Page 528 - Politics
AAP condemns Pragya Thakur's Godse remark, questions BJP's silence
The AAP Thursday hit out at Pragya Thakur, the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, for calling Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse a "patriot", and asked why the BJP leadership is silent on it. In a statement, the Aam Aadmi Party strongly condemned Thakur's remark and accused the BJP of "destroying the country beyond repair". The party said all democratic-minded countrymen need to understand this "danger" before it is too late. "Entire country is in a state of shock at the latest statement of terror accused BJP Pragya Thakur praising Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. Who could have ever imagined that Indians would ever hear Godse being praised by a mainstream political party and that too India's ruling party," it said. "We want to know why top BJP leadership is silent? Why are they not expelling her from the party and apologising to the nation?" the party said in the statement. Earlier in the day, Malegaon blast accused Thakur termed Godse a "patriot". "Nathuram .
Five years of Modi: How political equations have changed
The BJP won a historic mandate five years on this day under the leadership of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Five years later, the BJP is seeking a return to power with Modi as Prime Minister, but there is no perceptible wave.
Opposition approaches EC over early end of campaigning in WB
A delegation of opposition parties on Thursday met the Election Commission and urged it to reconsider its decision to end the campaigning early in West Bengal in the wake of violence during BJP President Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Punjab CM takes on Badals for sacrilege cases
Upping the ante against the Akalis led by Sukhbir Badal two days before polling, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said the SAD President's remarks that the families of the perpetrators of the sacrilege cases would be destroyed would turn on the Badal family.
Computer Baba booked for MCC violation
Bhopal police Thursday registered an FIR against self-styled godman Namdev Das Tyagi alias Computer Baba for allegedly violating the model code of conduct (MCC), an official said on Thursday. The FIR was registered at the directions of the district election officer. Computer Baba had organised a "hath yoga" camp in Bhopal to campaign for Digvijaya Singh, Congress candidate from Bhopal, who had also participated in the event. Singh is contesting against BJP candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur. "On the directives of the assistant district election officer, an FIR was filed against Computer Baba under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) for violation of model code of conduct by holding the camp," said Amresh Bohre, Koh-e-Fiza police station in-charge. The BJP had moved the Election Commission (EC) saying despite the prohibitive orders in place under section 144 across the city, Tyagi had held the camp in support of .
Three opposition parties approach EC over its WB order, ask for half a day more for campaigning
Three opposition parties, including the Congress, on Thursday approached the Election Commission over its order curtailing the time period for campaigning in West Bengal, terming it "violative" of the doctrine of level-playing field and urged the poll body to give at least half a day more for electioneering. A delegation comprising Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Ahmed Patel, TDP leader C M Ramesh and AAP's Sanjay Singh presented their stand before the EC on the issue. The opposition parties requested for urgent and necessary review of the order prohibiting election campaigning in West Bengal after 10 pm Thursday, claiming it was violative of the doctrine of level-playing field and Article 14 of the Constitution which provides for equality before the law. In first such action in India's electoral history, the EC on Wednesday ordered campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies to end at 10 pm Thursday, a day before its scheduled deadline, in the wake of violence between the BJP .
Can't muzzle campaigning; but can't allow violence too: EC sources on WB campaign ban
The Election Commission took a "judicious" decision to ban campaigning in West Bengal from Thursday night and not morning as it was against abruptly taking away the right of political parties to seek votes but at the same time wanted violence to end ahead of May 19 polls, sources have said. The Commission has been under attack from political parties for not curtailing campaigning in nine Lok Sabha seats in the state from Thursday morning. The opposition alleged that it was done to accommodate rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state. The campaigning in West Bengal ended at 10.00 PM Thursday. It was otherwise to end on Friday evening at 6.00 PM. "We have a list. There were over 15 political rallies/ roadshows today by various parties and leaders. We could not have abruptly banned it. The idea was not to show our muscle. The idea was also not to muzzle the campaigning. The basic idea was to show that EC has its own ways to contain situations," a functionary explained. He ...
Congress flays IT raid on leader ahead of Panaji vote
With three days to go for the Panaji Assembly by-election, the Income Tax Department sleuths on Thursday searched residence and offices of Goa Congress leader and former Panaji mayor Yatin Parekh.
