Page 704 - Politics
EC meet on J&K polls inconclusive; opinion of legal expert to be sought
A meeting of the Election Commission to decide the possible dates to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir remained inconclusive Tuesday even as the poll panel decided to approach legal experts on the issue of President's Rule in the state. The 'full Commission', comprising Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and fellow commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra, met here to discuss the stand of the Jammu and Kashmir administration which wants the election to be held sometime in November. The state administration had approached the EC last week, saying it is not in favour of holding assembly polls in the near future in view of the ongoing tourist season and the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra in the Valley, which will begin on July 1. At the April 26 meet with J&K officials, the EC had rejected the assertion of the officials from the state that the situation in the state needs to be assessed before conducting the assembly election. The Commission was of the view that if the .
AAP, BJP did nothing to stop sealing, demolition drives: Sheila
Former Delhi Chief MInister Sheila Dikshit, who is contesting as Congress candidate from North East Delhi on Tuesday accused the AAP and the BJP of doing nothing for the people and traders of the city during the sealing and demolition drive.
Soldier wounded by bullet during Venezuela clashes: government
A soldier loyal to the government of Nicolas Maduro suffered a bullet wound during clashes in Venezuela on Tuesday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said, after opposition leader Juan Guaido said some troops had joined his campaign to oust the socialist president. "I condemn the violent aggression in which colonel Yerzon Jimenez Baez was the victim ... injured by bullet in the neck" in front of the military base in the capital Caracas where Guido's supporters were demonstrating against Maduro, Padrino wrote on Twitter. Padrino added that he held "the opposition's political leadership" responsible for the shooting.
Apology shows admission of guilt: Lekhi on Rahul
Hours after the Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up Congress President Rahul Gandhi's counsel even after he verbally apologised for incorrectly attributing to the top court his "chowkidar chor hai" remark, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said this showcased an unequivocal admission of guilt by him.
EC to seek Home Ministry inputs on J&K assembly polls
The Election Commission on Tuesday decided to seek further clarification from the Home Ministry on certain aspects of holding assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
'Need to reshape India's space policy amid increased threat perception from China, Pak'
Describing Pakistan as China's "proxy space power", a top Indian Army general on Tuesday said there is an urgent need to reshape India's space policy in view of the enhanced threat perceptions from the two neighbouring countries. Lt Gen Taranjit Singh, DGPP, Indian Army, while delivering the spotlight speech on the second day of the 5th ORF Kalpana Chawla Annual Space Policy Dialogue, said India should tap the advanced technology of space to meet its national security challenges. The potential of space technology should be used for not only military logistics, but also for weapons, missiles deployments in a vast geography like ours, he was quoted as saying by an Observer Research Foundation release. Singh told the participants of the dialogue that in view of the enhanced threat perceptions from both China and Pakistan, there is an urgent need to restructure and reshape the nation's space policy. The restructuring is needed in view of the changed security concerns because of the ...
AAP welcomes Madras HC judgment curtailing Lt. Guv Kiran Bedi's powers
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday hailed the Madras High Court judgment ruling that Puducherry Lieutenant Governor (LG) Kiran Bedi does not have the power to interfere in the day-to-day activities of the Union Territory.AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the Lieutenant Governor has not been entrusted with any independent decision making power and has to either act on the "aid and advice" of Council of Ministers or he is bound to implement the decision taken by the President on a reference being made by him.Bharadwaj cited that Madras High Court verdict is a reiteration of the July 4, 2018 landmark judgment by the five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on the elected Delhi government's powers.The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday struck down the Union Home Ministry's clarification order giving Bedi administrative power. The High Court said the Lt. Governor has no power to interfere in the day-to-day activities of the ...
