Page 2515 - Politics
5-time BJP MLA resigns as minister, quits party
A Rajasthan minister, who was dropped by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its first list of candidates for the assembly election, resigned from his post and the party on Monday. Surendra Goyal, the public health engineering and ground water minister who represents the Jaitaran constituency, tendered separate resignations to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and the party's state president, Madan Lal Saini. The five-time MLA has not sighted any reason for the resignation. In its first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the BJP has fielded a new face, Avinash Gehlot, from Jaitaran. Saini was not available for comment as he was busy in a meeting at the chief minister's residence here.
Rockets fired from Gaza Strip toward Israel
A number of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on Monday, while Israel's army said an Israeli bus was hit by fire from the Palestinian enclave. It was not clear if there were any injuries. Palestinian security sources also reported that a Hamas observation point was hit by tank fire in the Gaza Strip. The flare-up follows a clash that erupted during an Israeli special forces operation in the Gaza Strip late Sunday that killed eight people. Hamas had vowed revenge.
Negotiated better price & complied with procedure in Rafale deal: Centre to SC
The Centre Monday disclosed to the Supreme Court the pricing details for the 36 Rafale jets that were negotiated on "better terms" and said it "completely followed" the Defence Procurement Procedure laid out in 2013 and secured the CCS approval before the deal that has whipped up a political storm was inked with France. The submission by the Centre was made in a 14-page document titled "Details of the steps in the decision making process leading to the award of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft order" that has since been made public. But the pricing details provided in a sealed cover remained in the custody of the top court. Initially, the Centre was reluctant to part with the information on pricing saying it was not even disclosed in Parliament. The details of the decision making process and pricing were placed in the court in compliance with its October 31 order. The court will now peruse both the documents and take up the matter on Wednesday. A senior law officer, who did not want to be ..
206 nominations accepted: Mizoram poll officer
Mizoram's joint chief electoral officer said 206 out of 212 poll nominations were scrutinised and accepted on Monday. The inspection of six candidatures from Champhai North constituency, bordering Myanmar, will be carried out on Tuesday, Zorammuana said. Two of the candidates had counter affidavits filed against them. "One of the candidates apparently used an old nomination form, while another candidate, a retired government official, was alleged to have a subsisting contract with the state government," the poll officer said. While the second case has been settled, the first case will be taken up for deliberations on Tuesday, he said. Wednesday is the last day for withdrawal of nominations. Mizoram is set to go to polls on November 28. The results will be announced on December 11. The state has 40 assembly seats with an estimated 7.6 lakh registered voters. The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008.
Chhattisgarh govt failed to tackle Maoists in 15 years, we did it in two: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a swipe at the BJP government in Chhattisgarh Monday, saying it could not tackle the Maoist problem in the state during its 15-year rule, which she was able to do in her state "in just two years". Polling in 18 Assembly constituencies in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh election was held Monday. These 18 constituencies fall in the Maoist-hit districts. "The BJP government has been in power in the state for 15 years, but has not been able to tackle the Maoist problem. We routed them in just two years in Bengal," Banerjee said. Maoists had set up strong bases in the Jangalmahal area comprising three districts of West Bengal -- West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia -- and almost had a free run from 2009 to 2011 in the region. The Mamata Banerjee government, after taking over in 2011, had initiated steps to wipe out the ultras from their stronghold in the state. Inaugurating a Jagadhatri Puja organised by the Posta Traders' Association, the
Cabinet meet tomorrow to condole Kumar's demise
The Union Cabinet will meet Tuesday morning to condole the demise of senior minister Ananth Kumar, official sources said. A resolution condoling the demise of the Union parliamentary affairs minister and hailing his contribution would be passed. As per established practice, resolutions are passed by the cabinet in the memory of ministers and senior leaders. Similar resolutions were passed following the demise of then Union ministers Gopinath Munde and Anil Madhav Dave. Usually, cabinet meetings are held on Wednesdays. It was not immediately known whether the meeting will take up other agendas or there would be another meet on Wednesday to consider other listed issues. Kumar died at a private hospital in Bengaluru in the early hours of Monday after battling lung cancer for several months. A six-time member of Parliament, Kumar had climbed the political ladder steadily from being an RSS worker to becoming a Union minister in his thirties. He had been in the inner circle of the central ..
