Page 641 - Politics
Poll result in Sonipat LS seat will determine outcome of next Haryana Assembly elections: Hooda
Senior Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Monday claimed the poll result in Sonipat Lok Sabha seat would determine the outcome of the Assembly elections in the state due later this year. He also claimed that voters of Haryana have already made up their mind to bring the Congress back to power in the state. Hooda, the sitting Congress MLA from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Rohtak, is contesting the parliamentary polls from Sonipat and is pitted against BJP's sitting MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik and Jannayak Janata Party's (JJP) Digvijay Singh Chautala. He took out a roadshow in the Safidon Assembly segment on Monday and told the crowd, "The entire country is looking at the Sonipat Lok Sabha seat as a barometer of political opinion in the state as the party that wins the seat would form the next government in Haryana." Hooda claimed that the people have made up their mind to vote out the "anti-farmer and anti-poor" BJP government in the state. Asserting that ...
West Bengal: BJP writes to Chief Electoral Officer, seeks re-polling
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday wrote to the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab seeking re-polling at the poll booths where violence broke out earlier in the day."We will send the detail list of the poll booths where we seek the re-polling. On all the Lok Sabha seats which went to poll today, we saw widespread -violence, including rigging of booths, destruction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), blatant false voting and brutal attacks on the BJP candidates," Vice President (VP) of West Bengal BJP Jay Prakash Majumdar stated in the letter directed to CEO.Majumdar also cited the attack on BJP's Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh to substantiate his stand. "Miscreants belonging to the ruling party, attacked him to prevent his entry into the booth," he said in a veiled attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC).Earlier today, BJP's Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh had alleged that he sustained injuries after being allegedly attacked by supporters of TMC near a ...
SC to hear on May 8 Congress' plea challenging EC clean chit to PM Modi, Amit Shah
The Supreme Court on May 8 will hear the plea of Congress wherein the party has challenged the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to give clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah in a hate speech complaint case.A division bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi while posting the matter for May 8 asked Congress leader Sushmita Dev, the petitioner, to place on record the Election Commission's order giving clean chit to the two BJP leaders.During the course of hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Dev, told the court that the poll body had given clean chit to PM Modi and BJP president Shah for their hate speeches which had violated the Model Code of Conduct.Singhvi further claimed the ECI had not given any reason while giving clean chit to Modi and Shah. He said five of the six clean chits given to Modi and Shah had dissented by one Election Commissioner.Following Singhvi's submissions, the top ..
Union minister Rajnath Singh accuses Congress of weakening fight against terrorism
Senior BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday accused the Congress of weakening the fight against terrorism in the country. Addressing a rally in West Delhi's Sagarpur in support of party candidate Parvesh Singh Verma, he said Naxalism will be eliminated by 2022-23, and the Modi government is capable of protecting the nation. "The Congress has weakened our fight against terrorism," the Union home minister said. He also lashed out at political parties for questioning the Indian Air Force over the number of terrorists killed in air strikes in Balakot in Pakistan that were carried out after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. "...Only vultures count bodies, not the warriors," Singh said. How can one give the number of terrorists killed in an air strike when the figure is too big, Singh questioned. "We would tell if one or two persons were killed, how can I answer if the numbers are so big," he said. Citing achievements of the Modi government, the BJP
Russia: Incorrect to link N Korea's projectile launches to Kim's Russia visit
Refuting US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo's statement, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it is "completely incorrect" to link North Korea's recent projectile launches to its leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia."Making such links is completely incorrect, it can be said unequivocally. That's all there is to say," TASS quoted Peskov as saying, dismissing Pompeo's comments.The US official had earlier indicated that Kim had made the decision to launch new weapons after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok last month."The toughest sanctions in the history of North Korea remain in place. That's probably what's putting some of the pressure on Chairman Kim today. You saw this happen too right after his visit to Russia. Right after he spoke with Vladimir Putin, he made the decision to take these actions," Pompeo said on Monday.On May 4, North Korea launched several short-range projectiles off its east coast in the wake of stalled denuclearisation talks with .
Modi attacks Cong, dares it to contest remaining phases of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday threw a challenge at the Congress, asking it to contest the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, who he recently dubbed as "bhrashtachari no. 1". He also dared the Congress to a debate on the Bofors scandal and other issues ahead of the last two phases of the polling. "A few days ago I had called a member of the naamdar parivar (dynasty) as 'bhrashtachari (corrupt) no. 1' and some people got such a severe stomach ache that they started crying aloud. The more they cry, the more will today's generation come to know of the old truths. "How a family looted the country in the 20th century, destroyed it - the youth of the country should know. I am challenging the Congress from this dais that when polling takes place in the remaining phases in Punjab, Delhi and in Bhopal let it fight the elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. I am hopeful that the Congress will accept this challenge," he told an election .
