Page 639 - Politics
63.5 per cent voter turnout in Phase 5: EC
A voter turnout of 63.5 per cent was recorded in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which is the lowest in all the phases so far, Election Commission data shows. According to the Commission's Voter Turnout android application, at 9.00 PM, the turnout in the Monday's polling was 63.5 per cent. The voter turnout has recorded a decreasing trend so far this election. At 69.50 per cent, the polling in phase-1 is the highest in the five phase so far. In phase-2, the turnout was 69.44 per cent, it was 68.40 in phase-3 and 65.51 per cent in phase-4. Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters here that as compared to 2014, in the first four phases (barring Monday's phase five), 7.85 crore more people eligible to cast vote. He also said that six crore more voters participated in the democratic exercise in the first four phases as compared to 2014 LS polls in its four phases. The Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu & Kashmir went to polls in Phase ...
KCR meets Pinarayi Vijayan
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, who floated the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP Front some time ago, met his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan here Monday. The two leaders, however, refused to comment on the two-hour long closed door meeting which comes with two more rounds to go in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Rao is on a two-day visit to the state, along with his wife Shobha and their two grandchildren. The meeting, which was held at the Cliff House, official residence of Kerala Chief Minister, was also attended by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MPs Santosh Kumar and Vinod Kumar. Rao, who is staying at Kovalam, a famous tourist destination in the state, will travel to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on May 8. A statement from the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) earlier said, Rao will meet Vijayan at Thiruvananthapuram Monday evening, while he will call on DMK president M K Stalin at his residence in Chennai on May 13. According to the ...
UN warns of increased tensions over N. Korea weapons test
The United Nations on Monday criticized North Korea following its latest weapons test, warning such action would only increase regional tensions. North Korea on Saturday carried out a test of rocket launchers and unspecified tactical guided weapons -- a provocative move that appeared however to fall short of a return to the missile launches that led to international sanctions in 2017. "We are very much aware of the recent launches" by North Korea, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "Such an action serves only to increase tensions in the region," he added. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres encourages all sides to "continue their dialogue to advance sustainable peace and a complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean peninsula," said Dujarric. Following the test, the United States said it would continue to press on with talks with Pyongyang to scrap North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. President Donald Trump has met twice with North Korean ...
Paswan praises Modi, lambasts Cong-led opposition
Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying under his leadership quotas were introduced for the economically weaker sections among the unreserved category without in any way disturbing the other social groups. Lambasting the Congress-led opposition for "raising false alarms that quotas would be scrapped", Paswan sought to underscore "affirmative action for any social segment has, so far, never been taken during a Congress government". "When Ambedkar mooted the idea of separate electorates for depressed classes during the British rule, Mahatma Gandhi went on a fast unto death and a compromise had to be reached through the Poona pact. "The Mandal Commission's recommendations were implemented by V P Singh and the country has had its two Dalit Presidents under the United Front government of the 1990s and, now, during Narendra Modi's rule. Congress has no matching contribution to speak of", the Lok Janshakti Party president
Pragya's candidature is reply to those who labelled Hindus as terrorists: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said Pragya Singh Thakur's candidature was a reply to those who labelled Hindus as terrorists for their own vote bank politics."There was a time when terrorism was at its peak. The minorities felt that they were the only ones being targeted. They had anger against then Congress and NCP government," said Chief Minister Fadnavis during a press conference here."The government should have either justified their action or fix the problem. The Congress and NCP government started 'Hindu terrorism' as a reply to this. They propagated the theory of Hindu terrorism. They released some people but arrested Pragya and some others to label Hindus as terrorists," he said.Referring to Malegaon blast, Fadnavis said: "During the investigation, NIA found the entire case as fabricated and gave clean chit to her. Pragya's candidature is a reply to them who termed Hindus as terrorists for their own vote bank politics."When asked whether he supports the
BJP, CPI(M) accuse TMC of instigating violence during LS polls
Opposition parties in West Bengal accused the Trinamool Congress of letting loose violence during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state on Monday, and demanded repoll in various booths across seven constituences. "We demand repoll in most of the booths. The way TMC has used goons and state police to rig the elections is condemnable. It is afraid of defeat, that is why the party has unleashed such unprecedented violence," BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said. The CPI(M) alleged that violence had become the hallmark of Bengal during polls. "We don't understand what is the Election Commission doing? Why has it failed to take strict action against those who have complaints against them," CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim said. The Trinamool Congress, however, blamed the BJP and the CPI(M) of instigating violence during the elections. "The BJP and the CPI(M) beat up our workers during the polls. The people of Bengal will reject these
AAP MLA Devinder Sehrawat joins BJP; asked to seek re-election
Accusing the AAP of ignoring and insulting him, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Devinder Singh Sehrawat joined the BJP on Monday, becoming the second legislator from the ruling party in Delhi to jump into the saffron fold in less than a week. AAP's Gandhi Nagar MLA Anil Bajpai quit the party and joined the BJP on Friday. Sehrawat, a legislator from Bijwasan, joined the saffron party at a press conference in the presence of senior Delhi BJP leaders Vijay Goel and Vijendra Gupta. Reacting to the development, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said his party will not allow any defector to remain MLA and it is ready with disqualification petitions. "Defectors are day dreaming about continuing their MLA office & they should be ready to face the electorate," he said. Sehrawat should seek re-election, Bharadwaj said, "but shameless characters might want to continue". Earlier at the press conference, Sehrawat accused AAP of ignoring and cornering him. He said he was not even invited to party ...
