Page 579 - Politics
Lithuania goes to polls to elect new president
Lithuania on Sunday held the first round of presidential elections, with nine candidates running for the country's highest office.The nine candidates include Naglis Puteikis, the chairman of the Lithuanian Centre Party; Valentinas Mazuronis, a member of the European Parliament and a former Lithuanian minister of environment; economist Gitanas Nauseda; philosopher Arvydas Juozaitis; Ingrida Simonyte, a former minister of finance; Vytenis Andriukaitis, Lithuania's European commissioner; Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis; Valdemar Tomasevski, the chairman of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania party; and lawmaker Mindaugas Puidokas, Sputnik reported.Opinion polls show Simonyte leading with 26.2 per cent, while Nauseda is second with 24.6 per cent and Skvernelis is third with 16.6 per cent.The elections are scheduled to end on May 26.Meanwhile, incumbent President Dalia Grybauskaite is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in office.
PM Modi hits back at Rahul Gandhi, says Congress hurls 'love-veiled abuses'
Responding to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's charge of "hatred" being used by Prime Minister Narendra in poll campaigns, the latter on Sunday alleged that the Congress leaders hurl "love-veiled abuses" at him every day."They (Congress leaders) hurl abuses at me every day. They hurl all types of abuses at me. They bring dictionaries of love from all over the world and hurl abuses at me after putting a veil of love on them," Modi said at a rally here.Earlier in the day, Gandhi had said that PM Modi used "hatred" while Congress used "love" in poll campaigns. "Narendra Modi used hatred, while we used love. Love will win," Gandhi said after casting his vote in New Delhi.The Prime Minister asserted that the people of the country are voting for him as his government carried out anti-terrorism operations during its tenure, bringing respite to people from terror.He said, "Terrorists, who used to terrorise people, are in fear. The country's courage increases as they fear. People are voting .
Modi's cloud comments painfully embarrassing: Mehbooba
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reported remarks about clouds helping the Indian Air Force jets escape Pakistani radars during Balakot airstrikes as "painfully embarrassing". Mehbooba wondered whether the prime minister authorising the operation in bad weather by overruling the advice of the IAF led to the strikes "failing" to hit the intended target. "No secret that Balakot strikes failed to hit the intended target. Was it because PM overruled the advice of IAF & authorised airstrikes in bad weather?" Mehbooba asked in a tweet. "Cloud cover logic is painfully embarrassing. Remind me again, why is RG (Congress president Rahul Gandhi) derided as Pappu? #cloudonradargone". The Peoples Democratic Party president said the Bharatiya Janata Party's ability to "suspend logic" in its quest to win another term is "mind numbingly fatuous", adding that the armed forces do not deserve this. "I was raked over the coals ..
SP-BSP incapable of handling goons, how will they combat terrorism: PM Modi
Sharpening his attack against the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked how parties that are incapable of handling "roadside goons" can combat terrorism.Addressing a poll rally here, Modi claimed that 'vote-cutter' Congress' defence policy encourages terrorism."SP-BSP can't fight terrorism, these people can't even control roadside goons, how will they combat terrorism? Meanwhile, vote-cutter Congress' defence policy encourages terrorism and naxalism," said.Modi went on to say that he has never utilised his public office for personal gains while taking a jibe at the 'bua-babua' duo (Mayawati and Akhilesh)."I remained the chief minister of a prosperous state for more than the terms of 'bua' and 'babua' summed up together. I am also the Prime Minister of the country for the last 5 years. But I have never used my office for removing my poverty or poverty of my family," said Modi."I never dreamt of becoming wealthy by 'jod-tod' ...
Army won't wait for EC clearance: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Army cannot wait for clearance from the Election Commission to take action against terrorists.
40% turnout in Phase 6 of LS polls till 2 p.m.
Nearly 40 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the 59 Lok Sabha seats in the sixth and penultimate phase of the elections till 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Over 39 pc voting in Haryana till 2 pm; polling peaceful
A voter turnout of 39.16 per cent was recorded till 2 pm in ten Lok Sabha seats of Haryana on Sunday, with Kurukshetra and Hisar constituencies witnessing brisk polling. Polling began Sunday at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm in the 10 parliamentary constituencies which are going to polls in a single phase, officials said. The poll percentage recorded till 2 pm for the ten seats was 39.16 per cent, poll officials said. As per the constituency-wise break up, Kurukshetra from where Haryana minister Nayab Singh Saini is pitted against Congress's Nirmal Singh and INLD's Arjun Chautala, recorded poll percentage of 44.43 while Hisar recorded poll percentage of 43.72. Sirsa, Karnal, Bhiwani-Mahendergarh, Sonipat, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Ambala and Faridabad registered polling percentage of 39.30, 34.71, 42.20, 40.53, 38.97, 37.22, 35.75 and 37.15 respectively, as per poll officials. Indian Cricket team captain Virat Kohli was among early voters who exercised his franchise at a polling booth in ...
