Page 595 - Politics
Modi's 'chowkidari' making the rich wealthier: Mayawati
BSP supremo Mayawati targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, alleging that his "chowkidari" was making the rich wealthier and protecting industrialists, while asserting that his "theatrics and rhetoric" would not yield any result in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a rally at the Ramleela Maidan in GTB Enclave of northeast Delhi in support of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidates fielded in the national capital, she said even under the previous Congress governments, no development work was carried out for the minorities, Dalits and backward castes and there was a status quo under the BJP regime. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister arrived at the venue almost two-and-a-half hours late to chants of "Jai Bhim" and "BSP zindabad". A Bhojpuri song -- "Behen Kumari Mayawati ne PM banawange -- was played before her arrival as also after she ended her address. "The BJP will be voted out of power because of its RSS ideology, capitalist, communal, casteist policies and ...
West Delhi: SADD announces support to Congress' Mahabal Mishra in Lok Sabha polls
The Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi (SADD), a splinter group of the Shiromani Akali Dal, has announced its support to Congress' Mahabal Mishra who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from West Delhi. "The West Delhi seat is meant only for Mahabal Mishra because he is an old and experienced leader and he has been working for the public. "When Mishra was a legislator and MP, he had done a lot of work for the development of the area. We extend our full support to him," Paramjeet Singh Sarna, president of the SADD's Delhi unit, said. He alleged that the RSS and the BJP are the "biggest threat" to the Sikh religion. The West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency is dominated by Punjabis and Sikhs. It also has a sizeable population of Purvanchalis and Jats. Thanking the SADD for the "extra strength", Mishra said, "The development work in Delhi is completely silenced and there is a crisis of livelihood in front of the youth due to the anti-people policies of the Modi government. "The GST and the ...
Cong always takes people for granted: Modi on Pitroda's 1984 remark
Slamming Congress for its leader Sam Pitroda's 'So what? remark on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it has exposed the real mindset of the party.He added that Congress always "takes for granted" the people of the country."Can Punjab ever forget the 1984 anti-Sikh riots," Modi asked a public gathering here."Congress has one more stain on it which can never be cleaned. Can Punjab ever forget 1984? Who is responsible for what happened then? For three decades injustice was meted out to my Sikh brothers and sisters, and now Congress says 'hua to hua.'" he said.Continuing his attack on the Congress, the Prime Minister said, "Look at the arrogance by Congress, after 1984 those who killed Sikhs were sent to jails. I am getting them convicted. It was a massive genocide and they say 'hua toh hua'. But this 'chowkidar' will ensure justice. This chowkidar will not spare the murderers of Sikhs."The Prime Minister was reacting to a comment by Pitroda, who on ...
Mayawati attacks Congress, says will provide employment instead of giving Rs 6,000
Attacking Congress party's poll promise NYAY, BSP chief Mayawati on Friday said the financial assistance will not uplift the poor and the problem can only be solved by providing them employment."In these elections, the Congress party is luring people with its promises. They have promised Rs 6,000 monthly to poor. But I say it will not help in their upliftment. If we form the government at the Centre then our government will give permanent employment to poor in government and non-government sectors instead of giving them Rs 6,000. This complex problem can only be solved by providing employment," Mayawati said while addressing an election rally here.NYAY has been at the centre of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's campaign. The scheme promises to provide Rs 72,000 per year to those whose income is below Rs 12,000 monthly if Congress voted to power.The BSP supremo alleged that dalits, tribals and people belonging to other backward castes could not avail the reservation benefits during ...
AAP takes dig at Gambhir for using look alike during campaigning
The AAP took a dig at BJP's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir Friday, alleging that the cricketer-turned-politician had used a lookalike during a roadshow to save himself from scorching heat. The BJP rubbished the charge, saying the AAP was trying to create a controversy over a "minor" thing. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the incident is an example of the "mahamilwat" between Congress and BJP. Tweeting a picture of Gambhir sitting inside a car, Sisodia said "Gambhir is sitting inside an AC car due to scorching heat, while his lookalike who is a Congress leader is campaigning on his behalf." In a video, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj asked what was cooking between the BJP and the Congress. In the clip, Bhardwaj can be seen wearing a cap and dark sunglasses to show how the lookalike could fool the people from a distance. BJP Loksabha Incharge for East Delhi Rajiv Babbar said it is very sad that a particular political party which has lost connect with the people of
Pitroda remark reflects Congress mindset: Modi
Keeping up his attack on the Congress over Sam Pitroda's comment on the anti-Sikh riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said it reflected that party's mindset. Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, Modi linked the remark to the opposition party's arrogance, a mentality which he said will ensure that it gets even fewer than the 44 seats it won in the 2014 parliamentary elections. Answering a reporter's question Thursday on the 1984 riots, Congress leader Sam Pitroda had said hua to hua, which roughly translates as so what? Hua to hua this is a reflection of the mentality of the Congress, the prime minister said, adding that nobody was brought to justice for years after the riots. This is the arrogance of the Congress which brought it to 44 seats. This time the people will pull it down even further, he said. "Our government is doing the job of dispensing justice for the sin committed by the Congress naamdars' in 1984, Modi said, using the Hindi term by which he refers to
Modi flummoxed as BJP heading for defeat: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "flummoxed as the BJP is heading for a defeat" and asserted that his party's proposed minimum income guarantee scheme 'Nyay' will "jump start" the country's economy. He also accused the prime minister of "failing" to keep his 2014 pre-poll promises, including providing jobs to 2 crore youth, remunerative prices for farmers' produce and Rs 15 lakh into the bank accounts of every citizen. "Modi is flummoxed as he can gauge that BJP is heading for a defeat in the polls. He is tensed and is speaking improperly," Gandhi said at a poll rally, his first in Chandigarh after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. As a dust storm hit the area where Gandhi was holding the rally in favour of party nominee Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Congress president told the gathering, "This is the dress rehearsal for May 23 (the day poll results will be declared) as another storm will come that day wiping out the BJP." Bansal
