Page 657 - Politics

BJP to match its 2014 tally in UP despite SP-BSP alliance:

Senior BJP leader Kalraj Mishra Sunday said the SP-BSP combine may have its impact in some seats in Uttar Pradesh but the saffron party will be able to match its 2014 Lok Sabha election tally in the state. All the anti-BJP alliances forged in states like UP or Bihar were stitched to save their identity and their sole agenda is to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power, he claimed. "There will be some impact of the SP-BSP alliance in some of the seats of Uttar Pradesh. But the number of such seats will be nominal. We will be able to match our tally of last Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh," Mishra told reporters here. The BJP-led NDA had won 73 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 general elections. Mishra, the sitting MP of Deoria seat in UP, has been denied party ticket to contest the election this time. There is an "undercurrent" in favour of Modi, the former union minister claimed, asserting that it can be said with certainty after four ..

Reliance dismisses Rahul's 'crony capitalist' remark against Anil Ambani

Reliance Group on Sunday dismissed Congress president Rahul Gandhi's claim that Anil Ambani is "a dishonest businessman and crony capitalist." Gandhi's claims are "patently untrue statements," said a spokesperson of Reliance Group."Congress party president Rahul Gandhi, in his typical cavalier fashion has continued his campaign of calumny, disinformation, distortion and malicious lies. Yesterday, he singled out our group chairman Anil D Ambani as allegedly a crony capitalist and dishonest businessman -- all obviously patently untrue statements," the spokesperson further said in the statement."As is by now, customary for all of Rahul Gandhi's public statements, he has attributed no basis to these claims whatsoever, and neither has he provided any credible evidence at all to justify his derogatory and defamatory campaign."Reliance Group spokesperson said: "We at the Reliance Group have chosen to ignore Rahul Gandhi's comments with continuing patience and restraint. We likewise dismiss ..

Back Congress, defeat BJP: Mayawati to voters

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday appealed voters in Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies to vote for the Congress, and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of practicing "divide and rule" policy to bring down the SP-BSP alliance.

BJP's 'Ali-Bajrangbali' narrative won't work, country will have UPA govt on May 23: Pilot

Asserting that there is a "wave of change" across India, Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader Sachin Pilot says the BJP's "desperate" bid to "polarise" voters by raising emotive issues will not pay any dividend and the country will have a UPA government on May 23. Pilot, who has led the Congress campaign in Rajasthan as the party's state unit chief, said the BJP's talk of mandir-masjid, Ali-Bajrangbali, or redefining nationalism, will not resonate with the people as these elections are about issues of development and unfulfilled promises. In an interview to PTI, he said the 'Modi factor' of 2014 was not going to work this time around as people will not overlook the "incompetencies" of the past five years. Pilot said his party's performance in the Hindi heartland states will be "excellent" as the BJP stands "totally exposed" there. "Words like mob lynching and cow vigilantism were not in our discourse till five years ago. There are some powers that are supporting such

Maha: Cong, NCP hit out at PM for terming Rajiv Gandhi corrupt

The Congress and NCP in Maharashtra Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks against former PM late Rajiv Gandhi and termed it derogatory and shameful. Speaking at a poll rally in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, 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. Hitting back at Modi, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan tweeted Sunday, "I strongly condemn Mr Modi's derogatory & shameful statement on India's Martyred PM Rajiv Gandhi Ji. Rajiv Ji was a clean, hard-working & dedicated mass leader, sacrificed his life for India's integrity. It shows Modi's desperation as he's losing the Election." Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora tweeted, "Strongly condemn @PMOIndia's statement against former PM Rajiv Gandhi, who was martyred in ..

