Page 669 - Politics
SP, BSP, Cong shunned principles for power: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the SP, BSP and Congress of "trampling upon" principles for gaining power, and said they were so obsessed with poll arithmetic that they treat people merely as vote banks. Addressing an election rally here, the PM continued his 'mahamilawat' (grand adulteration) jibe at the opposition alliance and predicted that the bonhomie between the parties fighting the BJP together was short-lived. They will be at each others' throat after May 23, when Lok Sabha poll results will be declared, he said. "The SP, BSP and Congress are the biggest example of how principles are trampled upon for power. They are so affected by the bad habit of getting their vote bank arithmetic right that they consider people just numbers," Modi said. He also attacked the SP and the BSP over alleged corruption while apparently referring to the NRHM "scam", illegal sand mining mafia and allegations that some interior fittings were missing after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav vacated
BJP questions Congress chief's role in defence deal during UPA; Rahul Gandhi denies
Stepping up the attcak after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah made snide references, Finance Minister Arun jaitley called Rahul Gandhi a 'defence deal pusher' on and questioned his role in a defence deal awarded during the previous UPA government to a company allegedly linked to his former business partner."It is the story of a man who aspired to be a defence deal pusher and today aspires to become India's PM," Jaitley said at a press conference at the party headquarters here attacking Gandhi.Quoting a media report, he said, "In 2002, a company named Backops Service Pvt Ltd with Rahul and Priyanka as its directors was formed. In 2003, a company with the same name was formed in Britain with its directors as Rahul Gandhi (65 per cent stake) and US national Ulrik Mcknight. This is a liasoning company which uses influence for cash."Jaitley alleged that Gandhi's former business partner was awarded the offset contract in the Scorpene-class submarine deal signed during the ...
Mehbooba Mufti appeals Centre, militants to announce ceasefire during Ramzan
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed the Centre and the militants to announce ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir for the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan so that the "people get some relief". "The month of Ramzan is starting after a couple of days and so, I appeal the Government of India that ours is a Muslim-majority state and people here are facing difficulties. "It is a month of prayer and so I request them (Centre) to announce a ceasefire like the last year so that crackdowns, search operations and encounters are stopped and people get some relief, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister told reporters here. She also asked the militants to stop attacks on security forces. I also want to tell militants that they should understand that this blessed month is a month of prayer and repentance and so they should not carry out any attacks in this month, she said. Ramzan is likely to commence from Monday or Tuesday. The Union government had in May last year directed security ...
Venezuela: Prosecutor General requests 18 arrest warrants after failed coup
Venezuela's Prosecutor General, Tarek William Saab, is seeking 18 arrest warrants in connection with the recent failed attempt by the Opposition to oust President Nicolas Maduro."We have requested 18 arrest warrants for civilians and military involved in the conspiracy. Seventeen searches have been carried out and evidence was collected that led us to a larger group of people. Many of those detained are now giving testimony," Sputnik quoted a statement issued by Saab's office as saying.Amongst others, the Prosecutor General is holding Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez responsible for the coup attempt on April 30.Lopez claims he was freed from house arrest by the military during the coup attempt, after which the politician and his family took refuge in the Chilean embassy in the Venezuelan capital before shifting to the Spanish embassy."One of those responsible (for the coup attempt) fled to the Chilean embassy, but he was expelled from there. Then he fled to the Spanish embassy, but he
Campaign ends for five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar
Campaign ended on Saturday for five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar which go to the polls in the fifth phase of general elections on May 6. The five seats are Muzaffarpur, Saran, Sitamarhi, Vaishali and Hajipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the campaigning from the front, holding a rally at Muzaffarpur where he canvassed in favor of the local BJP candidate as also nominees fielded by alliance partners the JD(U) and the LJP. He described the ruling NDA in the state as a cohesive three in one entity and the opposition weak, loosely knit and helpless against menaces of black money, corruption and threats to national security. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, whose party is not contesting any of the five seats going to the polls on Monday, did not hold an election meeting in these constituencies which are, however, being contested by alliance partners in the 'Mahagathbandhan'. BJP chief Amit Shah addressed rallies at Saran and Sitamarhi and spoke about the prime ministers ...
