Page 2498 - Politics
Winter session to start from Dec 11
The month-long Winter Session of Parliament is set to commence from December 11, the day counting of votes will take place for Assembly elections in five states. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) Tuesday night recommended convening of the Winter Session from December 11 to January 8, official sources said Wednesday. This would be the last full-fledged Parliament session of the Narendra Modi-led government before the next Lok Sabha polls. The results of the Assembly elections, in which both the ruling BJP and the Congress have high stakes, is bound to cast a shadow on parliamentary proceedings. The results of polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram would be out on December 11. When contacted Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel confirmed the session would held from December 11 to January 8 and added it would have 20 working days. "We seek support and cooperation of all parties for the smooth functioning of Parliament
Netanyahu defends Gaza ceasefire after Israeli criticism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday defended his decision to accept a ceasefire after the worst escalation with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip since a 2014 war. "In times of emergency, when making decisions crucial to security, the public can't always be privy to the considerations that must be hidden from the enemy," he said at a ceremony in honour of Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion. "Our enemies begged for a ceasefire and they knew very well why." The deal has provoked criticism from within Netanyahu's government as well as from Israelis who live near the Gaza Strip and want further action against its Islamist rulers Hamas.
J-K BJP leader joins Congress ahead of panchayat polls
Ahead of panchayat election in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior BJP leader joined the Congress on Wednesday, a party spokesman said. The vice president of the BJP's minority cell, Avtar Singh Challa, was welcomed into the Congress fold by its state president G A Mir and other senior leaders at the party office here. According to the Congress spokesman, Challa unsuccessfully contested the 2014 assembly election on a BJP ticket from Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Panchayat election in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in nine phases, beginning on November 17.
Nehru became country's first PM on "compassionate grounds": BJP
Slamming Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his remarks that India has a tea seller as its prime minister today because of the country's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, the BJP Wednesday retorted that rather Nehru became the PM on "compassionate grounds". Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only person who became the country's PM due to massive public support and majority whereas former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru could become the first PM of the country on compassionate grounds," BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said in a news conference. "And Indira Gandhi (became the PM) due to her syndicate, he added. Trivedi, however, did not elaborate further upon his observations. Speaking about Nehru on the eve of his birth anniversary (November 14), Tharoor had said Tuesday that it was because of the institutional structure created by Nehru that even a "chai wala" (tea seller) can become India's prime minister today. "If today we have a chai wala as prime minister, it is because ...
Rafale probe will throw up names of Modi, Ambani: Rahul Gandhi
A probe into the procurement of Rafale fighter jets from France would throw up names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Wednesday. Addressing a campaign rally here for the second phase of Assembly polls, Gandhi also claimed the NDA government bought the planes at Rs 1,600 crore a piece as against the Rs 526 crore for each aircraft fixed by the Congress-led UPA government. Gandhi's comments came on a day the Supreme Court said a discussion on the pricing of the Rafale jets can only take place if the facts of the deal are allowed to come into the public domain. The apex court, which began its hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, also said it would like to hear from an Air Force officer and not an official of the Defence Ministry. "The CBI director (Alok Verma) initiated a probe in the Rafale deal. The prime minister removed him at 12 in the night. I .
Agitation outside Kolasib DC's office
A large number of agitators demonstrated in front of the office of the deputy commissioner of Kolasib on the Mizoram-Assam border Wednesday for allegedly enrolling 218 new Bru voters without conducting a hearing and physical verification. Mizoram police said the agitators held a demonstration in front of the office of the DC, Arun T, since morning though he did not attend office. This is the second time when people demonstrated against a poll official in the northeastern state. The deputy commissioner of a district is also its returning officer for the assembly poll. Polling for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly is to be held on November 28. Thousands of people had picketed Chief Electoral Officer S B Shashank's office on November 6 and November 7, demanding his removal. Shashank was forced to leave the state in the face of demonstrations and the Election Commission sent two high-level teams on November 6 and November 9 to check the situation. The Kolasib DC has been accused by the All ..