Russia accuses Venezuela opposition of 'fuelling' conflict
Russia on Tuesday accused Venezuela's US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido of fomenting violence and urged talks, after the self-proclaimed leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. The Russian's foreign ministry said it was important to avoid bloodletting as President Vladimir Putin discussed the unfolding crisis with members of his security council at the Kremlin. "The radical opposition in Venezuela has once again turned to heavy-handed methods of confrontation," the foreign ministry said in a statement, accusing Maduro's opponents of "fuelling" conflict. "It is important to avoid unrest and bloodletting," said the foreign ministry, urging talks between the conflicting sides. "The problems Venezuela faces should be solved through responsible negotiations without pre-conditions," said the foreign ministry, warning that third countries should not interfere in the crisis. Last month, Moscow sent troops and equipment to Venezuela, saying they would
Sudan Army will not 'accept chaos': MTC
Sudan Army will not "accept chaos", asserted ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) on Tuesday, after few protestors alleged that soldiers tried to disperse them during a sit-in in the capital of Khartoum."We will not accept chaos. We will deal with it firmly in accordance with the law," said Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the Transitional Military Council's vice president."We do not want to escalate the situation. We are committed to negotiation. After today, there will be no chaotic scenes," he added.Thousands of protestors have been camping outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, almost three weeks after the military and security forces toppled former president Omar al-Bashir from power on April 11.On Monday, Sudan main protest group said that the army personnel have tried to remove barricades at the sit-in.This came as the African country faced months of continuous protests against the ousted leader's decades-long rule which was marred by rampant corruption. The protests snowballed
Military vehicle rams protesters in Venezuela clashes: TV footage
Venezuelan security forces used an armoured vehicle to ram demonstrators during rioting outside an army base in Caracas on Tuesday in support of what the government called an attempted coup, TV images showed. The incident left several people injured on the ground who were helped up by other demonstrators. It happened as security forces tried to break up rioting outside the La Carlota air base, where opposition leader Juan Guaido earlier called on troops inside to join efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
New CSJC committee formed
A new executive committee was elected at the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club's annual general meeting here Tuesday. The following were elected unopposed as office-bearers for 2019-2021: President: Munal Chattopadhyay (Aajkaal); Secretary: Nilesh Bhattacharya (The Times of India); Vice-presidents: Amitabha Das Sharma (The Hindu), Archiman Bhaduri (The Times of India); Assistant-Secretary: Shamik Chakraborty (The Indian Express); Executive Council member: Nazrul Islam Molla (Aajkaal).
WB: EC approves mark of inedible ink on voter's left middle finger
The Election Commission of India (ECI) wrote to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and gave the approval to put the mark of inedible ink on voter's left middle finger for by-election to State Legislative Assembly.The letter also stated, "If any re-poll is announced at any polling station of the 6 Assembly segments, the mark should be put on voter's left ring finger.
EC says Modi did not violate model code in election speech
The Election Commission has said that no violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) had been done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at Wardha earlier this month in which he had accused Congress of using the term 'Hindu terror'.
BJP made politics very cheap: Sharad Yadav on Rahul citizenship row
The BJP has made politics "very cheap", Loktantrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav said Tuesday, condemning the saffron party for raising the issue of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's citizenship. The Home Ministry has served a notice to Gandhi, asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status. The ministry said it has received a representation from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy in which it has been brought out that a company named Backops Ltd was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors. "I strongly condemn the issue of citizenship of Rahul Gandhi raised by the BJP. When NDA has become sure that they would not be able to form the government, such type of non-issues are being spread in the market. I am sorry to say that this party, the BJP, has made politics very cheap in the last five years. This party is always engaged either in false promises or non-issues. "The general public
Venezuelan army chief warns of possible 'bloodshed'
Venezuela's army chief warned Tuesday of possible "bloodshed" in the crisis-torn Latin American country Tuesday as the military moved to put down what it said was an attempted coup. General Vladimir Padrino, who is also the defense minister, said he held the opposition "responsible for any act of violence, death or bloodshed." Padrino was addressing the military high command in a speech in which he reiterated the army's support for embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Satti known for indecent language: Virbhadra Singh
Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh Tuesday said the BJP's state president Satpal Singh Satti was "known for his indecent language." Addressing a press conference in Dharamshala, Singh said, "Had Satti been in my party, he would have been sacked long back for his indecent language. One could use harsh words in politics, but not indecent language." He said the Congress was known for its decency. The Election Commission had recently banned Satti from holding public rallies for 48 hours for his derogatory remark against Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The congress leader further targeted the BJP, saying the party believes in "fake propaganda" to win elections. "The state saw huge development during Congress rule, whereas the BJP-led national and state governments believe only in speeches," Singh said. "Congress does not believe in fake propaganda, we fight elections on merit of our work. Our aim is to win all four seats in Himachal," the former CM said. Singh said he .
