Page 725 - Politics
Shatrughan files nomination from Patna Sahib
Congress candidate and actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination papers from the Patna Sahib constituency in Bihar which will head to the polls in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19.
Voting stalled in Bengal booth following violence
Voting was stalled on Monday after villagers vandalised a polling booth in West Bengal's Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency amid the ongoing fourth phase elections in the state.
Complaint filed against Bhagwant Mann over alleged discrepancies in nomination papers
A complaint was filed against Punjab Aam Aadmi Party chief and Sangrur Lok Sabha candidate Bhagwant Mann over alleged discrepancies in his nomination affidavit.The written complaint was filed before Sangrur District Election officer, Ghanshyam Thori by a city based-lawyer and social activist Kamal Anand against the sitting MP.Anand, the complainant, pointed out some alleged discrepancies in Mann's election affidavit and sought action against him.He alleged that there is a huge difference between his properties declarations for the 2017 Assembly elections and the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.Mann showed his total property worth Rs 9,34,760 when he filed nomination to contest Assembly polls in 2017 against Sukhbir Badal form Jalalabad, but it rose to Rs 16,54,755 in just two years in 2019, the complainant said.Mann is seeking re-election from Sangrur Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency. He is up against Shiromani Akali Dal legislator and former Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Congress .
Meeting of "like minded" MLAs called by Congress legislator
A meeting of "like minded"MLAs called by Congress legislator S T Somashekar on Tuesday, amid coalition worries, has been postponed citing preparations for the Kundgol and Chincholi assembly by-polls as the reason. Somashekar's invitation for a meeting of "like-minded" MLAs to discuss the present political situation in Karnataka, stating that it is growing worse day by day had created flutters in political circles on Sunday. The MLA's letter had come amid worries within the ruling Congress-JDS coalition and dissidence in the Congress surfacing again. "As several Congress legislators will be presentduring filing of nominations for Kundgol and Chincoli by-pollstoday, a meeting of like minded MLAs called fortomorrow has been temporarily postponed. The next date will beintimated," Somashekar said in a message to the legislators Monday. The invitation has also come at a time when rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi is threatening to quit the party along with legislators close .
BJP urges EC to deploy central forces in all polling booths of West Bengal
Amid reports of violence during fourth phase of polling in West Bengal, the BJP Monday approached the Election Commission complaining that TMC workers have "hijacked democracy in the state" and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths there. A BJP delegation, which includes Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, and the party's media in-charge Anil Baluni, met the top officials of the poll panel here and submitted a memorandum in this regard. "The ruling Trinamool Congress workers have hijacked democracy in the state and are indulging in violence. They are being supported by the local machinery and we demand deployment of central forces in all polling booths," Naqvi said. The BJP also expressed concern about "no action" been taken against Congress president Rahul Gandhi who has been making "baseless allegations" against BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking to reporters after meeting the poll panel officials, Naqvi accused .
Over 34 per cent voting recorded till 1 pm in UP
Polling picked up in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh as an estimated 34.40 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm Monday. Seats where the polling is underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. In Kannauj, a representative of Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, Guddu Saxena, has complained to the observers that the district administration allegedly was not allowing SP leaders and workers to move out of their houses. He complained that security personnel in large numbers were deployed outside the houses of SP leaders before polling began and also alleged that EVMs in the SP strongholds were malfunctioning. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters saying that they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their ...
Rahul Gandhi files fresh reply in SC on contempt notice
Congress President Rahul Gandhi filed a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court on Monday after it issued him a contempt notice for his remarks on the Rafale case verdict and expressed regret again for attributing the "chowkidar chor hai" remarks to the apex court. Gandhi also sought dismissal of the contempt petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi, saying it was an abuse of the process of the court. In his counter affidavit, Gandhi expressed regret for the "chowkidar chor hai" remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to the Rafale judgment. "It is also clear that no court would ever do that and hence the unfortunate references (for which I express regret) to the court order and to the political slogan in juxtaposition the same breath in the heat of political campaigning was ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue," he said in his affidavit. The apex court had on April 23 issued notice to him on the ...
