Page 2407 - Politics
Iran, Russia deliberate on nuclear deal
Foreign Ministers of Iran and Russia deliberated on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, apart from other issues, on the sidelines of a conference in Italy's capital Rome on Friday.The two sides discussed on the state of bilateral relations, regional issues and current developments in Syria and Yemen on the sidelines of a Mediterranean Dialogues conference in the city, according to the Iranian Foreign ministry, Anadolu News Agency reported.The Iran nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was inked between five countries-the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, and also the European Union. Under the agreement, the US and others agreed to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for it agreeing to control its development of nuclear weapons programme.However, in May this year, US President Donald Trump had announced that Washington would exit the pact, terming it as "defective" and the "worst ever deal" leading to a spike in tensions between the US and ...
AAP will roll back any potential increase in school fees in Haryana if it comes to power: Kejriwal
To woo voters in Haryana, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday pledged to roll back any potential school fee hike if his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power after next year's state assembly elections.
Modi 'betrayed' people on promises of jobs, 'depositing' Rs 15: Rahul
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has betrayed the people, claiming that he had not fulfilled promises of providing two crore jobs every year and "depositing" Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts. Gandhi addressed election rallies at Sagar, Damoh and Tikamgarh in the Bundelkhand region of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. The state goes to polls on November 28 and results will be declared on December 11. "Modiji has betrayed the people on the issue of providing jobs to two crore people every year and depositing Rs 15 lakh cash into their accounts by bringing (back) black money stashed abroad," Gandhi said in Sagar. Modi, during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, had prominently highlighted the issue of black money and had promised to bring it back. The fear of losing the 2019 general elections has created "hatred" in Prime Minister Modi's mind against the Congress, Gandhi said addressing another rally at Damoh later. The Congress chief said ...
Farmers wouldn't have been ruined if Patel was PM; 'Garibi Hatao' was a lie: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Nehru-Gandhi family Saturday, saying farmers would not have been "ruined" had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been the country's first prime minister. Addressing a rally here in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, he blamed the Congress-led governments of the past for the agrarian crisis. "Generations of farmers have suffered due to the sins and wrong policies of the Congress, but now, our governments are being defamed," Modi told the gathering. "The farmers in India would not have been ruined under the Congress's 55-year rule, had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been the country's first prime minister. "It is true that we need some time to correct the mistakes of five-six decades. I have just got four years. Even if I get half the time they had, I will bring about a drastic change," he said. Modi also accused the Congress of making false promises and raised questions over late prime minister Indira Gandhi's "Garibi Hatao" (remove poverty) slogan. The prime ...
Taiwan's president quits party leadership after major polls setback
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Saturday after it suffered major defeats in key mid-term polls, a significant blow to her prospects for re-election in 2020. The Beijing-friendly main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) made gains in the face of China's increasing pressure on the island. Taiwan is still awaiting the result of a closely watched referendum on gay marriage, with activists fearing a win for conservative "pro-family" campaigners would turn back the clock on the island's reputation as a trailblazer for marriage equality. Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have faced a mounting backlash over domestic reforms including pension cuts, as well as concerns about deteriorating ties with China, which still sees self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified. Tsai told reporters that she would take "complete responsibility" for the defeat as chair of the party. "I resign as DPP chairperson. Our ...
Confident Guv will take decision on release of Rajiv Gandhi
The Tamil Nadu government Saturday expressed confidence that Governor Banwarilal Purohit would take a decision soon on its recommendation for the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case but said he cannot be "compelled." The governor cannot be "compelled" on the matter, Fisheries minister D Jayakumar told reporters here, even as the state cabinet's recommendation for their release is pending with him. The three AIADMK men convicted in the killing of three women students in the 'Dharmapuri bus burning case' in 2000 recently walked free from prison because there was "no malafide intention" on their part, he said. Officials had also explained to Purohit the case before he approved their release, he said. Underlining the AIADMK government's "sincerity" towards the release of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Jayakumar said this was evident from the fact that the state cabinet met on a Sunday (September 9), where it decided ..
