Page 33 - Politics

Veterans and Young Turks of TMC engage in war of words over age factor

Veteran TMC leader and MP Sougata Roy has underscored that age is not a barrier within the party and that the ultimate decision on the roles of seniors and the next generation rests with party supremo Mamata Banerjee, amid an ongoing debate over the party's internal dynamics. The remark from the three-time Trinamool Congress MP elicited a pointed response from party colleague Kunal Ghosh, who had recently ignited the debate. Ghosh questioned whether the absence of an age restriction implies that "veterans would continue in the party till they are alive". The internal party exchange unfolded amid an ongoing purported discord among party veterans, recognised as loyalists of Mamata Banerjee, and the younger generation, perceived as close to her nephew Abhishek. "Who will contest elections or determine positions within the party is solely decided by Mamata Banerjee. She is our supreme leader and remains the final authority in the party. While Abhishek Banerjee may be a popular youth ...

India backsliding on health indicators, needs sanitation audit: Congress

Jairam Ramesh alleged that after the initial fanfare, "the Prime Minister has moved onto other schemes, headlines and events"

Congress poised to form its first government in Telangana, say exit polls

The polling for the 119-member Telangana concluded on Thursday and it was the last among five states that went to the polls this month

Rahul's aircraft denied landing permission at Naval airport: Congress

The Congress alleged on Friday that the Ministry of Defence denied landing permission for an aircraft carrying party leader Rahul Gandhi at the Naval airport here. Ernakulam DCC president Mohammed Shiyas alleged the Ministry had initially granted permission for the aircraft's landing at the Naval facility but later withdrew it. Consequently, the aircraft, carrying Gandhi from Kannur, was directed to the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in nearby Nedumbassery, he told PTI. An official source told PTI that the decision regarding granting permission for the landing of private jets at the Naval Station was made by the Defence Ministry. He, however, did not elaborate. The former Congress chief, currently touring Kerala, has two programmes scheduled in Kochi on Friday.

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SC refuses to entertain DMK minister's plea seeking bail on health grounds

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain the bail plea of DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. Balaji was seeking the bail on health grounds.The top court was hearing an appeal against an order of the Madras High Court which dismissed his bail plea on October 19, saying he was likely to influence witnesses if enlarged on bail. An apex court bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, after perusing the health reports, said there was nothing serious in his health condition and granted liberty to Balaji to approach the trial court to seek regular bail. "Any observation made in the interim order against the petitioner on merits shall not come in the way of the petitioner in filing regular bail application," the bench said. As the bench expressed disinclination to entertain the matter, the plea was withdrawn and the matter was dismissed as withdrawn. The top court had earlier directed Balaji to place o

Evaluating list of hostages to be released today, says Israel govt

As per the news report, Hamas has expressed willingness to extend the truce and the two sides are reportedly holding negotiations on such an extension

Will rename Hyderabad as Bhagyangar if BJP comes to power: Kishan Reddy

Union Minister and Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy on Monday said Hyderabad would be renamed as 'Bhagyanagar' if his party comes to power in the state. Reddy, who spoke to reporters here, said the names of cities like Madras, Bombay and Calcutta have been changed. "Yes. Definitely, if the BJP government comes to power, (we) will change the name of Hyderabad. I am asking who is Hyder? Do we need the name of Hyder? Where has Hyder come from? I am asking who needs Hyder. If BJP comes to power, definitely, (we) will remove Hyder and change the name as Bhagyanagar," he said. Why should the name not be changed, he asked. The name of Madras has not been changed to Chennai by the BJP but by the DMK government, he said. What is wrong with changing the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar when Madras has been renamed as Chennai, Bombay as Mumbai, Calcutta as Kolkata, Rajpath as Kartavya Path, he said. "We will completely change all those which reflect the slavish mentality if BJP comes

BJP supporters block state highway in WB to protest party worker's arrest

BJP supporters blocked a state highway and held rallies on Monday in support of a 12-hour bandh at Khejuri in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district called by the saffron party to protest the arrest of a worker. Efforts are on for lifting of the blockade to ensure vehicular movement through the road at Khejuri, an official said. Tree logs were placed on roads by bandh supporters to block the state highway. The BJP called a 12-hour bandh at Khejuri alleging that party workers were being arrested on fabricated cases by the police. Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP MLA from neighbouring Nandigram constituency Suvendu Adhikari went to Marishda police station in Khejuri on Saturday night to protest the arrest of a saffron party worker and demanded his immediate release.

