Page 2595 - Politics
Dissidence in AAP's Punjab unit an internal matter: Kejriwal
Aam Admi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal Thursday played down the dissidence led by the party MLA Sukhpal Khaira in its Punjab unit, terming it as the "party's internal matter". The AAP's MLA from Bholath, Khaira is leading a group of eight dissident legislators who revolted against the party after he was removed from the post of the leader of opposition in Punjab assembly in July. As I have said it is the party's internal matter. Whatever action needs to be taken will be taken at the appropriate time by the party, said Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal, when asked about the festering feud in the party and the action to be taken against Khaira. "The AAP is like a family and in every family, there could be some differences. Whatever internal differences we have within Punjab unit, will be sorted out, said Kejriwal. On repeated queries by reporters on feud, Kejriwal retorted, "My politics is not Sukhpal Khaira." "My politics is towards the people of this country. My politics is for a ...
Question paper 'leaked' on social media
A question paper from an exam for recruiting government teachers surfaced on social media Thursday, creating a flutter among the aspirants. But the district administration denied that this amounted to a leak as the test was about to end when the paper was uploaded on social media. The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) sought a report from the district administration after the Hindi paper was seen on social media. Barmer district collector Shivprasad Nakate said the report has been submitted. The paper was scheduled from 9 am to 11.30 am. The administration received the information about the paper being available on social media at 11.16 am. So it cannot be considered a case of paper leak, he said.
BJP candidate in Karnataka quits party, re-joins Congress
Two days ahead of polling, L. Chandrashekar, the BJP candidate in the by-election to the Karnataka Assembly from Ramanagara on November 3, on Thursday announced that he had quit the party to return to the Congress.
MP: Computer Baba expelled from his Akhada
Religious leader Computer Baba, a friend-turned-foe of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh, has been expelled by the 'Akhada' to which he belongs. Digambar Ani Akhada, a prominent denomination of Vaishnava sect, has expelled him, said Mahant Narendra Giri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Thursday. Reacting to the development, Computer Baba, whose original name is Namdeo Das Tyagi, said he would continue his work notwithstanding "conspiracies" of the BJP government. Mahant Giri told PTI that the Parishad, which represents 13 Akhadas, had recommended Computer Baba's expulsion. "He behaved against the dignity of saints, jumped into political arena, sometimes speaking in favour of BJP, sometimes backing Congress for his vested interests," Giri said. The decision to expel him was taken at a high-level meeting of Digambar Ani Akhada at Ujjain, Giri informed. Computer Baba will no longer be able to participate in ceremonies of Digambar Ani ..
Haryana Roadways employees extended strike till Nov 4, to hold rally in Jind
Haryana Roadways employees on Thursday extended their ongoing strike by another two days and announced a rally in Jind district on November 4. The employees are on strike since October 16 against the government's decision to hire 700 buses from private owners. There are about 19,000 employees in the Haryana Roadways. The Haryana Roadways Employees Coordination Committee Thursday decided to extend the stir till November 4, committee leader Dalbir Kirmara said. "On November 4, the protesters will hold a 'save roadways protect employment' state-level rally at Jind," he said. Holding the BJP government "directly responsible" for the strike, Kirmara said, "The present dispensation is least bothered about employees and people of the state and its only aim is to benefit the chosen ones." He said the employees will announce their next course of action at the Jind rally. "Activists of the Sarv Karmachari Sangh and the Haryana Karamchari Mahasangh and gram panchayats and khap leaders have been .
Cong has history of corruption, should not talk about it: Union minister
Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Thursday the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail. Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said, "It is inappropriate for a party, which is neck-deep in corruption and has a history of being mired in corruption cases for the last three generations, to talk about corruption. Leaders of the Congress, whose chief is out on bail, are insulting people by making such statements." Shekhawat said Congress leaders were trying to create confusion among the people of the state ahead of the December 7 assembly election. He was responding to Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla's remarks on the Rafale fighter jet deal. Earlier in the day, Shukla attacked the Centre alleging corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He also ...
