Page 2615 - Politics
Pakistan parliament passes resolution condemning 'violence' against Kashmiris
Pakistan's parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the alleged violence against people in Kashmir by the Indian security forces. The resolution was presented in the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, by Pakistan's Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur. The house said in the resolution that Kashmir issue should be resolved in light of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
UP-Uttarakhand ink pact for plying of state-owned buses
In a bid to strengthen inter-state road transport between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the two neighbouring states signed a pact on Monday.
C'garh polls: BJP denies tickets to two MLAs in second list
The ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh Monday denied tickets to two sitting MLAs and nominated four candidates from an OBC community while releasing the second list of 11 contestants for the next month's polls. With the latest list, the party has so far announced nominees for 89 out of total 90 Assembly constituencies, which will go to polls in two phases on November 12 and November 20. Raipur (North) is the only constituency for which the name of BJP candidate is yet to be announced. The BJP denied tickets to sitting legislators Ramlal Chauhan from Saraipali and Rupkumari Chaudhary from Basna, as per the list issued by Jagat Prakash Nadda, Secretary, BJP Central Election Committee. However, the ruling party has renominated Vidyaratan Bhasin from Vaishali Nagar seat. The party has once again given a good representation to Sahus, a dominant OBC community in the state, in this list by nominating four candidates from the community. In its first list of 78 candidates, the party had ..
Union ministers of BJP blaze campaign trail in Chhattisgarh
The campaigning for the next month's assembly elections in Chhattisgarh picked up Monday with four union ministers and a former chief minister canvassing for the ruling BJP in various parts of the state. Union Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad and his cabinet colleagues Smriti Irani, Uma Bharti, Ramkripal Yadav, and former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda addressed public meetings in different constituencies that will go to polls during the first phase on November 12. A total of 18 constituencies across eight naxal-affected districts will go to polls in the first phase. The second phase of polling will be held on November 20. Addressing a gathering in Rajnandgaon, Smriti Irani equated Chhattisgarh elections with epic Mahabharata and said one should not be reluctant to fight against his own people if they are against justice and truth. "This election is a battle between 'dharma' (right) and 'adharma' (wrong). Lord Shri Krishna had taught in Geeta that one should not be .
Jharkhand CM flags off train carrying pilgrims to Puri
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Monday flagged off a train carrying elderly people on pilgrimage to Puri as part of a state government scheme. The Jharkhand government introduced the Mukhya Mantri Tirth Darshan Yozana in 2016 and over 5000 pilgrims have availed the scheme till now, an official release said quoting Das. "It is the duty of every son to take his parents on pilgrimage. I too am discharging my duty as the son of Jharkhand by sending elderly poor people on pilgrimage," Das said before flagging off the train from Hatia station here. One member of each family of the elderly person is accompanying them, he said. The chief minister said the state government will send poor people to Kumbhmela also on government expense.
Facing SAD's threat, Pb govt withdraws controversial History textbooks
Facing SAD's demand for an apology for "hurting" Sikhs' religious sentiments through the new class 12 history textbooks with derogatory references to the Sikh gurus, the Punjab government Monday withdrew the new books. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the Punjab School Education Board to continue with the old, existing history textbooks for the academic year 2017-18 for Classes XI and XII, pending completion of their reviews by an expert group, said official spokesperson. The directive has been issued due to the need for clarity on the syllabus for students as they were almost in the middle of their academic year, he added. He said the government was fully committed to ensure that the students receive proper instructions in history. The history taught to them should be factually correct and backed by evidence, without any dilution in the coverage of the Punjab and Sikh history, said the spokesperson, quoting chief minister's order. Shiromani Akali Dal earlier had asked the ...
Bangladesh's ruling Awami League agrees to hold talks with opposition alliance
Bangladesh's ruling Awami League in a dramatic move on Monday agreed for unconditional talks with the newly-formed opposition National Unity Front (NUF) which includes the BNP of jailed prime minister Khaleda Zia over the upcoming general elections. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that the NUF proposal came without any "precondition" and the party responded to the call as "the door of dialogue is open for all". The NUF (Jatiy Oikya Front), led by Kamal Hossain, emerged earlier this month as a platform comprising BNP and several political groups and civil society figures and floated an 11-point demand that includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration and abolition of a constitutional provision prohibiting them from voting against the party decision. "We agree to the Unity Front proposal, the Road Transport Minister said at a press conference, a day after receiving the NUF's letter seeking the dialogue. Quader did not ...
