Page 729 - Politics
Smriti Irani helps villagers to douse fire in Amethi
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani, who is contesting against Congress President Rahul Gandhi from Amethi, on Sunday joined in to help douse a fire during her campaigning in the constituency.
Locals in Kannauj want Dimple as their MP, but bat for Modi as PM
In the Samajwadi Party's bastion, voters want Dimple Yadav to represent them in the Parliament but want Narendra Modi to get one more chance to be India's prime minister.Dimple Yadav is the wife of SP president Akhilesh Yadav and is sitting MP from Kannauj.In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Dimple managed to win despite 'Modi wave' but with a small margin of votes of less than 20,000 votes against BJP's Subrat Pathak.Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency has always been a prestige seat for the Yadav clan. The SP candidate is banking on the goodwill and the works done by the party in the last two decades, BJP candidate Pathak is playing the local card."My calculation says that it is good for the country that Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes gets one more chance. But in Kannauj, the BJP is weak and Dimple Yadav will win," said Sunderlal, a local."Dimple Yadav will win the election because Akhilesh Yadav has done unprecedented development here. Nobody is voting here in the name of SP-BSP-RLD ...
BJP demands action against BJD leaders for violating Model Code of Conduct
A delegation of BJP leaders on Sunday met Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar, seeking action against Biju Janta Dal ministers for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct.BJP has alleged the BJD ministers are campaigning during the silence period."Various ministers and prominent leaders of the party are in Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency, which is scheduled to go to polls on Monday. The CEO must ask BJD leaders and ministers to vacate the constituency," said BJP leaders.Silence period starts 48 hours before the polling day and ends after the polling is over. During this period, no active campaigning is allowed.
PM, BJP treated farmers as 'liability': Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have treated farmers as a "liability" and asserted that the farmers are now rising up to demand "Nyay" (justice). Taking to Twitter, he also shared a video of the Congress party's campaign focusing on farmers and talking about party's promises such as the 'Kisan budget', loan waiver, and appropriate prices for produce. "Our farmers are our pride & strength. For the past 5 years, Mr Modi & the BJP have treated them as a liability. India's farmers are now rising up to demand NYAY," Gandhi tweeted. The Congress chief has been alleging largescale farmers distress in the country, a claim denied by the BJP.
Two Indian warships arrive in Busan
Two warships of the Indian Navy have reached the South Korean port city of Busan after participating at an international maritime parade off the coast of Qingdao in China. The Indian Navy said INS Kolkata and INS Shakti are in Busan as part of a deployment of the eastern fleet to the South China Sea. "In a demonstration of India's Act East policy and the Indian Navy's increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian naval ships Kolkata and Shakti have arrived at Busan, South Korea on a three-day visit as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea on April 28," it said in a statement. The two ships had gone to China to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR), organised to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Navy. The Navy said the two ships will participate in the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Busan. The ADMM-Plus is a platform of the 10-member bloc, ASEAN, and its eight dialogue partners. The ...
BJP leaders question opposition's reluctance in giving credit to Modi for surgical strikes
Delhi BJP leaders raised questioned on Sunday over the opposition's objections in giving credit for the surgical strikes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they had no issues in crediting Indira Gandhi for the 1971 war victory over Pakistan. Ahead of the May 12 polling in the national capital for the ongoing Lok Sabha election, the Delhi unit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a meeting with the Rajput community here on Sunday. BJP national vice-president and Delhi-Uttarakhand in-charge Shyam Jaju and Lok Sabha polls co-incharge Jai Bhan Singh Pawaiya addressed the meeting. They alleged that the governments before 2014 were known for disregarding the sacrifices of our soldiers and added that by executing the surgical strikes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our armed forces had proved that they had the capacity to give a befitting reply to the enemy. "If the credit for the victory in the 1971 war was given to (then prime minister) Indira Gandhi, why
Big turnout for Spain's early election marked by far-right emergence
Spaniards flocked to vote on Sunday in a tense snap general election that could see the far-right make a dramatic entrance in parliament after more than four decades on the outer margins of politics. Opinion polls give outgoing socialist premier Pedro Sanchez a win but without the necessary majority to govern alone, meaning he will have to seek alliances in a political environment that has soured since Catalonia's failed secession bid. The most significant new development of these elections is the emergence of far-right party Vox, which burst onto the scene in December regional polls in southern Andalusia and looks set to make its first-ever entrance into the national parliament. Polls predict it could take more than 10 percent of the votes in a country that had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, in what is likely to cause further concern in Europe. After a tense campaign, voter turnout as of 6 pm (1600 GMT) stood at 60.75 per cent, up
This election is Amethi's fight for independence from 'missing MP': Smriti Irani
This Lok Sabha election is Amethi's battle for independence, a fight between the citizens and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, between pro and anti-India forces, said Union Minister Smriti Irani here on Sunday."This election is Amethi's battle for independence. The fight here is not between BJP and Congress, but between the missing MP (Rahul Gandhi) and the voters. The tussle is between people who say Bharat Mata ki Jai and those who talk about breaking India," said Irani, while addressing an election rally here.Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Cabinet Minister in the Uttar Pradesh government Dara Singh Chauhan and Haryana Minister Vipul Goyal were also present at the rally held at Rahim Ganj Chowk.She said that the only time when the students in Amethi got a good education was when the BJP came to power under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.Irani went on to add that the people of the constituency had kept on showering their affection on Rahul for 15 years but he ..
