Page 2688 - Politics
Herald case: Court reserves order on plea seeking to restrain Swamy's tweets
A local court here on Saturday reserved its order on Congress leader Motilal Vora's plea seeking to restrain Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy's tweets on the on-going National Herald case.
BJP sweeps JMC, makes advances in Kashmir in ULB polls
The BJP swept the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections and made some advances in Kashmir, by winning 100 wards in the valley, in the four-phased Urban Local Bodies elections in the state that were marred by boycott by the NC and PDP. Independents Saturday emerged as the single largest group in the elections in Kashmir by winning 178 wards across 42 municipal bodies in Kashmir division, including Leh and Kargil, elections authorities said. The Congress was ahead of the BJP in the valley by bagging 157 wards, while saffron party won in 100 wards, they said. The boycott call by separatists, coupled with threats by militants, and non-participation of the National Conference and the PDP, helped both the BJP and the Congress in a major way as 76 and 78 candidates from the respective national parties were elected unopposed. While the BJP emerged as the single largest party in 12 municipal bodies, it has majority in five of these bodies. The Congress was the single largest party in 15
Women are afraid to come out in this country- Rahul
Hitting out at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday alleged fearing attacks, women in the country were now scared of coming out. Gandhi also alleged that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, who is worshipped by the BJP party as an icon of patriotism, wrote a letter to the British government to release him when leaders like Mahatma Gandhi were in prison. He said there were currently two ideologies in the country. "One ideology is hatred and the other is spreading love. There is fight between these two. Wherever you see-Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu all over the country people are scared. Today it is being enquired about the religion, place and language of people. Whether it is Rohit Vemula or Dalit or Adivasi or Muslim, they are being threatened, why because there is some weakness in India now." Turning to women, Gandhi said "Women today in India are scared to come out. They do not know what will
ULB polls: Independents emerge single-largest group in Kashmir
Independents Saturday emerged the single-largest group in the urban local bodies polls in Kashmir but it was the BJP that took giant strides by winning 100 wards, tasting its first electoral victory in the Valley at any level. As per the results declared by election authorities here, independent candidates won in 178 wards spread across 42 municipal bodies in Kashmir division including Leh and Kargil. The Congress came second with its candidates getting elected from 157 wards while the BJP won in 100 wards. The boycott call by separatists coupled with threats by militants and non-participation of the National Conference and the PDP, helped both the BJP and the Congress in a major way as 76 and 78 candidates from the respective national parties were elected unopposed. While the BJP emerged the single-largest party in 12 municipal bodies, it has a majority in five of these bodies. Congress is the single-largest party in 15 bodies having a majority in 11 of these bodies. In the ...
J-K polls: Independent candidates dominate Kupwara, Ganderbal
Leaving behind Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, Independent candidates marched ahead winning maximum seats in Kupwara and Ganderbal districts of the state in the municipal elections.Out of total 17 seats in Ganderbal districts, while Independent candidates bagged 13 seats, BJP and Congress could manage two seats each only.In Kupwara municipal elections, all 13 seats went to Independent candidates. Similar was the result in the district's Handwara municipal committee also as all 13 seats witnessed the victory of non-BJP and non-Congress candidates.In Kupwara's Langate municipal committee elections, however, BJP candidates won three seats while rest were bagged by Independent candidates.The municipal elections were contested by the two national political parties -- BJP and Congress -- and Independent candidates as the dominant state political parties, the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, boycotted the elections over the lack of clarity on Centre's stance ..
EC reviews preparations for Raj polls
Election Commissioner Sunil Arora Saturday reviewed preparations for the assembly election in Rajasthan on December 7. He directed the state government officers and state election commission to ensure free and fair election in the state. Strict action should be taken against candidates exceeding the expenditure limits, transportation of illegal liquor and other such activities that can affect the free and fair election process in the state, Arora, who is on a two-day visit to Rajasthan, said. He said so far Rs 456.27 lakh in cash, 280.59 litre liquor and 36 illegal vehicles have been seized by authorities. Polling and counting for the election on 200 seats will be done on December 7 and 11 respectively. Over 4.74 crore people would exercise their franchise through VVPAT machines during the election across the state.