57.33 pc turnout in UP's fifth phase; Rahul, Sonia, Rajnath among contestants
Over 57 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Monday in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh where Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are in the fray. "The turnout till 6 pm was 57.33 per cent as compared to 56.92 per cent in 2014," Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwarlu told mediapersons at the end of polling that began at 7 am. Around 2.47 crore people were eligible to select their representative from a filed of 182 candidates in Uttar Pradesh in the fifth phase of the ongoing general elections. Prominent voters in the state capital included Home Minister Singh, BSP supremo Mayawati, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma and BSP general secretary S C Misra. Union minister and BJP's Amethi candidate Irani alleged that the Congress president was "ensuring booth capturing" in the constituency. "Alert @ECISVEEP Congress President @Rahul Gandhi ensuring booth capturing," she said on Twitter. She also ..
Cong credible alternative to BJP-Sena in Mumbai: Deora
Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora Monday said his party had put up a good fight in the metropolis in the Lok Sabha polls and was able to convey to people that it was a credible alternative to the BJP-Sena which he accused of misgovernance. The Congress contested on five of the six Lok Sabha seats in the city, polls to which were held on April 29. One seat was contested by ally NCP. Speaking at a review meeting, Deora said candidates and workers had put up a remarkable fight and asked them to start preparing for the Assembly polls scheduled in the state later this year. "The party is proud of the fight given by its candidates and has been able to convey to the people of Mumbai that it can emerge as a credible and viable alternative to the misgovernance of Sena-BJP regime," Deora said. He said time to dislodge the BJP-Sena from the city had come, adding that the Congress would prepare a detailed vision and mission statement for the holistic development of Mumbai. He .
Only have love for Modi who insulted a martyr: Rahul on attack at Rajiv Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that despite Narendra Modi insulting his father Rajiv Gandhi, he only had love for the prime minister. Gandhi was addressing a public meeting at Delhi's Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency. "Narendra Modi insulted a martyr (Rajiv Gandhi), no matter how much hatred he has for my family, I only have love for him," Gandhi said. At a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi had targeted the former prime minister, while attacking the Congress president. "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1," Modi had said, drawing sharp reactions and criticisms from opposition leaders. Modi targeted Rajiv Gandhi Monday as well, asking the Congress to fight the elections in the name of the "Bofors-accused" former prime minister. At the rally, the Congress chief also spoke about the minimum income guarantee promise, the party's poll plank, and said it will boost the country's economy. "'Nyay' scheme will ...
Tripura govt appoints new DM of Dhalai
The Tripura government Monday appointed additional secretary in the Home department, Saradindu Choudhury as the new district magistrate of Dhalai district, officials said. Choudhury as the district magistrate would also be the new Returning Officer of East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency, they said. The state government appointed Choudhury as the new district magistrate with the approval from the ECI, a state government notification said. The notification issued by General Administration department said, " ... the Governor is pleased to order that Saradindu Choudhury, is transferred and posted as District Magistrate & Collector, Dhalai district, Ambassa with immediate effect ... ". The ECI had earlier ordered the transfer of Vikas Singh, the district magistrate and Returning Officer of East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency as the Returning Officer of West Tripura on Thursday last and had instructed the state government to forward a panel of suitable officials for ...
BSF officer among 3 injured in ceasefire violation by Pak along LoC in J-K's Poonch
A BSF officer and two civilians were injured as Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and small arms firing targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday, officials said. Pakistan violated ceasefire for the second consecutive day Monday by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Mankote and Krishna Ghati sectors of Poonch district, they said. Following the continuous ceasefire violation by Pakistan, the authorities in the state had ordered closure of schools falling along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts Monday, the officials said. In Mankote, a sub-inspector of the Border Security Force was injured in shelling by Pakistan troops, the officials said. The officer was hospitalised and he is stable, they added. Two civilians - Maqsood Ahmed and Ashiq Hussain - were also injured in the shelling, which continued throughout the night, the officials said. Pakistan army shelled the .
SC disposes of plea challenging J-K order restricting civilian traffic on national highway
The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a plea challenging the Jammu and Kashmir government's order restricting civilian traffic for a day in a week on a stretch of the national highway from Udhampur to Baramulla for the movement of security forces. Counsel for the state government told the bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta that the order restricting civilian traffic for a day in a week on the stretch of the national highway was passed due to the ongoing election and will remain in force till May 31. "Additional solicitor general appearing for the state of Jammu and Kashmir submits that the closure of the highway as on date is for one day in a week, i.e., Wednesday. Additional solicitor general has further submitted that the said closure will be effective only till the end of May, 2019," the bench noted in its order. "Taking into account the reasons that have prompted the state to order for the closure of the highway which is restricted to one day in
Mali gets new government after protests
Mali's president has named a new government after its predecessor resigned last month amid widespread protests over an upsurge of deadly inter-communal violence, a presidency statement said. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Sunday announced the new executive of 37 members under Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, who was appointed on April 22 to oversee the formation of a "broad-based" government. Last week, Cisse signed a pact with opposition and majority party representatives in the capital Bamako, declaring their willingness to set up a "politically-inclusive" new government. Cisse's predecessor Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga and his entire cabinet resigned on April 18 following the massacre of some 160 members of the Fulani herding community on March 23 in the village of Ogossagou near Mali's border with Burkina Faso. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on April 5 to protest against an upsurge of violence that has claimed around 600 lives, and which demonstrators said the government had ...
