Page 2453 - Politics
Cong trying to shift focus from development agenda in poll-bound Raj: Gajendra Singh
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Monday claimed the Congress was trying to shift the focus of the upcoming assembly elections from the development agenda as it does not have any issue to work with. "The Congress doesn't want the country to remain on the development path. Due to corrupt and unclear policies of the Congress, the country has suffered," Shekhawat said at a press conference here. The BJP state election committee convener said the Congress' character was exposed through its infightings that have come out in the open. Responding to the statements made by state Congress chief Sachin Pilot on the presence of Urea and DAP in the state, Shekhawat said the opposition party was trying to mislead the people of the state by repeating lies. "It has become Congress' nature to create sensation by speaking lies, but this won't last for long, he said. He alleged the state Congress chief doesn't have knowledge about farmers and farming.
J-K Governor expresses grief over demise of Iqbal Khanday
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the demise of former chief secretary of the state Iqbal Khanday who passed away aged 63 in Srinagar on Monday after battling cancer. The Governor in his condolence message described Khanday as an able administrator who worked with dedication for public welfare. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in its hour of grief. A condolence meeting was convened in the civil secretariat here to mourn Khanday's demise. Adviser to Governor K Vijay Kumar, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, administrative secretaries and other senior officers attended the condolence meeting. Kumar remembered Khanday for his administrative acumen and dynamism. "Our heart goes out to the family members of Iqbal Khanday Sahab, who in the later part of his life went through a personal tragedy of losing his son to an unfortunate road accident," he said. Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam said Khanday has made an ...
JKLF chairman Malik detained on Panchayat poll eve
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was detained Monday ahead of the second phase of the ongoing panchayat elections in the state. Malik was taken into custody from the JKLF headquarters in Abi Guzar area of the city here, a JKLF spokesman said. The police raided JKLF office this afternoon and took Malik into custody, he said. He said the JKLF chairman was detained in connection with the so-called panchayat elections. The second phase of the nine-phase polls is being conducted Tuesday. Malik and other separatists Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a boycott of the polls.
118 Helicopter Unit, Air Defence College to be awarded
The 118 Helicopter Unit and the Air Defence College would be awarded the prestigious Standard and Colours awards respectively and President Ram Nath Kovind will give away the awards here later this month, a senior Indian Air Force official said on Monday. The 118 Helicopter Unit was raised in 1971 and is known for carrying the VVIPs of the country. The Air Defence College (ADC) is a premier officer training establishment of the Indian Air Force specialising in operational training. The selection of the President's Colours to the institute coincides with its diamond jubilee year. Announcing the names of the recipients, Eastern Air Command's Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar said, "These are for the recognition of sustained dedication, professionalism and contribution during war and peace time." President Kovind will give away the awards at a programme in Guwahati on November 29, Nambiar told reporters.
Opposition to meet before winter session of Parliament: Naidu
The much-talked about meeting of parties opposed to the BJP to strategise against the saffron party in the next Lok Sabha elections has been postponed and may now be held after the current Assembly elections and before the start of the winter session of Parliament, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee said after a meeting between them here.
Congress targets Modi over CBI officer's revelations against Doval, CVC
The Congress on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi after senior CBI official M.K. Sinha alleged in the Supreme Court that NSA Ajit Doval and Central Vigilance Commissioner K.V. Chaudhary had interfered in the investigation against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana facing bribery charges.
BJP got voters' names deleted from electoral rolls as last resort to avoid defeat: Kejriwal
AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday accused the BJP of getting voters' names deleted from electoral rolls in Delhi as a "last resort" to avoid defeat in the next Lok Sabha elections. Hitting back at the AAP, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said it was expressing "hopelessness" by mounting an attack on the Election Commission over alleged deletion of names of 15 lakh voters. Kejriwal's attack on the BJP came a day after his party leader Raghav Chadha termed the EC's inquiry into the alleged deletion of names from the voters' list in Tughlaqabad as "farcical". The EC had conducted a door-to-door survey in Lal Kuan and Harikesh Nagar areas of the Tughlaqabad Assembly segment to verify AAP's claims that "over one lakh votes were deleted in South Delhi since the last assembly elections in 2015". "BJP is losing. This seems to be the last resort of BJP. They have got lakhs of names deleted from voter lists. Hope EC wud take immediate action (sic)," Kejriwal said in a ...
