Page 2468 - Politics
Oppn alliance would be unworkable coalition of rivals: Jaitley
The proposed grand alliance of opposition parties will be a "coalition of rivals" which cannot govern the country and its fast-growing economy, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said here Saturday. The country has paid a heavy price for such "experiments" in the past, he said at the annual Economic Times awards function. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had recently met Congress president Rahul Gandhi in an attempt to bring opposition parties together against the BJP-led NDA ahead of Lok Sabha elections. "What is being attempted today is perhaps more disastrous than any adventurism of the past. It's a coalition of rivals. Can the world's fastest moving economy, can the largest democracy, ever be governed by a coalition of rivals," Jaitley asked, without naming any party or leader. "And a coalition of rivals doesn't work. We have seen that. We have experimented with these kind of coalitions and the country paid a very heavy price," he said. He said the country had coherent .
MP polls: BJP manifesto, like Cong's, has cow, Narmada
The ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh Saturday released its manifesto promising measures for the well-being of cows and protection of the Narmada River, similar to what has been mentioned in the Congress' "vachan patra". The BJP manifesto promised that well-equipped cowsheds would be increased and they would be set up in each division of the state. MP goes to polls on November 28 and counting of votes will take place on December 11. It also said that a drive would be initiated to protect the holiness and flow of the Narmada river, revered by Hindus. As part of the drive, saplings would be planted along the river to protect its banks, it said. The ruling party's manifesto also spoke of setting up a managing authority to mitigate the problems faced by temple priests as well as a hike in honorarium for them. Besides, the manifesto also has other sops for temples in the state. "The BJP has come up with these measures after getting 12,000 suggestions. The party had constituted 24 .
Argentina's missing submarine found after a year
An Argentine submarine with 44 crew members on board, which went missing exactly a year ago, has been recovered from deep within the Atlantic Ocean.The submarine identified as ARA San Juan was located almost 2,600 feet below the ocean's surface by a private company contracted by the Argentina government after an international search failed to find the vessel.The New York Times quoted the Argentine Navy, who took to twitter saying, "There has been a positive identification of the #AraSanJuan." A spokesman for the navy further added, "Based on the state of the submarine, we will have to determine what happened."The submarine disappeared during a routine trip from Ushuaia in the Patagonia region to Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires province. Eight days later, while the recovery operations were still continuing, the Argentine navy announced the news of an explosion that was recorded near the submarine's last known location, just hours after its final communication with the military on ...
Cyclone Gaja: Health Minister assures help
Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday spoke to Tamil Nadu Health Minister Dr. C Vijaya Baskar regarding the situation in the state caused due to cyclone Gaja and assured all possible help from the Centre.Earlier in the day, S Balachandran, Deputy Director General of Meteorology (DDGM), India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the cyclone is expected to intensify further by Saturday evening and move further westwards.On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palaniswami regarding the situation in the state and assured all possible help on behalf of the Centre.The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister confirmed that 11 people have lost their lives after the landfall of cyclone Gaja. He also announced that the government will provide Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those injured severely and Rs 25,000 to people who have suffered minor injuries.Cyclone Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam
BJP neglecting farmers, youths: Hardik Patel
Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel Saturday accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra of neglecting farmers and youths. Patel, the face of the campaign of Gujarats Patidar community for reservation in government jobs and education, said the BJP is just playing politics instead of solving the problems of farmers and youths. The 25-year-old Patidar leader was speaking at a public meeting organised by the Maratha Foundation at Kalyanrao Ghugre Stadium here in Central Maharashtra. Patel feared there will be "dark days" ahead for farmers and youths in the country. "The BJP government does not want to improve condition of farmers as it wants to play politics," he said. Patel said people should overcome fear and raise their voice to get their basic rights. "If we do not say anything against the government, we would be deprived of fundamental rights. I have been jailed for raising my voice against the government, but did not fear in doing so," he ...
J&K governor compliments administration for ensuring free, fair elections
Governor Satya Pal Malik complimented the civil and police administration Saturday for ensuring free, fair and peaceful first phase of Panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the high poll percentage is a clear mandate of the people for strengthening grassroots democracy. The governor asked Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, who was camping here, to oversee the arrangements for smooth conduct of the polls, to convey his compliments to the civil and police administration for their commendable role in ensuring smooth and peaceful polls across the state. Malik said that 74 per cent voting in the first phase is a clear mandate of the people for strengthening grassroots democracy. The governor said it is heartening to note that people turned up in large numbers not only in Jammu region but also in Kashmir to exercise their franchise in these elections. "At 64 per cent voting in Kashmir division, the valley has given thumbs up to strengthening the grassroots democracy," he said, ...
