Page 654 - Politics
BJP's Arjun threatens 'new operations' in Barrackpore on vote day
Amid clashes ahead of polling in West Bengal's Barrackpore in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday, BJP candidate Arjun Singh on Sunday courted controversy as he threatened to "introduce new operations" during the voting.
Stringent security in place for last leg of Anantnag polls
Stringent security arrangements have been put in place in Shopian and Pulwama districts of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag constituency for the last leg of the three-phase election in the Lok Sabha seat on Monday, officials said. The elaborate security comes especially after Imamsahib area of Shopian witnessed massive clashes between youths and the security forces, following the killing of three militants in an encounter on Friday, the officials said. All arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls in the twin districts of south Kashmir, as well as in the Ladakh constituency that also goes to polls on Monday, they said. "Adequate number of security personnel, along with their mobile bunkers, have been placed in the two districts." The multi-layered security set-up was put in place for protection of polling booths, handling of law-and-order problems and thwarting the designs of "anti-national" elements to disrupt the polls, the officials said. Pulwama and ...
Turkey condemns Israeli attacks on Anadolu Agency building in Gaza
Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay on Sunday said Anadolu Agency's director general and employees are "much more determined" after an Israeli attack bombed its building in Gaza yesterday."I have seen both Anadolu Agency's director general [Senol Kazanci] and employees much more determined following the incident. I congratulate them over their determination," Fuat Oktay told Turkish broadcaster Kanal 7.Oktay's remarks came a day after Israeli warplanes hit the Agency's building with at least five rockets after warning shots.However, no injuries or deaths were reported after the attack, but the building totally collapsed.Oktay also said the attacks would not change the Agency's employees' and Turkey's determination, Anadolu Agency reported.The Turkish-based Agency strongly condemned the attack and called on the national and international press organisations to react and take action regarding the violation of press freedom following the attacks.Meanwhile, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip .
Man who slapped Kejriwal sent to 2-day judicial custody
The Delhi Police on Sunday sent Suresh, the man accused of slapping Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow, to two-day judicial custody. He has also been charged under Section 107/51 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)."We have applied for bail. He has been sent to judicial custody for two days and will be released by May 7. We have already done the formality of surety bond. We will follow the course of remedies," Sumant Sudan, the accused's lawyer, told ANI.On Saturday, Kejriwal was slapped in west Delhi's Moti Nagar area while doing his poll campaigning.Suresh attacked Kejriwal during his road show when he was travelling in an open jeep and waving to his supporters.Following the assault, AAP alleged that it was an "opposition-sponsored attack.""Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal got attacked during the roadshow. We condemn this cowardly act. This opposition sponsored attack cannot stop the Aam Aadmi in Delhi," said the party in a statement.Earlier in the day, Kejriwal ...
Gaza conflict: 3 Israelis killed; IDF assassinates Hamas commander
At least three people were killed and over 150 others suffered injuries after dozens of rockets fired from Gaza struck a factory in southern Israel on Sunday afternoon.Another rocket hit a vehicle near Kibbutz Yad Mordechai near Gaza border. Sources told The Jerusalem Post that a man inside the vehicle was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition where he died of his wounds.The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is investigating the nature of the attack.It is, however, not yet clear whether the driver of the car is one of the two Israelis who have succumbed to critical wounds during the attack, the IDF said.Hamas on Sunday intensified their attacks on Israel with large rocket barrages aimed at the country's southern area, and a number of longer-range projectiles fired toward central Israel, and one anti-tank guided missile strike near the Gaza border.The Times of Israel quoted the IDF as saying that since Saturday, around 600 rockets and mortar shells were fired from Gaza at Israel, ...
Kejriwal urges voters to strengthen hands of AAP
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal Sunday urged people to strengthen the hands of his party by voting for them. Kejriwal held three roadshows on Sunday in Delhi's North-East, West and Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituencies. He urged the people to "strengthen the hands of the Aam Aadmi Party by voting for them in the upcoming polls". "We have worked for you and will continue to work for you but you need to strengthen the hands of the party by voting for us," he said. Hitting out at the incumbent BJP MPs, Kejriwal asked people not to vote this time for those "who do not show their faces after elections". He urged people to not "waste" their votes by supporting the Congress as this time the "Congress candidates would lose their security deposits". In each of the roadshows, he was accompanied by AAP candidates for the respective constituencies. While he was accompanied by Pankaj Gupta in Chandni Chowk, the chief minister was flanked by Dilip Pandey in ...
Congress suspends Bihar rebel candidate Shakeel Ahmed
The Congress on Sunday suspended senior leader and former MP Shakeel Ahmed for contesting as an Independent from Bihar's Madhubani Lok Sabha constituency against the official alliance candidate, a party statement said.