Naxal letter: Digvijay dares PM, Rajnath, Fadnavis to act against him
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday to take action against him in the Elgar Parishad case. His comments came against the backdrop of the Pune police stating Monday that a letter seized in connection with the Elgar Parishad probe referred to a mobile number purportedly belonging to Singh. A Pune police official, earlier in the day, said the letter in question was made part of the chargesheet against the activists arrested for alleged Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad case. The letter was seized during nationwide raids conducted by the Pune police in connection with the case, following which the activists were arrested, the official said. Talking to reporters here, Singh said, "If Digvijay Singh is involved in any anti-national activity, then Modiji, Rajnathji and Fadnavisji are free to take action. Show the courage to take action." Speaking ...
Cong demands probe after CBI officer's claim
The Congress Monday demanded an independent probe into the corruption allegations made by a CBI DIG in an affidavit before the Supreme Court, saying they have raised questions on the functioning of Prime Minister's Office and the Modi Government. The party also said it would raise the issue in Parliament. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the DIG Manoj Kumar Sinha in his affidavit has named union minister Haribhai Parthivbhai Chaudhary, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdhury over alleged attempts to interfere in the probe against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana. K V Chowdhury did not respond to queries when his reaction was sought while Doval, the National Security Advisor, was not immediately available for comments. An official in the minister's office said he was not aware of the matter. Surjewala asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi if his slogan of "na khaaoonga, na khaane doonga" (will neither do nor allow .
Delhi Cong to hold candle march at CP against Delhi govt, Centre
The Delhi Congress will hold demonstration against alleged "inaction" of the governments at the Centre and Delhi to curb high pollution level in the national capital. The Congress will take out a candle march and form human chains at Connaught Place on Wednesday, Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmishtha Mukherjee said. The protest will be held at Inner Circle of CP, he said. Party leader and former MLA Mukesh Mishra hit out at the AAP government in Delhi, alleging it blamed stubble burning while vehicular pollution was responsible for poor air quality in the city.
Indian map sans J&K seen at AMU, removed
Stirring a fresh controversy, posters showing India's map without Jammu and Kashmir were put up on the campus of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). However, these were removed soon after coming to the notice of the administration.As per the details given by the AMU administration, the posters were made by the drama society for an anti-partition drama, which was supposed to take place in the university premises."As soon as the teacher-in-charge got the information, the university ensured that the posters were removed and the drama was postponed," AMU public relations officer (PRO) Shafey Kidwai told ANI.Even though the screening of the drama was called off due to the controversy, Shafey said that it would be staged later. "The banners have nothing to do with the country's politics," he clarified.
TRS chief confident to win all 10 Assembly seats in Khammam
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday said that his party would win all 10 Assembly seats in Khammam district. He also said that he would form a national front against the BJP and the Congress after the assembly elections in Telangana.Rao, while addressing "Praja Ashirwada Sabha," said that he had visited Khammam district many times during Telangana agitation and his government was ready to face any challenge from opposition parties as his government has worked for the development of the state."TRS government has taken an initiative to improve the dignity of poor by constructing double bedroom houses at free of cost in the state," he said. "Has the Congress ever given any houses to the public free of cost," he asked."Telangana is the only state to start the Raithu Bandu scheme in the world. TRS government has succeeded in giving 24 hours free electricity to farmers in the country. During the time of Congress government, farmers used to face lots of ...
If I'm involved in anti-national activities, take action: Digvijaya dares Centre
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday dared the central government to take action against him if he was found involved in any anti-national activities.His statement comes following media reports of his alleged involvement in the Bhima-Koregaon violence case. The police, however, are yet to confirm his involvement.Reacting to the reports, Singh clarified that the phone number mentioned in the letters, recovered by the police during investigations, has not been used by him for past four years."The phone number they are mentioning is available to everyone via Rajya Sabha's portal. I have not used it for the last four years. If I am involved in any kind of anti-national activities then Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh and Devendra Fadnavis can take action against me," the Congress leader said.According to the reports, Singh's name surfaced during the investigations into activities of banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) which was allegedly involved in conspiring .
Indo-US joint military exercise 'Vajra Prahar' commences in Jaipur
The 12-day long joint military exercise between India and the United States known as 'Vajra Prahar' commenced in Jaipur on Monday.A contingent of the United States Pacific Commander arrived at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on November 18 for undertaking Joint training with the Indian Special Forces.The US contingent comprises of one officer and 10 other ranks from the Special Forces Group, informed Rajasthan Defence PRO Lt Col Sombhit Ghosh.The United States Special Forces will carry out rigorous joint training in semi-desert and rural terrain to enhance the interoperability of the two armed forces and further the military to military co-operation.The contingents will train on different aspects including hostage rescue, building intervention, desert survival, medical aid and combat firing.Lastly, the Special Forces will undertake a three-day outdoor exercise to validate their practices.
