Page 605 - Politics
Modi destroyed economy with demonetisation, GST: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday again attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his decision to implement demonetisation and a "flawed" GST, claiming that it broke the economy's backbone by resulting in the closure of many small and medium businesses across the country.
ECI issues notice to Computer Baba on BJP's complaint of 'fanning communal sentiments'
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued a notice to Congress supporter 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.Computer Baba has been asked to file a reply within 24 hours.This comes after Namdas Tyagi, alias Computer Baba organised a three-day camp along with Singh and other saints here.District Collector Bhopal, Sudam Pandharinath Khade also ordered an inquiry to investigate if a permission was granted to Tyagi to organise the camp.Besides this, Khade had also sought a probe on the cost of the event as well as the role of Congress leader Digvijaya Singh in it.During the three-day camp, Digvijaya had on Tuesday also performed a 'havan' in the presence of Tyagi and other saints at a 'maha yagna' organised in Bhopal.Tyagi said that the yagna was a form of 'Hat Yoga' to ensure Digvijaya's win in the Lok Sabha
Congress calls PM 'master of disinformation' after SC verdict on Rahul
Hours after the Supreme Court dismissed a plea questioning Congress President Rahul Gandhi's citizenship on Thursday, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Sighvi accused the BJP of falsehood and called Prime Minister Modi "master of disinformation".
US seizes large North Korean ship used to transport coal
The Trump administration says it has seized a North Korean cargo ship that US officials say was used to transport coal in violation of international sanctions. The Justice Department announced the seizure Thursday of the Wise Honest. The ship was detained by Indonesia last month with two dozen crew members on board. US officials say payments for maintenance and equipment for the ship were made unwittingly in American dollars through US banks. The announcement was made at a time of tension between the two countries. It came hours after North Korea fired two suspected short-range missiles in its second weapons launch in five days. The launch is a possible sign that nuclear disarmament talks with the US could be in danger.
FBI adds Osama's son to its seeking more information list
The FBI on Thursday added Hamza bin Laden, the son of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, to its Seeking More Information List (SMIL), two months after the US announced a reward of up to USD 1 million for information on his whereabouts. Hamza is wanted for questioning in connection with his membership in the al-Qaeda and his public declarations threatening the security of the US. He has ties to, and may be located in, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, or Iran. Described by the US as an "emerging leader" within al-Qaeda, Hamza has been classified as a "terrorist" by the US since 2017. In March, the State Department said that it would offer USD 1 million for information leading to his location in any country. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Thursday added Hamza to its Seeking More Information List (SMIL) regarding his terrorist activities. Investigators believe Hamza is married to the daughter of Al-Qaeda senior leader Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, aka Abu Muhammad al Masri, who has .
Not AAP, only Congress can defeat Narendra Modi: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday accused the AAP of "opening doors" for Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and asserted that it is only his party that can defeat the BJP. Addressing a rally here, his second in four days in the national capital, Gandhi said he acknowledges the Congress has made mistakes, but its intention is good and the party does not promise anything it cannot deliver. Canvassing for his party's East Delhi candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely, he claimed that PM Modi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal make promises that cannot be fulfilled. "The Aam Aadmi Party gave a slogan (in 2014) 'Arvind Kejriwal for CM and Narendra Modi for PM'. The doors for Narendra Modi were opened by the AAP," Gandhi said. "One cannot hear the slogan 'chowkidar chor hain' (the watchman is the thief) in the Aam Aadmi Party office," he said. In his rally on Monday, Gandhi had held Kejriwal responsible for the failure of alliance talks and claimed the AAP national convener took a ...
Rafale: Centre says mismatch between CAG report and SC not a big error
The Centre on Thursday filed another affidavit in the Supreme Court in the Rafale deal against the perjury plea of the petitioners seeking a review, claiming the mismatch between a certain portion of the judgement pronounced on December 14, 2018, about its submissions on the CAG report, is not a major error and that it does not affect the judgement.
Russia condemns new US sanctions on Iran, urges talks
Russia on Thursday denounced new US sanctions on Iran's mining industry and called for talks to preserve the nuclear deal with Tehran. "The United States has just introduced a new package of sanctions affecting the mining industry in Iran. We strongly condemn this step," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Because of the "seriousness of what is happening," Iran and world powers should meet "to determine ways to normalise the situation," the ministry said. Moscow said it understood why Iran, in the face of US sanctions, had decided to suspend some of its commitments under the deal. But it urged Tehran to "refrain from further steps to curtail the fulfilment of its obligations", while calling on other partners in the deal to meet their promises. Among the steps that needed to be taken, it said, were moves to facilitate financial transactions and to continue trade and economic cooperation. "We urge everyone not to cut off economic ties, including the purchase of Iranian products, ..
