Page 2792 - Politics
PM visits Ajmer ony for votes: Sachin Pilot
Targeting Narendra Modi over his proposed rally in Rajasthan's Ajmer district, Congress' state chief Sachin Pilot Friday said the prime minister remembers the city only at the time of elections. He also accused Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of misleading the prime minister on the state of affairs in Rajasthan. "Modiji is coming to Ajmer, but he remembers the city only at the time of elections. He visits Ajmer to seek votes, Pilot told PTI. Raje would have indeed misled the prime minister on development in Ajmer, he added. The prime minister will address a public meeting at Kayad Vishram Sthali on the outskirts of Ajmer on the completion of Raje's Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra Saturday. Pilot said Raje had begun her yatra in a bus but later she flew in a helicopter because of the resistance she faced from public during the yatra in different parts of the state.
Here's why President Putin was not given ceremonial reception
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who left for Moscow on Friday after a two-day visit to India, was not accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan as Moscow had asked New Delhi to keep the visit "informal," according to sources.As per sources, Russia requested to keep "the visit as informal as possible," hence India moved away from the protocol and didn't give a ceremonial reception to President Putin. This allowed the Russian President to spend maximum time on discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and delegation.However, despite the Russian President's packed schedule, Prime Minister Modi hosted a dinner for him last night at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.Prime Minister Modi and President Putin also held a 3-hour one-to-one discussion on a range of subjects.Sources say that the move to make visit informal shows the level of comfort between the two leaders.According to sources, the two leaders discussed ways to boost bilateral trade. President Putin emphasised ...
EU negotiators say Brexit deal 'very close' but details missing
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's Brexit negotiators believe a divorce deal with Britain is "very close", diplomatic sources said, in a sign a compromise on the most contentious issue of the future Irish border might be in the making, though details were scarce.
Iran Guard warns Netanyahu will be 'forced into the sea'
The deputy commander of Iran's revolutionary guards warned Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to "practice swimming in the Mediterranean" because he would be forced to abandon his country. "I tell the prime minister of the Zionist regime to practice swimming in the Mediterranean because soon you will have no choice, but flee into the sea," Brigadier-General Hossein Salami said, according to the ultraconservative news website Fars news. Speaking at a rally of the volunteer Basij militia in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, Salami said Israel could be destroyed by Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah. "They are not at the level of being a threat for us, Hezbollah is enough for destroying them," he said. Iran does not recognise Israel, and opposition to the Jewish state has been a central tenet of its government since the 1979 revolution. Its officials regularly warn that Israel will soon cease to exist, although they are usually careful to indicate that this will not be ..
US Senate approves sending Kavanaugh nomination to final vote
The US Senate on Friday narrowly approved moving to a final vote on President Donald Trump's embattled Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh amid continuing controversy over sexual abuse allegations against him. The Senate voted 51-49 to approve Kavanaugh in the procedural cloture vote, with one Republican, Lisa Murkowski, opposing going forward while one Democrat, Joe Manchin, voted to move ahead. A final vote on the Republican nominee is planned for Saturday, with the result still in question as another Republican senator, Susan Collins, reserved her stance on final approval.
All parties in Maldives should respect poll outcome: US
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said the election outcome in the Maldives reflected the will of the Maldivian people which all parties in the country should respect as he congratulated President-elect Ibrahim Solih on his poll victory. The phone call by Pompeo to the president-elect gains significance in the wake of uncertainty over transfer of power after the recent successfully held elections and is considered to be sending a signal that the US is fully behind Solih. Solih, 56, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate, emerged victorious over incumbent President Abdulla Yameen in the election held on September 23. He will be sworn in on November 17. The Secretary congratulated the Maldivian people for coming out to vote in overwhelming numbers despite challenges, state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement. The Secretary noted that the election reflected the will of the Maldivian people, which all parties in the country should respect, ..
Interpol chief goes 'missing' in China
Interpol President Meng Hongwei has gone missing during a visit to his native country China, leading to an investigation by the French police into his disappearance, the media reported.
