Page 2690 - Politics

BJP leading in JMC elections, independents fare well in Kishtwar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) polls, as the counting of votes for the Urban Local Bodies elections was going on in all the 10 districts of Jammu region on Saturday. The counting of votes in the state's winter capital began at Government Polytechnic Institute in Bikram Chowk at 9 am. The results for JMC so far indicate an edge to the BJP over its rivals. There are 521 wards in the 10 districts of Jammu, which went to polls in the first three phases of the four-phased ULB elections in the state, which concluded on October 16, recording a high voter turnout of 68.4 per cent in the electorate of nearly 6.44 lakh people. Thirteen candidates were elected to different municipal wards unopposed, leaving a total of 2,137 candidates in the fray. Of the 32 results declared for the 75-member JMC so far, the largest municipality in the state, the BJP has won 19 followed by independents (nine) and the Congress (four), officials said. BJP had ...

Mortal remains of N D Tiwari reach Lucknow, leaders pay tributes

Leaders across political divide Saturday paid their last respects to Congress veteran N D Tiwari in Lucknow. Tiwari, who was undergoing treatment at Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, breathed his last at 2.50 pm Thursday after he suffered a heart attack, hours after he turned 93. His body reached Lucknow this afternoon by an air ambulance. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his ministerial colleagues received the mortal remains at the airport here. Tiwari, 93, died at a private hospital in Delhi on Thursday after prolonged illness. Tiwari, who was considered close to Indira Gandhi, had served as a Union minister in several Congress-led governments. He had the unique distinction of having served as the chief minister of two states, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where his native place is located. The body was taken to UP Vidhan Bhawan, where leaders from different political parties had gathered to pay their tributes to Tiwari. UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh .

Tsipras hails 'historic' Macedonian name change vote

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Saturday hailed as "historic" the Macedonian parliament's vote in favour of changing the country's name, a source of tension with Greece for decades. Macedonia's parliament on Friday voted to start the process of renaming the country the Republic of North Macedonia after a tense week of debate and back-room negotiations in Skopje where it was unclear until the last moment whether the government could secure the two-thirds majority needed to pass. "Today is a historic and symbolic day ... it is a day of joy which proves the dynamic role Greece plays (as) a factor in the stabilisation of the Balkans and southeastern Europe," Tsipras said. Tsipras was speaking at a ceremony to take on the foreign affairs portfolio after minister Nikos Kotzias -- who helped him broker the deal with Skopje -- resigned earlier this week. Kotzias quit after clashing with Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, the coalition partner holding up Tsipras' government. Tsipras said

Rahul kicks of Telangana campaign with attack on Modi, KCR

Congress President Rahul Gandhi kicked off his party's election campaign in Telangana by targeting both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao by accusing them both of indulging in corruption.

Maninder Singh quits as ASG

Senior counsel Maninder Singh has resigned as the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) after serving as a government counsel for over four years.

Shiv Sena fears PM Modi: Owaisi

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi fired a fresh salvo at the Shiv Sena on Saturday saying that Uddhav Thackeray-led party is "scared and afraid" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.His comments come in the wake of the Shiv Sena, through their editorial mouthpiece Saamna, lashing out at the AIMIM chief over his criticism on the recent push by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Sena for the Centre to pass a law and commence construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Addressing the media here, Owaisi said, "The reality is that the Shiv Sena is scared and afraid of Narendra Modi and to show the world and cover up their cowardice, they have devised the new formula of only writing editorials and assuming they are doing a great service."Owaisi added, "My request to the Shiv Sena people is to stop writing editorials. First, you must leave the Modi government because you are enjoying the fruits of power. You are having the cream and the cake in the

Bhagwat only picks up Ram temple issue before elections: SP

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Govind Chaudhary has accused Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat of remembering Lord Ram only "months before the General Elections". Speaking to reporters here Friday night, Chaudhary said, "RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has once again remembered Lord Ram. Why is it so that he brings up Ram temple (issue) only before the elections? Why was he silent for the past two years?" Chaudhary, who is also the Leader of Opposition in UP Assembly, said, "Lord Ram is known as 'Maryada Purushottam' and is a symbol of faith. He will himself destroy the BJP. The BJP has proved to be a failure on all fronts, as it has not fulfilled poll promises. Law and order has deteriorated. The people are reeling under the hike in petrol and diesel prices. Owing to these reasons, BJP's popularity has declined." Chaudhary further alleged that the BJP and its allied organisations were raising the Ram temple issue to deviate the people's attention from basic issues.

