Page 2533 - Politics

Yogi Adityanath hits out at Congress over Ram temple issue

Raking up the Ram temple issue, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday sought to know whether the Congress was concerned about Lord Ram or Mughal emperor Babur. Addressing a poll rally here in Chhattisgarh on the last day of campaigning for the first phase of the state polls, he alleged that the Congress toyed with national security and actively and covertly supported Naxalism in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand for political gains. Despite having extensive mineral deposits and forest wealth, Chhattisgarh remained "poor, backward and a BIMARU state" during the Congress rule, he said. BIMARU - an acronym formed from the first letters of the names of the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh - was coined in the mid-1980s to refer to the poor economic conditions within those states. "Today, the forest wealth is being used for the welfare of locals. The adivasis (tribals) and forest dwellers are being given benefits of development schemes," the ...

Former Cong city chief joins BJP

In a setback to the Congress ahead of the forthcoming civic body polls in Uttarakhand, former president of the party's city unit Prithviraj Chauhan has joined the BJP. Chauhan joined the ruling BJP along with a large number of supporters at its state office here Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, party's Uttarakhand chief Ajay Bhatt, state minister Dhan Singh Rawat and BJP nominee for the post of Dehradun mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama. Prominent among those who joined the party along with Chauhan wereformer general secretary of Congress' city unit Jitendra Bhatt, its former vice president Kulbhushan Gusain andCongress Vyapar Mandal president Pankaj Mason. After joining the party, Chauhan said he was impressed by the chief minister's efforts to wipe out corruption. Welcoming the Congress leaders into the party fold, the chief minister said their entry will further strengthen the party. Pradesh BJP president Ajay Bhatt said the party's doors were always open for ..

Cong biggest hurdle in Ram temple construction; should clear stand on issue: UP minister

Alleging that the Congress is the biggest hurdle in the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh minister Shrikant Sharma Saturday asked its president Rahul Gandhi to make clear his party's stand on the issue instead of visiting shrines across the country "to garner votes". He alleged that Congress activists were opposing Ram temple, Ram Setu (a mythological bridge between India and Sri Lanka) and engaging in "cow slaughtering". The Congress is the biggest hurdle in the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya," Sharma said here, when asked by reporters why his party was not bringing in a legislation on the issue. "Either the visits of the Congress president to temples is an exercise to garner votes or he should support construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The party should make clear its stand on the issue," the state power minister said. Asked about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its sister organisations adopting an agitational approach to enable the ...

Need more than 3 seats in Bihar since RLSP has gained strength: Kushwaha

Claiming that his Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) has gained significantly in strength in Bihar, Union minister Upendra Kushwaha has demanded that the party be allotted more than three seats in the state by the NDA to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats and Kushwaha's RLSP had contested and won three seats in the 2014 general election. "My party had contested three Lok Sabha seats in 2014, but now its strength and base have increased...Our party should be given more than three seats after making a neutral assessment of its strength," Kushwaha told reporters at the RLSP office here Friday. The Union minister of state for human resource development said there was little doubt that the RLSP had gained in strength, but how much could be a matter of debate. Replying to a query, Kushwaha admitted that he had raised the demand for more seats with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary and Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav. If need be, he said, he would ..

Bid to forge anti-BJP front by Naidu will meet with 'success':

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Saturday said the initiative of Telugu Desam Party Chief Chandrababu Naidu to bring together opposition parties to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year would meet with "spectacular success." Talking to reporters here Narayanasamy said, "Chandrababu Naidu has embarked upon a very good effort to establish a secular front government following the Parliamentary polls next year." "The move will definitely meet with success and it is compulsion of time that the secular parties should save the nation and democracy from the BJP as the current rule by NDA government at the centre has caused havoc in several sectors." The wrong economic policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pushed the country backward, he alleged. The Chief Minister urged all the secular parties to come under one platform to save the nation. Narayanasamy said the DMK, an alliance partner of the Congress would field its candidate in Thattanchavady ..

Change names of your Muslim ministers: OP Rajbhar on BJP's name changing spree

Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on his political ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their name changing spree. He has asked the BJP to change the names of three of their Muslim leaders before changing the names of different towns and places in the state.He told ANI, "BJP changed the names of Mughalsarai and Faizabad. They say they were named after the Mughals. They have a national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza-three Muslim faces of the BJP. They should change their names first." On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath renamed Faizabad as Ayodhya.Further sharpening his attack on the BJP, he alleged that the names of places were changed just to divert attention of the backward and oppressed people from the issues, which concern them. "This is all a drama to distract the backward and oppressed people .

As polls loom, Chattisgarh paradox of rich resources, poor development comes to fore

Raipur, Nov 10 (IANS/Mongabay) It is probably the 'resource curse' that best explains the present condition of one of India's most mineral-rich states, Chhattisgarh.

