Page 693 - Politics
Goa govt to ask for roll back of poll code
The Goa government will write to the Election Commission of India requesting it to revoke the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in South Goa district, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Wednesday. The MCC was imposed on March 10 ahead of the April 23 Lok Sabha elections in the state. The code, however, will continue in North Goa as bypoll to Panaji constituency in the district is scheduled for May 19. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters in Panaji that he would write to the Commission Thursday. "Various development works are pending due to the code of conduct," he said. The government would request for "total" lifting of the code in South Goa, he added.
UK's May sacks defence minister Williamson over Huawei leak
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday sacked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson following a probe into the leak of news that Britain had conditionally allowed China's Huawei to develop the UK 5G network. "The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet," said a spokeswoman from her Downing Street office. May said in a letter to Williamson that the investigation "provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure" from the April 23 meeting of the National Security Council. "No other credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified," she added. Britain's already splintered government was rocked by the scandal over who leaked news that May was to let Huawei develop Britain's 5G network. The bitterly disputed decision was reportedly made at the April 23 meeting. National ...
EC gives clean chit to Modi on Latur speech
The Election Commission on Wednesday said that no violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) had been done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at Maharashtra's Latur last month in which he asked first-time voters to dedicate their votes to the men who carried out the air strike in Pakistan's Balakot.
Proud day for India, says Modi on UNSC decision
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that it was a proud day for India after the United Nations (UN) declared Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist.
Rajnath welcomes UNSC designation of Masood Azhar as global terrorist
Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday welcomed the UNSC decision to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad's founder Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying it was a diplomatic victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a series of tweets, Singh said with the designation of Azhar as global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council, India has received a big success against the global war on terror. "This action of UNSC will help in delivering punishment to Masood Azhar, who was involved in several big terror attacks in the country, including Pulwama. "Credit for this diplomatic victory goes to the Prime Minister and his strong action against the terrorism," he said. The home minister said India has been trying for this action against Azhar for the last one decade and today it got the success. The UN committee listed Azhar on May 1, 2019 as being associated with al-Qaeda for "participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of
7 Delhi MPs will play crucial role in government formation: Kejriwal
The seven MPs of Delhi will play a crucial role in formation of government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said Wednesday as he campaigned for his party in Delhi's Chandni Chowk area. Kejriwal, who held a massive roadshow in support of AAP candidate from the seat, Pankaj Gupta, urged Delhiites to vote for those who can fight for their rights. Addressing a gathering during the roadshow, the Delhi chief minister said his government has worked for welfare of the people and asked them to vote for full statehood of the national capital, the party's plank for the Lok Sabha elections. Kejriwal returned to campaigning after missing in action for the past few weeks. He waved and smiled at the crowd as his open vehicles surrounded by hundreds of supporters passed through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi neighbourhoods. Kejriwal would be holding roadshows for all the seven candidates in Delhi. On Thursday, he would take out a roadshow in East Delhi ...
Masood Azhar's UN designation symbolic win: Omar Abdullah
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Wednesday the UN designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist was just "a symbolic win" and there was no mention of the deadly Pulwama attack or terror in Kashmir in the listing. "No mention of terror in Kashmir & no mention of Pulwama. It's amazing how quickly the sacrifices of the CRPF men were sold down the river to get a symbolic win," he tweeted. Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said Chinese diplomats' wordplay had allowed both India and Pakistan to claim diplomatic victory. "The Chinese diplomats must be a happy bunch today. Their wordplay has allowed both India & Pakistan to claim a diplomatic victory. That's no small achievement," he said. He, however, admitted that the UN listing of Azhar has come as a shot in the arm for BJP's "flagging" election campaign. "The rest of the opposition must be wondering if it will ever catch a break. Every time the BJP campaign seems to be .
Owaisi slams Sena for seeking 'burqa ban',asks EC to take note
Hitting out at the Shiv Sena for allegedly seeking a burqa ban, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party should know that the Constitution gives autonomy to individuals. The article in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' on the matter was a grave violation of the Model Code of Conduct, claimed the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president. He asked the Election Commission to take immediate note of it. The article was trying to create divisions and polarisation in society, he alleged. "May I give them some knowledge, some gyan because they are ignorant... I am to remind them that the Supreme Court judgment on privacy, the supreme court judgment on (Article) 377 clearly lays down that choice. "For Shiv Sena's ignorant people, I am spelling that out for them, choice, is now fundamental right," Owaisi told reporters here. He said as per the Indian Constitution one can choose and do whatever they like. "That is your autonomy. Unfortunately and ..
Jaish chief Azhar declared global terrorist, India hails move (Roundup)
In a huge diplomatic victory for India and a blow to Pakistan, the UN Security Council on Wednesday declared Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, a move that was being blocked by China for nearly 10 years.
UN decision to declare Masood Azhar global terrorist big success for India: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday the UN decision to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist is a big success for India's efforts to root out terrorism and proved that the country's voice can no longer be ignored on the global stage. "It is a matter of satisfaction that a consensus has developed in the world on designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Der aaye, durust aaye (Better late than never)," Modi said at an election rally here. "It is a big success for India's efforts to root out terrorism," he said. The PM said India's voice is being heard globally and its views can no longer be ignored. "This has been proved today." He said under the previous "remote-controlled" government, even the voice of the prime minister was not heard, but now the voice of 130 crore Indians is making an impact at the United Nations. "I want to say it loud and clear that this is just the beginning. Wait for what happens next," Modi said. The prime minister said he was thankful to the world
With Modi in Jaipur, Gehlot drafts 41 questions for him
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday made scathing attacks on the BJP and RSS a few hours before the visit of the Prime Minister in Jaipur and distributed a pamphlet to media listing 41 questions for him.
Pannerselvam dubs reports of him joining BJP as rumours
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam Wednesday dismissed as rumours reports that he was going to quit the AIADMK and join the BJP, asserting he will continue in the ruling party in the state till his last breath. Slamming a section of media for carrying the reports, he said people of Tamil Nadu who have faith on him as well as the party workers will not pay heed to such rumours. Such reports were the result of "fear factor" among those who dreaded the AIADMK-led NDA's impending 'grand' victory in the Lok Sabha polls, the AIADMK coordinator said in a party statement. "Those who fear the grand victory that this alliance (led by AIADMK) is going to achieve are spreading rumours and trying to hurt my public life which is regrettable," he said. Panneerselvam recalled his humble origin as the son of a farmer and the various strides he had made in his political career and credited late chief minister J Jayalalithaa for his rise. The AIADMK leader said he and his ...
CPI declares support to rebel Congress candidate Shakeel Ahmed
The CPI on Wednesday announced its support to rebel Congress candidate Shakeel Ahmed in Madhubani Lok Sabha constituency, a move that may queer the pitch for the Mahagathbandhan which seeks to wrest the seat from BJP. The CPI state council made the announcement in a release here, stating it is committed to defeat the BJP and its allies and form "a government that could provide a secular, progressive and democratic alternative". The Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) has fielded Badrinath Purve, a former RJD leader who is the candidate of the fledgling Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), while BJP MP Hukum Dev Narayan Yadavs son Ashok Yadav seeks to retain the seat for NDA. The CPI's move could be seen as a snub to Lalu Prasad's RJD, the largest constituent of the Mahagathbandhan which had turned down an appeal by CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy to ask its candidate from Begusarai to "retire" from the contest in favour of its nominee Kanhaiya Kumar. Although the party's ...
Day after favourable HC verdict, Narayanasamy demands Kiran Bedi's resignation
A day after the Madras High Court held that Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi "cannot interfere" in the day-to-day affairs of the Union Territory's government, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy demanded that she should resign from her post for "stalling" development activities. Narayanasamy said he brought Bedi's interference to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, but to no avail. "The prime minister always talks about co-operative federalism, but believes in dictatorship," he said. The elected government has to run the day-to-day administration of the Union territory and the administrator has no power to interfere in the running of the government, the chief minister asserted at a press conference here. Allowing a petition filed by Congress MLA K Laksminarayanan, Justice R Mahadevan set aside the two communications issued in January and June 2017 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs "elevating" the power of the ...