Political outfits of Nepal's Dy PM, former PM unite to form 'Samajwadi Party Nepal'
Nepal's former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav announced the merger of their respective parties on Monday to formally establish the 'Samajwadi Party Nepal' during an event in Kathmandu.Yadav's Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal (FSF-N) and Bhattarai's Naya Shakti Party united, vowing to fight together for the federalism of the nation by amending the constitution, along with fighting for the rights of Madhesi, Janajati, and minorities, amongst others."We are committed to make Nepal a federal state. For this, there should be federal structure as per report made by Local Bodies Restructuring Commission formed under the constitution of Nepal where it has suggested for 10+1 provinces, by amending the constitution," the 9-point accord signed by the two leaders for the merger said.With the signing of the accord, Yadav was made the chair of the party's central committee while Bhattarai is the chair of the party's federal council.The formation of ..
Cyclone Fani: Mamata rejects Centre's help, says she'll speak to 'next PM'
Rejecting aid from the Centre in the aftermath of Cyclone Fani, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she doesn't consider Narendra Modi as a prime minister, adding that she will speak to the "next prime minister" of the country."I do not consider him (Modi) the country's Prime Minister, hence I did not sit for the meeting with him (on Cyclone Fani). I do not want to be seen with him on the same platform. I will speak to the next prime minister. We can take care of cyclone damage by ourselves. We do not need the Centre's help ahead of polls," Mamata said in an election rally here.Prime Minister Modi, who flew down to Bhubaneswar earlier today to visit the areas hit by Fani and take stock of the situation, wanted to do the same for West Bengal. The state government, however, refused to hold the review meeting stating that officials were busy with elections.The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, in an election rally in Bishnupur earlier today, alleged that Prime ...
5th phase peaceful in Bengal barring sporadic incidents: CEO
The Election Commission (EC) on Monday said that the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal passed off peacefully barring sporadic incidents of violence such as hurling of bombs and scuffles between rival political parties.
US 'gravely concerned' on North Korea human rights
The US State Department said Monday it was "gravely concerned" about human rights in North Korea, including its detention of an estimated 100,000 people in political prison camps, two days after President Donald Trump again praised leader Kim Jong Un. Trump is seeking a potentially landmark accord with North Korea on ending its nuclear program, with human rights on the backburner during his two summits with Kim. But in a statement to mark an annual week of advocacy in Washington over North Korea's rights record, the State Department hailed defectors and other activists who "shine a light on the dire human rights situation" in the totalitarian state. "We remain gravely concerned and deeply troubled by these abuses," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "We continue to work with the international community to raise awareness, highlight abuses and violations, enhance access to independent information and promote respect for human rights in North Korea," she ...
Vote for Modi as he has made the country secure: Shah
Launching an electoral blitzkrieg in Bihar, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday urged the people to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi "for only one reason, he has made the country secure." Addressing five rallies in the state, Shah said "here are the names of more than 100 welfare schemes launched by the Modi government. You need not, however, vote for your NDA candidate because of the improvement in your lives these measures might have brought. Simply vote for one reason, Modi has made the country secure". Shah, who arrived here late Sunday night, addressed during the course of the day five back-to-back rallies in as many Lok Sabha constituencies - Sheohar, Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Siwan and Maharajgang -. At present, the BJP holds all the five constituencies and except for Siwan, which has been given up in favour of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), its MPs are seeking re- election from their respective seats. "Recall the 10 years of UPA rule when ...
Greek government seeks new confidence vote in parliament
Greece's government on Monday called for a parliamentary confidence vote -- the second this year -- after the opposition sought to censure one of its junior ministers. "On behalf of the prime minister, I call on the chamber... to begin a procedure on a vote of confidence," deputy prime minister Yannis Dragasakis said in parliament. Earlier, the main opposition New Democracy party had sought to censure deputy health minister Pavlos Polakis over comments he had made about one of its European parliament candidates, a former star student with spinal muscular atrophy. Trailing in the polls, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras wants to galvanise his leftist Syriza party ahead of European and local elections this month, and national elections scheduled in the autumn. Polakis last month drew fire after saying it was "shameful" that the New Democracy candidate -- 34-year-old psychiatrist Stelios Kybouropoulos -- had legally used a disability quota to find a job at a state hospital. "Anywhere else in
HP: Cong accuses BJP govt of spying on its state chief
The Himachal Pradesh Congress Monday accused the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in the state of spying on its state president and other leaders. State Congress spokesperson Narendra Kanwar alleged that Himachal Pradesh CID officer Hira Singh Thakur was keeping a tab on party president Kuldeep Singh Rathore and all four Lok Sabha candidates of the Congress. Thakur was found "spying" on Rathore during an election rally in Theog in Shimla district on Sunday, he alleged. When asked, he told the Congress workers that he was providing information about Rathore to his seniors at their behest for the past some time, he claimed, adding that a video of Thakur's alleged admission was available with the party workers. Kanwar further alleged that the chief minister was also spying on some BJP MLAs, who are are in touch with the Congress leaders and their phones were being allegedly tapped. This is not only violation of Election Commission's model code of conduct but also a defiance of the court
Congress goes full throttle in Delhi; Rahul, Priyanka to campaign
The Congress is putting its might in the Lok Sabha election campaign in the national capital with party chief Rahul Gandhi scheduled to address three rallies here and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra scheduled to hold two road shows.
