Page 568 - Politics
Could make for great joke had matter not involved post of PM: Yechury on Modi using digicam in '88
The CPI(M) on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming that he was one of the first few people in India to use a digital camera and e-mail in 1988, saying it would "make for a great joke" had the matter been not so "serious involving the post of PM". In an interview to a private news channel on Saturday, Modi had claimed that he first used a digital camera and e-mail in 1988. The statement which led to a number of memes and jokes on social media sites, has now given fodder to opposition parties to launch attacks on Modi. "This is the latest in the long series of delusional assertions, fudged claims and brazen lies uttered by Modi. These would make for a great joke if the matter was not so serious involving the post of PM," tweeted CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury. In the interview, Modi had said, "I first used a digital camera in 1987-'88, and at the time, very few people had e-mail. There was a rally of L K Advani and I clicked a picture of him on my ...
Modi govt has been all campaign, no work: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying his five-year tenure saw only "campaigning" and no work. Referring to Modi's reported "tapasya" (hardwork) remark, the Congress general secretary said "tapasya" destroys arrogance, but the "arrogance" of the Modi government had grown "too big". Gandhi Vadra alleged Modi did not find even five minutes in his tenure to solve problems faced by the poor in his constituency, Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh. In an interview to a leading English daily, Modi had recently said that his image was not created by the " Khan Market gang" (located in Delhi), but his 45-year tapasya (hard work). "Normally, political leaders should talk about real issues during campaign, like what are your problems, how it can be solved, what they will do in next five years, what they did in last five years," Gandhi Vadra told a poll rally here. "But in the last five years a strange silsila (series) is on. Only ...
Regional parties abusing Cong shouldn't expect us to support them for Third Front: Salman Khurshid
Some regional parties are more keen to fight the Congress, rather than the BJP, says senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, stressing they can't keep "abusing" the grand old party and expect its support after the election results. Without naming any party, Khurshid said regional parties should move away from "transactional politics" towards the politics of principle, and ruled out any possibility of either a regional front or the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming to power after May 23. "Sadly, some of them are very weak on politics of principle," he told PTI in an interview. "Transactional politics for them dictated something different before the election. It may dictate something different after the election," he said, "But the point really is people should shift from transactional to principle politics." Asked which parties were weak on politics of principle, the former UP Congress chief said, "Whoever is not with us". On whether the doors of the Congress-led UPA would ...
Defence deals were ATM for Cong: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the previous Congress governments of using defence deals as an automated teller machine (ATM) for the party. Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, Modi said: "India was dependent on foreign countries for 70 per cent needs of the defence forces during the previous Congress governments. It had been deliberately done as defence deals were ATM for the Congress." "India had an 150-year-long experience of defence production when it became independent in 1947, whereas China had no such experience at that time," Modi said. "But now, China has become an exporter of defence production, whereas we are an importer because of the bad policies of earlier Congress governments." The prime minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had tried to reverse it during the past five years, claiming that the defence production had been increased by 80 per cent. Pointing out to Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh ...
Delhi court admits defamation case against Manoj Tiwari, Harish Khurana
A Delhi court on Monday admitted a criminal defamation case against BJP leaders Manoj Tiwari and Harish Khurana for allegedly making defamatory statements against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he was slapped by a man on May 4.The case in this regard was filed by President of Aam Admi Party Jhuggi Jhopdi (JJ) cell Sushil Chauhan."Both the BJP party leaders showed a photo of the attacker in the press conference and Twitter and claimed that he was an AAP member," Chauhan said in his petition, calling the allegations levelled by the BJP leaders, baseless.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Samar Vishal has directed the petitioner to bring evidence, CD or pen drive and documents proofs to ascertain his claims, in the next hearing.The matter is slated to be heard on May 30.On May 4, Kejriwal was slapped by a man, who was later identified as Suresh, in West Delhi while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.The CM had stepped on to an open jeep and was shaking hands
Rajasthan CM says Modi playing politics on Alwar rape
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing politics on the Alwar gang-rape and using the issue as a political tool to draw mileage in the Lok Sabha elections.
When Congress' misdeeds are questioned, they say 'hua to hua': Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a jibe at Congress, saying when the misdeeds of the grand old party are questioned, they reply back saying 'hua to hua' (it happened, so what)."They ask for votes in the name of their ancestors, but when questioned on their (ancestors) misdeeds, they say 'hua to hua'," Modi said at a public rally here.Modi was referring the remark that Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda had said when asked about BJP's allegations on 1984 anti-Sikh riots.The BJP had alleged that "instructions to kill" Sikhs came directly from the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's office. In response to this, Pitroda, while rubbishing the allegations, had said, "I don't think so. This is also another lie. It happened in 1984, so what? (1984 hua to hua)."Continuing to attack Congress by mocking Pitroda's comment, Modi said, "Congress had demanded bullet-proof jackets for our armed forces. But they kept on deferring their decision. Our children were victims of terror ...
