Page 2625 - Politics
Row over Shah's landing in yet-to-be-opened Kannur airport
A controversy has erupted over BJP President Amit Shah landing in the yet to be opened Kannur airport, with a Kerala Minister slamming him Sunday for threatening to oust the LDF government despite it allowing him to arrive there as part of state's 'tradition of hospitality.' State Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac tweeted that though the state had shown the 'tradition of hospitality' by permitting Shah to land in the airport, which had not been formally inaugurated, the BJP leader had threatened to oust the left ruled Kerala government. The official inauguration of the Kannur airport, the fourth in the state, is scheduled to be held on December 9. But, by arriving in a special flight there yesterday to inaugurate the BJP's new district committee office, Shah has unofficially become the first passenger to land in the airport at Mattanur in Kannur. Isaac said shah's "empty threats" were out of frustration as the saffron party is yet to get more members in the state ...
1 dead, two injured as shots fired in Sri Lanka amid political crisis
The political crises in Sri Lanka took an ugly turn on Sunday when bodyguards of Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, a loyalist of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, fired live rounds at the supporters of the new premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, leaving one person dead. One person succumbed to his injuries and two others were hospitalised in the shooting incident and a security personnel was arrested at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) premises in Dematagoda following a tense situation on Sunday, police said. The incident took place when the cricketer-turned-politician visited the CPC office, with several Ceylon Petroleum Corporation workers objecting to his presence at the office. When Ranatunga entered the building the supporters of the new prime minister Rajapaksa took exception to him visiting the office and shouted slogans. When they were not allowed to move out, shots were fired which injured three persons. Unconfirmed reports said that two of Ranatunga's security personnel ..
BJP doesn't have experience of running country: Azad
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks more outside Parliament than inside the House and the BJP does not have the experience of running the country. The former Union minister made the statement while addressing party workers here. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi seldom speak inside Parliament, but he never gets tired while speaking outside Parliament," Azad said. He claimed that due to implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), lakhs of small and medium industrial units have shutdown. "The labourers working there have become unemployed. Similarly, demonetisation has rendered 35 lakh people jobless across the country," the Congress leader said. Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said, "The BJP remembers the Ram temple only when the elections approach, and by the time elections are over, the issue is forgotten.
Kanye West encourages African-Americans to end support for democrats
Turns out, Hollywood rapper Kanye West is more political in nature than his fans thought he would be, as he designed T-shirts that encouraged the African-American population to end their support for the Democrats.He designed T-shirts that read 'Blexit' (Black + exit). In a leadership summit designated for the African-American community in Washington, his designs were showcased, reported Page Six. However, Kanye West didn't turn up for the event.Candace Owens, the director of the leadership summit, said that it is a renaissance in its own which was brought about by his "dear friend and fellow superhero Kanye West".Calling this as one "of the boldest steps in America", she said that West's initiative has opened an avenue for a conversation that everyone needs be involved in.The clothes were part of a launch for Blexit.com, which contains testimonials from African Americans who have already left the Democratic Party.In 2019, Owens said there will be a tour to major cities, which, ...
Ex-ISRO chief Madhavan Nair joins BJP
Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief Madhavan Nair joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party president Amit Shah in Trivandrum on Saturday.Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and Congress leader G Raman Nair was also inducted into the BJP.The other prominent personalities from Kerala to have joined the party are former women's commission member Dr Prameela Devi, Janata Dal (Secular) Trivandrum district vice-president Karakulam Divakaran Nair and Malankara Church functionary C Thomas John.The new inductions were made during Shah's day-long visit to Kerala.
FMPHW suspends strike for two months in J-K
The Female Multipurpose Health Workers (FMPHW) in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday announced suspension of its 62-day protest strike, claiming that the governor administration has assured them that their demands would be addressed within two months. "We have decided to suspend the ongoing strike for two months on the assurance of K Vijay Kumar, advisor to the governor, who assured us that all our genuine demands would be addressed within shortest possible time," president FMPHW Neelam Kumari told reporters here. Kumari, flanked by Medical Employees Federation president Sushil Sudan, said they met the governor's advisor on Saturday and held a marathon meeting with him to discuss their demands. "He sought time and assured that all our genuine demands would be addressed within two months. Therefore we have decided to suspend the ongoing strike for the time being," she said. Sudan said the health workers are on strike for the last 62 days and are demanding among other things release of wages ...
