Page 631 - Politics

Cyclone Fani: Mobile network continues to be skeletal in Puri

Four days after cyclone Fani hit Odisha coast, landline phone service has been restored in Puri though mobile network continues to remain skeletal and efforts are on to make it fully operational, along with the internet service. The issue of restoration of power and telecom services were discussed threadbare at a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, here. It was reported that the land line connectivity has been restored in Puri though mobile services still remain skeletal, an official statement said. The Department of Telecommunications is coordinating with the Odisha government to implement a priority plan for restoration of mobile and internet services in the areas affected by the cyclone. Mobile service providers have allowed free SMS and intra-circle roaming in these areas while cellular towers on wheels are also being deployed in Puri. Banking services have started and efforts are being made to operationalise all ...

Huge liquor seizure hints at violation of poll code: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday took serious note of the free flow of liquor and drugs in Congress-ruled Punjab in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections on May 19.

BJP wants "deaf and dumb dalits" Udit Raj

The BJP wants "deaf and dumb" dalits, alleged Udit Raj, who recently quit the saffron party after he was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls. Terming Narendra Modi government as "anti-dalit" and "anti-backward class", Raj said the BJP wants dalits who are "deaf and dumb" but it does not want a dalit leader who can raise his voice. Raj, who had joined the Congress after quitting the BJP, told reporters at the Congress party office here that "If dalits want to lead a respectful and dignified life, then they should vote for Congress, RJD and allies. "If any dalit votes for BJP, then he/she will be jeopardizing lives of their future generations," he alleged. Raj is the sitting MP from north west Delhi constituency. He claimed that Ram Nath Kovind was nominated by the BJP to the President's post as he did not raise his voice in the party but he (Udit) spoke against the government even in Parliament. He also alleged that Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is as much ..

Congress, BJP lock horns over crop loan waiver in M-P

The Madhya Pradesh government and the opposition BJP on Tuesday battled over loan waivers for farmers, with the ruling Congress furnishing a list of those who benefited, while clarifying its poll promise was limited to crops loans, not "personal loans".

No one dares to oust my government: Goa CM

No one can dare to overthrow the BJP-led coalition government in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday.

Will make everyone including Badal pay for crimes, says Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Tuesday said he would make everyone including former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal pay for their "crimes", alleging that desecration of religious scriptures during SAD-BJP regime were "deliberately triggered to divide votes on communal lines". The chief minister said IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap was transferred by the Election Commission "under pressure" of the Badals, exerted through the Union government, would be brought back in the Special Investigation Team. The Punjab government had formed the SIT to probe the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. "If Parkash Singh Badal is found guilty, he will go behind bars," said the CM at an election rally at Dana Mandi here in support of Congress candidate Jasbir Singh Dimpa. "How long do you think you can save yourself from the consequences of your actions," he asked the Akali supremo. He also pointed out that there had not been a single case of sacrilege under the ...

NYAY is surgical strike against poverty: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said he does not believe in false promises like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party's proposed minimum income guarantee scheme NYAY will function like a surgical strike against poverty. Addressing an election rally here, Gandhi claimed that only his party is able to defeat the BJP - neither the Trinamool Congress nor any other party. "NYAY will be implemented if the Congress is voted to power. It will help eliminate poverty from the country. NYAY is a surgical strike against poverty," he said. Five crore poor families of the country will get Rs 72,000 annually by this project, he said. Modi failed to keep his promise of depositing Rs 15 Lakh to the accounts of all the people of the country, but "I do not believe in making false promises like him", he said. "Only the Congress has the potential to defeat the BJP government led by Narendra Modi, neither the Trinamool Congress nor any other party," Gandhi said urging the people .

BJP meets EC, says Bengal plans to scuttle PM rallies

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) alleging that the West Bengal government is planning to scuttle the public rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tough path ahead for Rao Inderjeet Singh to save his seat

The massive rally of Congress President Rahul Gandhi here held on May 4 could turn the table in favour of party candidate Captain Ajay Singh Yadav.

