Page 716 - Politics
Sheila sure of Congress victory in 7 Delhi LS seats
Sheila Dikshit, former Delhi Chief Minister and Congress candidate from north east Delhi Lok Sabha seat, on Monday asserted that her party would sweep the 2019 general elections in the national capital and accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of fooling people on full statehood issue.
BJP deploys vice president Shyam Jaju to boost Gambhir's poll campaign
Upset over the "poor" management of the election campaign of its celebrity candidate from East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir, the BJP leadership has deployed the party's vice president Shyam Jaju to give a boost to the former cricketer's political debut. Gambhir, a newcomer in politics, is learning the ropes but much depends on the quality of support he gets in his campaigning from local BJP leaders which has not been "up to the mark" so far, said a top BJP leader. "Jaju has been deployed to run the poll campaign of Gambhir, which is suffering from poor management. He has taken charge with immediate effect by holding meetings with local party setup and making some changes in media team of the East Delhi candidate," he said. Jaju is incharge of the party's Delhi unit affairs. In the past few days, Gambhir has been a target of sustained attack by AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi who has accused him of having two voter identity cards and violations of model code of conduct. "The Delhi BJP ...
Four Indian academic qualifications to be recognised in France
With a bilateral agreement coming into affect from Wednesday, four Indian academic qualifications -- Senior School Certificate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees and PhDs -- from government-approved institutions will be recognised by the French government. It is the first such intergovernmental agreement that India has entered into. Welcoming the MoU, Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler, said, "I am delighted that the agreement will benefit Indian students wishing to study in France and French students wishing to study in India, since both governments will recognise their degrees." On May 1, the agreement between France and India for the Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications, signed during President Emmanuel Macron's maiden state visit to India last year, will come into force.
Behbal Kalan firing case: Captain Amarinder Singh rejects reports of SIT
A single challan submitted in the court was erroneously interpreted to mean that the Akalis were innocent in the Behbal Kalan firing case, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said on Monday.He also rejected the reports of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that gave a clean chit to the Akali leadership in the matter.Speaking to media persons here, Singh asserted that the investigation by the SIT was still in progress and that it would be filing more challans to supplement the one it had filed so far against a single police officer."How can a partial investigation and a single challan be considered to give clean chit to the Akalis," he asked.He further accused media of twisting the information.The Chief Minister also reiterated that once the probe into the case was complete, anyone found guilty of involvement, howsoever high and mighty he might have been, would be punished as per law.He, however, said that he would not indulge in "political vendetta" to nail the Badals or ..
Kashmiri migrants vote for peace, demand scrapping M-forms
Living miles away from their native place for the past three decades, Kashmiri Pandits Monday voted for "restoration of peace" in terror-hit South Kashmir and demanded scrapping of M-forms. The second phase of the three-phased elections to the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency took place Monday. The constituency is undergoing polls in three phases due to security reasons. Meanwhile, Kashmiri migrant voters staged a demonstration outside a special polling station here after several of them found their names missing from the voters list. They also alleged that the "cumbersome" M-forms were discouraging them from exercising their franchise. "I voted in support of Modi with a hope that he will facilitate the return of peace to the restive South Kashmir," Avtar Krishen Bhat (78) told PTI. Bhat, who hails from Kulgam and cast his vote at a special polling station at Muthi, said, "We want to return and resettle in our homeland without fear and threat." His family had to leave Kulgam in 1990 ...
Sitharaman attends SCO conclave in Kyrgyzstan; holds talks with Chinese counterpart
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday attended a key conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan and held bilateral meetings on its sidelines, including with her Chinese counterpart. Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek where ways to further boost defence and security cooperation among the member countries in the wake of evolving security challenges in the region were discussed. On the sidelines of the conclave, Sitharaman attended a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe. The defence minister held talks with Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoygu and discussed key bilateral defence issues. She also held a bilateral meeting with Major General Raimberdi Duishenbiev, Chief of General Staff of Kyrgyz Armed Forces, and discussed defence cooperation between the two countries. India became a full member of the the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry into it increased the ...
LS polls: TMC complains to EC against PM Modi for horse trading
Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday filed a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the Election Commission over the alleged horse trading of party leaders."The complaint against Modi for horse-trading has been filed with ECI on Monday at 7 pm," TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien tweeted.Earlier today, the TMC leader had hit back at Prime Minister Modi for his remark that 40 TMC MLAs are in touch with him, asking if he is campaigning or is indulging in horse trading.Taking to Twitter, O'Brien called Modi "Expiry Babu PM" and tweeted, "Expiry Babu PM, let's get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor.""Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading. #LokSabhaElection2019."Addressing a public rally in Serampore in West Bengal, Prime Minister Modi had said that 40 TMC MLAs are in touch with him and there is nothing that can save Chief Minister ..
