Page 2573 - Politics
CG polls: BJP, Cong trying to abolish reservation, says Mayawati
Dalit leader Mayawati, whose Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting this month's Chhattisgarh Assembly polls in alliance with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC-J), Sunday accused the "casteist" BJP and the Congress of trying to "abolish" the reservation system. Addressing a rally in Taraud village in the Akaltara constituency in Janjgir-Champa, the BSP chief alleged that both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress had worked towards making reservation "ineffective" and were trying to gradually "abolish" it. "Dalits, adivasis and the other backward castes people have been getting the benefits of reservation, particularly in government jobs, as a result of the efforts of B R Ambedkar," Mayawati said. She accused the Congress and the BJP of having a "casteist mentality". "Right from the beginning, those parties had a casteist mentality...they have worked towards making reservation ineffective and (are trying to) gradually ...
Signature Bridge Congress' concept, AAP taking credit: Maken
Delhi Congress President Ajay Maken on Sunday attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for taking credit in bringing infrastructural developments which were started by his party.
Proposed meeting between Punjab CM, protesting teachers cancelled
The meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and protesting teachers, scheduled to take place here Monday, was cancelled after the agitators failed to call of the stir, officials said Sunday. Following the state government's decision, the teachers, demanding that their jobs be regularised without a pay cut, decided to observe 'Black Diwali' and intensify their protest against the Congress regime in the state. "It was understood that the teachers would first call off their protest and only then will the meeting take place. Since they have not done so, it (meeting) was cancelled," a government official said. The teachers, under the banner of Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha (SAM), have been staging a sit-in in Patiala, the chief minister's constituency, in support of their demands since October 7. The teachers are against the state government's decision to fix their monthly salary at Rs 15,000 during probation period for regularisation of their jobs. At present, contractual teachers .
Signature Bridge inauguration: Manoj Tiwari pushed by AAP MLA Amanatullah
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Amanatullah Khan was caught on camera shoving Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari, initiating the fracas at the much-awaited inauguration ceremony of the Signature Bridge here on Sunday.In a video footage of the incident, Tiwari can be seen standing at the edge of an elevated platform before a number of police officers and AAP workers when Khan, an MLA from Okhla, pushed the BJP Delhi chief, nearly causing him to fall.Speaking to ANI, Tiwari claimed that the entire incident took place in front of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, adding that he is going to file an FIR over the incident."Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan pushed me (during the inauguration of Delhi's Signature Bridge), the whole incident took place in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister. I am going to file an FIR over the incident. Khan's bail should be cancelled immediately," he said.Earlier today, Tiwari had alleged that he was ...
Intellectuals in Kolkata condemn Assam killings
A section of intellectuals, close to the ruling Trinamool Congress, on Sunday condemned the massacre of five Bengali Hindus in Assam's Tinsukia district on November 1.
Qatar brings energy boss into cabinet in surprise reshuffle
Qatar, one of the world's biggest energy suppliers, surprisingly announced Sunday it had drafted the head of the country's state-run oil and gas company into the cabinet. Saad al-Kaabi, the president and chief executive officer of Qatar Petroleum, was made a minister of state for energy affairs in the first comprehensive reshuffle since the start of a Gulf diplomatic crisis which has seen Doha isolated by neighbouring former allies. For the past 17 months, a group of countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have frozen all diplomatic and political ties with Doha, accusing Qatar of seeking better relations with Iran and supporting radical extremism. It was not immediately clear what the new role meant for long-serving minister of energy and industry, Mohammed Salah al-Sada, also the current president of OPEC. Qatar is the world's top liquified natural gas exporter. Kaabi has been a high-profile figure during the regional political stand-off and recently ...
Minister launches helpline to counter slack Goa bureaucracy
Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's "immobilisation" due to a prolonged illness has affected the efficiency of the state administration, making the bureaucracy slack, state Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said on Sunday.
Modi adopting strategies to prevent grand alliance: Chavan
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was adopting various strategies to prevent opposition parties from forming the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) even as the Telangana BJP rejected it. Noting that next general elections were crucial for the Congress, Chavan told reporters here that lot of people are coming together on a common platform to protect the Constitution and democracy. Alleging that Modi was adopting various strategies to ensure that 'Mahagathbandhan' does not materialise, Chavan said, "Modi's strategy for winning elections will be religious polarisation, massive use of money, and using tactics to make sure that our alliance doesn't materialise." Asked about BJP leader Ram Madhav's reported statement on the option of ordinance for early construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, Chavan said they (BJP) have suddenly started thinking of Ram Mandir after four-and-half-years. "They think they can win by this... ..