Rahul visits Darbarsahib Gurudwara in Rajnandgaon

Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at Darbarsahib Gurudwara here on Saturday.This comes following Gandhi releasing the party's manifesto for Chhattisgarh assembly elections on Friday.In the manifesto, named 'People's Manifesto', the Congress has promised immediate farm loan waiver within 10 days, better healthcare facilities and a safer society for women in the state.While addressing a public gathering here, Gandhi criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led central government's decision to implement demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He also alleged that no other prime minister ruined the country's economy as much as Prime Minister Narendra Modi did.The assembly elections in the state will be held in two phases, on November 12 and November 20. Counting of votes will be on December 11.

Tipu Jayanti triggers unrest in Karnataka, security beefed up

Anger ran high here on Saturday on the occasion of birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan as scores of people took to streets to oppose Karnataka government's decision to go ahead with the celebration, which was introduced by then Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2015. Several other groups of protesters have also decided to first offer prayers at Sri Omkareshwara temple and then will carry out a procession against the celebrations.Taking the cognizance of the prevailing tense situation, the security has been beefed up in Madikeri. Not only residents, but several political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Codava National Council have also called for a shutdown in the region to register their protest against the celebrations.Speaking to ANI, PI Srividya, Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, said the police have made all requisite arrangements to maintain law and order in the region. "We have taken all precautionary measures. If somebody violates law and order, the police .

Raman Singh govt has made Chhattisgarh almost Naxalism-free: Shah

The Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh had made the state "almost free" of Naxalism and developed it as a hub of power and cement production, BJP president Amit Shah said Saturday. Targeting the opposition Congress, he said a party that felt Naxalism was a medium for revolution could not do any good for Chhattisgarh. Shah exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win this month's Assembly polls in the state for the fourth straight time. Addressing a press conference here after releasing his party's manifesto ahead of the first phase of polling on November 12, Shah said, "The BJP government under Chief Minister Raman Singh has contained Naxalism and made the state almost free of it." Earlier known as a BIMARU state, Chhattisgarh was now a "power and cement production hub", he said, and lauded the Raman Singh government for initiating several welfare measures for the state's prosperity. "Taking on the Congress's propaganda and working tirelessly for the state's ..

US welcomes Saudi's 'decision' to independently refuel planes engaged in Yemen war

The US has welcomed Saudi Arabia's "decision" to cease taking American support and instead use its own military capabilities for refuelling aircraft from the Riyadh-led coalition engaged in the Yemen war. The US has provided refuelling to about 20 per cent of the Saudi-led coalition planes flying sorties over Yemen. "We support the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after consultations with the US Government, to use the Coalition's own military capabilities to conduct inflight refueling in support of its operations in Yemen," US Defence Secretary James Mattis said in a statement late Friday. The US' statement came after the Saudi Arabia said that "in consultation with the US" it has asked for "cessation of inflight refueling support" from America. A statement, released by the Saudi Press agency, said Saudi Arabia and its allies were able to "increase their capacity" of refuelling their aircrafts, and will do so independently. The Saudi's move followed a report in the Washington .

Karnataka govt celebrates 'Tipu Jayanthi' amid tight security

The Karnataka government Saturday celebrated the birth anniversary of the controversial 18th century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom, Tipu Sultan, bringing the state under a thick security blanket amid threats of protest by the BJP and many Hindu outfits. Calling Tipu a "religious bigot", the state BJP unit had urged the JDS-Congress coalition government to drop its decision to celebrate 'Tipu Jayanthi'. As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders have been clamped in many districts of the southern state. No processions, either in favour or against the event will be allowed, officials said. Elaborate security arrangements have been made in districts like Kodagu and Chitradurga, coastal regions among others, where local communities are opposed to the celebrations. In Kodagu district, where celebrations were marred by widespread protests and violence in 2015, Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samithi has called for a bandh Saturday. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) worker ...

'Cong gave ticket to candidate who lost last 3 elections'

Hours after a video went viral on social media where Congress leader Mahendra Verma was seen ranting at his senior party leader Digvijaya Singh over ticket distribution process in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, the former said that he was unhappy as a ticket had been given to a candidate from Vidisha who had lost in the last three elections."I was disappointed with Digvijaya Singh as a ticket was given to a candidate from Vidisha, who had lost in the last three elections. This was my complaint. We had even told him that give us the tickets, we are ready to contest in the polls," he told ANI.Further defending his heated argument with the senior Congress leader, Verma asserted that he became emotional."I wanted to meet Digvijaya Singh. I became emotional as I ranted at him. I don't remember now what I had said. He (Digvijaya) kept his hands on my head and shoulders and listened to me calmly. I would say that he understood my pain and he saved the party workers from defecting," he added.In ..

