Page 2430 - Politics
BJP delegation meets EC, urges action against Kamal Nath
A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met the Election Commission in Delhi on Wednesday and requested the poll body to take legal action against Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Kamal Nath for allegedly violating model code of conduct by inciting religious sentiments to appeal for votes.The delegation also accused the Congress Party of bribing voters ahead of the elections.Speaking to the media after the meeting, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that several issues pertaining to the breach of the model code of conduct by the Congress were raised. "The Congress 'secularism-tactic' is creating division in the society for electoral gain and violates Section 125 of the Representation of People the Act, 1951," he added.Naqvi further claimed that Kamal Nath allegedly appealing Muslim voters to come together and vote for the Congress was a "criminal act.""We told the Election Commission this is a criminal act, and that the Congress and its President (Rahul Gandhi) should be ...
Mufti accuses J-K Guv of favouring BJP, says 'our pleas fell on deaf ears'
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti in a direct attack on Governor Satyapal Malik called him out for favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by dissolving the assembly shortly after she wrote a letter to him staking claim to form the government in alliance with the National Conference (NC) and the Congress Party.An agitated Mufti shared her ordeal trying to reach out to the Governor to form the government in the Valley with the virtue of being the largest party in the state with 29 seats in its kitty, along with the support of the NC and Congress. However, she said that she failed to get through the Governor via fax.Unable to reach Malik, Mufti said she was compelled to share a copy of the letter on Twitter. Immediately after Mufti's Twitter outburst, the Governor faxed his decision to dissolve the Assembly, raising eyebrows.Mufti tweeted, "In today's age of technology, it is very strange that the fax machine at HE ...
Khashoggi's killing: Amnesty Sec-Gen calls for UN investigation
Amnesty's Secretary General Kumi Naidoo wrote to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on November 21 (IST), urging him to set up a UN investigation into slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing."I've written to @antonioguterres today on behalf of more than 170,000 @amnesty supporters, urging him to set up a UN investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist #JamalKhashoggi. His family deserves the truth, and everyone responsible for this crime should be held to account," Naidoo tweeted on Wednesday.His tweet comes a day after US President Donald Trump claimed that the US will not tarnish relations with 'critical' ally Saudi Arabia, a move that has been slammed and highly criticised by US Senators.A CIA investigation had earlier inferred that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the scribe's killing, according to The Washington Post.US Senator Bob Corker took to Twitter to vent his disbelief while stating, "I never thought I'd see the day a White House ...
Political rivals wanted to eliminate me: Kejriwal
A day after a security breach inside the Delhi secretariat where a man threw chilli powder at him, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday that his political rivals had hatched a conspiracy to eliminate him.
Modi lauds BJP workers for party's performance in Uttarakhand local body polls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders lauded the party workers in Uttarakhand for their efforts over the party's performance in local body polls. "Uttarakhand once again supports BJP. I thank the people of the state for their continuous blessings, which have led to impressive wins for our Party in local body polls. I congratulate the local unit for their hardwork and efforts, which made the wins possible. @BJP4UK," the prime minister tweeted. Congratulating party workers, Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat and state president Ajay Bhatt, BJP President Amit Shah, in a tweet, said he was thankful to the people for trusting the party in the state's journey towards development. The BJP won five of the seven mayoral seats and 34 of the 84 chairperson and president posts in the Uttarakhand civic polls, while Independents sprang a surprise by grabbing 23 posts. The Congress won 25 of the chairperson and president posts in the state's civic bodies and the BSP won one post.
Revenue officials oppose to assist in groundnut procurement
Gujarat revenue officials, who have been asked to assist the civil supplies department in procuring groundnuts from farmers, Wednesday urged the state government that they should not be given the task as they had no experience in it. They also told the government that they were already "overburdened". Currently the state government's civil supplies department procures groundnuts from farmers under the Centre's price support scheme. But recently, the deputy mamlatdars of revenue department were asked to assist the civil supplies department officials by taking care of the administrative part of the job. A union of the revenue department employees Wednesday wrote to Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel urging him that they be kept away from the task as they had no experience in it. Devesh Patel, president of Gujarat State Revenue Employees Union, said asking the deputy mamlatdars to do the job of procuring groundnuts is an "injustice to farmers". "Deputy mamlatdar is an ...