PM has lost mental balance, C'garh CM on Rajiv Gandhi corrupt
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling former PM late Rajiv Gandhi corrupt. Speaking at a poll rally in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh on May 4, PM Modi, attacking Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, accused the latter's father, former PM Rajiv Gandhi, of being corrupt. "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrastachari number 1' (corrupt number 1)," Modi had said. Addressing a press conference here, Baghel said, "Rajiv ji's contribution for the nation proved to be a milestone. His work on information technology and Panchayati Raj are among them. He sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country. He was awarded the highest civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna posthumously." "The PM's remark on Rajiv ji is highly condemnable. No one can even imagine that a person of the stature of prime minister would make such a derogatory remark about a person who is not alive .
Cong moves EC against PM Modi for 'bhrashtachari no 1' remark against Rajiv Gandhi
The Congress approached the Election Commission on Monday, seeking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including a ban on his campaigning, for his remarks against former PM Rajiv Gandhi. A team of Congress leaders, comprising Abhishek Singhvi, Rajiv Shukla and Salman Khurshid, met the Election Commissioners and demanded that the EC take immediate action against Modi for his remarks, which they termed "uncultured, illegal and against Indian traditions". "We have sought an immediate ban on the prime minister's campaign. We have emphasised to the Election Commission that it is very important for its own credibility, as the EC had kept complaints pending for over 30 days in the past," Singhvi told reporters. He said the Congress has so far made 11 complaints with the EC, but no action has been taken, despite going to the Supreme Court. "There are around two weeks left for the elections (to complete) and there should be an immediate ban on the prime minister's campaigning and a ...
Rahul holds Kejriwal responsible for failure on alliance, says he took a U-turn
Holding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responsible for the failure of alliance talks, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Monday said the AAP chief took a "U-turn" from an agreed position and wanted a tie-up beyond the national capital. Addressing a rally near the Jama Masjid, a minority dominated area, the Congress president asserted that it is only his party which can stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS. He accused Kejriwal of "opening the doors" for BJP's victory in 2014 by spreading "lies" about the Congress. "The BJP alone did not spread lies about the Congress," Gandhi said. "I clearly told Kejriwal ji that we have to win all seven seats in Delhi. You contest on four seats and we will contest on three. First, he agreed. Even I concurred with the proposal. But then he brought in talks on Haryana and Punjab. Then he took a U-turn," Gandhi said. He asserted that the Congress is the only party in the last five years to fight Modi across the country. "It is you who ..
Northeast became militancy hotbed as Cong govts ignored its youth: Rijiju
Union minister Kiren Rijiju Monday claimed even he as an MP did not feel at home in Delhi when the Congress was in power and blamed the party for the alienation of the youth of the northeast which had led to the region becoming a hotbed of militancy. "Under the Congress rule, central officers turned away delegations from the northeast. The youth of the region was ignored and even though I was an MP, Delhi did not feel like home to me at that time, forget about the common people," he said at an event here. "That's why thousands of people took up arms and the northeast became a hotbed of militancy," the Union Minister of State for Home claimed. He asserted the Narendra Modi government accorded priority to the youth of the northeast and brought thousands of militants into the mainstream. Rijiju claimed the BJP would win 18 to 20 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the region. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who also attended the programme, said no one invested in the northeast earlier .
Congress's policies are about development and inclusiveness: Bhavya Bishnoi
Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Hisar, Bhavya Bishnoi, Monday said though some outfits have reduced the country's political discourse to caste and religion, his party's policies are about development and inclusiveness. He said if important issues concerning farmers, education, employment, health, environment and gender equality are neglected, then it is the country and its people who are at a loss. "The Congress's policies have always been inclusive and about development. Politics should be about issues of progress. It is very unfortunate that some outfits have reduced political discourse to caste and religion based discussions," the 26-year-old Congress nominee told PTI over phone. Bishnoi, the son of senior Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi, is pitted against sitting MP and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) candidate Dushyant Chautala and Union minister Birender Singh's bureaucrat-turned-politician son, Brijendra Singh. Asked about the issues in his constituency, Bishnoi said the BJP ...