Page 2544 - Politics
Kamalnath, Scindia, Digvijay to not contest in MP assembly polls
Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders, including state unit president Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Digvijay Singh will not be contesting in the forthcoming Assembly elections as the party announced its final list of candidates on Thursday.Former Union Minister and former president of the Congress' Madhya Pradesh unit Arun Yadav will contest against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan from the Budhni constituency.The party also replaced candidates from Manpur-ST, Indore-1 and Ratlam Rural ST constituency in the final list, with Gyanwati Singh, Sanjay Shukla and Thavar Lal Bhuria being the new entrants for the constituencies respectively.The party has left the Jatara seat for the Loktantrik Janta Dal.Having been out of power for 15 years in the state, the Congress has been sensing an anti-incumbency feeling brewing in the state.Earlier today, the party had released its fifth list, confirming 14 candidates.The state is slated to go to polls on November 28 for 230 ...
BJP would aim to change Hyderabad's name it elected in Telangana: party leader
The BJP would "aim" to rename Hyderabad and other cities in the state after the names of great people if it is elected to power in Telangana in the December 7 poll, party leader Raja Singh said Thursday. "Our aim is, when our Bharatiya Janata Party government comes to power in Telangana, our first (priority) is development, second is these names should be changed. They should be named after great people, those who worked for our nation, righteousness and Telangana," he told PTI. Singh, who was a member of the recently-dissolved legislative assembly, said the Qutb Shahis, who ruled the region during the 16th century, had changed the name of the city, Bhagyanagar, to Hyderabad. They had also changed the names of other places, he said, adding Secunderabad and Karimnagar were among them. Singh also found fault with AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi's comments earlier Thursday that BJP president Amit Shah wants a "Muslim-free" India. He said Muslims should not believe Owaisi, who had often .
MP polls: Cong, BJP final lists out; Arun Yadav to take on CM
The Congress on Thursday night released its sixth and final list for the November 28 Assembly polls in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, nominating its OBC face Arun Yadav against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh in Budhni seat in Sehore district. The BJP also announced its fourth and final list of seven candidates for the polls. The Congress left one seat, Jatara, for its ally Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD). With an apparent objective to tie down Chouhan in his bastion Budhni, the opposition party picked up former Union Minister and former MP Congress chief Yadav as his opponent. Yadav community accounts for a large number of votes, nearly twice that of Kirars, an OBC community to which Chouhan belongs, a source in Sehore district said. Chouhan has been elected from Budhni thrice in a row. Yadav will file his nomination papers on Friday, party sources said. The Congress left a seat in Jatara, reserved for SC candidate, for LJD in the party's final list. The LJD might field Vikram Choudhary from ...
MP Polls: Congress fields Arun Yadav, Sartaj Singh
The Congress on Thursday released its fifth and sixth lists of candidates for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections fielding former Union Ministers Arun Yadav and Sartaj Singh.
Sikh elected mayor of Anaheim city in California
Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city. "I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again," said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City. "It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region," said Jas Sajjan, Director .
White House suspends press credentials of senior CNN journalist after spat with Trump
In an unprecedented move, the White House has suspended the credentials of a senior CNN journalist for his "disgusting and outrageous" behaviour, hours after he had a testy exchange with President Donald Trump during a marathon news conference. The move came just hours after CNN's chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta drew the ire of Trump by persisting with questions about his views on a caravan of Central American migrants making its way to the US border and refused the president's orders to sit down, and clung to the microphone. The removal of Acosta's pass is a sharp escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and the media. At the news conference, which lasted 1 hour and 26 minutes, Trump snapped at the press corps, called reporters "rude" for asking questions, and made baseless claims about political polling. Acosta was one of the first reporters Trump called on. "Thank you, Mr President," he said. "I want to challenge you on one of the statements that you made .
AIADMK cannot claim exclusivity over Jayalalithaa's name: Dhinakaran to HC
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu cannot claim an exclusive right over the use of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's name, former party leader and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder T T V Dhinakaran told the Madras High Court on Thursday. The deputy general secretary of AMMK submitted before Justice K Kalyanasundaram that he cannot be restrained from using the name 'Amma' (as Jayalalithaa was popularly known) or the late leader's photograph on his party's flag. The AIADMK filed the suit in March seeking an injunction restraining the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), which translates to 'Amma's party for people's development', from using any colour or combinations deceptively similar to its own flag. Also, the suit filed by AIADMK just after Dhinakaran floated his party sought Rs 25 lakh as damage and an injunction against the use of "Amma" and her picture on AMMK's party flag. AMMK's flag features the image of a smiling Jayalalithaa at the centre, with black on top and red ...