Bharati Ghosh's convoy attacked: WB CEO directs DM to file report
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab has sought a report from District Magistrate of Ghatal in West Bengal regarding the attack on Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) candidate Bharati Ghosh's convoy earlier on Sunday.The BJP accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of attacking Ghosh's convoy and obstructing her entry into a polling booth in Keshpur.Ghosh, a former IPS officer, is contesting from Ghatal. She had arrived at the booth alleging that BJP polling agents were not being allowed to sit at the booth in Keshpur.She also alleged that she was surrounded and heckled by female workers of TMC who tried to prevent her from entering the booth. The attack on her convoy resulted in severe injuries to one of her security personnel.Ghosh is taking on sitting MP and Bengali actor-turned-lawmaker Deepak Adhikari from TMC.In another instance, West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh alleged that TMC goons had been threatening BJP workers since yesterday, and today, stopped his party ...
Millions vote in LS battle, BJP worker killed (Third Lead) (2 p.m.)
President Ram Nath Kovind, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi were among the millions who voted on Sunday in the sixth and penultimate round of the Lok Sabha elections in which a BJP worker was killed in West Bengal.
PM Modi 'used hatred' in elections, we 'used love': Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday cast his vote in Lok Sabha polls here and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he "used hatred" during the elections but the Congress "used love". Asserting that this elections saw a "good fight" between the two rival parties, Gandhi said he thought that "love is going to win". "Prime Minister Narendra Modi used hatred, we used love. And, I think love is going to win," Gandhi told reporters, soon after exercising his franchise. Clad in his trademark kurta-pyjama, he was accompanied by party's New Delhi candidate Ajay Maken on way to the polling booth, a walking distance from his Tughlaq Lane residence. "This election is being fought basically on three-four issues, and these are people's issues and not of the Congress party. And most important among these is of unemployment. Then, plight of farmers, and demonetisation and Gabbar Singh Tax (mocking GST), which have destroyed the power of India and its economy," Gandhi said. The seven ...
There is an 'atmosphere' for BJP to form govt in K'taka: Yeddyurappa
Once again triggering speculation about the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa said Sunday there is an "atmosphere" for his party to form government in the state. Stating that his party workers are fighting the by-polls for Kundgol and Chincholi assembly constituencies unitedly, the former state chief minister predicted BJP's victory on both the seats. "I'm confident we will win this election easily with bigger margins. No BJP leader from any community despite they (Congress) trying to lure them, has switched sides. Whether Venugopal (AICC general secretary) or any one else comes, they cannot shake any of our karyakartas or leaders," Yeddyurappa said. Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, he said, "Our people are together and are united. At a time when there is an atmosphere for us to form government, at a time when we are confident of winning both the assembly segments, our karyakartas will not fall prey to any confusion. They (Congress) will .
"Impressed, we don't have these in Australia": Envoy on EVMs
The Australian High Commissioner to India, who is here to observe the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, praised the Election Commission for a "well-organised and orderly" election as 59 seats voted on Sunday. Harinder Sidhu said witnessing the exercise was an inspiring experience and added that she was impressed with the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)."It has been a really inspiring experience to see the world largest democracy go to polls... How can India get so many people to vote? Answer is well-organised Election Commission. It is a good system, orderly, organised and efficient," Harinder Sidhu told ANI at a polling booth in the national capital.Sidhu opined that use of EVMs in the national elections signifies the "high quality of Indian democracy"."I am really impressed with EVMs, we do not have those in Australia. I think even with paper ballots which we have in Australia, it is always a case where there is a risk to integrity in any system. VVPAT is actually a good ...
Delhi senior citizens elated to vote in LS polls
Senior citizens, who have seen the rise and fall of various leaders and the change over from the ballot paper to electronic voting machines (EVMs), were elated to exercise their franchise on Sunday despite the intense heat.
