Page 2681 - Politics
TRS Chief interacts with party candidates for assembly polls
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday held a brainstorming session with the first batch of 105 party candidates for the December 7 Assembly elections in the state and deliberated on the strategies to be adopted to ensure the party's success. In the three-hour meeting also attended by party MPs and ministers, Rao emphasised the importance of highlighting the benefits of welfare schemes implemented by his government among the voters. Rao instructed the candidates to coordinate with party workers and leaders in their respective constituencies to ensure that the party won at least 100 seats in the 119-member assembly, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, told reporters after the meeting. There were an average of 60,000 beneficiaries in each Assembly constituency and their list was given to each contesting candidate, he said adding since the dissolution of Assembly many surveys were conducted and the details of such surveys were ...
Amritsar protest:One held, 40 booked for clashing with police
One person was arrested and around 40 others, mostly unidentified, were booked for clashing with security forces and pelting them with stones at the train accident site here, police said Sunday. Earlier in the day, a police commando and a photojournalist were injured when protesters pelted stones and clashed with security personnel who removed them from a rail track where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train on Friday. A case was registered under relevant sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC, police said. They said protesters were residents of Joda Phatak area and they pelted stones at the moving train when police tried to stop them. The protesters were raising slogans against the state government and demanding resignation of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. The Punjab police has deployed its personnel, including commandoes, to manage the crowd. The Rapid Action Force was also present in the Joda Patak area, officials said.
Togadia to launch 'abki baar, Hinduyon ki sarkar' in Ayodhya on Oct 23
Antarrashtria Hindu Parishad president Pravin Togadia Sunday said he would launch an "abki baar, Hinduyon ki sarkaar" (Hindus' government this time) campaign from Ayodhya on October 23. "Our demand (from the BJP government in the Centre) to fulfil promises. Build a Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya after bringing an ordinance or enacting a law in Parliament. Make education cheaper, reduce the petrol price and make farmers karj-mukt (debt free)," Togadia told reporters here, enlisting his demands. "We want a Ram mandir and also a Ram Rajya-like prosperity in our homes," he added. He said he would also spell out the details of his "abki baar, Hinduyon ki sarkaar" campaign in Ayodhya on October 23. "In Ayodhya, there will be two programmes. These programmes will be focussed on 'Ram mandir nahin, to Hinduyon kaa vote nahin (no Hinuds' votes without a Ram temple). On October 23, the plans pertaining to Hindus' government this time will also be worked out," he said. Asked why he has adopted an ...
Turkey vows to reveal 'truth' over Khashoggi death
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Sunday to reveal within days the "naked truth" over the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. US President Donald Trump has refused to take a harsh stance against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom the US leader has defended as an invaluable trade partner even as world powers demand answers over the October 2 killing of Khashoggi, a vocal critic and Washington Post columnist who fell out of favour with Riyadh. But the Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, insisted on Sunday that Prince Mohammed was "not aware" of the killing and that the kingdom does not know where the body is. Erdogan, whose ties to Saudi Arabia appear to have further soured over the Khashoggi case, said he would reveal the findings of his country's investigation into the killing in the coming days. The Turkish leader's statement came one day after Saudi authorities conceded Khashoggi had been killed inside ...
Groundwater depletion underlines 'Jalyukta Shivar' corruption:
A report on depletion of groundwater in 14,000 villages in Maharashtra has prompted the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to allege that the state government's flagship 'Jalyukta Shivar' scheme is "mired in corruption". In its report released a couple of days back, the state Water Resources department (WRD) stated that the ground water level in 14,000 villages across 252 talukas has gone down by at least a metre. Reacting to the report, senior NCP leader Dhananjay Munde Sunday said, "It is a clear indication that the state government's 'Jalyukta Shivar' scheme is mired in corrupt practices. The groundwater level report vindicated our charge that there was a massive corruption in this scheme". The scheme is close to the heart of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "The WRD report has also exposed the state's claim of 16,000 villages in the state becoming free of drought," said Munde, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council. Fadnavis had ..
Trump slams Saudi Arabia for lying about Khashoggi's death
US President Donald Trump Sunday strongly criticised Saudi Arabia for its "deception" and "lies" in the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, even as he defended Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and rejected the cancellation of USD 110 billion arms deal with the oil-rich country. Trump, in his strongest comments to date on the killing, told 'The Washington Post' that he had seen no evidence to indicate the Crown Prince knew Khashoggi was going to be killed or ordered the killing. Trump's remarks came after Saudi Arabia's acknowledgement that Khashoggi, 60, was killed in a "fist-fight" inside its consulate in Istanbul after a series of shifting explanations. "Obviously there's been deception, and there's been lies," Trump said even as he maintained his support for the Saudi Crown Prince and described him as a strong ruler. "Nobody has told me he's responsible. Nobody has told me he's not responsible. We haven't reached that point... I would love if he wasn't responsible," ...
