Page 343 - Politics
Naveen Patnaik: Canny politician whose soft exterior masks nerve of steel
An author, a connoisseur of art, a canny politician whose calm visage masks the ruthlessness he is capable of while dealing with rivals and mutinous partymen -- traits hard to find in one man. That's Naveen Patnaik, once a reluctant inheritor of the legacy of his legendary father and former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik. Patnaik Jr. took over the mantle of his father as a novice upon his death in 1997. A little over two decades down the line, the once reluctant politician is all set to resume the reins of power for the fifth consecutive term, having led the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to yet another emphatic victory. Already the longest-serving chief minister of Odisha, having assumed office in the year 2000, Patnaik has weathered many a controversy --from chit fund scams to mining scandals-- but remained the foremost leader of the regional outfit he heads. Patnaik's image of a "clean and honest" politician is widely regarded as the reason why he was able to withstand a spirited ...
Karnataka Congress leaders meet CM over cabinet reshuffle
Five Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, met Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) for reshuffling the cabinet to quell dissidence in the party and ensure continuation of their year-old coalition government, a party official said on Wednesday.
Number of locals joining terrorism slumps reduced to half in J-K: Police
In what is seen as a success of security forces, the number of locals joining terrorist ranks has come down to half in Jammu and Kashmir with only around 40 youths joining taking arms.According to the police, there are around 275 active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir including around 100-125 foreign terrorists."The number of locals terrorists is decreasing. Only 40 locals have joined (terrorism) in the last five and a half months, which is less than half compared to the earlier records," Jammu & Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh said Tuesday.Singh said that infiltration from across the border is also decreasing considerably. "If we continue to make progress like this, the situations will improve in the coming days," he said.His statement comes days after one of the most wanted terrorists Zakir Musa was eliminated by the security forces in an encounter in Tral area of Pulwama on May 24.
Slain Bengal BJP activists' kin to attend Modi's swearing-in (2nd Lead)
At least 70 family members of slain Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in West Bengal will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, a state BJP leader said on Wednesday.
Foreign leaders confirm participation in PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony
Leaders and representatives of eight countries, including Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid have confirmed their participation in the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the official spokesperson said.The following leaders will attend the ceremony scheduled to take place on May 30 in Rashtrapati Bhawan:1. Abdul Hamid, President of Bangladesh2. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka3. Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic4. U Win Myint, President of Myanmar5. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius6. KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal7. Dr Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of BhutanThe Special Envoy of Thailand, Grisada Boonrach, will also attend the event.Back home, heads of national and regional parties have also been invited for the swearing-in ceremony. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose bitter war of words with Modi was at the centre of Lok Sabha election campaign, has
Jaitley to not be part of Modi's new cabinet, cites health condition
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday opted out the new cabinet citing his health condition."I am writing to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health and, therefore, not be a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government," Jaitley wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister who is working on his new cabinet to be sworn-in tomorrow.The 66-year-old BJP leader, who was absent from Friday's Union Cabinet meeting, said he would "undertake any work informally to support the government or the party".The BJP leader further wrote, "During the last 18 months, I have had some serious health challenges. My doctors have enabled me to emerge out of most of them. After the campaign had concluded and you were leaving for Kedarnath, I had orally informed you that even though I was able to discharge the responsibilities assigned to me during the campaign, I would in .
Don't include me in new cabinet, Jaitley tells Modi
Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to include him in the new cabinet, citing his health issues.
Delhi's Services dept issues directions for implementation of 10 per cent quota for EWS in govt jobs
Delhi government's Services department has issued directions for implementation of 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections in all direct recruitment effective from February 1 this year. In January, ahead of Lok Sabha polls the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared 10 percent quota in education and government jobs to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), a key demand of upper castes. In a circular of Services department, dated May 28, issued by deputy secretary (services) Biju Raj on behalf of the competent authority (Lt Governor), all the departments and other bodies of the Delhi government have been asked for compliance of the quota provision. "This is for compliance by all the departments, Corporations, Boards, Public Sector Units and Autonomous Bodies of Government of National Capital Territory (GNCTD) of Delhi," the circular said. The office of Lt Governor presently exercises jurisdiction over the Services department. The dispute between the .
Army pays tribute to Major Rahul who died of chest pain
The Indian Army on Wednesday paid tribute to Major Rahul Singh who succumbed to chest pain while leading a patrol in Machhil Sector on Tuesday."Major Rahul Singh suffered severe chest pain during the patrolling and was evacuated to 92 Base Hospital. He later succumbed to his medical condition while undergoing treatment," said an Army statement.The officer was leading a patrol in treacherous mountainous terrain along the Line of Control in Machhil Sector of Northern Kashmir, the statement said.Led by Chinar Corps Commander Lt. General KJS Dhillon, the officers and rank and file of the Army and other security forces paid homage to the soldier.32-year old Singh, who had joined the Army in 2013, belonged to village Gunsara in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and is survived by his parents.His mortal remains were flown to his native village where he would be laid to rest with full military honours.
