Page 2795 - Politics
NC indulging in misinformation campaign against local body polls: BJP
The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit hit out at the National Conference on Friday, saying it was "rattled" by the exposure of its misdeeds and was resorting to a misinformation campaign against the local body polls. Anil Gupta, the spokesperson of the state unit, said people were angry with the NC and its "cadre has deserted" because without caring for the aspirations of workers at the grassroots, the party announced boycotting the local body elections in the state "to safeguard dynastic fiefdom". "The NC is rattled by the BJP's relentless exposure of its misdeeds and are playing with people's sentiments for sake of vote bank politics leading to the current level of anger and disgruntlement. The NC has resorted to a misinformation campaign backed by bundles of repeated lies," the spokesman said. The NC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -- the two major parties in Kashmir Valley -- have decided to boycott panchayat and urban local body elections over a legal challenge to Article 35-A .
Pakistan cancels Indian envoy's lecture in Lahore
Amidst the chill in bilateral ties, Pakistan cancelled at the last minute Indian envoy Ajay Bisaria's scheduled lecture at a training institute here for not taking prior permission from the Foreign Office, according to sources. An official privy to the development told PTI on Friday that Indian High Commissioner Bisaria was invited by the National School of Public Policy (NSPP) to deliver a lecture on Thursday. The institution that imparts training to civil servants invites academicians, professionals and dignitaries for guest lectures on a regular basis. "The NSPP Lahore had invited Mr Bisaria for the guest lecture for October 4 but the Indian High Commission was informed that his lecture has been cancelled. The commission will be informed on re-scheduling of his lecture," he said. Sources further informed that the NSPP management had to cancel Bisaria's lecture after receiving orders from the top. "The management was told that in case of inviting any ambassador for a guest lecture,
If allies want me, I will: Rahul Gandhi on becoming PM
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said he will become prime minister if allies want him but the first step is for all parties to get together and defeat the ruling BJP. It's a two-stage process and a decision on who will be prime minister comes second, Gandhi said. "We have had discussions with allies and what we decided is that this is a two stage process stage -- one is to get together and defeat BJP and stage two is, once the election is over then we will decide what happens," the Congress president explained. Probed further about the possibility of him becoming prime minister, Gandhi said, "If they (allies) want me, sure... I will." The Congress chief, who was speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, answered questions on a range of issues, including his temple visits and the RSS. Gandhi said he has been going to temples, gurdwaras and mosques for years, but the issue of his visits to temples has suddenly been publicised. "I guess BJP doesn't like it. It infuriates them. BJP ...
SC dismisses plea seeking full statehood for Delhi
The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a plea seeking full statehood for Delhi saying it has become "infructuous" in view of the Constitution bench verdict which had held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state. The matter came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta and the advocate appearing for the petitioner referred to the judgement delivered by a five-judge Constitution bench on July 4. "It (petition) is infructuous," the bench said while dismissing the plea. The court was hearing a plea seeking to declare Article 239AA (which deals with powers and status of Delhi) of the Constitution and The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act 1991 as "unconstitutional" on the ground that a territory of India has to be either a full state or a union territory. The plea had also alleged that constitutional arrangements for Delhi were responsible for the mismanagement in administration of the national capital which
Striking Rajasthan government staff warn of 'strong decision'
With the latest parleys between the Rajasthan government and its striking employees failing to break the deadlock, an employees' leader on Friday warned of "strong decision" in the coming days in case their demands were ignored.
Suresh Prabhu calls for India-Russia agreement on diamond imports
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday called for a government-to-government agreement with Russia to facilitate import of diamonds, keeping in mind the benefits that can be availed by both the countries.While India is the largest importer of raw diamonds and a hub for cutting and polishing the stone, Russia houses massive diamond reserves. Owing to the flourishing industries, Prabhu said the two countries will reap huge benefits by entering into an agreement."If we can work out a government-to-government agreement in which we import in a manner that does not adversely impact the balance of payment and we will meet our demand, Russian exports will increase to India. We import it, process it and re-export it, and both get benefitted," he said while speaking at the India-Russia Business Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).Talking about Russia's keenness to export timber to India, the Union Minister said that both the countries can work out a ...
India-Russia sign S-400 Triumph air defence missile systems
Taking forward the Defence cooperation to a new height, India and Russia on Friday signed the much-awaited agreement for the purchase of five S-400 Triumph air defence missile systems. The deal was signed on the sidelines of the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.The USD 5.43 billion deal for the high-end missiles comes despite warnings from the United States of America (US) that has started sanctioning countries and entities under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) for engaging in Defence and intelligence sectors with Russia."The two sides welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile System to India," India and Russia said in joint statement released after the talks. The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to enhance military technical cooperation "which has a long history of mutual trust and mutual ...
BJP expels seven party activists for anti-party activities
The Jammu and Kashmir BJP Thursday expelled seven of its activists from basic membership of the party for anti-party activities in Jammu and Kashmir. A state BJP spokesperson said seven activists were expelled who were contesting the elections of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) against the official candidates of the party and also those who are supporting independent candidates in their wards. Those expelled from the primary membership of the party include Monika Gupta, Ashwani Sharma, Lalit Sharma, Arun Sethi, Sureshta Jamwal, Bishamwar Singh Jasrotia and Hardesh Khokhar, he said. On Wednesday, the BJP had expelled 15 "rebel" workers from the party for anti-party activities ahead of the local bodies polls.