Congress summons Telangana leader miffed over ticket denial
The Congress party's central leadership on Saturday summoned senior leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy to New Delhi hours after he expressed resentment over being denied ticket to contest next month's elections to Telangana Assembly.
Can't pressure Dassault to share offset partner details: Def min
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday said India cannot put pressure on French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation to share details of offset partners related to the Rafale deal just because the Opposition wanted to know the same. Dassault, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the Rafale fighter jet deal, is obliged to share details of the offset partners under contract with India, but has a year's time to do so, she said. "Just because my Opposition wanted to know it (offset partner details) yesterday, I cannot put pressure on my OEM saying the Opposition wants it now, give it now. "By rule, they can tell me even next year," the minister said at the annual ET Awards here. "I am waiting for it. Once I come to know, I will tell you. Before that, why should I speculate based on news reports?" she said. Sitharaman explained that as part of the Rs 58,000 crore deal, the French firm has to give details of the offsets of over 30 per cent of the total contract value, and the .
Rouhani sees Iran, Iraq expanding trade despite US sanctions
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran and Iraq could raise their annual bilateral trade to $20 billion from the current $12 billion, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, despite concerns over the impact of renewed U.S. sanctions.
HIGHLIGHTS AT 2200 HRS
Following are the highlights at 2200 hrs: NATION DEL19 JK-2NDLD POLLING Kashmir records 64.5 pc, Jammu region 79.5 pc voting in first phase of Panchayat elections Jammu/Srinagar: Defying militant threats and boycott calls by separatists, 64.5 per cent of electorate voted in the first phase of Panchayat elections in Kashmir while an impressive turnout of 79.5 per cent was recorded in Jammu region on Saturday. DEL21 POL-RAHUL-PM-FARMERS Rahul accuses PM of insulting farmers New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting farmers and said the country will not tolerate this. BOM12 MH-JAITLEY-LD CBI Keeping CBI out is like declaring sovereignty in corruption: Jaitley Mumbai/Bhopal: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said barring the CBI from probing cases in states was akin to "declaring sovereignty in the matter of corruption". DEL20 HR-LD-INLD-SPLIT INLD splits, Ajay Chautala to float new party Jind/Chandigarh: The INLD split ..
Amit Shah to undertake 3 day campaign from November 25 in TL
: BJP president Amit Shah would undertake a three day campaign in Telangana from November 25 for the December 7 assembly polls, state BJP president K Laxman said Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also likely to visit the state to address public meetings in the first week of December, he told reporters. Laxman claimed that the party was getting an encouraging response from people during its campaign and said they believed that a change in Telangana was possible only with the BJP coming to power. Shah had kicked off BJP's campaign in Telangana in September last and subsequently addressed two more public meetings in the state. The party has been conducting assembly constituency wise meetings, besides other forms of canvassing.
Need to further strengthen Panchayati Raj system: Mukherjee
Former president Pranab Mukherjee Saturday called for massive decentralisation in institutional building and questioned the legal authority of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He said there was a need to further strengthen the Panchayati Raj system and maintained that concentration of power in the hands of the Centre and the PMO would affect the functioning of a democratic country like India. The veteran politician was at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) here to deliver a lecture on "Articulating Policy and Institutional Agenda for Future Transformation of India." Replying to a question from the audience as to why political parties shied away from the issue of empowering local institutions and governments, Mukherjee said, "In institutional building, there should be massive decentralisation." Citing the example of the PMO, he said it had found a place in "our political vocabulary and "civil servants, politicians, parliamentarians know that a very powerful institution has been
PM Modi attends swearing-in ceremony of Maldives Prez, leaves for India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the National Stadium here. After attending the ceremony, PM Modi left for India.Marking his maiden visit to the island nation in the Indian Ocean, Modi had reached the Maldives around 15:45 pm in the evening. He congratulated Solih over his win in the recently held Presidential election of Maldives.Just a day before his scheduled visit, Modi had written a post on his Facebook account, saying "I am delighted to visit Male, the capital of the Republic of Maldives, our close and friendly neighbour, to attend the historic Inauguration Ceremony of President-elect H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.""I will convey to the new Maldivian Government of Solih the desire of my Government to work closely for realization of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity, and human resource development," he mentioned while ...
