Page 700 - Politics

BJP using patriotism as a cover to become autocrat, says Ashok Gehlot

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using patriotism as a cover to become autocrat, said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday."If we ask someone whether he is a patriot or not, who will deny that he is not a patriot? BJP is just using patriotism as a cover to become an autocrat. This country is heading towards autocracy," he said at a press conference here.Sharpening his attack, Chief Minister Gehlot said: "RSS and BJP do not believe in democracy. They want to do politics by wearing the mask of democracy. They are fascist people. In all autocratic countries, leaders talked about patriotism."Talking about the BJP, Gehlot said: "They are only two leaders in BJP - Modi and Amit Shah. Nobody is speaking against them. The condition is serious. There is a group of people in BJP and RSS, who do not want Modi to become the Prime Minister again."Taking on Prime Minister Modi for his remark that the Congress has not done during its rule in the past 70 years, he said: "The 'jumla' of what the ...

Owaisi urges EC action on Shiv Sena for seeking burqa ban

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to take action against Shiv Sena for its "polarising" editorial in its mouthpiece Samna seeking a ban on the burqa in order to ensure national security."I request the EC to take cognizance of this article because it is trying to create divisions and polarisation within society. This is a grey violation of the Model Code of Conduct," Owaisi said at a press conference here.Owaisi accused the Shiv Sena of indulging in what he termed as "dog vigil politics" because, as he said, it stands to lose the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra.He said, "Shiv Sena knows very well that they are going to lose huge no of seats that is why they are indulging in what I call dog vigil politics."Citing a ban on the burqa in Sri Lanka after the deadly Easter Sunday attacks, which claimed the lives of over 250 people, Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' in its editorial published today demanded the imposition of a similar ban in India.The Shiv ...

'Kashmir will be India's part even if Modi, BJP not in power'

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Wednesday emphatically stated that no one will be able to separate Kashmir from India whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP were in power at the Centre, or not.

Rajnath not capable of winning seat: Yashwant Sinha

Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha on Wednesday attacked Home Minister Rajnath Singh and said he is not capable of winning the Lucknow parliamentary seat.

Iran happy Venezuelans 'defeated coup'

Iran expressed renewed support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Wednesday, as the opposition called for a huge May Day protest after armed clashes erupted in the capital Caracas. Maduro said he had defeated an attempted coup on Tuesday night led by his opponent, self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido. Guaido, who is recognised as acting president by more than 50 governments including those of the United States and Brazil, said troops had joined his campaign to oust Maduro, who is backed by China and Russia. "We believe the constitutional government of Venezuela needs to continue," Iranian Foreign Ninister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters on the sidelines of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Doha. "We are happy that the people of Venezuela defeated the coup, but we continue to believe in the need for discussions as the government has suggested. "We have always encouraged intra-Venezuelan dialogue." The Syrian government, a key ally of Iran, on Wednesday also voiced support for

Yechury lashes out at EC over clean chit to PM Modi

Lashing out at the Election Commission over the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury Wednesday said the poll body's dealing with such cases was "emboldening perpetrators." In a letter to the poll body, he said, "Across the country, there is a growing concern about the manner in which the Election Commission of India is dealing with complaints regarding gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Narendra Modi". The Election Commission Tuesday gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Modi for his speech in Wardha in which he had slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad and had "indicated" that the Kerala constituency had more voters from the minority community. Citing news reports, Yechury highlighted how the government infrastructure and machinery has been allegedly used by the Prime Minister's Office for securing information from various ministries, as well ...

MP LS polls: Nath seeks details of 'biased' govt officials

At a time when Lok Sabha elections are underway, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who also heads the state Congress unit, has written to the party office-bearers asking them to prepare lists of those government employees who they feel are "not unbiased". Reacting angrily, the opposition BJP said that Nath writing letters to office-bearers of various districts amounted to the violation of the model code of conduct. The party also said it would file a complaint with the Election Commission. In the letter, which he has written in his capacity as the state president of the Congress, Nath has sought details about those government officials and employees who according to Congress leaders are "biased", to the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). The letter, dated April 29 and signed by Nath, is addressed to Congress candidates who are contesting the Lok Sabha elections and district presidents of the party. "You know that the Lok Sabha-2019 election is being held ..

