Page 273 - Politics
TDP's JC Diwakar Reddy quits politics, praises Jagan
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader JC Diwakar Reddy, who faced defeat in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls, on Tuesday announced his decision to quit politics forever.Diwakar Reddy, who is known for making controversial remarks, unsuccessfully contested the general elections on a TDP ticket from Ananathapuram.During an interview to a vernacular TV channel, Reddy appreciated YSRCP supremo and newly-elected Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jaganmohan Reddy for the massive victory in the elections.Diwakar Reddy said that he never hated Jagan but only made political criticism. "The way Jagan is maintaining a cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is commendable. Jagan is thinking practically and it is a good sign for the development of Andhra Pradesh," he said.Stressing that he knows the YSRCP chief since his childhood, Diwakar Reddy said: "Jagan is our boy. I have worked with his father YS Rajasekhar Reddy for a very long time."Speaking about the defeat of his son ...
Standoff between rival factions in Kerala Congress (Mani) continues
The Kerala Congress (Mani), the third biggest ally in the Congress-led UDF continues to be divided between two rival camps led by working chairman P.J. Joseph and founder, K.M. Mani's son Jose K. Mani.
EU urges China to lift silence on Tiananmen crackdown
The European Union on Tuesday urged China to lift the veil of silence it has dropped over the Tiananmen Square crackdown, saying it must acknowledge those killed or imprisoned in the bloody events of 1989. On the 30th anniversary of the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests in Beijing, the EU called for the release of human rights activists detained by the Chinese authorities. The communist government censored any discussion of the protests and military clampdown, which left hundreds, possibly more than 1,000 people dead, in the run-up to June 4 in a bid to prevent Chinese people ever learning about what happened. EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc "continues to mourn" those killed in the "brutal repression" at Tiananmen. "The exact numbers of those who died and were detained on 4 June and in the subsequent crackdown have never been confirmed, and may never be known," Mogherini said in a statement. "Acknowledgement of these events, and of those killed, ...
Giriraj taunts Nitish, Paswan after Iftar party
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan for holding an iftar party and posing a picture to display their love for holy month of Ramadan.
SP-BSP divorce, but ensure there is no bitterness
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday put the seal of approval on the break-up of the SP-BSP alliance when he said that his party will contest all 11 seats where Assembly by-elections are to be held in Uttar Pradesh.
Trump a controversial president, says UK Foreign Secretary
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt called Donald Trump a "controversial president," as the US President reached the United Kingdom on a three-day official visit on Monday.The Foreign Secretary made the comments while speaking to The Hill.Hunt was quick to cover up his statement though, outlining that the US leader was a "great friend" to the United Kingdom in the same breath."Of course, he's a very controversial president but he's also a great friend of Britain. He's been a great supporter of Britain in our post-Brexit context and we work very closely with America throughout the world so this is a celebration of our present relationship as well as what's happened in the past," the British politician said.The official also laid emphasis on the fact that while there are differences between the UK and the USA, it doesn't mean that one of the "most important alliances in history" can't be celebrated."We don't agree with everything Trump says or does. We don't agree with his approach to
Chinese overseas say they are blocked from Weibo
Chinese overseas are reporting they are being blocked from posting on a popular Chinese social networking site. Three people said on Twitter that their attempts to post on Weibo were greeted with an error message saying that users with an overseas IP address could not make posts on the China-based service. China restricts information before and during the 30th anniversary of a deadly military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. There is virtually no mention in mainland China of the crackdown that took place the night of June 3-4, 1989, and is believed to have killed hundreds and possibly thousands of people. Weibo did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong are preparing for a candlelight vigil commemorating the Tiananmen protests and remembering the victims of the crackdown. The semi-autonomous territory is the only region under Beijing's jurisdiction which has a significant public commemoration of the ...
BJP's Rajesh Patnekar elected Goa Assembly Speaker
BJP MLA Rajesh Patnekar was on Tuesday elected as Speaker of the Goa Assembly, defeating former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane of the Congress by 22-16 votes.
At least 10 MLAs of NCP in touch with VBA: Ambedkar
Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar Tuesday claimed that at least 10 MLAs of the NCP are in touch with his Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) front in view of the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. Addressing a press conference here, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader conceded that the social engineering of the VBA clicked only in Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituency, where Imtiyaz Jaleel of the AIMIM defeated Shiv Sena veteran Chandrakant Khaire. The VBA, founded ahead of the general elections, also comprises the AIMIM of Asaduddin Owaisi. "The VBA experimented social engineering in Maharashtra, but it seems to have worked in Aurangabad," he said. Referring to the poll outcome in Aurangabad, Ambedkar said Muslims have started looking forward to the VBA as a viable alternative to the Congress. Responding to a query, he said at least 10 MLAs of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are in contact with the VBA "in view of the upcoming assembly elections in ...
SC issues notice to Puducherry CM in turf war
In a new twist to the turf war in Puducherry, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and directed that any cabinet decision involving financial implication or land transfer cannot be implemented till the next date of hearing.
Maharashtra asked to complete PG medical, dental counselling by June 14
The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Maharashtra government to reshuffle and hold "final" counselling for general candidates who got admission to PG medical and dental seats on or before June 14.
