Page 487 - Politics
Far-right ministers ready to quit Austria gov't after scandal
Austrian far-right ministers on Monday were ready to leave their positions after a corruption scandal caused the coalition government to collapse, the party leader said. Conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has called for fresh elections after a camera sting forced his deputy, Heinz-Christian Strache from the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), to resign on Saturday, just ahead of the EU elections. Since then media speculation has been mounting that Kurz also wants controversial far-right Interior Minister Herbert Kickl out. "We will give up our government offices if Interior Minister Herbert Kickl is forced out," said Norbert Hofer, who is infrastructure minister and took over the FPOe leadership from Strache on Sunday. Strache stepped down as vice-chancellor and FPOe leader after recordings published by German media Friday showed him offering government contracts in return for campaign help to a fake Russian backer in a villa on the resort island of Ibiza. Elsewhere in the footage, ...
Giriraj jeers at opposition over exit polls; it's a fraud,
The RJD on Monday trashed exit polls predicting victory for the NDA in the general election as "fraud" and contrary to the ground reality against the BJP-led ruling coalition. Besides predicting a second term for Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, the exit polls have forecast a tally of 30 or more for the NDA out of a total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. NDA in Bihar comprises BJP, JD(U) of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswans LJP. In a statement, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said reject these exit polls which are simply compulsions of the market purveyed through a different name. It is an old trick of psychological manipulation of the deprived classes by Sangh- supported institutions and resources. Reminding the people of the 2015 assembly polls wherein he had made his electoral debut and went on to become the Deputy CM, Yadav said on the day when counting of votes was taking place, trends shown in the media suggested that we were losing. BJP and its allies had ...
Kashmiri Pandits will launch 'sustained' struggle for restoration of identity: Outfit
Kashmiri Pandits have "pledged" to launch a "sustained struggle" in Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of their "lost identity and rights", an outfit representing the community has said. Members of the community had to flee the Kashmir Valley in the wake of spread of terrorism in 1989-90. The pledge was taken at a convention titled "Future of next generation of Kashmiri Pandits" here. "The community's leaders have pledged to launch a sustained struggle for restoration of the lost identity of the community and its political, social, economic and cultural rights in the state," the organiser's of the convention Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) said in a statement. The participants of the convention have asked the government and various political parties, both national and regional, to make their stand clear on the political future of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, it said. "Political parties, before contesting elections, should categorically mention in their election manifestos which .
BJP attempting to destabilise MP govt: Cong
The Congress on Monday accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh through use of "corrupt practices" and said in doing so they are trying to negate the mandate of people of the state. Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Deepak Babariya said the people of the state had rejected the BJP and voted them out in the assembly elections. "The BJP is trying to destabilise the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh through corrupt practices. They are trying to negate the mandate of people of Madhya Pradesh given in favour of the Congress in assembly elections held a few months ago and people will not forgive them for this," he told PTI. Babariya said the people had rejected the BJP government's policies and had voted them out of power due to their "malgovernance". The BJP in Madhya Pradesh said the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in the state should prove majority in the Assembly. Leader of Opposition in Assembly Gopal Bhargava .