PM recalls 1954 Kumbh Mela stampede at election rally in UP

Lauding the arrangements by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh for this year's Kumbh Mela, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday recalled the 1954 stampede at the religious gathering in Allahabad when Jawaharlal Nehru was PM. "When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister, thousands of people were killed in the Kumbh stampede in Allahabad," Modi said at an election meeting here. The prime minister claimed that for saving the image of the then government, the media, too, had suppressed the news. "The stampede victims' families names were never mentioned and not a single rupee was given to them (as compensation)... It was insensitivity and this sin was committed by the country's first prime minister," Modi said. Lashing out at the SP-BSP-RLD 'gathbandhan (alliance)' in Uttar Pradesh, he said during the last elections, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party were on opposite sides of the fence, but they have joined hands this time. "Last elections the SP and the BSP were ...

Mamata supporting those who wish to divide country: Shah

Stepping up his attack on Mamata Banerjee, BJP president Amit Shah said Wednesday the West Bengal chief minister has extended her support to those who wish to divide the country by separating Kashmir from India. Addressing a rally here in Bongaon Lok Sabha constituency, Shah said his party will continue its fight to ensure that Kashmir remains an integral part of India, no matter who is in power at the Centre. "Today we are in power, Narendra Modi is the prime minister. In the coming days, too, he will continue as the PM. But if a day comes when the BJP is no longer at the helm, its workers will still fight to ensure that Kashmir remains an integral part of India," he said. He iterated that the saffron party, if re-elected to power, will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution in Kashmir - which grants special status to the northernmost state. "Give us 30 seats from Bengal and we will scrap Article 370 from Kashmir after forming the next BJP government at the Centre," Shah

Mayawati accuses BJP of misusing government machinery to influence polls

BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday accused the BJP of misusing government machinery to influence the Lok Sabha elections and questioned why the Election Commission (EC) was not taking cognisance in the matter."The BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and other states have misused government machinery to influence elections. They have crossed all limits particularly, during the voting day. Such examples are found in Uttar Pradesh, Tripura and Maharashtra. Despite this, why the EC is not taking cognisance in the matter?" she wrote on her Twitter handle.Mayawati cited the incident where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently said that he was in touch with around 40 TMC MLAs."Recently their anti-public ego spoke so high that they openly threatened to bring down the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal by bringing 40 TMC MLAs in their fold. This statement stands at the pinnacle of a political conspiracy. People of Bengal and this country will not forgive (the BJP)," read another tweet ..

No fee for appearing in exams for govt jobs if voted to power: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the party has decided to abolish examination fees for government jobs if voted to power."Indian youth has to pay an application fee for the examination for any government post. We have decided that no one will have to pay the application fee for appearing in exams for government posts. We have decided to abolish application fee," Gandhi said addressing an election rally here.The Congress president also hit out at the BJP-led government over the rising fuel prices saying, "The petrol prices are declining. During UPA, it was $140 per barrel but now $70 per barrel. Chowkidar has said he will bring down the inflation. In India, petrol prices are on the rise. Those fifteen people are getting the benefit. Money has been taken out from your pockets. I ask whether prices have gone up or not."Gandhi described his party's poll promise of Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), a minimum income guarantee scheme. He said: "As soon as the NYAY money will go ...

Naxal attack: Rajnath assures Maharashtra all assistance

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday assured all help to the Maharashtra government in the wake of a Naxal attack in which 15 security personnel and a civilian were killed. He termed the attack an act of cowardice and desperation. The home minister also spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who briefed him about the incident. "Attack on Maharashtra Police personnel in Gadchiroli is an act of cowardice and desperation. We are providing all assistance needed by the state government. The Home Ministry is in constant touch with the state administration," he said in a statement. The home minister said the country was extremely proud of the valour of police personnel and their supreme sacrifice while serving the nation will not go in vain. "I have spoken to the Maharashtra chief minister regarding the tragic incident in Gadchiroli and expressed my grief at the loss of brave police personnel," he said. At least 16 people, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an ..

PM Modi condemns Maoists attack in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condemned the Maoists attack in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli in which 15 C-60 and a driver were killed, and asserted that the perpetrators will not be spared.

Cong govt will order comprehensive probe into Rafale deal: Singhvi

A "comprehensive inquiry" will be ordered into the Rafale deal after the Congress comes to power at the Centre, senior party leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, indicating a criminal probe could be conducted into the multi-billion dollar contract. The role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other government functionaries and private people will be probed, he said and exuded confidence that a Congress-led government will formed after the election results are out. "The day we come to power, just like in 72 hours or three days, loan waivers were taken care of in states (of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh), you will have a comprehensive inquiry. We have, in fact, asked for a JPC, but really speaking even an FIR and a criminal inquiry is not out of place," he told PTI in an interview. Asked if the Rafale issue has struck a chord with the people on the ground, Singhvi said one would have to wait and watch for it but he was confident that people do feel "cheated". "I have no doubt ...

