Page 536 - Politics

DMK criticises EC over order on campaigning in West Bengal

The Opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu Thursday criticised the Election Commission for curtailing campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours, throwing its weight behind West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led TMC. DMK President MK Stalin alleged the EC had different set of rules for the "ruling party", apparently referring to the BJP, and the opposition. "Ban on campaign in nine constituencies in #WestBengal. The EC has one set of rules for the Opposition and another for the ruling party. Highly condemnable," he said in a tweet. In first such action in India's electoral history, the EC had on Wednesday ordered campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies to end at 10 pm on Thursday, a day before its scheduled deadline, following violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata during a roadshow by the saffron party chief Amit Shah. The EC had invoked Article 324 of the Constitution to curtail the campaigning for the last phase of the election on May 19. Stalin had earlier attended a TMC

Modi says TMC goons behind vandalisation of Vidyasagar statue, vows to install new one

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said his government was committed towards Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's vision and promised to install his grand statue at the same spot in Kolkata where it was vandalised by "TMC goondas". Lashing out at Mamata Banerjee, the prime minister said he was going for a rally in Dum Dum later in the day but was not sure if the West Bengal Chief Minister will allow his helicopter to land. "We have been witnessing the attitude of didi for long and now the country is also seeing it. Dedicated to the vision of Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, our government will install a panchdhatu (made up of five metals) statue at the very spot and give a reply to TMC goondas," he said while addressing a poll rally here. "The statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was broken by TMC goondas during the road show of BJP President Amit Shah. Those involved in this act should be given strong punishment," the prime minister said. Kolkata witnessed wide-spread violence during BJP ...

Babul Supriyo calls Grand Alliance 'Mahathagbandhan'

While the opposition leaders expressed their solidarity with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's displeasure over the Election Commission's (EC) unprecedented decision to curtail poll campaign in the state by 20 hours, BJP MP Babul Supriyo on Thursday called the opposition Grand Alliance 'Mahathagbandhan' (alliance of crooks).

No entry in Uttarakhand Secretariat without Aadhar card

Those visiting the Uttarakhand government secretariat here will have to produce their Aadhaar card to enter the office premises, state Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Thursday."The requirement of Aadhaar card to enter Uttarakhand secretariat is done for security reasons. Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, we have tightened security in areas such as railway stations, government offices and tourist spots. I appeal to all people here to follow the rules as it will help boost our security."Secretariat Association President, Deepak Joshi said, "Some people who regularly come to Secretariat or who are employees here are facing problem...We will conduct a meeting to decide whether is it necessary for officials of Secretariat to keep Aadhar card for entry."On May 11, the Uttarakhand secretariat had issued the instructions for visitors to produce Aadhaar card to enter the office premises.

Yogi seeks vote in name of Ram temple, Triple Talaq

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sought votes for Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the BJP candidate from the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, in the name of Ram temple and Triple Talaq.

EC abdicated constitutional duty by campaign ban: Congress

Terming the prohibition of campaigning in West Bengal a "dark spot on India's democracy", the Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission (EC) of "completely abdicating" its constitutional duty" to ensure a level playing field and said the EC should submit before the people and answer for its conduct and actions.

TMC goons should be taken into preventive custody ahead of polls: Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said TMC "goons" who are disturbing the political fabric of West Bengal should be taken into preventive custody a day prior to elections in order to ensure that violence-free polling takes place in the state."In order to conduct a violence-free and fair election in West Bengal, we have requested the Election Commission of India to take those TMC goons and miscreants into preventive custody a day prior to the election. On the election day, we have videos in which these goons are seen going and pressing the button forcefully even in front of police officials," he told media here after meeting the Election Commission.Earlier today, a BJP delegation led by Javadekar visited the EC to demand strict action against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah 'goons'."If a Chief Minister calls Modi and Amit Shah 'goons', the poll conducting body should take immediate action against

Country saying 'phir ek baar Modi sarkar': PM Modi

With only two days left for the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday exuded confidence over BJP's victory asserting that the country is saying "phir ek baar Modi sarkar" (Modi government once again).Addressing an election meeting here, he said the voters have already guaranteed a majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Modi took a jibe at the Opposition saying that those with a limited number of seats are dreaming of becoming the Prime Minister."Those with 8 seats, 10 seats, 20-22 seats, 30-35 seats are dreaming of becoming Prime Minister, but the country is saying - phir ek baar Modi sarkar," he said.The Prime Minister said that the young voters of the country are convinced that only BJP government can fulfil their dreams.In an apparent reference to previous Congress government, the Prime Minister said, "Young voters are convinced that only this government can fulfil their dreams. The poor have also realised this. The youth of the ...

Mamata Banerjee biggest fascist, murderer of democracy: BJP

With the TMC and BJP at loggerheads over violence in Kolkata, new accusations are being made by both sides. The BJP on Thursday not only termed Mamata Banerjee the "biggest fascist and murderer of democracy" but also said that Election Commission should have banned her fro campaigning."She is the biggest fascist and is responsible for all the violence in West Bengal that has happened in this election. The ECI has not taken effective measures so far despite our repeated requests and complaints. Mamata Banerjee's campaign should have been banned basis the statement 'I will take revenge for each one of you who is not supporting the TMC'. What can be a greater threat for democracy than an elected Chief Minister threatening the public like this?" BJP Spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao told ANI.The two parties are sparring over violence which took place in Kolkata during BJP president Amit Shah's roadshow on Tuesday. The statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was also vandalised- with the TMC and .