'Rakshas Raj' in Bihar, says Tejashwi at Congress function
Leaders of the Grand Alliance in Bihar chose the state's first chief minister Sri Krishna Singh's birth anniversary function in Patna on Sunday to band together against the NDA, where RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav slammed the BJP-JD(U) government by likening it to "Rakshas Raj" (reign of the devil). The Grand Alliance leaders from the Congress, the RJD and the HAM(S) vowed to uproot the NDA governments at the Centre and in the state. They came down heavily on the two governments, alleging that both the dispensations failed on all fronts, especially in taming price rise, corruption and crime. The Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee organised the function at S K Memorial hall. RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav slammed JD(U) chief and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, likening the state government to "Rakshas Raj" (reign of the devil). "These people (NDA leaders) used to talk about 'Jungle Raj' (during the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri rule in Bihar). But there is 'Rakshas .
Cong blames state govt's 'sycophancy' for CJI fiasco at Kamakhya temple
Senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia Sunday blamed the state government's "sycophancy" for the "unfortunate" incident during CJI Ranjan Gogoi's visit to the Kamakhya temple. The Leader of the Opposition in the Assam assembly said the incident had exposed the "desperate attempt" by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime to "please" their "political masters". The Chief Justice of India (CJI) and his wife had visited the temple on Wednesday when devotees, including VVIPs such as BJP president Amit Shah, were also there to offer prayers. The CJI had expressed his displeasure to Kamrup (Metro) district Deputy Commissioner Virender Mittal over the "crowd management" at the temple. Following this, the BJP led Assam government Saturday suspended Guwahati (west) Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhanwar Lal Meena for not ensuring adequate security to the Supreme Court judge. It has "once again exposed the desperate attempt by the state government to please political personalities ...
Ethiopian marathoner who made Rio protest returns from exile
The Ethiopian marathon runner who made global headlines with an anti-government gesture at the Rio Olympics finish line has returned from exile, after sports officials assured him he will not face prosecution. Feyisa Lilesa's return from the United States comes several months after a reformist prime minister took office and announced sweeping reforms. He received a warm welcome at the airport from the foreign minister and other senior officials. Feyisa says the new government is "a result of the struggle by the people" and he hopes it will address concerns after years of repression. The silver medalist crossed his wrists at the finish line in 2016 in solidarity with protesters in his home region, Oromia. He later said he feared he would be imprisoned or killed if he returned home.
UP govt plans uninterrupted power supply to districts with below 15 pc line losses
To curb power pilferage in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a plan to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to districts with less than 15 per cent line losses, a minister in the state cabinet has said. "As an incentive, the state government would ensure uninterrupted power supply in the district where line loss of power is less than 15 per cent," Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Shrikant Sharma told reporters here Saturday. The incentive is meant for promoting and encouraging the honest consumers, he said. The minister said the state government has prepared a comprehensive plan to provide round-the-clock power supply in every district of the state by the year 2034. He said the process of revamping, production, transmission and distribution has been geared up. Efforts are underway to reduce line losses and bring it down to the minimum level to a single digit, Sharma asserted. Now account of power of every sub station, would be maintained and feeders registering ...
Former minister Padmalochan Panda joins BJP in Odisha
Former Odisha Minister and Congress leader Padmalochan Panda joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday.
India congratulates Afghan people for voting
India on Sunday congratulated the people of Afghanistan for exercising their democratic rights in that country's parliamentary elections in the face of terror threats.
India congratulates Afghan people for enthusiastic participation in parliamentary polls
India Sunday congratulated the people of Afghanistan for their "enthusiastic" participation in the parliamentary elections, notwithstanding terrorists attacks in various parts of the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said spirited participation of Afghan people, including women, in the democratic process, despite terrorist violence, was a "testament" of their resilience. It said the elections in Afghanistan reflected people's desire and faith in democratic governance and rejection of the evil forces that foment and spread terror and violence. Afghanistan witnessed series of terror attacks and widespread violence in the run up to the long-awaited parliamentary elections held on Saturday and Sunday. The Taliban opposed the polls and vowed to disrupt them. "India congratulates the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for exercising their democratic rights at parliamentary elections held today. The enthusiastic participation of people, including the women, despite ..
Congress being 'remote controlled' by four members of Gandhi family: Raje
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Sunday hit out at the Congress, saying that the party was being "remote controlled" by four members of the Gandhi family. "The BJP will strengthen and lotus will bloom wherever Rahul Gandhi will hold meetings in the state. The party controlled by four members of the Gandhi family is nervous and so its prime ministerial candidate is taking part in Assembly level meetings," Raje said. Addressing a meeting of BJP workers who came from 35 Assembly constituencies of four districts, she said the party will be voted to power once again due to the development works done in the last five years. BJP state chief Madan Lal Saini urged the party workers to work with self confidence. He said former premier Manmohan Singh faced a lot of criticism for staying silent on crucial issues during the UPA dispensation, whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains available round-the-clock and stands tall on all fronts for the country.
