Page 2645 - Politics
Sitaram Yechury arrives in Kathmandu
Communist Party of India (Marxist) Secretary General Sitaram Yechury arrived in Kathmandu today.Yechury was welcomed by the Secretary of Communist Party of Nepal's (CPN) Central Office Krishna Gopal Shrestha and central member Bishnu Rijal at the Tribhuvan International Airport.He has undertaken the trip on an invitation extended by the CPN and is accompanied by Jogendra Sharma who is a central committee member of CPI (M).The Indian leader is scheduled to meet Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, CPN Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and general secretary Bishnu Prasad Poudel during the visit.Yechury will also address a seminar which is being organised by the Pushpalal Memorial Foundation.
Assam opposition leader accuses NDA govt of demolishing CBI
Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia on Thursday accused the NDA government at the Centre of indulging in systematic demolition of important national institutions, including the CBI. Saikia, in a statement, alleged that the removal of CBI Director Alok Verma was "illegal and unconstitutional" and motivated by the Centre's "fear of the Rafale deal". The central government should show respect for democratic norms and reinstate Verma as the CBI chief, since his two-year tenure has not yet run its course, the senior Congress leader added. A late-night order on Tuesday from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by the prime minister sent Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who were at loggerheads, on leave. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said on Wednesday that the government's decision to remove the CBI's two top officers was based on the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) recommendations.
Indian citizens more mature than Rahul: BJP
As political slugfest intensifies in the name of the Alok Verma-Rakesh Asthana case, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday quipped that Indian citizens are more mature than Congress president Rahul Gandhi.Addressing a press conference here, BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Indian citizens are more mature than Rahul Gandhi. He lives in a hallucination. The country has never witnessed such immature politics."Continuing his tirade against the Congress, Javadekar said that Gandhi is living in hallucination and manufactures false statements every day. The BJP leader further said that Rahul's claim of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana being "removed" from their respective posts is a blatant lie."The Congress keeps dreaming about Rafale all the time. They just spread lies. What do they mean that the CBI director was removed because he was investigating the Rafale case? This is completely false. Those who
Attack on Jagan: AP CM blames Centre,TRS for "conspiring"
Hours after the attack on YSR Congress president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Thursday hit out at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and Telangana Rashtra Samithi for "conspiring" against his government and trying to destabilise the state. The YSR congress leader was injured when he was attacked by a man with a small knife at the airport lounge in Visakhapatnam. "These are the dramas being played by the Centre and the Telangana government. They are trying to destabilise the state since we have been demanding justice by implementing the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. We will not tolerate their conspiracies," Naidu told a press conference late Thursday. Referring to the reported telephone call Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan made to state DGP R P Thakur to enquire about the attack, the chief minister questioned the very institution of the governor. "What is the governors jurisdiction? How can he call the DGP and seek .
Pakistan lodges protest with Dutch envoy over objectionable tweets
Pakistan on Thursday summoned Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Foreign Office and lodged a strong protest on objectionable tweets by rightwing Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua summoned ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken and "lodged a strong protest", the Foreign Office said. "The Foreign Secretary conveyed deep concern and disappointment of the government and people of Pakistan on continued and deliberate malicious attempts of the Dutch Parliamentarian to hurt the sentiments of hundreds of millions across the world," it said. "These discriminatory incidents spread hate and intolerance and provoke extremism and violence, which were prohibited under human rights laws and standards," she said. She called upon the Dutch government to condemn and take suitable measures to counter and prevent such actions from taking place. The Dutch ambassador assured that concerns of government and people of Pakistan would be conveyed to the concerned authorities in the
Rahul to lead Cong protests outside CBI office tmrw to demand Verma's reinstatement
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will lead the party as it stages protests outside all CBI offices across the country on Friday, demanding reinstatement of CBI director Alok Verma, who has been sent on leave, and seeking an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "destroying" the image of the premier investigating agency. Gandhi tweeted he will lead the party's protests outside the CBI headquarters in CGO complex in the national capital. "Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM's disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM," he said, using the hashtag "CBIRafaleGate". In a letter to all Congress general secretaries, state unit chiefs and legislature party leaders, AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot has asked them to hold demonstrations against the BJP government outside all CBI offices across the country. Senior Congress leaders
CVC well within rights to probe Verma: ex-officials
The Central Vigilance Commission is well within its rights to probe allegations against a CBI director, who is bound by conduct rules for All India services, former senior officers of the agency opined Thursday. The ex-officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they felt that any comments from them will be seen as taking sides, said when it comes to allegations of corruption the Commission can carry out inquiry against all india service officers. However, this position is not supported by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and opposition parties including the Congress. Bhushan has challenged the decision of the government in the Supreme Court through an NGO Common cause. The matter will come up for hearing on Friday. The petition filed by Bhushan said, "Even if there is allegation of corruption against Verma, as stated in the removal order, the CVC, in the guise of power of superintendence, could not have withdrawn the work from the Director CBI and handed over to a new ...