Abuses for those who call for them: Mayawati jabs Modi
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday said that abuses are for those who call for them. The former chief minister was referring to Modi's repeated charge that opposition leaders use new abuses against him every day."At his rallies, he says that opposition parties use new abuses against him every day, it is only natural to abuse a person whose actions deserve abuses, 'Sri' Modi must remember this," Mayawati said at a rally in Ghazipur.Campaigning for the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls, the BSP chief also said that the grand alliance will stay intact no matter how many efforts BJP makes towards breaking it up. BSP, SP and RLD are in alliance in Uttar Pradesh."Grand-alliance will remain intact no matter how much BJP tries to break it," she said.Lashing out at the Congress, Mayawati said despite being in power for a long duration, the party has not been able to help the underprivileged. "If Congress asks for votes then ask them what they have done
Sudan army rulers, protesters resume civil rule talks: Protest movement
Sudan's army rulers and protest leaders Monday resumed crucial talks over handing power to a civilian administration after days of deadlock in negotiations, a spokesperson for the protest movement told AFP. Protest leaders Omar al-Digeir and Satea al-Haj were among those attending the talks on behalf of the Alliance for Freedom and Change group, the movement's spokeswoman Mashar Darraj said.
Not afraid of abuses from those on bail: Modi
In a veiled attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that people search for new words daily to "abuse" him despite being on bail.Addressing a public meeting and without taking their names, he attacked Sonia and Rahul by referring to National Herald case in which both mother and son are out on bail.Taking a potshot at them, Modi maintained that he did not budge because of Congress leaders "abuses" as he had mushrooms from Solan, an area where Priyanka Gandhi has built a home."Those who are themselves on bail, search new words from their dictionary daily to abuse your 'chowkidaar'. But your 'chowkidaar' is not going to budge because of their abuses, "aakhirkar humne bhi to Solan ka mushroom khaya hai" (after we have also eaten the mushroom of Solan)," Modi said while describing himself as 'chowkidaar' of the country during a public rally here.
BJP leader seeks actions against Kamal Hasaan for violating MCC
BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), on Monday, seeking actions against actor-turned-politician Kamal Hasaan for violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC)."Please restrict Mr Kamal Hasaan from campaigning for at least five days, lodge FIR against him under respective sections of the IPC and take appropriate steps to deregister his political party," the letter to the CEC read.Hasaan, president of Makkal Needhi Maiam, had earlier said at an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Aravakurichi assembly constituency, "I am not saying this because many Muslims are here. I am saying this in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue. The first terrorist in independent India is a Hindu. His name is Nathuram Godse."Haasan's comments drew condemnation from leaders of the BJP and Hindu outfits.The letter accuses Hasaan of trying to "aggravate existing differences" and appealing to "communal feelings for securing votes", leading to a violation of the ...
BJD hijacking cyclone relief in Patkura: Bijoy Mohapatra
Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra Monday alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has hijacked relief distribution work in cyclone-hit Patkura Assembly constituency in Kendrapara district. Mohapatra, who is the BJP candidate in the Patkura Assembly seat, in a written complaint lodged by his election agent with the returning officer alleged that the state government's relief work has been turned into a tool by BJD candidiate Sabitri Agarwal to "induce" the voters ahead of the polls. The government relief was distributed by BJD nominee Agarwal in the very presence of government officials in charge of relief distribution, he alleged. The ruling BJD has made mockery of democracy by taking over the relief and restoration measures in the aftermath of cyclone 'Fani' which made a landfall on May 3, he claimed. When contacted, the Kendrapara district unit of the ruling BJD declined to comment on the allegation. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had postponed the polling
Army to shift its Training Command Headquarters to Meerut
"The Training Command is now planned to be shifted from Shimla to Meerut to save costs and man-hours spent in travelling from the headquarters to the hill location," senior Army sources said here.The move is part of the ongoing restructuring that is being carried out at multiple levels by the Army.Army sources said the headquarters needs to be moved out of Shimla to a new location that has better infrastructure, as the command's role will expand after the restructuring."Meerut would be better suited for establishing the training command headquarters as it is getting connected by an express highway and a rapid rail transit corridor is also being established," the sources said.The restructuring of the army headquarters will see the role of the Director General of Military Training being given to ARTRAC.The exercise to restructure the army is based on four comprehensive studies led by the army's topmost generals, and seeks to change the direction of the 1.3 million-strong force and ...