BJP has no trust in its Raj MLAs, says Pilot
Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Saturday said when the BJP has no trust in its MLAs, how could the party will face the people of the state. He was reacting to speculation that Bharatiya Janata Party may drop over half of its sitting MLAs in state polls. "Today, the BJP is talking about dropping 100-125 MLAs. If they do not have trust in its MLAs, then how could the party claim the trust of the common man", said Pilot. He has come to Jodhpur Saturday afternoon to offer his condolences over the demise of Kanwarsen, the elder brother of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Kanwarsen had passed away on Thursday due to cardiac arrest. While talking to media at the airport here, Pilot said Congress would come to the power in the state. While replying to a question about Rajput leader Manvendra Singh joining the party, Pilot said that chief minister Vasundhara Raje has insulted different communities whether they are farmers, kshatriya, Dalit, backward or forward. Rajasthan BJP MLA ...
US, China back military air rules to avoid mishaps
The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia. Risks of chance encounters between military aircraft spiralling out of control have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes ever more assertive in the South China Sea, stoking tensions with rival claimants in Southeast Asia. While not a claimant, Washington has also been drawn into the row as it has traditionally been the dominant naval and air power in the Asia-Pacific. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to guidelines on managing air encounters on Friday, at the annual meeting of the 10-member bloc's defence ministers. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe were among eight defence chiefs from outside ASEAN to give their "in-principle" backing to the guidelines, a joint ministerial statement said. India, Russia, Japan, ..
Nitish, Sushil condole death of Bhola Singh
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday condoled the death of BJP MP from Begusarai Bhola Singh who breathed his last at a Delhi hospital on Friday. The mortal remains of Singh, who died at the age of 80 at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital where he had been admitted for some time, were brought here in the afternoon. His body was taken to the state BJP headquarters and then to the Assembly premises where the CM and the Deputy CM joined other top leaders in paying tributes to the late leader. Kumar recalled "Bhola babu's contribution to the politics of Bihar" while Modi described the deceased MP as "an excellent orator with an in-depth knowledge of constitutional provisions and deep trust in parliamentary traditions". Others present on the occasion were Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Union ministers Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Ram Kripal Yadav, state BJP president and MP Nityanand Rai and state ministers Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, ...
Prepare guidelines for permission to hold religious, social gatherings: Punjab CM
A day after 59 people died in a train accident here, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed Home Secretary NS Kalsi to prepare detailed guidelines for permission to hold religious and social congregations.The guidelines should clearly define the rules and regulations for holding such events and gatherings in any part of the state on any occasion, as per the directives issued by the Chief Minister, read a statement.Captain Amarinder Singh has also asked the Home Secretary to issue an immediate advisory for sale and storage of crackers for the upcoming Diwali festival, to ensure strict adherence to the safety rules and guidelines.Taking serious note of the train tragedy, the Chief Minister made it clear that no laxity would be tolerated in these matters.While the culpability in yesterday's tragic incident would be fixed, it was imperative to ensure that such an incident is not repeated, Captain Amarinder Singh said.
NIA arrests another accused in Nagrota attack
The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested the fourth accused in the Nagrota Army Camp attack case.The fourth accused, Mohammed Ashraf Khandey, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district was arrested from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, while he was trying to flee to Saudi Arabia via Sri Lanka.The accused is a co-conspirator in "facilitating, harbouring and transporting a group of three heavily armed Pakistani terrorists belonging to the proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad who had infiltrated into India from Kathua-Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir," the NIA said in a statement.Three other accused in the case, namely Sayeed Munir-ul-Hassan Qadri, Tariq Ahmed Dar and Mohamed Ashiq Baba are already in judicial custody.The terrorists entered India in the intervening night of November 27 and 28 in 2016, and carried out an attack on 166 Medium Regiment Camp in Nagrota town of Jammu district in the early hours of November 29, 2016. In ...