AAP contemplates replacement of its West Delhi Lok Sabha seat incharge: party leader
The Aam Aadmi Party is contemplating to replace Guggan Singh, the incharge of North West Delhi Parliamentary seat, because of his "limited appeal", a senior party leader said Thursday. The party leader on condition of anonymity said this was felt in a recent party programme that could not draw crowd despite party head and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was slated to appear in it. "The event had managed to attract hardly a few dozen people and Kejriwal had avoided attending it," he said. Singh, a former MLA of the BJP from Bawana, had joined the AAP just before bypolls in the constituency last year. The move was promoted by sitting AAP MLA from Bawana Ved Prakash, switching side to join the BJP. While the party did not give Singh the ticket to contest the bypolls, he was assured that he will be considered for the Lok Sabha elections. Following this, he was one of the first five Lok Sabha constituency incharge, a precursor to bag the party ticket. AAP insiders said that announcement of .
Vote in large numbers in coming panchayat polls: J-K Cong tells people
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Thursday appealed to people to vote in large numbers in the upcoming panchayat polls in the state, beginning November 17. The panchayat election will be held in nine phases in the state from November 17 to December 11. A meeting of senior state Congress functionaries was held here Thursday to take stock of the situation with regard to the upcoming panchayat polls, a JKPCC spokesman said. The leaders appealed to people to enthusiastically participate in the elections and choose the right candidates, he said. Over 58.12 lakh voters will choose 35,096 panchayat members in 316 blocks across the state.
Pak says its proposal on moratorium on nuclear non-testing still on table
Pakistan said on Thursday that its proposal to translate unilateral moratorium on nuclear non-testing into a bilateral arrangement with India was still on the table. Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan announced in August 2016 that "it was prepared to consider translating its unilateral moratorium into a bilateral arrangement on nuclear non-testing with India." "That proposal is still on the table and is reflective of our policy of promoting restraint and responsibility in South Asia and our consistent support for the objectives of the CTBT," he said. He also said that it was considered position of Pakistan that all outstanding issues including the Kashmir dispute can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. "It is up to India to reciprocate," he told reporters during the weekly media briefing here. Faisal also said that building close cooperative relations with Afghanistan was a high priority in Pakistan's foreign policy and a vital component of .
TMC targets BJP over CBI issue
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday alleged that the developments in the CBI have proved that the agency was being "controlled by the BJP to serve its political purpose". Dismissing the allegation, the BJP hit back saying the TMC should focus on the "corruption cases of Narada and Saradha chit fund scam", in which leaders of Mamata Banerjee's party are under scanner. TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee carried forward the party's tirade against the BJP-led NDA government over the ongoing row involving CBI after TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had on Wednesday alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has become the BJP's policing agency. "We have been witnessing a series of events that have taken place in the CBI in the last few days. It seems like BJP, which itself is a corrupt political party, is trying to stop corruption in CBI. This is ridiculous," Chatterjee told reporters Thursday. "CBI has now become so called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) - very ...
Trump says he's deploying military at Mexico border to stop illegal entry of people
US President Donald Trump Thursday said that he is deploying military on the southern border with Mexico to stop people from entering the United States illegally as he described the situation as a "national emergency". Defence Secretary James Mattis is expected to sign an order on the deployment of the troops. "I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!" Trump tweeted as a caravan of some 5,000 to 7,000 people, mostly from three Latin American countries El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are heading towards America through Mexico to enter the country illegally. In his remarks and speeches over the past two weeks, Trump has repeatedly said that he will not allow those people to come inside the country illegally. He has claimed that there are criminals and people of Middle Eastern descent among the migrants. Trump has already announced to cut down on American financial assistance to these three countries. In his tweet, Trump agreed with a ...
Delhi BJP terms bail sought by AAP dispensation in CS assault case as "shameful"
Delhi BJP Thursday took a dig at the ruling AAP after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and party MLAs were granted bail in chief secretary assault case, terming the development as "shameful". A city court granted relief to Kejriwal, Sisodia and nine AAP MLAs in the case after they appeared before it in accordance with summons issued to them and moved applications for bail. "Arvind Kejriwal Delhi CM, M Sisodia Dy CM Delhi along with their goon MLAs Chargesheeted for Slapping Chief Secretary of Delhi at CM residence, are Now on BAIL from today..what a shame! their alliance partner Rahul Gandhi with Sonia G also on bail.. Birds of a Feather ?? ??(sic)," BJP Delhi president Manoj Tiwari tweeted. Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash was allegedly assaulted during a meeting at Kejriwal's official residence on February 19. BJP's Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said history has been created with chief minister and his deputy obtaining bail in a criminal
Sena can install party CM in 2019 if it wins even one seat
The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra Thursday once again reached out to its estranged ally Shiv Sena for an electoral tie-up in the state at a time when the party chief Uddhav Thackeray has raked up the issue of construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Senior BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil also said Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will have the right to pick a chief ministerial candidate of his choice if his party wins even one seat more than the BJP in 2019 assembly polls. In 288-member Assembly, the BJP has 122 MLAs and the Sena 62. Patil's statement is seen as the latest overture by his party to placate the Sena, which had announced to contest all future polls on its own strength. Recently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar have expressed hope the Sena will tie up with the BJP for the 2019 assembly and Lok Sabha elections. BJP president Amit Shah had met Thackeray at the latter's ...
