Page 673 - Politics
EC showing signs of life, Modi-Shah fear weakening: Chidambaram
P Chidambaram, the former finance minister and Congress leader, on Saturday took a dig at the Election Commission (EC), saying that it has started shedding the fear of Modi-Shah duo."With one member of the EC finding fault with Modi-Shah speeches and dissenting from the other two, the Election Commission is finally showing some signs of life!," Chidambaram wrote on Twitter.The comment from the senior Congress leader came a day after the EC cleared PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in four complaints of alleged Model Code of Conduct violation, of which at least one decision was not unanimous."Closer to May 6, 12 and 19, the Election Commission may actually reprimand Mr Modi and Mr Shah. That means the fear of Modi-Shah is finally weakening," Chidambaram wrote on the micro-blogging site.The poll watchdog's order came on the complaint filed by the Congress, which alleged that PM had violated the poll code in his public speech in Nanded on April 6 and in another speech at Varanasi on ...
Akhilesh Yadav introduces 'baba' resembling Yogi Adityanath
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday introduced a "baba," having apparent resemblance with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.The 'baba' donned a saffron attire as Adityanath does and also had his head shaved in a similar fashion. However, his face is not visible. Baba can be seen accompanying Yadav in the pictures shared by latter on his twitter handle."We cannot bring fake God but we bring a 'baba' ji. He has left Gorakhpur and is telling truth about the government to everyone in the state," tweeted Yadav.SP, BSP and Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are contesting the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh as an alliance. As per the seat-sharing arrangement, BSP, SP, and RLD are contesting 38, 37 and three Lok Sabha seats respectively in the state.
Who let Masood Azhar out: Rahul asks Modi, BJP
Pointing fingers at the BJP for being the one who allowed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar to return to Pakistan and carry out terror activities over the years, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asserted his party will deal with terrorism sternly and strictly.
Rise of the Right in Bengal will be a novel phenomenon (Column: Political Circus)
Mamata Banerjees prime ministerial ambitions may have been severely jolted by the violence during the West Bengal elections which has recalled, according to a polling officer, what used to happen in Bihar a decade or so ago.
I have done no wrong: Shatrughan Sinha (IANS Interview)
Actor-turned-politician and Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha has said that he has done no wrong in campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha, who is the Samajwadi candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.
France plans to hold investment conclave in Goa this year
The Government of France is planning to organise an investment conclave in Goa in October this year, to encourage French companies to invest in various sectors in the coastal state. A proposal to this effect would be submitted to the Goa government soon, Consul General of France in Mumbai Sonia Barbry said here on Friday. The first such conclave was held at Nagpur last year, in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis had participated, she said. "During that conclave, a number of memorandum of understanding (MoUs) and letters of intent (LOI) were signed between French and Indian companies. Now, we will try to bring in French investment into Goa," she said. The 'Franco Goa Investment Conclave' will look at investment in the field of green marinas, health, medical equipment and waste management besides others, Barbry said. "We have some companies in France that know how to make sustainable marinas without disturbing the environment," she said. Barbry, who was in
Rahul accuses govt of compromising in dealing with terrorism
Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led government on Saturday of compromising in dealing with the challenge of terrorism and cited the release Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar during the NDA rule. Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters here, he said, if voted to power, his party will adopt a more stern approach in combatting terrorism than what the Narendra Modi government's approach has been. "Masood Azhar is a terrorist, he must be punished. But who sent him to Pakistan?," the Congress chief asked, adding that his party had never sent a terrorist back to Pakistan. Accusing the BJP-led government of destroying the country's economy, he said, "I see a scared prime minister these days, who is unable to face the opposition onslaught." Alleging that the Election Commission (EC) is "completely biased" towards the opposition, Gandhi said according to an internal survey of the Congress, the BJP is losing the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Modi to hold two rallies in UP on Saturday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will hold two election rallies in Uttar Pradesh -- one in Pratapgarh and one in Basti Lok Sabha constituency.