Best option in Jammu and Kashmir is fresh polls at earliest: BJP
The BJP Wednesday said the best option in Jammu and Kashmir is to have fresh assembly polls at the earliest as it slammed the proposed alliance of opposition parties as a "combination of terror-friendly parties". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Twitter, soon after the state governor dissolved the assembly amid claims by rival formations on forming a government, that the border state cannot afford horse-trading and instability keeping its security scenario in mind. "The proposed alliance between the Congress and the PDP broke up even before it was formed. They have taken contradictory positions on dissolution. One supports it and the other opposes it," the BJP said. "The best option in such a scenario is to go in for a fresh election at the earliest. This assembly cannot produce a stable government," it added. Jammu and Kashmir needs a firm administration to deal with terrorism and not a combination of terror-friendly parties, it added. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was ...
Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary: Amarinder urges PM to announce package
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday to immediately announce a "generous" financial package for the year-long celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. In a letter, the chief minister apprised Modi that his government was launching a series of developmental programmes to commemorate the historic occasion. Singh listed someof the schemes for which funds were needed. The schemes include establishment of Pind Babe Nanak Da at Sultanpur Lodhi, setting up of a National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, establishment of a Medical College at Batala, construction of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg connecting places visited by the first Guru, both in Punjab and other States, and development of 47 smart towns/villages associated with the Guru. The chief minister said a financial package should be given to the state forthwith at least for these projects. Referring to his earlier meeting with the .
Omar retweets Mufti's comments; wishes her Good luck
A bonhomie between two arch political rivals was on public display when Omar Abdullah retweeted Mehbooba Mufti's comments, saying he had never thought he would retweet her comments. "And I never thought I'd be retweeting anything you said while agreeing with you. Politics truly is a strange world. Good luck for the battle ahead. Once again the wisdom of the people will prevail," Omar wrote while retweeting Mufti's tweets. Omar retweeted Mufti four times in a span of 15 minutes. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was abruptly dissolved by the Governor 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 support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties. The dissolution was announced by Governor Satyapal Malik in a communique released by the Raj Bhavan. "In my twenty six year old career as a politician, I thought I had seen .
Child bride auction in South Sudan goes viral, sparks anger
Five hundred cows, two luxury cars, USD 10,000, two bikes, a boat and a few cell phones made up the final price in a heated bidding war for a child bride in South Sudan that went viral after the auction was pointed out on Facebook. It is the largest dowry ever paid in the civil war-torn country, the government said. The highest bidder was a man three times the 17-year-old's age. At least four other men in Eastern Lakes state competed, said Philips Anyang Ngong, a human rights lawyer who tried to stop the bidding last month. Among the bidders was the state's deputy governor. "She has been reduced to a mere commodity," Ngong told The Associated Press, calling it "the biggest test of child abuse, trafficking and auctioning of a human being." Everyone involved should be held accountable, he said. Earlier this month, Nyalong became the man's ninth wife. Photos posted on Facebook show her sitting beside the groom, wearing a lavish dress and staring despondently at the floor. The AP is using
Idea of a grand coalition in J&K sent BJP jitters: Mehbooba Mufti
The very idea of a grand coalition in Jammu and Kashmir has given the BJP jitters, former chief minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday night after the dissolution of the state assembly by the governor. Former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Governor Satyapal Malik's decision to dissolve the assembly "cannot be a coincidence" as it came within minutes of Mehbooba Mufti staking claim to form the government. Mehbooba tweeted, "In my twenty six year old career as a politician, I thought I had seen it all! But like they say never say never! Nevertheless, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to @OmarAbdullah and @Ambikasoni4 ji for helping us achieve the seemingly impossible." In series of tweets, she said since the past five months, regardless of political affiliations, "we shared the view that the state assembly be dissolved immediately to avert horse-trading and defections". "Oddly enough our pleas fell on deaf ears. But who ...
J&K Assembly dissolved amid claims for power
In a dramatic development, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was dissolved on Wednesday night after three mainstream parties came together to stake claim to form a government that was countered by Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone with the BJP's backing.
Regional players losing ground in national politics: Kalyan
Actor-politician and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan Wednesday claimed regional players were losing ground in national politics and sought a "strong southern political movement." The actor-politician, who was in the city as part of his first attempt to knit an alliance of regional players, demanded creation of a second capital in the southern part of India. "A strong southern political movement is needed, else it would be difficult to face the north Indian leadership in the years to come," he told reporters here, urging south Indians to unite. "...Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are the ones who are going to decide the Indian political system. They are the ones who are going to decide what our future is going to be. Somehow this has to be stopped. Somewhere we need to have a major say," he said. Pawan, who had supported the BJP during the 2014 general elections, said he was disappointed with the saffron party. Asked if he would be part of Andhra Pradesh chief minister and ..
