Page 2801 - Politics
BJP has instigated sanitation workers: Kejriwal
The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday held Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for "instigating" the EDMC sanitation workers to protest in front of his residence and said he would "directly talk" with the protesters and reveal the truth.
Delhi Transport dept delegation likely to visit China, Hong Kong to study e-bus operation
A delegation of senior officials headed by Delhi government's Transport minister Kailash Gahlot is likely to visit China and Hong Kong later this month to understand the operation of e-buses there. The plan for the visit was discussed in a meeting of the Transport department on Thursday, a senior official of the department said. "There is plan for it. Let us see if it comes about in the coming days," the officer said. The Delhi government plans to introduce 1,000 e-buses in the national capital from the first half of next year to meet the burgeoning public transport needs of the city and combat high levels of air pollution. Another official, who was present in the meeting, claimed the delegation, including top officers of the Transport department, will visit China and Hong Kong in the second half of the month. China has adopted e-buses on a big way accounting for 99 per cent of the global fleet of these buses. Endeavouring to introduce e-buses on the national capital roads, the city ..
Rafale 'scam': Prashant Bhushan, Shourie seek CBI inquiry
Former BJP Minister Arun Shourie and Supreme Court Advocate Prashant Bhushan on Thursday demanded that the CBI file a case against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged abuse of public office causing undue benefit worth "tens of thousands of crores" to a crony capitalist in the Rafale jet fighter deal.
PM hosts dinner for Russian President Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hosted a one-on-one dinner for Russian president Vladimir Putin at his official residence here where the two leaders held a discussion on a host of issues, including bilateral cooperation and strategic issues. Earlier, Modi received Putin at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence. Putin, who arrived in New Delhi Thursday evening on a two-day official visit was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The PM later hosted one-on-one dinner for Putin, official sources said. "Welcome to India, President Putin. Looking forward to our deliberations, which will further enhance India-Russia friendship," the PM tweeted in Russian and English. Putin, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will hold the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit during which the two leaders are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors. The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air ..
Oil-dependent Centre indulging in tokenism: Chidambaram
After the government announced a Rs 2.50 per litre price cut on petrol and diesel, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday described it as "tokenism" saying the government had belatedly realised the "unbearable burden" on people.
Modi to unveil Sir Chhotu Ram's statue in Haryana on October 9
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on October 9 to unveil the statue of legendary peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram, state Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced here on Thursday.
AAP demands fuel prices reduction of Rs 10 a litre
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal demanded a Rs 10 per litre cut in fuel prices, hours after the Centre announced a reduction of Rs 2.5 per litre in prices of petrol and diesel on Thursday. The Delhi chief minister said the Modi government raised excise duty on petrol from Rs 9.48 to Rs 19.48, leading to a steep rise in its price despite a sharp decline in international prices of crude oil. "Modi government raised excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 and today reduced only Rs 2.50. This is cheating. Centre should bring down petrol prices at least by Rs 10," he said in a tweet. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari mocked the chief minister, saying his comment meant he wanted to help Delhi by reducing petrol prices by Rs 10 a litre. "It means @ArvindKejriwal Ji wish to help Delhi by reducing Rs.10 per litre on petrol and diesel, nice gesture!! Thanks kejriwal Ji," Tiwari tweeted. The Central government announced a Rs 2.50 a litre cut in petrol and diesel prices, factoring in ...
Catalonia eyes mediation, with nod to China, Russia
Catalonia's separatist leader urged Madrid to consider foreign mediation in the conflict over his region's demand for independence, in a letter made public Thursday and also sent to Russia, China and others. Media published the leaked letter addressed by Quim Torra to the Spanish government. Copies were also sent to the presidents of several countries that have faced violent separatist crises. Torra formally asked the Spanish government "to enter mediated dialogue as quickly as possible" over the independence dispute. "You may also wish to suggest one or more institutional mediators and observers to facilitate the substantive dialogue process," Torra wrote in the letter, written in English and dated September 26. Catalonia's drive for independence sparked a political crisis in Spain a year ago. Torra is pushing for the right to stage a legally-binding independence referendum for the northeastern region. His letter was published in Catalan media and confirmed as authentic to AFP by a ..
JD(U) to contest Mizoram Assembly election: K C Tyagi
The Janata Dal (United) would contest the Mizoram Assembly election which is due later this year, party secretary-general K C Tyagi said Thursday. Tyagi in a press statement from Delhi, said that a delegation of JD(U) led by him is scheduled to visit Aizawl in the coming days. "Janata Dal always stood for the rights of the Mizo people and their miseries," the statement said, adding that the party would fight the coming assembly polls to be held this year. The JD(U), under the leadership of Nitish Kumar is committed to ensure socio-economic development for all, it said, adding that the party would also ensure that the 'Act East Policy' is revamped and accelerated to benefit the Mizo people in particular and north eastern region in general.
R N Ravi redesignated as Deputy NSA
R N Ravi, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, has been redesignated as the Deputy National Security Advisor, an official order said. Ravi, a 1976-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Kerala cadre, is also the government's interlocutor for the ongoing talks with Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved redesignating R N Ravi as Deputy National Security Advisor (Internal Affairs) and as interlocutor of the government of India in Nagaland, instead of Chairman, Joint Intelligence Committee, the order said. Ajit Doval is the National Security Advisor.
