Page 737 - Politics
Guaido makes new appeal to Venezuela army ahead of Mayday protests
Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido used his latest mass rally on Saturday to reiterate an appeal to the army to end its support for Nicolas Maduro's regime, and announced massive Mayday protests to oust the embattled president. Guaido told supporters at the rally in Caracas that the support of the army was "fundamental" to oust Maduro, "but time is passing and the wait cannot be eternal." He reminded military leaders they have "a historic opportunity resting on their shoulders." Despite support from more than 50 states who recognise him as interim president, US-backed Guaido has been unable to affect Maduro's grip on the military, which continues to keep him in power, along with allies China and Russia. Guaido will aim to keep up the street pressure on the regime with a huge Mayday protest on Wednesday that he said would be "the largest in the country's history." At his rally on Saturday, he held a swearing-in ceremony for "freedom commandos" -- volunteers he has put in charge .
Sudan protest leaders, army rulers agree on joint civilian-military council
Sudan's protest leaders and army rulers agreed Saturday to establish a joint civilian-military ruling council, a major breakthrough in talks between the two sides over demonstrators' demands for a handover to civilian rule. The agreement on the highly disputed issue came as thousands of protesters remain encamped outside the military headquarters since the army ousted longtime leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11, demanding that the army rulers step down. "We agreed on a joint council between the civilian and the military," one of the leaders of the protest campaign, Ahmed al-Rabia, who was involved in the talks, told AFP. "We are now in consultation about what percentage of the council should be represented by civilians and how much by the military." The agreement between the two sides is a major breakthrough as the current army leaders had refused to hand over power to a civilian administration despite pressure from the street and the international community. "I'm happy with the ...
Sudan: Opposition leader calls to join ICC
Former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi on Saturday called for Sudan to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) which indicted former president Omar al-Bashir earlier this month.Shortly after addressing a meeting between the protesters and the military to discuss the implementation of civilian rule, Al Jazeera quoted Mahdi as saying the army's removal of Bashir was "not a military coup".Mahdi is the leader of Opposition, headed by the National Umma Party that has backed the month-long anti-government protests in Sudan.Rashid al-Sayed, a spokesman for the protest movement, was quoted as saying that the meeting was a confidence-building step between both sides, which are "partners in the revolution" and a second round was due later on Saturday.He added that the military council had vowed that a protest camp outside army headquarters "will not be dispersed by force"."Today, we have taken positive steps and we expect to reach an agreement satisfactory to all parties," said Ayman Nimir, a
Karnataka bypolls: Congress' Subhash Rathod to contest from Chincholi, Kusumavathi Shivalli from Kundgol
The Congress party on Saturday announced its two candidates -- Subhash Rathod and Kusumavathi Shivalli for bye-elections to Karnataka Legislative Assembly.The Congress central election committee approved the names of Rathod and Shivalli.The party has fielded Rathod from Chincholi-SC while Shivalli will be contesting from Kundgol.The last date for filing nominations for these two seats is April 23. The bye-elections to the state Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on May 19.The 28 parliamentary seats went to polls in Karnataka on April 18 and April 29.The counting of votes for both Lok Sabha elections and Legislative Assembly elections will be announced on May 23.
Opposition chief demands Sudan join ICC as talks held on civil rule
A top opposition leader called Saturday for Sudan to join the International Criminal Court which has indicted its ousted president Omar al-Bashir, as a panel of protesters and the military met to discuss civilian rule. Sadiq al-Mahdi, a former prime minister and head of the opposition National Umma Party that has backed the protests, also told reporters that the army's ouster of Bashir was "not a military coup". His comments came as a joint committee representing the ruling military leadership and protesters held their first meeting to discuss a demand by demonstrators for a handover to civilian rule. Rashid al-Sayed, a spokesman for the protest movement, said the meeting was a confidence-building step between both sides who are "partners in the revolution" and a second round was due later on Saturday. He said the military council vowed at the talks that a vast protest camp outside army headquarters "will not be dispersed by force". Bashir was ousted by the army on April 11 after ...
UP CM holds telephonic conversation with Mulayam, wishes him good health
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Samajwadi Party (SP) patron Mulayam Singh Yadav and inquired about his health."Today I held a telephonic conversation with Mulayam Sigh Yadav ji and inquired about his health. I wish for his good health," Yogi Adityanath wrote on his Twitter handle.Earlier on Saturday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also inquired about Yadav's health at his residence here."Today I met and inquired about former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's health and well being at his residence in Lucknow. I wish for his good health and long life," Singh had tweeted after meeting with the SP veteran.On Friday, Yadav was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences for a routine medical checkup following weakness and mild uncontrolled diabetes. He was discharged later after examination by a team of doctors.Rajnath is seeking re-election from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat while ...