Cong-JDS will get maximum number of LS seats, Dy CM
The ruling Congress-JD(S) combine in Karnataka will gain maximum number of seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls as per an analysis done by the party, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameswara said Saturday. "Based on the information we have gathered from constituencies, we did an analysis, which said both parties (Congress and JDS) together would win a majorityof seats, while the BJP would lose face. I'm giving thisstatement based on the reports that we have got," Parameshwarasaid. Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, he said people ofthe country have seen what kind of administration the Narendra Modi-led BJP government had given in the last fiveyears, during which the economic situation 'deteriorated.' "I'm confident that that UPA government will come back to power at the centre and Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Minister. We came to this conclusion after analysing the Lok Sabha elections which took place so far and observing the responses that we have got from ..
Unique train coach look makes polling booth 140 centre of attraction in Hazaribagh
A unique train coach look given to polling booth number 140 of the Hazaribagh constituency has made it a centre of attraction for the villagers from the area.Jaya Shanthi Murmu, Block Development Officer (BDO) said on Saturday that the polling booth will motivate the voters to exercise their democratic right."People are very excited. They will definitely come to cast their vote on polling day. This is one of the steps being taken to motivate and encourage the voters," Murmu told ANI.Another block level officer, Naresh, said the village is located in a remote area where many villagers have never got a chance to see a real train. Considering this aspect also the booth has been given such a look.Booth number 140 is situated in Dulmi block of the Ramgarh district which comes under the Hazaribagh constituency.Hazaribagh, along with three other constituencies of Jharkhand, will see polling on May 6 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. Over 2200 booths have been made for 70.81 per cent .
Iran sentences president's brother to prison for corruption
Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency says President Hassan Rouhani's brother has been sentenced to an unspecified prison term for corruption. ISNA said Saturday that Hossein Fereidoun, a close confidante of the president, will be able to appeal the verdict. The financial misconduct charges date back to 2016, and were brought by hard-liners who dominate the country's judiciary. Rouhani, a relative moderate within Iran's political system, changed his surname decades ago. Fereidoun's trial began in February, and he's been free on bail since spending a night in prison in 2017. He had played a role as part of the team that negotiated Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers. Iran has in the past jailed allies of former presidents for similar charges.
Sharad Pawar discusses drought crisis in Maharashtra with party leaders
NCP president and former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday discussed the current drought crisis in the state with his party leaders.Prominent leaders of the party, its MPs, and MLAs attended the meeting. According to party sources, Pawar also spoke to every district unit party president via video conference.As the drought is expected to aggravate in the state in coming days, the NCP chief is likely to visit the farmers. The meeting also discussed important issues to be taken up during the Monsoon Session of the state assembly, which is scheduled to commence from next month.On April 30, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wrote to the Election Commission (EC) seeking relaxation in Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to carry out drought relief measures in the state."Extreme summer. There are a number of infrastructure works such as drilling of bore wells, repairs to drinking water schemes, irrigation canal maintenance works, etc. which need to be taken up during the
It's celebrity card again in Punjab's border constituency
Amid blistering heat, a sea of people thronged actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol's roadshows vying for a selfie with their favourite candidate. True to star gesture, the Gadar star is also not missing an opportunity to get off from his vehicle to meet children.
Javadekar accuses Cong of patronising corruption during UPA regime
Union minister Prakash Javadekar Saturday accused the Congress of damaging constitutional institutions and patronising corruption during the UPA regime. He claimed that it was Congress' character to give threats of impeachment to Supreme Court judges. "The Congress-led UPA government gave 2G scam, CWG scam to the country. The party is known for corruption in every deal and for taking commission in different forms," the minister alleged. "The Congress has now come up with a claim that surgical strikes were carried out in its rule also but Union minister and former army chief V K Singh, in whose tenure the strikes were claimed to have happened, has also said that he is not aware of any such action during his tenure," he said. He also alleged that then prime minister Manmohan Singh did not give permission for surgical strike after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his assent to the Indian Air Force after the Pulwama attack. Javadekar, who is BJP's ...
Punjab Congress rebel rejoins party
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday welcomed former state unit Secretary Sukhraj Singh Natt back into the party.