Fuel price cut decision taken after high-level consultations
The decision to cut fuel prices on Thursday was taken after high-level consultations involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and three of the senior cabinet ministers including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Don't want stalemate to continue in administration of Delhi, AAP to SC
The Delhi government Thursday told the Supreme Court it wanted its petitions relating to governance of the national capital be heard soon as it did not want "stalemate to continue in administration". The Delhi government told the top court that it wanted to know where it stands in the administration in view of the Constitution bench verdict of apex court on July 4. A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said it understood the problem but several urgent matters such as election issues came up for hearing due to which cases in regular list were not taken up. "We understand that the matters in regular list are also to be taken up for hearing as people have waited for their case for years. We have to look everything," it said. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the Delhi government, said the court should fix a time for hearing and finish the matter. "We don't want stalemate to continue in administration. We want to know where we stand at present with regard to the ...
SAD alleges Cong 'forcing' people to attend Amarinder's rally
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Thursday alleged that the Congress was "forcing" people to attend Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's rally on October 7 at Lambi. Singh will hold the rally at Lambi, home turf of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, to take on him over his "misleading claims" on sacrilege incidents, while Akali will hold a rally at Patiala, Singh's home constituency on the same day. "Congress party's desperation to put up a face saving show at Lambi after getting unnerved by the SAD's historic rally at Faridkot has paralysed government functioning with seven ministers camping at Lambi to force people to come to its aimless and bogus show on October 7," senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said in a statement here. "Despite using all means, including enticement, coercion and even intimidation people were not ready to come to the Congress show until and unless the government fulfilled the promises made to them," he said. The situation has become such that ...
Sena's stand on Ayodhya issue a 'nautanki': Congress
The Congress in Maharashtra Thursday dismissed as "nautanki" (drama) the Shiv Sena's announcement that its chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya after Dussehra to reaffirm his party's commitment to the issue. Senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil asked the Sena to implement its threat to walk out of the BJP-led coalition governments at Centre and in Maharashtra before playing politics on the Ram temple issue. Sena's announcement came a day after Ram Janmabhoomi Trust chief Janmejay Sharanji Maharaj met Thackeray at the party's headquarters Sena Bhawan here. Earlier in the day, Sena leader Sanjay Raut said only his party has the "courage" to build a Ram temple in Ayodhyha. "The Sena had made the announcement to quit the government 235 times in the past, but still continues to remain in power with this anti-people and anti-farmer government. Sena's statement on Ayodhya is nothing but a nautanki," said the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative ...
Haryana announces cut in VAT on fuel
Within hours of the Centre announcing a cut in prices of petrol and diesel, the Haryana government also announced on Thursday its decision to reduce VAT in the state.
SAD alleges attack on Sukhbir cavalcade, blames Congress, police
The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday claimed an attack by miscreants on a cavalcade of party President Sukhbir Singh Badal and blamed the ruling Congress and police for the incident.
FBI probe does not corroborate charges against Supreme Court nominee: top Republican
A new FBI investigation into Brett Kavanaugh found nothing to corroborate sexual assault allegations against the US Supreme Court nominee, a top Republican senator said Thursday. "This investigation found no hint of misconduct," Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. "There's nothing in it that we didn't already know." The FBI, at the request of a key Republican senator, was given a week to look into allegations by a university professor that Kavanaugh attempted to rape her when they were teenagers decades ago. Grassley said it was time to proceed to a vote by the full Senate on President Donald Trump's nominee to sit on the nation's highest court. "I'll be voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh," he said.
Opening of Kartarpur corridor linked with start of talks: Pak
The opening of the Kartarpur border crossing for Sikh pilgrims was linked with the start of dialogue between India and Pakistan, the Foreign Office said Thursday, asserting that dialogue is the only way forward to resolve issues and disputes between the two countries. Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal told reporters that Pakistan was pursuing the policy of peaceful neighbourhood. Responding to a question about opening of the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims, Faisal said "nothing can happen if there are no talks between the two countries." He, however, reiterated Pakistan's stance to hold talks with India to resolve all outstanding issues. Kartarpur is situated in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province, close to Indo-Pak border. It was established by the first Sikh Guru in 1522. The first Gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built here, where Guru Nanak Dev is said to have died. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres
NC criticised BJP after several civic polls candidates gets elected unopposed
The National Conference Thursday criticised the BJP after a number of its candidates for civic body polls in Jammu and Kashmir were declared elected unopposed, saying it was unheard of in a democratic polity. "The democracy appears to by the BJP, of the BJP and for the BJP," National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana said at an event at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan in Jammu. Rana said the election process was bewildering for political analysts and alleged that the political rigidity of the BJP has made a mockery of the civic body election. More than 150 candidates were declared elected unopposed in Kashmir Valley Wednesday. Thirteen candidates of the BJP won unopposed in Shopian district and its state unit described the victory as a "historic win". The NC and the PDP have boycotted the polls over a legal challenge to Article 35-A of the Constitution in the Supreme Court. The Article ensure special privileges to the people of the state. Rana slammed the BJP, alleging that ...
Odisha to examine Jaitley's appeal on reduction of VAT: Behera
Odisha government Thursday said it will look into Central government's request to states to provide additional relief on the fuel price. Announcing the Centre's decision to cut petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2.50 a litre, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked the state governments to match the move with a similar reduction in sales tax or VAT. "We are examining the appeal made by the Union Finance Minister in regard to give relief to the people on fuel price," Odisha Finance minister S B Behera told reporters here. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "I request Odisha Chief Minister Naveen to reduce Rs 2.50 as other states did." Pradhan said: "You (Patnaik) may have political difference with the central government, but the state also has responsibility towards the poor and common men. Therefore, I hope that Odisha government will also reduce tax on the petrol and diesel.