Committed to building Ram temple in Ayodhya: BJP

The BJP is committed to constructing a Ram temple in Ayodhya and would wait for the Supreme Court's verdict on the issue, the party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said Saturday. Speaking to reporters here, the BJP leader said though there was a demand for a section of leaders to bring an ordinance on the Temple, Rao said the party understands the sentiments of the people. "As far as the issue of construction of the grand temple for Lord Ram is concerned, our party's position has been consistent. We have always favoured the construction of grand temple in Ayodhya. That is the aspiration and sentiment of crores of people, Hindus in this country," he said. "We are waiting for the verdict of the honourable Supreme Court and we want the process for the Ram temple construction to begin thereafter. We are committed to it but then we want this to happen either through the court verdict or through some kind of settlement among the communities, but that has not come forth. So we .

Ex-UP CM N.D. Tiwari's body flown to Lucknow

The body of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari was flown into the state capital on Saturday where it will be kept in front of the Vidhan Sabha for followers and friends to pay their tributes.

Khashoggi death: don't give S. Arabia 'licence to kill', says RSF

The international community must keep up the pressure on Saudi Arabia after its admission that journalist Jamal Khashoggi died in its Turkish consulate, Reporters without Borders (RSF) said Saturday. Riyadh had to be held to account for the death of Khashoggi and the imprisonment of other journalists, Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of the Paris-based media rights watchdog tweeted. "Any attempt to get rid of the pressure on Saudi Arabia and to accept a compromise policy would result in giving a 'license to kill' to a Kingdom that puts in jail, lashes, kidnaps and even kills journalists who dare to investigate and launch debates," he wrote. "After the recognition of Khashoggi's death, we expect a determined, constant and powerful pressure to be kept on Saudi Arabia in order to get the whole truth on the case and the release of Saudi Arabian journalists (who have) been condemned to crazy and horrible sentences," he added. After earlier denials, Saudi Arabia admitted earlier ...

FATF dissatisfied over Pak's efforts to combat terror financing: Media report

Expressing dissatisfaction over Pakistan's efforts to combat terror financing, a delegation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has asked the country to take robust steps to strengthen its legal framework if it wants to avoid being blacklisted by the anti-money laundering watchdog, according to a media report on Saturday. Currently placed on the FATF's 'grey list', Pakistan has been scrambling in recent months to avoid being added to a list of countries deemed non-compliant with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations by the Paris-based watchdog, a measure that officials here fear could further hurt its economy. A nine-member team of the FATF's Asia-Pacific Group (APG), which visited Pakistan from October 8 to October 19 to review the progress made by it on an action plan agreed in June to address global concerns, has finalised a report with 40 recommendations for de-listing Islamabad from its 'grey list' from September 2019. However, the APG delegation has ...

Magisterial probe ordered: CM on Amritsar tragedy

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said on Saturday the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner will conduct an inquiry within four weeks into the Amritsar train tragedy in which 59 people were crushed by a speeding train.

75th anniversary of Azad Hind govt: Modi to join flag-hoisting ceremony at Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort on Sunday to mark the 75th anniversary of the 'Azad Hind government' headed by Subhas Chandra Bose. Interacting with BJP workers via video-conference on Wednesday, Modi had announced his plans to attend the ceremony. Traditionally, the prime minister hoists the national tricolour at the historic Red Fort on Independence Day on August 15. Modi said that BJP respects everybody who served the country, irrespective of party affiliation. He said his government celebrates the contributions of many great personalities who were neglected by the Congress in its rule of several decades. While the Congress neglected the likes of Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the BJP believed in remembering everybody who contributed to nation-building, he said, citing his government's works, including constructing museums for noted tribal personalities and developing five places linked to Dalit icon ...