Sidhu targets PM after SP fields ex-BSF jawan from Varanasi
On a day the Samajwadi Party fielded dismissed BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu accused him of raising "nationalism" pitch to deflect people's attention from real issues. Addressing a public meeting here in Madhya Pradesh, Sidhu said Modi, "who is seeking votes in the name of armed forces", will now face a "fauzi" in the constituency. "The BJP was seeking votes in the name of Modi and Modi in turn is asking for ballots in the name of Fauz..Now a Fauzi in Varanasi is seeking votes against Modi," the Punjab minister said, adding that people have now understood Modi and his acts. "...People know that you are diverting their attention from real issues," the former BJP leader said. Accusing the prime minister of trying to "polarise" the country during the poll season, Sidhu said the BJP and Modi are set to lose. "Modi is trying to deflect the attention of people from the ...
Afghan Prez inaugurates Jirga; calls for peace in the war-torn country
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday inaugurated Grand Consultative Jirga on Peace to determine the framework for talks with the Taliban, saying peace in the war-torn country is his "top priority"."It is a pride; exciting to see that 3,200 elected delegates have been gathered under one dignified umbrella from across Afghanistan to determine the framework of talks with the Taliban," Tolo News quoted Ghani as saying.The four days will be chaired by Jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasul."The four days of the Jirga will prove that you, the elected delegates of the nation, are the symbol of power and national unity and you are the owners of willingness, talent, understanding and views and you are hoping for peace and prosperity," he addedHowever, Ghani noted that he is not in favour of "hasty" agreements on peace and that the Jirga delegates will decide on this.The Jirga could emerge as a breakthrough between the Afghan Government and the Taliban, who never accepted Ghani's government.The .
Babul Supriyo, other BJP leaders intimidating polling officers, TMC complains to EC
Union Minister Babul Supriyo and other BJP candidates are intimidating polling officers at various booths across the state, alleged TMC in a letter written to the Election Commission (EC) on Monday.Seeking action against the BJP leaders, the letter reads: "Babul Supriyo, candidate of BJP for Asansol Lok Sabha seat and other BJP candidates, and also that of Baharampur, have been entering into various polling booths threatening, intimidating the presiding and polling officers and agents of other political parties."The letter states that the central armed forces deployed in the state have been meddling with voters and have even resorted to firing in several constituencies across the state at the behest of BJP leaders."Central forces have created a reign of terror in the minds of voters and they have also urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of BJP. The Central forces, in a motivated and pre-conceived manner, have resorted to firing within the polling booth thereby creating fear .
BJP nominee meets TMC leader, fuels speculation of rejoining
A BJP Lok Sabha candidate, who had switched over from the Trinamool Congress last month, met a senior leader of the state's ruling party on Monday, fuelling speculation over his return to the TMC and leaving the BJP red-faced. Anupam Hazra, the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate in Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency in the city where polling would be held on May 19, called on Anubrata Mondal, the TMC's Birbhum district president, at the latter's party office. Polling in two seats of Birbhum district was held on Monday in the fourth phase. The BJP said the party will seek an explanation from Hazra who had had won the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Bolpur seat in Birbhum district on TMC ticket. "Anubrata Mondal is the last word in Birbhum district. I came to offer condolences on the demise of his mother, Hazra said, describing the TMC strongman as his "uncle". Asked whether he will rejoin the TMC, he said only time will tell that. Mondal said he exchanged pleasantries with Hazra but ...
Jodhpur, from where CM Gehlot's son is contesting, records 68.40 pc voting
A voter turnout of 68.40 percent was recorded in the Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat, from where Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav is making electoral debut and is up against Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, amid some reports of violence and EVM glitches, officials said. They said the polling percentage was 6.18 percent more than what was recorded in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, and voters, especially the youth and first-time ones, in all the eight assembly segments came out in large numbers despite a blistering sun. Meanwhile, the BJP alleged that state's ruling Congress "misused" its power in influencing the voting. They claimed that the polling was deliberately slowed down at some booths where BJP voters have traditionally outnumbered their rivals. BJP candidate Shekhawat alleged that he received complaints about Congress leaders and workers "constantly attempting to influence the polling". "I stopped vehicles belonging to the Congress from entering into the ...
BJP slams Cong-JDS on drought, CM terms accusation 'laughable'
Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa Monday accused the Congress-JDS leaders of enjoying at resorts when the state was facing severe drought, drawing a sharp response from Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who termed his accusation "laughable." Hitting out, the Chief Minister accused the leader of opposition of "double standards", as he claimed that Yeddyurappa had written to the Election Commission not to permit the state government to call tenders for developmental works, citing the election model code of conduct. In a statement released by the chief minister's office, Kumaraswamy said despite the model code of conduct being in force, the chief secretary was taking all necessary steps to deal with the situation by coordinating with the principal secretaries of various departments. Stating that State has good officers who were working efficiently, he said the chief secretary was giving him update about steps being taken to manage the drought. Kumaraswamy said he has ...