Senator Democrats to take legal action against Whitaker's appointment

Senator Democrats are considering legal action against the United States President Donald Trump's decision of appointing Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general.A Democratic aide told The Hill that a potential lawsuit is in talks, which would argue that Whitaker's appointment breached the Senate's "advice and consent" role, which is in the preliminary stages and is being researched."We are actively thinking about what a possible legal challenge would look like in this case," the aide asserted.The potential lawsuit comes following the ouster of attorney general Jeff Sessions and Trump's appointment of Whitaker as the acting attorney general, who was Sessions' chief of staff.Democrats and a few Republicans have also expressed anxiety about the effect Sessions' appointment will have on special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.Seeking details on the logical reasoning behind Whitaker's appointment, Senate Minority Leader

China open to trade talks with US

Asserting that US-China bilateral trade is "critical to the world economy", a top Chinese diplomat said Beijing has kept its door open for trade talks with the Trump administration, as the two top global economies are locked in a trade war. Addressing a joint press conference here on Friday, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said, "According to the US-China Business Council, trade and economic relations with China help every American family save USD 850 annually and creates as many as six million jobs in this country." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Chinese Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe were also present at the press conference. China and the US are currently locked in an ongoing trade war as each country has introduced tariffs on goods traded between each other. Trump has promised to fix China's "longtime abuse of the broken international system and unfair practices". "Our (China-US) trade and economic relations are mutually ...

US says tracking situation 'very closely' after Sri Lanka President Sirisena dissolves Parliament

The United States Saturday said it was tracking the situation "very closely" after Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Parliament, with the White House voicing concern over the island nation's external debt situation. Sirisena Friday dissolved Parliament and announced snap polls on January 5 after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House for Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed by him under controversial circumstances. "We're certainly tracking the situation very closely in Sri Lanka," a senior US administration official told foreign reporters in a conference call ahead of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to the Asia Pacific region. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was responding to a question on the latest development in Sri Lanka. He expressed concern over Colombo's external debt situation. "We are of course quite troubled by the dynamic that predated the current political situation in which you had ...

Saudi coalition asks to end refueling deal with US for Yemen war

The Saudi-led coalition that is bombing Yemen has asked for the "cessation of inflight refuelling support" from the United States, a statement from the Saudi press agency said on Saturday. The move follows a report in the Washington Post that the US was to end the deal, and comes amid ongoing international outcry over Saudi actions in Yemen, particularly after a string of high-profile coalition strikes that have killed scores of civilians, many of them children. "Recently the Kingdom and the coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refuelling in Yemen," the SPA said. "As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested cessation of inflight refuelling support for its operations in Yemen." Earlier, Pentagon spokeswoman Commander Rebecca Rebarich said "discussion with the Saudis" was ongoing but did not confirm the report in the Post. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in August warned that US support for the coalition was "not ...

Singapore summit: Pence and Modi to discuss bilateral, defence cooperation, says WH

US Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would discuss India-US defence cooperation and bilateral relationship during their meeting in Singapore next week, the White House said Saturday, asserting that "sky is the limit" for New Delhi's role in the Indo-Pacific region. "They would be talking about the bilateral relationship and a defence cooperation in the kind of larger context. I can't really say if they'll get into trade (ties) specifically at this time," a senior administration official told foreign journalists during a conference call Saturday. Modi and Pence are scheduled to meet during the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Singapore next week. Pence leaves on a four-nation Asia trip over the weekend, that would take him to Japan, Australia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. He will be representing President Donald Trump at the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Papua New Guinea. Responding to a ...

MP: Irked by ticket distribution, BJP leader compares party to Aurangzeb's rule

Ramkrishna Kusmaria, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and a former minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government in Madhya Pradesh, has expressed discontent over the ticket distribution process and claimed that the party does not respect elderly people, similar to the manner in which Mughal ruler Aurangzeb imprisoned his father.Kusmaria, a former agriculture minister and the president of Bundelkhand Development Corporation, said "I don't understand what the problem is in giving tickets to the elderly. I believe that BJP is acting like how Aurangzeb had imprisoned his father and ruled. This is what they are doing now. Is this the way how to treat elderly people? The party needs to respect such people."The BJP leader added that the people wanted him to be elected from Damoh constituency, asserting that the development works would be expedited. He further alleged that the BJP ignored his demand for a ticket to contest from Damoh, and therefore, filed his nomination papers as .

Haven't discussed anything with Whitaker: Trump on Russia probe

United States President Donald Trump has said that he had never discussed anything in connection to the investigation into the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections with the acting attorney general Matthew G. Whitaker.The statement from the President came amid speculations that he had appointed Whitaker as an acting attorney general in order to terminate the investigation by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 election.Before leaving for Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the US President a few hours ago took a step further by claiming, "I don't know Matt Whitaker," according to the Washington Post.This recent statement by the President is in clear odds with a previous interview of him a month ago on Fox News, in which Trump said, "I can tell you Matt Whitaker's a great guy. I mean, I know Matt Whitaker."Reports also suggested that Trump preferred to discuss issues with Whitaker rather ...