Kosovo imposes 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods
Kosovo imposed a 100-per cent tariff on Serbian imports Wednesday, a day its failed bid to join the international police organisation Interpol. The massive tariff increase was a response to the "aggressiveness of Serbia against Kosovo by all means", Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told reporters after the measure was approved in government. The new tariffs also apply to Bosnian imports -- but not to international brands. Kosovo's attempt on Tuesday to join Interpol failed to garner enough votes from its members -- a blow to its efforts to boost global recognition of its statehood. Kosovo's foreign ministry blamed the lack of votes on Belgrade's "abusive" lobbying inside the international police organisation. On Twitter, Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj denounced what he called Serbia's "aggressive campaign against Kosovo". In addition to the tariff hike, other measures would be announced "soon!", he added. The new tariff is likely to further inflame tensions between the two ...
Inter-Korean ties shouldn't surpass denuclearisation of N Korea: Pompeo
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated that the United States had "made clear" to South Korea that denuclearisation of North Korea should not be outpaced by increasing inter-Korean ties as the US saw both developments in tandem- "as moving forward together"."We view them as important parallel processes, and that working group is designed to make sure they continue to remain that way," Pompeo stated while talking about a US-South Korea working group in which the US is represented by Stephen Biegun, who is the special US envoy to North Korea."We now have a working group that formalises those processes so that we can be sure that we don't talk past each other, that we don't take an action or the South Koreans don't take an action that the other is unaware of or hasn't had a chance to comment on or provide their thoughts. And that's the purpose of the working group that's being led on our side by Stephen Biegun," he underscored while referring to coordinated efforts between the US ...
Cong's appeasement politics is hurdle for Ram temple construction: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged Wednesday that the Congress's "politics of appeasement" was a hindrance in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. He was addressing a campaign rally here ahead of the November 28 assembly election in Madhya Pradesh. According to BJP sources, the firebrand leader is the most sought-after campaigner among his party's candidates. "Congress's politics of appeasement is creating a hurdle in construction of Ram temple which is an emblem of India's faith," Adityanath said. "Congress washes its hands of (the Ram temple issue) by saying that the case is before the court," he said. Its politics of appeasement divided the country in the past, he said, referring to the Partition.
Dissolution of J-K Assembly not a coincidence: Omar Abdullah
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik's decision to dissolve the state assembly within minutes of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti staking claim for government formation "cannot be a coincidence". In a sudden development, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor tonight dissolved the state assembly, which has been in suspended animation, shortly after rival alliances staked claim to form the government. "JKNC has been pressing for assembly dissolution for 5 months now. It can't be a coincidence that within minutes of Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba letter staking claim the order to dissolve the assembly suddenly appears," Omar said in a series of tweets. Earlier,Mehbooba in a tweet said she was not able to fax her letter to the Raj Bhawan for staking claim for government formation. "J&K Raj Bhavan needs a new fax machine urgently," Omar quipped after PDP president went public with her letter on Twitter. Earlier Wednesday, Sajad Lone, leader of .
Casteism, dynasty politics main issues in Rajasthan: Amit Shah
BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday said the battle for the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, voting for which is due on December 7, would be against casteism and dynasty politics in which the youth's role would be significant.
BJP committed to building Ram temple in Ayodhya: Amit Shah
BJP president Amit Shah Wednesday reiterated that his party was committed to building a Ram temple in Ayodhya and it would not change its stand. He also exuded confidence of forming next government at the Centre in 2019 with a majority higher than that of the present one despite the Congress' bid to forge a grand alliance. Shah made the remarks while interacting with youths at a function here. He targeted the Congress and asked youths and party workers to ensure BJP's victory in the state for its unhindered progress. "The BJP is committed to building the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Shah said, adding there was no question of diluting or changing the party's stand. The BJP president, however, said the matter was in the Supreme Court and the party wanted a 'nyayik samadhan' (judicial resolution) of the dispute. Shah accused the Congress of talking of forging 'mahagathbandhan' to confuse the voters and urged the BJP workers and supporters not to be swayed by the Congress' propaganda. During ...
Cong should be disbanded as wished by Mahatma Gandhi: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Wednesday said since the Congress did not work in the interest of farmers, it should be disbanded as wished by Mahatma Gandhi. In a veiled reference to veteran Congressman Digvijay Singh, he said a Congress leader's name had cropped up in a Naxal-related case. "The Congress has not worked in the interest of the farmers. Therefore, it should be disbanded as wished by Mahatma Gandhi. This is your responsibility," Adityanath said, while addressing a gathering at Narsinghar in this district of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. "A big Congress leader's name has cropped up in a case connected to Naxals. Terrorism and Naxalism are a threat to the nation and the Congress's sympathy for them is condemnable," he added. The Pune police had earlier said a letter seized in connection with the Elgar Parishad probe referred to a mobile number purportedly belonging to Singh. Two days ago, Singh had dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath ..