Page 634 - Politics
Papua New Guinea rebels pick PM challenger
Papua New Guinean lawmakers have chosen a former finance minister critical of a multi-billion-dollar natural gas project to challenge Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Rebel lawmakers, many from O'Neill's party, announced they had selected James Marape -- who resigned from the cabinet last week -- as their alternate PM. O'Neill had been expected to face a vote of no confidence tentatively scheduled for May 16, but he successfully adjourned parliament on Tuesday until May 28. Opponents say they are just a few votes short of the number needed to depose the eight-year veteran prime minister after a string of ruling party defections. Marape has been a vocal critic of a vast liquified natural gas project backed by Total and ExxonMobil and worth as much as $13 billion, raising questions about its future. The Papua LNG project would almost double Papua New Guinea's gas exports, but local communities have complained bitterly about not benefiting from similar deals in the past. Marape, who is from
IMA cadet dies during navigation exercise
A Gentlemen Cadet of Indian Military Academy (IMA) Amul Rawal lost his life as he fell into a gorge here during a routine night navigation exercise in the mountains on Tuesday."Amul Rawal sustained a head injury and was given immediate medical attention on the spot. He was rushed in an ambulance to Military Hospital, Dehradun but was declared brought dead on arrival," said IMA.This exercise is conducted every term for Gentlemen Cadets of the second term at the IMA.Rawal was an ex-NDA cadet who had joined IMA in January 2019 after three years of training at National Defence Academy. A procedural court of inquiry has been ordered in the matter.
Sam Pitroda lauds teachers' campaign against PM Modi's statement on Rajiv Gandhi
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Tuesday lauded the signature campaign of around 200 teachers who came out to condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial statement against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi."I salute the 200 teachers from Delhi University and other places who are concerned about our education and future. They set the tone for values, character and courage. I am delighted that they all came together and signed a paper which condemns what PM Narendra Modi is saying about former PM Rajiv Gandhi," he said."I appreciate their support and I want other people to come out and speak. Freedom of expression has been curtailed in India. Democracy has been hijacked. It's a shame that PM Modi would use late PM Rajiv Gandhi as an instrument for votes. He also used Rahul Gandhi's nationality for the same purpose," he added.Speaking to ANI, Pitroda slammed the BJP and said, "They are looking for 'jumlas'. They are looking to divert the attention of the people ...
Cong dumps documents at Chouhan home to back loan waiver claim
Senior Congress leader Suresh Pachouri on Tuesday dumped loads of documents at former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence as a 'proof' that his party has waived loans of 21 lakh farmers after coming to power in the state in December last year. However, Chouhan refuted the Congress' claims, dubbing it as a "bundle of lies". Former Union minister Pachouri along with state minister P C Sharma and other Congress leaders brought cartons of documents in two vehicles near Chouhan's residence. They then put the cartons on their heads and walked to the former chief minister's official residence where they dumped the documents. The Congress claimed that these documents proved the Kamal Nath government has acted on the party's pre-poll promise of waiving farm loans. Chouhan was, however, not convinced with the Congress' claim. Talking to reporters at his residence after the Congress leaders left, he rejected the documentary evidence, terming it a "bundle
PM's Delhi rally will be last nail in opposition's coffin: Vijay Goel
Union minister and BJP leader Vijay Goel Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at the iconic Ramlila Maidan will be the last nail in the coffin of the AAP and the Congress in Delhi, and that the BJP is expecting Muslim women and first-time voters to participate in it in large numbers. He said the party chose Ramila Maidan for the prime minister's rally on Wednesday considering its political significance and that the public meeting would be the largest-ever in Delhi. Large digital screens will be put up on the roadside. Arrangements have been made to ferry people from Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad for the rally, the senior Delhi BJP leader said. The party has ensured enough number of ambulances, drinking water and route maps. "I understand that after this rally, Congress and AAP candidates will find it difficult to save their deposits. This will be the last nail in the coffin of the opposition in Delhi," he said. "In the run-up to the rally, we have held meetings in all of
Get ready for Modi as PM for 5 more years: Shah to Mamata
Ridiculing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that she does not consider Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday said she should rather prepare herself for another five years as Modi is set to return at the helm following the Lok Sabha polls.