Left organisations to hold protests over Rafale deal from Oct 22
More than 100 organisations affiliated to various Left parties will jointly launch a week-long nationwide protest from October 22 to "expose" the alleged scam in the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. During the 'Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan', they will demand a joint parliamentary committee probe to "unearth the corruption" in the Rafale deal and the resignation of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Convenor of JEJA and CPI(M) lawmaker Hannan Mollah Friday alleged that the multi-crore Rafale deal is the largest defence scam in the country. "The Rafale deal is a major corruption that needs a thorough investigation by a joint parliamentary committee. Only a JPC probe can bring all the shady details behind the deal before public," said Mollah. Questioning the government's "nationalism" claim, Mollah said "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is misusing nationalism to cover the loot of public money". He alleged that the Modi government is "engrossed in pleasing crony capitalists"
RSS-affiliated farmers' body warns of agitation in Gujarat
The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) on Friday threatened to launch an agitation in Gujarat if the BJP government did not address the farmers' issues raised by it. The BKS, a farmers organisation affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh (RSS), has over five lakh members in the state. Some of its demands are immediate purchase of Kharif (summer) crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), reduction in fertiliser prices, conducting of a crop failure survey and removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on farming-related products or machinery. On October 15, it would hold rallies and submit memorandums to the authorities in every district, said BKS president Vitthal Dudhatra. "If the state government does not act, we will launch a fierce agitation in coming days," he said. He accused the BJP government of not paying attention to farmers' problems despite a delegation making a representation to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani last month. "Farmers are under immense stress. They ..
Foil design of Pakistan and put an end to militancy: J&K DGP to cops
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh asked police personnel to be proactive to foil "designs" of Pakistan and put an end to militancy in Kashmir Valley at the earliest. On a visit to Udhampur and Reasi districts, the police chief interacted with police personnel and directed them to eliminate the "residual militancy" as early as possible in Kashmir. The DGP also reviewed security situation in several meetings, which were also attended by officers of Army, CRPF and CISF. Singh said, "Pakistan wants to keep the pot boiling and is continuously fomenting trouble in the state. We have to foil its designs and should not allow it to succeed for which you have to be proactive." During his interaction with officers, the DGP said that it was his aim to visit all districts of the state and assess the situation first-hand. He said that Udhampur and Reasi are free of militancy because of collective efforts of all forces and the cooperation of general public. The DGP also
After India-Russia S-400 missile deal, US says it cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions
Reacting to the India-Russia military agreement on the purchase of S -400 Triumph air defence missile systems, the United States on Friday said that it cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions and clarified that CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of its allies or partners."The intent of our implementation of CAATSA is to impose costs on Russia for its malign behaviour, including by stopping the flow of money to Russia's defence sector. CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies or partners," said Jinnie Lee, Spokesperson of the US Embassy in New Delhi."The waiver authority is not for a blanket waiver. It is transaction-specific. There are strict criteria for considering a waiver. Waivers of CAATSA section 231 will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis. We cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions," Lee added.The Triumph missile deal comes ...
Diesel made cheaper by Rs 4.06 per litre in Maharashtra
Diesel in Maharashtra will be cheaper by Rs 4.06 in Maharashtra, with the state government Friday announcing a cut in taxes on the fuel. The state government slashed the diesel prices by Rs 1.56 per litre, a day after the central government reduced the rates on the fuel by Rs 2.50 a litre. The Maharashtra government had Thursday reduced the prices of petrol by Rs 2.50 per litre after the Centre cut the prices by Rs 2.50 per litre, making this fuel cheaper by Rs 5 per litre in the state. "Happy to announce relief on diesel too! After the relief of Rs 2.50 per litre by the GOI (government of India), Maharashtra government decided to further add its share of Rs 1 per litre along with 56 paisa tax and the effective cost reduction will be Rs 4.06 per litre in Maharashtra," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted. Earlier in the day, Fadnavis had told reporters in Nashik, about 200km from here in north Maharashtra, that his government would reduce local taxes on diesel so ...
No possibility of mid-term polls in Goa, says GFP leader
Goa Forward Party president and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai ruled out on Friday the possibility of mid-term elections in the state. He was referring to opposition Congress's claim that the BJP may opt for early dissolution of the Assembly and simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections next year. "There would be no mid-term polls. I have discussed it with whoever it needs to be discussed, in Delhi and in Goa," Sardesai told reporters here. "I have got assurance from the ruling party (the BJP) that there will be no mid-term polls. You are well aware of the political reality, no one can afford mid-term polls," he said. The GFP is an alliance partner in the Manohar Parrikar-led Goa government. Parrikar, 62, is currently admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for the treatment of a pancreatic ailment. The Congress has claimed that the BJP-led government has no majority any longer, and demanded a floor test in the Assembly.