BJP leader pitches for Army's redeployment in JK's Chenab valley
The BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta Sunday advocated redeployment of Army and strengthening of village defence committees (VDC) in Chenab valley of Jammu and Kashmir, claiming the recent assassination of a party leader and his brother in Kishtwar was part of a strategy to restart terror activities in the region. "To check the rise of militancy in Chenab valley, Army needs to be redeployed...I will be discussing the issue with Union minister Rajnath Singh," Gupta said addressing a function here. State Secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar were assassinated by suspected militants in a late night attack in Kishtwar town on Thursday while they were on way to their home. Gupta said he along with other senior leaders visited Kishtwar and every person there was asking for the safety of Hindus residing in the area. Chenab Valley lies between the middle and outer Himalayan range and is divided into three districts - Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar ...
Secretary of State Pompeo defends waivers to Iran sanctions
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is defending the Trump administration's reimposition of sanctions against Iran from conservative critics who argue more should be done to isolate the country. In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," Pompeo refused to reveal which countries received waivers from US sanctions to continue importing Iranian oil. But he said the eight unidentified nations "need a little bit more time to get to zero." He would not rule out the Trump administration extending the waivers beyond six months Pompeo maintained that despite the waivers, "these sanctions have already had an enormous impact." He added that Trump's policy of "maximum pressure will be fully in place as of tomorrow." President Donald Trump removed the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal earlier this year, triggering the sanctions being imposed Monday. Pompeo said they are designed to "alter the Iranian regime's behavior," especially its support of terrorist groups like Hezbollah. Speaking to CBS' "Face the
BJP leader claims Mizoram speaker will quit Cong and join saffron party
Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei would resign from the Congress and join the BJP Monday, a senior leader of the saffron party claimed Sunday. Hiphei, a veteran leader, was elected to the Assembly from the Palak constituency. "He (Hiphei) would first tender his resignation as speaker and then from the primary membership of the Congress. He will then join our party," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said on the condition of anonymity. He added that Hiphei had recently met the central leaders of the saffron party. Mizoram, the only state in the north-east under Congress rule, will go to the polls on November 28. Several senior Congress leaders recently left the party and joined the opposition Mizo National Front.
Heavy police security at Sabarimala for special puja
As the Lord Ayyappa temple opens Monday for a special puja, a thick security cover has been put in place after violent protests were witnessed last month against entry of women of all ages into the shrine. Orders banning assembly of four or more people have been imposed in Sabarimala and nearby areas, police said Sunday. Around 2,300 personnel, including a 20-member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed to ensure smooth 'darshan' and security of devotees, a move that came in for criticism from the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, the BJP and the Congress for such fortification. If necessary, around 30 women police personnel in the rank of circle inspector and sub inspector and above the age of 50 would be deployed at 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex) for security, they said. Pathnamthitta Superintendent of Police T Narayanan told PTI that all arrangements have been made for devotees to have smooth 'darshan.' Ayyappa devotees from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu ...
MP polls: Cong second list of 17 candidates
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Sunday announced its second list of 17 candidates for the polls to the 230-member state assembly slated for November 28. The party since Saturday has declared the names of 172 candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Of the 17, four candidates are for reserved seats. The names of Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath and poll campaign committee in-charge Jyotiradtiya Scindia are not on the list. They are touted to be frontrunners for the chief minister's post if the party wins. The first list of 155 names was released late Saturday night and it includes that of 21 women and 24 fresh faces. It has struck a fine balance between supporters of Scindia and former chief minister Digvijay Singh, sources said. The party, on expected lines, renominated 46 MLAs while dropping Govardhan Upadhyay, Shakuntala Khatik and Manoj Kumar, sitting MLAs from Sironj, Kerera and Kotma respectively. They have been replaced by Ashok Tyagi, Jaswant Jatav and Sunil ...
Kamlesh Singh appointed NCP Jharkhand unit president
Former Jharkhand minister and party leader Kamlesh Singh has been appointed president of the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Jharkhand unit. We are pleased to inform you that the national president, Nationalist Congress Party, Sharad Pawar, has once again dissolved the Jharkhand state NCP and appointed you as the new president of Jharkhand state NCP with immediate effect," a party release, signed on November 3 by NCP leader Praful Patel, said. Singh was a minister in the erstwhile BJP-led and JMM-led governments in the state.