Israel police say evidence to charge Netanyahu lawyer in bribery probe
Israeli police said Thursday there was evidence to charge a lawyer for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery in a corruption probe, one of several cases that have put the premier's long tenure in office under the spotlight. While Netanyahu was questioned as a witness and not a suspect in the case, the accusations against David Shimron and others in the investigation will only add to pressure the prime minister faces. Besides Shimron, police said the former chief of Netanyahu's office, David Sharan, is also suspected of bribery, as is the former head of the navy, Eliezer Marom. Two other navy ex-generals were named as being suspected of similar offences, as was a former minister, Eliezer Zandberg. Referring to Shimron, Netanyahu's family lawyer who is also a relative of the premier, police said "there is evidence that he committed bribery offences and money laundering". There was however "insufficient evidence" against another Netanyahu lawyer and longtime associate, Yitzhak ..
Cabinet approves signing, ratifying extradition pact between India, Morocco
The Cabinet Thursday approved the signing and ratifying of an extradition agreement between India and Morocco. The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement will be signed during a proposed VIP visit from Morocco from November 11-18, an official statement said. The agreement will provide a strong legal base for the extradition of fugitive offenders who are accused of economic offences, terrorism and other serious offences in one state and found in the other state. The Cabinet also approved the agreement between India and Morocco on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. This agreement between India and Morocco will enhance cooperation in the service of summons, judicial documents, letters of request and the execution of judgments decrees and arbitral awards.
BJP's two veterans denied tickets in MP Assembly polls
A day ahead of the final date of nominations for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released the final list of candidates with the party deciding to drop two veterans -- Babulal Gaur and Sartar Singh.
MP polls: Cong announces 5th list, ex-BJP leader Sartaj Singh gets ticket
The Congress on Thursday declared its fifth list of 16 candidates for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, which included former Union minister Sartaj Singh, who moved to the party from the BJP earlier in the day. The opposition party announced Singh as its candidate from Hoshangabad minutes after he quit the BJP which denied him ticket in its third list. Singh (71), a sitting MLA from Seoni-Malwa, will take on Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker and BJP candidate Sitasharan Sharma in Hoshangabad. Among the new faces fielded by the Congress in the fifth list is Vinay Saxena who will contest from Jabalpur North. The Congress has thus announced 225 candidates for the November 28 elections to the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly. The party is yet to announce candidates for Budhni (Sehore district), Manpur (Dhar), Indore-2, Indore-5 and Jatara (Tikamgarh) It is hunting for a heavy-weight candidate against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the BJP's face for the polls, in his bastion ..
Two Iraq ministers risk sack over Saddam-era posts: officials
Two ministers approved by Iraq's parliament may lose their jobs before the rest of cabinet is agreed, officials said Thursday, after a commission found they were members of Saddam Hussein's regime. The Accountability and Justice Commission is responsible for the policy of "de-Baathification", or ensuring no Saddam-era officials or senior members of his Baath party play a role in Iraq's government. Commission spokesman Fares Abdul Sattar told AFP that the body had sent a letter to parliament over two nominees to the 22-minister government -- a third of which has yet to be confirmed by parliament. "Two names will be subject to procedures by the Accountability and Justice Commission," Abdul-Sattar said, without specifying who. A parliamentary source told AFP the endangered officials were Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmad al-Obeidi and Minister of Communications Naim al-Rubaye, who were only approved by lawmakers last month. If sacked, it would be the first time the policy of ...
Demo anniv: Manmohan says 'scars and wounds' from note ban more visible; Rahul calls it 'tragedy'
The Congress Thursday launched a multi-pronged attack on the Modi government over demonetisation, with former prime minister Manmohan Singh saying the "scars and wounds" it caused are getting more visible with time and party chief Rahul Gandhi describing the measure as a carefully planned "criminal financial scam". In a scathing assessment of the demonetisation exercise, Singh said the decision's second anniversary Thursday is a day to remember how "economic misadventures" can roil the nation. In a statement, he asked the government not to resort to further unorthodox, short-term economic measures that can cause any more uncertainty in the economy. Gandhi also came out with a statement sharply criticising demonetisation and describing it as a "tragedy" that destroyed millions of lives. In a tweet, he also alleged that demonetisation was a planned "brutal conspiracy" and a "shrewd scheme" to convert the black money of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "suit-booted friends" to ...
