Page 338 - Politics
Nitish meets Shah ahead of Modi govt's inauguration
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday met BJP president Amit Shah, and both leaders are understood to have discussed Kumar's party JD(U)'s representation in the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be sworn in for a second term on Thursday. The JD(U) president also held a meeting of his party's office-bearers. JD(U) leaders are of the view that the Bihar party may get two berths, one with Cabinet rank and another with minister of state profile. However, there has been no official word on the JD(U)'s likely representation in the government. Another BJP ally from Bihar, Lok Janshakti Party, is likely to be represented by its president Ram Vilas Paswan in the government. The LJP had on Tuesday passed a resolution, naming him as its representative in the government.
Karna BJP expects more representation in Modi cabinet
With the BJP routing the ruling Congress-JDS combine in Karnataka by winning 25 of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats, there is expectation in the party's Karnataka unit that members elected from the state would get more representation in the Narendra Modi cabinet. The state unit's feelings were clearly articulated by Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa a day ahead of the swearing in of Modi as Prime Minister on Thursday after a landslide win. "I'm going to Delhi today, I don't know what is in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mind. As 25 MPs have got elected from here, Karnataka should get more representation is the expectation of everyone, 6.5 crore people of Karnataka. Iwill try to convince them about this," Yeddyurappa toldreporters in response to a question. Those in political circles including BJP feel that a minimum of four ministerial berths are likely for Karnataka, one each from prominent Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, also one Brahmin and one SC. However, BJP sources ..
TN Congress MLA elected to LS resigns from assembly
Congress leader H Vasanthakumar, elected from Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu in the recent polls, Wednesday resigned his membership of the assembly. The legislator, representing Nanguneri segment, called on Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal and tendered his resignation and it was accepted effective Wednesday, Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan said in an official release. With Vasanthakumar's resignation, the strength of the 234-member House has come down to 233 and that of the Congress, an ally of the DMK, to seven. Byelection to the constituency would be announced in due course by the Election Commission. Speaking to reporters, Vasanthakumar said DMK will be urged to allocate the Nanguneri constituency again to his party in the bypoll. The seat was allotted to Congress by DMK in 2016 assembly elections. Though AIADMK and DMK had allotted seats for their respective allies in the April 18 Lok Sabha elections, they preferred to contest all the 22 assembly seats ..
Kejriwal blames 'atmosphere' for AAP's defeat in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday blamed the political "atmosphere" and the perceived Modi-Rahul fight for his own party's poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.
With 8,000 guests, Modi's swearing-in to be biggest event ever at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Nearly 8,000 guests will attend the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, making it the biggest-ever event held in the historic premises.
Trouble in TMC continues, one more MLA joins BJP
In continuing trouble for Trinamool Congress, another party MLA, Munirul Islam, joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Wednesday.Islam's decision comes a day after, two party MLAs including Shubrangshu Roy, son of Mukul Roy, along with 63 municipal councillors, had joined BJP.Besides Islam, former MLA Gadadhar Hazra, TMC youth wing general secretary of Bibhum district, Mohd Asif Iqbal and TMC worker Nimai Das, also joined BJP in the presence of West Bengal BJP in charge Kailash Vijayvargiya.Munirul Islam is a legislator from Labhpur the constituency of West Bengal's Birbhum.Addressing the media on the occasion, Mukul Roy said, "Those joining are very significant. We are making inroads in different constituencies and will expand our party in the state.""Because of Didi's arrogance, there is a lot of infighting in TMC. Under Modi's leadership, we will not only reinstate peace in the state but will also push it towards development," he said.Along with Subhrangshu and Tushar Kanti ..
Chance for AIADMK getting berth in Modi Cabinet: TN Minister
Though there are no pointers on the contours of the NDA-II Cabinet, there is a chance of the AIADMK getting a berth in the council of ministers, Tamil Nadu Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur C Raju said here Wednesday. BJP sources here meanwhile, said the names of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's son P Raveendranath Kumar and Rajya Sabha member R Vaithilingam find place in the "list of probables." Raju, answering a question from reporters here, said: "There is a chance for it (AIADMK getting a berth in the Cabinet) since they (BJP) had said coalition partners will be accommodated (in the Council of Ministers)." In the event of AIADMK getting a berth, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Panneerselvam will take a decision on its representative after talking with BJP leaders when they go to Delhi, the Minister said. He said there were, however, no indications on the broad contours of the NDA-II Cabinet. While Kumar was the lone AIADMK-NDA victor from Tamil ...
