Page 705 - Politics

Stalin proposes no-confidence motion against TN Speaker

DMK President M.K. Stalin on Tuesday sent a letter to the Secretary of Tamil Nadu Assembly proposing a no-confidence motion against Speaker P. Dhanapal. He also submitted the one line no confidence motion against Dhanapal.

EC gives clean chit to PM Modi for Wardha speech issue

The Election Commission Tuesday gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra 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. "The matter has been examined in detail in accordance to the extant guidelines/provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the Representation of the People Act and the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra. Accordingly, the commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," an EC spokesperson said. The Congress had earlier this month had approached the EC and had sought action against PM Modi's "divisive" speech. The PM, while addressing a rally in Wardha on April 1, had reportedly said, the opposition party was "scared" to field its leaders from constituencies where the majority dominates. He made the remark in reference to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's ...

FIR lodged against Congress candidate after cash seizure

An FIR has been lodged against Congress candidate for the Hazaribagh Lok Sabha seat Gopal Sahu in connection with seizure of Rs 22 lakh in cash from his hotel room, an official said Tuesday. Hazaribagh development commissioner-cum-Nodal officer of Expenditure Cell of the Election Commission, Vijaya Jadhav said the case was lodged under the Representation of People's Act after a team recovered the cash from the hotel on Sunday. The FIR also named Sahu's son, Sandeep Kumar Sahu, he said. A separate case under IPC 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) was registered against former mukhiya of Chano panchayat, Munna Singh, for allegedly assaulting the raiding party, the officer said. He said the seized amount has been deposited with the Hazaribagh Treasury. Further investigations were on, he added. Sahu is contesting against Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and BJP candidate Jayant Sinha for the Hazaribagh seat, .

Delhi: Amit Shah, Rajnath to address rallies on Wednesday, PM Modi on May 8

The BJP's top leadership will be camped in the city from Wednesday onwards for electioneering activities in favour of the party's Lok Sabha candidates. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a mega rally here on May 8, party chief Amit Shah and Home Union Minister Rajnath Singh will address separate rallies on Wednesday at DDA Park in Vasant Kunj and Shastri Park respectively, read a Delhi BJP statement. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a mega rally in Delhi on May 8," Delhi BJP president and North East Delhi candidate Manoj Tiwari told reporters here. Shah will address the massive public meeting in support of South Delhi BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri and New Delhi BJP candidate Meenakshi Lekhi. The party's organising committee has inspected arrangements and security for the meetings. Almost the entire top leadership of the BJP and union ministers in the Modi government will be campaigning for party candidates in the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. The party won all the

Meenakshi Lekhi celebrates her birthday with people of New Delhi constituency

Meenakshi Lekhi, the BJP candidate from New Delhi and sitting Member of Parliament from the same constituency on Tuesday celebrated her birthday with the people of her constituency.She started her special day by doing a padayatra (march) in various areas like Kirti Nagar, New Rajinder Nagar, old Rajinder Nagar of New Delhi constituency.The residents of the area were excited to see their MP among them. They made special arrangements for the cake cutting ceremony for Lekhi's birthday.Lekhi had cut the cake amid the echo of clapping, songs, and birthday wishes. Later, she presented her report card among the members of resident welfare association of New Rajinder Nagar present at the occasion.The parliamentarian came here to campaign for the upcoming a general election where she will contest against Congress candidate Ajay Maken and AAP candidate Brijesh Goel.Lekhi will be contesting for a second time on BJP ticket from Delhi, where 7 Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to polls on May ..

Operation Freedom has begun: President Juan Guaido

Venezuela's self-declared interim President Juan Guaido, flanked by military men and armoured vehicles, on Tuesday announced the beginning of the "final phase of Operation Freedom."Speaking through the loudspeaker in Caracas, he said, "Operation Freedom has begun!""For many years, we have talked to the armed forces, and today it's clear to us that the armed forces are with the Venezuelan people, who are not with a dictator," CNN quoted Guaido, as saying.Calling it a "coup", Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has signalled that he will not bow down, saying "We Will Win!""Nerves of Steel! I have spoken with the commanders of all the REDIs and ZODI of the country, who have expressed their total loyalty to the people, to the Constitution and to the fatherland. I call for maximum popular mobilization to ensure the victory of peace. We Will Win!" he said.Meanwhile, local media have reported that Bolivarian National Guard, which were stopping people in various parts of the country are ...