Cong govt in Punjab heavily relying on GST compensation: SAD
The opposition SAD on Monday held the fiscal policies of the Congress government in Punjab responsible for the "dismal" financial situation of the state and claimed that it was "heavily relying" on GST compensation in the wake of lack of growth in the state's tax revenue. It also accused the ruling party of "betraying" every section of the society by not honouring its poll promises even after over one-and-half-years of it coming to passed in coming to power. "The government has been raising hue and cry over the poor fiscal situation of the state ever since it came to power and has been using financial crisis as an excuse for doing nothing for the state. All the policies including fiscal policies of the state government were insensitive and without any direction," SAD leader and former state finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa told reporters here. "If you see the state's own tax revenue, the growth in it is negative. There is 100 per cent reliance on GST compensation and ...
EC asks Mizoram to send two more names for post of state CEO
The Election Commission Monday sought two more names from the Mizoram government for the post of chief electoral officer, highly-placed sources in the poll panel said. The Mizoram government has already proposed the names of three IAS officers, as desired by the commission. The poll panel had asked the state government to suggest names after it decided to find an alternative to CEO S B Shashank, who had courted controversy in the poll-bound state. The poll panel decided to seek two more names at a meeting held here, the sources said. The names already suggested by the Mizoram government are -- Lalhmingthanga, H Lalengmawia and K Lalthawmmawia. An official in Aizawl had on Sunday said that Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain, who led the second EC team to Mizoram Friday, had told officials there that it would take two-three days to select and appoint a new CEO. Jain had also assured the NGO Coordination Committee leaders -- who were spearheading the movement against Shashank -- ...
Canadian intelligence received Khashoggi tape: Trudeau
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has become the first Western leader to acknowledge that his country's intelligence received an audio recording of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Kushwaha meets Sharad,JD(U) accuses him of campaign against NDA govts
The BJP's alliance in Bihar appeared headed for trouble on Monday with RLSP president Upendra Kushwaha meeting with opposition leader Sharad Yadav and the JD(U) prodding the saffron party to "take notice" of his campaign against NDA governments at the Centre and in the state. Kushwaha's meeting with Yadav fuelled speculation that he may switch camps before the Lok Sabha polls over the growing acrimony with Kumar and objections to the proposed seat-sharing arrangement among the BJP and its three allies in the state. The Union minister described the meeting as a courtesy call. Sources said the two leader discussed the current political situation, especially in Bihar. Kushwaha later said in Patna that the JD(U)'s attempt to poach his party's MLAs may harm the NDA. Yadav, who had snapped ties with Kumar after the JD(U) chief joined hands with the BJP last year, has been working to rally the opposition against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) headed by the saffron party. RLSP .
People are opposed to BJP's plan of renaming Ahmedabad: Gujarat Cong
The Gujarat Congress Monday claimed that the people of Ahmedabad had launched a "public movement" to prevent the authorities from changing the city's name to Karnavati, even as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) issued a warning to those against the renaming. Earlier on November 8, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had said the name change could be effected before next year's Lok Sabha election and claimed that it was the people's demand for long. "People have been demanding for long that Ahmedabad be renamed as Karnavati. The government is considering the demand. The consultation process has started (to find out) if legally we can do it. After the consultations, we will take a concrete step," the chief minister had said. Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda Monday said people's "feelings" were associated with the historic city. "Ahmedabad is a historic city. UNESCO has given it the prestigious tag of Heritage City. We all take pride in being residents of this city. People's feelings are ...
BJP didn't deny ticket to anyone based on religion: Spokesperson
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party's first list for the Rajasthan assembly election did not feature a single Muslim candidate, the party said Monday no candidate was denied an election ticket due to religion or caste. "It has been the Congress' policy to distribute tickets on the basis of caste and religion, but the BJP does not believe in any such thinking," party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said at a press conference here. The saffron party's first list of 131 candidates, released late Sunday night, did not have a Muslim, prompting the Congress to accuse the party of side-lining the community. Replying to a question on the mediation of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case, Trivedi said the government was ready to accept all the suggestions and solutions given by anyone on the issue. Trivedi claimed that the saffron party never made the Ayodhya dispute an election issue and asked the Congress to clarify its stand. "The ...
Govt's response proves CCS not consulted before finalising Rafale deal: Cong
The Congress Monday said the Centre's response to the Supreme Court on the Rafale issue was a "virtual admission" that the Cabinet Committee on Security was not consulted before finalising the deal with France. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi also criticised the government for not disclosing the price of the Rafale fighter jets, alleging that the saffron party was being "elusive" and was beating around the bush over the pricing issue. "There is a virtual admission that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was not consulted before. Will you consult after giving the contract or before the contract?" he said. "It is common ground that the CCS was consulted for the first time after you gave your solemn, sovereign word in France," he alleged. "The government is trying to mislead and beat around the bush as is being witnessed for the past one year, as it does not have an answer on this," Singhvi said. The Congress leader said he was relying on the documents in public domain ...
