Page 2637 - Politics
Ex-Lankan strongman Rajapaksa sworn in as new PM after prez Sirisena sacks incumbent premier
Controversial Sri Lankan strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a dramatic political comeback on Friday, becoming the new Prime Minister after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who termed the move as "unconstitutional" and vowed to prove his majority in Parliament. The sudden development came amid growing tensions between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe on several policy matters and the President has been critical of the Prime Minister and his policies, especially on economy and security. Rajapaksa, 72, tweeted a photo of him and Sirisena after the swearing in ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat here. "Former #SriLanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as new Prime Minister," he said in the tweet. Reacting sharply to his sacking, Wickremesinghe asserted that the swearing in of Rajapaksa in his place is "illegal and unconstitutional" and he will prove his majority in Parliament. "I will continue to be the Prime Minister. Mahinda Rajapaksa's appointment .
Modi threatening idea of India, stifling dissent: Manmohan Singh
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of curbing academic freedom and stifling dissent, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Friday said the "idea of India" was being threatened under his government, which not only sought to rule India, but to change its "very heart and soul".
Former Sri Lankan President sworn in as new PM
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Prime Minister at the Presidential Secretariat here on Friday, a government official said.
Mattis to assure Arabs of US role in Mideast speech
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is to reaffirm America's role as a guarantor of stability in the Middle East, in a policy speech before Arab leaders on Saturday. Mattis, who arrived in Bahrain on Friday, will address the Manama Dialogue at a time of strained US ties with key ally Saudi Arabia over the murder earlier this month of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mattis will reiterate "our long term commitment to ensuring and helping these partners and allies... re-instill stability in a very chaotic region", said Principal Deputy Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs Katie Wheelbarger. He will call on Arab nations to "continue to look to the United states as your security partner of choice because you can rely on us and depend on us to be there long term", Wheelbarger told journalists travelling with Mattis. The defence secretary's speech comes as Russia keeps up its military intervention in Syria and Washington accuses Tehran of sowing instability across the ...
Modi's rule not been good for India, he failed electorate: Manmohan
In one of his sharpest attacks yet on Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said his successor's rule has not been good for India as he "failed" the electorate and led a government that was "mostly silent" on incidents of communal violence, mob lynching and cow vigilantism. Singh, while speaking at the launch of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's new book, alleged that under the present dispensation the environment in universities and national institutions like the CBI was being vitiated and dissent stifled. His remarks came amid the current crisis in the CBI, whose top two bosses were divested of their powers and sent on leave by the government. In a scathing criticism of Modi, Singh said he was elected as the 14th prime minister of India on the back of many lofty promises, but in the past four years, he and his government "failed" their electorate and eroded the voters' faith. He said Modi is a "paradoxical prime minister" and Tharoor has demonstrated this through his ...
Congress workers demonstrate outside CBI office in Dehradun
Congress workers held a protest outside the CBI office here, terming the Centre's decision to divest the investigating agency's director Alok Verma of his powers as "unconstitutional" and "illegal". Constitutional agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Union Public Service Commission are being misused under the BJP rule, something which has never been done before, Uttarakhand Congress president Pritam Singh said while addressing party workers. He claimed this is discrediting the country's legal system at the global level. Verma forcefully being sent on leave has also hurt the citizens' trust and made it clear that the Centre wants to use the CBI for its political convenience, he said. The Congress leader claimed that Verma was probing the Rafale deal and it is likely that he collected some proof against corruption in it, which is why he was sent on leave on leave by the CVC on the Centre's order. Later, .
'I will remain Lankan PM, naming Rajapaksa unconstitutional': Wickremesinghe
The swearing in of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister is "illegal and unconstitutional", sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted Friday. In a dramatic turn of events, President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party withdrew from the ruling coalition and then sacked Wickremesinghe. In a telephonic conversation with a TV station, Wickremesinghe said "I will continue to be the Prime Minister. Mahinda Rajapaksa's appointment is unconstitutional". Similarly, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera tweeted that "the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister is unconstitutional and illegal. This is an anti-democratic coup". Mahinda Amaraweera, agriculture minister and the general secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), told reporters that the UPFA decision has been conveyed to Parliament. Within minutes of the statement, Rajapaksa was invited by Sirisena to take oath as the Prime Minister. The unity government was ..
