Page 735 - Politics
Iran FM says he will visit North Korea
Iran's foreign minister says he will visit North Korea as both countries struggle under US sanctions. Iran's official IRNA news agency on Sunday quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the visit is being planned and a date will be announced soon. The United States has ramped up sanctions on Iran since President Donald Trump withdrew from its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers last year. The US has tightened sanctions on North Korea to try to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons. An Iranian parliamentary delegation visited North Korea in December, and North Korea's top diplomat, Ri Yong Ho, visited Iran in August.
NDA gaining momentum in every phase, set to repeat its 2014 win: Paswan
BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar. The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security. In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami". Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases. Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the
Voting begins in Spain election marked by far-right resurgence
Spaniards began voting in an uncertain snap general election Sunday marked by a resurgence of the far-right 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. By far the novelty 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. Polling stations opened at 9:00 am (local time) and will close at 8:00 pm local time, with results announced later Sunday. Sanchez, ...
Bihar's 'Osama bin Laden' missing from election arena
Meraj Khalid Noor, popularly known as Bihar's 'Osama bin Laden' due to his uncanny resemblance to the late Al Qaeda leader, is missing from the election scene in Bihar.
Venezuela free of 'US ministry of colonies': Maduro
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday (local time) labeled the Latin American country's withdrawal from the Organisation of the American States (OAS) as a liberation from the "US ministry of colonies.""We became free of the US ministry of colonies, a tool of interference as well as disrespect for democratic principles and international law. Our Bolivarian and independent Motherland says 'Goodbye' to the OAS," Sputnik quoted Maduro as saying.This comes after the Venezuelan foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, announced Venezuela's exit from the OAS.The Venezuelan President had first announced the country's withdrawal in 2017. However, the procedure usually takes two years. The OAS refused to recognise Maduro's new Presidential term, which started on January 10."From today (Saturday), the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela does not belong to the OAS, we have met all the deadlines and fulfilled the will of the Venezuelan people," Arreaza told government supporters here on Saturday ...
Armed forces, their families being dragged into politics: Digvijaya Singh
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said that people should not drag armed forces and their respective families into politics."I feel sad that security forces are being dragged into politics. Which political party does not honour the security forces? Which political outfit does not honour the martyrs? But if we will divide the security forces and the martyrs into different parties - this soldier is good, this is bad - then we are not honouring them and rather insulting them," Singh said while addressing ex-servicemen here."These are the people who are not afraid to take a bullet while fighting with enemies, but by saying that we cursed them and because of it he died, then what is happening in this country? Lt General (Retd) DS Hooda did surgical strike in UPA regime, but the UPA government and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not publicise it... I want to say that don't drag security forces and their respective families into politics. We have this issue with the BJP
Spain votes in crucial general elections
Voters in Spain on Sunday headed to the polls for the third time in four years, with the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers party (PSOE) expected to win the country's general elections but fall short of a majority.
N. Korean media reiterates call for self-reliance amid stalled talks with US over sanctions relief
Amid stalled talks with the United States over sanctions relief, North Korean media outlets have reiterated call for creating a self-supporting national economy.US-North Korea engagement has been in a state of limbo since the failed Hanoi summit between the leaders of two nations. The two sides were unable to reach an agreement over the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and Washington's sanction relief."In an editorial, North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun called on the citizens to follow party leadership to construct a "self-sustaining economy" at a time of continued sanctions pressure, reported Yonhap news agency."Thoroughly establishing the party leadership system is a significant demand to hold up high the banner of independence and self-reliance and press ahead with the construction of socialist economy," the editorial read."Especially, the trend of today's political situation -- where hostile forces' instigation of sanctions has become more explicit -- calls for raising ..
No BCCI representation in Sachin, Laxman conflict matter: Rai
The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) have decided that there will be no representation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) when Ombudsman D.K. Jain hears the matter of conflict against the Mumbai Indians mentor Sachin Tendulkar and Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor V.V.S Laxman.