Telangana CM meets DMK leader Stalin
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekar Rao on Monday evening called on DMK President M.K. Stalin at his residence here in an attempt to form a non-Congress, non-BJP grouping of political parties.
Priyanka visits Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered prayers and performed panchamrat abhishek at the Mahakaleshwar temple here on Monday.
Cong announces candidates for T'gana Council bypoll
The Congress Monday named Uday Mohan Reddy, K Lakshmi Reddy and E Venkatram Reddy as its candidates for the bypolls to be held to fill three vacancies in Telangana Legislative Council. Uday Mohan Reddy, Lakshmi Reddy and Venkatram Reddy would be candidates from Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Warangal Local Authorities' Constituencies respectively for which the bypolls would be held, Congress sources said. According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the bypoll would 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 would be taken up on June 3. Congress has taken objection to the bypolls, saying rural local body elections are on to elect new Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Constituency (MPTC) members, who are the voters in the bypoll. The by-election to the three constituencies was necessitated by the resignations of Patnam Narender ..
'Nandi' is going to SP rallies asking about friends of butchers: Yogi Adityanath
Bull is going to the rallies of Samajwadi Party (SP) asking about the friends of butchers, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Monday."Nandi (bull) is going to SP's rallies and asking where the friends of butchers are. I told Nandi Baba that elections are going on. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place. Please spare them at this time. You can continue your work after the elections over," said Chief Minister Adityanath.The Chief Minister's statement comes in reference to the April 25 rally of the SP-BSP-RLD in Kannauj, where a bull entered the public event and wreaked havoc.Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi said: "Modiji has got 'Yoga' patented in the name of India.""In the history of India, no Prime Minister ever washed the feet of sanitation workers," said the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister."Those asking about the caste of Prime Minister Modi should answer about what they have done for the Dalits and the poor. PM Modi has done many ...
Oppn leader moves HC alleging 'postal ballot fraud' in LS polls
Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala on Monday moved the Kerala High Court alleging a postal ballot fraud in Lok Sabha elections held in the state on April 23. In his PIL, Chennithala demanded a probe alleging that a serious postal vote fraud has been practised by "pro-government" Police Association office bearers at the behest of top-level government functionaries in connection with Lok Sabha election. He claimed the state's Additional Director General of Police, (Intelligence), submitted a report to the state police chief that the Association had collected postal ballots of officers on election duty through threats and intimidation and exercised votes by proxy against the wishes of the officers on election duty. The ADGP in turn informed the Chief Electoral Officer about further enquiry and prosecution proceedings against those guilty officers, Chennithala claimed. He sought a direction from the high court to the Election Commission of India to appoint an ..
Sharma withdraws poll notice; AAI elections likely on June 9
Archery Association of India's elections could be held on June 9 as notified by secretary Maha Singh after the rival faction, led by acting-president Sunil Sharma, withdrew his May 26 poll notice. "Pursuant to the judgment passed by the Supreme Court of India dated May 10, the elections of office bearers of the AAI, which were announced to be conducted on May 26 in New Delhi, would be rescheduled. Revised election notification will be issued soon," Sharma said in his letter to the state associations, a copy of which is in possession of PTI. Sharma, who is believed to have allegiance with the group led by former president VK Malhotra, had sent the election notice without meeting with the court-appointed committee of administrators (CoA), and secretary Maha Singh had termed it illegal and contempt of court. Later, Singh, after a meeting with five of the 10-member CoA, had issued fresh election notification slated for June 9 in Chandigarh. Terming this a victory for them, Singh told PTI:
Several BJP MLAs will join Cong after LS poll results, claims K C Venugopal
Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal Monday claimed that several BJP legislators would join his party after the Lok Sabha poll results are declared and dismissed speculation about the longevity of the coalition government in Karnataka. He also exuded confidence about formation of a Congress-led government at the Centre. "We are very much confident that in the parliamentary election, there will be a government at the Centre under the leadership of the Indian National Congress. The people of the country are now very much for a change and that will happen on May 23," Venugopal said. "Then how can they (BJP) destabilise the Karnataka government after May 23? We are not going to poach any MLAs from the BJP, but naturally they will come to the Congress after May 23. Naturally that is going to happen," he told reporters in Kalburagi. Result of the seven-phase general elections will be declared on May 23. The statement by the AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka comes a day after