NRIs to take Cong message to Punjab, Haryana on campaign bus
The Lok Sabha election this time is critical as it is about the idea and soul of India, Congress leader Sam Pitroda said Wednesday, as he flagged off a campaign bus of NRIs who will take the party's message to the people in Punjab and Haryana. Indian Overseas Congress chief Pitroda said the NRIs will reach out to the people, to convince them to vote for the Congress. "We think we are going to win. We are very confident," he said. The Indian Overseas Congress members will travel on the bus to various places in Haryana and Punjab for about two weeks. They will take the message of the Congress to the people highlighting that the BJP has not done anything in the last five years, Pitroda said. "Look at the manifesto of the Congress party, look at the Congress party's NYAY scheme, look at what has happened to students in education, jobs, demonetisation effect, women's issues," he said. "This election is very critical. This election is about the idea of India, about the soul of India and the
Nepal Prez arrives home after China visit
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari returned home Wednesday on completion of her eight-day official visit to China during which both the sides signed various agreements, including transit and transport between the two countries. Bhandari and her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping discussed ways to further strengthen and consolidate the bilateral ties and "mutually beneficial partnership" between the two countries, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. The President held delegation level talks with Xi on April 29. During the meeting, Bhandari invited Xi to Nepal. Accepting the invitation, President Xi said he attaches great importance to visiting Nepal and visit the country at a convenient time. The other areas that figured during the talks for bilateral cooperation include education, tourism, trade, investment, and cross-border economic zones. Xi assured China's support to make 'Visit Nepal Year 2020' a success by encouraging more Chinese tourists to visit the country, the statement .
Azhar's designation most successful foreign policy initiative under Modi, says Goyal
Union minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal Wednesday described the designation of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the United Nations as the result of the "most successful" foreign policy initiative under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also condemned the Naxal attack on police personnel in Maharashtra, and said it is an act of desperation by Maoists under mounting pressure. About Azhar's case, the railway and coal minister said, "It is the result of the most successful foreign policy initiative under Narendra Modi's leadership." In a huge diplomatic win for India, the UN on Wednesday designated the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief as a "global terrorist" after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist him. "The prime minister has continuously put pressure on the world community and Pakistan has been isolated," Goyal told reporters at a press conference. "Pakistan will (now) come under more pressure," he said, adding that it is a big success in the fight ...
Priyanka hopping Amethi, Rae Bareli to ensure Rahul, Sonia win
Congress' star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has of late been hopping between Amethi and Rae Bareli, the parliamentary constituencies of party chief Rahul Gandhi and former party president Sonia Gandhi in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.
Masood Azhar global terrorist listing our diplomatic victory: Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday said that Masood Azhar being declared as a global terrorist by the UN is a diplomatic victory for the Narendra Modi government and Pakistan has been now left isolated in the global arena.
Sidhu keeps up attack on Modi, says don't want to be silent spectator
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu said Wednesday he criticises Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP because he does not want the coming generations to say he was a silent spectator when the country was being "destroyed". Sidhu, who has been served a show-cause notice by the Election Commission for describing the prime minister as a "thief" in his speech in Ahmedabad, urged people to vote out the Modi government in the Lok Sabha election under way. He also blamed Modi for the EC notice, which he has to reply by Thursday evening. "I have been sent the notice by Modi sahab," the cricketer-turned -politician said at an election rally in Haryana's Ambala. He claimed if Modi returns as prime minister, "the country will be finished". "I speak against BJP because coming generations should not say that when the country was being destroyed, Sidhu was watching like a silent spectator," Sidhu said. During the campaign, Sidhu, a former BJP leader who joined the Congress in January 2017, has ..