Page 361 - Politics
Naveen Patnaik invites Modi to his swearing-in ceremony
Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of different political parties to his swearing-in ceremony scheduled to be held here on Wednesday, party sources said Monday. Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister for fifth time in a row at 10.30 am on Wednesday. "A special message has been sent to Delhi to invite the Prime Minister for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Odisha," sources in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) said. Invitations have also been sent to leaders of different political parties in the state. However, the invite to the prime minister is significant as Patnaik had during election campaign given an open invitation to Modi. Patnaik at an election meeting at Basta under Balasore Lok Sabha constituency had invited Modi to his swearing-in, after Modi in a public meeting announced that he would again visit Odisha to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the next BJP government in the state. Modi
BJP workers killed in Bengal for their ideology: PM; TMC calls allegation baseless
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday alleged that BJP workers in West Bengal were being killed only for their political ideology, a charge dismissed as baseless by the ruling Trinamool Congress(TMC). The TMC claimed that on the contrary it was their members who were being targeted in political violence in the state. The fresh war of words between Modi and the TMC came a day after a BJP worker Chandan Shaw was shot dead in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district that has already triggered a blame game. The BJP alleged a TMC hand behind the killing while the ruling party dismissed the allegation as baseless. A 23-year-old BJP worker was shot dead in Nadia district's Chakdaha town on Friday night, with the saffron party alleging that TMC men were behind the incident. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeeon Saturday said the killing might have been a result of infighting within the BJP. Addressing a rally during a thanksgiving visit to Varanasi from where he won the Lok Sabha polls for
First session of new Lok Sabha likely from June 6
The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha is likely to be held from June 6 to 15, sources said here on Monday.
Trump backs Abe-Kim meeting, sees 'good things' (2nd Lead)
US President Donald Trump on Monday backed a possible face-to-face meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and said he expected "good things" to come from Pyongyang.
Israeli political standoff risks provoking election rerun
Israeli coalition negotiations remained deadlocked Monday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a right-wing party leader engaged in a standoff that could provoke new elections only months after April 9 polls. Netanyahu has until Wednesday night to form a coalition government, but ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has prevented a deal by refusing to budge from a key demand. Holding elections so close to one another would be unprecedented in Israel, and there have been concerns over the cost and prolonged political paralysis that would result. Israel's parliament could take the first step toward dissolving itself as early as later Monday. Further votes would be needed to move towards elections. On Monday, Netanyahu's Likud party called on Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party to compromise and allow a coalition to be formed. Lieberman said he had already made concessions and was not prepared to go further, adding he was ready for new elections if needed. His party controls ...
MJSPR Architect of "Telangana for Modi" Campaign
MJSPR is a PR, branding and strategy consulting firm headquartered in Bengaluru. Political strategy and campaigning is one of the primary services of the firm headed by strategist and its founder CEO MJ Srikant himself.The firm's political portfolio includes surveys, micro-targeting, thought leadership and image positioning, complete campaign strategy formulation for candidates or parties based on survey analysis and inferences, and end-to-end implementation of campaigns constituting both conventional and digital frameworks.Their campaigns for two former MPs - former parliamentary affairs minister, Late H N Ananth Kumar and former MP, C S Puttaraju for 2014 Lok Sabha elections were successful and saw the respective candidates win. In 2017 the firm conducted a survey for a candidate in Tumakuru constituency for the state election in Karnataka and the results ended up reflecting their survey insights for the constituency. In 2018 the firm's digital campaign for one of the BJP candidates
Jakhar's resignation totally unnecessary: Punjab CM
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday termed Sunil Jakhar's resignation from the post of Punjab Congress chief as totally unnecessary, given the impressive performance of the party in the state.
Govt sets up tribunal for adjudicating ban on LTTE
The Centre on Monday set up a tribunal for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient reason to continue the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a fortnight after it extended for five years the proscription of the terror group that was behind the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. While extending the ban on the LTTE, the home ministry had said the group's continued violent and disruptive activities are prejudicial to the integrity and sovereignty of India and it continues to adopt a strong anti-India posture and also continues to pose a grave threat to the security of Indian nationals. Such a tribunal is constituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to give an opportunity to the banned entity to present its case but is usually a no-show. India had banned the LTTE after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991. Since then the ban imposed on the group has been extended after every five years. "Now, therefore, in exercise of the ...
Poland's ruling right-wing PiS party tops in EU polls
Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) won European elections, complete official results showed on Monday, with its leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski urging a wider victory in the autumn general ballot. The PiS took 45.38 percent of the vote to win 27 of Poland's 51 seats in the European Parliament compared with 38.47 percent and 22 seats for the liberal European Coalition, according to full official results published on Monday. The progressive Spring party, led by openly gay former MP and mayor Robert Biedron, took 6.06 per cent for three seats while the far-right Confederation group failed to cross the five-percent threshold required to enter the European Parliament. Poland will gain one extra seat for a total 52 MEPs after Brexit. "We won but with a result that should push us to one thing: to work hard before the parliamentary elections this fall," Kaczynski said at PiS campaign headquarters in Warsaw as an exit poll handed his party victory. This is the first time the .
