Page 554 - Politics
Priyanka to hold roadshow in Varanasi
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a roadshow Wednesday in the constituency represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, her party said. The Congress show of strength in the temple town comes nearly three weeks after Modi held his own roadshow here, a day before filing his nomination papers. Congress leaders here said the party's local unit has made elaborate plans to pull in the crowds for Priyanka Gandhi's roadshow. The roadshow will begin from Madan Mohan Malviya's statue at Banaras Hindu University gates, the spot from where Modi's well-attended event began on April 25. Like Modi's roadshow, it will end at the Dashashwamedh ghat. She will then offer prayers first at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and then at the Kaal Bhairav temple in Kotwali area, Congress district unit president Prajanath Sharma said. The Congress has fielded Ajay Rai against Modi, after much speculation that Priyanka Gandhi, who is in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh for the party, may ...
Will all aircraft disappear from radar whenever it rains in India? Rahul's jibe at PM
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'radar and clouds' remark in relation to the Balakot airstrikes in Pakistan, asking him will all aircraft disappear from the radar whenever it rains in India. Priyanka Gandhi also joined her brother in taking a swipe at Modi's comment that cloud cover 'helped' IAF planes evade Pakistani radars during the Balakot operation on February 26, saying his truth is now on people's radar. Addressing election rallies in Neemuch, Ujjain and Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi said Modi insulted his family during the poll campaign but he will never ever speak ill of the prime minister's parents. "I will die, but will never insult Modiji's mother and father." He also made a veiled reference to the PM's interaction with actor Akshay Kumar during which Modi said he loved mangoes as a child and still loves them. Noting that Modi in the recent days talked about cloud cover "helping" IAF planes evade Pakistani ...
Prove alliance talks or quit politics, Stalin to Modi
DMK President M.K. Stalin on Tuesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP's Tamil Nadu President Tamilisai Soundararajan to quit politics, if they cannot prove that he was in talks with their party for a post-poll alliance.
RSS people were doing 'chamchagiri' of Britishers, never fought in independence movement: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday claimed that Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) never fought in the independence movement and instead was doing "chamchagiri" (flattery) of Britishers."When the entire Punjab was fighting for country's independence, RSS people were doing 'chamchagiri' (flattery) of Britishers. They never fought in the independence movement," she said addressing a rally here.Attacking the Modi government and the previous Akali Dal government in Punjab, Gandhi urged the people to give a crushing defeat to these parties in the Lok Sabha elections in the interest of the future of the state, nation and their children."Due to farm loans, 12,000 farmers have committed suicide during their governance. Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan came to Delhi by walking just to meet Prime Minister but he didn't meet them," she said.Priyanka urged the people to read the Congress manifesto, which was prepared after one year of ...
AAP ready to join hands with non-BJP front post polls to keep Modi-Shah out of power: Sisodia
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia Tuesday said his party was ready to join hands with a "non-BJP" front at the Centre to keep the saffron party out of power. The deputy chief minister of Delhi also accused the BJP of playing "divisive" politics and termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the saffron party's chief Amit Shah as the "biggest danger" to the country. "The Modi-Shah duo is the biggest danger to this country. They promote divisions in society and want to capture power by dividing the society. "In this backdrop, we fear that if Modi and Shah come to power again, then riots will increase in the country. The situation in the country will become like Afghanistan and Syria," he told reporters here. Therefore, it is necessary to defeat them, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said. "To keep Modi and Shah out of power, we are ready to join hands with a non-BJP, non-Modi government at the Centre," he said when asked about what role the AAP could play in government formation at the ...
Cong seeks support of TDP & other parties in MLC bypoll
The opposition Congress Tuesday sought the support of TDP, CPI, CPI(M) and Telangana Jana Samiti in the bypolls to be held to fill three vacancies in the Legislative Council. State Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy has written to the leaders of the four opposition parties, seeking their support to his party nominees, Congress sources said. The Congress Monday named Uday Mohan Reddy, K Lakshmi Reddy and E Venkatram Reddy as its candidates. The three would be candidates from Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Warangal Local Authorities' Constituencies respectively, for which the bypolls would be held, the party said on Monday. According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the bypoll will be held on May 31. The last date for filing nominations is May 14 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 17. Counting of votes will be taken up on June 3. Congress has taken objection to the bypolls, saying rural local body elections are on to elect new Zilla ...
Could Gulf tensions lead to Iran-US war?