Speaker issues notice to 3 pro-Dhinakaran AIADMK MLAs; DMK

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal Tuesday issued notices to three AIADMK MLAs siding with rival leader and AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran, days after the ruling party petitioned him for action against them for alleged anti-party activities. Official sources said the Speaker issued notices to A Prabhu (Kallakurichi), VT Kalaiselvan (Vriddhachalam)and E Rathinasabapathy (Aranthangi) based on the petition filed by Chief Government whip S Rajendran seeking "due legal action" against them. The three MLAs have been given a week's time to respond. DMK, which has been opposing any action on the AIADMK petition, dubbed Dhanapal's move as "murder of democracy," and submitted a resolution seeking his removal from the post. The resolution by Leader of the Opposition in the assembly and DMK chief M K Stalin was handed over to the Assembly Secretary, party leader R S Bharathi told reporters here. The DMK and MDMK have opposed any possible disqualification of the three MLAs claiming .

AAP has done nothing for street vendors, weekly market shopkeepers: BJP

The BJP trained guns at the ruling AAP in Delhi blaming it for not taking care of rehri-patri (street vendors) and weekly market shopkeepers, with scores of office bearers of their associations extending support to the party in a meeting on Tuesday. Small shopkeepers like street vendors and weekly market shopkeepers have benefited with the Mudra loan scheme of the Modi government and they believe that the BJP will ensure effective implementation of the Street Vendors Act when it comes back to power after the Lok Sabha polls, said Union minister Vijay Goel. There was no immediate reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the allegations. Office bearers of a large number of associations of street vendors and weekly markets extended their support to the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls in a meeting held at the Delhi BJP office. "During the last four years, the Kejriwal government has only betrayed the rehri-patriwalas," Goel charged claiming that there was no progress over issuing ...

Showcause notice to DMRC MD over newspaper ad with Gambhir's photo

East Delhi Returning Officer (RO) K Mahesh has issued a showcause notice to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Managing Director Mangu Singh regarding an advertisement with a picture of former cricketer and BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir published in a newspaper on April 26."This appears to be a surrogate advertisement which appears to have political overtures in favour of a contesting candidate of a particular political party which is contrary to the Model Code of Conduct which has been brought into force by the Election Commission of India," read a notice published on Monday.The notice has directed the DMRC to submit documents from the Election Commission's Media Certification and Monitoring Committee before May 2, failing which action will be taken in accordance with electoral laws and rules.

All is not well in Rajasthan Congress

If party sources are to be believed, trouble seems to be brewing in the Congress in Rajasthan.

Rahul now a 'missing candidate as well': Smriti Irani in Amethi

Targeting Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani said Tuesday that the Congress president has now become "a missing candidate as well" after remaining a "missing MP". Irani, who is contesting against the sitting MP Gandhi from Amethi, said the Congress party's condition "is so bad" that it has to call party workers from other states for campaigning in the Gandhi family bastion. "Had Rahul worked for Amethi, the condition of Congress would not have been so miserable. Its party workers would not have deserted it," she claimed. "Till now Rahul Gandhi had been a missing MP, but now he has become a missing candidate as well," Irani said. On Saturday, Gandhi campaigned in Amethi. On Sunday, his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigned in the constituency, and hit out at the BJP. This is the second time Irani is taking on Gandhi in the Congress bastion, after a unsuccessful bid in 2014. She has continuously raised the issue of Congress allegedly ...

AAP writes to EC against Modi over MCC 'violation'

The Aam Aadmi Party has written to the Election Commission alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the model code of conduct by asking government officials to send information about their areas before his visits there. In its letter, the party has cited a media report according to which an e-mail was sent by the government's NITI Aayog asking bureaucrats in Union territories and at least one BJP-ruled state to send to the Prime Minister's Office inputs on local area knowledge ahead his visits. The AAP said it is a violation of the model code of conduct which state that ministers will not combine official visits with electioneering work and not use official machinery for electioneering work. The AAP has asked the Election Commission to probe the matter and take necessary action.

Congress and AAP owe reply to people of Delhi: Gambhir

BJP's east Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir Tuesday said the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party owe a reply to the people and questioned them why the constituency is still engulfed in problems if they had carried out development works in 21 years. Gambhir, who is making his electoral debut, held a massive roadshow in Lajpat Nagar and Nehru Nagar of Jangpura Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday. The cricketer-turned-politician said the AAP is raising the issue of full statehood to divert people's attention from its governance failure of last four years. "When you do not concentrate on development work for more than four years, you have just one resort and that is of raising debates on frivolous issues," he said. "The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party owe a reply to the people that if their claims of development are to be considered, how come even after 21 years of their governance why is east Delhi engulfed in problems," he added. Gambhir is locked in a triangular contest with AAP's Atishi and former ...