Delhi Congress to release 'report card' of Kejriwal
The Congress Monday said it will present a "report card" of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to highlight the failures of his government across all departments. The Delhi unit of the party said it would release the "report card" on Tuesday. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party were recently in talks for an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi but failed to make any headway. The Congress also targeted the BJP and the AAP over the rise in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG in Delhi. Subhash Chopra, chairman of the Delhi Pradesh Congress' Campaign Committee, said under the party's government in Delhi, petrol and diesel prices were cheaper as the VAT was lower. "The failure of AAP government to keep the prices under control has forced Delhiites to pay more, making it costlier to live in Delhi. In 2014, under the Congress government in Delhi, VAT rates on petrol and diesel were 20 and 12.5 per cent, while under the AAP government, the VAT rose to 25 per cent on petrol and 16.6 per ..
Scuffle breaks out between CRPF officials, TMC MP in Howrah
A scuffle broke out between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Howrah MP Prasun Banerjee at a polling booth here on Monday.Banerjee alleged that he was not allowed to enter the polling booth number 49 and 50, despite showing the identification card."They started pushing me as I tried to enter the booth. My ID card was torn, as well," he said.Earlier today, BJP's Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh had alleged that he sustained injuries after being allegedly attacked by supporters of TMC near a village in Barrackpore."I was attacked by TMC goons while I was trying to talk with voters. It was a planned attack and I will report the matter to the Election Commission. TMC's hooligans are running unchecked in the state, my bleeding mouth is a proof of it," Singh told the media persons.
Modi woos tribals in Bengal's tribal heartland
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday wooed the tribal communities in Bengal and unleashed a multi-pronged attack on state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during his election rally in the state's tribal heartland Jhargram, where the BJP had made inroads in the 2018 rural body polls.
SC stays disqualification proceedings against 3 AIADMK leaders for supporting Dhinakaran
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the disqualification proceedings initiated by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal against three AIADMK lawmakers for supporting AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran.A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued a notice to Dhanpal and sought his response over a plea filed by two dismissed AIADMK MLAs - E Rathinasabapathy and V T Kalaiselvan.The plea sought direction to restrain the Speaker from acting on a disqualification notice for anti-party activities issued against them for supporting Dhinakaran.This came after the three MLAs - E Rathinasabapathy, VT Kalaiselvan, and VT Prabhu - were served notice by the Speaker for disqualification.They argued that the action of the Speaker was taken in an arbitrary manner. The plea said that no-confidence motion is pending against the Speaker and he could not adjudicate in a matter of disqualification.The chief whip of AIADMK S. Rajendran had on April 26 met Tamil Nadu assembly speaker P. Dhanapal and filed a ..
Specially-abled woman casts vote using foot in Madhya Pradesh
A-27-year old specially-abled woman cast vote using her foot in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday.Nidhi exercised her franchise at polling booth number 151 in Narsinghpur. After she cast her vote, the presiding officer put the customary ink mark on her foot.Talking to ANI, Nidhi, said, "I voted in the Lok Sabha polls because I want better government.""I want to become a government employee one day," she added.A total of 8.75 crore people decided the fate of 674 candidates in 51 Lok Sabha seats across seven states which went to polls in the fifth phase of the general elections held today. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.
Goa Dy.CM's video knocking off officer's phone goes viral
Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai on Monday expressed regrets after a video showing him knocking off a ringing mobile from the hands of a state administrative service official went viral, saying he had lost his cool.
ECI postpones polls in Patkura seat due to cyclone Fani
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has further postponed the polling for Patkura Assembly constituency in coastal Kendrapara district due to the devastation caused by cyclone 'Fani' in Odisha, an official said on Monday. "In view of the serious devastation caused by cyclone Fani, ECI has decided to extend the completion of the elections from Patkura assembly constituency for 60 days," Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar said, adding that the date of the poll will be be suitably decided after assessing local situation. Earlier, the ECI had fixed May 19 as the date of polls for Patkura assembly segment. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ahead of the cyclone making landfall, had urged the ECI to postpone the polls in view of the cyclone. The state government had argued that the polls should not be held when the people are exposed to miseries due to the calamity. Polling in Patkura Assembly seat was initally scheduled on April 29, but it could not .