Page 2476 - Politics

Cyclone Gaja: PM Modi assures all possible to TN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palaniswami regarding the situation in the state raised due to cyclone Gaja and assured all possible help from the Centre.Taking to his Twitter handle, the Prime Minister tweeted, "Spoke to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami regarding the situation arising due to cyclone conditions in the state. Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu.""My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives due to cyclonic conditions in parts of Tamil Nadu. I pray for the quick recovery of those injured. Officials are working towards providing all possible assistance in the wake of the cyclone," he added.Earlier in the day, 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 give Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs

SC adjourns hearing on plea challenging validity of Article 370

The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing on a plea challenging the validity of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.The Apex Court will further hear the matter in April 2019.The top court passed the order after the Centre asked for the adjournment stating that the current situation in the state is very sensitive.Earlier in October, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDP) boycotted the municipal elections over lack of clarity in the Centre's stance on Articles 35A.Article 35A is a provision in the Constitution giving the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature a freedom to decide the permanent residents of the State and confer on them special rights, while Article 370 of the Constitution gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir.In April this year, the top court had said that Article 370 of the Constitution is not a temporary provision.

French minister warns of new Cold War from US/China tensions

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that the trade dispute between the United States and China could escalate into a fresh Cold War. Le Maire made the alarm-sounding comments at a Friday conference in Paris on the World Trade Organization's future. He said there's a "real risk" that a Cold War between China and the United States could arise out of the trade tensions between the two and that every country in the world would lose out. To counter the threat, he said the WTO needs reforming by solving its "consensus paralysis" on decision-making and by enforcing international trade rules. President Donald Trump has imposed import taxes on Chinese goods, and the Chinese have responded with tariffs of their own.

India, Britain share assessment of global terror threats

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, India and Britain on Friday shared their assessment of terror threats across the world, including cross-border terrorism in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region during the 12th Meeting of India-UK Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism here.

NSUI demands fresh DUSU elections

The Congress-affiliated NSUI on Friday demanded fresh DUSU elections, a day after the students' body president Ankiv Baisoya resigned amid allegations of submitting a fake degree for admission to the Delhi University. The National Students Union of India (NSUI) put forth its demand in a memorandum submitted to DU vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi. In a joint press conference with Left-backed All India Students' Association (AISA), the NSUI termed Baisoya's resignation as a "face-saving" attempt by the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). "There are only two possibilities in front of Delhi University administration now -- fresh elections are called or our candidate Sunny Chhillar, who was the runner-up for the president's post, is appointed in Baisoya's place," said NSUI national in-charge Ruchi Gupta. The Delhi High Court is hearing a case on a plea filed by Chhillar, who has sought that Baisoya's election be set aside, after news reports said that the registrar of ...

Modi changed work culture in the country: Fadnavis

A policy paralysis existed during the UPA regime and Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the "work culture" after coming to power, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said here Friday. He was speaking at the release of 'report card' of Anil Shirole, the Lok Sabha member from Pune. "We are experiencing a change in overall political work culture. Before Modi took over the reins of the country in 2014, there was a policy paralysis," he said. "Elections were won with the slogan 'Garibi hatao' (remove poverty) and the poor were forgotten after winning elections," Fadnavis said. Prime minister Modi changed the "work culture" and gave primacy to the interests of the poor and the marginalised, he said. The chief minister also lauded Shirole's performance as MP. Shirole followed up projects like Lohegaon airport, Purandar airport and Pune Metro with the state government as well as the Centre which helped in expediting of these projects, Fadnavis said. He also ...

PM lauds Shivraj Chauhan, says MP now stands for 'maximum progress'

Urging electorates of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh to exercise their franchise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked people to vote even before having their first meal."Pehle matdan, fir Jalpaan (First vote, then have food)," said the Prime Minister while addressing a rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior.Lauding the measures taken by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Government for the welfare of Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister accused the Congress party of not fulfilling any promises made by them to the people."For 55 years Congress were in power. During all those years, Madhya Pradesh was termed 'Bimaru'. Under Shivraj Singh Chouhan's leadership, in the last 15 years, the definition of Madhya Pradesh has changed. It has now become 'Maximum Progress'," he said.Offering tributes to former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Late Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kushabhau Thakre, Prime Minister Modi said that their ...

