Page 589 - Politics
Pitroda's comments expose Cong's mindset, Modi govt punished anti-Sikh riots accused: Amit Shah
BJP president Amit Shah has slammed the Congress over its leader Sam Pitroda's "so what" remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying they have "exposed" its mindset and asserted it is under the Narendra Modi government that culprits were punished and families of victims compensated. "Thousands of Sikhs were killed mercilessly. The then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi justified it. No one was punished. Manmohan Singh was made (by the Congress) to apologise. What Sam Pitroda has said exposes the Congress' mindset," he told PTI. On Thursday, Pitroda, had dismissed questions about 1984 riots, saying "hua to hua" (so what), triggering a political furore that led to Congress president Rahul Gandhi denouncing his comments followed by an apology from him on Friday. Shah spoke to PTI before Pitroda tendered the apology. The BJP president said several Congress governments at the Centre did little to go after those behind the communal violence and added that they were punished by the Modi ...
Mayawati expresses concern over Alwar gangrape case, derogatory remarks against women in campaigning
Expressing concern over gangrape of a Dalit woman in Alwar and derogatory remarks being used against women by leaders of various political parties in campaigning, BSP president Mayawati Saturday urged the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance of both the cases. "It is most unfortunate that leaders of different political parties are continuously using abusive and derogatory language against women in the campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls to serve their political motives. The Election Commission has not been able to act as strictly as it need to have done," she said. "Our party appeals to the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice of this issue so that some check can be imposed on this practice," the BSP chief said. Referring to the gangrape incident in Rajasthan's Alwar district, she claimed it is more serious that the Congress government of the state did not let the matter come to anyone's notice by "terrorising" the victim's family until the completion of the polling process ...
Akhilesh, Maneka among key candidates in UP Ph-VI polls
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Polling will be held in Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkarnagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Machchlishahr, Bhadohi and Azamgarh constituencies in Purvanchal region of the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 13 of these 14 constituencies in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The only exception was Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition. Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief ...
Thrissur Pooram festival row: Elephant Ramachandran declared medically fit
A team of doctors on Saturday examined parade elephant Thechikottukavu Ramachandran and declared him medically fit to participate in the Thrissur Pooram festival.The district administration had earlier banned the 54-year-old jumbo king citing security reasons, according to reports.Reports suggest that the elephant is partially blind and has killed 13 people.Following the ban by the administration, the Kerala Elephant Owners Federation had announced via Facebook that it would not make any elephant available for elaborate temple festivities.On Sunday, Ramachandran will push open the entrance to the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur that signals the start of the Pooram, a large cultural festival held annually at the temple.
Five phases of elections are over, NDA is finished: Tejashwi Yadav
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday said after five phases of polling it was clear that NDA was defeated and the conflict between Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the reason behind its failure in Bihar."Five of the seven phases of the elections are over and NDA is finished. On 23 May, Bhajpa Gayi (BJP is gone). There is an internal conflict in the NDA, especially in Bihar. Nitish Kumar asks his own party leaders to say that he will be the Prime Minister. Kumar and Modi both are greedy and that is why there is a lack of trust in their coalition," Tejashwi told reporters here.He also stated that the BJP president Amit Shah's road show would not make a big difference as people are against BJP's anti-reservation decisions. "I want Amit Shah to answer why the central government removed the sub-quota reservation for OBC's, the Kushwahas, Dangi, Patel and Ahirs. Paltu Chacha (Nitish Kumar) on the other hand says that nobody can end reservations. ...
Computer Baba files reply to EC; says Digvijaya Singh event was religious not political
Namdas Tyagi also known as 'Computer Baba' has replied to an Election Commission notice to him on an event in which he was seen with Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.Tyagi in his reply said that the event was not a political program but a religious one.Tyagi said, "It was a religious ritual, there was no political program, no information was given about where to put any political poster. Some anti-social elements may have put the posters.""No political speeches have been given here, the invitation was given to common people. The BJP is complaining because the saints are not with them hence the BJP is frightened," he added.Computer Baba had organised a three-day camp along with Singh and other saints here.The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued a notice to Computer Baba after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a complaint against him alleging that he was fanning communal sentiments while campaigning for Congress' Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Digvijaya Singh.Bhopal will ..