In Brussels, VP Naidu dines at Saravana Bhavan
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is on a three-day visit to the European country for the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit on Saturday dined at Saravana Bhavan, a popular South Indian restaurant in Brussels.Vice President Naidu was accompanied by the Indian delegation, including the Ambassador of India to Belgium, Gaitri Issar Kumar."Delighted to have a meal at Saravana Bhavan, an Indian restaurant in Brussels, with Indian delegation including the Ambassador of India to Belgium today. @IndEmbassyBru #Belgium #SaravanaBhavan," the Vice President tweeted.Saravana Bhavan is the largest South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain in the world, founded in 1981 in Chennai. The outlet has more than 33 locations in India and 47 across several countries in South-East Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.Earlier in the day, Vice President Naidu paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's statue at the Provincial House in Antwerp.During the 12th ASEM summit, the .
Comoros army starts operation to disperse rebels: Minister
The Comoros army on Saturday started an operation to disperse armed rebels who had taken control of Mutsamudu city centre on the island of Anjouan earlier this week, a government minister said. "The army has started to take up positions inside the medina (old city centre), no shots have been fired. The forces are content to secure the medina so that the population can move freely," said Mahamoud Salim Hafi, who has led the government response to the uprising.
Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi killed inside consulate, detains 18 (Third Lead)
After over two weeks of shifting stories, Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that missing journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi died during a fistfight inside the country's consulate in Istanbul and that 18 men had been arrested in the case.
India, Sri Lanka review bilateral ties
India and Sri Lanka discussed the entire gamut of their bilateral relationship during delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart here on Saturday.
NIA arrests absconder in 2016 Nagrota army camp attack case
The National Investigation Agency has arrested a man wanted in the 2016 attack on an army camp in Jammu's Nagrota when he was allegedly trying to flee the country through Sri Lanka, officials said Saturday. Ashraf Khandey, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was taken into custody from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here when he was trying to leave for Saudi Arabia via Sri Lanka, they said. Khandey was arrested for his alleged involvement in the terrorist attack on the army camp in Nagrota on November 29, 2016, in which seven Army personnel including two officers were killed and three others injured, they said. The agency was looking for him for a long time and a lookout circular was issued against him which was triggered during his attempt to flee the country, they said. Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in the operation and a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were seized from them, they said. Khandey had allegedly provided ...
DM orders probe into razing of memorial of Tripura tribal rights leader
The district authorities here have ordered a probe into allegations that members of the ruling BJP removed a memorial of Mohini Tripura at Matai village, and laid a foundation stone to build a Ram temple there, officials said on Saturday.
PM to hoist Tiranga at Red Fort on Azad Hind government anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the national flag at Red Fort on Sunday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the government of 'free India'.
Independent MLA from UP likely to launch new political party
Six-time Independent MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Kunda constituency Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya is likely to announce a new political party on November 30, one of his aides said on Saturday. Raja Bhaiya is completing 25 years in politics and is expected to announce a new party on November 30 at a public rally in Lucknow, Independent MLA from Babaganj constituency Vinod Kumar Saroj said. The supporters of Raja Bhaiya had launched a social media campaign to seek public opinion on the political course he should take, he said. Almost 80 per cent of the people suggested that he should float a new party, Saroj said. In accordance with the people's views, the process to launch a new party is underway, he added. A controversial strongman hailing from Pratapgarh, Raja Bhaiya has served as a minister during the regimes of Kalyan Singh, Ram Prakash Gupta, Rajnath Singh and Akhilesh Yadav. He wields considerable clout among the Thakur voters.
BJP sweeps JMC elections, wins 43 seats in 75-member body
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday emerged as a clear winner in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections with 43 seats in its kitty, bettering its previous strength of 25 in the 75-member body. The Congress suffered a big loss in the election, winning only 14 seats against its 26 in the 2005 civic polls, election officials said. Then it was ruling Jammu and Kashmir in coalition with the PDP. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with the National Conference (NC), the CPI(M) and the BSP had boycotted the four-phased Urban Local Bodies elections which were held after a gap of 13 years. The BJP won 43 seats in the JMC elections, the officials said. The independent candidates also presented a good show, winning a total of 18 seats in the JMC. In rest of the 446 wards spread across Jammu region covering a total of 36 municipal committees and councils, the BJP had an edge over its rivals in 15 bodies followed by Independents in 12 and the Congress in five, they said. The ...