Artist from Amritsar makes oil painting of PM Narendra Modi
A painting artist Jagjot Singh Rubal from Amritsar has made an oil painting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wants to gift him the same once he takes oath for the second consecutive term on May 30."First of all I want to congratulate our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is going to take oath for a second consecutive term on May 30," he said speaking to ANI."This painting took me four days and I want to gift this painting to PM Modi," he added.The BJP secured 303 seats in the parliament, which is 22 more than it got in the 2014 elections and along with its allies the NDA took its tally up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to continue in office for a further five years after he takes oath for the second time on May 30.
Air India seeks nod for Rs 2,400 crore loan from NSSF
Disinvestment-bound Air India has sought the government's approval to borrow Rs 2,400 crore from National Small Savings Fund (NSSF), a pool of small savings from households, to meet its working capital requirements.
Akhilesh plans to revamp party, include other castes
The Samajwadi Party is preparing for a major revamp even as rumbling of dissent begin to emerge from the ranks following its poor performance in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.
Andhra Pradesh: Chandrababu Naidu elected as Legislative Party leader
Outgoing Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday was elected as the Legislative Party leader.Newly-elected party's MLAs, MPs and other senior leaders also attended the meeting.Naidu resigned from the Chief Ministerial post after YS Jagan Mohan Reddy steered YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) to win by an absolute majority in the Assembly poll.YSRCP won 151 seats out of 175, whereas TDP's tally fell drastically from 102 in 2014 Assembly elections to a mere 23.In the Lok Sabha results too YSRCP managed to win 22 of the 25 parliamentary seats while TDP could win only 3 seats.
Don't include me in cabinet, Jaitley tells Modi
Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to include him in the new cabinet, citing health issues.
Iran 'almost certainly' behind ship attacks off UAE: Bolton
US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Wednesday Iran was "almost certainly" behind attacks on ships off the United Arab Emirates earlier this month. The four ships, including two Saudi tankers, were attacked by "naval mines almost certainly from Iran", Bolton told a press conference in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. US experts are part of a five-nation team that is investigating the May 12 attacks that damaged the four vessels in the Sea of Oman off the UAE emirate of Fujairah. "There's no doubt in anybody's mind in Washington who's responsible for this," he said. "Who else would you think is doing it? Someone from Nepal?" Bolton said he would meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as well as his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, to discuss relations and regional tensions. "We remain concerned and as watchful as we can," he said. "We are responding and consulting more closely with our allies in the region to discuss what to do next." ...
Do not want to be a minister due to health reasons, Jaitley writes to PM
Ending all speculations, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he does not want to be a minister in the new BJP government due to health reasons. In the four-paragraph letter, Jaitley said he had orally informed Modi about his desire not to be a part of the new BJP government to enable him to concentrate on treatment and health. "I am writing to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health, and therefore, not be a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government," he wrote.
Tej Pratap Yadav not solely responsible for RJD's debacle in LS polls: Raghuvansh Pratap Singh
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Wednesday said that Tej Pratap Yadav was not responsible for the party's defeat in Bihar and added that it was a nationwide phenomenon."I never blamed Tej Pratap Yadav for this defeat. One man isn't responsible for this defeat as it has taken place all over India and not just in Bihar," Singh told reporters here.RJD is going through a rough patch after the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in which it faced a humiliating defeat by failing to win even a single parliamentary seat in the state.Amid brewing discontent among party leaders after poll debacle, RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav earlier on Wednesday said those leaders who did not like Tejaswi Yadav's leadership can leave the party."We lost but we are now focusing what is coming ahead. The top brass of political parties in Bihar's Mahagathbandhan came together but I got the information that leaders could not come together and fight like one," Yadav told ANI after RJD ..
Australian PM, Ministers sworn-in post poll victory
Re-elected Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his reworked frontbench were officially sworn-in to office on Wednesday as the coalition begins its new term of government following a shock election victory.
Meeting between K'taka CM, Congress leaders underway
A meeting is underway between Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and other senior leaders of Congress including Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parmeswara, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah among others ahead of the cabinet reshuffle.Congress State Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister DK Shivakumar, Congress leader KC Venugopal are also present in the meeting.The scheduled meeting of the Congress Legislature Party will be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.On Tuesday, Kumaraswamy met with Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah to discuss and strategise the ruling Congress-JD(S) government's political development after the landslide victory of BJP in the concluded Lok Sabha polls.The meeting holds importance amid the speculation of falling of the coalition government of Congress and JD(S) in the state.On Monday, Congress leader KN Rajanna claimed that the coalition government of JD(S) and Congress will collapse after June 10.The BJP won 25 of the 28 seats along with an Independent backed by .
Morrison sworn in as Australia's prime minister
Scott Morrison was sworn in as Australia's prime minister on Wednesday along with a "hungry, committed and united" team of ministers after the ruling Conservative Coalition led by him staged a surprise victory defying exit polls in the general elections. The new Coalition ministry for the 46th Australian parliament was sworn in at the Government House in Canberra with Morrison taking the oath as a new Prime Minister and Michael McCormack as the Deputy Prime Minister. Morrison promted New South Wales MP Sussan Ley, Linda Reynolds and Anne Ruston to the Cabinet and inducted Jane Hume, Ben Morton, Alan Tudge Stuart Robert on the government frontbench. A record number of seven women were sworn into the new Cabinet with Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie becoming Australia's first female agriculture minister. The Cabinet includes Australia's first Aboriginal federal cabinet minister, West Australian MP Ken Wyatt, who will be in charge of indigenous affairs. Wyatt received a standing