Dynastic forces censored Vande Mataram, ignored INA: Modi
In a veiled swipe at erstwhile Congress governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said forces in the country, which believe in dynastic and vote bank politics, censored the national song 'Vande Mataram' and neglected the heroes of Azad Hind Fauj who had fought for India's independence.
Sheila Dikshit: Cong will sweep all 7 seats in Delhi
Congress leader Sheila Dikshit on Monday said that her party will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi banking on the unmatched achievements of the 15-year Congress rule."During our 15-year rule, Delhi witnessed massive development in the form of new flyovers, schools, colleges and hospitals without crying for the issue of full statehood," said Dikshit.Speaking at a public rally in North-East Delhi, Dikshit also accused chief minister Kejriwal of fooling the public on the issue of full statehood for Delhi."AAP is raising statehood issue to divert people's attention from the government's failure. AAP MPs never raised the statehood issue in parliament," she said.Terming Kejriwal of being ignorant about the constitution, the former chief minister said, "Kejriwal seems to be totally ignorant about the country's constitution. For full statehood, the constitution needs to be amended which the AAP cannot achieve without majority support in the parliament."Further adding that even without ..
Five more years required to clean Ganga from Congress' pollution: Amit Shah
BJP president Amit Shah on Monday said that five more years are required to clean river Ganga from 70 years of Congress' "pollution.""When our government came to power in 2014, we promised to clean the Ganga. We have done so in the last five years. We have to remove 70 years of Congress' pollution as well. If you elect us for another five years, then I assure you that the entire river will be fully cleaned," he said at an election rally here.It is interesting to mention here that the Central government's flagship programme -- Namami Gange or Clean Ganga Mission - was felicitated with the coveted 'Public Water Agency of the Year' award at the Global Water Summit in London on April 9.The Namami Gange programme is an integrated mission for Ganga rejuvenation. It has a comprehensive multi-sectoral intervention with multi-stakeholder involvement and adopts a basin based approach which includes Ganga and its tributaries.The mission aims at providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions ..
Offered Rs 10 lakh, says candidate in Telangana local body polls
A candidate of opposition Congress party in rural local body elections of Telangana created a flutter by reaching Nagarkurnool district collector's office on Monday with Rs 10 lakh cash, which he claimed was offered by ruling TRS candidate to make him withdraw from the contest.
Mumbai South poll: Deora calls Sena's Sawant, extends wishes
Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora, the party's candidate for the city's South Lok Sabha seat, Monday called up his opponent and sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant after polling was over. A Congress statement said Deora phoned Sawant and thanked him for a decent fight as a political opponent, adding that the former also extended best wishes to the MP and his family. It said Deora recalled the combative confrontations during the campaign and appreciated Sawant's undaunted spirit and energy. The Congress statement informed that the Shiv Sena leader praised Deora's gesture of calling him post voting.
Kannauj: SP alleges VVPAT shows 'lotus' when 'cycle' button pressed, wants DGP removed
The opposition Samajwadi Party urged the Election Commission on Monday to remove Uttar Pardesh's police chief OP Singh from the post, alleging he was "favouring" the ruling BJP and trying to influence elections. It also alleged that in at least two polling booths in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple is contesting the Lok Sabha election, the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines recorded the vote for the BJP when the ballot was cast for the SP. It also claimed that police issued "notes" warning SP supporters in the constituency, asking them to remain inside their home after casting their vote. SP leader Dharmendra Yadav said Director General of Police Singh was "misusing" the government machinery to help the BJP. "We demanded from the EC to remove him immediately," he told reporters after meeting Chief Electoral Officer L Venkatenshwar Lu. Yadav led an SP delegation to the EC official and submitted a memorandum demanding that the DGP be immediately ...
Vaghela says Gujarat govt to fall on May 23; BJP nixes claim
NCP leader Shankersinh Vaghela Monday claimed the BJP government in Gujarat would fall on May 23, when votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections will be counted, and maintained "many" ruling party MLAs were in touch with him. The BJP quickly dismissed Vaghela's claims as "baseless" and said he was just trying to remain in limelight. The former chief minister also claimed the saffron outfit will lose the Lok Sabha elections. "The BJP will lose power both at the Centre and in Gujarat on May 23. The number of BJP legislators from Gujarat who would resign on May 23 is enough to topple the state government," Vaghela told PTI. The septuagenarian politician, who was in the Congress till 2017, said "many" MLAs of the ruling party had met him to convey that they no longer wanted to remain with the BJP. "These MLAs told me that they are ready to resign as legislators. They just want to leave the BJP as well as the government. "They are feeling like bonded labourers. They say that no