Rahul Gandhi pauses his speech briefly during 'azaan' in Amethi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paused his speech briefly on hearing the 'azaan', the Islamic call for prayer from a nearby mosque in Amethi.The Congress president was addressing a rally here when the sound of the 'azaan' was heard and he halted his speech and waited till the prayer call stopped to resume his speech in a few minutes.Traditionally, Azaan is called out five times in a day by a muezzin, who summons the faithful for mandatory worship.While addressing an election rally here, Rahul demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of the country for "doing nothing" in the last five years."Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving a lot of speeches but he is not talking about the promises he made to people, be it giving Rs 15 lakh or giving employment to the youth. The country wants to know why Narendra Modi did not fulfil his promises in the last five years," Gandhi said while talking to reporters here."PM Narendra Modi should apologise to the ...
Pervez Musharraf to return to Pakistan on May 1, says counsel
Former President Pervez Musharraf is set to return to Pakistan on May 1, his counsel said on Saturday, adding that Musharraf is scheduled to appear in a special court hearing on May 2.Quoting Musharraf's family, Counsel Suleman Safdar told ARY News that the former president, who is facing high treason case, is insisting to return to Pakistan from Dubai, where he had gone in 2016 to seek medical treatment but doctors were not permitting his request keeping in view his medical conditions.A special court, hearing Musharraf's case had ordered the former leader to appear before it on May 2, Safdar added.He also said that the Pakistan Supreme Court last month had ordered Musharraf to appear before the special court on May 2, otherwise he would lose the right of defence in the case and the court will give its decision based off of the prosecution's arguments.The apex court, in addition, issued a notice to the government, seeking a reply on the steps taken to bring Musharraf to the ...
AAP launches campaign to 'expose' Modi govt's 'anti-people decisions' on Delhi
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday decided to launch an innovative campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, where the party will showcase a sector-wise comparison between the Centre and Delhi government on critical issues affecting the everyday life of Delhiites."Senior AAP leaders and Delhi government ministers on a daily basis will present the factual position of critical sectors before the media," the AAP said in a statement.The AAP said that the initiative has been taken to expose how the Modi government imposed anti-people decisions on Delhiites one after the other, which adversely affected the ordinary people."The BJP has already run away from bringing out either its manifesto or vision document for Delhi since it knows that the residents of Delhi will question it on its past false promises," it said.AAP leaders will present the factual position on issues like Metro fare hike, MCD's failure in keeping Delhi clean, hike in electricity charges, air pollution in Delhi, GST and
Cong candidate's 10-yr-old daughter appeals to voters to make her father win by huge margin
The high-pitched election campaign of the Congress's Jodhpur candidate Vaibhav Gehlot concluded on Saturday with his 10-year-old daughter appealing to people here to vote for her father. During a public meeting at the historic Tower House, Kashwini, the daughter of Vaibhav Gehlot, said "please ensure my father's victory by a margin of lakhs of votes" to a loud cheer from the crowd. Vaibhav Gehlot, along with his father and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, also participated in a roadshow here. During the roadshow, some youngsters raised pro-Modi slogans. "Modi has been misleading the people and those who have been shouting Modi-Modi-Modi would have to regret later," the chief minister said. He has been diligently canvassing for his son for the past one week. He held a series of meetings and also took part in door-to-door campaigning. The veteran Congress leader appealed to people to vote for Vaibhav Gehlot and usher in a new era of development in Jodhpur.
US envoy, Ghani push 'intra-Afghan' talks: Palace
The United States and Afghanistan stressed the need for "intra-Afghan dialogue" when US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held talks on Saturday, a palace statement said. Their meeting came during a marathon multi-country tour by Khalilzad, who is to visit Qatar -- the usual venue for talks with the Taliban. "Dr Khalilzad briefed the president and other government officials about his trips and future plans for peace," a palace statement said. "Both sides once again emphasised an intra-Afghan dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, led by the Afghan government." US President Donald Trump is eager to reach a solution to end his country's longest-ever war, which dislodged the Taliban following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Before Khalilzad embarked on his tour, the State Department said that in Doha, the Qatari capital, he will "press forward on negotiations with the Taliban to reach a consensus on core national security ...
A particular community denied voting in Raiganj: BJP
The BJP on Saturday alleged that voters from a particular community were not allowed to exercise their democratic rights in parts of Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency which went to polls on April 18.
