Page 287 - Politics
Telangana gets back Andhra government buildings in Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Sunday issued orders to handg back to the Telangana government, the buildings given to Andhra Pradesh government for its offices in Hyderabad five years ago.
Be ready for Nitish's 'Dhokha number 2': Kushwaha warns BJP
Former BJP ally and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief Upendra Kushwaha Sunday cautioned the saffron party that Nitish Kumar will "betray" it and it should be ready for "Dhokha number 2" from the JD(U) president "I want to tell BJP people that Nitish Kumar has been known for disrespecting the people's mandate. Betraying people's mandate and alliance partners are his old habits...BJP people should be ready to witness 'Dhokha number 2'," Kushwaha told reporters here. "Aisa koi saga nahi jisko Nitish ne thaga nahi (There is nobody who has not been cheated by Nitish)," he said. This idiom will be translated into action here soon and hence the BJP should remain "cautious", he said. Kushwaha was talking to reporters here after a meeting of his party to discuss the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls. Kumar had snapped ties with the BJP in June 2013 after Narendra Modi, the then Gujarat chief minister, was made the saffron party's campaign committee chairman for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Kumar ...
Algeria cancels July 4 presidential vote, rejects candidates
Algeria's Constitutional Council says there will be no presidential election on July 4 as planned in the North African country after the two candidates both unknowns were rejected. The council said in a statement Sunday that it is now up to the interim president, Abdelkader Bensalah, to set a new date for the vote. Only two candidates turned in their files by the May 25 deadline, but the Constitutional Council rejected them. It did not say why. Presidential elections were ordered after ailing long-time leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down on April 2 under pressure from the public and the powerful army chief, ending two decades of rule. Citizens have held weekly pro-democracy protests since Feb. 22 to press for a new era with new leadership that has no links to Bouteflika.
Iran rules out talks unless US changes 'behaviour'
Tehran on Sunday ruled out talks with Washington unless it changes its "general behaviour", after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said his country was ready for negotiations with Iran. "The change of the general behaviour and actions of the United States of America regarding the Iranian nation is the criterion" required for any talks to take place, said foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi. "The Islamic Republic of Iran ignores word games and the use of new language to express secret aims," said Mousavi. "Mr. Pompeo's emphasis on maintaining maximum pressure on Iran reflects the continuation of the same faulty behaviour that must be corrected," the spokesman said, quoted in a ministry statement. Pompeo, who is considered a hawk on Iranian issues, appeared to soften the US stance somewhat on Sunday following weeks of escalating tensions with Tehran. "We are prepared to engage in a conversation with no preconditions," Pompeo said in Switzerland, which in the absence of US-Iranian .
One language should not be imposed on others: HD Kumaraswamy on 3-language norm
After a controversy broke out over three-language norm, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that one language should not be imposed on others."Yesterday @HRDMinistry I am aware of the draft education policy which emphasizes on imposing Hindi. In the name of 3-language formula one language should not be imposed on others...#HindiImposition," he tweeted."Only a report has been submitted on the new education policy. Government has not taken any decision on it. It has not even considered it and therefore the misunderstanding that the government has decided on the new education policy is not true," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told the media in New Delhi on Saturday"After we will get the public feedback, then only it will come up before the government. More importantly, the Modi government has always promoted all Indian languages and therefore there is no case of or intention of imposing any language on anybody. We want to promote all Indian ...
Will try to get Goa host next edition of defence expo: Naik
Newly-inducted Union Minister of State for Defence and North Goa MP Shripad Naik Sunday said he would initiate efforts to ensure that Goa gets to host the next edition of defence exposition. Goa had last hosted the mega exhibition in 2016 when late Manohar Parrikar was Defence Minister. The 2018 edition of the exposition was held in Tamil Nadu. "The priority will be to get back Defence exposition in Goa as it contributes for employment generation," Naik said, adding that he would initiate efforts to host the next edition of Defence exposition. He also said investment by Defence ministry in Goa would be given a priority to create employment opportunities for locals. Responding to a query, Naik said both Pakistan and China are hostile, but the latter is less aggressive. "The Chinese aggression is in a lesser degree. But Pakistan and other terrorist groups are being tackled by the government," he said. Naik said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had prioritised curbing of ...
Karna CM says one language should not be imposed on others
Joining the chorus against a proposal for teaching Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, Karnataka Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy Sunday said one language should not be imposed on others in the name of three-language formula. I am aware of the draft education policy released by the HRD Ministry yesterday. One language should not be imposed on others for any reason in the name of three-language policy. State governments stand will be known to the Centre after gathering more information on this issue," he tweeted. The draft of the new National Education Policy, proposed by the panel constituted in the previous Modi government, had suggested teaching of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states. It has already drawn strong opposition from parties, including the DMK, in Tamil Nadu who alleged it tantamount to "thrusting" Hindi. Meanwhile, newly elected Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejaswi Surya termed the opposition to Hindi as an act of Breaking India forces. It's sad that a few people ...
