Page 2469 - Politics

Sasidhar Reddy miffed at being denied ticket,says he was told

: Senior Congress leader M Sasidhar Reddy, son of former Chief Minister in undivided Andhra Pradesh M Chenna Reddy, Saturday expressed disappointment over not being given a ticket for the December 7 Telangana assembly polls, saying the reason given was that he would lose. Reddy, a former Vice Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), traditionally contests from Sanatnagar in Hyderabad, but the seat has been alloted to TDP as part of seat-sharing among partners of the "grand alliance" for the polls. An angry Reddy hit out at Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy for denying him the seat. "It's not the question of an individual seat that was denied to me. The reasons given for that is something which is very upsetting, as propagated by Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy," he told PTI. "It was very forcefully argued by him that I will lose. That is the reason why he wants to leave it to TDP. The basis for that is supposed to be ...

Delhi govt forms committee to revise auto fares

In an attempt to woo autorickshaw drivers ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has formed a committee to revise auto fares. The 11-member fare revision committee chaired by Special Commissioner (Transport) Anil Banka will submit its report to the government in 30 days, a senior Delhi government officer said. The auto fares were last revised by the Sheila Dikshit government in 2013. There are around one lakh registered autorickshaws operating in Delhi. The auto drivers had extended support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and campaigned for it in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and assembly elections in Delhi in 2015. At present, some auto unions accuse the Kejriwal-led Delhi government of not doing anything to save them from onslaught of cab aggregators and meet their other demands. In July this year, some representatives of these unions had met the chief minister with a demand to revise fares. They had claimed that assurance was given to them that they will soon be able

Kashmir records 64.5 pc, Jammu region 79.5 pc voting in first phase of Panchayat elections

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. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra said the state recorded 74.1 per cent polling in the first phase of Panchayat elections Saturday held in 47 blocks, including 16 blocks in Kashmir, 21 in Jammu and 10 in Ladakh region. Kabra said the polling passed off peacefully, except for minor clashes and stone-pelting incidents in Mendhar in Poonch district. Repolling has been ordered at a polling centre in Atholi in Kishtwar district due to technical snag, the official said. The turnout in rural areas was significantly higher in Kashmir Valley unlike during the recent urban local bodies elections where barely four per cent of the electorate voted. Separatists who asked people to boycott the polls had called for a strike Saturday. Major regional parties -- .

After Modi barb, Cong asks BJP about its non-Sangh Parivar chiefs

The Congress Saturday asked the BJP to clarify how many of its presidents were from "outside the Sangh Parivar". Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Ambikapur in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, had dared the Congress Friday to make someone outside the Gandhi family its president for at least five years. Replying to a question here, Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "There have been 60 Congress presidents. Only six of them were from the Gandhi-Nehru family. I want to ask the BJP, how many of its presidents were from outside the Sangh Parivar since it (BJP) was formed in 1980." Lashing out at the saffron party, he added, "They (BJP) have problems with the Gandhi-Nehru family. The Congress has a capable leadership, which gives them (BJP) sleepless nights. They claim that (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi does not matter, but their entire cabinet chants his name." In reply to another question on BJP president Amit Shah's remarks that Rahul Gandhi would have to use binoculars

Cong will form govt at Centre under Rahul Gandhi in 2019:

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan Saturday exuded confidence that a government led by party president Rahul Gandhi will be formed at the Centre in 2019. The Nanded MP made the comment after the party held a three-day meeting to review its poll preparation here. The Congress held the meeting beginning November 15 at Tilak Bhavan here and reviewed preparations in 42 Lok Sabha seats, a statement said. "A big number of party men have sought the party's candidature. The Congress is all prepared to contest the polls with its full strength," he was quoted in the statement. On November 15, the Congress reviewed its preparation for the polls in Marathwada and western Maharashtra regions. It assessed preparations in Vidarbha and north Maharashtra regions on November 16 while the political scenario in Konkan was analysed Saturday. "Backed by the people, a Congress government will be formed (at the Centre) under the leadership of its president Rahul Gandhi, defeating the BJP," .