Signature Bridge inaugurated amid ruckus
The Signature Bridge over the Yamuna was inaugurated amid a surcharged atmosphere on Sunday with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacking BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the country needs bridges, schools and hospitals not temples and statues for progress. High drama prevailed before the inauguration of the bridge with Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari and scores of supporters staging a protest for allegedly not being invited to inaugural event of the newly-built city landmark. They also had a "scuffle" with some AAP workers. "Four days ago the 182 metre tallest statue of the world was unveiled and today this 154 metre high bridge is being inaugurated. The country has to decide if it needs statues and temples or bridges, schools and hospitals," Kejriwal said inaugurating the bridge. He said the thought of Signature bridge reminded him of the first Prime Minister of the country Jawahar Lal Nehru. "If Nehru had chosen to build temples and statues instead of institutions like
Rebels kill at least seven civilians in eastern DRCongo: Army
Rebels killed at least seven civilians and abducted 15 others, including children, in fresh overnight raids in the far eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, civilian and military sources said Sunday. Fighters of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) staged two raids Saturday night in the North Kivu region bordering Uganda, Teddy Kataliko, leader of the civilian administration in Beni district, told AFP. According to his account, rebels at Mangboko burnt a lorry driver in his vehicle and killed six other civilians, while in Oicha, they killed one person and abducted 15 others -- for a total death toll of eight. Beni district administrator Donat Kibwana said seven people were killed and 15 people were abducted, including 10 children. Army spokesman Captain Mak Hazukay also put the death toll at seven. Kataliko denounced the army as ineffective, saying: "It is not normal that the army cannot manage to keep the population safe," but Hazukay insisted that soldiers had reacted quickly to stop .
Govt employees paid double salary in Amritsar
Several government employees here were ecstatic after they found they were paid a "double salary" for the month of October, thinking that the Punjab government gave them a Diwali gift. But their happiness was short-lived when they were told that the extra amount was credited to their bank accounts by mistake and they should not withdraw the additional money paid to them, officials said. District treasury officer A K Maini in a notice sent to head of all the government offices said two salaries were paid by mistake and shortly one salary would be taken back. On being contacted, Maini while confirming the development, said it has happened not only in Amritsar but throughout Punjab because of technical snag in the software of the government's treasury department. He said a majority of the government employees were paid double salary for the month of October. Maini said all the government departments, including education, were told not to withdraw the second salary and within a day, one ..
World leaders to mark WWI in France amid warnings about nationalism
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday kicks off a week of commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, which is set to mix remembrance of the past and warnings about the present surge in nationalism around the globe. Some 70-80 world leaders including US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are preparing to fly to the French capital next weekend for a ceremony marking a century since the guns fell silent. This Sunday, Macron begins his own week-long tour around the country, which will see him criss-cross war-hit areas in northern and eastern France and attend individual ceremonies with the leaders of Germany, Britain and Mali. The 40-year-old French centrist is expected to use the international spotlight to issue a rallying cry against nationalism, having recently warned that the world risked forgetting the lessons of the 20th century's great conflicts. "I am struck by similarities between the times we live in and those of ...
Sri Lanka Tamils push parliament to end crisis
Sri Lanka's main Tamil party on Sunday urged the president to reconvene parliament and end a worsening political crisis, as the minority ethnic community emerge as kingmakers in the power struggle. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) could tip the balance should parliament be recalled this week to decide between two rivals claiming the lawful right to head Sri Lanka's government. The nation of 21-million has been gripped by constitutional turmoil since President Maithripala Sirisena sacked his former ally, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and his cabinet on October 26. Wickremesinghe says his dismissal was illegal as he commands a greater majority in parliament than Mahinda Rajapakse, the former strongman president controversially installed in his place. The TNA has already said it would vote against Rajapakse in a no-confidence motion when parliament reconvenes. Both rivals have been marshalling numbers behind the scenes, worrying civil society groups who protested Sunday in the ...
Over 150 killed in weekend violence around Yemen's Hodeida
Yemeni officials say fighting has escalated around the key port city of Hodeida, with more than 150 combatants killed over the weekend from both the rebel and government-backed side. They say Sunday that airstrikes and naval artillery have pounded rebel positions around the Red Sea costal city, which government backed-troops launching a major ground assault seek to wrest from dug-in rebels. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Fierce fighting also erupted in Bayda and Saada provinces. Yemen has been at war since March 2015 when Houthi rebels occupied northern regions and forced the government into exile. The Saudi-led coalition backing the exiled government accuses the Houthis of acting as Iran's proxy. The coalition has waged an extensive air campaign, causing thousands of deaths.