Trump slams NYT for eavesdropping article, terms it 'fake story'
US President Donald Trump on Thursday termed as "fake story" The New York Times article that China and Russia are listening to his calls made to his friends from his personal iPhone and said that he rarely uses his cellphone. Trump, who has been at loggerheads with several US mainstream media outlets including the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post, has quite often described them as "fake media". "The New York Times has a new Fake Story that now the Russians and Chinese (glad they finally added China) are listening to all of my calls on cellphones," Trump said in a tweet. "Except that I rarely use a cellphone, & when I do it's government authorised. I like Hard Lines. Just more made up Fake News!" said the US President in his reaction to the exclusive news story by The Times that China to a large extent and by Russia to a lesser extent are listening to the calls made by him to his friends. "The so-called experts on Trump over at The New York Times wrote a ...
India needs strong, stable govt for next 10 years; weak coalitions bad: Doval
India needs a strong, stable and decisive government for the next 10 years to achieve its political, economic and strategic objectives, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said Thursday, asserting that "weak coalitions will be bad" for the country. Delivering the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture here, he claimed that in the past four years, the country's "national will" has been aroused. The National Security Advisor (NSA) also said that India should prepare for fourth generation warfare which may involve fighting "invisible enemies". The possession of superior weapons and a large army may not be enough to win wars as technology could play an important role, he said while speaking on the topic "Dream India 2030 -- Avoiding the Pitfalls". Advocating 100 per cent technology transfer in defence hardware, he asserted that the government's aim was to make India self sufficient in this field. The NSA also cautioned against building up of false narratives which, he said, was among the biggest .
BJP minority morcha to launch campaign on pro people policies
With an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP Minority Morcha West Bengal unit has decided to launch campaign on triple talaq and various pro people policies of the Narendra Modi government. "We will launch a massive campaign over this issue of triple talaq, how this decision will help lakhs of Muslim women across the country," state BJP minority morcha president Ali Hossain said Thursday. The Union Cabinet last month approved an ordinance to ban instant triple talaq and make it a punishable offence. The BJP Minority Morcha, West Bengal unit, Thursday organized a two day conference to discuss various issues pertaining the Muslim community of the state, which comprises nearly 30 per cent of the electorate. Apart from triple talaq, the members of party's minority morcha will also propagate about the Assam NRC to counter the 'false propaganda' against the party, he said. The BJP Minorty Morcha aims to highlight the NRC issue in Assam as well and how its updation exercise .
Kashmir Valley witnessing shift towards normalcy: J-K Guv
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Thursday that the Valley is witnessing a shift towards normalcy and the Centre is making every effort for ushering the state into an era of peace and rapid development. The governor inaugurated a three-day Kashmir Autumn FAM (Familiarisation) Tour-2018 at SKICC here, which has been organised by the Department of Tourism, Kashmir. "The central government is making every possible effort for ushering Kashmir into an era of peace and rapid development. Kashmir is witnessing a shift towards normalcy which is evident from the incident free and peaceful conduct of polling during the urban local body polls in the state," Malik said. Deputy High Commissioner of Malaysia to India Nor'Azam Mohammad, Director Tourism Malaysia Sulaiman Suip, Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and distinguished guests from across the country were present on the occasion. Welcoming the guests from the tourism industry who came from across the country to ...
What's need for another ceremony at memorial site: Ajit Pawar
Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar questioned Thursday the need for a function to mark the start of the work of King Shivaji's memorial off Mumbai coast after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone. Pawar was speaking to reporters here a day after a man drowned when a boat carrying 25 people, including a couple of government officials, capsized in the Arabian sea. The officials and others were on their way in four boats to the site of the proposed memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj where the work was to begin Wednesday. "I do not understand what was the need for a government function at the site when the prime minister had already conducted a bhoomi-pujan ceremony. Was it because somebody (in the government) did not like the ceremony conducted by the PM?" Pawar asked. "An inquiry must be conducted into the incident, but the state should first know the reason behind government officials going for this event especially when the chief minister himself was
TJS plans filling up backlog posts in govt, in manifesto
The Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), a constituent of the "grand alliance" of Congress, TDP and others for the December 7 asembly polls in Telangana, Thursday said it proposed filling up all "backlog" posts in the government, among others, in its election manifesto. TJS president M Kodandaram told reporters that a memorial would be built within a year for those who had sacrificed their lives in support of separate statehood demand. He said pension would be given to those who fought for a separate Telangana and that a share would be allocated for them in government schemes. Withdrawal of police cases against those who were part of the statehood agitation in 100 days is also proposed, he said. He said one lakh vacancies in government would be filled up within a year of government formation. Kodandaram was Chairman of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) which spearheaded the separate statehood agitation. The JAC had comprised various political parties, including TRS, and .