Page 2421 - Politics
Withdrawal of nominations for T'gana elections ends
Battle lines are drawn for the December seven Assembly elections in Telangana with the withdrawal of nominations coming to an end Thursday. Several leaders from Congress and other major parties, who filed nominations as independents after failing to obtain party tickets to contest, have withdrawn in favour of official candidates, sources in Congress and others said. Election officials said the final number of candidates left in the fray would be known after receipt of information from the constituencies. Elections to the 119-member assembly will be held on December 7 and the counting would be on December 11. Senior Congress leaders, including Ahmed Patel and Jairam Ramesh, met those who were unhappy over being denied tickets and persuaded them to work for the party's success at the hustings. Campaigning for the polls would hit top gear now with top leaders from different parties scheduled to address public meetings in the state. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress ..
AP CM terms dissolution of J & K assembly a "fascist" act
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Thursday said abrupt dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was a "fascist act" of BJP leaders and warned that people of the country were waiting to teach a befitting lesson to the ruling party at the Centre. In a statement, the TDP chief lashed out at the Centre, saying it was misusing the institution of Governors at every step and asked if it was "Team India spirit." "Is dissolving a government elected by people the Team India spirit of the BJP? Is this Team India or Blame India?" he asked. It was atrocious that the governor did not respond despite the PDP staking claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir with the support of 56 legislators, Naidu said. "The central BJP leaders involvement in the whole episode is clear. Non-functioning of fax machine in the Raj Bhavan, non-availability of the governor to telephone calls, non-consideration of email, all this establishes the involvement of BJP leaders. No ...
3,000 Shiv Sainiks embark 2 special trains for Ayodhya
Around 3,000 Shiv Sena activists on Thursday left for Ayodhya in two special trains from Thane and Nashik to join party President Uddhav Thackeray, an official said.
Firhad Hakim new Kolkata mayor after Sovan's exit
West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Firhad Hakim was elected the new mayor of Kolkata Thursday after Sovan Chatterjee resigned from the post on the directions of Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of KMC councillors, where senior party leaders, including Banerjee, were present. Hakim will be the first mayor of the city from the minority community since Independence. Atin Ghosh, a mayor-in-council, will be the new deputy mayor replacing Iqbal Ahmed, who is ill for the past few months. Senior Trinamool Congress leader Chatterjee, who had resigned as minister for fire services and housing on Tuesday, was absent from the meeting He is a councillor of the KMC and an MLA of ruling TMC in the state assembly. Asked about his absence, Chatterjee claimed he was not called for the meeting in which 116 of the total 122 councillors were present. The party leadership cited "a communication gap" as the ...
Odisha to upgrade 4,404 km rural roads by March 2020
The Odisha government on Thursday approved a detailed project report for upgradation of 4,404 km rural roads while it targets for completion of the roads by March 2020.
CM asks owners to pay dues to cane growers at agreed price
Karnataka Chief Minister H D KumaraswamyThursday asked owners of sugar factories to pay the dues to sugarcane growers at the price that was agreed upon at the time of supply. This was as part of his ongoing efforts to find a solution to the ongoing protest by farmers over the issue. However, owners who participated in the meeting, convened by the chief minister, sought time to "amicably" resolve the settlement of dues with farmers. Official sources said the meeting was "inconclusive." The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister GParameshwara, Belagavi district in-charge minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, Bagalkot district in-charge minister Shivanand Patil, cooperation minister Bandeppa Kashempur and officers and owners of 31 sugar factories. The owners, who were present at the meeting, included former ministers S R Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, Murugesh Nirani, Umesh Katti, Balachandra Jarkiholi and chairman of South Indian Federation of Sugar Factory Owners. According to a ...
Prez to lay foundation stone of Kartarpur corridor on Nov 26
President Ram Nath Kovind and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will lay the foundation stone of the Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nank in Gurdaspur on November 26, the Punjab government said. The decision to build the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the international border was taken Thursday morning at a meeting of the Union cabinet. The Chief Minister said the development of the corridor will facilitate lakhs of pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi river in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years. Singh, in an official statement, also welcomed the decision of the Pakistan government to allow the pilgrims to visit Kartarpur on the occasion of the 550th 'Parkash Purb' of Guru Nanak Dev and said this gesture could go a long way in improving relations between the two countries. After the decision of the Union government to build the Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted, "Prime Minister
"I will not address the press hereafter," says Kumaraswamy
Days after accusing the media of misconstruing his remark against a woman farmer, an upset Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday said he would not address the press hereafter "for any reason." The chief minister, who has often hit out at the media for "misintepreting" his comments, said he would "limit the media to what I speak from the stage." Kumaraswamy said he would remain the CMuntil he enjoyed the "confidence" of the Congress MLAs and till the time God has written it in his fate. "From here on I will limit the media to what I speak from the stage. I have decided. I will not address the press for any reason. If you want, write or else leave it," he said. Addressing an event here, he alleged that his words were often interpreted differently, "so these days I don't understand what to speak. I may in the future have to speak, based on thesuggestions made by a committee that will be formed about what chief minister has to speak. I'm in such a ...