Sri Lankan PM meets PM Modi

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in Delhi, as part of the engagements of his three-day official visit to India.Earlier today, Wickremesinghe separately met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and reviewed progress on development projects."Continuing commitment to deepen our partnership with a close friend. EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe @RW_UNP. Exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations and reviewed progress on development projects," Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle.Rajnath termed his meeting with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister as fruitful and said that he exchanged views on bilateral cooperation between the two countries on security and terrorism."Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister ..

J-K municipal polls: BJP leads in preliminary results

With counting of the votes in Jammu and Kashmir's municipal elections currently underway, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established a lead over the Congress, as per the preliminary results of six districts.The Congress and the BJP are the two national political parties battling for municipal authority in the state as the two major state parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have boycotted the elections over lack of clarity in the Centre's stance on Article 35A. The districts that went to polls were Baramulla, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam and Anantnag.BJP candidates have been elected in 75 wards across the six districts, compared to the 52 wards that Congress candidates have prevailed in. A total of 45 wards have been won by independent candidates so far, with an incredible 170 wards going uncontested.Congress candidates failed to win a single ward in Baramulla district, where the BJP is leading with candidates emerging victorious in ..

'Bhutan's DNT party committed to friendly ties with India'

Former Indian diplomat NN Jha hailed the recent Bhutan general elections and congratulated centre-left Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) party for their victory, saying that the party is committed to friendship with India.The DNT, which was formed in 2013, swept the polls, garnering at least 30 seats, with royalist Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) winning the remaining 17 in the 47-member lower house of the Bhutan Parliament."This party is committed to friendship with India and continuing our close ties with Bhutan. The political parties of both India and Bhutan want to have a good relationship with each other. However, we need to keep in mind about the Chinese presence, not only across the border, but in Bhutan as well. Otherwise, there is nothing to worry about," Jha told ANI.Echoing similar sentiments, former Foreign Secretary Salman Haider said that the ties between New Delhi and Thimphu are very strong and will continue to flourish. He also lauded the recent general elections that took place

J&K polls: BJP fails to open account in Ladakh region

The BJP Saturday failed to open its account in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region in the urban local body elections held earlier this month. Out of the total 26 wards in this region, the Congress bagged all the 13 seats in Leh municipal committee. It also won five wards in neighbouring Kargil district, election officials said here. Six seats in the region have gone to independent candidates, while the result of only two seats is awaited, they said. The Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is represented by BJP's Thupstan Chhewang, but the Congress had won three of the four assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency in the state polls held in 2014. The other assembly segment is represented by an independent MLA. In the 208 wards that went to polls in Kashmir division in the four-phased elections earlier this month, the Congress has won 70 wards so far followed by 53 wards by independents. The BJP has managed to win only 21 seats, while the Janata Dal (United) bagged one seat, the ...

Sushma Swaraj calls on Sri Lankan PM

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe here on Saturday and reviewed progress on development projects being implemented on the island nation with India's aid

Thousands rally for Taiwan independence vote

Thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets Saturday for a major rally that is a rebuke to Beijing and a challenge to the island's already embattled government. The protest in central Taipei came as China increasingly pushes its claim to the self-ruling democratic island and President Tsai Ing-wen struggles to appease Beijing and independence factions. It was the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since Taiwan first became a democracy more than 20 years ago. Organisers claimed a turnout of 80,000. A police estimate was not immediately available. Demonstrators gathered outside the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters chanting slogans and waving flags reading "Independence Referendum". "Want Referendum!" and "Oppose Annexation!" the crowd shouted. China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. Taiwan

Sena attacks Owaisi for comments on Ram Temple construction

The Shiv Sena on Saturday lashed out at All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi over his criticisms on the recent push by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the Centre to pass a law and commence construction of the controversial Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.Through their editorial mouthpiece Saamna, the Sena reiterated their stance on the Ram Temple, urging the Centre to pass an ordinance for the construction of the temple as they have a majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.The Sena further berated Owaisi for his comments against such a move, saying, "People like Owaisi oppose the construction of the Ram Temple. They dare us to construct the temple. There is no need to pay attention to such vile people.""Babar's grave is lying unattended in Afghanistan, Muslims there do not have faith in him. If Owaisi's ancestors are from Babar's lineage, he should go to Afghanistan and adopt the Taliban ways. He should not stir ..