Maratha quota demand almost fulfilled: Girish Mahajan

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan said Saturday that the Maratha community's demand of quota in government jobs and educational institutions has been "almost fulfilled". Mahajan met activists of the Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) at Azad Maidan here, appealing them to call off their hunger strike over various demands of the community. "The main demand of quota is almost fulfilled...We have taken decisions, but there is a need to expedite implementation...We will hold meeting in two-three days. We will take positive steps," Mahajan told reporters later. MKM said that following the minister's assurance, it was calling off the protest. "We are calling off the strike hoping the demands we raised will be fulfilled in the winter session of the legislature," MKM leader Sambhaji Patil told reporters. "But there will be an explosion across Maharashtra if we are betrayed," he said. Opposition Leader in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who met MKM protesters ...

Rahul accuses PM of insulting farmers

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting farmers and said the country will not tolerate this. Gandhi tagged on Twitter a video of the prime minister's speech during the poll campaign in Chhattisgarh, where he alleged that people were hiding their black money under beds and in wheat stocks in their homes before the note ban. The Congress chief asked if absconders like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who have allegedly committed bank frauds, have ever sown wheat. Have you seen Mallya, Mehul bhai and Nirav Modi sow wheat. "Modiji, don't insult the farmers. You first indulged in a scam by collecting farmers money by noteban and handed it over to your suit-boot friends. Now you are saying that farmers' money was black money. India will not tolerate this insult of farmers, Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

Another CBI officer moves SC, challenges repatration to IB

A senior Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer Ashwini Kumar Gupta on Saturday moved the Supreme Court alleging that his repatriation to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was done with malafide intention.

India, Maldives break ice, agree on Indian Ocean stability

Seen as a fresh revival of ties between India and the Maldives, the two countries agreed to work on peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and new Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday.

Files not moving in Parrikar's absence, claims Goa minister

Goa Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte on Saturday alleged that the bureaucrats of departments under Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar were "misusing" the absence of the ailing leader and stalling government schemes. The remarks by Khunte, who is an independent MLA, came hours after the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the BJP, claimed the state administration was "completely paralysed" for the last eight months owing to the illness of the Chief Minister and demanded that he give the charge to its minister Sudin Dhavalikar. Parrikar is being treated for a pancreatic ailment at his residence here after arriving in the state on October 14 post-hospitalisation in Delhi's AIIMS. Khaunte said files were not moving in the absence of Parrikar. The Minister alleged that officers in the Finance and Administration departments, both under the CM's charge, were playing "merry-go-round" with the files said the current state of affairs was due to the CM's absence. He alleged that a ...

Over 100 attacks on CPI(M) workers since BJP formed govt in Tripura: Yechury

The CPI(M) alleged Saturday that more than hundred attacks had taken place against its cadre in Tripura since the BJP came to power in the state in March. "Since the formation of (the) BJP-IPFT government, attacks on CPI(M) workers and their families have taken place in multifarious manners, including outright murder," party general secretary Sitaram Yechury said at a press conference here, while releasing a booklet documenting the incidents of violence against its cadre in the north-eastern state. More than 100 such attacks have taken place since March this year, although the booklet prepared by politburo member Brinda Karat documents 70 of these incidents, Yechury said. The booklet, titled 'Democracy Under Attack - Testimonies from Triupura', was based on interviews of affected party workers and their family members. "The disturbing fact is that (the) RSS-BJP are trying to sow communal divide in the state," Karat said. The party slammed the disruption of a meeting of former Tripura .

CPI-M stages protest in Tripura against alleged violence by BJP

The opposition CPI-M on Saturday held a massive protest rally here, and threatened to launch an agitation if the workers of the ruling BJP continued to physically attack the Left cadre.

Congress seeks CISF cover for Sidhu

Citing escalation of threat to life of Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) cover for the cricketer-turned-politician.