Gandhi says 'Modilie' added to dictionary, OED denies
A day after Congress President Rahul Gandhi, mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, posted a snapshot that a new word "Modilie" has been added to English dictionaries, the authoritative Oxford English Dictionary on Thursday said that there no such word not exist in any of its dictionaries.
BJP destroying country beyond repair, says AAP
After the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur called Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, a "deshbhakt" (patriot), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday accused the BJP of "destroying the country beyond repair".
UK to appoint experts to develop Islamophobia definition
The UK government announced on Thursday that two expert advisers will be appointed to lead a new study on establishing a working definition of Islamophobia. Responding to a debate on the issue of adopting a formal definition to tackle anti-Muslim hate crime in the UK, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire told the House of Commons that he acknowledged the need for a formal definition of Islamophobia. However, as had been expected, the government rejected the definition proposed by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims due to practical and legal challenges. I am deeply concerned at hatred which is directed against British Muslims and others because of their faith or heritage. This is utterly unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our country, the minister said. To get a firmer grip on the nature of this bigotry and division we agree there needs to be a formal definition of Islamophobia to help strengthen our efforts, he said. Acknowledging the strong ...
Pragya Thakur apologises for calling Godse a 'patriot'
Under fire for her "Nathuram-Godse-is-a-patriot" remark,BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate Pragya Singh Thakur tendered an apology on Thursday night and said she respected Mahatma Gandhi as his work for the country cannot be forgotten. "My sentiment was not to hurt anyone's feelings. If it has hurt anybody's feelings then I apologise. What Gandhi ji has done for the country cannot be forgotten. I respect him a lot," she said in a video statement. She said she made the comments on the spur of moment to a question linked to "saffron terror" and claimed that the media twisted them. Asked about the BJP terming her remarks as her personal views, she agreed and added that she was a disciplined worker of the party. She said her party's line is her line. Earlier in the day, Thakur had ignited a political storm by claiming that the Gandhi's assassin was a patriot and will remain one. The BJP condemned her statement and asked her to tender a public apology.
Campaigning ends for seventh phase of LS polls in Bengal
In a first in the country, campaigning for nine Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal going to polls in the last phase came to an end at 10 pm on Thursday, 20 hours before the scheduled time, as per orders of the Election Commission. Polling will be held in nine constituencies of south Bengal on Sunday where an electorate of 1,49,63,064 will decide the fate of 111 candidates, the EC said. Seats in which elections will be held on Sunday are Kolkata North and Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC) seats. In a first such action in India's electoral history, the Election Commission had Wednesday ordered campaigning in the nine West Bengal constituencies to end at 10 pm on Thursday, instead of 6 pm on Friday, in the wake of violence between the BJP and the TMC in the city during Amit Shah's roadshow. A total 710 companies of central forces are being deployed by the EC to cover almost all polling booths of the nine ...
Pragya calls Godse patriot; forced to apologise after drawing ire of BJP, oppn
BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur Thursday lauded Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a "patriot", sparking an outrage from the Opposition with the Congress alleging that "insulting martyrs is in the DNA" of BJP, which also condemned her remarks. "Nathuram Godse was a deshbhakt (patriot), he is and will remain a deshbhakt. Those calling him a terrorist should instead look at themselves. They will be given a befitting reply in this election," the controversial leader said in Agar Malwa in Madhya Pradesh while attending a roadshow. She was replying to a question over actor-politician Kamal Haasan's remark that independent India's first "extremist was a Hindu", a reference to Godse. Her remarks created a major row with the opposition parties attacking her and the BJP with the NCP saying people can now see the "real face" of the Amit Shah-led party and the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP ...
Vote for national security, appeals Amit Shat at election rally in Deoria
BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to voters to vote for BJP candidate Rampati Ram Tripathi not only for the work done by BJP in the past but also for the security provided to the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Speaking at an election rally here, Shah said, "You may vote for our candidate for the development work done in the past but you should also vote for him because, under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has become secured from terrorism."The BJP president accused the UPA government of being soft on the issue of terrorism.Shah said, "Rahul Gandhi's Guru Sam Pitroda said that attacks like Pulwama happen all the time, why were air strikes required? We said that if you want to appease terrorists, you do it but we would never forgive those who disrupt peace within our borders."Shah spoke about the development initiatives of the BJP government and praised the former MP Kalraj Mishra for developing "Purvanchal corridor, ...