We will search for your 'chillam': Akhilesh slams Yogi, his 'thokniti'
With Yogi Adityanath's lookalike by his side, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday attacked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister over his 'thokiniti' (encounter policy).Taking a jibe at the BJP leader, Akhilesh Yadav said that he will direct the same officers, who searched for faucets at his official residence, to look out for 'chillam' (tobacco pipes) when SP-BSP alliance comes to power."We distributed the world's best laptops, why will we steal faucets? People are still using those laptops, they are working well. The government is not permanent for anyone. In the coming time, if the people will give us a chance, then the same officers, who searched for faucets, will look out for 'chillam' (tobacco pipe). If they can find faucets, then we Samajwadi people will work towards finding their 'chillam'," Akhilesh said while addressing a rally here.Suresh Thakur alias Yodha, a lookalike of Yogi Adityanath, was also present at the rally."We cannot bring fake God, but have brought a .
'UK's May could set resignation date in coming days'
UK Prime Minister Theresa May could set a date for her resignation in the coming day, said Graham Brady, the chairman of an influential committee of backbench Conservative MPs, the media reported on Saturday.
Row over Pitroda's remarks refuses to die
The furore over Sam Pitroda's "hua toh hua" remark refused to die down with the BJP and its allies condemning his statement and demanding his expulsion from the Congress.The opposition criticism of the Overseas Indian Congress chief for his remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riot killings came despite Congress President Rahul Gandhi's disapproval of the statement and his advise to him to apologise, which Pitroda did.Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "His (Pitroda's) statement clearly shows that they have no pain and grief for the massacre of Sikhs in 1984. This is why they did nothing to help the Sikh community.""If people like Sam Pitroda are Rahul Gandhi's advisors, one can clearly assume about Gandhi's thought process," he added.Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, another union minister, said, "Sam Pitroda's statement was not because of poor Hindi. His words reflect the actual mentality of the Congress party. Now the truth has surfaced and there is no need to cover up."Shiromani Akali Dal ...
Sanjay Nirupam slams Satya Pal Malik, says 'all governors are chamcha'
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Saturday said "all governors are chamcha (sycophants)" while slamming Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik for allegedly endorsing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Rajiv Gandhi was Bhrashtachari No 1" remark.All those who are governors in our country are basically 'chamcha' of government. Satya Pal Malik is also a 'chamcha'. Rajiv Gandhi got a clean chit from several courts in the Bofors scam, among those who have given him clean chit is the present Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley himself," said Nirupam."When Narendra Modi said Rajiv Gandhi was "corrupt number 1," he faced criticism and shame for his statement. After that, he never said it again. Satpal Malik jumped in the fray to appease Modi so that he may enjoy his position as governor for some more days," he added."The governors should uphold the dignity and respect of their chair and act accordingly," he said.Malik on Thursday waded into the controversy over Modi's 'corrupt no 1' comment
Turkish opposition journalist hospitalized following attack
A journalist critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government and its nationalist allies has been hospitalised after being attacked outside his home. The Yenicag newspaper says Saturday that columnist Yavuz Selim Demirag was beaten up by about five or six people with baseball bats after appearing on a TV show Friday. The reason for the attack was not known but it comes amid tensions over the top electoral authority's decision to cancel the results of the March 31 mayoral race for Istanbul, which was won by the opposition, and order a revote to take place June 23. Erdogan's party says the Istanbul vote was marred by fraud but the opposition says the electoral board was pressured by the government, which desperately wants to hold on to power in Turkey's largest city.
AMMK firm on dislodging AIADMK govt, says Thanga Tamilselvan
In the event of a floor test in the Tamil Nadu assembly to ascertain if the AIADMK regime enjoyed majority, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam will vote against the government, a senior party leader said Saturday. Following the announcement of results for bypolls to the 22 Assembly constituencies on May 23, AMMK propaganda secretary Thanga Tamilselvan said the AIADMK government "will not have majority." During such an eventuality, the AMMK frontline leader told reporters here "a floor test has to be held," in the House and his party would only vote against the government to dislodge it. "Our stand is that this regime should go; that is the truth, and we will dislodge this government to form one led by our leader TTV Dhinakaran," he said adding "people only wish that and this will be known on May 23." "People will vote for us only if we dislodge this government," he added and alleged "betrayers (AIADMK top leaders K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam) came together and are ..
