Page 571 - Politics
Minor's rape: Protests across Kashmir Valley
Protesta erupted at scores of places in the Kashmir Valley on Monday as outrage over the rape of a minor in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district.
Mayawati attacks PM on his marriage
In a bizzare statement and personal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BSP president Mayawati Monday alleged that women in the BJP are scared of their husbands meeting the Prime Minister fearing they might also "abandon their wives like him". "I have come to know that in BJP, married women leaders get scared when they see their husbands going near PM Modi. They fear that like Modi they might also abandon their wives," Mayawati said in a press release issued here. "Under such circumstances, I request all the women of the country not to give their votes to such a person. This would also be their real respect to the deserted wife of Modiji," Mayawati said. Reacting to Prime Minister's statement with regard to the Alwar gangrape case, Mayawati said Modi was silent on the issue. "He (Modi) is trying to play dirty politics over it so that in the elections his party can be benefited. It is extremely shameful. How can he respect others' sisters and wives when he has left his own wife ...
'Hua to hua' remark shows arrogance of Congress: Modi
Tearing into Congress leader Sam Pitroda's "hua to hua" (whatever happened, happened) remark on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said people are now saying "enough is enough" in response. He sought to dismiss "claims by pundits and planted reports from Delhi" that there was no "Modi wave". "The wave is coming out from each home," he said. Addressing an election rally here in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said in incidents like the Bhopal gas tragedy and scams like CWG, 2G spectrum and coal allocation happened under the watch of the Rahul Gandhi-led party, which brazenly says "hua to hua". Modi also reiterated his claim that the Gandhis used warship INS Viraat for "picnic". But when questions were raised about it, the Congress said "hua to hua", he added. Jawans died in terror and Naxal attacks, but the Congress kept saying, "hua to hua", he said. Replying to a reporter's question on the 1984 riots, Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and head of the .
India's first terrorist was Hindu, says Kamal Haasan
Stoking a controversy, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiyam founder Kamal Haasan has said free India's first "terrorist was a Hindu" -- Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan's comments drew sharp reaction from the state BJP, which slammed him for indulging in "divisive politics". Addressing an election campaign here on Sunday night, Haasan said he was one of those "proud Indians" who desires an India with equality and where the "three colours" in the tricolour, an obvious reference to different faiths, "remained intact." "I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India's first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (terrorism, apparently) starts," he said. Haasan said he was a "self-assumed great-grandson" of Gandhi and that he had come here "seeking answers for that murder," referring to Gandhi's assassination in 1948. "Good Indians desire for equality and want the three colours .
BJP accuses Cong of violating MCC by shaking 'hands' near polling booth
BJP leader Ashwani Upadhyay on Monday registered a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against Congress stating that the party cadres are violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by shaking 'hands' (Congress symbol) near polling booth in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.In his complaint to the EC, Upadhyay mentioned that Congress workers and their election agents are affecting voters by 'shaking hands' in the 100 meters radius of the booth, which is a violation of public representative law and election code of conduct.As per the guidelines issued by the EC, no names of any party and its election symbol should be seen within a distance of 200 meters from the polling station.Upadhyay also suggested that the EC should ask Congress to fight elections on one of its old symbols.Congress' election symbols were changed many times. The poll symbol of the party during elections held between 1952 and 1971 was an image of two bullocks with a plough. Later, former prime minister leader Indira .
TMC can stop me from attending rallies, but cannot stop BJP's
BJP national president Amit Shah Monday dared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for chanting "Jai Shri Ram", claiming that the TMC supremo can stop him from attending rallies in Bengal, but won't be able to stop BJP's victory march in the state. Addressing a rally at Canning, which comes under Joynagar Lok Sabha constituency, he said, "Mamatadi gets angry if someone chants Jai Shri Ram. I am chanting Jai Shri Ram here today. If you (Mamata) have the guts, arrest me. I will be in Kolkata tomorrow." Hitting out at the TMC government over denial of permission for his chopper to land in Baruipur, Shah said, "The Mamata Banerjee government is visibly perplexed. She wants to stop me from attending rallies. The TMC can stop me from addressing rallies, but can't stop the victory march of BJP in Bengal." Shah's scheduled rally in Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat was called off on Monday after the state government denied him permission to land his chopper and hold a
Have to seriously take look at breaking up Facebook: Harris
The US should consider breaking up Facebook, according to Kamala Harris, the first Indian-origin Senator and one of the Democrats eyeing the White House in the 2020 presidential race, saying that the world's largest social media company is "essentially a utility that has gone unregulated". Harris, Senator from California where all the major US tech giants are based, said that Facebook has experienced massive growth and has prioritised its growth consumers' interests, especially on privacy, she said in an interview to CNN on Sunday. "I think we have to seriously take a look at that, yes. When you look at the issue, they're essentially a utility," Harris, 54, was quoted as saying. "There are very few people that can actually get by, and be involved in their communities and society, or in whatever their profession, without somehow, somewhere using Facebook. It's very difficult for people to be engaged in any level of commerce without it." "So, we have to recognise it for what it is: It ..