Congress MP advocates alliance with TMC in Bengal
Congress Lok Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor Thursday advocated alliance between Congress and Trinamool Congress in the next general election to stop the march of BJP in West Bengal. West Bengal state Congress president Somen Mitra reacting to Noor's statement said the issue of alliance will be decided by the party high command. "We (Congress) are trying to forge an alliance of all like minded opposition parties across the country to defeat BJP (in the next Lok Sabha election). In Bengal too I feel in order to stop the march of BJP, we should forge an alliance with TMC," Noor said addressing a party programme in West Bengal's Malda district. "In our party everybody has the right to express their opinion. She has also expressed her opinion. The final decision on this issue will be taken by the AICC," Mitra later told PTI. The TMC leadership too declined to comment on Noor's statement. The BJP state leadership mocked the statement and said Congress is desperately looking for
Congress to contest 95 seats in Telangana, leaves 24 to allies
The Congress would contest 95 seats in the coming elections to the 119-member Telangana assembly, leaving the remaining to partners of the proposed grand alliance, AICC In-Charge of the state R C Khuntia said Thursday. The list of the party candidates would be released on November 8 or 9, he told reporters in New Delhi. The Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Telangana Jana Samithi and CPI have decided to forge an alliance for the December 7 elections and are currently engaged in seat-sharing talks. "We will fight in 95 seats and the rest will go to the other alliance partners. Of the 95 seats, we were supposed to take up 62 seats for discussion today, but took up only 57 seats. Rest will be taken up latter. The full list will be declared on November 8 night or November 9," Khuntia said. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Uttam Kumar Reddy and other senior leaders are camping in Delhi for talks with AICC leaders, including party president Rahul Gandhi. Party
Jihadists kill 4 regime fighters in Syria's Idlib: monitor
Jihadists on Thursday killed four pro-regime fighters in Idlib province, the rebel stronghold where Russia and Turkey have agreed to set up a buffer zone, a monitor said. The northwestern province is the last major area still outside regime control, after a string of ferocious assaults this year put most of the country back in government hands. Regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey agreed to establish the buffer zone in September. It was due to come into force in mid-October but some clauses of the plan have been delayed, as repeated clashes erupted between jihadists, rebels and government forces. At dawn on Thursday, jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a faction led by former Al-Qaeda fighters, attacked a government position in the east of the province, said the Britain based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Four regime fighters were killed in the assault, and a member of HTS also died," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. "There is an ongoing exchange of ...
BJP misleading people by seeking Oppn support on Ram temple: JDS
The Janata Dal (Secular) Thursday accused the BJP of "unnecessarily misleading" people by seeking Opposition parties' support for the construction of Ram temple to reap political dividends ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which did not believe in the ideology of Ram, was playing politics in the name of the lord, JDS national spokesperson Danish Ali alleged. "BJP leaders are unnecessarily misleading common people of the country by asking the opposition parties to support the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya," he said. "The apex court is hearing a title suit (on the division of disputed land), not construction of Ram temple," he said. BJP MP Rakesh Sinha had earlier on Twitter hinted that he may bring up a private members bill for the construction of the temple and asked if the Congress, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) and other opposition parties will support it. Speaking to PTI over phone, Ali also said the verdict in cases like Section 377 and ..
Growing violent activities of agitating groups is matter of concern: Vohra
Former Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra Thursday expressed concern over "growing violent activities" of groups agitating for their demands, saying it is another "species of threat" to law and order in the country. While delivering the first K P S Gill memorial lecture on ''National Security-Some Concerns'' at Indian School of Business here, Vohra said it is essential to ensure that sustained normalcy prevails in the country as in its absence it would not be possible to achieve growth and development. "We also need to be concerned about yet another species of threat to maintain law and order. This relates to the growing violent activities of varied community groups which have been launching agitations to press their demands in respect of issues they have chosen to espouse," he said. He said there have been massive agitations in several states, particularly in north India, against cow slaughter and the sale and consumption of buffalo meat, which caused loss of livelihoods of ...
China hosts El Salvador, Dominican leaders after Taiwan switch
Chinese President Xi Jinping greeted El Salvador's President Salvador Sanchez Ceren on Thursday, pledging aid to the Central American country months after it switched allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing. Xi is hosting Sanchez Ceren and the leader of another country that recently ditched Taiwan -- Dominican President Danilo Medina -- this week. The Chinese leader welcomed Sanchez Ceren with a ceremony at the gargantuan Great Hall of the People, where a military band serenaded the two presidents with their respective national anthems. The two countries then inked deals pledging to cooperate on development, including on Xi's pet Belt and Road trade infrastructure project. Beijing also promised aid for education, health and drought relief. Sanchez told Xi he was "representing the El Salvadoran people to show you how grateful we are and our satisfaction now that we have restored our diplomatic relations". El Salvador recognised Beijing in August, becoming the third country to abandon Taiwan .
Former Maldives President Nasheed returns from exile
Maldives' former President Mohamed Nasheed, who was in self-imposed exile in London for two years, returned to the atoll nation on Thursday and was welcomed by hundreds of supporters and political leaders.