'Government terrorism' prevails in country, claims Muslim body chief
Rashtriya Ulema Council president Maulana Aamir Rashadi, who is fighting against the 'atankgarh' tag to the city, Tuesday claimed that there is no saffron or Islamic terrorism, but "government terrorism" in the country. Rashadi also claimed that there is a conspiracy to make Muslims "untouchable" in politics. "I have been fighting for the cause of innocent Muslim youths killed in encounters or lodged in jails. I feel there is no saffron or Islamic terror. There is 'sarkari atankwad' (government terrorism) in the country," he told PTI. "There is a conspiracy going on to make Muslims untouchable in politics and isolate them," Rashadi, who is not active in this elections due to illness, told PTI. He claimed that there is no difference between the Congress and the BJP, who are competing with each other to tag Muslims as "traitors". "Both the parties are targeting the community in the name of terrorism. They appear to be sympathisers of the community but have made their policy to tag ...
India would become the third largest economy in next 5 years:
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday claimed that in the next five years India would become the third largest economy. "In the next five years India will become the third largest economy. Our government has been able to instill belief in the minds of the people by implementing developmental works. That is the way this government functions," the senior BJP leader said. Addressing an election rally at Pathargama block under Godda Lok Sabha constituency, Singh claimed that in the last four years the government had provided pucca dwellings to 1.3 crore people in the country and in the next five to seven years there would not be a single family below the poverty line. He also claimed that the BJP government elevated 7.5 crore families from poverty line during its tenure. Singh said that only 12 crore gas cylinders had been provided before 2014 while in the last four years the BJP government had given the facility to 13 crore people, increased road construction work from
EC "swayed" by PM Modi, alleges NCP
The NCP on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is "swayed" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik made the comment after the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of 21 opposition parties seeking a review of its April 8 order directing the EC to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths per Assembly segment. Malik alleged that the EC did not find a way out despite there being a possibility of votes polled through the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips not tallying. The NCP leader also expressed possibility of rigging on the day poll results would be announced (May 23) due to the same reason. "The NCP is trying to ensure people repose faith in the democracy. But the Election Commission is being swayed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Malik said.
Obama used race, personal chemistry, Jan 26 visit to win Modi on Paris Climate deal, says ex-aide
Former US president Barack Obama made an exceptional use of his race, went out of his way to develop a personal chemistry with Narendra Modi and moved the State of the Union Address to attend the Republic Day as chief guest so as to win over the Indian prime minister on the Paris Climate Change deal, according to his former aide. The tactics deployed by Obama to bring India on board, which was the only major power in his way of the climate deal, was described by his former top personal and national security aide Benjamin Rhodes in a podcast interview. "By the time we got to Paris, the main hold was India," Rhodes said during a discussion with Kurt Campbell, the former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs, and Richard Verma, the former US Ambassador to India, in their 'The Tealeaves' Podcast of the Asia Group. In response to questions from Ambassador Verma, Rhodes said the then Obama administration had made breakthrough deal with the Chinese at the end of 2014 where they
Talk with respect while you talk about poor: Rahul Gandhi to Narendra Modi
Pickiing on Prime Minister Narendar Modi's criticism of the UPA government's MNREGA scheme, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show respect while talking about the poor."Prime Minister Narendra Modi, you have insulted MNREGA. You said in Parliament that Congress made people dig holes while the scheme provided employment to lakhs and crore of people. You should pay respect while you talk about poor and don't disrespect them," he said addressing an election rally here.He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MNREGA) scheme, the flagship programme of UPA which he alleged was 'ignored' by the NDA government at the centre.He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given 5 lakh 55 thousand crores to 15 influential persons which he 'looted' from people pocket by 'imposing demonetization'."Put your hand in your pockets, take out your wallet and you will come to know that Narendra Modi has taken your money. ...
Siddaramiah should have come back again as CM: Karnataka Home minister
Karnataka Home Minister M B Patil Tuesday made a pitch for Siddaramaiah "as chief minister again," but clarified the present coalition government under H D Kumaraswamy would complete its full term. "What's wrong in that? Siddaramaiah is our leader in Congress. People want to see him as chief minister again. "Even we too want to see him as chief minister again. He gave good governance for five years. He should have come back again," Patil told reporters here. He was responding to a query on "growing demand" among the Congress MLAs to see Siddaramaiah occupy the top post again. His statement resonates with Chikkaballapura Congress MLA K Sudhakar's remarks on Monday that it would be good if Siddaramaiah becomes chief minister again. Batting for another term for Siddaramaiah, Patil claimed the former CM brought many pro-people schemes such as farm loan waiver, irrigation schemes, programmes of 'Bhagya' series such as Anna Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya etc. "Siddaramaiah had ...