EC withdraws assent to disburse aid under Rythu Bandhu scheme in Telangana

The Election Commission on Monday withdrew permission given to the Telangana government for disbursements of financial aid to farmers for rabi crops under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme after a state minister violated the provisions of the model code by making a public announcement about it. The poll panel had given its nod to the state government to disburse the rabi installment during the model code of conduct period on certain grounds. The state was asked not to publicise the disbursement during the poll code as part of the condition. Telangana goes to election on November 30. The EC informed the state chief electoral officer about its decision to withdraw its permission. The state finance minister had made a public announcement about the release of disbursements of rabi instalments. He had reportedly said, "The disbursement will be made on Monday. Even before the farmers complete their breakfast and tea, the amount will be credited into their account.

Congress will provide work to unemployed in Telangana: Digvijaya Singh

The state is poised for a three-cornered contest between the ruling BRS, which is bidding to return to the hustings for a third straight term, the Congress, and a resurgent BJP

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Rahul Gandhi's panauti jibe at PM Modi below the belt, says Amit Shah

Describing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "panauti" comments against Prime Minister Modi as below the belt', Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said people will give befitting reply to it in the upcoming assembly elections. Whenever below the belt language was used about the Prime Minister, people have given a befitting reply in whichever state in the country. I am confident that voters of Telangana would give a fitting reply through voting on this language which is below the belt, Shah said. He was replying to a query posed at a press meet here on 'panauti' remark made in election campaigns. A Hindi slang, "panauti" loosely refers to someone who brings bad luck. Rahul Gandhi had used the "panauti" barb against Modi during his poll speech in Rajasthan after the PM had attended the World Cup cricket final that India lost to Australia after 10 consecutive wins in the tournament. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama had recently termed Gandhi's remarks as despicably poor.'

Rajasthan elections: State registers over 40% voter turnout till 1 pm

Voting began at 7 am after days of hectic campaigning by major political parties, including the ruling Congress and BJP

BJP accuses Rahul of poll code violation with his X post, seeks EC's action

The BJP Saturday accused Rahul Gandhi of violating poll guidelines with his post on X on the day of the Rajasthan assembly polls and urged the Election Commission to seek suspension of the Congress leader's social media account and initiate other actions against him. In his post, Gandhi urged people to elect the Congress and said, "Rajasthan will choose free treatment. Rajasthan will choose cheaper gas cylinder. Rajasthan will choose interest-free agricultural loan. Rajasthan will choose English education. Rajasthan will choose OPS. Rajasthan will choose caste census." The BJP wrote to the Election Commission, saying his post violates the silence period of 48 hours during which any type of campaign is barred. It accused the ex-Congress chief of violating the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct and sought the EC's action. "The social media platform X and its functionaries may also be directed to immediately suspend the account and remove the aforestated ...

Barring corruption, no work done by BRS govt in 10 years: Amit Shah

Targetting the BRS government in Telangana over its alleged failures, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said in the last 10 years, the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao-led dispensation, barring engaging in corruption, has done nothing concrete for the people. Addressing a press conference, he said the people of Telangana are ready to see off the BRS government in the November 30 assembly polls. Today youth, farmers, dalits and backward are totally disappointed. Telangana people believe that BRS did nothing else, but corruption, he claimed and said the state which was revenue surplus is now reeling under debt of lakhs of crores of rupees. Appealing voters to vote for BJP, Shah said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has fulfilled all the promises it made, ranging from construction of Ram Temple, abrogation of article 370 or abolishing triple talaq. "Your (people of Telangana) vote will not just decide the fate of an MLA or a government, but the future of Telangana

Rajasthan polling: Scuffle breaks out at Sardarshahar assembly constituency

Councillor representative Asif Khokhar alleged that he was assaulted by around five to seven people

Assembly polls: Congress will get another chance in Rajasthan, says Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed confidence that the Congress retain power in Rajasthan, where assembly elections are underway for 199 seats on Saturday. "I am confident that the Congress will repeat the government," Pilot told PTI before casting his vote in Jaipur. He said the Congress focused its election campaign on the issues of the people and claimed that the BJP has been exposed. Polling in 199 out of the 200 assembly constituencies began at 7 am. Elections in the Karanpur seat of Sriganganagar district have been postponed following the death of the Congress candidate.

The enduring spirit of Nepal

Amidst growing discontent and a challenging socio-economic landscape, public nostalgia for royalty has surfaced again

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