India will become 'superpower' if Modi becomes PM again: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah Sunday asserted that India will emerge as a "superpower" in the next five years if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister again. Addressing his fourth rally in the states of Punjab and Haryana, Shah said the country was secure only under the Modi rule. He earlier organised rallies at Sonipat and Panipat in Haryana, and at Pathankot in Punjab. His rally in Haryana's Yamunanagar was cancelled. "I have come here to say if you make Narendra Modi PM again, India will emerge as a superpower in the world in next five years," the BJP chief told the gathering here. He was campaigning for BJP nominee and sitting MP from Chandigarh, Kirron Kher. Dubbing the Congress-led opposition 'Mahamilavati' (highly adulterated) 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance), Shah reiterated that only Narendra Modi can keep the country secure. "On one side, BJP and its alliance partners, and on the other hand, there is 'Mahamilavat Mahagathbandhan' whose leader is Rahul (Gandhi). Can they ...
By insulting Rajiv Gandhi, Modi has lowered political discourse to gutter level: Anand Sharma
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lowering the political discourse to gutter level by calling Rajiv Gandhi "corrupt". The former Union minister alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was running away from the "real issues" and trying to divert the people's attention. Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi had targeted the former prime minister while attacking Congress president Rahul Gandhi and said, "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari (corrupt) no 1." "The PM yesterday made irresponsible statement. What he said about late Rajiv Gandhi is unacceptable," Sharma said while addressing media here. "Modi is known for making shockingly insulting statements about his opponents and predecessors. Rajiv Gandhi was a martyred PM of the country. Modi should not forget Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by terrorists," Sharma said. "Modi will go down in .
Goa Cong's Monserratte denies BJP claim that he wanted ticket
The BJP Sunday claimed the Congress Panaji Assembly bypoll candidate Atanasio Monserratte had approached them for a ticket, a charge denied by him. BJP Goa chief Vinay Tendulkar told a press conference on Sunday that Monserratte was aspiring to contest upcoming Panaji by-election on a BJP ticket and he had even visited the party office for the same, adding that his request was turned down by the ruling party. The Panaji bypoll will take place on May 19. "Monserratte decided to contest on a Congress ticket after we denied him our candidature. He had come to our office asking for a ticket, and we refused his request," Tendulkar said. He claimed Monserratte had termed Congress a "scrap party" while asking for a BJP ticket. Minutes after the press conference by Tendulkar, Monserratte said the former's claims were false. "I never wanted a BJP ticket. In fact, the BJP had asked me not to contest on a Congress ticket from Panaji," Monserratte said. He, however, admitted that he
Karnataka CM flays Modi for remarks on Rajiv Gandhi
Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks against former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
Modi's statement on Rajiv Gandhi reflects his state of mind:
Condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi that his life ended as 'Bhrastachari Number One,' Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy Sunday said the comment reflected his state of mind. "PM @narendramodi's comments against former PM #RajivGandhi are not only despicable and highly condemnable, but also reflect the PM's state of mind. Fear and frustration have taken over his judgement. #ShameOnPMModi," Kumaraswamy tweeted. Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao too flayed the prime minister's statement. Rao tweeted, "PM Modi's comment, 'Your father's (Rajiv Gandhi) life ended as Bhrashtachari No 1' exposes his filthy mind. Rajiv liberalised economy, ushered in IT revolution, reduced the voting age to 18 and introduced panchayat raj. Above all, he gave his life for India." At a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi had targeted the former prime minister while attacking Rahul. "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his ..
Minor among 2 civilians killed in cross-border firing along LoC, says Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army on Sunday said two civilians, including a minor, were killed in a cross-border firing with the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Hotsprings and Kot Kotera sectors in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. An army statement claimed that the "Indian Army resorted to unprovoked firing" in Hotsprings and Kot Kotera sectors. A 45-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were killed, while another woman was injured in the firing, it said. "Pakistan Army troops responded effectively and targeted those posts which initiated fire," the statement said. Earlier in the day, Indian officials in Jammu said an Army officer and a porter were injured as Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and small arms firing on forward posts and villages along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir. While the colonel-rank officer was injured in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district, the 25-year-old porter suffered splinter injuries when a mortar shell exploded ...
'Country transformed under Modi's leadership': Nadda
Union minister J P Nadda Sunday said the country has transformed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and now the developed nations want to match step with India. Addressing an election rally in Domariyaganj here, Nadda said, "These are 'achche din' that Masood Azhar has been declared as an international terrorist. IAF officer Abhinandan returned to India 24 hours after he shot an F16 aircraft. Today Pakistan is on the backfoot and has been isolated in the world." He added "the developed countries of the world want to match step with India". "Now it is your responsibility to keep these 'achche din' intact," he said making an appeal to the gathering to vote for BJP The Union minister the entire world was following the general election in the country. Domariyaganj Lok Sabha seat goes to polls on May 12.