Bengal poll officials go to CEO over Trinamool leader's threats
An association of polling officials on Saturday approached West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer seeking stringent measures, including house arrest, against Trinamool Congress' Birbhum district chief Anubrata Mondal to ensure free and fair polls on Monday.
AAP govt raised imams' honorarium in violation of Model Code of Conduct: BJP
The BJP on Saturday alleged the Delhi Waqf Board's decision to hike the salary of imams of the mosques in the national capital was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the move was aimed at "appeasing" the minority community. BJP's Lok Sabha election co-incharge Jai Bhan Singh Pawaiya said while the Arvind Kejriwal government hiked the salaries of imams, same was not done to Hindu priests, which he termed as "discrimination". Vijender Gupta, the Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly, termed it "not only an open violation of Model Code of Conduct but also the illicit misuse of tax payers' money." "Kejriwal, in connivance with Revenue minister Kailash Gehlot and MLA from Okhla, Amanatullah Khan, has hatched a criminal conspiracy to distribute crores of rupees to the imams and moazzins in the name of raising their honorarium, salary to influence polling ahead of the polls," he added. However, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said the Delhi Waqf Board, like its ...
Modi an OBC only for electoral gains, says Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayawati on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of claiming to be an OBC only for electoral gains.
BJP is in politics for building nation, says Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday asserted that the BJP is in politics for building the nation. "We do not indulge in politics for the pleasures of being in power, but to build the nation. After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, our country has surged ahead with a fast pace," he said. "The International Monetary Fund has also accepted that if there is any country which is growing at a fast pace, then it is India," Singh said here, addressing a meeting. The Union minister, who represents the state capital in Lok Sabha, said it is his dream to see Lucknow become the most beautiful city not only in India but also in the world. "I do not claim that poverty has been eradicated from the country but we have shown in the past five years, what did not happen in 65 years," he said. Singh also called upon Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav to inquire about his health, a statement issued by the BJP said.
Powerful but troubled US gun group sees shakeup amid public dispute
A dramatic leadership struggle in the most powerful US gun-owners organization has resulted in its president Oliver North saying Saturday that he will not serve a second term. North, who gained international notoriety as a key figure in the Iran-Contra arms scandal under President Ronald Reagan, was forced out as president of the influential National Rifle Association by the group's longtime CEO, Wayne LaPierre. An NRA board member, Richard Childress, read a letter from North at the group's annual convention in which North said his efforts to fight alleged financial mismanagement in the NRA had led to his ouster. North, who became president only last year, alleged in a letter to the NRA's executive committee that LaPierre had purchased more than USD 200,000 in personal items and charged them to a vendor, The Washington Post reported. North called for the NRA to establish a committee to review the group's finances. LaPierre put a different light on the men's differences, accusing ...
PM Modi born into upper caste, included his caste into backward category for political gains: Mayawati
BSP supremo Mayawati alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was born into an upper caste but for 'political gains' he got the backward class tag for his entire caste during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat."In his election rallies, PM Modi has said that he is from the backward caste which is an attempt by him to polarise votes of backward class in his favour. But everybody knows his caste? After his government was formed in Gujarat PM Modi included his 'forward' caste into the backward community for political gain," said Mayawati."What have I said wrong when I say Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not backward by birth like Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son SP chief Akhilesh Yadav are. This is the fact, what wrong have I said ?" asked Mayawati."He said in Kannauj that he is considered 'neech'(downtrodden) by his opponents because he is from the backward caste. He also said that Akhilesh Yadav and I have referred to him as 'neech'. His allegations are nefarious and devoid of ...
Congress to use Priyanka's audio messages on Nyay
After personalised letters from Rahul Gandhi, the Congress plans to use Priyanka Gandhi's audio messages to explain to the voters the Nyay (Nyoontam Aay Yojana) scheme under which 20 per cent poorest Indians will receive Rs 72,000 per year.
Centre misusing CBI, giving political colour to sugar mill case: Mayawati
BSP chief Mayawati Saturday accused the Centre of misusing the CBI during elections, saying the case pertaining to the sale of 21 state-owned sugar mills during her tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister was being given a political colour. Her remarks came after the CBI registered an FIR and six preliminary enquiries to probe alleged irregularities in the sale of the 21 sugar mills. "In this election, the BJP is misusing government institutions including the CBI, which has never happened earlier. The case pertaining to the sugar mills is being given a political colour, and this is an example of gross misuse of the CBI," she alleged. "The department concerned sold the sugar mills. If there is any shortcoming, then it can be probed. But, the timing is wrong, and the action carried out during the election is misguiding people. The public must remain alert about this conspiracy," Mayawati told reporters here during a press conference. The sale of the sugar mills in 2011-12 led to a loss ..