LS polls: AAP writes to EC against PMO for violating poll code

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday complained to the Election Commission of India against the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for violating the Model Code of Conduct.The party states that it has been reported in a news report that an "e-mail was sent by an official in NITI Aayog to bureaucrats in all the Union Territories on April 8."AAP stated that as per the article, NITI Aayog official has asked bureaucrats to prepare a write-up for PMO on the highlights and important features of Union Territories - historical, local heroes, culture, religious and economic."The email was addressed to the Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh, the Chief Secretary of Delhi and the Chief Secretary of Puducherry, among others," the AAP stated in its letter."This is clear violation of the model code of conduct and the direction of the Election Commission of India which says that 'ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not also make use of official ...

AIADMK announces a reward of Rs 15 lakh for Asian Gold medalist Gomathi Marimuthu

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday announced a reward of Rs 15 lakh to Gomathi Marimuthu, who won a gold medal in women's 800m race category in Asian Athletics Championship 2019 that was held in Doha, Qatar.Earlier Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President MK Stalin announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh and the state Congress party announced Rs 5 lakh to Gomathi for clinching gold in Asian Championship.The 30-year-old Gomathi had clocked a personal best time of 2 minutes 02.70 seconds in the women's 800m race on Monday.Gomathi broke into tears while addressing a press conference at Chennai. "There was no light, bus services and proper roads in my village. My father used to help me during my early stage practice," she said."My father is a God to me. He was with me during my painful journey. Unfortunately, I missed him during my success of receiving the gold medal," Gomathi added.Meanwhile, Gomathi said, "I request the state and central government to support me ...

Rahul Gandhi should clarify his citizenship status: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Tuesday demanded that Rahul Gandhi clarify if he was a British or an Indian citizen after the Centre issued a notice to the Congress president on his citizenship status. The Home Ministry in the notice, issued on Tuesday, has asked Gandhi to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy questioning his citizenship status. Citing the MP's letter, the ministry said it has been brought out that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors. Gandhi declared his nationality as "British" in documents related to a company registered in the UK. In the company he was a secretary as well as a director, Goyal alleged. He also attacked the Congress chief on the Rafale issue, claiming that he had violated directives of the Supreme Court and made baseless allegations on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi had to later apologise, Goyal said. On the Samajwadi .

Will revoke Article 370 if BJP comes to power again: Shah

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said Article 370 will be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir, if the saffron party is voted back to power. Addressing an election rally here in Madhya Pradesh, Shah also slammed National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah for his statement seeking a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir. "We will remove Article 370 if voted back to power," Shah said. Article 370 gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Shah also alleged that the Opposition, including the Congress and the NC, wanted a separate prime minister for J&K. "The Congress, the NC, SP and BSP all wanted to separate Kashmir from Hindustan. But this Narendra Modi government will never allow secession (of J&K) from India. "No BJP worker will let such a thing to happen. We will remove Article 370 if you make Narendra Modi the PM again," Shah told the gathering. The BJP chief also hit out at the Congress over its poll promise to scrap sedition law if voted to power. "The .

Art 370, 35A important for safe, secure future of J&K younger generation: Omar

NC leader Omar Abdullah Tuesday said Articles 370 and 35-A of the Constitution are of utmost importance for ensuring a safe and secure future for the younger generation of Jammu and Kashmir and any tinkering with the special provisions will have far-reaching consequences. "The illustrious land-to-tiller stride made by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah which made the poor peasantry of our state the rightful owners of the land which they worked upon was only possible due to Article 370 and Article 35-A," he said. Addressing a public meeting in Shopian, where polls will be held on May 6, the National Conference vice president said any attack on these articles will reverse the situation to the pre-1947 era. "Our people would eventually cease to be the rightful owners of their land, they would cease to be the sole beneficiaries of various scholarship programs and jobs offered in the government sector," he said. He said the tribal population of the state would also not escape the consequences of any

EC bans Azam Khan again for violating poll code

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has barred Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan from election campaigning for 48 hours starting from 6 am on Wednesday for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) with his "highly provocative" speeches in which he "appealed to secure votes on religious lines."The Commission observed that "Azam Khan has made highly provocative speeches in his public utterances against the district election machinery and also on religious lines that have the propensity to polarize the elections, which is not confined to the constituency alone where the statement is made , but to other parts as well due to fast dissemination of information in this digital age"."Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars Azam Khan from holding ant public meetings, public processions , public rallies, road shows, and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print , social) etc in connection with ongoing elections for

Manoj Tiwari extols central schemes, raps Kejriwal

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoj Tiwari, here on Tuesday, said through the schemes, like Ujjwala and Ayushman Bharat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to make easy lives of people across the country.