Case filed against man who slapped Kejriwal
The Delhi police on Sunday filed an FIR against the man on charges of slapping Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow a day ago, officials said. The accused, Suresh, has been booked under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153 (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Monika Bhardwaj said. The 33-year-old, who the police said was a disgruntled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporter, allegedly slapped Kejriwal during a roadshow in west Delhi's Moti Nagar on Saturday, apparently because he was dissatisfied with the behaviour of the party leaders. The chief minister was atop an open jeep when a man wearing a red T-shirt jumped onto the vehicle and slapped him before being pulled off the vehicle. According to the police, Suresh, who is a scrap dealer in the area, had been a supporter of the Aam Aadmi Party and used to work as an organiser of the party's rallies and meetings. Suresh has said he had got ...
Cong suspends Shakeel Ahmed for contesting as Independent
Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Shakeel Ahmed was on Sunday suspended from the party "with immediate effect" for contesting as an Independent from the Madhubani Lok Sabha seat in Bihar which goes to polls on Monday. According to a release issued by AICC general secretary Motilal Vora at New Delhi, shared by the partys state unit here, Ahmed - who had won the Madhubani seat for the Congress in 2004 "has been suspended with immediate effect" for going against the party decision. Besides, Congress MLA Bhavana Jha, who represents Benipatti assembly segment falling under Madhubani, has been suspended "for anti-party activities". Notably, Jha had accompanied Ahmed when he filed his nomination papers last month and has since been claiming that he enjoyed the support of the district Congress notwithstanding the party leaderships refusal to heed the former Union ministers request for a "friendly fight". The seat has fallen into the kitty of fledgling outfit ..
Slap sedition charges on politicians issuing anti-national statements in JK: Sharma
BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma Sunday appealed the to the Centre and the administration to slap sedition charges on leaders issuing "anti-national" statements for political gains in Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma, who recently resigned from the Congress and joined the saffron party, hailed the UN's move to declare Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) founder Azhar Masood a global terrorist, saying the decision was the result of diplomatic efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We appeal to the Centre and state administration that those leaders, who are making anti-national statements every now and then, should be booked under the sedition law so that they desist from such remarks," the former minister said. He was addressing his first monthly meeting with workers at Akhnoor here. Sharma accused the National Conference, the Congress and the PDP of being in the "habit of backing anti-Indian forces" and said such statements were gainst the unity and the integrity of the country and amounts to ...
JetAirways employees commemorate 26th anniversary of airline, see scope for its revival
The officers and other staff of JetAirways on Sunday renewed their appeal to the Central government to revive the airline.They had gathered at Delhi airport to commemorate the airline's 26th anniversary. "All of us on our own have landed here just to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Jet Airways," Captain Raman Sharma told ANI."Today, it was necessary to come here as we feel that this airline can be turned around. For this, a plan has been submitted to the SBI and we are quite sure that they will take it seriously. This is the reason why many people have not resigned yet," he said."We still have hope and something will surely come out of our efforts. We have made an offer to the bankers and lenders for reviving JetAirways where employees' ownership is a part of the solution," said Kamaljeet Singh."In coordination with some investors, we also have some resolution plans which we have discussed but we will disclose them later," Singh added. "Now, the issue is with the bankers and ...
'Mahamilawati' says 'Modi hatao', but people saying 'Modi govt once more', says PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a swipe at the 'mahagathbandhan', saying while the Opposition is leading a campaign to remove him from power, the people of the country want to see his government voted to power again."Mahamilawati says remove Modi, but those who got pucca houses, they are saying Modi government once again. Mahamilawati says remove Modi, but those who got toilets constructed at their homes, they are saying Modi government once again. Mahamilawati says remove Modi, but the poor families who are assured free medical treatment of upto Rs 5 lakh and farmers who got their bank accounts opened due to our efforts, they are also saying Modi government once again. So, everyone is saying 'phir ek baar Modi sarkaar'," Modi said at a public rally here.The Prime Minister claimed that Congress has lost the Lok Sabha elections after four phases of polling."Four phases of Lok Sabha elections have already taken place across the country and Congress along with its allies have
Shiela Dikshit condemns Modi's remarks against Rajiv Gandhi, seeks apology
Congress leader Shiela Dikshit Sunday condemned the "derogatory" language used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Rajiv Gandhi and said it has lowered the BJP leader's reputation among people. Dikshit, who is Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president and the party candidate for the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, sought an unqualified apology from Modi and added that his remarks have "deeply hurt the people of the country". Modi, addressing a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, targeted former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi while attacking Rahul Gandhi. "Your father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari number 1 (corrupt number 1)," Modi had said. Addressing a press conference here, Dikshit said, "Modi's objectional language does not suit the image of a prime minister; rather it has only lowered his reputation among the people." "Congress party strongly condemns the derogatory language used by Prime Minister Narendra .