MP polls: Rahul participates in road-show in Indore
In poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi began his day Monday by offering prayers at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple, addressed two election rallies and signed it off with a road-show in Indore amid chants of "Har Har Mahadev". While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retorted, saying Gandhi was trying to build his image as that of a "Shiv bhakt" with his temple visits, the Congress chief hit out at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Shivraj Singh Chouhan regime in Madhya Pradesh, alleging failures on several fronts, including jobs and corruption. Earlier in the day, Gandhi addressed public meetings at Ujjain and Jhabua. The Congress had last year said Gandhi was an ardent "Shiv bhakt". In August, he had undertaken the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Clad in white kurta-pyjama, Gandhi waved at the people from an open-top vehicle and shook hands with some of them during the three-km journey from the Bada Ganpati intersection in
PM Modi and President Trump have very good equation, held productive talks: Goyal
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a very good equation and held productive talks, especially regarding trade and investments, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal's office said Monday. On a day that the Indian government was left exploring options after Trump turned down its invite to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, tweets from the handle of Goyal's office, quoting the minister, said the two countries share a "natural affinity" with each other. "President @RealDonaldTrump and Prime Minister @NarendraModi have had a very good equation and held productive talks, especially with regard to trade and investments. On a strategic level, we have been building up on our defence and security engagements," it tweeted. Both sides have been very understanding and cooperative with the geopolitical moves made by each other, the office quoted the minister as saying in his speech at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum here. "There is a natural affinity for ...
Govt will make all-out efforts against corruption: Nagaland CM
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said his government is committed to make all-out efforts to implement transparency and good governance initiatives in the fight against corruption. The state joined the rest of the country in observing the 'Vigilance Awareness Week' on Monday, based on the theme 'Eradicate corruption Build a New India'. The awareness week seeks to motivate stakeholders to collectively participate in defeating corruption and also aims at raising public awareness regarding its consequences. In his vigilance week message, Rio said the PDA government shall endeavor to bring out a comprehensive zero tolerance policy towards corruption. The CM called upon citizens to actively participate in the movement to eradicate corruption and build a new India.
AAP govt likely to approve Delhi Metro Phase-IV in next cabinet meeting: Official
The Delhi government is likely to give it's nod to the delayed Phase-IV of Metro rail as its Transport department has started work to prepare a note on the project that will be placed in the next cabinet meeting, a senior official said. The entire project of 104 km length was delayed by nearly two years. It was estimated to be completed by 2021 after Delhi government's in-principle approval in February 2016. But the Delhi Cabinet is yet to take a final decision on it. "Transport minister Kailash Gahlot has directed the department to put up a note on Phase-IV of Delhi Metro in next cabinet meeting," the senior Delhi government official said. Last week, Gahlot had told reporters that the government will soon give it's nod to Delhi Metro Phase-IV project. The project estimated to cost around Rs 53,000 crore, including cost of coaches, was stuck up due to the AAP dispensation's doubts over financial viability of some of the routes. "Delhi government's liability in the project stands to ...
Chhattisgarh: BJP releases 3rd, denies ticket to two sitting MLAs
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released its third list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, with the party denying tickets to two more sitting MLAs.
Empowering panchayats will boost development in villages in J&K: BJP
Ahead of the panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP said Monday that empowering the local self-governance bodies will boost development in villages of the state. Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in nine phases beginning November 17. "Empowerment of panchayats will ensure a boost to the development of villages in the state. We hope people of the state will vote in large numbers in these polls," BJP state general secretary Dr Narinder Singh told reporters here. The party also expresses its gratitude toward Jammu and Kashmir governor for amending the Panchayati Raj Act to empower the panchayats, he said. Polling will be held on November 17, 20, 24, 27 and 29, and December 1, 4, 8 and 11 in the 35,096 panchayats in the state. The entire election process would be completed by December 17. The empowerment of panchayats is based on '3Fs' (funds, functionaries and functions), Brigadier (retired) Anil Gupta said. Explaining 'funds' for panchayats, Singh said the ...