Stone-pelting has completely ended in Kashmir, claims J&K Guv
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya pal Malik Thursday claimed stone-pelting has completely ended in the state, though "one or two" Kashmiri youths have joined militancy over the past 50 days. "Security forces are working hard to bring stability in the state. Stone pelting has completely ended (in the Kashmir Valley)," Malik told reporters here at the Raj Bhawan. On the issue of youths joining militant ranks, the governor said that only "one or two" youths have joined militancy in the last 50 days. He said that over 60 terrorists were eliminated by the security forces during the period.
Modi is 'puppet of capitalists': Sidhu in Madhya Pradesh poll rally
Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was a "katputli (puppet) of capitalists". The cricketer-turned-politician was speaking at a Congress campaign rally here ahead of the November 28 assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh. "The prime minister is a 'katputli' of capitalists and he lies. If a farmer fails to repay a loan of Rs one lakh, the government beats drums," he said, apparently referring to an initiative where bank officials arranged beating of drums to shame defaulters. "... But when (industrialists) Adani and Ambani do not repay 1.5 lakh crore, you do 'Pappi-Jhappi' with them (embrace them). Does the Modi government belong to Adani and Ambani?" Sidhu asked. In a jibe at the prime minister's Make In India initiative, he said, "When Rafale jets will come from France and bullet train from Japan, what will people do here? They will fry pakodas." Claiming that the Modi government did not pay fair prices to .
Rahul, Sonia to address poll rally in Telangana on Friday
: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will participate in an election rally on Friday in poll-bound Telangana at Medchal on the city outskirts, a party leader said here Thursday. "Both will be participating in a public meeting tomorrow (Friday)," Sravan Dasoju, chief spokesperson of the Congress' Telangana unit told PTI. This is Sonia Gandhi's first visit to Telangana after the formation of the state in June 2014. Lok Sabha member Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who quit the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) citing 'disappointment' at various levels, may formally join the Congress at the Medchal meeting in the presence of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, AICC in-charge of Telangana, R C Khuntia had earlier said. The Congress has forged a 'grand alliance' with the TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi and CPI to take on the TRS in the December 7 elections to the 119-member assembly. The party is contesting in 94 seats, leaving the rest to its all allies.
Ram Madhav challenges PDP, NC to fight elections together
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ram Madhav withdrew his comments of Pakistan hand in the proposed alliance between the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, in full sarcasm threw the ball in NC and PDP's camps suggesting that they should contest the next election together.He tweeted, "Just landed@Aizawl n saw this. Now that you deny any external pressure I take back my comment, but, now that u proved it was genuine love btw NC n PDP that prompted a failed govt formation attempt, u should fight next elections 2gether," Madhav tweeted.Madhav's took back his words following NC leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah's open challenge to the BJP leader to prove the allegation. Abdullah tweeted, "No, misplaced attempts at humour won't work. You HAVE claimed my party has been acting at the behest of Pakistan. I dare you to prove it! Place the evidence of your allegation of NC boycott ..
No anti-incumbency factor: Chouhan's wife
Sadhna Singh, wife Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in her door-to-door campaign on Thursday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will return to power for the fourth consecutive term as anti-incumbency is not a factor in the state.In her husband's Budhni constituency, she urged locals to vote for Chouhan en masse. She said: "Seeing the enthusiasm and support, I am convinced that there is no anti-incumbency and people will definitely vote for the BJP for its developmental works." In Khanpura village, she especially met the women requesting them to vote for the party.In Pipalkota, villagers assured that they will definitely vote for BJP. A villager, Sriprakash, said: "I have seen such a good Chief Minister for the first time, they are meeting even the public and they have done a lot of good work."Chouhan was the party's state president when he was selected to become the chief minister on November 30, 2005. He contested the bye-election from ...