Iran accuses US of 'unacceptable' escalation in tensions
Iran accused the United States Thursday of an "unacceptable" escalation of tensions and said Tehran was showing "maximum restraint" despite Washington's withdrawal from a nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions were already high after President Donald Trump walked away a year ago from the accord which eased international sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program. But strains have ratcheted up with the US deploying an aircraft carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran. "The escalation by the United States is unacceptable," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Tokyo, where he is holding talks with Japanese officials. "We exercise maximum restraint... in spite of the fact that the United States withdrew from JCPOA last May," Zarif said earlier, referring to the agreement on Tehran's nuclear program known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He added that Tehran remains "committed" to the deal, and said continuing ...
'Godse patriot': Priyanka tweets 'Hey Ram' asks BJP to spell out stand on Pragya Thakur
After Pragya Singh Thakur stirred a row for calling Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse a "true patriot", Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday challenged "nationalistic luminaries of the BJP" to spell out their stand stating that merely distancing from her is "not enough".Priyanka also posted "Hey Ram" on her Twitter account in reaction to the whole controversy, invoking Mahatma Gandhi's last words when he was shot dead by Godse in 1948."Bapu's murderer a patriot? Hey Ram! Distancing yourself from your candidate is not enough. Nationalistic luminaries of the BJP, have the guts to spell out your stand," Priyanka Gandhi wrote on her Twitter handle.BJP has strongly backed Thakur's candidature in Bhopal in the face of tremendous criticism over fielding a Malegaon blast terror accused in the elections.Earlier in the day, when questioned about actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan's remark that India's first terrorist was a Hindu (in reference to Godse), Thakur ..
Priyanka offers namaz in Amethi, visits temple in MP: Irani
In a veiled dig at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Union minister Smriti Irani Thursday said the Congress general secretary offered 'namaz' in Amethi "for votes" and then also visited Mahakal temple in Madhya Pradesh. "The Congress was so flustered in Amethi that its general secretary, after offering namaz for votes there, now visited the revered Mahakal temple in MP's Ujjain district," Irani said in a public meeting without naming Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Irani contested the Lok Sabha election against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi from Amethi seat, where his sister played a key role in drumming up support for him. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had visited the Mahakal temple two days back and offered prayers there. She had held a road show in Ujjain. Irani further accused the Congress chief of spreading lies. "Before last year's MP assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi had promised loan waiver to farmers, but after his party came to power in the state he has betrayed them. Now he is saying that
EC draws flak from oppn parties over WB order; Cong says EC lost credibility
The Election Commission's order curtailing the time period for campaigning in West Bengal drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, with the Congress accusing the poll body of losing its credibility and independence and wondering if model code has become "Modi code of misconduct". The Congress also said time has come to review the process of the poll panel's appointment as it has "completely abdicated" its constitutional duty and has given a "parting gift" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With leaders of various parties openly attacking the EC over its order, Mamata Banerjee emerged as a "rallying point" for opposition, as leaders like Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, M K Stalin and N Chandrababu Naidu stood behind her and the TMC chief thanking them. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the EC order curtailing campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours is a "dark spot" on India's democracy and institutions like the poll panel. In the first such action in India's electoral ...
Cong demands apology from Modi on Pragya Thakur's Godse remarks, action against her
The Congress on Thursday demanded an unconditional apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and punitive action against Pragya Singh Thakur, including withdrawal of her candidature from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, over her remarks calling Mahatma Gandhi's assassin a "patriot". In a stinging attack, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that "insulting martyrs is in the BJP DNA" and the "soul of the nation" has been hurt with Thakur's remarks who has "now crossed all limits". "It is clear, the BJP people are the descendants of Godse. BJP people say Godse was a patriot and martyr Hemant Karkare was a traitor. Culture of violence and insulting martyrs is the DNA of the BJP," he told reporters. "India's soul is again under attack by the successors of Godse, the current ruling BJP dispensation. BJP leaders are describing the murderer of 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi, Nathuram Godse, as a true nationalist while declaring those who sacrificed their life for the nation ...