SC verdict checks govt's attempts to dismantle constitutional bodies in country: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party welcomed the Supreme Court's directions in connection with the turmoil in the CBI Friday, claiming it had effectively checked the government's attempts to dismantle constitutional institutions. AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the "intervention" by the apex court over the turmoil at the CBI would expectedly uphold the institutional integrity of the investigating agency. "Welcome intervention by the hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the CBI matter," he tweeted. "In the interests of the nation, hope that institutional integrity of the CBI will be upheld and powers that be will understand that their illegal acts will not go unchallenged," he said. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh claimed the court's direction for supervision by a retired Supreme Court judge of a CVC probe against CBI director Alok Verma will check any plans to frame him. "The Supreme Court order today has effectively checked the Narendra Modi-led government from dismantling ...
Def Ministry spokesperson sent on leave after tweet triggers outrage among military veterans
Defence ministry spokesperson Swaranashree Rao Rajashekar went on leave Friday after a tweet by her appeared to criticise former Navy Chief Arun Prakash and triggered outrage among military veterans. The defence ministry in a tweet said, "Col. Aman Anand, took over as the acting Official Spokesperson of MOD as the Spokesperson proceeds on leave." Sources said Rajashekar was asked to go on leave as her tweet, criticising misuse of privileges by military officials, left the defence ministry red faced. She had posted the tweet while responding to a comment by the former Navy Chief. The tweet was later deleted. What about misuse of jawans in your residence during an officer's tenure sir? And how about children being picked up and dropped to school in Fauji (military) gaadis (vehicles)? Not to forget Madam's shopping expedition on government vehicles. And endless parties...who pays for that?" she tweeted. Her tweet from the handle of defence ministry's spokesperson came after Admiral ...
Punjab Cong leader says sending SMS not sexual harassment, oppn slams her
Amid a row over an inappropriate text" by a Punjab minister to a woman official, AICC secretary Asha Kumari Friday said an SMS message did not amount to sexual harassment. Her remark drew sharp criticism from opposition Shiromani Akali Dal, which charged that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had assigned Kumari to cover up the misdeeds of Technical Education minister Charanjit Singh Channi." Kumari, who is the Punjab in-charge at the All India Congress Committee, made the remark to reporters on the sidelines of a demonstration here against the recent shake-up in the CBI. She said the party had received no complaint against the minister and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had already expressed his view on the matter. The minister had allegedly sent an inappropriate message to a woman official some weeks back, triggering opposition demand to sack him from his post. In an apparent reference to the movement against sexual harassment at workplace, Kumari said, Sending a message does not ...
HP Cong leaders booked for holding protest outside CBI office
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) leaders were booked for holding a protest outside the CBI office against sacking the agency's director Alok Verma. An FIR has been registered against HPCC president Sukuvinder Singh Sukhu, incharge HPCC affairs Rajni Patil, opposition leader Mukesh Agnihotri, Congress leaders including Ram Lal Thakur, Gangu Ram Musafir, Harbajan Singh Bhaji, Yashwant Singh Chagta and others under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code at Sadar police station, police said. Earlier in the day, the Congress leaders carried out a protest march and demonstrated outside the state CBI office on Mall Road and raised slogans against Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.
BJP, JD(U) to fight Lok Sabha polls on equal seats in Bihar: Amit Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Friday announced that the BJP and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) would contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections on equal number of seats in Bihar. The decision was taken following a discussion with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.Shah also divulged that a respectable share of seats would be given to other allies as well. "It has been decided that BJP and JD(U) will fight on equal number of seats for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 in Bihar. Other allies will also get a respectable seat share. Numbers will be announced in a few days," Shah said.Giving out more information, he said that Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan would continue to remain with the BJP."Upendra Kushwaha and Ram Vilas Paswan will remain with us. When a new ally has joined us, there will be a reduction in seat share for everyone," Shah said. JD(U) was not an ally of BJP in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It ...
Ex-Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa becomes new PM amid political drama
Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a dramatic political comeback on Friday, becoming Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, triggering angry reactions from the finance minister who termed the former strongman's return as an "anti-democratic coup". Visuals of the former president Rajapaksa taking oath as the premier were released to media and was shown on TV channels. Rajapaksa, 72, tweeted a photo of him and Sirisena after the swearing in ceremony. "Former #SriLanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as new Prime Minister," he said in the tweet. The sudden development came after Sirisena's broader political front United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) announced that it has decided to quit the current unity government with prime minister Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP). Mahinda Amaraweera, agriculture minister and the general secretary of the UPFA, told reporters that the UPFA decision has been conveyed to ...