Sacked jawan's remark against PM: BJP slams opposition silence
The BJP on Tuesday hit out at the opposition for its "silence" over the content of a video clip in which Tej Bahadur Yadav, whose candidature from Varanasi Lok Saba seat was rejected, is purportedly talking about assassinating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a press conference, the BJP played the video clip in which Yadav, a sacked BSF soldier who was pitted by Samajwadi Party as its candidate against the Prime Minister, is purportedly talking about assassinating Modi and that he knew terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT. "It's a very serious matter. It is about the prime minister's safety. It is about conspiracy to assassinate an elected prime minister. Why is the opposition silent?" BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said. Does the opposition agree with what Tej Bahadur Yadav said, he asked. He questioned if SP president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati will apologise for projecting him as their alliance's candidate against Modi in Varanasi. The "sponsored attack" on Delhi ...
Chandrababu Naidu to participate in Mamata's poll rallies
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will participate in poll rallies of his West Bengal counterpart, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in the state. According to a highly-placed source in the Andhra Pradesh government, Naidu will arrive here Wednesday morning and participate in two campaign rallies of Banerjee one scheduled at Jhargram and the second at Haldia. After spending Wednesday night at Haldia, Naidu, who is also the Telegu Desam Party president, will speak at another campaign rally at Kharagpur the next day, the official told PTI. After the meeting in Kharagpur, both the chief ministers will head towards Kolkata where they are likely to have a close door meeting on Thursday evening, he said adding Naidu is scheduled to leave that night itself, the source said. Naidu shares a very cordial relationship with Banerjee. He had joined the Trinamool Congress' mega opposition rally here in January and visited Banerjee during her dharna in February against ...
Opposition to approach EC, public on EVM issue
Opposition leaders on Tuesday asserted that they would approach the Election Commission and will go public over the matter after the Supreme Court rejected their demand to increase the count for VVPAT slips with EVMs.
BJP for action against SP for using kids in campaign
The BJP has lodged a complaint against the Samajwadi Party for using two minor children in its election campaign.
Political parties not interested in electoral reforms: Ex-CEC
Former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy expressed anguish Tuesday that political parties were not evincing serious interest in taking up electoral reforms and claimed that they were "happy" with the status quo. On the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign, he lamented that political parties have been indulging in "personal attacks" which could have been avoided. "But no party seems to give respect to that (the model code of conduct in force)", Krishnamurthy, who oversaw the 2004 General Elections, told PTI. "Unless there is some kind of respect for rule of law, we will have this kind of problems (like violations of model code and hate speeches), and I would say the need for electoral reforms is much more felt now than probably in the last elections," he said. If political parties are serious about electoral reforms, they would have been listed in their manifesto, Krishnamurthy said. "They (political parties) are happy with the status quo". Electoral reforms ..
Looks difficult for BJP to reach 280-mark: Shiv Sena leader
A Shiv Sena leader has echoed BJP general secretary Ram Madhav's statement that the latter's party may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to depend on allies to form the next government. Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that it looks a "bit difficult" for the BJP to reach the 280-seat mark as it did in the 2014 polls. "What Ram Madhav says is right. The NDA will form the next government. The BJP will be the single largest party. As of now it looks a bit difficult for the BJP to reach the 280- 282 figure on its own but our NDA "parivar" (family) will cross the majority mark," Raut told a TV channel. Raut told PTI Tuesday that the Sena would be happy if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister again. Raut said, "I welcome Ram Madhav's statement and the Shiv Sena would be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). We would be happy if Modi becomes the prime minister again." The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has 18 members in the ...
Pompeo cancels Germany visit due to 'pressing issues': US
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a visit to Germany on Tuesday hours before he was due to arrive in Berlin, with his spokeswoman citing "pressing issues". "Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues," 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.
Can't stop Indians from chanting Jai Sree Ram: Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Tuesday dared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to slap as many cases she wants on him for chanting "Jai Sree Ram", days after three persons were arrested in the West Midnapore district for allegedly chanting the same when her convoy was passing through.