Hong Kong denies FT journalist visa after independence talk
Hong Kong has refused to renew the visa of a senior Financial Times journalist who hosted a talk by an activist advocating the city's independence from China, the newspaper said Friday. Victor Mallet, the FT's Asia news editor, earned the ire of authorities after hosting a speech by Andy Chan, the leader of a tiny pro-independence political party. Chan had attacked China as an empire trying to "annex" and "destroy" Hong Kong in a strident speech at the city's Foreign Correspondents' Club, where Mallet serves as vice president. Rival protesters had picketed the talk, which Beijing wanted cancelled, and the city's former leader Leung Chun-ying had called for the club to be evicted from its government-owned premises. "This is the first time we have encountered this situation in Hong Kong," said the FT, in a statement confirming the British citizen had been denied a visa renewal. "We have not been given a reason for the rejection." Mallet's visa rejection indicated a "quickening downward .
Problem in J&K majorly due to Pakistan: Rajnath
Asserting that terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have come down in comparison to the past, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the "problem" in the state is "majorly" due to Pakistan which "is continuously promoting terrorism and sending terrorists in India".
India, Russia conclude S-400 missile deal
India and Russia on Friday concluded the much expected deal for the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system following the annual bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
J&K ULB polls to see direct contest between BJP, Cong amid NC, PDP boycott
The upcoming urban local body and municipal polls in Jammu and Kashmir will see a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress, with major regional political parties -- the NC and the PDP -- boycotting the election. The polls are scheduled to begin from October 8. The National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have boycotted the elections over the legal challenge to the Constitution's Article 35A the Supreme Court. The article accords special rights and privileges to the state's citizens and bars people from outside Jammu and Kashmir from acquiring any immovable property in the state. As many as 3,372 candidates have filed their nominations for the four-phased urban local body (ULB) and municipal elections, out of which 192 candidates were elected unopposed, and 2,688 are in fray till the third phase of the polls. Friday is the last day of withdrawal of nomination. There are 8, 16,97,291 voters in the 1,145 wards of the state. Undeterred by the threats from ...
Centre should've built oil reserve for crisis scenarios: Mitra
Hitting out at the Centre over spiralling fuel prices, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said Friday that the NDA government should have built an "oil reserve" to tide over such crisis situations. The BJP-led ruling dispensation at the Centre lacks the ability to make strategic decisions, he alleged. "Any mature democracy would have created a reserve for use as buffer during times of crisis. When the question of NDA government acting mature with a strategic vision arises, the answer will always be a 'no'," Mitra said at India Today regional conclave here. According to the Trinamool Congress minister, an oil reserve is built when rates are low so that it could be used later to rein in rising prices. "Had the Centre built a reserve, the common man would not have faced the music. The TMC would have done so, if it was in power," he asserted. When asked if the TMC government in Bengal intended to reduce fuel prices by rationalising state taxes, Mitra, however, did not ..
Shah challenges Cong to open debate on development
BJP president Amit Shah Friday challenged the Congress to an "open debate" on the development works done by the party during its rule, as compared to the work done by Chief Minister Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre. He also asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had always practised the politics of development. "We are ready for an open debate with the Congress on the development works done by its governments in 55 years as against the 15 years of Raman Singh's government in Chhattisgarh and five years of the Narendra Modi government," Shah told a rally during the conclusion of the "Atal Vikas Yatra" at Narharpur in Kanker district of poll-bound Chhattisgarh. During the two-phase yatra, Singh covered all the 90 Assembly constituencies in 27 districts of the state to highlight his government's achievements. Lauding the chief minister, Shah said Singh traversed 11,000 km in the Assembly constituencies, adding, "It is commendable that ...
No mention of S-400 missile deal in Modi, Putin remarks
The much-hyped S-400 Triumf air defence missile system deal that was expected between India and Russia did not find mention in the joint addresses to the media by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin following their annual bilateral summit here.
Prabhu calls for mechanism to boost diamond imports from Russia
India on Friday called for a government-level agreement with Russia for diamond imports in a way that does not adversely impact New Delhi's balance of payments and announced the setting up of a fast track, single window mechanism for Russian companies.
J-K political parties condemn killing of NC workers by terrorists
Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir Friday condemned the killing of two National Conference (NC) workers in a militant attack here, saying targeting political workers who "champion the cause of the masses" was "downright appalling". Two NC workers were killed and an office bearer was injured after terrorists fired at them in the Karfali area of the city Friday. The deceased were identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Wani and Nazir Ahmed Bhat. The injured, Shakeel Ahmad, was a Halqa president of the National Conference. "Attack on political workers who champion the cause of common masses is downright appalling & symptomatic of alien elements misrepresenting the ethos of Kashmir. We strongly condemn the brutal murder of @JKNC_ workers. Our hearts go out to their bereaved families," the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on its official Twitter handle. PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing. "Pained to hear about the killing of ..
India, Russia sign USD 5 billion S-400 deal: official sources
India and Russia signed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal on Friday after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, official sources said. The agreement was signed in the presence of both the leaders at the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit. The S-400 missile defence system deal could result in US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) instituted by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia. The US has urged its allies to forgo transactions with Russia, warning that the S-400 missile defence system that India wanted to buy would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians. American lawmakers, however, have allowed the possibility of a presidential waiver. India wants the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly ...
Pb CM seeks Gadkari's nod for revised Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway alignment
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has written to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking expeditious approval for the revised alignment of the proposed Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway, officials said on Friday. In his letter to the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, the chief minister said after reconsidering the matter, the state government had approved the alignment option starting from Amritsar and going up to the International Airport in New Delhi with only one spur connecting the religious centre of Dera Baba Nanak. He urged Gadkari that the same may be considered by his ministry. It may be recalled that following a meeting with Gadkari on July 29, 2017, the Punjab government had submitted a comprehensive proposal regarding the alignment of proposed Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on January 20, 2018. It had proposed alignment option starting from Amritsar and going up to International Airport, New Delhi, along with spurs ...
Russia signs S-400 missile deal with India: Ifax
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia signed a deal with India to supply five regiments of S-400 anti-aircraft missiles to India, Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Friday.