PM Modi dedicates first multi-modal terminal constructed on Ganga to Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated first multi-modal terminal constructed on river Ganga in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. He reiterated that the foundation stones for various projects have been laid to make Ganga pollution-free."Today is a historic day for all Indians. For the first time since Independence, we are using our extensive river network for commercial purpose at this scale. Varanasi should have had these projects decades ago, which we have finally made possible now," he said. "Being a Member of Parliament (MP) from Varanasi and the Prime Minister of the nation, my happiness has doubled," he added.The Prime Minister said with the completion of the multi-modal terminal, east Uttar Pradesh has now been connected to the Bay of Bengal. In his address, Prime Minister Modi also mentioned about his trip to Kedarnath on Diwali and said that he was feeling lucky to be a part Ganga 'darshan' just a week after his visit to the holy hill shrine."At Kedarnath, I ...
3 suspended for bungling of funds in Punjab
The local government department of Punjab Monday suspended president of Nabha Municipal Council (NMC), its executive officer and a clerk for alleged bungling of funds meant for 'Housing for All' and 'Swachh Bharat' schemes. The suspended persons are Rajnish Kumar, president of NMC, Sukhdeep Singh Kamboj, EO of NMC, and clerk Harjinderpal, said State Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in an official statement here. Sidhu claimed wrong payments with malafide intentions were made to the contractors. Taking serious note of the matter, Sidhu said the principal secretary of the department had summoned the three officials to present their case. The officials were suspended after they presented their account of the matter, the statement said. The contractor has been ordered by the department to return the amount within 10 days. The minister said Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has given clear instructions regarding zero tolerance towards corruption.
Popular govt in JK unlikely anytime soon
Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to have a popular government anytime soon as the central government may recommend a spell of President's rule at the expiry of Governor's rule on December 19, official sources said. Under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, there is no provision for extension of Governor's rule. The state is under central rule since June 19 after the BJP withdrew support from the then Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government. The six-month term of Governor's rule comes to an end on December 19. Therefore, for the extension of the central rule in Jammu and Kashmir, a spell of President's rule would be necessary as there may not be an elected government, a source privy to the development said. A popular government is unlikely to be formed in Jammu and Kashmir anytime soon under the current assembly, the source said. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had told PTI last month that he was in favour of holding early elections in the state as he did not think a popular
Congress protests against note ban in Lucknow, calls it 'maha ghotala'
Congress workers Monday staged a demonstration before the RBI office here against the "failure" of demonetisation, terming it as a 'maha ghotala' (grand scam). Raising slogans against Narendra Modi, the Congressmen demanded a reply from the prime minister over his promise-- back in November 2016-- to weed out ill-gotten wealth from the country within 50 days. Over 150 died while standing in queues to change their old currency notes after demonetisation and over 20 lakh lost their jobs following the draconian order issued on November 8, 2016, Congress spokesman Anshu Awasthi said. Neither corruption was curbed nor the Naxal and terror attacks have stopped, Awasthi said, adding that claims of black money returning to the country after note ban turned out to be hollow. All the promises made by the prime minister on this count have failed, Awasthi said. Similar protests were staged before the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) building in Kanpur as well as other parts of the state on the call of
Suu Kyi seeks foreign investment at Asean summit
Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday appealed to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to invest in her country.
No deal on UK's exit from bloc: EU's Brexit negotiator
EU's chief negotiator for the UK's withdrawal from the bloc on Monday said there was still no agreement on a Brexit deal.
Govt embarking on witch-hunt, putting pressure on authorities to revoke lease of Herald House: Patel
The Congress Monday accused the BJP-led central government of embarking on a "witch-hunt" and claimed that it was putting pressure on the machinery to revoke the lease of the Herald House at any cost, but its design would be defeated. Senior Congress leader and party treasurer Ahmed Patel said National Herald, Qaumi Awaz and Navjivan -- all the newspapers run by the National Herald newspapers from the Herald House had the spine to speak the truth, which made those in power uneasy. "The BJP Government has embarked on a witch hunt and is pressurising the machinery to revoke lease of Herald House at any cost. National Herald, Qaumi Awaz and the Navjivan have the spine to speak the truth which makes those in power uneasy. "The Government's design will be defeated," he said on Twitter. The authorities have issued notices to National Herald on why action should not be initiated against the publication for non-use of land for its original purpose. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a ..