Till phase 4 anti Modi speeches is the principal tactic of regional parties
New Delhi [India], Apr 29 (ANI): South India completed polling in the third phase and a large chunk of central and east India finished polling by the fourth phase. While in most southern states there was no apparent BJP or Modi wave as in 2014, in Karnataka however Narendra Modi was still considered the most popular candidate for Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi was not seen as an option to Modi even among Congress and JDS supporters. In Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana too if there was one person who was discussed the most whether negatively or positively for Prime Minister post-2019, it was Narendra Modi.Senior Congress leaders in Karnataka and the state has several, spoke about Rahul Gandhi only to the media but in their rallies and road shows there was literally no mention of the Congress party's prime ministerial candidate.The Gowda family led Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) contested this election with confused messaging. The forever hyper-emotional Chief Minister H.D. ...
Rafale: SC allows Centre to circulate letter seeking adjournment of Tuesday's hearing
The Supreme Court Monday allowed the Centre to circulate a letter for adjournment in tomorrow's scheduled hearing on Rafale review pleas. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi allowed the Centre's counsel to circulate the letter among parties which include petitioners who have filed review pleas. In a setback to the Centre, the apex court had on April 10 allowed the pleas which relied on leaked documents for seeking review of its Rafale judgement and dismissed the government's preliminary objections claiming "privilege" over them. The Centre had submitted that the three privileged documents were unauthorisedly removed from the Defence Ministry and used by the petitioners to support their review petitions against the December 14, 2018 judgement of the apex court which had dismissed all pleas challenging the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The top court had rejected the objections raised by the Centre that those documents were not admissible as evidence under ..
UP has changed, bahubalis have no imact now: Shah
BJP President Amit Shah Monday accused the opposition alliance of giving tickets to "bahubalis" (muslcemen) in Uttar Pradesh but said their presence would have no impact now as the Yogi Adityanath government hangs them upside down. Shah also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying if temperatures increase in the country, the Congress President goes abroad and even his mother cannot find him. Addressing a Vijay Sankalp rally here, he said, "Mahamilavat wale logon ne Uttar Pradesh mein bahubalion ko ticket diya hai lekin ab yaha bahubalion ki nahi chalti". BJP leaders have been referring to the opposition alliance as "mahamilavat". "The mahamilavtis are yet not able to understand that Uttar Pradesh has changed ...they have given tickets to bahubalis ...now it is Yogi government which is at the helm," Shah said. "Ab yahan bahubalion ki nahi chalti...ab bahubalion ko ulta latka kar seedha kar diya jata hai,"(now musclemen have no impact and government acts tough with them), he ...
Pope Francis donates $500,000 to migrants at US-Mexico border
Pope Francis recently donated USD 5,00,000 to help migrants in Mexico who are attempting to enter the United States, reinforcing the pontiff's stance of welcoming migrants rather than stigmatising them.The funds will reportedly be distributed among 27 projects, undertaken by 16 Mexican dioceses and religious congregations, that made the call for assistance to provide food, lodging, and other necessities to the migrants, reports Sputnik."In recent months, thousands of migrants have arrived in Mexico, having travelled more than 4,000 kilometres on foot and with makeshift vehicles from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Men and women, often with young children, flee poverty and violence, hoping for a better future in the United States. However, the U.S. border remains closed to them", said a press release from Peter's Pence, the organisation which has been tasked with handling the funds, outlined.The organisation added that the migrants "were stranded, unable to enter the United ...
UP leaders ask people to brave sun, come out to vote
With the mercury steadily rising, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders Monday appealed to the electorate not to bogged down by soaring temperatures and exercise their franchise. Polling is underway in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on Monday. In a tweet, Adityanath said, "Temperatures are high, take care of yourself but definitely cast your vote..every single vote of yours help formation of the government." "For a prosperous and strong Bharat, for a strong and decisive government, for fulfilling a dream, come out of houses today and vote. Remember, first voting and then breakfast," he said. BSP president Mayawati also took to twitter to exhort people to vote. "Polling is taking place for the fourth phase of election for the 17th Lok Sabha. It is an appeal to voters to first discharge their duty of casting votes. This effort of theirs is important for their welfare and interest," the former UP chief minister said. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh .
BJP candidate Kunkolienkar files nomination for Panaji bypoll
Former MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar on Monday filed his nomination as a BJP candidate for by-election to Panaji Assembly seat in Goa. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA and then chief minister Manohar Parrikar last month. While earlier there was speculation that the late chief minister's elder son Utpal Parrikar would be given a ticket, the BJP on Sunday announced the candidature of Kunkolienkar for the bypoll, scheduled on May 19. Before filing his nomination, Kunkolienkar offered prayers at a temple here. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Goa BJP unit president Vinay Tendulkar and other party leaders accompanied Kunkolienkar when he filed the nomination. Sawant expressed confidence that people would vote for the BJP. Kunkolienkar first won the Panaji seat during the 2015 by-election. He again bagged the seat in the 2017 state Assembly polls, but vacated it later that year to make way for then chief minister Manohar Parrikar to be inducted into the
Report on PM's speech in Barmer sent to EC: Poll authorities
The district polls authorities on Monday said a factual report has been submitted to the Election Commission following allegations by the Congress that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at a rally here had "brazenly" violated the poll code by repeatedly invoking the armed forces. A factual report along with transcription of the prime minister's address he delivered in Barmer recently has been forwarded to the Election Commission, the district election office said. The Congress had moved the Election Commission (EC) on April 22 alleging that the prime minister "brazenly" violated the poll code by repeatedly invoking the armed forces in his speeches and demanded that a campaign ban be imposed on him for some time. Following the Congress' complaint, the EC had sought a report on the address of the prime minister in Barmer from the district poll authorities. "The report has been forwarded with the copy of PM's speech as per the direction of the Commission," district election .
Shivpal's PSP to support Congress in Lucknow
The Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP) led by Shivpal Singh Yadav has announced its support to Congress candidate Acharya Pramod Krishnan in Lucknow.
NYAY is diesel for Indian economy's engine
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday described the party's proposed 'NYAY' minimum income guarantee scheme as a "diesel for the engine" of the Indian economy. Addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Dholpur district, Gandhi said the Congress will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in bank accounts of five crore women in five years unlike Narendra Modi who, he alleged, opened bank accounts of people, but did not deposit a single penny in them. Gandhi promised to give government jobs to 22 lakh youths in one year, recruit 10 lakh youths in panchayats and said no farmer will be jailed for not repaying loan, if voted to power. "I am not here to lie. Our NYAY scheme will jumpstart the economy. It will be a diesel for the Indian economy. We will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in five years in bank accounts of 5 crore women," he said in the rally held in Sepau town of this district. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to poor families under the 'NYAY' scheme. He claimed ...
Rafale: Rahul Gandhi files reply in SC on contempt notice issued to him
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Monday filed a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court after a notice was issued to him on a contempt case for his remarks on the Rafale case verdict and again expressed regret for attributing the "chowkidar chor hai" remarks to the apex court. The Congress President also sought dismissal of the contempt petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi, saying it was an abuse of the process of the court. In his counter affidavit, Gandhi expressed regret for the "chowkidar chor hai" remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to the Rafale judgment. "It is also clear that no court would ever do that and hence the unfortunate references (for which I express regret) to the court order and to the political slogan in juxtaposition the same breath in the heat of political campaigning was ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue," he said in his affidavit. The apex court had on April 23 issued
TMC delegation seeks WB EC's intervention over poll-violence in Asansol
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation led by party MP Shukhendu Shekhar Roy on Monday sought time from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) West Bengal in connection with BJP leader and Union Minister Babul Supriyo's alleged altercation with the polling officer and violence caused during polling in Asansol Lok Sabha seat.EC's response is awaited.Meanwhile, clashes erupted between BJP and TMC workers in Nalhati city in Birbhum district. During the scuffle, a BJP supporter sustained an injury on his head.Security forces resorted to lathi-charge on Monday at a polling station in Asansol parliamentary constituency after clashes erupted between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices.There were reports of altercations between supporters of TMC, BJP and CPI (M) from several polling booths in the constituency.A BJP delegation which will include Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni, is scheduled to meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi today ...
BJP's Sunny Deol files nomination from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat
Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol, who was recently inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party, filed his nomination from the Gurdaspur Parliamentary Constituency on Monday.Before filing the nomination, Deol paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and offered prayers.After he filed his nomination papers, his father Dharmendra Deol took to the micro-blogging site and tweeted in his support: "We are asking for your support. If you support us, the victory will be yours. The victory will be of my brother and sisters of Punjab and the beautiful Gurdaspur."Earlier in 2004, Dharmendra had also represented BJP from Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency and won the seat.Dharmendra's wife Hema Malini is a member of the BJP and sitting MP from Mathura.Deol was inducted into the party on April 23 in New Delhi in the presence of Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal.After joining the party, Deol had said that he was looking forward to working with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "My work
20.87% voting for 3 LS seats in Jharkhand Maoist belt (11 a.m.)
Jharkhand recorded 20.87 per cent polling till 11 a.m. on Monday for three Lok Sabha seats in the state's Maoist-affected areas, according to Election Commission (EC) data.