Mayawati, Akhilesh accuse PM of trying to create rift in alliance

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi charged the SP with going soft on the Congress as part of a "big game" against the BSP, the two "mahagathbandhan" partners blamed the PM on Sunday for trying to create a rift in the alliance. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said the alliance "will continue in the future as well", while Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said the prime minister was "misleading" people. Their rebuttal came against the backdrop of Modi saying at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh on Saturday that the SP was "going soft" on the Congress, though Mayawati was attacking the grand old party. He also claimed that the SP had benefitted due to the alliance and "Behenji" (Mayawati) had now understood that the Akhilesh Yadav-led party and the Congress were playing a "big game" with her. Hitting back at the prime minister, Mayawati said, "Since the formation of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, the BJP is facing an unprecedented crisis. It is suffering .

Those opposing anti-triple talaq law will not be allowed to succeed: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday targeted the opposition parties over the issue of instant triple talaq, saying the Congress and its allies were working overtime to stall a bill against the practice, but vowed to ensure they don't succeed. Addressing a rally at Bhadohi, which has a sizeable Muslim population and goes to the polls on May 12, Modi accused the Congress and its partners of "compelling" Muslim women to live in fear. The Prime Minister said the practice of instant triple talaq has been abolished in several Muslim countries of the world. "Their daughters' lives are not destroyed in the name of triple talaq. We want to give the same rights to our Muslim sisters in India," he said. The Modi government introduced a bill to ban the practice of talaq-e-biddat or instant triple talaq and it was passed by Lok Sabha. But it lapsed in the Upper House. The PM said, "We do not disrespect anybody's religious sentiments, we just follow the Constitution of India. And the Constitution ..

I've vowed to avenge every drop of blood: PM on terror attacks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday called for eliminating terrorism and Naxalism from the country, saying he has vowed to avenge every drop of martyrs' blood. Referring to the United Nations' move of designating JeM chief Masood Azhar a "global terrorist", Modi said it was just the beginning as the country has a lot to do to settle the score. "This chowkidar has vowed to take revenge of every drop of blood. I need your blessings. The ban on Pakistan's super favourite terrorist, Masood Azhar, which all the countries have done by agreeing to India's stand, is a slap on Pakistan's face," he said. "But this is just the beginning. We still have a lot to do to settle the score. Whether it is Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed or others thriving in Pakistan...130 crore Indians have to settle the score...Now Pakistan has to decide which way it wants to pursue," the prime minister said. He said this while addressing a rally in Sagar for BJP candidate Rajbahadur Singh. "We have to free this country ...

Ankara supports Turkish Cypriots' rights in E Mediterranean

Defence Minister Hulusi Aka on Sunday announced to support the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea under the international law."Along with the rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean under international law, as a guarantor country, Turkey is determined to always protect the rights of the people of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and not to allow the fait accompli," Aka told Anadolu News Agency.The Defence Minister's statement came a day after the Greek Foreign Ministry asked Turkey to stop drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.For long, Turkey has been pursuing unilateral drilling activities claiming that Turkish Cypriots also have rights to resources in the region.Cyprus got independence in 1974 following a coup against the Turks.

Deeply shocked, angry at words used by PM for Rajiv Gandhi: Dikshit

Senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit Sunday expressed "shock and anger" over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks about Rajiv Gandhi, saying if politics is not repaired, future generations will "not forgive us". The former Delhi chief minister wrote tweets in English and Hindi to express her sentiments over the issue that has kicked up a controversy. "Deeply shocked & angry at the words used by PM Modi for Shri #RajivGandhi. In 4 decades of my active political life, I have not witnessed this kind of political discourse. If we do not repair our politics, future generations will not forgive us for where we will have pushed India," she tweeted. At a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi had targeted former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi while attacking Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as bhrashtachari no 1," Modi had said.

Congress imposed Manmohan Singh as 'acting PM' for 10 yrs: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the Congress party, saying that his predecessor Manmohan Singh was the 'acting prime minister' imposed by the grand old party for 10 years."Whether it is running a remote-controlled government or playing video games, these people cannot think beyond acting. That is why they imposed an acting prime minister for 10 years and waited till the prime minister in making' became wise," he said at a public rally here.Accusing the Congress of stalling the country's development, Modi said that it stood for "lies" and "falsehood.""The meaning of Congress is falsehood and lies. In Madhya Pradesh, they took votes in the name of waiving off farmers' loans and then they backed away from their promise," the Prime Minister said."Congress and its allies did not do their development works on time and they are responsible for the country's money and resources which are being spent to carry out those initiatives now," he added.Continuing his tirade against ...