J-K admin withdraws restriction on civilian traffic between Srinagar and Baramulla

Under immense pressure from various quarters, the Jammu and Kashmir administration Wednesday announced complete withdrawal of restrictions on civilian traffic movement between Srinagar and Baramulla. The restrictions were put in place last month to facilitate movement of security forces' convoys on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH-44). There will be no restriction on movement of civilian traffic from tomorrow.The civilian traffic movement had been restricted on Wednesday and Sunday to allow movement of security forces' convoy, an official spokesman said. The move to withdraw the restrictions came after severe criticism from political parties which had termed it a 'tugluki farman' (dictatorial order). Several politicians, including National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, and PDP patron Mehbooba Mufti, had staged protests against the state government for imposing the restriction. Officials in the state administration, on the condition of ...

Spouses sweat it out for bigwigs in Jharkhand

Family members, mainly spouses, campaigning for candidates are common feature in elections. In Jharkhand, spouses of political bigwigs, including Arjun Munda, Jayant Sinha and Kriti Jha Azad are sweating it out as political and actual temperatures soar for the last three phases of polling.

Cong will not cut into UP gathbandhan's vote, will damage BJP: Priyanka

The Congress is not at all cutting into votes of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh as the party has fielded candidates either with prospects of victory or having potential to damage BJP's chances in the state, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Wednesday. Asked whether she was afraid of contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, Priyanka said she was not scared at all and that she joined politics "for good". "If Priyanka Gandhi gets scared, she will sit at home and not do politics. I am in politics for good and will be there," she said. The Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh also hit out at the BJP for what she called its "obsession" with the Gandhi family when the focus should be on solving people's problems. On the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka said, "We have carefully chosen candidates so that either Congress wins or they cut into BJP's votes. Congress is not at all cutting into votes of the ..

BJP delegation meets EC over poll issues related to Odisha, WB and Delhi

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta met Election Commission official on Wednesday and raised several issues concerning states of Odisha, West Bengal and Delhi.Sharing details of the meeting, Pradhan told media persons, "We have objection over the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha. He is very partial and we have previously also apprised Election Commission about it. We demand that re-polling must be done at the booths where anomalies have been reported in the fourth phase."He accused BJD of misusing 'Fani' related relaxation and said, "Election Commission has allowed relaxation in model code for relief and restoration work in the state. However, the BJD is going to lose badly and they are conspiring to loot thousands of crores through old bills. We have apprised the Election Commission about it."Sharing issues of Delhi, BJP leader Vijender Gupta said, "AAP is misusing crores of government ...

Mamata supporting those who wish to divide India: Shah

Stepping up its attack on Mamata Banerjee, BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday said the West Bengal chief minister has extended her support to those who wish to separate Kashmir from India. Addressing a rally here in Bongaon Lok Sabha constituency, Shah said the BJP will continue its fight to ensure that Kashmir remains an integral part of India, no matter who is in power at the Centre. "Today we are in power, Narendra Modi is the prime minister. In the coming days, too, he will continue as the PM. But if a day comes when the BJP is no longer in power, its workers will still fight to ensure that Kashmir remains an integral part of India," he said. Shah also insisted that Banerjee should also clear her stance on former Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah's demand for a separate prime for his state. "Mamata didi is supporting those who wish to divide India. We want to know what is her stand on Omar Abdullah's demand for two prime ministers in the country," he ...

Countries need to move forward in listing Masood Azhar as terrorist: US official

A senior US official, on a visit to Pakistan, has said that countries need to move forward on the issue of listing Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, ensuring that the United Nations' process in taking a corrective action against extremists works well. The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet on Wednesday, amid indications that China could lift its hold on the proposal to blacklist Azhar, who is based in Pakistan. China had put a hold in March on a fresh proposal by the US, UK and France to impose a ban on the chief of the JeM which claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama terror attack. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2009, India had moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar. We would encourage the parties to move forward with the designation (of Azhar). It reaffirms the centrality of UN and UN role in designating terrorists, Alice Wells, Principal Deputy ...