J&K records over 74 pc voting in first phase of panchayat election

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. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra said the state recorded 74.1 per cent polling in the first phase of Panchayat elections Saturday held in 47 blocks, including 16 blocks in Kashmir, 21 in Jammu and 10 in Ladakh region. Kabra said the polling passed off peacefully, except for minor clashes and stone-pelting incidents in Mendhar in Poonch district. Repolling has been ordered at a polling centre in Atholi in Kishtwar district due to technical snag, the official said. The turnout in rural areas was significantly higher in Kashmir Valley unlike during the recent urban local bodies elections where barely four per cent of the electorate voted. Separatists who asked people to boycott the polls had called for a strike Saturday. Major regional parties -- .

PM Modi invites new Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited new Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to India during the two leaders meeting here Saturday. Prime Minister Modi, who was on a day-long visit to Maldivies, held productive talks with Solih after attending his swearing-in ceremony. "Prime minister Modi extended an invitation to President Solih to make a State Visit to India at his earliest convenience. President Solih accepted the invitation with pleasure," Ministry of External Affairs said. "The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives will make an official visit to India on November 26 to hold further discussions and to prepare for the forthcoming State Visit of President Solih to India," it said in a statement. During the meeting, President Solih also expressed hope that Prime Minister Modi will make an official visit to the Maldives in the near future, the statement said, adding that Modi "gratefully" accepted the invitation. The Prime Minister also interacted with leaders from the ...

PM Modi, new Maldivian Prez Solih hold talks; vow renewal of close bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said he was looking forward to working closely with new Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as both the leaders expressed confidence in the renewal of the close ties and friendship between the two countries, which was briefly interrupted by political turmoil in the Indian Ocean island nation. Prime Minister Modi, the highest ranking leader to attend the 54-year-old veteran politician's inauguration as the seventh president, met Solih soon after the ceremony at the national football stadium here and pledged all assistance to the strategically-located country's endeavour to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country. Seated between former presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed, Prime Minister Modi embraced both leaders and was seen chatting with them. Former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga was also present. Solih as the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate had surprisingly defeated strongman ...

Voting ends peacefully for first phase of Panchayat polls in J&K

Voting ended peacefully for the first phase of Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as voters turned out in large numbers to participate in the democratic process.

CEC Rawat reviews poll preparations in Rajasthan

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) O P Rawat Saturday said the state election machinery has been directed to strictly ensure the implementation of the model code of conduct. Rawat reviewed poll preparations in the state and held meetings with representatives of political parties to hear their concerns and suggestions. He said the Election Commission has noted the concerns, complaints and suggestions of the political parties and has directed the state election machinery to resolve their issues. Civil administration officials and police have been directed to strengthen security, including execution of non-bailable warrants and identifying anti-social elements, during the election time, he said. The commission has also directed officials to take effective steps to prevent distribution of cash and gifts during the election period. Officials have seized cash worth Rs 11.54 crore so far, Rawat said, adding that during the 2013 assembly polls, cash worth Rs 12.89 crore was seized. "The chief .

Pakistan PM Imran Khan to visit UAE on Sunday

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will Sunday embark on a day-long visit to the UAE where he will hold talks with the top leadership of the Gulf country and seek investment opportunities, the Foreign Office said Saturday. Prime Minister Khan visits the UAE at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al Nehyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces. He will be accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Petroleum, Power and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce. "Matters of bilateral, regional and global interest will be discussed in the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince," the Foreign Office said. The two sides will discuss the possibility of assistance package by the UAE to Pakistan as well as investment in Pakistan, officials in the Foreign Office said. Khan paid a brief visit to the UAE in September and the two sides had discussed cooperation in the economic area. Later, a business ...

Coalition of rivals certain recipe for disaster: Jaitley

Attacking the proposed grand alliance of opposition parties for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday warned the country of the dangers in electing a "coalition of rivals" which will be a "certain recipe for disaster".