BJP can't dupe extremely backward castes anymore for votes: SBSP
Hitting out at its ally BJP, the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) Sunday said the people from extremely backward castes can not be "duped" anymore by the saffron party for votes. In a tweet, UP Cabinet minister and president, SBSP, Om Prakash Rajbhar said: "When the backward castes have deserted (the BJP), then the Prime Minister started calling himself a person from extremely backward caste. The Prime Minister wants to cross the electoral river banking on the extremely backward castes. But he should understand that the people from extremely backward castes have become aware now, and cannot be duped." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday slammed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, saying the tie-up of "opportunists" wants a helpless government because its mantra is "jaat, paat japna; janata ka maal apna". Dubbing the alliance as 'mahamilavati (highly adulterated) opportunists', Modi said in Kannauj that he doesn't believe in politics of caste. "Mayawatiji (BSP ...
3 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand go to polls on April 29
Over 45.26 lakh voters will on Monday decide the fate of 59 candidates in the first phase of polls for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand. The three constituencies, all won by the BJP in 2014 elections, are Lohardaga (ST), Palamu (SC) and Chatra. As there are some Naxal pockets in Palamu and Chatra, the borders with Bihar have been sealed and adequate security arrangements have been made for the polling, a government official said on Saturday. "All necessary steps have been taken to ensure free and fair voting in the 139 booths," an election official said. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Sudarshan Bhagat is seeking re-election from the Lohardaga(ST) seat. He is pitted against Sukhdeo Bhagat, Congress MLA and Mahagathbandhan candidate. In Palamu, it is a straight contest between the BJP and the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance). Former Jharkhand police chief and BJP candidate Vishnu Dayal Ram is facing challenge from RJDs Ghuram Ram, supported by the .
Congress' Lalitesh hopes to beat Union Minister in Mirzapur
Congress' Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, pitted against Union Minister and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel for the Mirzapur Lok Sabha seat, is confident of winning as promises of bringing industrial development in the district have not been fulfilled.
LS Polls: Burger stall owner contests as Independent candidate from Ludhiana
A burger-stall owner Ravinder Pal Singh is contesting Lok Sabha Elections as an Independent candidate from Ludhiana.Owner of burger joint, 'Mr. Singh Food King', Ravinder told ANI, "I am contesting polls because I want to free make my city from education and health mafia.""If I win in the polls, I will build hospital and schools in my city," he added.On being asked how he affords campaigning, Singh said "I am not able to print posters and banners, but the poor people will vote for me. I campaign on my scooter and use the money that I earn from my burger joint while campaigning in the polls ."Criticising Simarjeet Singh Bains who will contest as Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) candidate from Ludhiana, Singh said, "Bains has done nothing for the city despite he was MLA from Atam Nagar...He has not taken any stand against corruption.""I am not associated with any political party and I will appreciate as well as criticise, the steps taken by major political leaders, irrespective of any biases," he
Opposition alliance a ploy to protect the corrupt: Supriyo (IANS interview)
Union Minister and BJP candidate in West Bengal's Asansol Lok Sabha seat, Babul Supriyo, feels the opposition alliance will never materialise or cause any trouble to Narendra Modi regime, as it is only a "desperate attempt by corrupt political leaders to take a backdoor exit" from the grave charges they face.
After DMK, Vaiko opposes any action against 3 AIADMK MLAs
MDMK founder Vaiko Sunday claimed the move by ruling AIADMK for action against three of its MLAs for siding with rival leader TTV Dhinankaran was "only to protect" the K Palaniswami government as it will 'lose' majority after the outcome of bypolls to 22 assembly seats. Government whip S Rajendran's petition with Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal seeking action against the MLAs A Prabu, E Rathinasabapathy and V T Kalaiselvan was being "seen" as a step towards their possible disqualification, he said adding the Speaker should 'ignore' the plea. In a statement here, Vaiko claimed the May 23 results of polls to both the 38 Lok Sabha seats and by-elections to 22 assembly segments in the state will go against the ruling BJP at the Centre and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. "Though there is Constitutional provision to take action against them under the anti-defection law, the Whip had submitted the said complaint with the Speaker only to protect the K Palaniswami government," he ...