EC keeps Trinamool's Mondal 'under strict surveillance'
The Election Commission has decided to keep Trinamool Congress' Birbhum district President Anubrata Mondal "under strict surveillance" and closely watch his movements following allegations that he is threatening polling officers, sources in the commission said on Sunday.
Fadnavis held maximum rallies in Mah, followed by Munde, Pawar
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has topped the list of political leaders, who held maximum number of public rallies for the Lok Sabha elections in the state. While Fadnavis addressed as many as 87 rallies for the BJP-Shiv Sena across Maharashtra, NCP leader Dhanajay Munde ranks second with his 80 public meetings. While both Fadnavis and Munde are in their forties, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who is 79 years old, ranks third as he addressed 78 political rallies in the state, which sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha. While polling for three out of four phases in Maharashtra has already got over, the fourth and final phase will be held on Monday. Fadnavis not only addressed rallies for the BJP candidates, but also canvassed for ally Shiv Sena's nominees. He also held talks with voters and prominent people in the respective regions. Besides, the chief minister was present at all the nine rallies addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Maharashtra. While ...
Congress promises to address sealing, GST in Delhi
J.P. Agarwal, the Congress candidate from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, here on Sunday, promised to address the sealing and the goods and services tax (GST) issues troubling traders.
Indian ships reach South Korea for joint exercise
Indian naval ships Kolkata and Shakti on Sunday arrived at South Korea's Busan to participate in the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (FTX) as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea, said an official statement.
I will campaign for Panaji BJP candidate, says Utpal Parrikar
Hours after the BJP dropped his candidature for Panaji Assembly by-poll, Utpal Parrikar, son of former Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar, on Sunday said that he would campaign for party candidate Sidharth Kuncalienker."I have been saying from day one that whatever the party decides, I will comply with that. I will be working for the candidate the party decides," Utpal told ANI here.Utpal also congratulated the state party leadership "for giving us a candidate timely."Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party dropped Utpal's name and named Kuncalienker as its candidate for the ensuing Panaji Assembly by-poll.It was widely expected that the BJP would name Utpal as its candidate to get benefit from the sympathy wave for him arising out of his father's demise last month.Utpal said, "This constituency was represented by my father for more than 25 years so it is very essential that we retain it. I would do whatever is necessary so that the party retains this seat comfortably."He ..
Maken campaigns among government employees, traders
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Ajay Maken who is contesting from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat on Sunday held meetings with government employees, traders and civic body employees as part of his voter outreach programme.
TMC's district unit chief under house arrest ahead of fourth phase LS polling
Bolpur (West Bengal) Apr 28 (ANI): Trinamool Congress district unit president Anubrata Mondol has been put under the house arrest from Sunday evening here ahead of the fourth phase of polling on Monday. He will be under the strict vigilance of the central forces till April 30.An association of polling officers on Saturday met WB Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), seeking stringent measure including house arrest of Mondol to ensure a 'free and fair election.'Speaking to ANI, Mondol said: "Yes, they (Central government) has put me under house arrest but I don't know what led them to take such a step. These days the Centre acts according to its own wishes."Confident of his win, he said that conducting the election in seven phases in West Bengal is highly condemnable.The deployment of central forces in West Bengal was sought by different parties in view of the violence, which marred the panchayat polls in 2018.Earlier welcoming the presence of central forces in Birbhum, Mondal had told ANI: ..