Naidu reaches out to Mamata for opposition unity
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday met his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee and sought her support for the opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. The meeting took place at the Secretariat here.Banerjee and Naidu gave a clarion call to oust BJP from power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019. The two leaders also discussed fresh dates for the meeting of all opposition parties. Earlier the meeting was slated for November 22 but was cancelled due to Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram.Talking to media persons, Naidu said that the meeting would take place before the Winter Session of Parliament, which will commence from December 11. The Winter Session will conclude on January 8, 2019.Naidu said that under the current regime all institutions are facing a serious threat. "Be it CBI, ED, RBI or CAG, in this government every institution is under immense pressure. We have to come forward to protect ..
National Herald case: Court dismisses Vora's petition on Swamy's tweets
Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday turned down senior Congress leader Motilal Vora's petition seeking the court's direction to restrain senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy from posting tweets in connection with the National Herald case.In his plea, Vora had sought for restriction on Swamy from posting anything on social media in the interest of the administration of justice. He also brought to the notice of the court claiming that Swamy was indulging in "character assassination" of the accused via his tweets.Following the court's dismissal of the petition, Swamy took to twitter, hailing it as a victory. "For today's victory in the Congi Twitter Ban case, I thank my legal team of Ishkaran, Dilip Kumar, young internees, Ramni Taneja, Dr. Roxna Swamy. The killer idea for rejecting Congi gag petition came from Ishkaran so a special thanks to him," tweeted Swamy.The BJP leader had filed the case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi ...
Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Bihar govt hiding Manju Verma, alleges Rabri Devi
Former chief minister of Bihar Rabri Devi has cornered the Nitish Kumar government accusing it of hiding absconding ex-social welfare minister Manju Verma."Manju Verma must be found out. The government has kept her hidden. The Supreme Court had reprimanded the Bihar government twice on the issue but there is no effect. She should be traced," she said on Monday.Verma was suspended from the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on November 15. She had resigned as a minister in August this year after her husband Chandrashekhar Verma's name surfaced for allegedly having links with Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case.Subsequent to recovery of ammunition from her house during a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid in connection with the case, Manju Verma has been absconding. A non-bailable warrant has been issued against her earlier this month.On November 12, the Supreme Court rapped the Bihar Police for its failure in arresting Verma.Apart from speaking on .
Need electronic voting in Parliament: Prez Sirisena
President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday said in the Parliamentary that a no-confidence motion in the House should be held electronically or a division by name in order to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the island nation.The Daily Mirror Sri Lanka quoted him saying that it was a system acceptable to the general public and the international community at large and that a voice vote was not transparent although Standing Orders provided for it.The President also requested all political parties to strike a compromise and act with some understanding. To avoid further clashes that could not disrupt the Parliament sessions any further, Sirisena also asked all the parties not to bring huge crowds along with them to hold protests near the Parliament.At an all-party meeting held on Monday, before the beginning of the Parliament session, the President said that a vote on voice cannot be considered appropriate when it comes to an important matter like changing a government, the Colombo ...
Prez Trump's not doing "a damn thing" for US jibe against Pakistan not justified: PM Imran
Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday reacted sharply to President Donald Trump's latest tirade against Islamabad for not doing "a damn thing" for America in curbing terrorism, saying the US, instead of making Pakistan a "scapegoat" for its failures in Afghanistan, should find out why the Taliban has emerged stronger than before. Khan's tweets came a day after President Trump defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan for not doing enough to curb terrorism and criticised Islamabad for offering a hideout to Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad. "Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan," Khan, said in a series of tweets defending his country's record in the US-led war on terror. He said that Pakistan decided to "participate in the US War on Terror" although no Pakistani was involved in the 9/11 attacks. "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war and over USD 123 ...
Spain insists on Gibraltar veto in Brexit deal
Spain warned Monday it could yet derail the Brexit deal agreed between London and Brussels if it does not guarantee Madrid's veto over Gibraltar's future status. Madrid has a long-standing claim on Gibraltar, which was ceded to the British crown in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, that predates the Brexit negotiations. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is due to sign a treaty with European Union leaders to leave the bloc on Sunday, if Spain does not stand in the way. But Spain's Foreign Minister Josep Borrell warned on Monday after a meeting of EU ministers that the draft deal does not spell out how Gibraltar should be handled. He said the text does not make it clear that future negotiations on ties between Brussels and post-Brexit Britain are separate from the Gibraltar issue. "Future negotiations on Gibraltar are separate negotiations. And that is what needs to be made clear," Borrell said. "Until it is clear ... we will not be able to give our agreement", he warned. According to ...