BJP asks warring MLAs not to issue statements against each other
The UttarakhandBJP has asked two party MLAs locked in a verbal spatfor over a fortnight to stop inveghing against each other in public while the matter is being probed. Athree-member committee set up by the party to look into the matter has, as a first step, asked the MLAs to keep quiet and not cause further embarrassment to the party while the inquiry is underway, Pradesh BJP media chiefDevendra Bhasin said on Sunday. "Convener of the committee Khajan Das has categorically told the MLAs not to issue any statements against each other anymore and do nothing to breach party discipline or land the party in an uncomfortable situation," Bhasin said. The committee may take at least5 days to complete the probe as several party leaders have gone to Himachal Pradesh for campaigning, Pradesh BJP president Ajay Bhatt said. The party hastaken a very serious view of the matter and it will ensure that discipline is maintained within its ranks, he said. BJP MLA from Khanpur Kunwar Pranav Singh ...
Battle between bade naam v/s bade kaam: AAP Chandini Chowk candidate
It is a battle between 'bade naam' and 'bade kaam' this time in Delhi polls and people have to choose whether they want a government which works or one that just talks, AAP Chandini Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta said. In the historically significant Chandni Chowk constituency, Gupta is locked in a three-way battle with incumbent BJP MP Harshvardhan and Congress candidate J P Agarwal. On being fielded against veteran politicians from the BJP and Congress, Gupta said people have seen what they got by electing incumbent Harshvardhan. This is an election of bade kaam vs bade naam. Harshvardhan was a very big name but what did they give his constituency, people have seen. I wouldn't comment on Congress (candidate J P Agarwal) because he is not a competition here, he told PTI. Elaborating on competition from the Congress, Gupta said the grand old party is playing the role of vote-cutter and nothing else. Congress was never a competition in Delhi. Congress has been in the third position in ...
US oil sanctions take effect on Venezuela as crisis intensifies
US sanctions came into effect Sunday to block Venezuela's economic lifeline of oil exports, in what Washington hopes will be a major blow in its fledgling campaign to topple leftist President Nicolas Maduro. As of 12:01 am Washington time (0401 GMT), the United States will take action against anyone who deals with state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA, or any entity in which the company holds at least a 50 percent stake. It is among a volley of steps by President Donald Trump's administration to oust Maduro and install opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by more than 50 countries, including most in Latin America. Just Friday, the Trump administration said it would block any US assets of Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, confirming it has no desire to negotiate with Maduro, a socialist firebrand who presides over a crumbling economy but has withstood three months of intense pressure. Until the crisis, Venezuela exported 500,00 barrels a day to the United States, its ..
BJP's Ahluwalia in fray from 'sasural' Burdwan-Durgapur but no cakewalk
Union Minister and BJP leader S.S. Ahluwalia, who represented Darjeeling in the outgoing Lok Sabha, this time has to demonstrate his political mettle in Burdwan-Durgapur constituency of West Bengal against Mamtaz Sanghamita of the Trinamool Congress who is seeking re-election from the seat.
Nationalism fights regional concerns in Rajasthan's educational city Ajmer
The contest is between nationalism and regional vision in this constituency with the BJP's Bhagirath Choudhary relying on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stress his honour-for-Bharat Mata poll plank while the Congress' Riju Jhunjhunwala is focusing on issues like water and jobs. If the country's ruling party candidate based his campaign in Ajmer, known as the education city of Rajasthan, on making Modi the prime minister once again, the contestant for the state's ruling party Congress left no stone unturned to convince voters of his vision for the region. The constituency, comprising eight assembly segments of Ajmer north, Ajmer south, Pushkar, Nasirabad, Kekri, Masuda, Kishangarh and Dudu, has 18.62 lakh voters and will vote on Monday. Many voters did not immediately speak on their concerns but seemed to be leaning towards nationalism. Congress leader Jhunjhunwala, an industrialist, said he tried to connect with voters by promising industries and drinking water from the Chambal canal