Page 355 - Politics
Guj: 4 Cong turncoats who won on BJP tickets take oath as MLAs
The ruling BJP in Gujarat has improved its strength to 104 in the 182-member House with four MLAs, who were previously with the Congress, winning the recently-held bypolls as BJP candidates. All the four legislators were Tuesday administered oath by Assembly speaker Rajendra Trivedi. The MLAs Jawahar Chavda, Parsotam Sabariya, Raghavji Patel, and Asha Patel have won the bypolls to Manavadar, Dhrangadhra, Jamnagar (rural) and Unjha assembly constituencies, respectively. The byelections were held on April 23 along with the Lok Sabha polls, results for which were declared on May 23. The MLAs took oath at the Speaker's chamber in the Assembly building in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, BJP state unit president Jitu Vaghani, ministers Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Pradipsinh Jadeja among others. The BJP now has 104 members in the House. While Chavda, Asha Patel, and Sabariya quit the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, former MLA Raghavji Patel had joined the
Gandhi family protects Congress in all crises: Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar on Tuesday expressed dismay over Congress' performance in the Lok Sabha elections and also asserted that the Gandhi family has protected the party in times of crisis."I never expected such a big loss for the Congress party. Let's all sit together and work out (a solution). I have just arrived in Bengaluru and I have to meet my party leaders and committee. Congress can't be wiped out. Gandhi family has been protecting the party in all crises," he told media.Earlier, on his arrival in Bengaluru on Monday, Shivakumar on being asked about poll results said he follows Mahatma Gandhi's theory. "I just know who won and who lost. I don't have further details. Usually, I get messages, I don't know anything further. I'm just following Gandhi ji's theory "Don't hear bad, don't speak bad and don't see bad," the Congressman told reporters.In view of the tumultuous political developments in Karnataka, Congress party's state unit has called for a
Tamil Nadu: Newly-elected DMK MLA takes oath
Thirteen newly-elected Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) MLAs took oath on Tuesday at the state secretariat.MK Stalin, the party President, was also present during the swearing ceremony in the chamber of Speaker S Dhanapal.DMK won 13 out of 22 assembly constituencies, where by-elections were held in two phases on April 18 and May 19.With this, DMK tally has reached 101 from 88 in the 234-member assembly.Despite winning more seats, AIADMK managed to save its government by winning nine seats which took its tally to123 from 114. The half-way mark in the Assmebly is 118.MK Stalin, while speaking to media, said that his party is yet to take a decision on whether to bring a no-confidence motion against the AIADMK-led government."You are going to watch what we are going to do. Till now the date of the Assembly session in Tamil Nadu has not been announced. After that announcement, we will take a decision," he saidWhen asked whether his party will bring a no-confidence motion against the ...
Rajni accepts Modi's invite for swearing-in ceremony
Veteran actor Rajinikanth on Monday confirmed that he will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be held on May 30.Hailing the overwhelming Lok Sabha mandate as a victory of Modi as a leader, the actor said, "This victory is a victory for the person Modi. He is a charismatic leader."Adding Prime Minister Modi's name in the league of "charismatic leaders the country has seen", Rajinikanth said, "After Nehru, Rajeev Gandhi, the country has now got Modi. Likewise, after Anna, Kalaignar and Jayalalithaa, this is a victory of Modi."Giving counsel to Rahul Gandhi on his insistence to step down from the post of the Congress president, Rajini said, "He should not resign and should prove that he can do it too. In a democracy, the Opposition should also be robust."Dwelling on the poor performance of the Congress in the recently concluded elections, Rajinikanth said, "As a youngster, it is difficult for him (Gandhi) to handle senior leaders. Moreover, they ...
20 TMC councillors reach Delhi, likely to join BJP
In a setback to TMC chief Mamata Banjerjee, about 20 women councillors of her party arrived here on Tuesday saying they wanted to join BJP as they were influenced by the deep inroads made by the saffron party in West Bengal in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections."20 councillors are here in Delhi. We are not upset with Mamata ji (Banerjee) but BJP's massive gains in Bengal has influenced us to join the party. People are liking BJP as they are working for them," Ruby Chatterjee, TMC councillor from Garifa, Ward no 6, told ANI.If the women councillors do join BJP, it would deal another blow for TMC, which lost much ground in West Bengal in the Lok Sabha elections.The state witnessed a saffron surge as BJP inflicted a massive blow to the ruling TMC by winning 18 of the 42 parliamentary constituencies, in contrast with the figure of 2 seats in the 2014 general elections.The Banerjee-led TMC although retained the state, it won just 22 seats, as against 34 in 2014.
Time to fix accountability; sack not resign: Pramod Tiwari
Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Tuesday said that this was not the time for party chief Rahul Gandhi to resign but seek accountability from those who were given responsibility.
Mizoram becomes dry state following new liquor law
Mizoram has once again become a "completely dry state" from Tuesday following a new liquor law that prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol, a Minister said here.
Will welcome if they dissolve Karnataka Assembly: Yeddyruappa
Buoyed by the party's resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections, former chief minister and Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said that if the Congress-JDS coalition decides to dissolve the state Assembly, he will welcome their decision."We have won 25 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. This is a historic win. I will welcome the decision if they (the ruling alliance) dissolve the government and go for mid-term polls," he told reporters here.Resentment among the leaders of coalition came to the fore after the Congress-JD(S) coalition failed miserably in the Lok Sabha elections, managing to get only two parliamentary seats in the state.On Monday, senior Congress leader K N Rajanna had said, "This government will not remain in power as it will collapse after June 10. I have been told that he must have lost his post even before but as per my sources, BJP people in the state stopped till the Prime Minister takes the oath."Speaking further, state BJP chief said, "No ...
