete rejection of attempts targeting Saudi Arabia," said a statement carried by BNA on Monday. "Saudi Arabia is a nation of security, safety, justice and rights." Prince Mohammed visited Abu Dhabi Thursday as he began his first tour abroad since the murder of the Saudi journalist in October. Saudi Arabia has been facing intense global criticism over the killing of insider-turned-critic Khashoggi in its Istanbul consulate. The murder of the Washington Post columnist has tipped the kingdom into one of its worst crises. He was killed and reportedly dismembered in what ...
Congress has 'leaders of constituencies' in Madhya Pradesh; no match to Chouhan: Jha
Confident of the BJP getting its fourth innings to rule Madhya Pradesh, the party's senior leader Prabhat Jha has said the rival Congress has got only "leaders of constituencies" in the state as against a mass leader the saffron party has got in Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Jha, the BJP national vice president, said the results of the assembly polls on December 11 will end the Congress' run for good while launching the fourth innings of governance for his party in the state. "I can say without any hitch that we shall make the government again (in MP). It is true that elections are always tough but it is also true that we shall make government again here," he said. Jha claimed that the "Congress is nowhere" in Madhya Pradesh. "Nowhere in the sense that they have no leader. They have leaders of constituencies. When we talk about Jyotiraditya Scindia, he won his Guna (parliamentary) seat only... in Bhind, Morena and Gwalior, we won. Then how can he say he is the leader ...