Poll agent held for influencing voters in Haryana
A polling agent was arrested for interfering with the voting process in a booth in Haryana's Faridabad.
Jaitley slams Mamata, says Mayawati unfit to govern
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of throttling democracy and said BSP chief Mayawati's personal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed she was unfit to hold any public post.
Mamata infuriated with loss, sees CRPF personnel as RSS workers: BJP
Asserting that Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is losing in the Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said that the chief minister has started seeing CRPF personnel as RSS workers because of the impending electoral loss."Mamata is so infuriated that she believes CRPF personnel are RSS workers. She says that RSS workers come dressed as CRPF personnel," senior party leader Prakash Javadekar told reporters.The union minister's statement comes after Banerjee on Sunday accused the central forces in the state of coercing voters to cast their vote in favour of BJP in several areas. Reportedly, the TMC chief also said that she fears BJP and RSS activists to have entered the state sporting the uniform of forces to influence voters.BJP also accused the West Bengal government of canceling an election rally of party president Amit Shah."In West Bengal, the dictatorship of Mamata Banerjee is continuing. Today, we had a rally of our party chief in Jadavpur and an application was submitted ..
Japan continues to seek summit with North Korea
Indicating further softening of its stance, Japan on Monday said it seeks a summit with North Korea despite the weapon testing by the latter last week."The government's stance on the matter has not changed. It continues to seek a summit with North Korea despite the firing of a ballistic missile by Pyongyang last week," NHK quoted Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as saying.This comes a week after North Korea carried out two tests of firing projectiles.Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe renewed his demand to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "unconditionally" to "break the shell of mutual distrust"."I want to meet Chairman Kim Jong-un unconditionally and talk with him frankly with an open mind," Al Jazeera quoted Shinzo Abe as saying.North Korean authorities are yet to respond to Japan's repeated proposals.In January also, Abe indicated that he is planning to meet Kim.Till 2017, Japan had accused North Korea of repeatedly testing missiles while pointing them towards .
Fighting polls for cause of human rights, says slain activist's widow Paramjit Kaur Khera
Seeking to provide a non-BJP, non-Congress alternative to voters, PDA's Khadoor Sahib candidate Paramjit Kaur Khaira says she is fighting elections on human rights issues and to carry on the legacy of her activist husband who was killed by police 24 years ago. Khalra, who said her electoral fight is a signal from god, is a member of the Punjabi Ekta Party, part of the Punjab Democratic Alliance. Her husband Jaswant Singh Khalra, who accused Punjab Police of disposing of unidentified bodies of Sikh youth gunned down in fake encounters during the militancy years in the 1990s, was picked up from his house in Khalra village in Tarn Taran district and killed by police in 1995. Six police personnel were sentenced to life for his killing. Contesting polls is god's signal. It was not pre-decided to fight elections, said Khalra, being projected as a panthic' (religious) face by the PDA. The PDA comprises the Sukhpal Singh Khaira-led Punjab Ekta Party (PEP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the ..
JDS asks Cong to stop 'mischievous attitude,' efforts to sabotage coalition govt
Janata Dal (Secular) leader H Vishwanath on Sunday hit out at Congress asking them to stop their 'mischievous attitude' and efforts to sabotage coalition government."Congress leaders must stop their mischievous attitude. They must stop trying to sabotage the coalition government. They can do all this politics in 2022, this is not the time. We had brought Siddaramaiah to Congress, we created a situation that made him the chief minister," Vishwanath said speaking to media persons here.Meanwhile, BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje on Monday also cornered Congres-JD(S) alliance and said: "Whatever Vishwanath has said is right. Siddaramaiah has failed as chief minister of Karnataka. He has not done anything. He came to power to divide society and religion in Karnataka. Now, Siddaramaiah is frustrated because people of Karnataka have rejected him."Vishwanath's remarks come in contrast to JD (S) president and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda's statement. Gowda, affirming faith in the strength ..