BJP denies Karnataka govt's allegation over grant of funds
The Bharatiya Janata Party Fridayrubbished the Karnataka government's allegation that the Centre was apathetic towards the state over grant of funds. BJP state general secretary Shobha Karandlaje referred to the charge made by state rural development and panchayat raj minister Krishna Byre Gowda that the Centre had not released Rs 1,697 crore towards the rural employment guarantee scheme. Gowda had made the allegation at a press conference here Thursday that the state government had to make payments from its coffers for the works undertaken under the scheme. Clarify on this, Karandlaje said the state government had sought Rs 949 crore from the Centre in October last year against which Rs 434.62 crore had been released. "It is the duty of the state government to get the second instalment released. The government has not only failed in its duty but has also accused the Centre of its inability," Karandlaje had said in a statement. The BJP leader had said the confusion on ...
Will urge Guv to release Rajiv case convicts: Panneerselvam
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam Friday said the government will continue to urge Governor Banwarilal Purohit to release all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The government was for the release of all the convicts, he said and recalled that as early as in 2014, when late J Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister, a decision was taken to release the seven convicts and the Centre was apprised of it. The Supreme Court has now dismissed a plea against the release of the seven convicts and the Governor could take a decision to release them, he said. "We will continue to urge Governor Banwarilal Purohit, on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, to release the Rajiv case convicts," he told reporters here. Senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said the government was confident Purohit would take a good decision at the appropriate time. He said already pressure was exerted on Raj Bhavan over the matter and added, "we will ...
India, UK vow to boost cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism
India and the UK on Friday resolved to step up cooperation in the key areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism and climate change as the two countries held their foreign office consultations to review the entire range of bilateral relations. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale represented the Indian side, while the UK side was headed by Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK government. ?The consultations provided an opportunity to review the entire range of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial, scientific, regional and international cooperation, including in the Commonwealth, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. They expressed satisfaction on the level of political exchanges and decided to further intensify them in the coming months. Both sides agreed to increase their collaboration in the fields of Indo-Pacific, disaster resilience, climate change and development in third countries, ..
India, Vietnam for peaceful Indo-Pacific region based on respect for national sovereignty: VP Naidu
India and Vietnam Friday underlined the importance of building a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region on the basis of respect for national sovereignty and international law as Vice President Venkaiah Naidu held wide-ranging talks with his Vietnamese counterpart to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The two countries reaffirmed their stand a day after the Indian Navy participated with the navies of the US, the Philippines and Japan in their first joint naval exercise in the disputed South China Sea, where China is flexing its muscles. Naidu, who is in Vietnam on a four-day official visit, said the two countries have a strong bilateral relationship based on mutual trust, understanding, convergence of views on regional and international issues. "I am very happy to be visiting Vietnam, a civilisational friend and trusted partner, a strategic pillar of India's Act East Policy and our key interlocutor in ASEAN," Naidu said after holding talks with his Vietnamese Vice ...
Goa: GFP clarifies on Sardesai's 'weaponising youth' remark
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) Friday clarified a remark made by its president Vijai Sardesai about "weaponising youth" to protect "Goanness". The GFP is a constituent of the BJP-led Goa government. During the inauguration of the GFP's head office earlier this week, Sardesai had said, "We are willing to go anywhere to protect the interests of Goans. And if our government has made a mistake, then we will weaponise youth to ensure that Goanness is protected." The statement had received strong criticism with the opposition Congress demanding an apology from Sardesai, also Deputy Chief Minister in the Pramod Sawant government. Justifying the comment, GFP general secretary Prashant Naik said Sardesai's statement was "misinterpreted". "Weaponising youth does not mean promoting violence. It does not mean we will give weapons in the hands of youths," he said. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi's non violence movement, Naik said. "Non violence was the weapon of Gandhiji. When someone talks
Cong distances from Pitroda's 'so what' comment on 1984 riots, asks leaders to be sensitive
The Congress distanced itself on Friday from the "so what" remarks of Sam Pitroda about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and asked the leaders of the party to be careful and sensitive in future. Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party abhorred violence of any kind against any person or group of people on the basis of caste, creed, colour, region or religion, adding that riots and violence had no place in the Indian society. Stating that the Congress had strived to ensure justice for the 1984 riot victims, he said the party continued to support the quest for justice and stern punishment for those found guilty in the anti-Sikh riots, as also the subsequent acts of violence, including the 2002 riots in Gujarat. "Violence and riots are unacceptable and unpardonable in our society... "Any opinion or remark made by any individual to the contrary, including Sam Pitroda, is not the opinion of the Congress party. We advise all leaders to be careful and sensitive," Surjewala said
Lok Sabha polls: 'Dry Days' announced for 48 hours in Delhi
All liquor shops, clubs, bars and other such establishments will remain closed in the city from Friday evening to 6 pm on Sunday, the Delhi excise department has announced. Delhi, which sends seven members to Parliament, goes to polls on Sunday. According to an order issued by the department, "In pursuance of the provision of Rule 52 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, it is hereby ordered that "Dry Days" shall be observed as under on account of general elections to Lok Sabha 2019." Meanwhile, the chief electoral office Friday issued a statement, saying that till date Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in 1984 bottles, 109 half and 2,23,865 quarters and Country liquor in 2104 bottles, 2228 half and 497199 quarters and 9115 bottles of beer have been seized. A total of 1,378 FIRs have been registered and 1,381 people arrested under the Excise Act.