PM Modi does not talk about pressing issues: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring pressing issues such as employment and woman safety during his election campaign."He never replies to anything I say. Even the demand put forth by Rahul Gandhi to have a one-on-one debate with him, was not paid heed to. He talks about everything during his election campaign but the pressing issues such as employment, farmer issues and woman safety," she told the media, adding that job creation for the youth, farmers' progress and safety of women are among the key challenges facing the country.Her comments came after she cast her vote at a polling booth in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya at Lodhi Estate as the national capital went to polls in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election."I have cast my vote keeping in mind the democracy of our country needs to be safeguarded. It is clear that there is resentment among the people of the country against the incumbent government. PM Modi-led ..
31.53% polling recorded in Haryana (2nd Lead) (1 p.m.)
Haryana on Sunday witnessed only 31.53 per cent voting till 1 p.m. for the state's 10 Lok Sabha seats, an election official said.
'Crocodile tears', 'dirty politics': Modi, Mayawati clash over Alwar gang-rape
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing "dirty politics" over the gang-rape of a Dalit girl in Alwar. The former chief minister also assured of action by her party in the matter. Modi countered by saying she is shedding "crocodile tears by only making statements"."In the wake of this incident (Alwar gang-rape), Modi is doing dirty politics. BSP for sure will take required political decision if strict action is not taken in the case," Mayawati said in a press note by her party.Modi, at a rally in Kushinagar, urged Mayawati to withdraw support from the Rajasthan government- accused by both the prime minister and the BSP supremo of brushing the gang-rape case aside for political gains."Behenji you will have to answer, why didn't you withdraw support to Rajasthan's Congress government after a Dalit daughter was gang-raped in the state? You are shedding crocodile tears by only making statements," Modi said during the campaign.Mayawati
TMC indulging in violence due to 'frustration', claims BJP
In the backdrop of instances of vandalism and clashes in West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday claimed that Trinamool Congress is indulging in violence out of "frustration".Addressing media here, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said TMC is "feeling the heat" as people are voting in favour of BJP."In Jhargram, our booth president (Raman Singh) was found dead. In Ghatal constituency, stones were pelted at our candidate Bharati Ghosh's vehicle, she was injured and her vehicle was impounded by the local administration. Instead of acting against goons, her movement has been curtailed and she is also being denied her right of visiting polling booths."Alleging that the violence in West Bengal is unabated and causing tremendous pain to voters, Javadekar went on to say, "We had given yesterday a list of 1500 unsocial elements to Election Commission to be apprehended, but they were not. We had also requested EC that observer must ensure proper deployment of para-military forces. .
Paswan seeks CBI probe into Dalit woman rape case
Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the rape of a Dalit woman in Rajasthan's Alwar and accused the Congress government in the state of hiding the crime for several days for electoral benefit. The Lok Sabha polls in the state are now over. The Lok Janshakti Party chief said in a statement the state government is responsible for such a "condemnable" development. He alleged it did not allow a case to be filed until the election concluded in the state. The crime had happened on April 26 but a case was registered on May 7 after the polls were over in the state on May 6, Paswan said. "We demand a CBI probe and stringent action against the culprits," he said. He also took a swipe at BSP supremo Mayawati over her criticism of the Rajasthan government, accusing her of shedding crocodile tears. She supports the Congress after elections everywhere, he said. Mayawati's BSP has given support to the Congress government in the state.
Azamgarh: SP complains to EC alleging misconduct by poll official
Alleging misconduct by a polling official at a booth here, Samajwadi Party (SP) has written a letter to the Election Commission of India complaining against the same.The SP alleged that at booth number 57, set up at Primary School Mustafabad of Mehnagar Assembly constituency, the polling officer is casting votes on behalf of elder women and senior citizens.Citing poll provisions, the letter further stated that in case of any difficulty, the family members must assist such people in voting.The SP demanded that the polling officer of the concerned booth must be removed from the polling duty and a case must be registered in this regard.Voting for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls began on Sunday morning. A total of 59 seats from six states and one Union Territory are polling today.The final phase of polling will be held on May 19, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.
LS polls: BJP candidate Pragya Thakur casts vote in Bhopal
BJP candidate Pragya Thakur, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, cast her vote at a polling booth in the state capital on Sunday. Voting was underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies - Bhopal, Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha and Rajgarh - in the third phase of elections in the state. Thakur, who is an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, went to a booth in Rivera Town area here in the morning and exercised her democratic right. She is pitted against Congress veteran Digvijay Singh, who is a registered voter at his ancestral town Raghogarh in Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP's Alok Sanjar won from Bhopal by a margin of over 3.70 lakh votes. Besides Singh and Thakur, the third phase of polling in the state will also decide the fate of Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia and senior BJP leader and Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Scindia is seeking a re-election from ..