'Hua to hua' remark shows arrogance of Congress: Modi in MP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday stepped up his attack on the Congress over its leader Sam Pitroda's hua to hua (It happened, so what?) remark on the anti-Sikh riots in 1984. The remark reflects the arrogance of the opposition party, Modi said, addressing a rally at Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. Modi said 'hua to hua' are not just three words but reflect arrogance of the Congress. While they (Congress leaders) were saying "hua to hua", the people of the country were saying "enough is enough", Modi said. These 'mahamilavati' people are saying 'hua toh hua', but the country is now saying 'mahamilavati logon ab bohot hua' (enough is enough), he said. Poor people who never got pucca houses, electricity, LPG, toilets during Congress era due to its hua to hua casual approach are now saying enough is enough, he said. Targeting the Kamal Nath government in MP over its alleged failure to implement its loan waiver promise in the state, Modi likened people to God and said, "The ...
Mamata's dictatorship in Bengal, says BJP as permission denied to Shah's rally
The BJP on Monday hit out at the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, alleging the chief minister has replaced democracy with her "dictatorship" after the state administration denied permission to a rally by its president Amit Shah. Shah was scheduled to hold a rally in Jadhavpur Monday but the state administration denied permission for it last night and also withdrew its nod to the landing of Shah's chopper in the constituency, BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters here. He urged the Election Commission to take cognizance of the development, saying the state government wants to to reduce the poll panel to a mute spectator. "This is murder of democracy. The EC should take cognizance of the matter. If important leaders are not allowed to hold rallies then what is the meaning of elections," Javadekar said. He said the West Bengal administration has been denying permission to Shah's poll programmes and events of other important BJP leaders. Banerjee's ...
End terror or we stop our share of water: Gadkari to Pakistan
If Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism, India will have no option but to take the "hard" decision of stopping its share of water of three common rivers, Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari has said, in a warning to the neighbouring country.
Strike against rape of minor disrupts normal life in Srinagar
Normal life was affected in the city on Monday due to a strike called by a religious-cum-separatist organisation against the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. Most schools, shops and other business establishments in the city remained shut due to the strike, officials said. They said public transport was also affected by the strike. However, government offices and banks remained open, the officials said. 'Itehadul Muslimeen' a religious organisation which is also a constituent of moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference - Sunday called for a complete shutdown across the Kashmir Valley on Monday against the alleged rape of the girl at Sumbal in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. In a statement, 'Itehadul Muslimeen' president Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari termed the rape as a blot on the face of humanity. The presence of people with such ill intentions is proving a rot for the society known for upholding its moral values for centuries.
Polling agent held for trying to influence voters in Faridabad: EC
A polling agent was arrested and an FIR was registered against him for allegedly trying to influence voters at a polling booth in Faridabad during the penultimate phase of general elections on Sunday, the Election Commission (EC) has said."The Faridabad District Election Officer has reported that a polling agent was arrested yesterday and FIR has been lodged. He was trying to influence at least three women voters," the EC said on Monday.The poll body, however, did not mention which party the arrested agent was representing, adding that polling was not affected by his arrest."An observer visited the booth at Asawati in Prithla constituency of 10, Faridabad parliamentary constituency. He is satisfied that voting was never vitiated," EC added.A total of 59 Lok Sabha seats, including 10 seats in Haryana, went to polls in the sixth phase of general elections on Sunday. The remaining 59 seats will go to polls on May 19, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.
KCR steps up efforts for third front, to meet DMK chief MK Stalin
In his efforts to form a third front, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is set to meet Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin here on Monday.The two leaders are expected to hold discussions on emerging political developments in the country and possibilities of forming a non-BJP, non-Congress federal front.Earlier in the month, Rao met his Kerala and Karnataka counterparts Pinarayi Vijayan and HD Kumaraswamy to discuss the formation of a federal front government after the results of the Lok Sabha election.After their meeting, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the meeting with Rao was "highly significant" as he asserted that regional parties will play a major role in the formation of the next government at the Centre."A new government will come at the Centre which will follow federal system and secularism. The state will effectively lend support to anyone who supports the development of the state. Our meeting on ...
First terrorist of independent India was Hindu, says Kamal Haasan
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has stirred a controversy by asserting that first terrorist in independent India was a Hindu, referring to Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.The chief of political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam was campaigning in Tamil Nadu's Aravakurichi assembly constituency when he made the remarks."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 said.He further expressed his wishes for an India with equality and said, "I am a grandson of Gandhi and I am here to ask a question about that murder. This should be an equal India and the colours in our flag must be in the same proportion, this is the wish of every good Indian".The statement invoked criticism from Haasan's film industry colleague Vivek Oberoi, a "star campaigner" of the BJP. Oberoi charged the newly-minted politician with appeasing ...