Rahul accuses Modi of disrespecting armed forces
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of disrespecting the country's armed forces by comparing surgical strikes to video games.
Trump administration extends nuclear waivers for Iran
US President Donald Trump's administration is extending waivers that allow countries signed up to the Iran nuclear deal to participate in civil nuclear projects with Tehran, the State Department said.
India hasn't shown inclination to pursue deeper defence ties with Afghanistan: US report
India has not shown an inclination to pursue a deeper defence relationship with Afghanistan even as it has been the largest regional contributor to the war-torn country's reconstruction, according to a US Congressional report. US President Donald Trump in his South Asia speech in 2017 encouraged India to play a greater role in Afghanistan's economic development, the latest report on Afghanistan by the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) said. "India has been the largest regional contributor to Afghan reconstruction but New Delhi has not shown an inclination to pursue a deeper defence relationship with Kabul," according to the report dated May 1. "This, along with other administration messaging, has compounded Pakistani concerns over Indian activity in Afghanistan," said the bipartisan research wing of the US Congress which prepares period reports on issues of interest for the members of the Congress. CRS reports are prepared for the US lawmakers to take informed ...
Never seen any leader lie and deceive like PM Modi before: Siddaramaiah
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "of not doing any work" and merely demanding votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Addressing an election rally here, Siddaramaiah sharpened his attack on the BJP and said: "The BJP, in the span of five years, has not done any work. This is why they are demanding votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi, too, has not done any work for the people of the country and has merely misguided them."Continuing his tirade against PM Modi, he said: "Why has BJP elected Prahlad Joshi from Dharwad Lok Sabha seat, if they only have to ask for votes on PM Modi's face value. I have never seen any leader lie and deceive people like PM Modi before."Siddaramaiah also challenged PM Modi to have a discussion on the work they have done over the last five years. "I have served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 2013 to 2018- for five years and he, too, was the Prime Minister during ..
North Korea fires short-range 'projectiles' into sea: Seoul
North Korea launched unidentified projectiles into the sea Saturday, the South Korean military said, in what could be Pyongyang's first short-range missile launch for more than a year as it seeks to up pressure on Washington with nuclear talks deadlocked. The United States and North Korea have been at loggerheads since the collapse of a summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump in February, where the two sides clashed over sanctions and the extent of Pyongyang's concessions on its atomic arsenal. North Korea "fired a number of short-range projectiles from its Hodo peninsula near the east coast town of Wonsan to the northeastern direction from 9:06 am (0006 GMT) to 09:27 am today", the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The projectiles travelled from 70 to 200 kilometres (45 to 125 miles) towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the JCS added. In an earlier statement, it had said Pyongyang had launched an unidentified short-range missile. The last North ..
US to cut Turkey off F-35 programme over Russia S-400 deal
Pentagon is planning to eliminate Turkey from a programme on creating F-35 multi-role fighters over the latter's deals to buy Russian S-400 defence system, said acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan.He also underlined that Turkey remains a key "strategic US partner", however, it cannot have S-400 and F-35 "together", reported TASS on Saturday."I want air-tight plans that have near-zero execution risk so that we can flawlessly deliver on all the other F-35s to, you know, our other customers. So part of me going through there is, and meeting with folks is like, show me where the risk is. Let's talk about what kind of decisions we have to make to mitigate that risk. But at the same time, we are talking with Turkey," said Shanahan."Now, S-400s and F-35s do not go together. That's a big bump," he added.Last week, Shanahan held a meeting with the leadership of Lockheed Martin and United Technologies Corporation, US' principal defence manufacturers, to discuss the consequences of ...
N.Korea launches short-range missiles into East Sea
North Korea on Saturday launched several short-range missiles into the East Sea, according to a statement released by South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff (JCS).