US congratulates Bhutan on successful elections
The US Sunday congratulated Bhutan on successfully conducting the recently-held elections and said it was looking forward to strenghten its friendly ties with the Himalayan nation. Bhutan went to polls on Thursday with voters handing an overwhelming victory to the new centre-left party Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), which won 30 of the 47 national assembly seats. Formed in 2013, the DNT is headed by Lotay Tshering, a 50-year-old urology surgeon who trained in Bangladesh and Australia. "The United States commends the evolution of democracy in Bhutan, which has been an inspiration to the region," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said. She congratulated the people of Bhutan on the conclusion of successful national elections and Tshering on his party's victory, a statement said. "We look forward to working with Dr Tshering and his government to further develop friendly relations between our countries and our peoples," Nauert said. Bhutan does not have diplomatic relations with ...
Talks between Haryana govt, roadways union fail
Talks between the Haryana government and the striking roadways employees failed Sunday with the protesters sticking to their demand that the administration withdraw the decision to hire 700 private buses. Members of the Roadways Employees Union said their strike, which entered the sixth day on Sunday, would continue until their demands are met. The employees have been on strike since October 16 against the state government's decision to hire 700 buses of private owners. They claim the move is a step towards privatisation of the transport department. A meeting between the coordination committee of the employees union and senior officials of the Haryana government, including Principal Secretary to Chief Minister R K Khullar and Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) Dhanpat Singh, was held here. The meeting was convened after Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed to the striking employees to join duty keeping in mind the problems being faced by people during the festive season. ..
BJP to celebrate next R Day in UP by "illuminating" 3 crore lotus
The BJP has decided to celebrate the next Republic Day by "illuminating" over 3 crore lotus in Uttar Pradesh, giving the party's poll symbol-shaped lamps to the beneficiaries of various government schemes in the state with a request to light them on R Day evening. UP BJP spokesperson Alok Awasthi Sunday told PTI that his party will celebrate the next Republic Day in the state in the novel way under its "Kamal Jyoti Vikaas Abhiyaan". "Under the scheme, the BJP workers will meet over 3 crore families, who have been benefitted from the various government schemes on housing, electricity, cooking gas, health, insurance and self-employment through loans etc and give them a lotus-shaped lamp along with a brochure of information on various welfare schemes of the government," he said. "We will request the families to light the lotus-shaped lamps at fixed hours on the January 26, 2019 evening and take a pledge to bring back the Modi government to power in 2019 Lok Sabha election," Awasthi ...
Russia warns Trump over 'dangerous' plan to quit nuclear treaty
Moscow on Sunday warned US President Donald Trump that his plan to ditch a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia was a dangerous step. Ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who signed the original document back in 1987, condemned the move as showing Trump's "lack of wisdom." Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that withdrawal "would be a very dangerous step" and said Washington faced international condemnation in its bid for "total supremacy" in the military sphere. He insisted that Moscow observed "in the strictest way" the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as the INF, while accusing Washington of "flagrant violations". The treaty was signed by then US president Ronald Reagan and Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, who on Sunday told Interfax news agency that "dropping these agreements... shows a lack of wisdom" and is a "mistake". Germany "regrets the planned withdrawal" and it will require discussion among NATO countries, a ...
Even Karuna could not harm AIADMK, what can Stalin do, asks TN
Hitting out at DMK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Sunday claimed it was levelling graft charges against the ruling AIADMK only out of fear of anticipated adverse verdicts against its leaders in pending corruption cases. Taking on DMK chief M K Stalin, who has been highly critical of the government over the issue of corruption, Palaniswami said nothing could be done to the AIADMK even when late DMK patriarch M Karunahidhi was alive and sought to know what his son can do now. Seeking to turn the tables, Palaniswami alleged that DMK was synonymous with corruption and referred to the Sarkaria commission's report against the M Karunanidhi government in the 1970s over the Veeranam project to cater to the drinking water needs of Chennai. It was only after late chief minister J Jayalalithaa introduced a new Veeranam drinking water scheme later, Chennai was getting "uninterrupted" supply. Addressing a function at nearby Veerapanandi after distributing welfare ...
Mortal remains of N D Tiwari consigned to flames
The last rites of veteran Congress leader Narayan Dutt Tiwari were performed with full state honours Sunday at the Chitrashila Ghat in Uttarakhand's Nainital district. His son, Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, lit the funeral pyre at the Chitrashila Ghat on the banks of Gola river in Haldwani. Scores of people and politicians including Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat paid their last respects to the former chief minister. Rawat remembered Tiwari as a leader who served the nation for long. He said Tiwari was also the chief minister of the first elected government in Uttarakhand. "Development was Tiwari's top priority. This is the reason he was hailed as 'Vikas Purush'. He had worked for development rising above politics. His death has left a void in the state and nation," Rawat said. Tiwari, who served in various positions at the Centre and in states and was even a strong contender for prime ministership in 1991, died on his 93rd birthday at a private hospital in Delhi on Thursday