Refusal to hand over Trump's tax returns sets up legal fight

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won't be turning President Donald Trump's tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. Mnuchin told Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., in a Monday letter that the panel's request "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" as Supreme Court precedent requires. In making that determination, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is "not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information." He said the Justice Department will provide a more detailed legal justification soon. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump's tax returns. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit. Last week, Neal promised "we'll be ready" to act soon after Monday's deadline. Treasury's denial came the day that the House Judiciary ...

BSP, SP term PM Modi 'chowkidar of capitalists', claim alliance will 'shake the roots' of BJP

The BSP and the SP Tuesday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists" and asserted the two alliance partners will "shake the roots" of the ruling party. Addressing an election rally in favour of alliance candidates of Jaunpur and Machhlishahr seats, the alliance termed the Congress "anti-dalit"and alleged that the grand old party wants people to stay poor. "Both the BJP and Congress are anti-dalits... the Congress, which is claiming to provide Rs 6,000 (under its proposed 'Nyay' scheme) only wants people to remain poor and helpless," BSP chief Mayawati told the gathering. Terming Modi the "chowkidar (watchman) of capitalists", she alleged that he helped the rich become richer. "BJP is going out of power in these elections... it has failed to fulfil the promises made in 2014 to the poor and middle class... despite all this, how can the prime minister seek votes again," Mayawati said and termed GST and demonetisation the cause of corruption. "Terror ...

Don't know if Kejriwal is Chief Minister or 'Dharna Mantri': Yogi Adityanath

Taking a jibe at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said it is difficult to understand if he is a Chief Minister or a 'dharna mantri' (protest minister)."It is different to know if he is a Chief Minister or a 'Dharna Mantra'. Whenever a development scheme came, he sits on a protest. Is it appropriate for a Chief Minister to sit on a protest?" Aditynath said at an election rally here."Two years ago, Uttar Pradesh was infamous for potholes in roads and bad electricity condition. When I entered Delhi today, I saw that AAP has converted Delhi into potholes," he said.Speaking in support of cricketer-turned-politician and BJP's East Delhi MP candidate Gautam Gambhir, the Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on AAP for its coalition talks with the Congress."AAP emerged against the corruption of the Congress but now they are restless to contest elections with them. In a democracy, if politics is done without principles then it is dangerous ..

BJP already has king, won't need kingmakers: Ram Madhav

"I know KCR has an ambition of becoming the kingmaker. This is what his party workers and his son tell the people of Telangana. I want to tell him we already have a king with us and we don't need kingmakers," he told ANI in an interview.His statement came hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that his meeting with Rao on Monday was highly significant as regional parties will play a major role in the formation of a government after the Lok Sabha elections.Madhav claimed that BJP would get a comfortable majority in the elections. "Based on ground reports that we get from our caders, we are confident BJP will be able to do as good as 2014 if not better. With the help of NDA, we will have good seats to run another a stable government.""On our own, we are confident of securing the required numbers, may be more than what we have in the ongoing parliament. We already have a pre-poll alliance with more than two dozen parties. Together the NDA alliance will have ...

Pompeo cancels visit to Germany; likely to meet Lavrov again soon

Citing scheduling reasons, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany, where he was scheduled to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel."Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues," US state department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said."We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon," she added.The secretary, who was in the midst of an overseas trip, was due to meet Merkel and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas about "issues of mutual concern," including Russia, China and Syria, reported CNN.Meanwhile, Pompeo is likely to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on May 14 in the Southern Russian city of Sochi, reported TASS news agency. Pompeo could be received by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the talks.This will be the second meeting between the two top diplomats this month. The two met in Finland on Monday where they held discussions ..