PDP activist succumbs to injures after militant attack
A Peoples Democratic Party activist, who was shot at by suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, has succumbed to injuries at a hospital here on Monday, an official said. Mohammad Jamal, who was shot at inside his residence at Zungalpora village on Sunday night, succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS hospital, the official said. PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing of her party worker. "Heartbreaking. Party workers in Kashmir put their neck on the line & have to suffer for their beliefs," Mufti tweeted. "Ironic that such mindless violence is justified in the name of Islam in the month of Ramzan. Shame on these cowards who call themselves Muslims." Former IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami also condemned the killing. "The reckless killing of civilians at the hands of both the parties involved in the conflict continues unabated. Whether a civilian is killed by the bullet from one side or the
Kumaraswamy voices concern over vulnerability of EVMs
With most exit polls forecasting another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP almost sweeping Karnataka in the Lok Sabha polls, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday expressed concerns over the vulnerability of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Hitting out at the pollsters, the chief minister in a series of tweets alleged that the "artificially engineered" or "manufactured" Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23. "Entire Opposition political parties had expressed concern over credibility of EVMs under PM @narendramodi's rule. Opposition parties even knocked the doors of the Supreme Court asking for a traditional ballot paper electionsto avoid defective EVMs that are vulnerable to fraud," Kumaraswamy said. "World wide, even developed countries have opted for traditional polls through paper ballets. The exit poll surveys on May 19 only reiterated the serious concern of the Opposition
In case of mismatch with EVM figures, all VVPATs must be counted: Yechury
Reiterating its demand for new rules for counting of votes in constituencies where VVPAT slips do not tally with EVM figures, the CPI(M) on Monday said in such cases, all VVPAT slips should be counted. Opposition parties have urged the Election Commission (EC) to frame new rules for counting of votes in constituencies where VVPAT slips do not tally with EVM figures after the Supreme Court rejected a review petition filed by 21 opposition parties for increasing VVPAT tallying with EVM figures to 50 per cent. "On VVPATs & 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 integrity of the electoral process, all VVPATs in that assembly segment must be counted," Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said in a tweet. Polling for the seven-phased Lok Sabha election came to an end on Sunday and the counting of votes will be taken .
Palestinians give cool reception to US peace conference
Any American peace plan that ignores the Palestinian people's political aspirations for an independent state is doomed to fail, a senior Palestinian official said Monday boding poorly for a Mideast peace conference planned next month. The comments by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' spokesman immediately cast a cloud over the conference, which is expected to take place in late June in the tiny Gulf Arab state of Bahrain. "Any plan without a political horizon will not lead to peace," Nabil Abu Rdeneh said. The White House announced Sunday it will unveil the first phase of its long-awaited Mideast peace plan at the conference, saying it will focus on economic benefits that could be reaped if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved. The plan envisions large-scale investment and infrastructure work, much of it funded by wealthy Arab countries, in the Palestinian territories. But officials said the June 25-26 conference will not include the core political issues at the center of .
Won't let MP become Bengal: Shivraj on BJP worker's killing
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday slammed the killing of a 60-year-old man by a Congress supporter in Indore allegedly for "voting for the BJP" and said he won't allow the state to become another West Bengal.
Yogi is now BJP's star campaigner, second only to Modi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has now been established as BJP's biggest star campaigner, second only to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress workers reject exit polls, say results will be different
Exit polls painted a grim picture for the Congress but party workers remain unfazed, asserting that the results on May 23 would not be onesided as shown projected, and their party would perform better. Most exit polls Sunday forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some of them projecting that BJP-led NDA will get more than 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. Even as the atmosphere at the Congress headquarters remained sombre Monday morning, party workers rejected the exit polls and said May 23 would give results quite different from the projections. "The exit polls are an attempt by the BJP to spread rumours and they might try to manipulate EVMs after creating such atmosphere," said Congress worker Jagdish Sharma. "We will perform better and win. It would not be onesided as projected. We have seen the real atmosphere at the ground and no one is believing the exit polls except the BJP," he said. Neeta Mishra, General Secretary .
Anil Rajbhar gets ministries previously held by dismissed minister OP Rajbhar
BJP MLA and Minister of State Anil Rajbhar was on Monday given an additional charge of departments headed by Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) Chief OP Rajbhar who was dismissed by Governor on the recommendation of Chief Minister's office earlier today.Speaking about the additional responsibilities given to him, UP minister Anil Rajbhar said, "I will do whatever the Chief Minister will order."He also lambasted his predecessor for allegedly using cuss words against BJP workers and said, "During the elections, he used cuss words for the BJP party workers and we cannot tolerate it."BJP state Chief Mahendra Nath Pandey also endorsed the decision and said, "The decision (of OP Rajbhar's removal) has nothing to do with elections being over. OP Rajbhar had abused our party workers and he has said to beat them with shoes. BJP is a cadre-based party and we cannot tolerate such language."On May 18, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief
Ukaranian comedian sworns in as President
Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday sworned in as the new President of Ukraine at a ceremony here.