Khurana's mortal remains consigned to flames; Delhi govt announces two-day state mourning
Former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana's mortal remains were consigned to the flames Sunday evening, with several top politicians paying homage to the veteran BJP leader. The Delhi government, as mark of respect, has declared a two-day state-mourning following his death. Khurana (82) is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. One of his sons had died last month. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran, Khurana was the chief minister of Delhi from 1993 to 1996 and was appointed the governor of Rajasthan in 2004. His son, Harish Khurana, said his father breathed his last at his Kirti Nagar residence around 11 pm Saturday. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal paid tributes to Khurana. Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Harsh Vardhan, Kalraj Mishra and Vijay Goel, and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also paid their respects to former chief
Thailand's biggest party elects leaders as it gears up for election
The party of Thailand's former premier -- who was toppled by the military -- chose its leaders Sunday and said it is "confident of success" ahead of a much-anticipated election promised for February. Pheu Thai, which backed ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra, voted in stalwart Viroj Pao-in as party leader, members said in a briefing to the media. Viroj has "worked hard during the party's difficult times", said Pheu Thai stalwart Sudarat Keyuraphan, who was made head of the strategic committee. The junta, which seized power and toppled Yingluck's administration in a coup in 2014, has postponed elections multiple times since taking over but has insisted the vote will now go ahead in February. Parties are still under a partial political ban, which bars them from campaigning or holding rallies. It remains to be seen whether Pheu Thai can capitalise on previous successes at the ballot without the star power of Yingluck and her older brother Thaksin, who was himself pushed out in a military
NPP to play major role in Mizoram Assembly poll: Conrad Sangma
The National People's Party (NPP) will play a major role in the November 28 state Assembly poll in Mizoram, party president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said here Sunday. The NPP is part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre and a constituent of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). In Meghalaya, the NPP is the major partner of the ruling MDA alliance while in Nagaland and Manipur it is also part of the ruling alliance. The party was formally launched in Mizoram last month. "We are confident that the people of Mizoram will accept us and give us an opportunity to champion their cause and concerns," the Meghalaya chief minister told reporters on the sidelines of a programme. He claimed that a sitting Congress MLA had joined the NPP Saturday and many others have indicated their interest in contesting the elections to the 40-member house on NPP ticket. When contacted, NPP national secretary Dr Lalrina told PTI in Aizawl that that no sitting Congress legislator
Prasad hits out at Tharoor over Shiv Linga remarks
The BJP Sunday hit out at Congress leader Shashi Tharoor over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Linga, asking Congress chief Rahul Gandhi whether he supports his party leader's comments. The party, seeking a response from Gandhi, said he should apologise to Hindus, if he does not support the statements made by his party MP Tharoor. The BJP's reaction came a day after Tharoor reportedly claimed an unnamed RSS source had told a journalist that Prime Minister Modi was like a scorpion sitting on a Shiv Linga who cannot be removed by hand or hit with a chappal (slipper). "The Congress claims to represent the heritage of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Today, under the presidentship of Rahul Gandhi it has been reduced to hurling abuses and the worst form of civil discourse," BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said here. He said while he would not like to comment on Tharoor's remarks "against whom a charge sheet has been filed in a murder
Congress ignored contributions of national leaders in freedom
Senior BJP leader and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged here Sunday that the Congress has ignored the contributions of great national leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the freedom struggle. "In India's struggle for independence, the sacrifice of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is there.. the sacrifice of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is there. But, in any meeting of Congress, Mahatma Gandhi's name is not taken.. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's name is not taken.. Subhash Chandra Bose's name is not taken," he said, addressing a national convention of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of BJP. The contribution of such leaders, including Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Gopinath Bordoloi, is now being acknowledged under the present Modi government, said Sarma, who is Assam's Finance and Health Minister. The BJYM activists say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' but in Congress, the party's workers say 'Rahul Gandhi ka Jai,' .
BJP demands apology from 'Shiv Bhakt' Rahul on Tharoor's remark
Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad has demanded an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the "despicable and deplorable" comment made by Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi."(Shashi) Tharoor is charge sheeted in a serious allegation of murder. I don't want to give him more prestige by responding to his baseless allegations but the larger issue is that while Congress president Rahul Gandhi claims himself to be a Shiv Bhakt, one of his leaders have almost abused the sanctity of Shivling or Mahadev. This is despicable, deplorable and downright vilification of the great god of Hindu faith. Rahul, please reply to the very horrific denunciation of Lord Mahadev by giving an apology," he said while addressing a press conference here on Sunday.Earlier in the day, while addressing a gathering, Tharoor raked up controversy by comparing Prime Minister Modi to a "scorpion sitting on a Shivling". He noted, "There is an ...
PM Modi building India, Mahagathbandhan breaking India: Amit Shah
Launching a scathing attack at the Opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Sunday claimed that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is building 'Make in India', the 'Mahatgathbandhan' or grand alliance of opposition parties is busy breaking the country. "There are two ideologies present in the country at this moment. On one hand, you have the BJP which is working so hard to build India and take it forward through its schemes and policies, and on the other hand, you have the Mahagathbandhan, which doesn't even have a leader, and is busy breaking the country," Shah said while addressing the Vijay Lakshya 2019 organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYP) in Hyderabad.Citing the opposing ideologies, Shah appealed to the gathering to vote for the BJP in the upcoming general elections. "Time has come to confront these forces. Only you can make the difference," he added.The BJP Chief further claimed that the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) government led by ...