US senator says China, US 'competitors but not adversaries'
China and America are "competitors but not adversaries," US Sen Lamar Alexander told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday, despite a spiralling trade war and other tensions that have pushed relations to their lowest point in years. The upbeat message at their meeting in Beijing came amid concerns that the US-China trade dispute will drag on, hurting company profits and the overall US economy. Tensions have also arisen over China's claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea, allegations of Chinese theft of commercial secrets and accusations of meddling in American politics. Coming a week ahead of the US midterm elections, the visit by Alexander at the head of a seven-member delegation of Republican senators and congress members seemed all the more extraordinary. All are strong supporters of US President Donald Trump, who has slapped tariffs on USD 250 billion on Chinese products and threatened much more. "Your country and our country are competitors but not adversaries and we believe ..
Maha Assembly Winter session from Nov 19 in Mumbai
In a break from tradition, the Maharashtra Assembly will convene for the Winter session from November 19 in Mumbai instead of Nagpur for the first time in 57 years. Traditionally, the Monsoon and Budget sessions of the Maharashtra legislature are held in Mumbai while the Winter session is held in Nagpur, the state's second capital. This will be the first time since 1961 that the Winter session will be held in Mumbai, an official of the Assembly said on Thursday. As per the Nagpur Pact of 1953, which eventually led to the creation of the state of Maharashtra, Nagpur was accorded the status of second capital. It was decided that one of the sessions of the legislature each year will be held in Nagpur. However, the pact did not specify which session would be held in Nagpur. It was decided later that it will host the Winter session, the official said. The upcoming Winter session will be two-week long, ending November 30, the official said. At a meeting of the Assembly's ...
Netaji's kin demand his statue at India Gate
The kin of Subhas Chandra Bose Thursday demanded a statue of the leader at India Gate in the national capital and declaration of his birthday on January 23 as "Liberation Day". The demand comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 182-metre-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, considered to be the tallest in the world, in Gujarat. The imposing monument -- the Statue of Unity -- is built near the Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat's Narmada district. "NDA government under the leadership of @narendramodi ji kept its commitment by unveiling #SardarVallabhaiPatel's statue on 31Oct 2018 & celebrating the day as #UnityDay. Demand rising to unveil a statue of the #LiberatorofIndia-on 23 Jan'19 at #IndiaGate Delhi & declare the day as #LiberationDay (sic)," Netaji's grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose said in a tweet. When contacted, Chandra Kumar Bose, who is also a vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) West Bengal unit, told PTI that the statue near India ...
TDP, NC, NCP chiefs meet to chalk out plan to protect future of India
In the wake of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, leaders of three political parties in a significant move came together to chalk out future strategy of stitching together an alliance to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party and "protect" the future of the nation.Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar met in Delhi on Thursday.Addressing the media after the meeting, Abdullah said: "The country is going through very difficult times. The conditions of Central Bureau of Investigation and Reserve Bank of India, make it evident that the nation is going through a great crisis. Today, democracy is in danger and the people of the nation too are in danger."Giving details of the meeting, Abdullah said that the purpose of the meeting was to work out a common minimum programme to save the democracy, institutions and the nation.
Japanese Ambassador reaffirms deep India-Japan ties
The Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu reaffirmed India and Japan's deepening relationship during his speech at the South Asia Regional Connectivity Conference 2018.At the high-level conference held on Thursday, Hiramatsu brought attention to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Japan, during which 32 agreements were announced, including those on connectivity."They (India & Japan) affirmed the need for quality infrastructure and I'm pleased to learn that the conference will further deepen discussions based on these points later today," the Ambassador said at the conference."India-Japan have agreed to cooperate on a specific project contributing to better connectivity in the region. For example, in Bangladesh, India will construct roads while Japan will provide bridges to better connect them," Hiramatsu said during his speech.He also mentioned that India and Japan will work towards establishing a business platform to enhance exchanges between businesses ..
CBI files reply before Delhi High Court opposing Asthana's plea
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed a reply before the Delhi High Court opposing the plea filed by its Special Director Rakesh Asthana.In its reply, CBI has stated that the matter is currently under initial stages of the investigation and it is handicapped because certain files are with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).The CBI also stated before the High Court that the plea filed by Asthana seeking quashing of the First Information Report (FIR) should be dismissed.On Wednesday, Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) SS Gurm moved the Delhi High Court in the ongoing bribery case against Asthana to quash an FIR filed against him by the probe agency.In the petition, Gurm had alleged that Asthana was "misleading" and the CBI was trying to protect him.Asthana came under scrutiny after the CBI filed an FIR against him for allegedly accepting a bribe from a businessman, who was linked to Moin Akhtar Qureshi case. He was heading the Special Investigation Team ..
Wait for Ayodhya verdict could stretch on for thousand years: Sena's Raut
Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut on Thursday said waiting for the Supreme Court to settle the Ram Janmabhoomi issue was fruitless as it could stretch on for a "thousand years."