Congress lying on surgical strikes: Gen V.K. Singh
Former Army chief General V.K. Singh on Saturday said the Congress was lying about surgical strikes and demanded clarification on operations carried out during his tenure as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
AAI names acting president to start election process
Archery Association of India on Saturday named its senior vice president Sunil Sharma as its acting president to start the ball rolling for its polls after the Supreme Court's order to set aside the national body's election last year and subsequent resignation of its president. The Supreme Court Wednesday declared "null and void" the elections conducted last December by the AAI that were monitored by high court-appointed administrator S Y Quraishi, and directed fresh polling within four weeks. A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi said that the incumbent elected body would continue to function as a committee of administrators of the AAI and allowed it to be in office until the newly elected body takes over. In the wake of the SC order and subsequent resignation of BVP Rao from the post of president, the AAI on Saturday convened an emergent Executive Committee, which appointed Sharma as its acting president. Sharma later declared that the AAI was in the process of ...
Mehbooba Mufti appeals to Centre, militants for 'ceasefire' during Ramadan in J-K
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government to declare a ceasefire during Ramadan and stop crackdown and search operations during the holy month"Ramadan is approaching. People pray day and night and go to mosques. I would like to appeal to the government of India that just like a ceasefire was put in place during Ramadan last year, crackdowns and search ops should be stopped, so that people of Jammu and Kashmir spend at least this one month in relief," Mufti said addressing told media here."I would also like to appeal to the militants that Ramadan is a month of worship and prayers. They should not make any attacks during this time," she added.Criticising the NDA government, Mufti said that they have made "Jammu and Kashmir a 'jung ka akhada', where the Centre is at war with its own people.""Whether it is imposing a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami or JKLF and after that the manner in ...
MP: Campaign for seven Lok Sabha seats in Bundelkhand ends
A high-decibel campaign for seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh ended at 5 pm Saturday. Polling for Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Hoshangabad and Betul seats, all held by the BJP currently, will take place Monday, May 6. This will be the second phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh, the first phase having been held on April 29. Union minister Virendra Kumar Khatik is the BJP candidate from Tikamgarh while former Union minister and sitting MP Prahlad Patel is the party's Damoh candidate. They are pitted against the Congress' Kiran Ahirwar and Pratap Singh Lodhi, respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at Hoshangabad for BJP candidate and sitting MP Rao Uday Pratap Singh, while Congress chief Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally for his party's candidate Diwan Shailendra Singh. Gandhi also held rallies in Rewa, Tikamgarh, Damoh and Khajuraho. BJP president Amit Shah held rallies in Rewa, Tikamgarh and ...
PM Modi, Shah to hold rallies in HP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah will address five election rallies in Himachal Pradesh, where polling for all four Lok Sabha seats will be held on May 19. Modi will address a public meeting in Mandi on May 10 in support of sitting MP Ramswaroop Sharma, BJP state general secretary Chandra Mohan Thakur said. The Mandi Lok Sabha seat is one of the most talked about seats in the state as BJP MLA Anil Sharma's son Aashray Sharma is fighting the Lok Sabha polls as a Congress candidate. Aashray Sharma had sought a BJP ticket from Mandi but after denial he, along with his grandfather and former Union minister Sukh Ram, rejoined the Congress party. Veteran politician Sukh Ram is leaving no stone unturned to ensure his grandson Aashray's victory. The prime minister will address another rally in Solan on May 13 in support of Shimla BJP candidate Suresh Kashyap who is trying his luck against Congress candidate Col (retd) Dhani Ram Shandil. BJP chief Shah on May 12 will ...
Ex-militants' Pakistani wives seek travel documents
Pakistani wives of former Kashmiri militants here on Saturday implored External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to help them obtain travel documents.
PM harping on Pulwama, Balakot to hide failures on economic front: Omar
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was harping on the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent air strikes in Pakistan's Balakot to hide his failures on economic front, job creation and alleviating agrarian distress. The former chief minister said while Kashmir was no more an election issue in Pakistan, it was Prime Minister Modi who focussed his election campaign on the situation in the valley. "There was a time when Jammu and Kashmir used to dominate elections in Pakistan but now it is PM Modi who is going to town with J&K in the election campaign. "The prime minister is raking up Balakot and Pulwama terror attack to hide his government's failures on economic front, employment generation and the agrarian distress in the country," Abdullah told reporters after addressing an election rally in this militancy-infested town in Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency. Pulwama and Shopian districts are going to polls on May 6 in the third leg of ...
Defence deal pusher wants to be PM, says Jaitley in Rahul attack
Attacking Rahul Gandhi on his former business partner allegedly acquiring defence offset contracts under the UPA regime, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the Congress President was "a man who aspired to be a defence deal pusher and today aspires to be India's Prime Minister".