Self-delusion a dangerous thing: Russia ridicules fresh US sanctions
A day after the United States issued fresh sanctions against Russia due to its alleged role in supplying oil to the Assad regime in Syria, Russia released a statement ridiculing the sanctions, mentioning that such moves were only reflective of the political discord in the USA."Their recent expansion was the eleventh during the last three and a half months, while the practice itself is increasingly becoming a matter of routine. But the main reasons for the sanctions lie in America's domestic political discord, where each of the parties involved seeks to score points by any means, including on the international arena," a statement released by Russiaa Ministry of Foreign Affairs said."The result is awkward," the statement went on to ridicule.The nation further went on to question US' intentions and said, "Their attempts to charge Russia with complicity in supplying oil to Syria, whose armed forces have fought against terrorist aggression for more than seven years, look like a statement ..
Decision to dissolve JK assembly 'unconstitutional', murder of democracy: Congress
The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of pushing Jammu and Kashmir into a cycle of violence, "bereft of democratic institutions", and slammed the decision of the Governor to dissolve the state assembly as "unconstitutional and unethical". The opposition party also demanded early elections in the state to set in motion the democratic process so that the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions get a people's government. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram took a swipe at Governor Satyapal Malik over the decision to dissolve the J-K Assembly, saying that parliamentary democracy was standing on its head and the "Gujarat model" has appealed to him more than the "Westminster model" that India follows. "As long as no one staked a claim to form government, J-K governor was happy to keep Assembly under suspension. The moment someone staked a claim, he dissolved the Assembly. Parliamentary democracy standing on its head," he tweeted. "The Westminster model of democracy is ...
Telangana Polls: Cong approaches EC, demands withdrawal of 'pink' ballot papers
The Congress Party on Thursday approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking withdrawal of the pink colored ballot papers that were to be used in the upcoming assembly polls in Telangana.The Congress backed their demand with the fact that pink is the official colour of the state's Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) and that ballot papers of the same colour will give the party "an undue advantage" over others. The party's memorandum to ECI stated that the colour is synonymous with TRS in the state."Party colours are of great significance for representation of parties and its ideologies, inter alia, they also create a bias in the mindset of the voters," read the Congress memorandum.The Congress party, in its memorandum, cited an example of the recent Greater Hyderabad Municipal Elections, stating that TRS had filed an immediate protest with authorities over usage of pink colour for the "NOTA" or "None of the Above Category" vote button in the polls."TRS had filed an immediate .
India's decision on Kartarpur corridor not in response to Pakistani proposal
India's decision on Thursday to build a corridor from Gurdaspur in Punjab to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan for the Sikh pilgrims ahead of the 550th birth year celebrations of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak next year is not in response to any proposal from Islamabad.
BJP, SAD hails Kartarpur corridor decision, terms it historic
BJP president Amit Shah and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal termed as "historic" the Union Cabinet's decision on Thursday to develop a corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the historic Kartarpur Sahib corridor. This would greatly help pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The Modi govt has continuously strived to enrich India's rich religious diversity and this step further reinforces it," Shah tweeted. Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet chaired by Modi approved to build and develop a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district to the International Border to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on the banks of the Ravi river in Pakistan. Kartarpur Sahib, located just across the International Border, is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev and one of the holiest shrines of Sikhs. The decision was taken to commemorate the ...
Modi likely to address 10 public meetings in Rajasthan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address at least 10 public meetings from November 25 to December 4 in poll-bound Rajasthan, a BJP leader said Thursday. The prime minister is likely to hold rallies in Alwar, Bhilwara, Beneshwar Dham on November 25, he said. Modi is also expected to hold a public meeting in Kota on November 26. The prime minister may go to Nagaur and Bharatpur on November 28 and Jodhpur on December 3, the BJP leader said, adding that three public meetings are also likely to organised in Hanumangarh, Sikar and Jaipur on December 4.
Delhi Cong carries out protest march in CP
The Delhi Congress took out a protest march at Connaught Place on Thursday against the ruling AAP government and the BJP-ruled MCDs for their "inaction" to curb pollution in the city. According to the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), the march was carried out under the leadership of its chief Ajay Maken. Addressing the gathering, Maken alleged that 48 per cent air pollution in Delhi was due to vehicular traffic and it has increased by 40 per cent during the past five years. "Entire Delhi has been caught in the poisonous air of pollution, and people are dying due to the rise in the pollution levels," a DPCC statement quoted Maken as saying. Senior leader and ex-MLA Mukesh Sharma said the AAP governments and the BJP-ruled municipal corporations have "failed" to bring down the pollution level in the national capital. Sharma hit out at the AAP government in Delhi, alleging it shifted blame on stubble burning while vehicular pollution was responsible for poor air quality in the ...