Page 612 - Politics
2 Russian spies sentenced in Montenegro in coup attempt
A Montenegro court on Thursday sentenced 13 people, including two Russian secret service operatives, to up to 15 years in prison after they were convicted of plotting to overthrow the Balkan country's government and prevent it from joining NATO. Chief judge Suzana Mugosa said the two Russians, identified as Eduard Shishmakov and Vladimir Popov, were convicted of "attempted terrorism" and "creating a criminal organisation." The two were tried in absentia. Shishmakov received a 15-year prison term while Popov got 12 years. Two leading ethnic Serb opposition politicians, Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic, were sentenced to five years each. The verdict said the group planned to take over parliament on election day on October 16, 2016, assassinate then-Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and install a pro-Russia, anti-NATO leadership. Montenegro joined NATO in June 2017 as the Western military alliance's 29th member despite strong opposition from Moscow, which considers the small Adriatic ...
Ex-Haryana CM Hooda looks to make LS comeback after 15 years
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is looking to make a comeback to Parliament after a gap of 15 years, is pitching himself as the man who brought development to the state and his Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency.
Delhi poll body sends notice to BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri for using Hindi slur against Kejriwal
The Delhi poll body has issued a notice to BJP's South Delhi candidate Ramesh Bidhuri for allegedly using a Hindi slur for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at a public meeting. The public meeting held on May 7 in Mehrauli and Bidhuri was joined by Union Minister Giriraj Singh. During the rally, Bidhuri used a Hindi slur against the Aam Aadmi Party supremo, and accused him of stalling the prosecution of former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar in a sedition case. AAP's South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha had lodged a complaint with the Delhi chief electoral officer in connection with the matter, following which a notice was issued to Bidhuri. The incumbent BJP MP has to reply to the notice by May 10. Bidhuri is locked in a triangular fight with boxer Vijender Singh, who is making his electoral debut on a Congress ticket and AAP's debutant candidate Chadha. Delhi will go to polls on May 12.
Cong seeks cancellation of notification for Council bypoll
Congress in Telangana Thursday urged the Election Commission to either cancel the notification issued for by-elections to three vacancies in the Legislative Council as no voters' list had been published or extend time to have new voters' list. The notification for the bypolls to fill vacancies in the Council from the Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Warangal Local Authorities' Constituencies was issued on Tuesday last. The nominations can be filed from May 7 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission on the night of May 6, but no voters' list was published by the EC till May 9 afternoon, state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. Every candidate is mandated to be proposed by at least 10 electors and how is it possible to do so in the absence of published voters' list, Reddy asked. He pointed out that new Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) .
Pawar criticises Modi over his remarks against Rajiv Gandhi
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent criticism of late PM Rajiv Gandhi, including his "corrupt number 1" barb directed at the latter. Pawar said it did not behove the prime minister to make such a remark about the person who was not alive. Modi at a rally in Uttar Pradesh last Saturday targeted Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Your father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'bhrashtachari' no 1 (corrupt number 1)." Besides, in a sensational charge, Modi on Wednesday accused the Gandhi family of using warship INS Viraat as its "personal taxi" when Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister. Reacting to the allegations, Pawar told reporters here, "That person (Rajiv Gandhi) is not alive. His death was painful, for anyone." He said two individuals -- Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi -- from the Gandhi family became prime minister and were killed. "And after such big sacrifice, it does ...
Siwan: Shahabuddin's wife faces wife of another 'gangster'
After unsuccessfully contesting twice, Hina Sahab, wife of jailed former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, is going all out to win from Bihar's Siwan constituency which was once an undisputed stronghold of her husband.
Trump Jr subpoenaed to testify on Russia contacts
The US Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr, the President's eldest son, seeking an additional closed-door testimony as part of lawmakers' ongoing probe of the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to people familiar with the summons.
Atishi breaks down over derogatory pamphlet, Gambhir blamed
Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) East Delhi constituency candidate Atishi on Thursday broke down at a press conference where she and her party accused her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir of circulating derogatory pamphlets about her.
PM can talk about my father, but what about Rafale?: Rahul Gandhi hits back
Rahul Gandhi raked up the Rafale issue to hit out at Narendra Modi saying that Prime Minister can talk as much as he wants about Rajiv Gandhi, but he should also talk about the jet deal with France. The Congress president, who has alleged irregularities in the defence deal, was referring to Modi's recent remark stating that the Gandhi family used INS Virat as a "personal taxi" while holidaying on an island."Prime Minister Modi can talk as much as he wants about my father (Rajiv Gandhi) but he should also talk about Rafale deal and what he has done to give two crore jobs to the youth of the country," the Gandhi scion said at a rally in Sirsa.Modi, at a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi by calling his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi "corrupt number 1". "Your father was termed 'Mr. Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No. 1'," the prime minister had said.Gandhi continued his tirade against Modi over Rafale deal, an issue
'Facts don't matter for Modi', says Cong over PM's INS Viraat remarks on Rajiv Gandhi
Congress on Thursday denied allegations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the late Rajiv Gandhi used the INS Viraat as a "personal taxi" on a family vacation stating that for Modi "facts do not matter".At a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "Rajiv Gandhi was on an official visit and it was not a holiday, but facts do not matter to Prime Minister Modi."He said that the retired Indian Navy Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha had given a clarification that the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was on an official visit on INS Viraat and not on a vacation.The Congress leader criticised the NDA government, stating "Modi government has nothing to say about its achievements. PM Modi asks for votes on his failures and a prime example is Pulwama terror attack which happened due to its monumental failure on internal security."He questioned, "Why is the Prime Minister Modi not debating on Rafale deal for even 25 minutes as asked by Congress president Rahul Gandhi who ..
LS Polls: Will win by huge margin from Dhanbad, says Kirti Azad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) [India], May 9 (ANI): Congress leader Kirti Azad on Thursday said he is confident of winning by a huge margin against sitting Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) MP PN Singh from Dhanbad.Singh won the 2014 general election by a margin of 2,92, 954 votes against Ajay Kumar Dubey of Congress.Speaking to ANI, Azad said, "I am confident about a huge victory. People of Dhanbad want a change and I understand the pain they are going through because I have worked here for 11 years.""Dhanbad has earned me bread and butter which I can not forget as I belong to Jharkhand whereas my opponent Singh is from Bihar," added Azad.Criticising the BJP leader over lack of development in the region in last five years, the Congress leader said, "What has PN Singh done for this area? Name one thing which he has done for his constituency. 26 trains terminated permanently and setting up IIM and AIIMS did not happen. All these were central government projects."A total of 20 candidates are contesting .
Guaido's deputy detained by Venezuelan authorities
Venezuelan National Assembly's Vice President Edgar Zambrano was detained by intelligence officials outside the Democratic Action Party's headquarters on Wednesday evening.This comes after the parliamentary immunity of seven opposition leaders was removed in the wake of the failed coup which took place on April 30. The leaders include Luis Florido, Henry Ramos Allup, Richard Blanco, Marianela Lopez, Simon Calzadilla and Americo de Grazia, along with Zambrano, according to Sputnik.Zambrano is one of Juan Guaido's closest aides. Reacting to the news, Guaido tweeted in Spanish: "Our @AsambleaVE is the only elected power in Venezuela. With these actions, the usurpation aims to affect the only democratic institution legitimized by the popular vote. And Comrade Zambrano has a sacred element that the usurper does not know: the support of the People.""I warn whoever ordered this action that he will have to assume the consequences of crimes that do not prescribe. There is time to stop these ...
Rajiv lost his life due to BJP's hatred: Ahmed Patel
Congress leader Ahmed Patel hit out at the BJP on Thursday for its attack on the late Rajiv Gandhi, saying the former Prime Minister lost his life due to hatred as the then BJP-backed government refused to provide him additional security.
Cash seizure in police vehicle in Hassan: Ktaka BJP seeks ECI for independent probe
A Karnataka BJP delegation Thursday approached the Election Commission requesting an independent probe into the alleged role of police officers in carrying Rs 1.2 lakh in a government vehicle in the Hassan constituency a day before polling in the state. The delegation, comprising BJP national general secretary Muralidhar Rao, party's state general secretary Aravind Limbavali and MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, informed the ECI that it does not have "faith and trust" in the investigation being carried out by the state police department. "It is a serious complaint. The money was seized on April 17 from a police vehicle in Holenarsipura, Hassan constituency a day before the first phase of election. This is a serious incident," Rao told reporters after meeting the ECI. The delegation demanded an independent inquiry in the matter instead of an investigation by the state police department. "We have given a memorandum and the EC has agreed with our arguments and assured of coming out with a ...