Mahagathbandhan benefits BSP; pushes SP in 'coma': Swami Prasad Maurya
The BSP emerged as a beneficiary while Samajwadi Party was pushed into "coma" by the coming together of the two parties in the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, state minister Swami Prasad Maurya said here on Tuesday."This is a fact that Mayawati has benefited from the alliance but Akhilesh Yadav faced a major loss by stitching the alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party. So the coalition was a profit deal for the BSP but it led SP into a state of coma," he said.Maurya, once a close confidante of Mayawati, slammed the BSP chief for crying foul after the alliance's poor performance in the elections in the state."Despite having benefited from the alliance, Mayawati is levelling allegations on Samajwadi Party. Whatever Mayawati is doing is not new. She is known for this nature."Maurya, who crossed over to the BJP before the 2017 Assembly polls, said that the alliance has no relevance and is expected to come crumbling in the coming days.Later in the day, Mayawati told ANI that her party will .
Would work at reviving industries to create jobs: Sawant
Union Minister Arvind Ganpat Sawant Tuesday took charge of the Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise Ministry and said he would work at reviving certain industries with a view to create more jobs. He said that there is a need to promote the growth of industries in India as they need support and certain improvements. There are few challenges in front of the country such as issues related to farmers and unemployment, he told reporters here. "My focus will be on creating jobs," he added. Sawant, 68, is from Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a part of the National Democratic Alliance. He won 2019 Lok Sabha election from Mumbai South. In the previous Narendra Modi-led government, Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete was handling this portfolio. He lost the 2019 elections from the Raigad Lok Sabha seat.
FICCI calls for India-US dialogue to reverse GSP withdrawal
With new government in place, talks will facilitate a workable solution
Change of guard at CPI next month, Sudhakar Reddy to step down
The CPI would see a change of guard next month with its General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy deciding to step down on health grounds after holding the post for more than seven years, sources in the party said. Reddy, who assumed charge of the party's top post on March 31, 2012, and was serving a third term scheduled to end in 2021, is firm on announcing his "retirement" at the national council meeting to be held in Delhi on July 20, they said. The 77-year-old veteran Communist leader "can not travel much, has lung problems, allergy to air-conditioning and discomfort facing extreme heat and cold," they said. "He (Reddy) is firm on retiring," a senior CPI leader told PTI. Party national secretary D Raja, All India Trade Union Congress general secretary Amarjeet Kaur and Kerala secretary Kanam Rajendran are seen to be front-runners to succeed Reddy, a former Lok Sabha member from Telangana. Sources said the party's new boss would be picked by consensus. Raja is the senior-most in ..
China playing 'blame game' in trade battle: US
The US has accused China of playing a "blame game", misrepresenting trade talks between the two countries in response to Beijing's release of a white paper blaming Washington for the setback in negotiations.
SP-BSP coalition unprincipled, was bound to collapse: BJP
After Mayawati announced her decision to contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly by-polls alone, the BJP on Tuesday said that the "unprincipled" SP-BSP coalition in Uttar Pradesh was bound to collapse as it has been rejected by people."SP-BSP is an unprincipled alliance. People of Uttar Pradesh have completely rejected this alliance and gave it a result that leads to its collapse," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told ANI here.He said that the "Mahagathbandhan" in the state was formed to prevent Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister again. "It was an alliance of convenience and compulsion which was crafted to prevent Modi ji from becoming PM again," he said.Calling Mayawati's decision to go solo in the by-elections "predictable", Rao said, "This announcement is something we had predicted months ago. PM Modi in his rallies had said that this is an alliance of convenience. This is a self-centred alliance."BSP chief Mayawati had said that her ally Samajwadi Party's vote
Trump to hold talks with Theresa May amid protests
On the second day of his UK state visit, US President Donald Trump will meet outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May for "substantial" talks on Tuesday, amid widespread protests planned several cities, including London, against his trip to the country.
Job creation, skill development will remain in focus: Mahendra Pandey
Mahendra Nath Pandey took charge as Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on Tuesday and said job creation will remain in focus for the new government. The 61-year-old BJP leader, who won Chandauli seat in Uttar Pradesh in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, said the road map for furthering skill development and job creation will be shared later. In the previous government, he served as Minister of State (MoS) for Human Resource Development between 2016 and 2017. Pandey was later given the responsibility of BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit in 2017. Pandey's predecessor Dharmendra Pradhan and newly appointed MoS for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Raj Kumar Singh were also present when Pandey took charge.
Turkey's Erdogan says no backtracking on S400 deal with Russia
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday Turkey would not withdraw from a deal made with Russia to buy an S400 missile defence system despite pressure from the United States. "We have made an agreement (with Russia). We are determined. There is nothing like backtracking from that," Erdogan was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency. Ankara's desire to buy the Russian S400 system has been a major source of contention between NATO allies Turkey and the United States, which has threatened sanctions. Last week, a top Pentagon official said the consequences would be "devastating" for Turkey's joint F-35 fighter programme and its cooperation with NATO if the country goes ahead with plans to buy the Russian missile defence system. Kathryn Wheelbarger, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, said Ankara's planned purchase of the S-400 would damage Turkey's ability to work with the Western alliance, and force Washington to hit the country with