Delhi govt declares two-day state mourning on Khurana's demise
The Delhi government Sunday announced a two-day state mourning following the demise of former chief minister and veteran BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana. "We all are deeply saddened to hear of the demise of veteran leader & former CM of Delhi Shri Madan Lal Khurana ji. As a mark of respect to the departed soul, state mourning shall be observed by Delhi govt for 2 days," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted. Khurana (82) passed away here Saturday after prolonged illness. He had been suffering from a chest infection and fever since the last few days, his family members had said. The veteran leader is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. Another son of his had died last month. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran, Khurana was the chief minister of Delhi from 1993 to 1996 and was appointed the governor of Rajasthan in 2004. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those
Modi government biggest threat to democracy: AAP
Calling the Modi government the "biggest threat to democracy and federal structure of India's Constitution", the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused the BJP of "stifling and paralysing elected governments in the country".
Militants attack Army patrol party in J-K's Shopian
Militants Sunday attacked a patrolling party of the Army in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Militants opened fire on a patrolling party of the Army at Poterwal village of the south Kashmir district, a police official said. He said the Army retaliated, forcing the militants to flee. There were no reports of any loss of life, the official added.
If honest, PM Modi should not fear CBI probe in Rafale deal: Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged corruption in the multi-crore Rafale jet deal with France, saying he should not fear a CBI probe if he is honest. Referring to the Union government's mid-night decision to send CBI chief Alok Verma on indefinite leave last week, Kejriwal claimed Verma was "suspended" as Modi feared he was to register an FIR in connection with the deal and launch an investigation. "It is a Rs 36,000-crore fighter aircraft scam. An honest CBI chief was removed at 3 am as he wanted to lodge FIR against the prime minister the next morning. The prime minister should not be afraid of a CBI probe, if he is honest," Kejriwal said at a public meeting in Jaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan. His supporters chanted that Modi is a "thief". Verma was sent on leave after a feud erupted between him and his deputy, Special Director Rakesh Asthana, with the government saying the decision was taken to protect ...
Hold CBI probe into all appointments made during PDP-BJP rule: JKNPP
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) Sunday demanded a CBI probe into all appointments made during the previous PDP-BJP rule, claiming that "several thousand blue-eyed candidates" were appointed in government services in violation of rules. "Corrupt politicians in league with certain reckless officers had blown to smithereens all rules, regulations and procedure and appointed several thousand blue-eyed candidates in government services on monetary and other extraneous considerations which needed a CBI probe," JKNPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh told reporters here. He alleged that the J&K Bank has made "thousands of political appointments in blatant disregard for all cannons of equity and fair play". Other state government departments have also beaten all records of such "nasty back door appointments" over the past four years, Singh added. He said the Public Service Commission had all along remained in the centre of controversy in the past over "irregularities and ...
Togadia 'no more relevant': UP BJP chief on Ayodhya issue
UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey Sunday said former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia is "no more relevant vis-a-vis Ayodhya movement and his party was committed to build a Ram temple there. The BJP stand is very clear. It is committed to building Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is of the view that the Ram temple should be built through consensus or as per the way shown by the court. And, whenever, such circumstances arise, the party will always be ready, Pandey told PTI in an interview. The UP BJP chief's remarks came in the wake of Togadia's demand from the BJP government at the Centre to either enact a law or bring in an ordinance "to fulfil its promise" of building Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Pandey said,As far as Togadia is concerned, he is no more relevant." Once considered a firebrand Hindutva leader, Togadia, during his recent Lucknow visit, had said,Our demand (from the BJP government at the Centre) is that they should fulfil their promises. Build a Lord Ram Temple in ...
Poland again demands war reparations from Germany
The president of Poland repeated Sunday his country's demand for Germany to pay reparations over World War II, days before ministers from Berlin and Warsaw will sit down for bilateral talks. "In my view, reparations payments are not a topic that's been dealt with," Andrzej Duda told the Sunday edition of Germany's biggest-selling newspaper Bild. Citing two reports, one from former president Lech Kaczynski and another from the Polish parliament, Duda said that "the damage caused during the war was never compensated for". He pointed especially to the capital Warsaw, which was "razed to the ground" by German troops. "It's a question of truth and responsibility," Duda said. Berlin has often rejected claims for war reparations in the past, saying Poland officially renounced such demands in August 1953. But the conservative party that holds power in Warsaw argues that their country was forced to sign the document by the Soviet Union. On Friday, the two governments will hold a joint meeting .