Allocate Ayodhya land for Ram temple construction: Swamy writes to Modi
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate land in Ayodhya for building the Ram temple and also declare the Ram Setu a national heritage monument. In a letter to Modi, Swamy said the government required no permission from the Supreme Court to allocate land for constructing the temple as it was taken over by former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao's dispensation in 1993. The Ayodhya land dispute is pending in the Supreme Court. In January, the Modi government filed an application in the apex court, seeking its nod to return over 67 acre surplus land around the disputed area to its original owner, Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, a trust formed for construction of the temple. Swamy, in his letter, said the government's submission in the court was made "erroneously" as it required no permission because the land remained in its possession. The government needs no permission from any authority to allocate land to anybody in public interest, he claimed. He also ...
Security and health services equally important for nation: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said security of health services in the country was as important as securing the borders of the country. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Yashoda Cancer Hospital in Sanjay Nagar and Raj Nagar area here, Singh noted the present set-up for medical services in the country was not "adequate". He said private investment in the sector should be promoted through public private partnership ventures. The medical faculty (doctors and nurses) to population ratio was poor and needed urgent improvement, he said at the function, which was his first public meet in Ghaziabad after the 2019 Lok Sabha results were declared. He said the government is mulling over increasing the health budget. Speaking on the defence sector, Singh said countrymen are living safely due to the efforts of the Army and paramilitary forces. He said police, intelligence and other forces were working in tandem to check terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Lastly, the defence minister ...
Thinking of quitting Parliamentary post and contesting state elections: Azam Khan
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Ramgarh MP Azam Khan on Sunday said that he is thinking to quit his parliamentary post and contest in the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections."No doctors or health facilities are here. We're running a hospital and there can be attempts to dismantle it. Barrage should be constructed, its construction is pending. I am thinking of quitting from Parliament and contesting the state assembly elections. It is possible that I will contest in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections," Azam Khan told media here.In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, he had defeated BJP's Jaya Prada from the Ramgarh parliamentary constituency.Azam Khan was doing a press conference after an FIR was reportedly registered against him for obstructing government work and occupying public property without permission for Mohammad Ali Jauhar University.Denying all the charges, Azam Khan said, "Whatever has happened is not hidden from everyone. To remove me from the ...
Mishra to be BJD parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha
Four-time MP from Puri Pinaki Misra was on Sunday nominated as the parliamentary party leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Lok Sabha. BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has nominated Misra as the party leader in the lower house of Parliament, BJD general secretary Bijay Nayak said. Similarly, Kandhamal MP Achyutananda Samanta has been nominated as the BJD Chief whip and Kendrapara MP Anubhav Mohanty as party's deputy chief whip in Lok Sabha. Patnaik has also nominated six-time MP from Cuttack, Bhartruhari Mahtab to be the chairman of the standing committee which will be allotted to the BJD. The BJD has won 12 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state, while BJP bagged eight and Congress one.
Pinaki Misra appointed as BJD Parliamentary party leader
Pinaki Misra, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP from Puri has been appointed as BJD's Parliamentary Party Leader, while Kandhamal MP Dr Achyuta Samanta as Chief Whip and Kendrapara MP Anubhav Mohanty as Deputy Chief Whip.In the Lok Sabha polls, the BJD won 12 seats, BJP 8 and Congress one.BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra lost from Puri parliamentary constituency to BJD's Pinaki Mishra by a margin of 11,700 votes. It is worth noting that even during the 2009 and 2014 elections, Mishra had won Puri seat.While in the State Assembly elections, BJD once again established its political supremacy by winning 112 Assembly seats in 146-member House.
Patna: RJD leader Rabri Devi hosts iftar party at her residence
Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi on Sunday hosted an iftar party at her residence here."We hosted this iftar party in order to maintain a peaceful relationship between all the communities and to develop brotherhood among the people. I pray to God that peace and prosperity prevail in Bihar," she said while talking to reporters here.Talking about the poor performance of the grand-alliance in the state, she said, "I am not at all worried about the results that came from the Lok Sabha polls. This situation was not only in Bihar but the condition was the same in the entire nation."Terming people's mandate of "supreme importance", she said, "Whenever a party loses an election, the party workers and leaders do feel bad."Several senior leaders from the party and grand-alliance including Jeetan Ram Manjhi, Shivanand Tiwari were present during the party. RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav who was reported to be upset with his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav during the Lok Sabha ...