I can't be silenced, I will keep working for Delhi till my last breath: Arvind Kejriwal

Unfazed by the attack on him, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asserted that he will keep working for Delhi till his last breath as no attack can deter his commitment towards people of the national capital."Till my last breath I will keep working for the people of Delhi, no attack can silence me or deter my commitment towards the people of Delhi. I am happy to die working for the people of Delhi," Kejriwal said in a press conference here."This was the fifth attack on me after becoming the chief minister. I do not think in the last 70 years any Chief Minister in India has been attacked in this manner," he said.Kejriwal alleged that the BJP government is responsible for his security. "In other states, the police reports to the Chief Ministers and is responsible for their security. So BJP is directly responsible for any attack on me and all other questions are secondary.""During last four years, since we won 67 out of 70 seats in Delhi, all possible attempts have been made .

Nation's security supreme priority for BJP: Amit Shah

BJP chief Amit Shah Sunday said the nation's security will remain the saffron party's "supreme priority" as he attacked the opposition including the Congress for allegedly demanding proof of the Balakot air strikes. Addressing a rally here, Shah also called upon the people to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the country secure. "There were only two countries who avenged the killing of their soldiers-- America and Israel. But Modi ji has added the name of India in this list," Shah said referring to the air strikes in Pakistan following the death of 40 CRPF jawans in Pulwama. Shah lashed out at the opposition especially Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for demanding proof of the air strikes. "Everybody was celebrating it (Balakot strikes). But there was mourning at two places-- Pakistan and Rahul (Gandhi) baba's office. Modi ji killed Pakistan's terrorists but why were their (opposition) faces pale? Were they (terrorists) related to you?" ...

Sheila Dikshit condemns attack on Arvind Kejriwal

Congress leader Sheila Dikshit on Sunday condemned the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that took place on Saturday.Speaking at a press conference here, Dikshit said, "We condemn the attack on Arvind Kejriwal. Such attacks should not happen no matter who is the leader."On Saturday, Kejriwal was slapped by an unidentified man in Moti Nagar in west Delhi while he was campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.Further, when asked to predict Congress' performance in the ensuing polls, Dikshit said, "I don't do guesswork. But all our candidates are doing well, they are working hard and the response of the people is very good."Earlier in the day, the former Delhi chief minister conducted a door-to-door campaign in Seelampur area of the national capital.Talking to ANI, Dikshit said, "The door to door campaign helps in meeting people face to face and listen to their concerns.""It is also a learning experience for me and I will meet people again after the Lok Sabha Polls are

Mamata urges people not to leave TMC for a few greedy leaders

Admitting that a few local leaders of the party may be "greedy", Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday urged people not to turn their anger against them into voting against the TMC, claiming that its central leadership is above such vices. The West Bengal chief minister said her government has showered the impoverished Jangalmahal area, which had once become a den of Maoists, with many benefits and schemes to lift their standard of life. The Jangalmahal area comprises forested areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts. "I cannot say 100 per cent workers of my party are good, may be two per cent are bad and we take action against them," Banerjee said addressing public rallies in three places of Jangalmahal region. She said a few local leaders in the region have become greedy but they have been identified and thrown out. Banerjee urged people not to leave the TMC and go to the BJP, the Congress or the CPI(M) for the fault of a few. "Whatever ...