Cong complains to EC on rejection of party nominee's papers
The Congress Tuesday complained to the Telangana State Election Commission on the "unilateral" rejection of the nomination of party nominee for Vikarabad Zilla Parishad chairperson post, Sunita Sampath, in the rural local body elections. Congress MLA Rohit Reddy and other party leaders met state election commissioner Nagi Reddy and complained about the rejection of nomination, a Congress release said. The commissioner assured them that he would examine the matter by obtaining details from the district collector, the release claimed. Congress is ready put up a legal fight on the government's attitude in the rejection of her nomination, State Congress committee president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said in a statement. The party has also complained to the commissioner about party nominee for Gagganapalli Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) in Nagar Kurnool district, Venkata Narayana Reddy, allegedly being offered Rs 10 lakh by a rival TRS candidate to withdraw from ...
Modi's face looks withered, he's speaking with fear: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's face was already "withered" though almost half the electioneering was yet to be completed. Addressing a poll rally at Jatara in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also said the prime minister was speaking with "fear and hesitation". "Aur ek baat samajh lijiye. Modiji ka chehra dekh lijiye. Aadha election khatam ho gaya hai. Bhaiyon behno, Modiji haar rahe hai, unka chehra dekhiye sikud gaya hai. Unke interview dekhiye...jhijhak ke bol rahe hai, dar dar ke bol rahe hai. Bhaiyon behno, Congress party aa rahi hai. Congress party ki sarkar aa rahi hai. (Understand one thing. Look at Modi's face. Half the election is over. Modi is going to be defeated, his face is withered. Watch his interviews (on TV). He is speaking with hesitation and fear. The Congress is coming, our party is forming the next government), Gandhi said. "And remember one thing, the money he (Modi) stole from our Air Force in the Rafale scam ...
Bhim Army to canvass for SP-BSP's Varanasi candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav
The Bhim Army will campaign in favour of SP-BSP alliance candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav who is contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, the Dalit group's founder Chandrashekhar Azad said on Tuesday. On April 17, Chandrashekhar had rescinded his decision to contest against Modi form Varanasi, saying his outfit will support the SP-BSP alliance and Dalit vote should remain intact to defeat the BJP. The Bhim Army chief said he will be in Varanasi over the weekend to campaign in favour of Yadav, the BSF jawan who was sacked for his video complaining about food quality in 2017. "I will campaign for him no just because he is the SP-BSP candidate, but because we have a lot of respect for our armed forces, unlike the BJP which exploits the valour of security personnel for votes," he said. "Yadav is the real chowkidar (watchman) of the country and he will defeat the fake chowkidar. The Dalit community will support him every way possible," Chandrashekhar said.
No poll code violation in PM's Wardha speech: EC
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in his comments at a public speech in Maharashtra's Wardha district on April 1, according to the Election Commission."In a matter related to a complaint concerning the alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct in a speech delivered by Narendra Modi at Wardha, Maharashtra on April 1, 2019, a detailed report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra was obtained," read a notice by the EC.The EC said it had examined the matter in detail in accordance with the extant guidelines of the MCC and the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra."Accordingly, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," the apex poll body's order said.The Congress on April 5 moved the EC against Modi's speech alleging that the comments were "hateful and divisive."In the rally in Wardha, Modi had taken a veiled jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad