Page 262 - Politics
Congress looking into reasons for defeat: Pilot
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said the Congress is studying reasons for its defeat in parliamentary elections by conducting surveys at booth levels.
Manipur cabinet to be reshuffled this month: CM
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that a cabinet reshuffle is on the cards this month. The chief minister said this to the media on the sidelines of a World Environment Day programme at Hundung village in Ukhrul district. Singh also said that the reshuffling will be based on various parameters such as a minister's performance, discipline, loyalty to the party and the leadership. The chief minister also said that about 40 per cent of the ministers in the previous NDA government were dropped after the BJP came to power at the Centre, for the second consecutive time. Those ministers were dropped on the basis of their performances, discipline, loyalty to the party and the leadership, Singh claimed. Similarly, a minister's performance and the results of various projects undertaken by him/her in the state will be assessed, Singh said, adding, the assessment will be carried out both by the state and the central leaders. Asked whether the Naga People's Front
Indian Sukhois to fly with French Rafales in war games
New Delhi (India), Jun 5 (ANI): Sukhoi fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will head to France this month-end to participate in Garuda-series aerial war games with the French Rafale fighter aircraft.In one of the biggest wargames between the air forces of the two countries, the Indian contingent would get an opportunity to fly with the Rafale planes, which are going to be inducted in India from September this year."A war game with the French Air Force is planned to be held at a French air base under which the team will leave by month-end. The Bareilly-based 24 Squadron 'Hawks' is expected to represent India," IAF sources said.The plan is still waiting for the final approval of the competent authorities, they said.India and France had recently held naval drills in the Arabian Sea under the Varuna series wargames in which Indian naval fighters along with the Rafale-M of the French Air Force took part.India and France are strategic partners and have been enhancing their strategic ...
Defeated by BJP's EVM hacking, party sabotage: Cong candidate
The Congress candidate in Sundergarh Lok Sabha seat George Tirkey Wednesday charged the BJP with hacking the EVM, and also accused some of his own party leaders of sabotage leading to his defeat in the polls. Both the BJP and the Congress denied his allegations. BJP's Jual Oram won from Sundergarh defeating Sunita Biswal of the ruling BJD by over 2 lakh votes while Tirkey finished third. There were eight candidates in the seat. "There was a big Modi wave in 2014 and BJP candidate Jual Oram could secure only 3.6 lakh votes. And this time, there was no such wave and Rourkela (BJP) MLA Dilip Ray also resigned from the party. Still Oram got above 5 lakh votes," Tirkey, a trade union leader, told reporters here. Tirkey, who was elected to the Odisha assembly in 2009 and 2014, alleged that the EVM was hacked by the BJP in the Lok Sabha election. "It (hacking of the EVMs) has happened here and I have informed it to the party. We will gherao the collector's office at Sundergarh,"
Conduct delimitation exercise in time-bound manner: J-K Cong
The Congress Wednesday batted for holding the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir and said the process should be completed in shortest possible time. The party's reaction came after reports claimed that the Centre was toying with the idea of constituting a delimitation commission to redraw the scope and size of the assembly segments and determine the number of seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes. "Party favours early delimitation in a time-bound manner and completion of the process before the conduct of assembly elections in the state," JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said here. He said the delimitation exercise should be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and norms & procedure prescribed under the law taking into account various parameters of population, area, terrain, topography and other such considerations in order to ensure complete justice with each and every area. "Since the BJP government at the Centre has absolute majority and the state is
Changes in BJP in offing?
Moves are afoot to initiate changes in the BJP organisation after its massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections and its President Amit Shah becoming a crucial member of the Union Cabinet.The changes that could come in a week's time may include that of the BJP President in keeping with the principle of 'one-man, one-post' under which Shah may have to give up the party chief's post.Now a search may be on to look for a replacement for Shah, whose term which ended in December last year and extended for six months, would come to an end this month. The extension was given keeping in mind the ensuing general elections.Former Union Minister J P Nadda is being considered a strong candidate for the post due to his perceived organisational skills and clean image, sources said.However, the process to choose the Presidentcould take at least two months to complete. A working President can be chosen to oversee the election process of the new President in case Shah resigns.Some reports suggest ...
Chandrababu Naidu writes to AP CM over 'Praja Vedika'
Telugu Desam Party supremo and former Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, Wednesday wrote to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy requesting that the 'Praja Vedika' here be declared as 'residence annex' of the Leader of Opposition. The structure was built by the AP Capital Region Development Authority to be used essentially for official meetings by the Chief Minister. "Post Assembly elections 2019, following my demitting the CM office, I have decided to retain the same private house as per the agreed terms and conditions of the property owner. Since the Praja Vedika is located beside my existing residence, I am planning to retain it for my official use. As you are aware, I have been chosen as the leader of Telugu Desam Legislature Party to discharge my responsibilities as leader of the opposition," Naidu pointed out in his first formal letter to the chief minister. Naidu requested that the Praja Vedika be declared as the residence annex of the leader of ...