Modi good but BJP MP should go from Gurgaon, says 'chowkidar' fighting LS poll
Both the BJP and the Congress have failed to plug policy loopholes in the governance system, says Anjan Deveshwar, an aircraft engineer who is fighting the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate to present an alternative to common man. Deveshwar, 41, is a self-admitted fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he has identified himself as a chowkidar (a prefix opted on social media by many Modi supporters) even in poll affidavits. However, he has not officially changed his name. "Perhaps I am the only candidate in the country who will have chowkidar title prefixed even on the EVM (electronic voting machine). I am not a fake chowkidar like many others including some ministers and BJP leaders," he told PTI. Deveshwar is critical of Gurgaon's sitting BJP MP Rao Inderjit Singh. "I also admire Modi ji like many people do, but that does not mean you should vote for a 'nikamma' (useless) MP again. Rao Inderjit Singh has never bothered about local issues, he should not get re-elected ...
US-China trade talks resume amid tariffs
Trade talks between the United States and China entered a second day on Friday, hours after Washington more than doubled import duties on hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese merchandise. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He waved to the news media as he was greeted by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. President Donald Trump has accused China of backsliding on core components of a potential trade agreement after months of negotiations, an allegation Beijing rejects.
Mayawati attacks both Modi, Congress at Delhi rally
BSP President Mayawati took on both Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the Congress on Friday as she campaigned in the Lok Sabha elections for the BSP candidates in Delhi.
France opposes 'repeated extensions' on Brexit: presidency
France opposes "repeated extensions" for Britain's exit from the European Union, a presidential official said Friday, keeping to the hard line of Paris on Brexit. France does not want to enter into "a cycle of Brexit summits" following this month's European parliament elections which Britain will take part in after the deadline for its departure from the bloc was extended to the end of October, the official said. The official, who asked not to be named, added that London should "have a solution before October 31" when Britain is due to leave the EU. "The European elections could create a political shock that ends in a bipartisan agreement before June 30," the official said. "But if the situation is not clarified before October 31, as the new commission is taking its place, we are not going to have a cycle of Brexit summits." France under President Emmanuel Macron has shown increasing impatience with Brexit, worrying that the confusion is distracting from the EU's wider ambitions. This
Rahul Gandhi responsible if Modi comes back to power, Cong harming opposition: Kejriwal
Rahul Gandhi will be responsible if Narendra Modi comes back to power, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Friday, accusing the Congress president of harming the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the Left in Kerala, the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the AAP in the national capital. The AAP national convenor's attack, during a wide-ranging interview to PTI, comes two days ahead of elections in Delhi, which is witnessing a three-cornered contest as talks for an alliance between the Congress and the AAP did not fructify. "Congress is harming SP-BSP alliance in UP, Left in Kerala, TMC in West Bengal, TDP in Andhra and AAP in Delhi... If Narendra Modi comes back to power, Rahul Gandhi will only be responsible," Kejriwal said. "It is appearing as if the Congress is fighting the polls against opposition parties and not against the BJP. The Congress is acting as a spoilsport," he added. The Delhi chief minister alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "totally failed" in ...
National security, Modi appeal will propel BJP to better its 2014 tally: Shah
Expressing confidence that the BJP will better its 2014 tally, its president Amit Shah has predicted that the saffron party will win over 55 new seats in the Lok Sabha elections, propelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal and popular support to its national security plank. Shah also scoffed at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their criticism of Modi for attacking their father late Rajiv Gandhi, asserting that "they cannot run away from their past however much they try". In an interview to PTI, Shah, who is at the ruling party's helm since 2014, talked about various aspects of the high-stakes elections, where a fragmented opposition is taking on the BJP-led NDA, which hopes to retain power, riding on its nationalism and development planks. The BJP had swept to its maiden majority in 2014 by winning unprecedented 282 of 543 Lok Sabha seats. Asserting that the BJP will get a majority on its own, 54-year-old Shah said his work over the last .