Vice President to embark on a state visit to France tomorrow
The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of France, will be visiting Paris from 9 to 11 November 2018, to represent Government of India in the activities commemorating the centenary of the Armistice of World War I.India was one of the largest contributors of soldiers during World War I. India's participation at the Armistice Centenary ceremony will be a befitting tribute to the sacrifices made by these soldiers, underlining India's historical contribution to global peace and security.The Heads of Government of over 50 countries and their representatives are expected to participate in the centenary activities.On 11 November, the Vice President will attend the ceremony to commemorate the armistice of World War I at Arc de Triomphe, presided over by the French President, Emmanuel Macron.As part of the Armistice Centenary, the French Government will also be hosting the Paris Peace Forum, which will take place in Paris from 11-13 ..
Meghalaya activist injured in attack
Unidentified men attacked prominent anti-corruption and rights activist of Meghalaya, Agnes Kharshiing, in East Jantia Hills of Meghalaya on Thursday, police said.
AAP equates demonetisation with 9/11, Kejriwal terms it self-inflicted wound on economy
The AAP Thursday termed demonetisation a "tragedy" and likened it to the 9/11 terrorist attack on the US, as party chief Arvind Kejriwal questioned the rationale behind suddenly banning a bulk of the currency and claimed it was a "self inflicted deep wound" on the Indian economy. On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination bank notes would cease to exist as legal tenders with immediate effect. The withdrawal of the notes led to a liquidity crunch and people stood in serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs to exchange old notes. The opposition parties have criticised the exercise as "ill-advised" and "disastrous" for the country, but the government has said demonetisation helped increase the tax base and allowed greater formalisation of the economy. "Though the list of financial scams of Modi govt is endless, demonetisation was a self inflicted deep wound on Indian economy which even two years later remains a mystery why the ...
GOC Northern Command reviews security at Kishtwar, Suigarh
General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC) Northern Command, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh visited the hinterland posts of Kishtwar and Suigarh sector to review the operational preparedness and the prevailing security situation, accompanied by the White Knight Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh.During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed by the commanders on the ground about the current operational and prevailing hinterland security situation and the preparedness of the formations in dealing with the same. He was also updated by the White Knight Corps Commander on the current internal security situation in the Kishtwar region and measures undertaken by the Army and civil administration for controlling the situation.While interacting with the Civil Administration Officials at Kishtwar, he was briefed on the Internal Security Situation in the region after the killing of Jammu and Kashmir secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet ...
Cabinet approves extradition agreement with Morocco
Union Cabinet chiared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday approved signing and ratifying the extradition agreement between India and Morocco.
CPI condemns killing of worker in Chhattisgarh
The Communist Party of India Thursday condemned the killing of one of its workers allegedly by goons of rival candidates in poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. The party said in a statement that Durva Kalumu was killed when he was returning after campaigning for its Konta assembly candidate Manish Kunjam. However, police in Chhattisgarh had said he was killed by Naxals. The incident took place November 7. Demanding stern steps to curb poll-related violence, it urged the Chhattisgarh government to hold an impartial inquiry into the killing and arrest culprits immediately. It also drew the Election Commission's attention to the violence. Polling in 18 constituencies in eight Naxal-affected districts - Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon -- will be held on November 12. The remaining 72 constituencies will go to the polls on November 20. Counting of votes will be held on December 11.
Cong list to be released on November 10: Khuntia
The first list of Congress candidates for the December 7 Assembly polls in Telangana would be released on November 10, a senior party leader said Thursday. AICC incharge of party affairs in Telangana RC Khuntia told reporters in Delhi that the party has cleared 74 names. There aree 119 ssembly segments. He said the party has decided to leave 25 seats -- 14 to Telugu Desam Party, eight to Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and three to CPI. The meeting of the party's election committee would be held on November 11 or 12 to consider the remaining seats, he said. Congress leaders, including its screening committee, have been been working on finalising the names for the assembly polls for the last several days in Delhi. The alliance comprises the Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI. Meanwhile, TDP's Telangana unit president L Ramana and other party leaders met party chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada to hold consultations on finalising candidates. Ramana said the candidates would be ...