A surge of tensions in the Gulf has shown the risk of a military confrontation between arch-foes Iran and the United States, even if any conflict would likely be marked by guerrilla warfare rather than full-scale battles, analysts say. A series of mysterious attacks on ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the key ally of Tehran's Gulf rival Saudi Arabia, prompted President Donald Trump to warn Iran would "suffer greatly" if it harmed US interests. The United States and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since the seizure by Iranian radicals of American embassy staff in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution. The two sides have at times been close to conflict -- in particular during a tense period under former US president George W. Bush -- but analysts see a series of factors as making the current moment particularly combustible. Trump dismayed European allies by pulling out of the 2015 deal on Iran's nuclear programme unilaterally and is now ratcheting up the rhetoric
Jailed Catalan politicians can attend parliament opening: Spain court
Five jailed Catalan separatists elected in polls last month will be allowed to attend the first day of Spain's national parliament on May 21, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday. But the court also ruled against definitively releasing the five, including Catalonia's former vice-president Oriol Junqueras, as demanded by their lawyers. All five have been in custody for more than a year over their role in Catalonia's secession attempt in October 2017 and are currently on trial in Madrid, charged with rebellion. During the parliament's opening session, they will have to promise to comply with the Spanish constitution which pledges the "unbreakable unity" of Spain. Junqueras, who led the list of his ERC separatist party, was elected to Spain's lower house of parliament in the general elections held on April 28. Others elected to the lower house were civic leader Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Turull, Catalonia's government spokesman at the time of the failed attempt to break from Spain. Both were .
Karnataka govt bolsters Indo-German startup exchange programme
: The Karnataka government Tuesday said it was mulling to set up Indo-German accelerators here and in Berlin to enhance enterprise connects, mentorship, driving investments and collaborations betweenstartups and SMEs. To strengthen the German-Indian startupexchange programme, principal secretary to department of IT, BTand S&T Gaurav Gupta held talks with Ambassador Dr Hinrich Tholken to share the digital trendsand policies in Bengaluru. Also, Gupta held discussions with Indian Ambassador to Germany Mukta D Tomar in Berlin, a press release said. To enhance Indo-German partnership and also promote the flagshipprogramme Bengaluru Tech Summit, a high-profile delegationled by Gupta is currently visiting Berlin, Dsseldorf andMunich in Germany, the release said. Bengaluru Tech Summit is scheduled to be held from November 18 to 20. To maintain the lead position in innovation and science and technology, theKarnataka government was developing 'global innovation alliances' with
Country is electing strong govt & choosing 'India first', than 'family first': PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his attack on the Congress, saying the country is electing a strong government and it is choosing "India first", than "family first". He was addressing a poll rally in Chandigarh on Tuesday evening. "The country is electing a strong government and not a helpless government. It is choosing 'India first', than 'family first', not dynasty but development," he said, adding the country was choosing those who hit terrorists in their den. Modi also used cricket to attack the Congress, saying when the UPA government was in power, a tournament was shifted to another country as general elections were being held in India. "Is the Lok Sabha election going on in this country or not? Did IPL take place in this country or not," he asked. He also said that in 2014, the Congress and their "mahamilavati" allies were not been able to digest the mandate given by the people and added that since he assumed power, they had been trying to insult all decisions taken by ..
WB: Amit Shah holds roadshow in Mamata's turf, clashes break out
It was a sea of saffron in Kolkata on Tuesday when BJP president Amit Shah held a roadshow taking the battle against arch-rival TMC to Mamata Banerjee's den.BJP supporters chanted "Jai Shri Ram" as activists dressed up as Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman walked along with 'gada' (mace), not often seen on the streets of the metropolis where a distinct Bengali culture exists. There were Sikh men dancing to Bhangra beats.Shah meandered through Kolkata on a truck, decked up with marigold, as the crowd carried BJP flags.As the road show came to a close, some miscreants started throwing sticks at Shah's truck leading to clashes. Police stepped in to control the situation.Earlier. the BJP chief expressed confidence that a political change will happen in the state soon."The way people of West Bengal have come out today, it shows that the day is not far when the change will happen," Shah told ANI as he waved to crowds that had gathered on both sides of the streets.BJP alleged that its party posters .
India tells Iran decision on buying oil after elections
Sources said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reiterated to visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Javed Zarif India's position that a decision will be taken on the purchase of oil from his country keeping in mind the commercial considerations, energy security and economic interests.Zarif's visit took place on his own iniative to brief the Indian side on the Iranaian approach to the recent developments in the region including on Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (on Iran rolling back its parts of its nuclear programme in exchange for end of some sanctions) and to review bilateral cooperation.This was part of their consultation with other countries in the region including Russia, China, Turkmenistan and Iraq over the last few days.Zarif recalled the steps announced by President Rouhani on May 8 including decisions linked to the export of enriched material and heavy water. He mentioned that 60 days timeline has been given to EU-3 and other parties to JCPOA for estoring the oil and ..