Akhilesh, Mayawati meet, assess post-poll scenario
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Monday held a meeting with Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayawati to discuss the political situation in view of the exit polls results.
Rajbhar 'shattered' decorum of alliance dharma: BJP
Hours after Om Prakash Rajbhar was sacked from the Uttar Pradesh council of ministers, the BJP said he has shattered the decorum of alliance dharma by continuously speaking against the party despite being an ally. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recommended to governor immediate sacking of Rajbhar, also the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief, from his cabinet for his outbursts against senior NDA partner BJP. Governor Ram Naik accepted the recommendation and relieved Rajbhar from his post of Backward Class Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment Minister, an official spokesperson said here. "The BJP is a party which gives full respect to its allies and honours the coalition dharma. But, it is unfortunate that our alliance partner in UP, Om Prakash Rajbhar, not just violated the decorum of alliance dharma, but shattered it. It is for this reason that the party and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were compelled to take such a strong step," state BJP .
TN govt committed to release of Rajiv case convicts: CM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Monday said his government was committed to the release of seven Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts and expressed hope the state Governor will act on the cabinet recommendation for setting them free. Palaniwami's statement comes amidst renewed calls, both from the opposition and Tamil groups, for the release of the seven, serving life terms, after the Supreme Court recently disposed of a plea of the kin of those killed along with the former Prime Minister in 1991 opposing their release. The kin had challenged the Tamil Nadu government's earlier decision in 2014 to release the seven convicts. In September 2018, the state cabinet had adopted a resolution recommending to Governor Banwarilal Purohit the release of the seven. Speaking to reporters here, Palaniwami said the cabinet resolution was passed in line with public sentiment. "We wanted the seven to be released and that is why adopted a cabinet resolution and sent it to the Governor. The
Exit polls used to create false impression: Kumaraswamy
Slamming the exit poll results, which projected a big win for the BJP-led NDA government in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday said their predictions were being used to create a false impression of a Modi wave across the country.
Clerics warn Iraq could be pulled into Iran war
Two influential Shiite figures in Iraq are warning from pulling their country into a war between the United States and Iran, saying it would turn Iraq into a battlefield and inflict much harm. Their comments came few hours after a rocket was fired into the Iraqi capital's heavily fortified Green Zone, landing less than a mile from the sprawling US Embassy. No injuries were reported. Iraq's populist Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said in a statement on Monday that any political party that would involve Iraq in a US-Iran war "would be the enemy of the Iraqi people." Qais al-Khazali, the leader of an Iranian-backed group, said he is opposed to operations that "give pretexts for war." As US-Iran tensions escalate, there've been concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle.
Ukraine inaugurates comedian Zelensky as president
Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky stepped into his new role as Ukrainian president with his inauguration on Monday, launching a new era for the country wracked by war and economic difficulties. A month after scoring a landslide election victory against incumbent Petro Poroshenko, the 41-year-old became Ukraine's youngest post-Soviet president. In a ceremony in parliament, he placed his hand on a copy of the constitution and the Bible and pledged to "protect the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine." He used his inaugural speech to announce that he is dissolving parliament, after wrangling with lawmakers in the lower house, in order to call early parliamentary elections, which had originally been scheduled for October. "People must come to power who will serve the public," Zelensky said. Critics had questioned whether Zelensky would be able to govern without a parliamentary majority. Even setting a date for his inauguration took weeks of negotiations with hostile lawmakers, whom Zelensky .
Most of exit poll agencies are pro-BJP channels: CPI
The Communist Party of India Monday sought to discredit the agencies which predicted a second term for the Narendra Modi government in their exit polls, and claimed the NDA would fall short of the majority mark. "Most of them are pro-BJP channels; This was expected from them, this is part of the BJP's election campaign; from the beginning till now, they are continuously with them. So, I don't give much value for that", CPI General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy told PTI. The CPI claimed that the NDA would get only around 200 seats, way below the majority mark of 272. If parties who are not on board with the UPA now, join together with the Congress-led alliance, it's possible to form the government, the veteran Communist leader added.