Page 2528 - Politics

NIA set to probe case related to 3 Kashmiri students having terror links

The Punjab government has decided to hand over to the NIA a case involving three Kashmiri students who were arrested for their alleged association with a terror outfit. The students -- Zahid Gulzar, Mohd. Idriss Shah and Yusuf Rafiq Bhatt -- were arrested from an engineering college in Jalandhar last month and two weapons, including an assault rifle, and explosives were seized from them. Police had said they were associated with Kashmir-based terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). The AGH reportedly has links with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and is headed by Zakir Rashid Bhatt alias Zakir Mussa, who masterminded and guided attacks on the Maqsudan police station in Jalandhar on September 14, they had said. The decision to hand over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was taken after discussions on the issue between the state government and the Home Ministry, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora said in an release said. It said the decision came in the

Chhattisgarh polls: BJP's manifesto handbook of lies, says Congress

With a day left for the state assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, the Congress party on Saturday launched an all-out attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government accusing it of pushing the state into poverty, unemployment and Naxalism.Criticising the BJP manifesto released by the party president Amit Shah for the Chhattisgarh polls earlier today, Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill added that people have realised that BJP manifesto is "handbook of lies and misinformation"."The only utility of BJP manifesto is to wrap and serve hot pakoras in it. Amit Shah should muster courage and ask the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Chief Minister Raman Singh who labelled Naxals as their own people and their sons," he added.Shergill also said that Shah should give an account of 15 years of failure of BJP government in Chhattisgarh."The difficulty is that BJP's fight against Naxalism is extremely solid during election rallies and speeches but a complete failure on the ground reality. Raman ...

Opposition parties to discuss anti-BJP front on Nov 22

The first meeting of Congress and other opposition parties will be held in New Delhi on November 22 to discuss formation of an anti-BJP front, sources said.

C'garh polls: Jogi releases party manifesto on stamp paper

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi Saturday released his party's manifesto on stamp paper for the state Assembly polls and challenged the ruling BJP, and the Congress to do the same. Jogi said he had released the 14-point manifesto of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) on the stamp paper and therefore was committed to fulfilling the promises mentioned in it. "If I don't fulfil promises made in it, I can be sent to jail," he said. The state goes to polls in two phases on November 12 and November 20. Jogi's party is in an alliance with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI. The JCC (J) will contest 55 seats, the BSP 33 and CPI two seats. Jogi took a swipe at the Congress, his former party and the said its manifesto, titled 'Jan Ghoshna Patra', was a "true copy" of the one he had released on June 6, 2016 when the JCC (J) was formed. He said the Congress had promised farm loan waiver in Punjab and Karnataka within ten days of coming to power, but had failed to do so even ...

Nepal marks 104th anniversary of democratic leader Ganesh Man Singh

Nepal Saturday observed the 104th birth anniversary Ganesh Man Singh, the veteran democratic leader who steered the 1990 people's movement that restored multiparty democracy in the country. The commemoration of the late leader's birth anniversary was held at Shova Bhagawati shrine in Kathmandu. Speaking at the function organised by the Ganesh Man Singh (GMS) Foundation, former deputy Prime Minister and senior leader of main opposition Nepali Congress Prakash Man Singh highlighted the role played by his late father in overthrowing authoritarian Rana regime in 1950 and reinstatement of multiparty democracy in 1990. There is a need for fulfilling the dream of late Singh by building an inclusive democratic society and attaining economic prosperity for the country through economic revolution if we are to pay true tribute to him, Prakash said. He also underlined the need for strengthening inner party democracy within the Nepali Congress by abiding to the party's statute. He also slammed ...

Kejriwal in Dubai to convert black money into white: BJP

The BJP on Saturday attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his "secret trip" to Dubai and alleged that he has gone there to convert the black money into white.

Congress is party of hypocrites, says Javadekar on Tipu Jayanthi

Hitting out at the Congress for celebrating the birth anniversary of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan, the BJP today dubbed it as a "party of hypocrites". Union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar here said, "While Congress president Rahul Gandhi talks of love and brotherhood, his disciples celebrate Tipu Jayanthi. Tipu Sultan killed Hindus and Christians and destroyed temples and churches." He said the Congress' nature was to say something but do something else. "How can they explain this hypocrisy? This is the true nature of Congress," he said. He pointed out that the previous Congress government led by Siddaramaiah began celebrating the birth anniversary of controversial 18th century Mysore kingdom ruler on November 10 every year since 2015 amid stiff opposition from the BJP. Protests by BJP and right-wing outfits broke out in several parts of Karnataka on Saturday against 'Tipu Jayanthi' celebrations, which were held amid tight security, while Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and his .