No plans to restrict CBI jurisdiction in K'taka: Dy CM
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said that his government had no plans to restrict the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the state.Parameshwara's remark comes close on the heels of Andhra Pradesh government's decision to withdraw the 'general consent' to the CBI to conduct raids and carry out investigations on the Central establishments in the state.Talking to reporters, Parameshwara said that "I do not know what drove Andhra Pradesh government to state that the CBI will now have to seek prior permission before entering the state for official work. We have not experienced anything like this. Hence, there is no need to issue such notification."As per rules under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946, in accordance with which the CBI was formed, the agency has complete jurisdiction over Delhi, but it can also enter the other states with the 'general consent' of that state governments.The Andhra Pradesh government earlier .
Rajasthan polls: BJP releases third list of 8 candidates
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released the third list of eight candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan.The names were announced by Union Minister and party leader JP Nadda after a meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee.As per the list, Ramkishor Saini, who joined BJP on Friday has been given ticket from Bandikui seat. The party has fielded Asha Meena from Sawai Madhopur, who has replaced Diya Kumari, an MLA and member of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur.Earlier on November 11, the BJP released the first list of 131 candidates including 12 female candidates, 32 young candidates, 17 candidates from Schedule Caste category and 19 candidates from Schedule Tribe category.The party had released the second list of 31 on November 14.The 200-Rajasthan Assembly will go to polls on December 7 and the counting of votes will be held on December 11. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is contesting from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she .
PM Modi discusses bilateral issues with Maldives Prez Solih
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Maldives new President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and discussed various bilateral issues. The two leaders agreed to work together to further "strengthen bilateral relations."The Indian Prime Minister took to twitter saying, "Congratulations to Mr. @ibusolih on taking oath as the President of the Maldives. Wishing him the very best for his tenure ahead. Looking forward to working with him to strengthen bilateral relations between our nations.""Had productive discussions with President @ibusolih," he added.India was the only country invited at the head of the state or the government level to grace the occasion. According to sources, India was the only country mentioned by President Solih in his speech.According to a joint press statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi conveyed greetings and compliments from the people of India to the people of the Republic of Maldives on consolidation of democracy, which is essential for peace,
T M Krishna enthrals Delhiites; Sisodia calls huge turnout 'political statement'
Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna Saturday enthralled Delhiites at the Garden of Five Senses here, with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia calling the huge turnout a "political statement to save the country's diversity". Krishna, whose concert in the city was scrapped by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), performed here on an invitation of the AAP government. "Awesome performance by @tmkrishna ..and amazing response by people of Delhi . Superb! Thanks Delhi! For being here. It's not only about music... Your presence here is a political statement to save the diversity of the country," Sisodia posted on Twitter. The veteran vocalist's November 17 concert organised by the AAI was allegedly cancelled following a troll campaign against the Magsaysay award winner, who was called an "urban Naxal" and "converted bigot" among other epithets. The AAP-led Delhi government had on Thursday stepped in to organise a performance by Krishna, who has often found himself in the cross-hairs of ...
Sushil Modi launches a veiled attack on Upendra Kushwaha
In an apparent snub to sulking RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi Saturday asserted the NDA will "not be browbeaten" and seats will be allotted to constituents for the Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the state's "ground reality". Sushil Modi's tweet came after Kushwaha expressed his dissatisfaction over the number of seats offered to his party by the BJP. He served an ultimatum to the saffron party to finalise NDA seat-sharing by November 30 and give a "respectable" count of seats to the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP). The NDA in Bihar comprises the BJP, JD(U), LJP and RLSP. Sushil Modi, who is a senior state BJP leader, did not mention Kushwaha, a Union minister, by name but said some NDA constituents had become "full of themselves" and "were hobnobbing with chargesheeted leaders of the Mahagathbandhan". He tweeted in Hindi that the people of the country had rewarded the NDA with a resounding victory in 2014 due to Prime Minister Narendra ..
BJP MLA, Cong leader quit respective parties
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and a Congress leader on Saturday resigned from their respective parties after they were denied tickets for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly election. Tarun Rai Kaga, the BJP MLA from Chohtan seat in Barmer district, forwarded his resignation to the party's state president, Madan Lal Saini, and announced to quit politics. The party dropped Kaga from the constituency and gave the ticket to the its former district president, Aduram Meghwal. In Jaipur, former Congress MLA Babulal Nagar, who was the food and civil supplies minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, resigned from the party, alleging a conspiracy against him to deny a ticket. "I have worked hard for the party, but a conspiracy was hatched against me and I was not given a ticket from Dudu seat. I will go among the public and seek their opinion on Monday. I will contest as an Independent candidate if the people of my constituency demand this," he said. Nagar was jailed in October 2013 in
Rajasthan Congress leader suspended
The Rajasthan Congress on Saturday suspended party leader Spardha Chaudhary after she accused state party chief Sachin Pilot of taking money for ticket distribution.