Pakistan military to cut defence spending
Pakistan's military has decided to slash the defence budget for the next financial year in line with broader austerity measures being introduced by the government to deal with the cash-strapped country's financial woes.
Communal statements by Giriraj unfortunate: JDU leader Pawan Verma
JDU leader Pawan Verma on Wednesday said that "communal statements" made by BJP leader and Union Cabinet Minister Giriraj Singh about Iftar were unfortunate."There is a communal pattern in his statements. He is filled with venom and hatred for a particular community. It is very unfortunate for someone who has been promoted as a Cabinet minister," said Verma, while talking to ANI.Replying to Giriraj's tweet on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attending an Iftar ceremony, Verma said: "Nitish ji celebrates Holi, Shivratri, Chhath and many other festivals also. Why did he take offence to Iftaar celebration?"To the media reports of Giriraj getting a dressing down by party president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Verma said: "Yes, I have also heard that Amit Shahji has rebuked him but we wonder whether that will have the desired effect on him or not.""Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also advised his MPs and MLAs to refrain from making such comments but the leaders of the likes of ...
Congress leader Azhagiri opposes saffronising Bharathiyar's turban
The state unit Congress chief K S Azhagiri has criticised the depiction of national Tamil poet Bharathiyar in a saffron turban on the textbook covers in the state."Bharathiyar was a Tamil poet and freedom fighter. We oppose the move to put his turban in saffron colour. He was not only a nationalist but also an international leader. How can they saffronise his turban? It is a wrong move, which we oppose," Azhagiri told ANI on Wednesday.Tami Nadu's main opposition party -- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) - has also termed the act as an insult to the great national poet.Though the ruling AIADMK allies have different views in this regard, they have expressed joy over the government's move and defended the decision.Bharathiyar is considered as one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all times. He also composed many patriotic songs during the Indian independence movement.
Uddhav to visit Ayodhya with Sena MPs before Parl session
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray would be visiting Ayodhya with all the 18 Lok Sabha MPs of the party before the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament, sources said Wednesday. Thackeray had visited Ayodhya in November last year and demanded that Ram temple be constructed at the disputed site before the Lok Sabha elections. The ties between the Sena and its ally BJP were under strain then. The Sena later once again stitched up an alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls, but maintained that Ram temple was an important issue for it. When contacted, Harshal Pradhan, a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray and media in-charge of the Sena, said, "It is true that Thackeray has decided to visit Ayodhya. The plan is to visit before the parliament session starts on June 17. "There will be an announcement about the visit soon. Uddhav-ji will elaborate on the visit and the party's stand," he said.
Senior Cong leader attacks Karna govt over JSW land deal
The opposition to Karnataka cabinet's decision on sale of 3,667 acres of land to JSW Steel intensified Wednesday with senior Congress MLA and former minister H K Patil coming out publicly against the deal and faulting party colleague and Industries Minister K J George. Patil, who has earlier written to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy against parting with the land in Ballari district, accused George of 'hiding facts' about 'dues' owed by the company to state-owned Mysore Minerals Limited (MML). He claimed JSW owed Rs 2,000 crore, including interest, to the MML and this was 'ignored' while making the leased land freehold in favour of the lessee. "This makes the government's decision to benefit the company seemed suspicious," he said in a letter to George, a copy of which he shared on Twitter. Patil's latest missive come after George at a press conference maintained that JSW Steel did not have any dues. The state unit of the BJP too has attacked the government on the issue, ..
Jammu: Indo-Pak border forces celebrate Eid together
Personnel of India's Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr at the Indo-Pak border here on Wednesday."Border Security Force personnel and Pakistan Rangers greeted each other and exchanged sweets on the International Border of Jammu in Hiranagar Samba, Ramgarh, RS Pura and Pragwal Sectors," said the PRO, BSF, Jammu.Soldiers of both the forces committed to maintaining a peaceful atmosphere and harmonious relation between the two border guarding forces, the PRO said."On the Indian side as well, BSF personnel of all communities greeted and celebrated the end of the holy month of Ramzan with Muslim brothers with great excitement and happiness," said PRO.
Sudan rebel leader detained in Khartoum: Spokesperson
A senior Sudanese rebel leader who returned to Khartoum to take part in talks with the military was detained Wednesday, a spokesman for his movement said, following an army crackdown on protests. Yasir Arman, deputy chief of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), was seized from the house where he was staying in Khartoum by armed men who arrived in pick-up trucks and surrounded the building, the spokesman said. "They took him without clarifying to us the place (they would take him to) and said they were from the National Intelligence and Security Service," Mubarak Ardol said. The spokesman charged that the armed men "beat" Arman and his assistant and destroyed surveillance cameras outside the house. Arman returned to Khartoum on May 26 to take part in talks after the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir in April following months of mass protests against his authoritarian rule. The SPLM-N's armed wing had battled Bashir's forces in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states .