'Pak will be punished for activities detrimental to India'

Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-Chief), Northern Command on Friday said that all troops on the ground have be instructed that if Pakistan does not refrain from carrying out activities which are detrimental to India's interest, then it should be punished in the same capacity.Singh said, "There have been snipping incidents across the Line Of Control (LOC) and we have regularly protested with our Pakistani counterparts about activity of snipping and wherever they have carried out any ceasefire violation we have given them befitting reply.T he message is clear to all troops on the ground that should Pakistan not stop from carrying out any activity which is detrimental to our national interest along the LOC, they should be punished accordingly."He further underscored that despite Pakistan's desperate attempts, the security forces have been able to successfully foil all infiltration bids across the Line of Control (LoC)."Attempt of infiltration ..

US court asks White House to reinstate press credentials of CNN correspondent

A federal US court on Friday ordered the White House to immediately reinstate the press credentials of CNN's correspondent Jim Acosta in a ruling seen as a major victory for mediapersons. The press pass of Acosta, CNN's White House Correspondent, was suspended last week after an altercation he had with President Donald Trump during a news conference. The White House had accused him of placing his hand on an intern. Acosta and the CNN has denied the allegations. CNN supported Acosta and this week it filed a lawsuit against the White House urging the court to reinstate the press pass of its Chief White House Correspondent. In his order, US District Judge Timothy Kelly asked the White House to restore the press pass for Acosta that gives him regular access to the White House grounds to cover events and press conferences. Acosta thanked his colleagues in the press who supported him this week. "I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today. Let's go back to work," he told ...

Rahul targets PM on note-ban, Rafale as campaign reaches peak

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Friday said the land acquired for industrialists will be returned to original owners if his party comes to power in Madhya Pradesh and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, calling it the "biggest scam". Addressing rallies in support of his party candidates for the November 28 polls in Madhya Pradesh, where campaigning has reached its crescendo, he said key laws targeted at disadvantaged sections of the society will be implemented in letter and spirit. Gandhi said the BJP, in power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003, is only working for a few rich people. He said the land acquired from tribals, farmers and the poor for industrialists during the 15-year BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh will be returned to them by his party when it forms a government after the polls. Addressing a public rally in Barghat, Seoni district, he said, "After coming to power the Narendra Modi government attacked three laws - tribal rights, land acquisition and PESA ...

Brexit crisis: UK PM May soldiers on, appoints new ministers

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday soldiered on by appointing replacements for the ministerial posts vacated by some of her rebelling MPs over their Brexit concerns regarding a controversial European Union (EU) withdrawal agreement. May promoted Steve Barclay from minister of state in the Department of Health to take charge as the new Brexit secretary after his predecessor, Dominic Raab, stepped down in protest over "fatal flaws" in the divorce deal the premier had struck with the European Union (EU). In a clear attempt to surround herself with more allies, May also brought back into the Cabinet Amber Rudd, the former home secretary who had resigned amid the Windrush immigration scandal earlier this year but was later found to have been let down by Home Office officials. Rudd, who has already given her backing to the controversial EU withdrawal agreement as "not perfect but perfect was never on offer", takes charge as work and pension secretary to replace Esther McVey, who ..

Wickremesinghe urges restoration of Lankan government

Sri Lanka's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for restoration of his government after former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated in a motion of no trust for the second time in Parliament on Friday amid chaos. The brawl occurred a day after Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced there is no prime minister or government following a no-confidence motion against disputed prime minister Rajapaksa. Friday's proceedings were to repeat the floor test which was disrupted on Thursday. At least seven policemen and three legislators were injured as unprecedented violence broke out as part of the political and constitutional stand off. Wickremesinghe, speaking after violence marred the parliamentary vote, said: "I will pass the parliamentary test, we are not running away, we will not prevent voting either". For the third day, the United People's Freedom Allaiance (UPFA) members of President Maithripala Sirisena and Rajapaksa disrupted the house proceedings. Jayasuriya summoned 30 ..

AP, WB withdraw 'general consent' for CBI probes; BJP says 'corrupt' protecting their interests

Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments have withdrawn their "general consent" to the CBI to conduct raids and investigations, as the Opposition alleged states were losing faith in central agencies due to their "misuse" by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. The BJP, however, dubbed it a "clear malafide exercise of power" by "corrupt parties" to protect their interests. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would now need permission from the respective state governments to carry out any sort of investigation in these states, except those ordered by the courts and against central government officials. Andhra Pradesh government is headed by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and West Bengal is ruled by Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress, who are among the key leaders trying to forge a broader 'grand alliance' of opposition parties to fight the BJP unitedly in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China ...

