Page 2774 - Politics
TN CM meets Modi, submits 20-point memorandum of demands
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and submitted a memorandum listing various demands including the state's opposition to Karnataka's proposal to construct a reservoir across river Cauvery at Mekedatu. After meeting Modi, Palaniswami told reporters that a decision on alliance for the next Lok Sabha elections would be taken only after the schedule was announced. He was responding to a question on the possibility of AIADMK aligning with the BJP for next general elections. The 20-point memorandum submitted by him also called for bringing three Tamil Nadu towns--Hosur, Ramanathapuram and Neyveli-- under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN. On the Cauvery issue, Palaniswami referred to Karnataka sending a feasibility report to the Centre on the construction of a 67.16 TMC ft 'balancing reservoir' at Mekedatu. The proposal amounts to 'a clear violation' of the final order of the Cauvery Tribunal and the Supreme Court judgement, he ..
Bangladesh President approves Digital Security Act
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Monday signed the Digital Security Bill 2018 into law amid objections from several media and rights organisations.
Onus on Cong to bring like-minded parties together: Akhilesh
The Samajwadi Party (SP) Monday said it is the Congress's responsibility to bring parties with similar ideology under one umbrella. SP president Akhilesh Yadav said it is his party that can turn out to be a friend of the Congress if the country's oldest political party becomes weaker. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said Congress leaders who are not fielded by their party for the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh can join his outfit. Yadav was apparently angry after a SP candidate, Arjun Arya, refused to contest on the party ticket from Budhni, the assembly seat represented by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Moreover, Arya even expressed a wish to join the Congress. Asked about this, Yadav told reporters Monday, "The Congress annoyed the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) the same way. If there is a Congress leader behind this (Arya's refusal), we welcome all those who want to contest on the SP ticket. "I would not say that the Congress ...
'Save Sabarimala Yatra' from Wed over Kerala govt's 'hasty move' to implement SC order: BJP
BJP Monday said the party-led NDA would organise a five-day long march from Pandalam to Thiruvananthapuram in protest against the CPI(M)-led LDF government's "hasty move" to implement the Supreme Court order, permitting entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple. Announcing the decision to conduct the five-day long 'Save Sabarimala Yatra' from Pandalam to Thiruvananthapuram, BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai alleged that the LDF government was trying to divide Hindus to "defeat" the movement of Lord Ayyappa devotees against the government's decision to hurriedly implement the Supreme Court order. The long march --Save Sabarimala Yatra-- beginning October 10 from Pandalam, the place where Lord Ayyappa's palace is situated, would conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on October 15, Pillai said. "The Government is trying to implement the Supreme Court order by suppressing the Hindu faith and sentiments of the faithful," the BJP state chief said after the core committee ...
Suu Kyi promises 'transparency' over Rohingya atrocities
Embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed Monday to increase transparency over her government's handling of the Rohingya crisis while pitching for foreign investment in Myanmar ahead of a regional summit in Tokyo. Suu Kyi, once garlanded as a global rights champion, has seen a sharp fall from grace due to her failure to speak up following a brutal military crackdown on Myanmar's Rohingya minority. "I'm ready to acknowledge that we have challenges to face particularly with regard to the Rakhine and with the struggles we have on the peace front," Suu Kyi said in a speech before Japanese businessmen, referring to Myanmar's westernmost state where the minority dwelled. "We are not hiding this fact from our friends," she said. In the speech ahead of the summit in Tokyo, Suu Kyi said she was aware that peace and stability in her country were necessary for attracting foreign investment. "We understand that peace, reconciliation, harmony, stability, rule of law, human rights -- all these have ..
CPI-M says BJP's defeat priority; remains non-committal on 'grand alliance'
The CPI-M on Monday said its priority was to defeat the BJP both in the upcoming Assembly polls as well as next year's Lok Sabha elections, but it remained non-committal on joining the Congress-led 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance).
IAF ever-ready to meet any contingency; Rafale jets, S-400 missiles will boost capabilities: Dhanoa
Asserting that the Indian Air Force is "ever-prepared" to meet any contingency, its chief B S Dhanoa said on Monday that the induction of 36 Rafale jets and S-400 missile systems would enhance the capabilities of the force. Amid instances of air crashes, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said aerospace safety is one area where the force needs to maintain a constant vigil as "loss of aircraft in peacetime is not only expensive, but also diminishes the wartime capability". Efforts are being made to minimise accidents due to human error by providing best possible training to the air crew and technicians to meet the challenges of operating current generation fighters, as well as legacy aircraft and weapons systems. "The IAF is ever prepared to meet any contingency that challenges the defence of our country. In the year gone by, IAF has continued to grow from strength to strength and achieved a number of operational milestones," Dhanoa said in his address on Air Force Day here. He said it is the ...
Scientist held on spying charge in Maharashtra
A scientist working at the BrahMos Missile Research Centre (BMRC) here was arrested on Monday on charge of spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and other countries, informed sources said.
J-K civic polls: Boycott fails to dampen spirit of voters in Jammu, Ladakh regions
The boycott of urban local body polls by several political parties, including the PDP and the NC, failed to dampen the spirit of voters in the Jammu and the Ladakh regions as they came out in large numbers to vote in the first phase of elections on Monday. Long queues of enthusiastic voters were seen outside the polling stations in Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri districts of the Jammu region and Leh and Kargil in Ladakh the areas of the state which are almost militancy-free and have always ignored boycott calls given by separatists. Adequate security arrangements have been made for peaceful conduct of elections across the state and officials said polling was going on smoothly. There was no major poll-related violence reported from anywhere, they said. The National Conference and the PDP, the two parties with large support bases in the region, along with CPI(M) and BSP have stayed away from the polls in protests against Article 35A of the constitution being challenged in the Supreme Court, ...