Rahul best person to lead party, too premature to write Cong's obituary: Shashi Tharoor
Rahul Gandhi is the best person to pull the Congress out of its predicament following the setback in the Lok Sabha polls, says party leader Shashi Tharoor while declaring that his party is "alive and kicking" and it is too premature to write its obituary. The Congress has no time to sit and lick its wounds as it must immediately pick itself up for the upcoming state elections, Tharoor told PTI. The party faces an existential crisis with the party president adamant on his decision to quit after the poll debacle -- winning just 52 Lok Sabha seats -- and its state governments facing an uncertain future. Tharoor, who scored an electoral hat-trick by winning from the Thiruvanathapuram seat in the Lok Sabha polls, also said he is ready to take on the job of the Congress' leader in the Lok Sabha if offered the post. The Congress still represents the only credible national alternative to the BJP and it will take its message to the country, hopefully under Gandhi's leadership, he said. In his .
Hectic lobbying for ministerial berths in Odisha
Lobbying for ministerial berths has intensified in Odisha, with the newly elected Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik giving finishing touches to his Cabinet ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
Chandrababu Naidu asks TDP cadres not to be disheartened
Nearly a week after the crushing defeat in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked party members not be to disheartened by the loss.
Always enriching: PM Modi on meeting Pranab Mukherjee
After winning the elections with a thumping majority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met former President Pranab Mukherjee and sought his blessings.Modi shared two photos from the meeting in which the two can be seen exchanging pleasantries. In one photo, the former president is sharing sweets with the Prime Minister."Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience. His knowledge and insights are unparalleled. He is a statesman who has made an indelible contribution to our nation. Sought his blessings during our meeting today," Narendra Modi said in his tweet.Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party secured a clear majority with 303 seats, which is 22 more than its 2014 tally. Along with its allies, the NDA stands at 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.Earlier on Saturday, Modi was elected as leader of the NDA in a ceremony at Parliament's Central Hall. Later, he met President Ram Nath Kovind and staked claim to form government at the centre.Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister .
Congress leaders meet Rahul amid leadership crisis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, his Deputy Sachin Pilot and General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday met party President Rahul Gandhi amid a leadership crisis following the party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections.
Pak downplays Imran not being invited for Modi's inauguration; pitches for dialogue
Pakistan has tried to downplay India's decision not to invite Imran Khan for Narendra Modi's swearing-in on Thursday, claiming that the Indian Prime Minister's "internal politics" does not permit him to extend an invitation to his Pakistani counterpart. The government on Monday announced in New Delhi that it has invited leaders from BIMSTEC countries to Prime Minister Modi's inauguration, leaving out Pakistan, which is not a part of the seven-member regional grouping. The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. Reacting to reports that India has not invited Prime Minister Khan to Prime Minister Modi's inauguration, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said a meeting for the sake of dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir issue, as well as Siachen and Sir Creek disputes, would have been a significant measure instead of attending the swearing-in ...
Modi meets ex-President Pranab Mukherjee
Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on Tuesday met former President Pranab Mukherjee here to seek his blessings after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded a landslide win in the Lok Sabha elections.
Rahul Gandhi should continue to lead Congress: Lalu
Hours ahead of a review meeting to discuss the RJD-led Grand Alliance's routed in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar, jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday advised Congress President Rahul Gandhi to not resign from the post calling his offer "suicidal".
Four newly elected Goa MLAs sworn in
Four newly elected MLAs, who won the recently held Assembly bypolls in Goa, were sworn in by acting Speaker Michael Lobo at the state Secretariat here on Tuesday.
Cong leaders have 'chemical locha', party full of 'chela chapatas': Alpesh Thakor
Gujarat MLA and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor on Tuesday said Congress leaders who reiterate that scams have taken place are suffering from a "chemical locha" (chemical imbalance) in their minds. Thakor had left the Congress last month ahead of Lok Sabha polls stating that his Kshatriya Thakor Sena was facing insults in the party.Thakor stated that the Congress party has no people and is only full of 'chela chapatas' (those who indulge in flattery)."Congress failed to understand what people actually want. They only repeatedly shouted 'ghotala hua, ghotala hua' (scam happened, scam happened). There was no scam, the scam was in their minds, the 'chemical locha' was in their minds," said Alpesh Thakor while talking to ANI.Earlier, today while talking to ANI on phone, Thakor said that he will not join the BJP though he is in contact with several of their party leaders as an MLA.He said that the Congress was bound to be defeated in Lok Sabha polls as the party has no presence at the ground and .
Six die after consuming spurious liquor in Barabanki, 10 excise personnel suspended
At least six people died and several others were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in Ramnagar area of Barabanki district, state Excise Minister Jai Prakash Singh said Tuesday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry into the incident and 10 excise personnel have been suspended. The minister said the six died after consuming liquor purchased from a shop belonging to one Danvir Singh near Ramnagar on Monday. The locals belonging to Raniganj and adjoining villages consumed liquor on Monday night and were rushed to Ramnagar Community Health Centre (CHC) soon after, police said. Four members of a family are said to be among those who lost their lives in the incident, they said. The Excise Minister said the district excise officer, inspector, three head constables and five constables of the excise department have been suspended and an inquiry ordered by the chief minister. The minister said the excise commissioner, joint and deputy commissioners have rushed to the
Priyanka, Sachin, Surjewala at Rahul's residence
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot were on Tuesday seen making a beeline at Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence following his insistence on stepping down from the top post after the party's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections.