Page 476 - Politics
Oppn insulting people's mandate by blaming EVMs: Naqvi
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday slammed the opposition parties over their allegations on EVM discrepancies, saying it amounted to insulting the vote of the people."People who are questioning EVMs are those who formed the government by this system. Congress also formed its government by EVMs. The problem is that these people have realised that they are loosing and hence they are making such wild claims. They are insulting the vote of the people by blaming EVMs," Naqvi told ANI.Later today, 21 opposition parties will knock the doors of Election Commission (EC), pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire constituency, in case a discrepancy is found at any polling booth.The Opposition is currently holding a meeting at Delhi's Constitution Club of India before visiting the EC office.Ahmed Patel of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Chandrababu Naidu of TDP, Satish Chandra Misra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja .
Oppn meet to discuss possibility of non-NDA alliance staking claim to govt formation begins
Top opposition leaders met here on Tuesday, ahead of the Lok Sabha poll results on May 23, to discuss the possibility of a non-NDA alliance staking claim to government formation. They will also move the Election Commission (EC) to press for their demand of tallying the paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with the electronic voting machine (EVM) figures. Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot, Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress, TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, Satish Chandra Misra of the BSP, Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M), D Raja of the CPI, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Derek O'Brien of the TMC, Ramgopal Yadav of the SP, Kanimozhi of the DMK, Manoj Jha (RJD), Majeed Memon (NCP), Devinder Rana (NC) are taking part in the meeting among others. "On VVPATs and the EVM tally, the EC is yet to come out with a procedure in case there is a mismatch. Even if there is one mismatch in the VVPAT samples picked for counting and EVMs, to maintain the integrity of the electoral ..
BJP mulling action against Mandi MLA for missing Modi's rally
The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit may soon take action against its Mandi MLA for not attending a rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in the assembly segment earlier this month, a party leader said. During the Lok Sabha election campaign, Modi had addressed a rally at Paddal Maidan in Mandi on May 10 in support of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. The local MLA, Anil Sharma, whose son, Aashray, was fielded by the Congress opposite Ram Swaroop, gave the prime minister's rally a miss. Disciplinary action will definitely be taken against Anil Sharma after talking to the party high command, state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti said. "As far as his membership of the legislative assembly is concerned, legal opinion will be taken on that and action may be taken against him through Speaker Rajeev Bindal. Being the leader of the House, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will decide in what manner action will be initiated against the MLA," Satti told PTI. "However, as far as the party is ...
Don't lose confidence: Priyanka to Congress workers after exit polls
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday asked her party workers to not lose confidence in the wake of exit polls predicting BJP's victory and at the same urged them to maintain vigil at strong rooms where the EVMs have been stored for counting of votes.In an audio message released for Congress workers, Priyanka said, "Don't lose confidence over rumours following the exit polls. These are being done to break your confidence. In this situation, your carefulness becomes all the more important. Maintain strict vigil outside strong rooms and be alert at counting centres. We are sure that our hard work will yield result".Priyanka's message comes after most exit polls in the country predicted a comfortable majority for the BJP-led NDA alliance. After the forecast, opposition parties have also discredited the polling process and alleged irregularities in EVM machines.Twenty-one parties are visiting the Election Commission to meet officials over the issue, later ...
Egypt to free ex-diplomat critical of Sisi's rule: lawyer
Egyptian authorities have ordered the release of a former diplomat who was detained after proposing a referendum on the regime of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, his lawyer said on Monday. Masom Marzok, a former assistant foreign minister, was arrested in August 2018 after publicly criticising Sisi and calling for a poll on the former military chief remaining in power. Marzok, a veteran of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, was one of several activists detained on charges including partnering with a terrorist organisation and colluding to commit terrorist acts. "The order to release ambassador Masom Marzok has been confirmed," defence lawyer Khaled Ali said on his Facebook page. Several other activists who were detained around the same time, including economist Raied Salama and geology professor Yehia al-Qazzaz, are also set to be freed, Ali said. "They may be released within hours," he added. Former army chief Sisi took office in 2014 after leading the ouster of his predecessor Mohamed Morsi
Union to discuss concerns on British Steel with government
The UK union leaders plan are set to lay out their concerns to the government amid reports that British Steel is facing bankruptcy within days. Sky News is reporting that the nation's second-largest steel producer is on the brink of collapse. British Steel declined to comment. The Unite union says it will speak with Business Secretary Greg Clark on Tuesday, and urged British Steel owner Greybull to strike a deal with the government. With thousands of jobs in the balance, the timing could not be worse for Prime Minister Theresa May's government. Elections for Britain's 73 seats in the 751-seat European Parliament take place Thursday. The company had asked for a package of support to tackle issues related to Britain's pending departure from the European Union.
Stopping BJP first priority, exit poll will prove wrong: Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Tuesday said the exit polls will prove to be completely false and asserted that their priority is to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party from coming to power.After meeting Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, he told ANI "Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to discuss the strategy to be followed after that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah and communal forces."He also exuded confidence that SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance will win the maximum number of seats in Uttar Pradesh while asserting that opposition will form a strong government in the Centre."I feel the gathbandhan will get more than 60 seats in UP. BJP will be wiped out across the country. Exit polls will prove to be completely false like it had happened before. The opposition will form a strong govt at the centre", he said.Singh also lambasted Election Commission accusing it of working in favour of BJP."The Election ...
Why hesitate to declare DMK is with Cong? AIADMK asks Stalin
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu hit out at DMK chief M K Stalin on Tuesday for saying his party would decide on being part of the next Union cabinet formed by "whichever party" after the Lok Sabha results, asking what was his "hesitation" over standing firmly with ally Congress. Asked if the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would be a part of the next Union cabinet formed by "whichever party", Stalin had said, "I can respond to this only after the conclusion of counting on May 23." Latching on to his statement, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) mouthpiece "Namathu Amma" pointed out that the DMK was an ally of the Congress and therefore, Stalin should have said his party would only be a part of the UPA cabinet. "If he was an honest leader and a politician who stood by his principles, shouldn't he have said that the DMK will not be part of any other (central) cabinet than the one headed by the Congress?," a write-up in the AIADMK mouthpiece asked. "What is the logic ...
K'tka Dy CM slams Congress' Roshan Baig for 'flop campaign' remarks
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Roshan Baig for his claim that both state unit president Dinesh Gundurao and Congress Legislature Party CLP leader Siddaramaiah should be blamed for the "flop poll campaign" in the state.Parameshwara said that it is Baig's personal opinion and not the party's opinion or assessment."As far as his statement is concerned it is his individual personal opinion so you should ask him. It is not the party's opinion or assessment," Parameshwara said while being asked about Roshan Baig's reported comments about Gundurao and Siddaramaiah.Baig, who is at loggerheads with the Congress party after not getting a ticket to contest the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, slammed Gundurao and Siddaramaiah asserting that "these two leaders should be held responsible if Congress doesn't perform well in the general elections."While speaking to ANI earlier today, Baig reiterated he is upset with the fact that no seats were given .
US temporarily eases restrictions on use of Huawei products
The United States on Monday announced temporary ease of restrictions to American companies using products of Chinese tech giant Huawei that was deemed as a threat to the national security by Washington.The announcement was made by the US Commerce Department in order to help American companies do business with Huawei, CNN reported.Last Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring US firms from using telecommunication equipment from sources that the administration deemed as national security threats.The decision was undertaken amid an escalating trade war situation between China and the United States.White House officials earlier declined to identify China and Huawei as the intended target of the executive order.However, shortly after the order was issued, the US Commerce Department formally added Huawei to the list of companies the US government considers to be undermining American interests. By adding Huawei to the so-called Entity List, the Trump administration
EC's silence on EVMs being switched worrying: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the silence of the Election Commission (EC) was worrying even after "evidence" had come to the fore that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls were being switched. "Worrying that despite solid evidence about EVMs being switched, @ECISVEEP hasnt clarified any of these concerns. A farcical wave backed by dubious exit polls followed by manipulating EVMs is another Balakot in the making," she said in a tweet. Reacting to exit polls predicting a clear majority for the BJP-led NDA in the next Lok Sabha, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said a poll victory of the saffron party should not deter the resolve of people to fight for what is right. "BJP winning or losing isn't the end of the world. True that institutions were subverted & press standards plummeted. Yet many in the system & journalists with integrity stood up & raised their voices. Hope these results don't deter their ...
SC dismisses plea challenging appointment of retired bureaucrats as special observer in WB
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging the appointment of two retired bureaucrats as special observer and central police observer in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha elections.A Bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice MR Shah refused to entertain the plea stating that the elections are over and petitioner Ramu Mandi, an Independent candidate of the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal, may approach the Kolkata High Court.Mandi has alleged that the two observers - Vivek Dubey and Ajay V Nayak - have been appointed in contravention of the law so as to ensure certain favours are granted.The petitioner also alleged that Dubey and Nayak's appointment as observers do not fulfil the requirement laid down under the Representation of the People Act, since they were retired bureaucrats and not "officers of government".The seven-phased Lok Sabha elections concluded on Sunday. However, the Election Commission (EC) earlier today ordered re-polling at a booth in ...
Pak appoints Moin-ul-Haq as India's new envoy to restart process of engagement with new govt
Career diplomat Moin-ul-Haq has been appointed as Pakistan's new High Commissioner to India to start a new process of engagement with the country where a new government will be formed soon, amid strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday approved appointments of over two dozen ambassadors in various countries including India, China and Japan. Haq, in his mid-fifties is the current ambassador to France. He has previously served as chief of protocol at the Foreign Office. He joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1987 and was posted in countries like Turkey, Canada and Sri Lanka. The post of High Commissioner to India fell vacant after Sohail Mehmood was appointed Pakistan's new foreign secretary in April. The decision came after a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Khan, who formally approved the new appointments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a video message on Monday night. Qureshi said, "New Delhi, India, is ...
West Bengal: 5 BJP men attacked by TMC workers
At least five BJP workers were injured on Monday night after they were attacked by alleged All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in Sitai, Cooch Behar.Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal were marred with instances of violence, despite the presence of central security forces, with both BJP and TMC accusing each other of rigging, interfering in polling booths and threatening each other cadres.During voting for the sixth round of polls on May 12, a scuffle broke out between TMC and the BJP workers at a polling booth number 254 in Bankura after the BJP alleged rigging. Police had to interfere in order to disperse the two groups who were on the verge of clashing.West Bengal voted across all the seven phases of national polls, with all the rounds witnessing violence with TMC and BJP trading blame over the issue..
Congress' Roshan Baig calls KC Venugopal a 'buffoon', blames Siddaramaiah for collapse of Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka
Amidst turmoil in the Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka, Congress leader Roshan Baig on Tuesday called his party leader KC Venugopal a "buffoon" and blamed Siddaramaiah for the "collapse" of the alliance in the state."KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show of Gundu Rao...The result is this," hel told the media here.Asked whether Congress should have given more thought before giving portfolios in the state, Baig said, "Portfolios were sold. How can I blame Kumaraswamy for it? He wasn't allowed to function. From day one Siddaramaiah said 'I'm going to be the Chief Minister'.You have gone to their doorstep to form the government."Amid all this, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi.Later when a reporter questioned whether Siddaramaiah is responsible for the "collapse" of the government, Baig replied, "Yes. He is ...
Kejriwal dials Akhilesh to discuss post-results strategy
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal talked to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over phone on Tuesday to discuss the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results on Thursday. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters here that the two leaders held talks over phone. Singh also met Yadav in Lucknow and discussed the political situation prevailing in the country. He said Kejriwal and Yadav talked about the strategy to be followed after the announcement of the poll results. Singh added that their priority was to stop the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from forming the government. On May 17, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu had paid a "courtesy visit" to Kejriwal. The results of the just-concluded, seven-phased Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.
Nitish Kumar to attend NDA dinner hosted by Amit Shah
Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will attend the dinner being hosted by BJP president Amit Shah for NDA allies in the national capital on Tuesday.Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, LJSP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders E K Palaniswamy and O. Pannerselvam are also likelyi to be present at the dinner.With exit polls predicting BJP and allies to get a comofrtable majority in the Lok Sabha elections, Shah has invited the key leaders of National Democratic Alliance and over dinner for a strategy session before the official results are declared on May 23.While the BJP and its coalition partners have said that the exit polls are showing a true picture, the Opposition parties have termed the exit polls as wrong.Elections for 543 seats in the Lok Sabha were held between April 11 and May 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23.
'He taught me to love and respect all beings', says Rahul on Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday penned an emotional note for his father and late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, on his 28th death anniversary. He described his father as gentle, loving and affectionate."My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude," Rahul Gandhi wrote on his Twitter handle.He tagged an old image of his father and a picture of himself paying his respects.Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to her father calling him her "hero."She also shared an image from the past in which she could be seen hugging Rajiv Gandhi.Along with the picture the Congress leader also shared few stanzas from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's famous poem 'Agneepath'."You will always be my hero", she wrote along with the image.Earlier in the day, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson ...
Indonesian President Joko Widodo wins 2nd term
Indonesian president Joko Widodo has won a second term as President, official results confirmed on Tuesday, beating former general Prabowo Subianto who has claimed widespread ballot-rigging in last month's general elections.
AIADMK asks counting agents to be alert over DMK's
The AIADMK Tuesday instructed its counting agents to remain vigilant over archrival DMK's "dishonest practices" during the counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly by-polls, and asked them to ensure all standard procedures were followed. AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam and Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami said in a statement that agents must follow a slew of steps, including reaching the counting centres as early as 6 AM on May 23. Palaniswami is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister while Panneerselvam is his deputy. "The entire country knows that DMK members are experts in resorting to dishonest practices as well as violence. Many instances can be mentioned (to prove this). Thererfore, (the AIADMK counting agents) shold remain vigilant to see if the DMK members commit any fraud and (if so) seek reddressal by taking that up with higher officials," they said. Counting of votes for 38 Lok Sak Sabha seats and 22 Assembly constituencies where bypolls were ...