SP, BSP and Congress hinder development by dividing society: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday accused the SP, BSP and the Congress of putting roadblocks on the development of the state by dividing the society for their benefits."The SP, BSP and the Congress never thought of developing the state, had they thought of this they would not have divided the society. Arson, riots, mob violence, clashes used to happen daily under previous governments. Every day, they looted public funds, rations reserved for the poor in the state," Adityanath said at an election rally here.He also accused the previous governments of hindering the celebration of religious festivals in UP by allowing goons to wreak havoc. He said this practice was stopped as soon as his government came to power."Earlier the governments did not allow the celebration of Janmashtami, Durga Puja and other festivals. Riots used to start before every festival. We cleared that no obstruction on festivals would be allowed, we said that there are only two places were a ...
Spotlight on Gorakhpur, Phulpur in last two phases of LS polls
Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats, which will vote in the last two phases of Lok Sabha polls, are again in the limelight as electoral battle intensifies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. The BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in these constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition. Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2019, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017. However, this time, the giant killer in the Gorakhpur bypoll, Praveen Kumar Nishad, has switched over to the BJP, ...
NCW condemns Sidhu's 'bride who does less work' comment on Modi
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Saturday condemned Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu's sexist remark comparing the Prime Minister "to a bride who only makes noise with bangles but doesn't make enough chapattis" and said it portrayed the misogyny of the cricketer-turned-politician.On Twitter, Sharma wrote, "Strongly condemn @sherryontopp comment. It shows his poor mentality towards women. Does he mean women only make roties and Khankao churies? One side Indian women are breaking every glass ceiling and Mr Sidhu can only see her through his misogynist glasses."Earlier today addressing an election rally in Indore, Sidhu said, "Prime Minister Modi is like that woman who makes less chapatis but creates noise with bangles so that neighbours know that she is working hard."During the election rally, the Congress leader also called BJP leaders as 'kale angrez' (Dark skinned British) and urged people of Indore to save the country by voting them out of power.
PM's attack on Rajiv was 'reaction' to insults by Congress: Gadkari
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari described Prime Minister Narendra Modis attack on Rajiv Gandhi as a "reaction" to the "insults" that he has been subjected to by the Congress party and asserted that he cannot be blamed for it.
Priyanka Gandhi to hold roadshow in Varanasi on May 15
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a mega roadshow in Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 15 for the party candidate Ajay Rai.
Key constituencies in Phase 6 of Lok Sabha polls
As campaigning for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 59 constituencies ended Friday evening, over 10.17 crore voters across seven states will decide the fate of 979 candidates by casting their votes on May 12.
J-K Adminstration forms panels to probe into 'irregularities' at govt depts
To probe into complaints of irregularities in appointments and awarding of contracts at various departments from 2010-18, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has constituted fact-finding committees, an official spokesman said here on Saturday. The decision was taken by the administration late Friday night. The each committee would be headed by a senior officer and submit its report by June 14, the spokesman added. "The fact-finding committees will look into allegations of irregularities in the appointments to the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and the Skill Development Department besides awarding of dredging contracts and the lack of progress in the implementation of the State Wide Area Network (SWAN) project," the spokesman said. Giving details, the spokesman said the committee for the J-K Sports Council and the Department of Youth Services would be headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) and include the Secretary, Youth Services and Sports. He said the fact-finding committee ...
Rights groups, family demand answers on missing Thai activists
Three Thai activists in exile and accused of insulting the country's powerful monarchy have gone missing, rights groups and a family member said Saturday, as demands mount for answers on their whereabouts. The activists, Chucheep Chiwasut, who broadcasts political commentary online, and two colleagues, Siam Theerawut and Kritsana Tupthai, were arrested in Vietnam early this year and sent back to Thailand this week, according to rights groups. The mother of Siam, 34, said he was last heard from a few months ago. "He said he is fine, and talked about what he has eaten and places he has visited, but did not say where he was," Kanya Theerawut told AFP, adding she had visited police this week but was told there was no information available. "I want to know where my son is," she said. A senior official with Thailand's special branch police confirmed the three men were in Vietnam but had no information about the arrests. Thailand's deputy prime minister denied they were in Thai custody on ...