Campaigning for U'khand civic body polls ends

Campaigning for the Uttarakhand civic body polls came to an end on Friday, with Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and senior state BJP leaders holding a roadshow here. Led by Rawat, former speaker Harbans Kapoor and the party's mayoral candidate from Dehradun, Sunil Uniyal Gama, the roadshow began from the BJP's Mahanagar office here and went to Darshani gate via Paltan bazar and Ghanta ghar. "We are sure of a record victory. The Congress is nowhere," Rawat told reporters at the roadshow. State BJP president Ajay Bhatt claimed the party was set to make history in the polls. The last day of campaigning saw the candidates of all political parties going from door-to-door to connect with their voters. Voting is scheduled to be held for 84 civic bodies, including seven municipal corporations, 39 municipal councils and 38 nagar panchayats in a single phase on Sunday. The polls are a high-stakes battle for the BJP, as it faces the challenge of matching its own performance in the Assembly .

Government wants committees to oversee RBI, Bloomberg reports

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's government is seeking to form panels to monitor functions of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter, which could escalate tensions between the finance ministry and the bank.

Modi government squandered national interest in Rafale deal: Congress

The Congress on Friday questioned the Modi government's "silence" on the "fresh evidence" in the Rafale "scam" and said it is a precursor "of the storm which they are about to face."

After Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal withdraws general consent to CBI

The West Bengal government Friday withdrew the 'general consent' accorded to the CBI to conduct probe and raids in the state, a top official said. The decision was taken late Friday evening, close on the heels of a similar step initiated by the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government. The general consent, accorded to the CBI by the then Left Front government in 1989, enabled the central agency to conduct any investigation without taking separate permission from the state government. With this decision, the CBI would henceforth require permission from the West Bengal government to carry out any sort of investigation except those ordered by the courts, the official at the state secretariat said. The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. During a party meeting earlier in the day here, the Trinamool Congress supremo extended her support to Naidu over the issue. "What Chandrababu Naidu has done is absolutely right. The BJP is using the CBI and other ...

Relations can't improve till Pak Army is tamed: Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday said relations between India and Pakistan cannot improve till the neighbouring country's military is tamed. "Imran Khan or any other Khan cannot do much till they control their military, which has vested interests in continuing border tensions with India," Singh said at a literary festival here. By and large, people in Pakistan also want peace with India but their military feels otherwise, he said. He said that during his last stint as chief minister, relations between the two countries had "warmed up" to quite an extent. The Punjab chief minister said he regretted that the bilateral relations soured again and blamed the Pakistan Army for it. Singh said though Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to foment trouble in Punjab, he does not foresee a revival of terrorism in the state. "People here want peace and have seen what terrorism did to the state," he said. Admitting that the state's youths were frustrated due to unemployment, he

Judge orders White House to restore CNN reporter's access

A federal judge Friday ordered the White House to reinstate the press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, whose pass was revoked after a heated exchange with President Donald Trump. Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order that requires the White House to restore Acosta's access until a full hearing is held, according to the network. CNN and other media groups, including Trump favorite Fox News, backed the lawsuit, which claimed that revoking Acosta's pass violated constitutional guarantees of a free press. Kelly, a Trump appointee to the bench, said that his ruling was based on "due process" for the journalist, and that he would hold additional proceedings on the constitutional issues at stake, including the First Amendment free press guarantee. "I want to be very clear that I have not determined that the First Amendment was violated," he said in the Washington courtroom, adding that he based his decision on a 1977 ruling that required the White House to offer ...

NC will contest J&K Assembly polls: Party leader

After boycotting the municipal and panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) said Friday the party would contest the state Assembly election to prevent the BJP from "installing its proxies via the backdoor". "The (NC) working committee decision to stay away from polls was limited to ULB (urban local body) and panchayat elections. The decision had nothing to do with the assembly or Parliament elections. We will fight to win the forthcoming elections so as to defend Article 35 A/Article 370 and to prevent the BJP from installing its proxies via the backdoor as they have started doing," party provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani said here. He was responding to Union minister Jitendra Singh's statement that the NC owed an explanation to the people of the state for its "U-turn" on Article 35A. "Even if we wanted to boycott the forthcoming elections, people would pressurise us to fight. They are watchful of the BJP and its sequacious henchmen, and in such an ...