In Punjab, Congress lodges complaints with poll panel against SAD-BJP
The Congress's Punjab unit Sunday lodged two separate complaints with the Election Commission against the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP for circulating pamphlets to "mislead" voters on religious lines and "malign" the image of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh through a "false advertisement". In a complaint filed by Punjab Congress general secretary Sandeep Sandhu to Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju, it was pointed out that the SAD pamphlet "directly violates" the provisions of the model code of conduct. The party claimed the pamphlet was targeting the state government's policy decisions having a direct bearing on labourers, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, farmers and government employees. Sandhu said these voters were the backbone of the state's economy and were being targeted with false information on policy matters not only to "manipulate their minds" but was also in clear violation of the fundamental component of free and fair elections. Certain religious issues have also .
Amid LS polls, Defence Minister in Kyrgyzstan to attend important SCO meet
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamanon Sunday reached Bishkek to take part in the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting where important regional security issues would be discussed in the presence of countries such as Pakistan and China.The meeting is part of the build-up for the SCO summit, which is expected to take place on June 14-15."The Defence Minister today reached Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and will represent India in the SCO meeting," Defence Ministry officials said."The Minister is holding important election responsibilities for the BJP but could not skip this meeting amid polling as we wanted to put across our views on security issues strongly," they said.During the visit, the Minister is expected to hold meetings with her counterparts from SCO countries but unlikely to meet the Pakistani representative there.The SCO meet is expected to focus on Afghan situation amid talks with Taliban, countering terror effectively through coordinated action, controlling terror finances and increasing ...
Renuka Chowdhury tears into BJP MP for his 'open defecation' remark
Congress leader and former Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury on Sunday tore into BJP MP Rajveer Singh over his controversial remark about Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.Singh on April 27 took a controversial jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and said that he would have known the importance of building toilets if his grandmother (Indira Gandhi) and mother (Sonia Gandhi) had faced the problem of open defecation.Speaking to ANI, Renuka said: "Are we surprised that this is the standard of BJP? When Prime Minister Narendra Modi can talk about women in Parliament and call them 'Surpanakhas,' this is the yardstick by which the BJP goes. Women of the country have taken note."The Congress has fielded Renuka Chowdhury against Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) candidate Nageshwar Rao in Khammam Parliamentary Constituency in Telangana.Telangana went to polls in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats on April 11. Results will be declared on May 23.
Happy that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is counting the days I spent in Amethi: Smriti Irani
It is a matter of happiness that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is counting the number of days I have visited Amethi as he is unable to tell the public where the 'missing MP' was for 15 years, said Union Minister Smriti Irani here on Sunday."I am happy that Priyanka Vadra is counting the number of times I came to Amethi. Probably she is counting mine because she is unable to tell the public where the missing MP was for 15 years. I request her to provide that information too," Smriti said, while talking to ANI.She also questioned the Congress' method of showing love for the nation."Yasin Malik is charged with the murder of Air Force officials. Yet the statement given by PC Chacko yesterday supporting him should be condemned either by Priyanka or Rahul Gandhi. I want to ask Priyanka Vadra are these your ways of showing nationalism," she said.Congress spokesperson PC Chacko on Saturday told reporters in New Delhi that "If Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused, can contest an election, and the way Delhi
Fourth phase of voting on Monday: Over 12.79 crore voters, 945 candidates, 71 LS seats in 9 states
Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday.As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in Maharashtra, 13 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in West Bengal will go to polls during the fourth phase of polling.Apart from these, 42 Assembly constituencies in Odisha will also go to polls on Monday.The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm for most of the constituencies.In Bihar, five constituencies -- Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger will go to polls. A total of sixty-six candidates are in the fray for these five seats. Voting will be held at 8,834 polling stations where around 87,02,313 voters will cast their votes.All eyes will be on Begusarai seat from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar is up against Union Minister Giriraj Singh and .