Congress wanted Priyanka Gandhi to focus on 20 seats instead of just Varanasi: Sam Pitroda
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Saturday said the party wanted Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to focus on 20 seats instead of being captive to only the Varanasi parliamentary constituency with an aim to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi by contesting polls.On being asked whether Priyanka's decision not to contest elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat is because Modi is said to be invincible from the temple city, Pitroda in an interview to ANI said, "Earlier also I have said that it has to be her own decision because contesting elections is a very personal decision and it has to be a decision between a party and a person. When the party and the person collectively made that decision, we all have to support it."When asked about the reason behind Priyanka's decision not to contest polls, Pitroda said, "They must have felt it is better to use her time and talent on more seats rather than one seat and not divert her energy to one .
Sam Pitroda draws comparison between Hitler's approach to nationalism and Modi's
Drawing a comparison between German dictator Adolf Hitler and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Saturday said the Prime Minister, too, made nationalism an issue like Hitler.Pitroda's remark came in response to a question on paradoxical statements regarding the apparent destruction of the idea of India by Modi and the BJP versus the saffron party making nationalism a key issue in the ongoing polls."No, I don't think it's paradoxical, you could be a dictator and make nationalism as an issue. You know who did that - Hitler. Let's not confuse what I am talking about - attacking the idea of India from the viewpoint of firstly democracy which I believe has been hijacked. Secondly, freedom, of the fact that people are afraid to speak up bothers me. Thirdly, the truth that you start lying, you promote lies when you attack everybody individually," he said in an interview to ANI.Taking a pot shot at Modi's "56-inch chest" remark, Pitroda said the nation
Goal is to oust Modi govt, gathbandhan will come together at right time: Sam Pitroda
A day after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati slammed Congress, the party's key strategist Sam Pitroda has indicated that the 'gathbandhan' or alliance of opposition parties will come together at the "right time".Pitroda, in an interview to ANI, asserted that the common objective of the parties is to oust the Narendra Modi government, even if that amounts to a compromise on the number of seats.On being asked how the gathbandhan will resolve contradictions within itself, Pitroda said, "I don't think there is anything to worry about, they (gathbandhan) will all come together at the right time. I can assure you, they are all clear on the common goal. They all want democracy, inclusion, and peace. Only through peace, they will have prosperity. Only if we have peace in the country we can create jobs.""We cannot create jobs by dividing people and everybody knows that. I have confidence in the leadership of the members of the gathbandhan. .
Congress winning LS polls as Modi govt failed to fulfil promises: Sam Pitroda
Exuding confidence over winning the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is going to face defeat on May 23 as they have failed to fulfill the promises made in 2014.On being asked of his view at the end of four phases of parliamentary elections, Pitroda, in an interview to ANI, said, "Based on our assessment, we believe we are winning because at the ground level reality is very different from what the media is portraying. People have figured out that the Modi government did not deliver what they promised in 2014.""They (Modi government) have nothing to show for, what have they done in five years? They promised 100 million jobs but created zero, instead, they took away 50 million jobs from the country. The Modi government made many false promises. The government promised to double farmer's income but the fact is farmers are in distress. The people at ground level are not happy with the Modi ..
Sam Pitroda bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate, calls him a 'good leader'
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Saturday said that he believes that party President Rahul Gandhi is capable of being a Prime Minister as he is the right man to lead the country.On being asked whether there would be any consensus among 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) leaders for pitching Gandhi as the first choice for prime minister, Pitroda said, "...if we get to form the government, the party will decide who will be the candidate for the prime ministerial post. I, Sam Pitroda, personally would like Rahul Gandhi to be the Prime Minister because he is a young guy and is highly skilled, well-educated, his heart is in the right place and he has learned a lot in the last decade. You have seen a substantive change in Rahul Gandhi in the last two-three years. I think he will make a good leader and I am convinced."On being asked if Congress is going to pitch for Gandhi as Prime Minister if voted to power, he emphasised, "Sam Pitroda is going to pitch him (Rahul) as the Prime