MP govt changed rules to appoint former IAS officer as chief of good governance school

The Madhya Pradesh government changed recruitment rules apparently to appoint a former IAS officer as the head of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, according to RTI documents. R Parasuram, a 1978-batch IAS (retired) officer, was appointed as the chief secretary of the state on April 30, 2012. His tenure was extended by six months, till September 2013, beyond the date of his superannuation on March 31, 2013. Parasuram took over as the State Election Commissioner, a Constitutional post, from October 1, 2013, at the age of 60. His tenure was for six years or until 66 years of age. Interestingly, on December 26, 2018, Ashok Barnwal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Kamal Nath wrote to Parasuram seeking his approval for becoming chief of the good governance school. To which, Parasuram on the same day wrote to both the chief minister and Barnwal giving his approval for the post. "A new government has formed under your leadership in the state. I ...

Reliance Group rebuts Rahul Gandhi's charge of Anil Ambani being crony capitalist

Rebutting Rahul Gandhi's charge that Anil Ambani is a crony capitalist, Reliance Group Sunday said the group got over Rs 1 lakh crore of contracts during the UPA rule and the Congress president is continuing his campaign of "calumny, disinformation, distortion and malicious lies". The Reliance Group, reacting to Gandhi's recent media statements, issued a statement to say that the Congress president "has attributed no basis to these claims whatsoever, and neither has he provided any credible evidence at all to justify his derogatory and defamatory campaign". Gandhi, in his recent media statements, has termed Anil Ambani as a crony capitalist and dishonest. Reliance Group said Gandhi, in a "cavalier fashion, has continued his campaign of calumny, disinformation, distortion and malicious lies". "He has singled out our group chairman Anil D Ambani as allegedly a crony capitalist and dishonest businessman - all obviously patently untrue statements," the statement said. The Reliance Group ..

Anything may happen in Karnataka politics after bye-poll results are out on May 23, says BS Yeddyurappa

Karnataka's BJP unit president B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday stirred speculation about the stability of the Congress-JDS alliance government, saying that "anything" could happen in the state politics after the bye-election results are announced on May 23.Talking to media persons, Yeddyurappa said: "This government has not fulfilled any promises made to the people. Their agenda is to keep the BJP away from power. After the bye-election results are out on May 23, anything can happen."Exuding confidence, he said that the BJP would win both the Assembly seats -- Chincholi and Kundgol -- which are scheduled to go to elections on May 19.The former Chief Minister claimed that over 20 legislators belonging to the alliance would not support Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy-led government."More than 20 MLAs are telling openly that they are not going to support HDK as the CM," he said.Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said the BJP will stage a state-wide protest from Monday against what he called .

Shah attacks Rahul, says no comparison between him and Modi

BJP chief Amit Shah Sunday said there was no comparison between Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with one remembering the poor at the time of polls, while the other working non-stop to bring a change in their lives. He said people have rejected politics of dynasty and corruption which prevailed earlier. Choosing Sonipat to address his first poll rally in Haryana for the Lok Sabha election, Shah launched a scathing attack on Gandhi on various issues, and also criticised the previous governments of Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Om Prakash Chautala. He also took a swipe at former chief minister Bhajan Lal, whose grandson Bhavya Bishnoi is contesting from Hisar. From Sonipat, former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda is contesting and is pitted among others against BJP's sitting MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik and JJP's Digvijay Chautala, grandson of former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala. Attacking Gandhi, Shah said the Congress ...

Pak PM's tweet on Tipu Sultan sparks war of words

A tweet by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tipu Sultan triggered a war of words between senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah and BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday, with the former saying he was not the one to "eat biryani" with the premier of an enemy country. Siddaramaiah's comment came in the wake of Khan's tweet on Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom. Paying tribute to Tipu Sultan, Khan tweeted on Saturday, saying he admired him because "he preferred freedom and died fighting for it rather than live a life of enslavement". Retweeting Khan's message, BJP MP Chandrasekhar wrote, "Dear @siddaramaiah avare - time for u (you) to hug Imranji n (and) Bajwaji - @sherryontopp! Thts (That's) quickest way to bcm (become) @RahulGandhi n (and) @priyankagandhi's favourite! #JustDoIt." His jibe was aimed at Siddaramaiah's reverence for Tipu Sultan. The Congress leader had started the tradition of celebrating Tipu Jayanti as then chief minister of Karnataka .