Modi's recent statements show he is 'cracking under pressure': Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statements and interviews show that he is "cracking under pressure". Modi is right to be nervous about the election results, Gandhi said on Twitter "Dear Mr Modi, your recent statements, interviews and videos are giving India the distinct feeling that you're cracking under pressure. You are, however, certainly right to be nervous about the results," the Congress president said. The Congress, which was decimated in the 2014 general election, is engaged in a bitter fight with the BJP as it seeks to revive its fortunes and dislodge the saffron party from power.
Directed DCP to file FIR in Atishi pamphlet case: East Delhi returning officer
The returning officer of the East Delhi parliamentary constituency directed the police on Thursday to "file an FIR" in connection with a controversial pamphlet containing "objectionable remarks" against AAP candidate Atishi, which the party alleged was distributed by her BJP rival, Gautam Gambhir. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in turn, denied the charge and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of staging such incidents. A vehement Gambhir said he will file a defamation suit against the leaders of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Earlier in the day, Atishi broke down at a press conference while reading the pamphlet containing "obscene and derogatory" remarks against her. She alleged that the pamphlets were distributed in the East Delhi constituency by Gambhir, a charge denied by the cricketer-turned-politician. Hours after the controversy broke out, East Delhi Returning Officer K Mahesh said he had "directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) to file an FIR" in connection with the
Delhi Metro services to start at 4 am on polling day
The Delhi Metro will run its trains two hours earlier than regular timing, on May 12 so that the staff deployed for election duty can avail the facility for travelling.Instead of 6 AM the train services will begin from 4 AM, an official statement read."On the day of the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi on May 12, 2019 (Sunday) the Delhi Metro train services on all Lines will start from 04:00 AM so that the staff deployed in election duty can avail the facility," the release said.According to the release, the trains going from Dwarka Sector 21 towards Vaishali will begin operations at 04:30 am.DMRC said that the trains will run with a frequency of 30 minutes on all the Lines till 06:00 am and after that Metro trains will run as per the normal Sunday timetable throughout the day.Delhi, where 7 parliamentary seats are at stake will witness polling on May 12.
Rahul Gandhi has lost mental balance: Jai Ram Thakur
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur Thursday said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has "lost his mental balance", in another case of name-calling during these Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a poll rally here, Thakur claimed that party leaders remain tense whenever the Gandhi scion is addressing a rally, fearing that he might cause embarrassment. The Congressmen feel relieved when Rahul completes his speech, Thakur claimed. In contrast, every word of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches is analysed internationally, Thakur said. The chief minister further said that the Congress leadership was in a "pathetic" condition. He said that Modi strengthened the national security and unlike the previous Congress regime, a befitting reply is given to Pakistan if there is a terror attack in India. Due to Narendra Modi's dynamic leadership and successful foreign policy, India is shining on the global platform, Thakur said. Not only is India getting respect from almost every nation in the .
BJP as corrupt as Congress: Mayawati
Alleging that the BJP is "as corrupt as the Congress", BSP supremo Mayawati Thursday sought people's support for her party and its allies in the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a joint rally of the BSP and its ally the Loktantra Suraksha Party floated by rebel BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini, she claimed that both the Congress and the BJP had come to power with the support of Dalits "but did nothing for them". "The Dalits and backward communities have always been used as vote bank by the Congress and the BJP, but they failed to improve their condition," Mayawati claimed. "We must not allow them to come to power again," she told the rally. The BSP has fielded Shashi Saini from the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat. She said Kanshi Ram understood the plight of the Dalits and started a movement throughout the country to make them aware about their rights and need for unity. Later, he founded the BSP, Mayawati said. Hitting out at the Congress, she said the party ruled the country for decades, but failed
Take money and gifts from other parties but vote for AAP: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday asked voters not to refuse money or gifts offered to them by other political parties, but cast their votes for the Aam Aadmi Party. "On the night of election, do they (other political parties) come to give money or not? Accept that money or gifts because it has been bought with money which they stole from you," Kejriwal said at a roadshow without mentioning the BJP or Congress. "What will you do? Take it, don't deny it, but vote for jhadu (broom, AAP's election symbol)," the AAP chief said in the roadshow in support of South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha. Kejriwal had made a similar comment earlier this month, following which he was sent a show cause notice by the Election Commission. He was joined by actress Swara Bhasker in the roadshow. Chadha said the youth would reject the "politics of hooliganism". The roadshow started at Bapu Sambhav Camp, Chattarpur and ended at Kundan Chowk in Bijwasan. Kejriwal urged people to vote on Sunday ...