Lok Sabha elections: Hry Cong to launch public outreach campaign from Oct 9
The Congress will launch a door-to-door public outreach campaign from October 9 in Haryana ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, state party chief Ashok Tanwar said on Friday. He said the campaign, 'Lok Sampark Abhiyan', will be launched simultaneously at all district headquarters next week. "This campaign will further strengthen the Congress in the state," Tanwar said at a meeting of the party's state executive in Jind. The campaign will include distribution of publicity material prepared by the Congress on various issues being faced by the country, Tanwar said in a release. He said special focus will be on a membership drive, particularly targeting those in the age group of 18-21 years. AICC general secretary or another representative will monitor the entire campaign in the state and see that there is proper coordination between the parent body, frontal organisations, departments and cells of the Congress, he said. The Haryana Congress chief further said booth level workers will be
VHP mounts pressure on government on Ram temple, seeks legislation
Mounting pressure on the BJP-led Centre, the VHP on Friday demanded immediate passage of a legislation in Parliament for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying it cannot wait indefinitely for the judicial verdict.
Pakistan orders 18 international aid groups closed
Pakistan ordered 18 international aid organizations to close, threatening the assistance they provide to some of the country's most vulnerable, international aid workers said Friday. The majority of the shuttered aid groups are U.S.-based, while the remainder are from Britain and the European Union, according to a government list, which was seen by The Associated Press. Caught in the latest order to close are aid groups such as World Vision U.S., Catholic Relief Services U.S., International Relief and Development U.S., ActionAid U.K., and Danish Refugee Council, Denmark. There was no official explanation from the new government and there was no response to queries about the closures from the Interior Ministry, which issued the order. The Information Ministry and Foreign Ministry also did not respond to the AP requests for comments. The organizations have been given 60 days to wrap up their operations, said Imran Yusuf Shami, country director for Plan International, whose organization .
India inks deal to acquire S-400 missile shield from Russia; US issues guarded response
After months of walking the tight-rope, India on Friday inked a USD 5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia, amidst US warnings of punitive sanctions against nations doing "significant" business with Moscow. The deal, signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit here, however, was underplayed by New Delhi, perhaps in a bid to keep its robust ties with Washington unblemished. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, who held their annual summit, did not mention the S-400 deal in their respective press statements. Government officials also did not publicly announce the inking of the deal. However, official sources confirmed that it was signed -- by a joint secretary-level official in the defence ministry from the Indian side. A top Indian official said: "Now that the contract is signed I presume the time-line (for the payment mechanism) has to be fairly soon." The official also asserted that the negotiations for S-400 precede US ...
Gave Rs 770 crore to EDMC in 6 months: Delhi government
Pointing out that city residents were unnecessarily suffering due to the sanitation workers' strike, the Delhi government on Friday said it had released Rs 770 crore to the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) alone in less than six months in the current fiscal.
TRS chief continues tirade against Congress, TDP
Targeting the Congress and TDP, TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Friday alleged Telangana had suffered in irrigation and other sectors due to negligence during their rule. On the other hand, it was during the TRS rule that development and welfare had been taken up on a large scale in various sectors, he claimed at an election rally at Wanaparthy near Mahabubnagar. After opting for premature dissolution of the state assembly last month for early elections, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi supremo has announced candidates for 105 segments out of the total 119 in the state. Rao has been attacking the Congress and TDP President and Andhra Pradesh chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who have decided to form an alliance for the coming assembly elections in Telangana, during his campaign meetings in the last few days. He alleged that irrigation projects in the Mahabubnagar region suffered delays because of the negligence of Congress leaders. "What is the
Mizoram will reject Congress, build 'Congress-mukt N-E: Ram Madhav
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Friday said his party is confident that people of Mizoram will elect a non-Congress government in the assembly elections in December, fulfilling the saffron outfit's target to build a "Congress-mukt (free) Northeast".