Gehlot, Pilot to contest Rajasthan assembly polls
Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Wednesday declared that they both will contest the December 7 assembly election, firing up the race for the chief minister's post in the state where the party is seeking to wrest power from the BJP. Gehlot and Pilot, however, dismissed suggestions that there was any infighting among the state leaders and asserted that they will unitedly take on the BJP. The two leaders ended the speculation over whether they will contest the polls at a joint press conference here at the Congress headquarters, where the party announced the joining of BJP MP Harish Chandra Meena from Dausa in Rajasthan. "We are all united in Rajasthan and the BJP is conspiring to spread false propaganda that the Congress is divided. I will contest the upcoming assembly election and Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders will also contest," Gehlot told reporters. He was asked about the delay by the Congress in announcing candidates and reports
All leads in global terror attacks ultimately leads to 'single source', says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told US Vice President Mike Pence that all the traces and all the leads in the global terror attacks ultimately leads to a "single source and single place of origin", in an apparent reference to Pakistan. Modi, who held talks with Pence on a wide range of bilateral and global issues of mutual interests on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, also expressed concern over the participation of terrorists in the elections in Pakistan. Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said there was some discussion on the issue of terrorism. Pence referred to the upcoming 10th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai terror attack on November 26 and hailed cooperation between the two sides on counter terrorism, Gokhale said. Some 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by Pakistan-based 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and hanged ...
Govt refuses to make public pricing details of Rafale jets in the SC
The government Wednesday refused to make public details related to the pricing of the 36 Rafale fighter jets in the Supreme Court, saying "our adversaries may get an advantage" by such a disclosure. Two days after the government submitted to the apex court in a sealed cover details of pricing of the Rafale deal, Attornet General K K Venugopal defended the secrecy clause related to the pricing of jets before a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. To the government's submission, the bench, which also comprised justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, said any discussion on pricing of the Rafale fighter jets can only take place if the facts on the deal are allowed to come in the public domain. "The decision we need to take is whether to bring the fact on pricing in public domain or not," said bench and noted that without bringing the facts in public domain, there was no question of any debate on the pricing of the planes. Asserting that the decision on types of aircraft and
May faces Cabinet showdown over Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May will preside over a decisive extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Wednesday in which she will seek the backing of her ministers for a draft technical deal struck between the UK and the EU on Brexit.
BJP shows video purportedly featuring Kamal Nath, says it exposes Cong's real face
Armed with a video clip purportedly featuring Congress leader Kamal Nath, the BJP Wednesday alleged that it showed the opposition party's "hatred" towards the RSS and Hindus. In the video, Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, is purportedly seen telling a group of Muslims to be cautious about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) campaign and that his party will deal it with after the November 28 state Assembly polls. Addressing a press conference at the BJP office here, party spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that the video exposed the real face of the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi's "fancy-dress Hinduism". "A video of top Congress leader Kamal Nath is circulating on the social media, in which he is talking to a group of Muslim clerics and telling them you do not worry, we will take care of the other community and the RSS," he said. It exposed the "real, divisive" face of the party and its "hatred" towards the Sangh and especially towards Hindus, Patra claimed. It ...
Rafale pact is not a govt-to-govt deal: Congress
The Congress claimed Wednesday the Rafale deal is not a "government-to-government" pact with France and the Centre should not have signed a contract with Dassault after it turned "non-compliant" by not giving assurances on aircraft quality and on man-hours required for the jet's manufacturing. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal claimed the French government has never done a government-to-government contract on defence and such a deal has only been done in the United States under the Foreign Military Sales route (FMS). "This is not a government-to-government contract," he said, adding that there is no such procedure in France. "In this case, the people who negotiated the deal were Dassault representatives along with (CEO) Eric Trappier himself and the Ministry of Defence and Air Force officials and the only thing that happened was that the Government of France gave a confirmation letter that negotiations were held with Dassault. "How could it be a Government-to-Government contract?" he
US, India can be a "bulwark" for freedom, prosperity and peace, says Trump at Diwali celebrations
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said US' relationship with India can act as a "bulwark" for freedom, prosperity and peace as he celebrated Diwali in the White House along with eminent Indian-Americans. It is the second consecutive year that President Trump has celebrated the largest festival of India and Indian Americans in the White House. "I am thrilled to be here for the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and I am honored to host this beautiful ceremony at the White House. Very, very special people," Trump said. "I'm honoured to host this beautiful ceremony at the White House. Very, very special people. We're gathered today to celebrate a very special holiday observed by Buddhist, Sikhs and Jains throughout the United States and around the world," Trump said. "This ceremony signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is a jubilant occasion that brings loved ones, neighbours, and communities closer together," Trump said before lighting the
Pilot, Gehlot to contest Rajasthan polls
Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot -- both claimants to the Chief Ministerial post -- on Wednesday announced here that they will contest the December 7 state Assembly elections but avoided answering questions on who will be the CM face.