India, China resolve to intensify efforts to find solution to boundary question
India and China on Saturday resolved to "intensify" their efforts to achieve a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable" solution to the vexed boundary question at an early date as the special representatives of the two countries held "constructive and forward-looking" talks over the issue. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province for the 21st round of Special Representatives' talks. While an early solution would serve the fundamental interests of both the countries, the two designated Special Representatives for the border talks also said pending the final solution, the two countries should maintain peace and tranquillity at the borders, ensuring that the dispute does not affect the overall development of bilateral ties. The India-China border dispute covers 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet. This was the first round
Goa activists to step up protests for ailing CM's resignation
A civil society group demanding resignation of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar owing to his ill-health on Saturday decided to intensify their agitation. RTI Activist Rajan Ghate has been on an indefinite hunger strike since the last nine days at the Azad Maidan here demanding Parrikar's resignation. Parrikar, 62, was shifted to his private residence at Dona Paula near here on October 14, after he was discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Parrikar has been absent from his office for long time due to failing health. The group of civil society members under the banner of "Citizens for Restoration of Governance in Goa" held a public meeting at the protest site. "We have now decided to protest at the public functions attended by Union ministers and also State Governor Mridula Sinha, who has refused to exercise her power and get CM resigned from the post," said Aires Rodrigues, who is spearheading the movement.
Odisha speaker asks govt to give special attention to Sun
Odisha Assembly Speaker P K Amat Saturday asked the state government to give special attention to protection and conservation of the Sun Temple at Konark. Amat gave the ruling after assembly members cutting across party lines expressed concern over the manner in which the conservation of the Black Pagoda (as the temple is called) is being done by the Archaeological Survey of India. "The state government to take this matter seriously and take adequate measures. The House should be informed on the actions taken for conservation and preservation of Konark temple," the Speaker said in his ruling. The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress during zero hour. He alleged that the Centre has grossly failed in proper preservation and conservation of the Sun temple. Referring to the media reports on replacement of old and damaged stone carvings with plain stone slabs by the ASI, Mishra sought a clarification in this regard from the Centre. He also ...
Heavy crowd at Sabarimala shrine, CM and Congress trade barbs
The Lord Ayyappa shrine witnessed comparatively heavy crowd Saturday, even as a war of words erupted over the government's handling of the Sabarimala issue. Congress veteran and former Defence minister A K Antony reportedly attacked the state government, saying it was encouraging the BJP and RSS on the matter. Hitting back, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the statement was with "ulterior motives." "Antony's statement that the violence witnessed in Sabarimala was due to inept handling of the issue by chief minister and the DGP was with ulterior motives," Vijayan said in a Facebook post. He said the government's measures had been appreciated by the Kerala high court and this statement was to spread canards about the government. Vijayan also said footfall of devotees had gone up at Sabarimala as all facilities had been arranged for them. Meanwhile, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala lashed out at the chief minister, alleging that he was acting as a "godfather" to the ..
Municipal polls in Haryana a test for ruling, opposition parties: Dr Ashok Tanwar
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) Dr Ashok Tanwar on Saturday said that "elections to five Municipal Corporations and two Municipal Council" would be a test for both the ruling and the opposition parties.Talking to media persons here, Dr Tanwar said, "The elections to five Municipal Corporations and two Municipal Councils are like a test both for the ruling party and the opposition. The results of these elections will indicate the mood of the people which will have its impact on the impending elections for the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha in the state next year."The elections for Mayors and members of all wards municipal corporations, namely, Hisar, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Karnal and of two municipal committees--Jakhal Mandi in Fatehabad district and Pundri in Kaithal--shall be held on December 16."Most of the office bearers and workers of the party want that the Congress should fight elections for the local bodies on its own symbol. A decision in this respect will .
Paris: Tear gas, water cannons used to disperse demonstrators
In a bid to disperse large the number of demonstrators that had gathered at the Champs Elysees on Saturday, police personnel were forced to fire tear gas shells and water cannons at them.The protesters were voicing their dissent against rising gas prices and French President Emmanuel Macron's economic policies.The "yellow vest" protests, which initially began as a campaign against skyrocketing fuel prices, expanded into a huge agitation against the French government in recent weeks. Police said that around 3,000 officers have been deployed in the French capital to tackle the situation, CNN reported.Furthermore, a security perimeter has been set up in the city centre with government buildings being put under strict watch.Discussing the protests at a press conference on Friday, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner had said that the demonstrators were free to protest but should not take law into their own hands."Their freedom of expression will be guaranteed, but it must not be ..
Shivraj didn't file defamation suit on scams in MP: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan for filing a defamation suit against him after he mistakenly took his son's name in the Panama Papers case and said he did not file any case when he talked about Vyapam, e-tender and illegal mining cases asking whether these were "true".
Kejriwal lashes out at BJP for raiding TDP leader's home, offices
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday lashed out at the BJP government for conducting a raid at the offices of a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) parliamentarian, saying that "this is how the Modi government unleashes its hounds if you oppose it".
BJP had worked with Cong, MNF, ZPM in the past in Mizoram
Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma Saturday said that the party had worked together with the ruling Congress, the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) in Mizoram and there was nothing to hide in those alliances. BJP and traditional rival Congress had formed a coalition in the Chakma Autonomous District Council in the state and had formed its executive committee. The party is working with MNF as constituents of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), which is led by it and he is the convener, and also in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Sarma told newsmen here. About ZPM, he said BJP had forged electoral alliance with the party earlier too in the Aizawl Municipal Corporation. "There was nothing to hide in the alliances with those parties and everything was transparent," he said adding that if there is any alliance in the post-assembly poll scenario that too would be transparent. The propaganda by certain parties ..
Wake up from your Kumbhakarna sleep, declare date for Ram temple construction: Thackeray
Arriving here ahead of Sunday's VHP rally for a Ram temple, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asked the Narendra Modi government to wake up from a Kumbhakarna-like slumber and declare the date for its construction. He urged the government to bring legislation or an ordinance for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying his party will support it. Day, months, years and generations have passed, he said Saturday on what he described as his first visit to the town. Mandir wahin baneyange, par date nahin batayenge (You say you will make the temple there, but won't tell the date), he said. First say when you will construct the temple, the rest we will talk later, he said in what sounded like a dare to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. Thackeray and scores of Sena supporters arrived here just a day ahead of the Dharam Sabha being organised separately by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to push for the construction of a Ram temple on a disputed site. There is a massive deployment .
Time for alternative political dispensation in J-K which is nationalist, pro-democracy: BJP
The BJP said on Saturday the time has come to establish an alternative political dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is "nationalist and pro-democracy in true sense". BJP national vice-president and the party's in-charge in Jammu and Kashmir Avinash Rai Khanna claimed that the people of the state have lost faith in the Congress and regional parties like the NC and PDP which practices politics of "opportunism and self interest", and are yearning for a better and reliable alternative. "These parties stand exposed before the people due to their ugly drama after the dissolution of the state assembly by the governor," he said while commenting on the recent political developments in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was abruptly dissolved by Governor Satyapal Malik Wednesday night hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference and the Congress followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the ..
BJP flays Akhilesh for seeking army deployment at Ayodhya, calls him anti-Ram
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday slammed former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for demanding the army be deployed in Ayodhya ahead of the 'Dharma Sabha' organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), labelling him "anti-Ram".
Taiwan ruling party suffers major defeat in local elections
Taiwan's ruling party suffered a major defeat in local elections Saturday seen as a referendum on the administration of the island's independence-leaning president amid growing economic and political pressure from China. President Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party lost the mayoral election to the Nationalist party in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, where the DPP had held power for 20 years. The Nationalists also defeated the DPP in the central city of Taichung, while Ko Wen-je, the independent mayor of Taipei, the capital, appeared on track to win a second term. Tsai and the DPP had won a landslide victory in 2016, but China swiftly responded by cutting all links with her government. Beijing has been ratcheting up pressure on the island it claims as its own territory by poaching away its diplomatic partners, cutting official contacts and staging threatening military exercises. The Nationalists, known also as the KMT, had campaigned on their pro-business image and more ..
Save Madhya Pradesh from Congress appeasement politics: PM
Attacking Congress Chief Ministerial aspirant Kamal Nath over the leaked video in which he is seeking heavy voting by Muslims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked people to save the state from "this politics of appeasement".