US ready to negotiate with Iran but 'with no precondition': Pompeo
Michael R Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, on Sunday said that Washington is willing to negotiate with Iran "with no preconditions".Addressing a joint press conference in Switzerland, in the presence of Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Pompeo said, "We are prepared to engage in a conversation with no preconditions. We are ready to sit down with them.""The American effort to fundamentally reverse the malign activity of this Islamic Republic, this revolutionary force, is going to continue," Al Jazeera quoted Pompeo as saying.Iran has repeatedly said it would not talk to the US while it is under renewed sanctions.Pompeo's latest comments come amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran which recently heightened after Washington disposed carrier strike warships and B-52 bombers off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to counter an alleged and unexplained threat from Iran.More troops have also been deployed in the Persian Gulf, one of the world's most
Athawale asks KCR, Jagan to support NDA
Union Minister and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale Sunday urged ruling TRS and YSR Congress in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh respectively to join the BJP- led National Democratic Alliance for development of the states. Though the present NDA's strength in Lok Sabha was 353 and there was no necessity for support from any other party, for the development of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states, both TRS president K Chandrasekha Rao and YSRC chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy should and join NDA, he said here. The BJP chief Amit Shah has announced if any other party wants to join NDA our doors are open. This is my suggestion to KCR (as Rao is referred to) and Jagan to support leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modiand NDA. To support or not to support is for them to take a decision, he told reporters. The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said the Central government was committed to the development of both the states. Describing Modis leadership as "very strong", .
B-52, aircraft carrier in Mideast over Iran conduct exercise
The US military says a B-52 bomber and an aircraft carrier dispatched to the Mideast over a perceived threat from Iran have conducted a joint exercise together in the Arabian Sea. The Air Force said in a statement Sunday that the exercise saw F/A-18 Super Hornets, MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters and E-2D Growlers from the USS Abraham Lincoln fly with the B-52 bomber. The Air Force says the aircraft also "simulated strike operations" in the exercise, which took place on Saturday. The White House dispatched the Lincoln and its strike force to the Mideast in May over an Iranian threat it did not describe at the time. The US pulled out of Iran's nuclear deal a year ago. Since then, relations have grown tense as America imposes ever-tougher sanctions on Tehran.
Odisha CM resigns from Bijepur seat, retains Hinjli
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday resigned from the Bijepur Assembly seat and retained Hinjili.Patnaik communicated his decision to the Speaker of the House.In the elections to the 147-member strong Assembly, Patnaik-led BJD secured 112 seats. He was sworn-in on May 29 for the fifth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of the Odisha.
RSS will give constructive advice to govt whenever it falters: Mohan Bhagwat
The RSS will give constructive advice to the government whenever it falters, Mohan Bhagwat Sunday said as he cautioned that any democratically-elected dispensation should guard against any "misuse" of its power. Addressing a Sangh gathering here, the RSS chief said, "Those getting elected in a democratic set-up have immense power, but this does not mean that it should be misused. If the government falters at any point of time, the Sangh will give it advice and suggestions with a positive point of view." Bhagwat's comments came days after the Narendra Modi dispensation assumed office for a second term. Later, he addressed another meeting of the RSS. At the meeting, Bhagwat told "volunteers that they should not be arrogant, no matter how much good work they have done or how much they have helped others," according to RSS leader Mohan Agarwal. "He also exhorted them to bring social equality, and eradicate illiteracy, drug and alcohol addiction and other social evils," Agarwal said. The ..
NDA govt committed to country's all-round development: Hardeep Puri
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Sunday said the NDA government is committed to the all-round development of the country. In an official press statement here, Puri said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave him three important portfolios and that the various welfare schemes part of his portfolios would be implemented in letter and spirit for the benefit of the people. He said an action plan will be prepared soon for the all-round development of towns. Amid distress in the civil aviation sector that recently saw grounding of a private airline, Puri, who has been given the rank of Minister of State (Independent Charge), categorically stated that problems in the sector would be overcome very soon in a professional manner. Puri held the Housing and Urban Affairs portfolio in the first tenure of Prime Minister Modi's government, which he has managed to retain. Puri, who unsuccessfully contested the recently held Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar, disclosed a website "Puri for the ...
3-language formula will lead to linguistic chauvinism: CPI(M)
In the wake of a controversy over the draft National Education Policy recommending to teach Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, the CPI(M) Sunday said such forcible imposition will lead to feelings of "linguistic chauvinism" detrimental for the unity of the country. The draft of the new National Education Policy (NEP)- proposed by a panel constituted by Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar during his previous term under the Modi government - was released on Friday and it suggested imposition of a three-language formula. In a statement, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said, "The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) is unequivocally opposed to the imposition of the three-language formula from primary level of school education as proposed in the Draft National Education Policy released by the HRD ministry." The party said it is of the "firm opinion" that the "opposition is not to any particular language but for ensuring the opportunity for all Indian languages to ...