BJP nominates Kamakhya Tasa for RS from Assam
The BJP on Monday nominated former Lok Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats from Assam which will fall vacant on June 14.
Hailing mother India and spitting in public cannot go together, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gave a lesson in nationalism saying one cannot hail mother India and in the same breath spit in public, which is not acceptable."We say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and spit (in public) in the same breath after chewing Banarasi paan (betel). What kind of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' is this?" he said at a gathering of BJP workers here.Cleanliness has been one of the most important campaigns of the BJP-led NDA government since it came to power in 2014. Modi announced the 'Clean India' scheme in his first Independence Day after taking the reins of power. Last year, a new 'Swachhata Hi Seva Movement' was launched to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a Clean India.In his speech today, Modi asserted that government property belongs to everyone and appealed people to preserve. "Whatever is of the government is ours. We clean our scooter even if it is so old, but when we board a government bus, we damage the seats. We do not feel rest unless we make a considerable hole
Bimstec leaders invited for Modi's swearing in
India has invited leaders of Bimstec member states for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 30.
Rajasthan BSP MLAs' meeting with Governor put off
An official meeting of six BSP MLAs, supporting the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan, with Governor Kalyan Singh was postponed, triggering speculation abut their continued support.
Delhi poll panel to consider plea to remove symbols from MCD poll EVMs: HC
The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to consider a plea seeking to remove election symbols from the ballots in the electronic voting machines (EVM) for municipal polls in Delhi.
Gola announces 5-day working week for govt employees
Newly-appointed Sikkim Chief Minister P S Golay Monday announced a five-day working week for state government employees. After taking charge of the office at Tashiling state secretariat, he also held a meeting with top government officials. Talking to reporters after interacting with senior officials, Golay said there will be five-day working week for the government employees in Sikkim. "We have fulfilled one of our election promises to reduce the working week for government employees from six days earlier to five days," he said. The government employees will get an additional day as holiday which they will use to take care of their health and that of their parents and family members, he said. The chief minister also announced his ministers and MLAs, including himself, will use Scorpio vehicles instead of Fortuner SUVs which were being used by the elected representatives earlier. "For the time being we have no option but to use Fortuner SUVs, but we will use Scorpio vehicles once ...
Sanjay Singh made AAP's state in-charge of Odisha, Rajasthan, UP, Bihar
Days after a crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Aam Aadmi Party has appointed its senior leader Sanjay Singh as in-charge of the party's state units of Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The decision was taken in a party's political affairs committee meeting, chaired by AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a party statement said. Singh will soon visit Odisha and hold meetings with the party members in the state, it said. The AAP suffered a debilitating blow in the just concluded general elections, winning only one out of the 40 seats it contested across the country.
BIMSTEC leaders to attend Modi's swearing-in
Like SAARC leaders last time, heads of government from neighbouring BIMSTEC countries are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his second term on May 30.As of now, there is no indication of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan being invited.Sources said leaders of member states of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will attend the swearing in. Member countries of BIMSTEC include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand besides India.In 2014 when Modi won his first term, all the SAARC leaders, including the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the swearing in as part of invitations extended to all the member countries of the south Asian grouping.But relations with Pakistan soured mid-term and hit its nadir after the Pulwama attack in February which was followed by India's aerial strikes on terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan.
Pema Khandu to be sworn in as Arunachal CM on Wednesday
Incumbent Pema Khandu will be sworn in as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday after the state BJP won the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
In a snub, Rahul declines to meet Gehlot
After expressing his anger over party leaders giving preference to their families instead of the party, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday refused to meet Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot here.
Japan to buy 105 F-35 US stealth warplanes: Trump
Japan plans to buy 105 US-made stealth warplanes, Donald Trump said on Monday, which the US President said would give Tokyo the largest F35 fleet of any US ally. Trump, in Tokyo for a state visit, said Japan "has just announced its intent to purchase 105 brand new F35 stealth aircraft. Stealth, because, the fact is you can't see them." "This purchase would give Japan the largest F35 fleet of any US ally," added the president. Trump appeared to be referencing a deal first announced by the F35's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, in December. Japan's government announced in its latest defence budget in December plans to buy 105 units of the F35A, which performs conventional take-off and landings. Local media said at the time that the purchases could total more than one trillion yen (USD 9.1 billion). The White House could not immediately comment on the timing of Trump's comments about the deal Monday.