Page 46 - Politics

In contrast to UPA years, NER's economy has seen gradual growth in NDA rule

Shifting focus to population, the NER housed 45.5 million individuals, accounting for 3.7 per cent of the country's total population of 1.21 billion, according to the 2011 Census

BJP trying to restrict tribals to jungles by calling them 'vanvasis': Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the ruling BJP at the Centre of attempting to restrict the tribal communities to the jungles and deny their status as original owners of the land by calling them "Vanvasi" instead of 'Adivasi'. The Wayanad MP reiterated the issue which he had raised a fews days ago in Rajasthan while addressing a party rally where he had said that the BJP "insults" the tribal community by calling them "Vanvasi" instead of Adivasi and snatches away their forest land to hand it over to industrialists. Today, after inaugurating the HT Connection at Dr Ambedkar District Memorial Cancer Centre at Nalloornad in Mananthavady area of Wayanad district of the state, Gandhi alleged that there was a "perverted logic" behind calling tribals as vanvasis. "It is to deny that you (tribals) are the original owners of the land and also restrict you to the jungle. "The idea is that you belong in the jungle and should not leave the jungle," he said. The Congress leader s

Dedicate yourselves to make India great in 'Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal': Shah

Ahead of India's 77th Independence Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Sunday appealed to the youth to dedicate themselves to Bharat Mata for 25 years of the "Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal" to make India a great nation. Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the 'Tiranga Yatra' organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the city. "We no longer need to die for the country because we are independent. But, nobody can stop us from living for our country," Shah said. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal, every house hoisted the national flag on August 15, 2022, he said. If each of the one crore families in Gujarat hoist the tricolour on their houses, then the entire state and the country will become "tirangamay", the Union minister said. Shah said PM Modi has appealed to people to celebrate 25 years (from 2022) till August 15, 2047 as "Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal" and use it to make the country great and number 1 in every sphere. "This 'Amrit Kaal' is of

2-hour-long speech filled with irrelevant talk: Priyanka's dig at PM Modi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reply to the no-confidence debate in Lok Sabha, saying that he should have talked about peace efforts in Manipur but his over two-hour-long speech was filled with jokes, sarcasm and irrelevant talk. In his over 130-minute reply in Lok Sabha to the no-confidence brought by opposition parties, Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition alliance INDIA as a collection of arrogant dynasties who will take India back by two centuries as he exuded confidence that people will bless 'garib ka beta' with a record-breaking mandate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, had walked out by the time Modi touched on the Manipur issue, accusing him of not speaking on the matter. "According to the dignity of his post, it does not suit the Prime Minister to laugh-mock over a serious and sensitive issue like Manipur," Priyanka Gandhi said on X, formerly known as ...

Rajya Sabha bids farewell to retiring members, recalls their contribution

The Rajya Sabha on Friday bid farewell to five members, including BJP leader Jugalsinh Lokhandwala who will retire on August 18, and recalled their contribution to the House. Out of the nine retiring members, four have been re-elected and the House will miss the presence of other five members, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said. Four members -- S Jaishankar of the BJP and three AITC members Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Derek O Brien and Dola Sen -- have been re-elected to the Upper House while the five retiring members are Jugalsinh Lokhandwala and Dineshchandra Jemalbhai Anavadiya of the BJP, Sushmita Dev and Shanta Chhetri from the AITC and Pradip Bhattacharya from the Congress. "The five retiring members have made rich and significant contribution to the proceedings of the House during the course of their tenure. I am sure they would cherish the unique honour of their association with the House and will continue with their contribution to the nation at large," Dhankhar said. The chairman .

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NDA partner Mizoram's MNF to back oppn's no-confidence motion in Parliament

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram, a partner of the NDA, will back the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the BJP-led government at the Centre, Lok Sabha MP C Lalrosanga said on Thursday. Lalrosanga told PTI that he will vote in favour of the no-confidence motion over the Manipur government and the Centre's "failure to handle" the ethnic violence in the neighbouring state. "I will back the opposition's no-confidence motion. It is not because I support the Congress or (want to) go against the BJP, but to show our outright distress and opposition to the complete failure of the governments, especially the Manipur government, in handling the situation," he said. The MNF is deeply hurt over the condition of the Zo ethnic people in strife-torn Manipur, he said. Lalrosanga said he discussed the issue with party president Zoramthanga, the chief minister of Mizoram, and other leaders and they agreed to back the no-confidence motion. The MNF is a constituent

Govt wants to ensure control over Election Commission in poll year: Cong

The Congress on Friday alleged that the Modi government wants to ensure control over the Election Commission in a poll year. Sharing a letter written in June 2012 by veteran BJP leader L K Advani to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said even he had said that the appointments to constitutional bodies should be done in a bipartisan manner to remove any impression of bias. The Centre on Thursday tabled a contentious bill in Rajya Sabha that seeks to replace the Chief Justice of India with a cabinet minister in the panel for selection of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners, in a move that will allow the government to have more control in the appointments of members of the poll panel. Ramesh said Advani had also proposed a panel at that time with the Chief Justice of India and leaders of opposition in both houses, besides the prime minister. "In its current form, the CEC Bill will ensure executive interference with its 2:1 dominanc

BRS leader Rama Rao questions LS Speaker over BJP MP 'denigrating' KCR

Taking strong exception to BJP General Secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar's comments on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in Parliament, State Minister and BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Friday asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as to what action he would take against the MP. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rama Rao, apparently referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioned the Speaker's stand on the BJP leader citing the example of disqualification of "an MP" following a court's judgment over his remarks on people having 'Modi' surname. Hitting out at the Congress and ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana, Karimnagar Lok Sabha member Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday described the BRS as 'Bhrashtachar Rakshasa Samithi' (roughly translated as corrupt and demonic association). "So, an MP of Congress was disqualified from his membership for calling out PM's surname in a derogatory way. Now, a BJP MP from Telangana goes to great lengths and denigrates Telangana's

Congress calls LS MPs meet today to discuss suspension of LoP Chowdhury

"I am ready to face the punishment but everything is on record and citizens of the country should know that there was no attempt to insult the PM," he said

PM not God: Kharge insists on his presence in RS during Manipur debate

Opposition INDIA bloc members in Rajya Sabha Thursday proposed a discussion on Manipur under a rule that requires a resolution to be passed in the House but the ruling parties opposed their demand for the prime minister's presence, forcing an adjournment in the pre-lunch session. The opposition parties had till now been calling for a debate under Rule 267, which entails voting, and a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government has been insisting since the start of the Monsoon session on a short-duration discussion under Rule 176, which does not involve voting or any minister replying to the debate. On Thursday, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge requested Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to allow a discussion under Rule 167 in the prime minister's presence. As the treasury benches protested this, Kharge quipped, "What will happen if the prime minister comes to the House? Is he parmaatma (almighty)? He is no God." This led to a ruckus in the House, forcing

Bill for selection of ECs: Cong appeals to political parties to oppose it

The Congress on Thursday appealed to all democratic forces to oppose a new bill that seeks to regulate the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, and asked if the BJD and YSRCP will also join hands. Congress MP and whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah want to control the Election Commission by bringing the bill. The bill has been listed in the day's business in the Rajya Sabha. "Modi and Shah wants to control the ECI as they are doing now," Tagore alleged on X, formerly known as Twitter. "All the Democratic forces must appose. Will BJD and YSRCP do," Tagore asked. The government has listed a bill for introduction in the Rajya Sabha to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Te

Bill proposes cabinet minister, not CJI in selection panel to appoint CEC

Future chief election commissioners and election commissioners will be selected by a three-member panel headed by the prime minister and comprising the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Cabinet minister, according to a bill listed for introduction in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. This is in contrast to a Supreme Court judgment of March which said the panel should comprise of the prime minister, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. Opposition leaders, including from the Congress, immediately seized the opportunity and accused the government of diluting a Constitution bench order. A vacancy will arise in the Election Commission (EC) early next year when Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey demits office on February 14 on attaining the age of 65 years. His retirement will come just days before the likely announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls' schedule by the EC. On the past two occasions, the commission had announced parliamentary