Only Modi can ensure national security: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah Thursday said Narendra Modi should be brought back as prime minister as only he can ensure national security. Shah also accused the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party of favouring certain castes and working for them, and stressed contrary to this, the BJP believes in the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Wielding the nationalism plank as he addressed multiple election rallies, the BJP chief told people that only Modi is capable of keeping the country safe and teaching terrorists a lesson, as he described Modi as a "man with 56 inch chest". He also asserted the BJP government, if voted back to power, will scrap Article 370, which gives special powers to Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP president spell out the central government's development and welfare projects such as providing free LPG connections, health insurance under Ayushman Bharat, construction of toilets, but it was his emphasis on the national security that drew loudest response from the ...
In reality, 2019 election is a battle of credibility: Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday asserted that the 2019 election is a battle of credibility between the government and the opposition.Addressing a press conference here, Gadkari lamented the fact that rather than the election being fought on development, the narrative is being driven in a negative direction by the Opposition."This election should ideally have been about our work done in the past five years and this is what we have focused on. But Congress party has engaged in a vitriolic campaign against our Prime Minister by employing low-level language in the run up to the elections of 2019. They have used 56 abusive words/phrases for our Prime Minister," said Gadkari."If one recalls, in 1971 when we had a war against Pakistan on the Bangladesh matter, the opposition under the leadership of Atal Ji stood along with the government. But during this election, the narrative of the opposition has truly declined," he added.Gadkari further said, "This country is however home to a ..
Mamata denies saying she will slap the PM
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Thursday denied having said that she will slap Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted she had said he would get the "tight slap of democracy". Modi had told a rally at Bankura earlier in the day that Banerjee had said she would slap him, which would actually be a blessing for him. Speaking at a rally at Simulia in Purulia district ahead of the sixth phase of polls, Banerjee elaborated that by "slap of democracy" she meant the peoples' mandate expressed through their votes. "He (Modi) is saying that I have said I will slap him. Arrey that's the slap of democracy. Try to understand the language," Banerjee said. "Why should I be slapping you (the PM). I am not that kind of a person. What I understand is democracy. Slap of democracy means that the mandate people will give by casting their votes," the Trinamool Congress supremo said. Banerjee had during a campaign rally at Raghunathpur in the ...
Atishi claims BJP distributed obscene pamphlets against her, breaks down
East Delhi AAP candidate Atishi on Thursday broke down while reading a pamphlet containing "obscene and derogatory" remarks against her that she claimed has been distributed in the constituency by her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir. No immediate reaction was received from Gambhir. Atishi, who was accompanied by Deputy Delhi Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during a press conference, broke down as she read out the pamplet in front of reporters. She said she had welcomed Gambhir, a former cricketer, when he entered politics but now the BJP has stooped to an unexpected level.
'Naamdars' use naval fleet for holidaying, 'kaamdars' use them to strike at terror: Jaitley
Echoing sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister over the use of INS Viraat by late Rajiv Gandhi for a family vacation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said while the "kaamdars" used India's naval fleet to strike at terror, "naamdars" used them for personal reasons. "The Kaamdars use India's naval assets to strike at terror. The Naamdars use them for personal vacations with family and in-laws," Jaitley said in a tweet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi often uses the word "naamdar" to refer to the members of the Gandhi family, and "kaamdar" for people who work hard for the nation. Modi, during an election rally on Wednesday, had accused the Gandhi family of using warship INS Viraat as its "personal taxi" for a holiday when Rajiv Gandhi was India's prime minister between 1984-89. "Rajiv Gandhi was accompanied by his in-laws (on INS Viraat) who had come from Italy. The question is whether the security of the country was not compromised by taking foreigners onboard a warship," Modi ..
Guaido's deputy arrested in Venezuela
Venezuelan intelligence agents Wednesday detained a senior leader of the opposition-dominated National Assembly, the first arrest of a lawmaker since the failed uprising against President Nicolas Maduro last week. Edgar Zambrano said agents had towed him and his car to prison after he refused to get out of the vehicle. Zambrano is deputy to National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido, who is recognized as the country's leader by more than 50 states, and who organized the April 30 revolt. "We warn the people of Venezuela and the international community: the regime has kidnapped the first vice-president" of the National Assembly, said Guaido, who heads the body and has been in a power struggle with Maduro since declaring himself acting president in January. "They are trying to destroy the power representing all Venezuelans, but they will not achieve it," Guaido said. Shortly before his arrest, Zambrano said on Twitter that agents of the SEBIN intelligence agency had encircled his vehicle ...