Wanted to give PM Modi "tight slap of democracy' after he called TMC tolabaaz: Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying and said when attacked her party of being a "tolabaaz" (toll collector), she wanted to give him a "tight slap of democracy."Addressing an election rally here, she launched a scathing attack on PM Modi and said: "Money does not matter to me. That is why when Narendra Modi came to Bengal and accused my party of being Tolabaaz (toll collector), I wanted to give him a tight slap of democracy. Seeing this kind of lying PM, children will learn the wrong things and the country will face a downfall."Continuing her tirade against Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she accused them of carrying "gada" (mace) to break the head of the people and "talwar" (sword) to cut their throat. "Now they have lacs and crores of rupees. They move with money boxes, gada in one hand and talwar in another. This is their politics with no ideology," she said.West Bengal has a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats of

PM Modi, Shah engaging in 'corrupt practices' by delivering hate speeches, alleges Congress

Congress MP Sushmita Dev has filed an additional affidavit before the Supreme Court (SC) stating that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are 'corrupt practices' under Section 123A of the Representation of People Act, 1951."The respondent, ECI, failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by Modi and Shah are 'corrupt practices' under the RP Act, which ex-facie promote feelings of enmity and hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion," Dev has stated in the additional affidavit.The affidavit, which was accessed by ANI, further revealed that the said speeches are also punishable under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, as they "blatantly promote disharmony and feelings of enmity on the grounds of religion and such acts are also likely to prejudice the maintenance of public harmony and tranquility between religious .

Oppn 'abusing' Modi in frustration: BJP

Accusing the opposition parties of targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a torrent of "abuses" in frustration over their "poor" show in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the BJP on Tuesday said people will give them a befitting reply on May 23 when votes are counted. At a press conference, BJP vice president Baijayant Jay Panda and its media head Anil Baluni claimed that the "Modi wave" will help the saffron party gain many seats from states like Odisha and West Bengal, leading it to better its tally of 282 seats in 2014. Panda said the opposition, which is in "panic mode", has been "abusing" Modi, referring to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's comparison of the prime minister with Duryodhan, the antagonist to righteous Pandavas in epic Mahabharat. He also referred to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks that Modi should get a "tight slap of democracy" to attack the opposition. Her desperation shows how much the ground has shifted in the state, Panda ...

Delhi chief secy removes 3 officers for 'serious misconduct'

Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev has removed three government officers from service for alleged "serious misconduct", according to an official statement issued Tuesday. They were removed as part of a drive against "corruption", it said. These officers belonged to the revenue department and held positions of sub-registrar-II Punjabi Bagh-Nangloi, and tehsildars Preet Vihar and Mehrauli. The statement stated that as part of a "sustained drive against corrupt practices, Vjay Kumar Dev, Chief Secretary, has removed three senior officers of the Delhi government from government service for committing serious misconduct." The then sub-registrar of Punjabi Bagh-Nangloi was removed on charges of registering sale deed of agricultural land of Tikri Kanan village in 2013 without obtaining the no-objection certificate from the additional district magistrate, according to the statement. It stated that the officer registered the sale deed despite the land being under draft notification and ...

Prabhu for govt-to-govt agreement between India and US to facilitate private sector firms

Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu Tuesday made a case for a government-to-government agreement between India and the US to facilitate private companies in both the countries. "Can we have government-to-government agreement in which we will make sure that the policy support that is required for private sector emanates from this umbrella agreement," he said here a function, which was attended by the US business delegation, led by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Prabhu said public policies may sometimes create challenges for corporates "but if we have a government-to-government agreement, we can clearly spell out the certainty, stability, forward-looking policies and this will facilitate companies to prepare their corporate plans". He also expressed hope that issues being faced by businesses in India and the US can be sorted out in a way that benefits both the countries. "I can clearly see that issues can be sorted out in a way that benefits both the countries," Prabhu said

Shiv Sena backs free hearse van service at GMCH

The Shiv Sena Tuesday came out in support of the Goa health departments project providing free hearse van service at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital and slammed the Congress MLA who opposed it. Sena vice-president Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik, in a statement here, congratulated Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for launching the project and termed it as a "pro-poor" step. She said only Goan staff should operate this free service. The introduction of free hearse van service at the GMCH at Bambolim near here had invited criticism from Congress MLA Francis Silveira, who backed private operators of ambulance service at the state-run medical facility. Silveira had opposed the free service, claiming it would eat into the business of existing private ambulance operators at the hospital. Naik criticised the Congress legislator for opposing the project and dubbed him "anti-poor". She said Silveira is playing vote-bank politics. "The Shiv Senacondemns Silveiras vote-bank