China says ex-Chinese Interpol chief took bribe, under probe
China's top security official, who headed the Interpol until last week and went missing after he left France for China, is being probed for taking bribes, Beijing said on Monday.
India, Tajikistan to cooperate on connectivity, counter-terror
India and Tajikistan agreed to work together to boost connectivity and join hands in the fight against terror as they signed eight pacts in various sectors after a meeting between Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon here on Monday.
Rafale, S-400 will enhance our capabilities: IAF chief
Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa on Monday said the induction of Rafale fighter aircraft, the S-400 missile system and the Apache and Chinook choppers will considerably enhance the IAF's capabilities.
Kremlin is working on plans to host Kim Jong Un in Russia
The Kremlin says it is working on plans to host North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Moscow. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Monday that Putin extended an invitation to Kim last month to visit Russia, and that Moscow is working on the details of where and when that meeting could happen. Peskov's comments follow a visit to North Korea by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the country's nuclear disarmament and setting up another meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump. North Korea entered talks with the U.S. and South Korea earlier this year, saying it's willing to negotiate away its advancing nuclear arsenal. Nuclear diplomacy later stalled because of suspicions over how sincere North Korea is about its disarmament pledge.
US sanctions on Iran: Ex-diplomat for cautious role by India
India need not take an aggressive position in public on the issue of US sanctions on nations defying its directive to bring their oil imports from Iran to zero by November 4, says a former Indian diplomat. India has to play a cautious role, in that priority should be the country's national interests, former Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Oman and the UAE Talmiz Ahmad said. "India's national interests lie in maintaining relations with Iran while at the same time not totally alienating the United States", he told PTI. "And what India will do and I think that's the correct policy that there will be some reduction in oil imports for a short period and at the same time discussions with the United States will continue in order to ensure that the US policy becomes more accommodative", Ahmad said. He was of the view that over a period of time or as early as six months, the entire sanctions regime would "collapse". "My own view is that we don't need to take an aggressive position in ...
DMK to urge Guv to take action over V-Cs' appointments in TN
Days after Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit alleged that crores of rupees exchanged hands in the appointment of vice-chancellors to universities before he took over, DMK chief M K Stalin said on Monday that his party would urge him to take appropriate action in the matter. "It is not a joke but a thing of anguish that the governor himself has spoken about corruption to the tune of several crores of rupees in the appointments of vice-chancellors," he told reporters here. The DMK leader, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said his party has sought an appointment with Purohit to urge him in person "to take speedy, appropriate action" in the appointments of vice-chancellors. "Corruption was reigning supreme not only in appointments of vice-chancellors, but in all departments," Stalin alleged, adding that his party had approached the governor on such graft charges and filed petitions before the Madras High Court, which were pending. "The Election Commission ...
Suspected ISI spy nabbed in Maharashtra
In a potential security breach, an alleged spy working for Pakistan's ISI and other countries was nabbed in a joint operation by Military Intelligence, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police here on Monday.
Has offset policy been cancelled, asks Congress leader
Amid reports that the $5.4 billion Indo-Russian deal for the S-400 air defence missile system does not have any offset clause, Congress leader Manish Tewari on Monday questioned if the offset policy in defence deals has been cancelled.
South African finance minister criticised after testimony
South Africa's finance minister is under pressure after he acknowledged visiting the home of a business family linked to alleged corruption under former president Jacob Zuma. Opposition parties are criticising Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, whose appointment to President Cyril Ramaphosa's Cabinet this year was widely welcomed as a break from the alleged plundering of state resources. Nene apologised last week after telling a commission of inquiry about visits that he made years ago to the businesses and home of the Gupta family, which along with Zuma denies any wrongdoing. Nene says the visits occurred when he was deputy finance minister and also finance minister before Zuma fired him from that post in December 2015. Ramaphosa brought Nene back into the Cabinet after replacing the scandal-tainted Zuma, who resigned in February.
TN govt may consider reducing tax on petrol, diesel: CM
The Tamil Nadu government Monday said it may 'consider' reducing taxes on petrol and diesel, but pointed out its spending on various initiatives, including implementation of the seventh Pay Commission recommendations. When asked if his state would cut taxes on petrol and diesel, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami highlighted the requirement of funds for various welfare measures. He was speaking to reporters here after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek Central assistance for various initiatives in the state. "In Tamil Nadu, as far as the Amma (late Jayalalithaa) government is concerned, funds are required for various departments," he noted. While the state had recently okayed the implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendation for its employees, arrears for Transport department staff was also being disbursed, he said. "Welfare initiatives are happening in various departments. After creating the fund source, government will consider your plea," he told media when ...
Political parties get ready for poll war on social media
With political temperatures soaring in Rajasthan in the run-up to the December 7 assembly elections, major parties in the state have deployed social media "warriors" to reach out to people on digital platforms. Keeping in mind the role social media played in the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2004 general elections, the Congress has also decided to make full use of the mass communication tool. The BJP's Rajasthan social media cell in-charge Hirendra Kaushik said the party has deployed one IT cell worker each at 51,000 booths, and 10-member IT teams have been constituted at the division level to reach out to people through WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. These "social media warriors" are making the electorate, especially youths and women, aware of the achievements of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state, Kaushik said. The party is connected to nearly 14.5 lakh people through WhatsApp and around 6.5 lakh people via Facebook, he said, ...