BJP holds 2019 General Election preparatory meeting in UP
The BJP's UP unit held a 2019 General Elections preparatory meeting here on Monday. In a statement issued here, the BJP's media co-in-charge (UP unit) Himanshu Dubey said, "In the meeting, it was decided that booth samiti abhinandan (booth committee felicitation) programme will be held from November 10 to November 15. On November 17, Kamal Sandesh Bike Rally will be held in 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state." Dubey said padyatra (walking march) will be held in all the assembly constituencies in the state from December 1 to December 15 to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth year. Further, it was planned that the party will celebrate the next Republic Day by illuminating over 3 crore lotuses in Uttar Pradesh. Under the Kamal Jyoti Vikaas Abhiyaan, the BJP workers will meet over 3 crore families, which have been benefited from various government schemes. The poll preparatory meeting, which was chaired by UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, saw the participation of deputy chief ...
UPA government took no effective steps against Maoists: Prasad
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday accused the Congress of proximity to "Urban Maoists", which prompted the United Progressive Alliance government that it led for 10 years to not take any effective steps against the left insurgents.
Urjit Patel is finally defending RBI from Modi: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday hailed Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel for 'defending' the central bank from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, after reports suggested that tension prevailed between the RBI and the Centre.
CPI slams BJP president Shah on Sabarimala issue
The Communist Party of India (CPI) Monday slammed BJP president Amit Shah for "ridiculing" Supreme Court's verdict on Sabarimala temple, saying he had "incited" BJP workers to defy the verdict. "BJP president Amit Shah has ridiculed the Supreme Court's judgment. His statement on Sabarimala temple verdict is atrocious and provocative", alleged D Raja, national secretary of CPI. Escalating his attack on the Left dispensation, Shah Saturday alleged an "Emergency-like" situation prevails in Kerala with the state government "playing with fire" in quelling with "brutal force" protests by Ayyappa devotees over Sabarimala issue. "You concentrate on developing the state rather than attacking the Ayyappa bhakts," the BJP president had said and warned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that he would have to pay a "heavy price" if this continues, as BJP workers "would not hesitate to pull down the government". Till date, police have arrested over 3,000 persons across Kerala who took part in the ...
BJP wants alliance with Sena for 2019 polls: Danve
The BJP in Maharashtra once again reached out to its estranged alliance partner Shiv Sena for forging an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 "to prevent division of votes". BJP state unit president Raosaheb Danve said in Nagpur that the alliance with Sena could happen on a formula that had been agreed upon by BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray (both deceased now) (in 1990). However, he clarified that the number of seats to be contested by each parties would be decided through deliberations. Responding to a query of reporters on whether BJP will fight the upcoming polls in alliance with the Sena, Danve said, "It is our wish to contest the polls jointly with Sena because that party is our old ally of many years. We also want to prevent division of votes". He said the BJP and Sena had fought all elections together with an exception of 2014 state assembly elections. When asked if the BJP is keen to contest with its allies because it is not ...
Cong seeks high-level probe into J&K health insurance 'bungling'
With Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik cancelling the state's tie up with Reliance General Insurance for mandatory mediclaim facilities to the government employees and pensioner, the Congress Monday sought a high-level probe into the "bungling". J&K Congress chief Gulam Ahmed Mir also demanded a probe into the alleged "political appointments" on extraneous grounds in J&K Bank and other government services during the previous PDP-BJP regime. "We demand a high level probe into each of the shady affairs including the insurance scam involving Anil Ambani's General Reliance Insurance, besides the recruitment scam in J&K Bank and other appointments in various government services during the previous regime," said Mir. Mir said the recent revelations by Governor Malik has exposed the messy affairs, which prevailed during the PDP-BJP regime. Governor Malik cancelled Thursday the state government's tie up with Reliance General Insurance for mandatory group mediclaim policy .
KIAL says permission for Shah's flight to land granted by it&
: Kannur International Airport Ltd Monday said it was KIAL and not the state government which granted landing permission to the chartered aircraft carrying BJP President Amit Shah at that city on October 27, ahead of its formal inauguration on December 9. The clarification came in the wake of the controversy which had erupted over the flight landing ahead of the inauguration date, with a Minister slamming Shah Sunday for threatening to oust the LDF government despite it allowing him to arrive there as part of state's 'tradition of hospitality.' A KIAL release Monday said that since Kannur airport had received license for operations of non-scheduled flights, it can allow any requests for landing of flights,though operation of scheduled flights would commence after December 6. KIAL said the requisite amount for landing of the flight has to be paid to the airport operator, the release said. On that basis, the chartered flight carrying the BJP president was permitted to land .