PM Modi tears into Congress in Jaunpur
Taking a jibe at his rival parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stated that Congress's condition is so bad that they have already left the election-field midway, while SP-BSP is worried about their alliance not working in the state."After five phases of elections, the condition is such that Congress has already left the field without playing the match. They have run away. As far as SP-BSP is concerned, they are worried because the voter transfer formulae on which they did alliance have been rejected by the public," said Prime Minister Modi while addressing an election rally in Jaunpur parliamentary constituency.Launching a scathing attack on SP-BSP alliance, PM Modi said that Mayawati is now campaigning for those people who called Baba Saheb Ambedkar a 'land-mafia'."Only after May 23, Behen Ji will understand the game that has been played to keep her outside of Uttar Pradesh. She is asking votes for those who insulted Ambedkar at every step. Five years back at this same ..
DCW takes suo-motu in 'derogatory' remarks pamphlet circulated against AAP's Atishi
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Thursday took suo-motu cognisance on reports of a pamphlet being circulated against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Atishi Marlena from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.The Commission in the letter asked the Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) whether an FIR in the matter was registered or any accused were identified and arrested. If not the DCP was asked to file a reply on May 11, 12 pm."It has been reported that pamphlets containing highly derogatory and objectionable remarks against Atishi are being circulated in the East Delhi constituency. The pamphlets contain shameful, defamatory and sexist remarks against Ms. Atishi as well as the mother of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. This act is a vicious attack on the character and reputation of a female candidate and clearly outrages the modesty of a woman," the DCW said.Marlena broke down at a press conference earlier in the day accusing BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir of circulating ...
Dikshit, Tiwari to square off in North-East Delhi
Caste equations will be in focus on Sunday when people of North-East Delhi parliamentary constituency set out to choose their representative in the Lok Sabha for the next five years with the BJP's Manoj Tiwari facing off against Congress veteran and former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Rajiv case: "Confident TN Governor won't release convicts"
The relative of a victim and a survivor of the 1991 suicide bomber attack which killed former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi Thursday said they are confident Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit will not release the seven life convicts in the assassination case. However, parties, including the DMK, and relatives of the convicts demanded their immediate release. The Congress in Tamil Nadu said there should be no pressure on the Governor over the issue. Hours after the Supreme Court dismissed their plea objecting to the State government's 2014 decision recommending release of the seven convicts,they exuded confidence that justice will be done. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, "All aspects were covered in the earlier constitution bench verdict in the case and therefore nothing survives in the case." S Abbas, coordinator of the families of victims and the petitioner in the case in the apex court, said the judgment saddened him. "We are consulting on aspects ..
EC orders re-poll on one booth of Anand LS constituency
The Election Commission (EC) has annulled all the votes cast at a booth in the Anand Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat last month and ordered fresh polling on May 12, an official said Thursday. The EC move came in the wake of report of bogus polling at the booth submitted by officials. A release issued by Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna here said re-polling will be held on a booth, officially named '239-Dharmaj-8', on May 12 as the EC has cancelled the polling held there on April 23. The booth is located in Dharmaj village of Anand district, around 75km from here. Fresh polling for the voters of the booth will be held between 7 am and 6 pm, the release said. According to Anand district collector Dilip Rana, the EC has taken the decision following his report about bogus polling on the booth on April 23, when all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat went to the polls. "At the time of polling on April 23, an incident of bogus voting was detected by us. We have .
Punjabis don't need lessons from Modi on nationalism: Tewari
Senior Congress leader and party candidate from Shri Anandpur Sahab, Manish Tewari Thursday said that Punjabis do not need any lessons on nationalism from anyone, much less from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an interaction with reporters after attending several party meetings here, Tewari also condemned Modi for "stooping very low to abuse" former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with "utter lies". "Majority of the freedom fighters who went to jail or laid down their lives for the freedom of the country were Punjabis and all of them were Congressmen," he said when asked how the party was going to counter the "nationalist narrative" of the BJP. Asking Modi to name a single nationalist who shared the BJP's ideology, Tewari said the saffron party "stood nowhere" in comparison to the Congress when it came to sacrificing lives for the unity and integrity of the country. "Ms Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, late Beant Singh, my father Prof Vishwanath Tewari and scores of other Congressmen have ..