YSR Congress not to contest Dec 7 assembly polls in Telangana

: The YSR Congress Saturday decided not to contest the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana since its 'complete focus' is on the 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh, its actual base. The party, however, said it would take steps to strengthen the organisation across Telangana with the elections in 2024 as the target. The YSRC won three assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 elections, but its elected legislators subsequently switched sides to the ruling TRS. A statement from the YSRC Central Committee late Saturday night said the decision not to contest the polls was taken since 'our complete focus' was on the 2019 general elections in Andhra Pradesh. "Taking into account the happenings (in Telangana) in the last four and a half years, we have decided not to contest the elections in that state," the statement added. The YSRC is fighting a do-or-die political battle in Andhra Pradesh and the 2019 elections are critical for its future. Meanwhile, the Jana Sena

'Grand alliance' partners hold talks; CPI demands more seats

: Congress and its partners in the 'grand alliance' for the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana Saturday held consultations on finalising seat sharing amid demands from the CPI to increase its share. The 'grand alliance' comprises Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). CPI, which had expressed dissatisfaction over being offered three seats by the Congress, said it is hopeful that its demand for an increase in the share would be considered. "It was we (CPI) who formed the alliance. Alliance will be there. We will definitely be successful in seat adjustments. We will go ahead with optimism," CPI State secretary Chada Venkat Reddy told reporters here. Expressing dissatisfaction over the Congress 'unilaterally' announcing that it would give three seats to CPI, the Left party Friday said it has decided to contest five seats. TDP's Telangana unit president L Ramana said the alliance partners intend to move ahead in a planned manner, including preparing a ...

TN CM slams Stalin for not raising Palar issue with Naidu

: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Saturday dubbed DMK as opportunist, saying the Dravidian party's chief M K Stalin did not raise the Palar river issue during his meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Palanisamy, referring to the meeting between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and DMK leader Stalin on Friday at Chennai, wondered why the issue of the neighbouring state constructing check dams across the river Palar was not flagged by the leader of the opposition. "DMK is taking steps to forge an opportunistic alliance," the Chief Minister told reporters when asked about the meeting between the two leaders. On the "BJP is communal," refrain of the DMK, Palaniswami wondered if the Stalin led party was not aware of it when it joined forces with the saffron party years ago. DMK was part of the BJP-led NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Chief Minister alleged that Stalin had not raised the issue of Palar affecting Tamil Nadu as he ..

PM meets Pranab to extend festive greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday called on former president Pranab Mukherjee here to extend Diwali greetings. "Always a delight to meet Pranab Da. Went to his residence, exchanged Diwali greetings and wishes for the festive season," Modi tweeted. He also posted a couple of pictures of the meeting. Mukherjee and Modi share a warm relationship. On Mukherjee's last day in the office, the Prime Minister had written him a letter in which he had described the veteran parliamentarian as his "father figure" and mentor.

AAP govt has insulted people from Poorvanchal: Maken

THe Delhi Congress on Saturday targeted the ruling Aam Aadmi Pary (AAP) for allegedly asking the Chhat Puja Samiti to put pictures of ministers and legislators at ghats to receive funds.

BJP gets control of all civic bodies in J&K's Kathua

Bharatiya Janata Party members were elected to the top positions in all the six municipal bodies in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Saturday, officials said. Former Congress leader Naresh Sharma, who recently joined the BJP along with three party councillors, was elected president of the Kathua Municipal Council, while Rekha Kumari was elected vice-president, the officials said. Sharma won on a Congress ticket before switching to the saffron party, which had won eight wards in the elections that was held last month in four phases. Three Independent councillors supported the candidature of Sharma, who got 15 out of a total 21 votes. Kumari, also from the BJP, got 13 votes to become the vice-president of the council, the officials said. In the Lakhanpur Municipal Committee, Surmu Din, who won unopposed before joining the BJP, was elected chairman after getting seven votes, while Rakesh Sharma was elected vice-chairman with four votes, the officials said. In the Basohli Municipal .

Erdogan: Saudi officials, others heard tapes of writer death

Officials from Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain have listened to audio recordings related to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey's president said Saturday, in the first public acknowledgement of the existence of tapes of the slaying. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also told reporters that Saudi Arabia had to "act fairly" and disclose those responsible for the October 2 killing of The Washington Post journalist to rid itself of "suspicion." "We gave them the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to America, to the Germans, the French, to the British, to all of them," Erdogan said before departing for Paris to attend ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. "They (Saudi officials) also listened to the conversations and they know. There is no need to distort this. They know for certain who among the 15 is the killer or are the killers," he said. He was referring to an alleged 15-member .