BJP's stunning LS poll mandate takes a toll on Oppn as they face infighting, desertions
The BJP's sweeping Lok Sabha poll victory has begun to weigh on the opposition ranks with alliances showing signs of break-up and most parties facing infighting and desertions. The rumblings within most of the non-NDA parties are growing louder as leaders and workers appear restive and edgy. The 'mahagathbandhan' of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh has become the first casualty of saffron dominance in India's biggest state, with BSP supremo Mayawati breaking ranks and blaming the "ineffective" SP for the losses. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav virtually conceded that the "trial" was unsuccessful. The three parties have decided to go solo in the state bypolls. In Karnataka too, the Janata Dal (Secular) is feeling the heat with state chief A H Vishwanath quitting the party, citing troubles in the ruling alliance with the Congress. Despite claims to the contrary by the two parties, cracks in the alliance are emerging with several leaders ...
Siddaramaiah hits out at BJP for no Dalit MP from Karnataka in Union Cabinet
Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) for not including any Dalit Member of Parliament (MP) from the state in the Union Cabinet.Expressing his angst against the BJP on Twitter, Siddharamaiah tweeted in Kannada to say: "Empowerment of Dalits will not take place only through big talks. In the last elections, several BJP leaders won from the reserved seats in the state. Congratulations to them for their victory. But not even a single Dalit MP got representation in the Union Cabinet. What's more unjust and unfair than this?"The Lok Sabha members from Karnataka inducted into the Union Cabinet are Pralhad Joshi, who is Union parliamentary affairs minister, D V Sadananda Gowda who is Union chemicals and fertilizers minister and Suresh Angadi who is a minister of state for railways.
Computer Baba takes charge in MP, demands chopper
Namdev Das Tyagi, aka, Computer Baba, who joined office at the state secretariat here as chairman of the Narmada-Mandakini-Kshipra trust with ministerial rank on Tuesday, did not waste even an hour after taking charge to demand a helicopter within a week to inspect the Narmada River.
UP CM Adityanath turns 47, urges people to plant saplings
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who turned 47 on Wednesday urged the people of the state to plant saplings on the occasion of World Environment Day. "I congratulate the entire 23 crore people of Uttar Pradesh and I urge them to take a resolution towards planting 23 crore trees in the state. It is a big but a necessary goal," he said. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Governor Ram Naik and several other leaders wished him on his birthday. "Greetings to Uttar Pradesh's dynamic Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on his birthday. CM Yogi has done commendable work in transforming UP especially in areas like agriculture, industry as well as in improving law and order. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted. Similarly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended birthday greetings to Adityanath in their respective tweets. "Happy Birthday to popular Chief Minister Yogi ji who has been leading UP on the path of good .
Sachin Pilot should become Rajasthan CM: Congress MLA Prithviraj Meena
Congress leader and Todabhim MLA Prithviraj Meena on Wednesday said that Sachin Pilot should replace Ashok Gehlot as Rajasthan Chief Minister."Sachin Pilot should become the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. It was because of him we got the majority in Rajasthan. He (Ashok Gehlot) does not have much hold now. The Jatt and Gujjar communities are upset, who will give the vote? If a young man becomes Chief Minister then he does something," Meena told media here.His statement comes after Ashok Gehlot in an interview to a news channel said, "Sachin Pilot was quite confident that his son Vaibhav Gehlot will win from Jodhpur parliamentary constituency and therefore I think he should take responsibility for at least this seat".Vaibhav Gehlot lost to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat by over 3 lakh votes from Jodhpur.When asked about Ashok Gehlot's statement, Meena said, "Why should he (Pilot) take the responsibility? A chief minister is responsible for an election defeat when the party is in power.
Modi to resolve Naga political issue in second term: BJP
The BJP in Nagaland Wednesday asserted that the decades-long Naga political problem will be resolved during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term in office. The Naga issue was left unresolved during the 35-40 years of Congress regime, BJP leader and state Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton alleged here. The Modi government signed a framework agreement with the NSCN(IM) in August 2015 and six Naga nationalist political groups have joined the peace talks separately. But there has not been a breakthrough on the Naga problem. "Prime Minister Modi led BJP government at the Centre will surely solve the Naga political issue during his time. So, let us all sincerely pray for him," Patton said at a programme to celebrate the party's return to power with a thumping majority at the Centre. The then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had recognized the unique history of the Nagas in 2003, he said. About the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in Nagaland, of which the ...