Modi to visit Kedarnath-Badrinath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Uttarakhand beginning May 18 to pay obeisance at the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Modi will visit Kedarnath on May 18 and offer prayers at Badrinath the following day, Pradesh BJP media incharge Devendra Bhasin said. The Prime Minister has a deep sense of attachment towards Uttarakhand. The purpose of this visit is purely spiritual, he said.

EC's integrity at stake, says Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has termed as 'disturbing' the Election Commission's action cutting short the election campaign in West Bengal by a day and has said that the poll panel's integrity is at stake.

Muslim vote fragmented in UP, says Khurshid (IANS Interview)

Unlike in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Muslim vote has split between the Congress and the SP-BSP alliance in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid says.

Akhilesh shares a meal with Yogi lookalike

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav has posted a photograph in which he is seen sharing a meal on an aircraft with a man who looks like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Riyadh, allies confirm striking Yemen, including Sanaa

The Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government confirmed that its warplanes were bombing rebel targets on Thursday following rebel drone attacks that closed a Saudi pipeline. "We have begun to launch air strikes targeting sites operated by the Huthi militia, including in Sanaa," a coalition official, who declined to be identified, told AFP.

Opposition wants to stop PM Modi as he works for the oppressed: Adityanath

Opposition parties want to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming to power as he works for the oppressed community, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday.Addressing a public gathering here, Yogi said, "BJP has, over a span of five years, done a lot for the people of Uttar Pradesh. The opposition parties want to stop Prime Minister Modi from coming to power as he works for the oppressed community, forest dwellers and women."Reviving the "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" stance, he urged locals here to vote for Modi for the work he has done for the people of the state. "Prime Minister Modi gave houses to more than 24 lakh people. Two crores sixty lakh people were given toilets. The work done by the Prime Minister has never been done before," he said.Thirteen parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections. Results will be announced on May 23.Modi's parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, will also go

Modi promises grand Vidyasagar statue, as battle with TMC intensifies

Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a blistering attack against Mamata Banerjee by stating that she has no belief in the elected Prime Minister of India and said he had to leave the stage at a rally in West Bengal due to "TMC hooliganism". Modi also promised to build a grand statue of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar at the same spot where the old one stood before being vandalised on Tuesday."Mamata didi has no belief in the Prime Minister of India who is democratically elected by 130 crore people of the country. She believes in Pakistan's Prime Minister but not in the Indian one," Modi said.The TMC and the BJP have been locked in a bitter fight with every phase of the national elections in West Bengal witnessing clashes between workers of the two parties. At his rally, Modi said he had to leave the stage due to "hooliganism" of TMC workers."I remember the hooliganism of TMC during my Paschim Medinipur rally. In the state's Thakurnagar, the situation became so bad that I had to stop my speech .

Modi promises Vidyasagar statue at 'same spot'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday promised a "grand statue" of 19th century reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar at the same spot where his bust was vandalized in Kolkata.

PM to visit Kedarnath Temple, SDRF keeps vigil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Kedarnath temple on May 18, a day ahead of the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabhja electionsUttrakhand State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) has set up wireless and telecommunication systems and extra security has been deployed to make the"Char Dham Yatra" a success.Tripti Bhatt, Commandant SDRF has directed all officials in the Kedarnath valley to maintain vigil in view of the Prime Minister's Visit to the temple.

ECI's decision to cut short campaigning in WB a 'dark spot on India's democracy': Congress

Congress on Thursday termed Election Commission of India's (ECI) unprecedented move to curtail the campaign period in West Bengal for the final phase of the Lok Sabha polls as a "parting gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP" and a "dark spot on India's democracy".Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the ECI has allowed campaigning in the state till 10 pm today to ensure that the two pre-announced rallies of Modi in Mathurapur and Dum Dum parliamentary constituencies were not affected by the poll body's order.In the first such action in India's electoral history, the ECI on Wednesday invoked Article 324 of the Constitution to cut short the campaigning for nine seats in West Bengal, citing "an atmosphere of fear and hatred".The move came in the backdrop of the violence that broke out during a roadshow of BJP president Amit Shah in Kolkata on Tuesday. Campaigning was originally scheduled to end at 5 pm on Friday for the nine .

Mayawati comes out in support of Mamata Banerjee

Rallying behind Mamata Banerjee, BSP supremo Mayawati Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah of targeting the West Bengal chief minister as part of a conspiracy and said it reflected a "dangerous attitude". A day after the Election Commission curtailed campaigning in West Bengal, Mayawati charged that the poll body acted under pressure of the central government. Addressing a press conference here, she said, "Everyday we are getting some kind of news from Bengal for which the BJP and RSS are responsible." "As far as election-related violence is concerned there, it can be seen clearly that BJP and the government led by PM Narendra Modi and his chela (follower) BJP President Amit Shah, under a planned conspiracy, have been targeting the Mamata Banerjee government," Mayawati said. "During Lok Sabha elections, Mamata Banerjee and her government are being targeted under a conspiracy to divert peoples attention from failures of the Modi government," the ...