Israel defence minister says resigning after Gaza ceasefire
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday after a sharp disagreement over a Gaza ceasefire deal, throwing the government into turmoil. "What happened yesterday -- the truce combined with the process with Hamas -- is capitulating to terror. It has no other meaning," Lieberman told journalists. "What we're doing now as a state is buying short-term quiet, with the price being severe long-term damage to national security.
Modi invites Pence; says 'India-Ana'
There was a light moment during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence in Singapore on Wednesday when he riffed on the meaning of 'Indiana' - the American leader's home state. Through his translator, Modi said that when he met Pence in the US in 2017 he told him that "Indiana" (INDIA-Ana) in Hindi, meaning "To come to India." Modi then repeated his invitation to Pence to visit India. Pence laughed appreciatively. "Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister," Pence said. "I expect I will 'Indiana'." The US vice president is likely to visit India in 2019.
Bihar MP says BJP will suffer for alliance with Nitish Kumar
A Lok Sabha MP from Bihar, who had won in 2014 with the BJP's support, said Wednesday the saffron party will suffer in the Lok Sabha polls for allying with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and indicated his willingness to ally with the opposition. Arun Kumar, the Jehanabad MP, also supported RLSP leader and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha in his campaign against Nitish Kumar over his alleged insult. Kumar, who was in the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), had rebelled against Kushwaha and floated his own party. His support to him Wednesday underscored the realignment of forces underway in the politically crucial state. Asked if he would join the opposition alliance of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, Kumar said he was open to it provided he gets a "respectable offer". He also lashed out at the state government over its "rule of terror". Arun Kumar also dismissed Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi's support to Nitish Kumar over Kushwaha's attack .
Telangana polls: KCR files nomination from Gajwel
Telangana's caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao filed his nomination papers as a candidate for Gajwel Assembly constituency on Wednesday. Rao visited Lord Balaji temple at Koinapally village in Siddipet district and offered prayers before filing his nomination before the returning officer. The Congress has pitted Vanteru Pratap Reddy against him. Reddy had contested against Rao unsuccessfully in the 2014 Assembly elections on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ticket. Later he joined the Congress. "I took Swamy's (Lord Balaji) blessings before starting the separate Telangana movement. I always enter the battlefield (elections) with the blessings of the Swamy and you (people). The biggest battle I won is achieving Telangana statehood. With your and Swamy's blessings we are going to win 100 seats (in the upcoming Assembly polls)," Rao said. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief was accompanied by his nephew and caretaker Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, who is ...
PM Theresa May set for Cabinet clash over Brexit deal
Prime Minister Theresa May will face a major showdown with her Cabinet ministers on Wednesday as the UK's withdrawal agreement with the European Union enters a crucial stage. Downing Street has said that the UK and the EU have agreed an initial draft agreement on the negotiating terms for Britain's exit, the so-called divorce settlement, from the economic bloc by March next year. Theresa May now has the tough task of convincing her deeply divided Cabinet that the agreement is the best possible outcome for Britain. "The negotiations for our departure are now in the endgame. And we are working extremely hard, through the night, to make progress on the remaining issues in the withdrawal agreement, which are significant," May had said in a speech earlier this week. "Both sides want to reach an agreement. But what we are negotiating is immensely difficult. I do not shy away from that," she said, hours before it emerged that Brussels was ready to publish a 500-page document of the ...
Sensible of Ram Madhav to clear air on govt formation in J&K: Omar
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Wednesday said it was sensible of BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav to clear the air about government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under governor's rule since June. The former chief minister was reacting to Madhav's statement that the BJP had decided the governor's rule should continue in the state for some more time. "Sensible to clear the air about imminent government formation. There are far too many middle men and power hungry people trying to convince everyone in J&K that their entry in to the secretariat is imminent," Abdullah tweeted. At a function in Kathua Tuesday night, Madhav had reportedly said that since the governor's rule was imposed in the state there had been development in all sectors. "Even the public is happy. So, the party has decided that the governor's rule should continue for some more time," he had said. Jammu and Kashmir was placed under the governor's rule on June 19 after the BJP pulled out of