CPI likely to lose national party status after poll debacle
The Communist Party of India (CPI) is likely to lose its national party status following the debacle in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections in which the party won just two seats. The CPI along with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were facing the prospects of losing their national party status after their dismal performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as well. However, they had got a reprieve when in 2016 the Election Commission (EC) amended its rules, whereby it will review the national and state party status of political parties every ten years instead of the present five. "According to the present criteria of the EC, we are in danger of losing the national party status. They will decide if we exist nationally. I hope the poll body takes a positive view," said CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy. "However, the lack of this status will not affect the work that we are doing," he added. According to the Election Symbols (Reservation and ..
Will request Rahul to continue as Cong chief: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday he would request Rahul Gandhi to continue as Congress president during his visit to New Delhi to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in as prime minister. Kumaraswamy joins the bandwagon of other leaders, including M K Stalin (DMK) and Lalu Prasad (RJD), who have urged Gandhi to not quit. "I will request him (Rahul) to continue. Tomorrow I will be meeting him," Kumaraswamy told reporters when asked about Gandhi's decision to resign as Congress president after the Lok Sabha poll washout. According to the chief minister's schedule for Thursday, Kumaraswamy will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister and the council of ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7 pm. However, his return has been kept open. The ongoing political developments in the state after the ruling Congress-JDS rout in the Lok Sabha polls and efforts to save the government are likely to figure during the talks with Gandhi. The state Congress ..
K'taka minister dismisses reports of trouble in JD(S)-Cong alliance
Karnataka Minister and JD(S) leader UT Khader on Wednesday said there is "no problem at all" with the coalition government in the state."There is no problem at all. Congress and JDS have joined hands together and there is no confusion about that," Khader said after a meeting with senior Congress leader KC Venugopal.In response to a question on dissent among Congress MLAs, Khader said, "Some leaders have their individual opinions and all that will be sorted out.""BJP has been trying to destabilise the government for the past one year. Nothing has happened, they will have to wait for four more years," he added.On being asked about reports of him being asked to resign from the state cabinet to keep the government intact, Khader said, "There is no such information but if the party asks me then I will abide by that."The JDS-Congress coalition, which is in power in the state, went through a rough patch during the campaigning of the recently held elections with leaders of both the parties ...
No need to politicise invitation of slain BJP workers' kin: Vijayvargiya
BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayavargiya on Wednesday asserted that the invitation of kin of deceased West Bengal party workers for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony should not be politicised.The remark comes after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reversed her earlier decision to announce that she will not attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Thursday."It is a subject of Prime Minister's swearing-in ceremony. Workers are coming to attend the ceremony. Bengal unit has also invited the families of the workers who have been killed. I feel, there is no need to politicise this issue," he said, while adding that the TMC chief's decision suggested that she may be riddled with guilt (chor ki daadi mein tinka).Going back on her initial decision, Mamata announced earlier today that she will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Modi."The ceremony is an August occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party which uses it as
Rahul feared Amethi, so came to Kerala: Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whose Left was routed in the Lok Sabha elections, on Wednesday slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi and told the Congress not to go overboard with their sweeping win in the state.
Rahul proposes Presidium; Venugopal, Scindia in race (IANS Exclusive)
With Congress President Rahul Gandhi adamant that he will not withdraw his resignation, he remains, in parallel, furious with the old guard - Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath and P. Chidambaram (Gehlot's son Vaibhav lost while Kamal Nath's son Nakul and Chidambaram's son Karti won) - who were busy pushing their children in the recently-concluded hustings and "not working for the party per se".
Kin of BJP workers killed in political violence in Bengal invited for Modi's swearing-in
The family members of over 50 BJP workers, who the party claims were killed in political violence in West Bengal in the last one year, left for New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a second term. The BJP has invited them to take part in Modi's swearing-in on Thursday as a "gesture of showing respect to our martyrs", a senior leader of the saffron party said. The BJP has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal of unleashing violence on its workers, alleging that at least 80 of them were killed in political violence. The TMC has denied the charge. "The family members of over 50 workers have been chosen and are being sent to Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Our party leaders will receive them at the New Delhi railway station," the senior state BJP leader said. The party has booked their train tickets and informed them personally, BJP leader Mukul Roy said. "It is a gesture of showing respect to our ...