Manipur MLAs urge PM for disarmament to foster environment of peace

Forty MLAs from violence-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the state requires complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security. The MLAs, most of whom are ethnic Meiteis, also demanded the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki militant groups, implementation of NRC in the state and strengthening of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). In the memorandum, these MLAs opposed the demand for a 'separate administration' by Kuki groups. "For the immediate establishment of security, simple deployment of forces is inadequate. Although it is imperative to halt the violence in the peripheral areas, a complete disarmament is the key to achieve this goal. The entire state requires a complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security," said the memorandum that was submitted to PM Modi on Wednesday. "The confiscation of all weapons belonging to insurgent groups and illegal armed foreign forc

Vulnerable 'Kamar' tribe in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari gets habitat rights

The 'Kamar' tribe in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district, which is a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), has received habitat rights, which would help in the protection of their culture and livelihood means and enable the government to work for their development, officials said on Thursday. Kamar is the first PVTG in the state to get such status, they claimed. The Kamar tribe families living in 22 settlements in Magarlod development block of Dhamtari district will be benefited by the move. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel handed over the habitat rights certificates to heads of these 22 settlements on Wednesday, on the occasion of the World Tribal Day. The Kamar tribe members mainly reside in Gariaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund and Kanker districts. Their population as per the 2011 census was 26,630, Chhattisgarh's Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste development department commissioner Shammi Abidi told PTI. The recognition of habitat rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) would n

A 'coterie' in CM's office controlling police, not Pinarayi Vijayan: UDF

Launching a scathing attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Congress-led UDF on Thursday alleged in the Assembly that a "coterie" of persons in his office was controlling the police and not him. The allegation was made by the opposition UDF during heated discussions on the alleged continuation of police atrocities in the state and lack of steps on the part of the Left government to put an end to them. The opposition made the allegations in a notice moved by some UDF MLAs for adjournment of the House proceedings to discuss the issue of alleged police atrocities in the state. Referring to the recent custodial death of a man, picked up for alleged drug possession, earlier this month, the opposition alleged the victim was brutally beaten up by a special squad -- District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) -- under the Malappuram SP and demanded that he be suspended. Responding to the allegations, Vijayan said the case registered regarding the custodial death wil

Pakistan Senate passes resolution urging ECP to hold timely elections

The resolution presented by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad also asked all the state institutions to assist the ECP in holding the polls in every possible manner

Instead of targeting 'INDIA' bloc, focus on Manipur, Haryana: Sibal to Shah

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday hit back at Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks targeting the opposition alliance, saying instead of making "wild allegations" against the INDIA bloc should he not concentrate on governance in places such as Manipur and Haryana. Sibal's remarks came a day after Shah, intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the no-confidence motion, questioned the character of the opposition alliance, saying its true face was seen when it indulged in corruption to stay in power. "The character of political parties and alliances is revealed in such times of crises. The UPA's character is to indulge in corruption to save the government by hook or by crook, while the BJP-led NDA's character is to stand up to principles," Shah had said, adding that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not resort to any crooked tactics to save the government he lost by one vote. Reacting to the home minister's remarks, Sibal said, "Amit Shah ji: Instead of making wild

Attempt to confuse people: Cong on Shah's response on Manipur issue in LS

Meanwhile, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said that the whole nation watched how Union Home Minister spoke on Manipur and people of this country have confidence in the Modi government

Ecuadorean presidential candidate Villavicencio shot dead in Quito at event

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed on Wednesday by an unidentified gunman while at a political rally in the country's capital of Quito, President Guillermo Lasso said. The killing comes amid a startling wave of violence in the South American nation, with drug trafficking and violent killings on the rise. I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished, Lasso said in a statement. Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law. Videos on social media appear to show the candidate walking out of the event surrounded by guards. The video then shows Villavicencio entering a white truck followed by gunfire. The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Build Ecuador Movement. He was one of eight presidential candidates for the late August election. He was one of the most critical voices against corruption, especially during the government of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017. He filed many judic