Vice President to go on three-nation Africa tour
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will embark on a week-long three-nation tour of Africa from October 31 that will see him visiting Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi, it was announced on Friday.
Japan-India ties completely transformed in recent years: PM Modi
Ahead of his Japan visit for the Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that India's ties with Japan, both economic and strategic, stand completely transformed in recent years.Prime Minister Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28 and 29 for the Annual Summit. This will be his 12th meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since his first visit to Japan as Prime Minister in September 2014.The Prime Minister last visited Japan in 2016 for the Annual Summit.Prime Minister Modi outlined the deep ties between the two countries through a statement released before his departure to Japan."Last year, I had the pleasure of hosting Prime Minister Abe and Akie Abe in my home state Gujarat also. Japan is India's valued partner. We have a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Our ties with Japan, both economic and strategic, stand completely transformed in recent years. It is today a partnership of great substance and purpose. It rests on the strong pillars of India's .
Srilanka: Mahinda Rajpaksa sworn in as the Prime Minister
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday took oath as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before President Maithripala Sirisena.It is being reported that the sudden development comes after the United People's Freedom Alliance decided to withdraw from the Unity Government formed in August 2015 following the general elections in the country. Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) were part of the Unity Government.Sri Lankan media outlet Ada Derana, quoted UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera stating that the Speaker of Parliament has been notified of the decision in writing.Last week the media reports were rife with unconfirmed reports of growing rift between different leaders of the unity government on a number of issues including development of ports and foreign investments in the island country.Sri Lankan media reported that the coalition government was going .
Russian President Putin invited for US visit
United States President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to visit Washington, D.C. in early 2019.As per Fox News report, Bolton, while speaking at a press conference in Georgia on Friday morning, has said that the scheduling of the visit is yet to be finalised, but the Russian President would be invited "after the first of the year.""We have invited President Putin to Washington after the first of the year for, basically, a full day of consultations.What the scheduling of that is we don't quite know yet," he said.Trump and Putin have held a summit in July in Helsinki, Finland which was touted to be a 'great success' by the US President.Russian president Putin had last visited the White House in September 2005. The then-President George W. Bush had termed it 'a new day in the long history of Russian-American relations, a day of progress and a day of hope'.During his visit to Moscow earlier this ...
BJP MP holds fair to highlight achievements of Modi govt
The Delhi BJP Friday inaugurated a fair to highlight achievements of the Modi government in its four years of power. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari and party MP Udit Raj inaugurated the 'Chaar Saal-Bemisaal evam Diwali Utsav' at Delhi Haat of Pitampura. The event was organised by Raj, who is a lawmaker from north west delhi constituency. Raj said the multipurpose fair have separate stalls for the central government and the state government schemes where people can get any kind of information about it. He said efforts will be made during the fair to provide benefits of Mudra loan and Ujjwala schemes to 100 eligible persons.
Hectic campaigning on in Telangana
Hectic campaigning continued in Telangana for the December 7 Assembly elections Friday with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Congress-led "grand alliance" and BJP making spirited efforts to bolster their cause. TRS leader and irrigation minister in the caretaker government T Harish Rao, addressing a gathering here, criticised the "grand alliance." Claiming that the alliance is day-dreaming about coming to power in the state, he said the coalition would not get even opposition status after the elections. TRS has been attacking the "grand alliance", comrprising Congress, Telugu Desam Party, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti, alleging that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu had written letters to the Centre opposing irrigation projects in the state in his capacity as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. The TRS is going it alone in the assembly polls. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, addressing a group of youth and students, alleged that the TRS ..
SC sets 2-week deadline for probe into CBI chief; retired judge to oversee; Rahul courts arrest
Observing that the crisis in the CBI sparked by the internal feud should not linger on in national interest, the Supreme Court Friday set a two-week deadline for the CVC to complete its ongoing inquiry against CBI chief Alok Verma and said a retired apex court judge will monitor the probe. Both Verma and the CBI's number two Rakesh Asthana, a Special Director, were divested of their duties and sent on leave by the Centre on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday in the wake of their bitter feud that triggered an unprecedented crisis in the 55-year history of the country's premier probe agency. The court while giving the directions also sought the response of the Centre and the Central Vigilance Commission(CVC) to Verma's petition challenging the Centre's order to divest him of his duties and send him on leave, The court also made it clear that from now on M Nageswara Rao, who is a Joint Director of CBI, would only perform the routine tasks that are essential to keep the CBI ...