Yazidis sue Germany for failing to repatriate IS fighters for trial
A Yazidi women's association said Wednesday it has sued two German ministers for failing to repatriate German citizens who had fought for the Islamic State group in Syria to stand trial at home. The autonomous administration in north and east Syria has offered to hand over some 61 German prisoners suspected of having fought for IS, the Germany-based Federation of the Yezidi Women's Council said in court documents seen by AFP. Berlin's "failure to accept the offer and to make possible the urgently necessary prosecution constitutes the crime of obstruction of punishment," they allege. Germany has repeatedly said it wants to bring its citizens home from Syria stand trial, but has highlighted many obstacles. "Legal cooperation is impossible since there are no state structures" in the relevant parts of Syria, a justice ministry spokesman told AFP. "We haven't received the criminal complaint, so we can't comment." He added there were 22 outstanding arrest warrants against German fighters ...
Elaborate arrangements in place ahead of swearing-in-ceremony tom: Delhi Traffic Police
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Delhi Traffic Police ahead of the swearing-in-ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a second term tomorrow, officials said Wednesday. A traffic advisory issued a day ahead of the ceremony said several roads in New Delhi District will be closed for movement of public between 4 PM to 9 PM on Thursday and asked motorists and public to avoid them. The swearing-in-ceremony of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers is scheduled to take place on Thursday at 7 PM at Rashtrapati Bhawan. A number of Heads of States, Heads of Governments, Constitutional Authorities, Diplomats, senior political leaders, government officials, media persons are scheduled to attend the ceremony. The advisory further said roads including Rajpath - from Vijay chowk to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Vijay chowk and adjoining areas including North and South fountain, South Avenue, North Avenue, Dara-Shikoh Road and Church Road will be closed for public ...
Maha Cong meet tomorrow to take stock of poll drubbing
The Congress in Maharashtra has convened a meeting Thursday to take stock of the reverses suffered by the party in the recently-held Lok Sabha polls. Apart from the stock-taking, a resolution urging party president Rahul Gandhi not to resign is likely to be passed at the meeting of the party candidates who had contested the elections, sources said Wednesday. The Congress is in turmoil since Gandhi offered to step down owning up the responsibility for the poll debacle. He is reportedly firm on his decision though the Congress Working Committee (CWC) had passed a unanimous resolution turning down his resignation offer. The Congress won only one out total 24 seats it had contested in Maharashtra, its worst performance so far. The candidates of Congress' ally Swabhimani Paksha also bit dust from Sangli and Hathkanangle constituencies. The Congress was polled only 16.27 per cent votes, a drop of 2.02 per cent from 2014 elections. The only saving grace for the party was Balu ...
Mamata was looking for 'excuses' to not attend Modi's swearing-in: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her decision not to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she was looking for "excuses" to avoid attending the event.
Pak arrest six JeM members on charges of terror funding
Six members of the Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have been arrested for allegedly collecting funds for the proscribed terror group, amid a pressure from the global community on Pakistan to curb terror financing. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police said Wednesday it has intensified crackdown on terrorism financing and arrested six more JeM activists in Gujaranwala, about 130-km from here. "The CTD teams raided the JeM's 'safe house' and arrested Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Amir, Allah Ditta, Muhammad Iftikhar, Muhammad Ajmal and Muhammad Bilal Makki, and recovered lakhs of rupees from their possession. "The suspects were collecting funds to finance the activities of JeM. Charge-sheets against them has been submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gujranwala and they are being interrogated," the CTD said in a statement. "No one will be allowed to collect founds for any proscribed organisation," it said. Last week, six activists of the JeM and the ...
NSUI activists urge Rahul Gandhi to continue as Cong prez
Activists of NSUI, the students union of the Congress party, staged a demonstration here Wednesday demanding that Rahul Gandhi continue as party president. NSUI activists, led by its state president Venkat Balmoor, held placards hailing Gandhi's leadership and demanded that he continue in the post. Congress MLA T Jayaprakash Reddy also took part in the demonstration, holding a placard. Senior Congress leader and former MP V Hanumantha Rao urged Gandhi to continue to lead the party. He recalled that the Congress lost in 1977 but bounced back to power in 1980.