BJP leader moves Delhi HC over Kamal Haasan's 'first Hindu terrorist' remark
BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court seeking direction from Election Commission (EC) to take action against actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, who stoked controversy by referring Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as the "first Hindu terrorist in independent India."In a plea, Upadhyay stated that Haasan's comment was made deliberately in the presence of a Muslim-majority crowd for electoral gain, which is a corrupt practice under Section 123(3) the Representation of the People Act 1951."Mr. Kamal Haasan is deliberately promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony and brotherhood, which is an offence under Section 153A of the IPC," the plea said."It is a deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage the sentiments of millions of Hindus, which is an offence under Section 295A IPC," it added.The court is likely to hear the matter on Wednesday (May 15).Haasan, the chief of
Saudi shuts main oil pipeline after Huthi drone attacks
Drone attacks claimed by Iran-aligned Yemen rebels shut down one of Saudi Arabia's main oil pipelines Tuesday, further ratcheting up Gulf tensions after the mysterious sabotage of several tankers. Days after the United States deployed bombers and an assault ship to bolster an aircraft carrier in the region, the world's largest crude exporter said two pumping stations had been targeted early Tuesday. They lie on the East West Pipeline, able to pump five million barrels of oil a day from the oil-rich eastern province to a Red Sea export terminal. The announcement came hours after Yemen's Huthi rebels said they had targeted vital installations in Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition against them. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Saudi Aramco had "temporarily shut down" the pipeline to "evaluate its condition" but added that oil production and exports had not been interrupted. "The company (Saudi Aramco) is working on restoring the pumping station before resuming ...
Aiyar loses cool at media over queries on Modi remarks
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Tuesday got angry when asked about his article justifying the a slur he had used for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for which he was suspended from the party two years back.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari asks party workers to prepare for Assembly polls next year
Hopeful of winning all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, BJP's Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari has asked party workers to start preparations for the Assembly polls by exposing the "failures" of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The Delhi BJP president met party workers in North East Delhi parliamentary constituency contested by him and asked them to prepare for the forthcoming state elections in 2020. There is a triangular contest for seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi between the BJP, the Congress and AAP with all three expecting victory. Delhi voted on May 12 and counting of votes will be held on May 23. The BJP won all the seven seats in Delhi in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Tiwari won on North East Delhi seat. Tiwari met the BJP workers and leaders of North East Delhi constituency at district party office to appreciate their contribution in his campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing BJP office bearers and workers in the meeting, Tiwari said "We have to start preparing for the ..
Russia, US say ready for better ties as Putin set to host Pompeo
Moscow and Washington's top diplomats said Tuesday they were ready to improve ties, ahead of the countries' highest-level talks in nearly a year as President Vladimir Putin hosts Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo arrived in the sunny Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday amid a raft of disagreements, from arms control to the raging Venezuela and Iran crises. At the start of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and before a planned evening meeting with Putin, Pompeo expressed hope the two rivals could "stabilise the relationship". "I am here today because President (Donald) Trump is committed to improving this relationship," he said. "We have differences -- each country will protect its own interests and look after its own people -- but it's not that we have to be adversaries on every issue." Lavrov said Russia was ready to open a new page in ties. "I believe it's time to start building a new, more responsible and constructive model of mutual perception of each ...
Goa parties spar over action on 'weaponisation' remark
A war of words broke out between the Congress and Goa's ruling coalition partner Goa Forward on Tuesday after a Youth Congress leader urged the Election Commission to book Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai for sedition over his recent speech urging "weaponisation" of youngsters.
Mann AAP's best bet in Punjab
Sitting MP Bhagwant Mann might be the faction-ridden AAP's best bet in Punjab as he seeks re-election from Sangrur, where he registered a victory in 2014 polls with a record margin. Mann, who is the chief of the Punjab unit of the Aam Aadmi Party, faces Kewal Singh Dhillon of the Congress and SAD-BJP's nominee Parminder Singh Dhindsa, both determined to wrest the seat from the principal opposition party in the state. The Lok Insaaf Party, which had contested the last assembly elections in alliance with AAP, has fielded AAP rebel Jassi Jasraj. The party is part of the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PEP). Adding to the multi-corner contest is SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann, who is once again in the fray from the constituency. However, confident of bettering his previous victory margin of 2.11 lakh votes, the comedian-turned-politician is banking on his connect with people. He is highlighting the utilisation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for .
Federal Front may consider taking Congress support: TRS leader
The Federal Front proposed by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao may consider taking Congress support, if necessary, to form a government at the Centre, a leader of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) said on Tuesday.