Oppn parties to meet on Nov 22 to further discuss forging

Anti-BJP parties would meet in New Delhi on November 22 to create a common platform and chalk out their future course of action, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Saturday. Addressing a press meet after a meeting with Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot who came here as an emissary of Rahul Gandhi at his riverfront residence here, the Telugu Desam President said the endeavour was to bring everybody on board to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party. Naidu said he would meet West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on November 19 or 20. "This is broadly anti-BJP platform. This is in the interest of the nation. Save democracy, save the nation and save the institutions..that is the agenda. That is the national agenda, an utmost important agenda," Naidu said. The TDP chief had recently met former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, his Karnataka counterpart H D Kumaraswamy and DMK president M K Stalin as part of his efforts to forge a ...

Navies of India, Singapore begin mega war game

Navies of India and Singapore Saturday began a 12-day military exercise off the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal as part of their efforts to further solidify maritime security cooperation. A number of frontline ships of the two navies are participating in the mega exercise -- SIMBEX, an acronym for 'Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise'. "The exercise at sea this year will be unprecedented and largest in terms of the complexity and weapon firings," Navy Spokesperson Capt D K Sharma said. Started in 1994, the SIMBEX has graduated into a complex maritime combat drills featuring missile and torpedo firings as well as shore-based intensive professional exchanges, he said. In sync with deepening defence cooperation between India and Singapore, the navies of the two countries have expanded their ties significantly in the last few years. The Indian naval ships which are participating in the exercise include Ranvijay, Satpura, Sahyadri, Shakti, Kirch, Kadmatt, Sumedha and ...

Tusk lashes out at Trump stance on Europe

European Union chief Donald Tusk on Saturday accused US President Donald Trump of being averse to a "strong and united" Europe and also warned against the emergence of a "brownshirt" nationalist front in EU elections next year. His comments came as Trump, in France for World War I centenary commemorations, blasted French President Emmanuel Macron over his proposals for a European army. "For the first time in history we have an American adminstration that is, to put it mildly, not enthusiastic about a united and strong Europe," Tusk said in a speech in his native Poland. "I'm speaking about facts, not propaganda," Tusk - a possible future Polish president - said on the eve of celebrations to mark Poland's 100th anniversary of independence. The EU Council president has previously voiced fears that Trump was seeking to tear down the post World War II order, with the US leader once calling the EU a foe in trade. In an interview published Saturday by the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, ..

Myanmar denies border shooting as Rohingya repatriation date nears

Myanmar on Saturday denied allegations of a cross-border shooting that raised tensions with Bangladesh ahead of a scheduled start date for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. The fresh diplomatic row started after a Bangladesh border guard official said that a 15-year-old Rohingya refugee was shot in the elbow on November 4 while grazing cows after multiple rounds were fired from a security post across the demarcation line. Bangladesh summoned Myanmar's ambassador to lodge a protest but Aung San Suu Kyi's government says it has looked into the allegation and denies it ever happened. "The Myanmar ambassador promptly contacted the responsible officials from the Myanmar Border Guard, who confirmed that no shooting incident had taken place," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is overseen by Suu Kyi, said in a statement late Saturday. Myanmar says it was involved in coordinated patrols at the time of the alleged incident with Bangladeshi forces along the Naf River that separates the

Many people know Rafale price, but govt considers it 'national secret': Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday took a dig at the Narendra Modi dispensation, saying many people knew the cost of the Rafale fighter aircraft deal but the government considered it a "national secret" that could not be revealed to the Supreme Court. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi, who is on the campaign trail in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, said, "The PM knows. Anil Ambani knows. Hollande & Macron know. Every journalist now knows. Defence Ministry babus know. All of Dassault knows. All Dassault's competitors know. But the price of the #RAFALE is a National Secret, that cannot be revealed even to the Supreme Court," he tweeted. The Dassault Aviation-made Rafale deal was renegotiated during the tenure of French president Franois Hollande, who was succeeded by Emmanuel Macron. Gandhi has been asking the government to reveal the price of the aircraft, as negotiated by the NDA government. The Congress chief has also accused the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ...

Kushwaha supporters take out march against Nitish's 'neech' remark

Supporters of the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party of Union minister Upendra Kushwaha took out an "aakrosh march" in Patna on Saturday to protest a statement by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar which, they claimed, denigrated the RLSP chief. The march started from Gandhi Maidan and was to reach Raj Bhavan, but police stopped it at Dak Bungalow Road crossing, about 2 km from its intended destination, leading to a skirmish in which people from both the sides were stated to have been injured. The protesters wanted to submit a memorandum to the Bihar governor against the alleged "neech" remark made by Kumar. The march was organised a day after Kushwaha made it clear that the RLSP had a tie-up with the Bharatiya Janata Party and not the Janata Dal (United), constituents of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar. Kushwaha has reportedly been peeved after the BJP and the JD(U) decided to contest an equal number of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election in the state. The state sends 40 members to