Page 743 - Politics
May approach courts for action against PM, Shah over poll code violations: Cong
The Congress on Saturday said it may approach courts seeking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah over alleged repeated model code violations. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged that the two leaders have "cheated" on the issue of level playing field for all parties during elections and questioned the "silence of mega policeman" Election Commission. "We have a right to approach the courts seeking action over model code violations... we can exercise that option ... the mega policeman has turned a blind eye," Singhvi told a press conference, adding silence can be construed as approval. Taking a jibe at Election Commission, he called it "Election Omission" and wondered whether Modi and Shah are outside the ambit of the model code of conduct, which he dubbed as "Modi code of conduct". He claimed that the two leaders have violated the poll code broadly under three categories: polarisation of votes, invoking armed forces in campaigns and ...
Denied ticket from Gurdaspur, Kavita Khanna says 'BJP has my support'
Kavita Khanna, the wife of late actor Vinod Khanna, who was denied a BJP ticket to contest Lok Sabha polls from Gurdaspur seat in Punjab, on Saturday said that despite the "unacceptable" treatment meted out to her by the party, she would support Prime Minister Narendra Modi."It is my decision that I'm not going to make this a personal issue. I am making a personal sacrifice and will put my entire might and support behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Kavita said while addressing a press conference here."The BJP and my Prime Minister have my support, but at the same time I have to insist that what has happened with me can absolutely not happen again."Talking about the BJP's decision to field new entrant Sunny Deol from Gurdaspur, Kavita said it was very upsetting that despite being asked to make all preparations for fighting elections, the party gave a ticket to Deol."Everyone agreed that what the party did to me was wrong, they all felt it was my right to contest (from Gurdaspur). I .
TRS celebrates 18th foundation day on subdued note
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Saturday celebrated its 18th foundation day on a subdued note in view of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.
Vikhe Patil broke promise on campaigning for Cong, says Kharge
The Congress' general secretary in charge of Maharashtra Mallikarjun Kharge Saturday accused colleague Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of reneging on his promise to campaign for the party in the state. Vikhe Patil, whose son Sujay is the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Ahmednagar seat, had recently resigned as the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. "After his son joined the BJP, Vikhe Patil had told the party that he would not campaign for the NCP in Ahmednagar but would canvass for Congress candidates elsewhere. He hasn't kept the promise," Kharge told reporters here. He said Ahmednagar parliamentary seat was part of the NCP's quota and the Congress couldn't snap the alliance for just one seat. "In larger interests, we need to sacrifice something. In my state of Karnataka, we had to forgo our sitting seat Tumkur since (former Prime Minister) H D Deve Gowda wanted to contest from there," Kharge said. On being asked about possible action against Vikhe Patil, Kharge ..
Ties with India "only problem" for peace in region: Pak PM Imran Khan
Pakistan's relationship with India remains the "only problem" for peace and stability in the region, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said and expressed hope of establishing a "civilised relationship" with New Delhi after the Lok Sabha elections are over. Unless there is peace and stability in region, economic prosperity is difficult for Pakistan, and that is what right now the Pakistan government is working on, Khan who is in China to take part in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum, (BRF) said while addressing China International Cultural Communication Centre here on Friday. Khan said Pakistan hopes that the political solution in Afghanistan will succeed and the war-ravaged country attains stability. "Whatever happens in Afghanistan affects the Pakistan's bordering areas. So we are working for a peaceful region. We have decent relationship with Iran and we are trying to strengthen them," he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. "The only problem right now is our relationship with .
Re-poll in many booths of Tripura West seat likely
The Election Commission (EC) is likely to announce re-polling in a large number of polling stations in the Tripura West parliamentary constituency, where voting took place in the first phase of elections on April 11, an official said here on Saturday.
Shatrughan stirs controversy over Jinnah remarks (2nd Lead)
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has stirred a controversy by saying that Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah was among the leaders of the Congress "family" who had the "biggest" role in India's Independence and progress, evoking sharp attack from the BJP.
Rahul Gandhi explains what it means to be a good brother!
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who are on the campaign trail for the Lok Sabha polls, met each other at the Kanpur airport in Uttar Pradesh and shared a few light-hearted moments. Posting a video of their meeting on Facebook, Rahul Gandhi wrote: "Was nice meeting Priyanka at Kanpur Airport! We're headed to different meetings in UP." "Let me tell you what it means be a good brother. What it means is that I am doing these massive long flights and I am going in a little helicopter squeezed up. And she is doing short flights and going in a big helicopter," he says in the video, with Priyanka Gandhi laughing and saying "that is not true". But, I love her, the Congress chief added. The two also posed for photographs with pilots and the airport ground staff. While Rahul Gandhi was in Raebareli and Amethi on Saturday, Congress general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi was in Unnao and Barabanki.
'When you don't know the rules, why play the game': Atishi asks Gambhir
"When you don't know the rules, why play the game?" This was AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi's question to her rival from BJP Gautam Gambhir after the constituency's returning officer Saturday asked police to register an FIR against him for holding a public meeting without permission. In a tweet, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate said after double entries in voters list, now Gambhir faces FIR for holding "illegal rally". The cricketer-turned-politician, who is making his electoral debut from the seat, had held the public meeting in Jangpura on Thursday. "First, Discrepancies in nomination papers. Then, Criminal offence of having 2 voter IDs. Now, FIR for illegal rally (sic)," Atishi said on Twitter. Returning officer, East Delhi parliamentary constituency, K Mahesh, has asked the Delhi Police to take note of the matter. Officials said the public meeting was held on Thursday in Jangpura without permission. My question to Gautam Gambhir: When you don't know the rules, why play the .
BJP greatest danger for India, like 440 volt : Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Saturday came down heavily on BJP saying the party was the greatest danger for the country akin to 440 volt. People should reject BJP and should refrain from casting any vote in favour of the party. "I assure that if Trinamool Congress is voted to power, then there will be no damage to the country," she told a poll rally at Pandua in Hoogly district held in support of Hooghly Lok Sabha Trinamool Congress candidate Ratna De Nag. "Both BJP and Narendra Modi will destroy the country if voted to power for the second time .... BJP is the greatest danger for the country, like 440 volt," she said adding that the ongoing election is to remove the BJP government. Many farmers have committed suicide and thousands are left unemployed. Prices of gas, diesel and petrol are rising and people are not getting money from the banks during the BJP regime , she said and blamed the CPI(M) for helping it. "Now CPIM's ...
Seven ex-Army men join BJP
Seven retired officers of the armed forces, including two former deputy chiefs of Army staff, joined the BJP on Saturday in the presence of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Welcoming them into the party, Sitharaman said the presence of such senior ex-servicemen who have served the nation benefits the BJP. "They can guide on policies on nation security and nation building," she told reporters here. Lt Gen JBS Yadav and Lt Gen S K Patyal, ex deputy chiefs of the army staff, joined the party. "Ex soldiers, too, want to serve the country. We may have retired but we are not tired," Yadav told reporters here. He said the country is in "safe and able hands" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Former director general of military intelligence Lt Gen R N Singh, former director general of army's information services and IT Lt Gen Sunit Kumar, and Lt Gen Nitin Kohli, who has served as the signal officer-in-chief at the Army headquarters also joined the party. Colonel R K Tripathi, who has served
Fielding Pragya tactical mistake, will cost BJP: NCP
Fielding Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur in the Lok Sabha elections is a "tactical mistake" of the BJP, NCP general secretary Jitendra Awhad said here Saturday. Thakur was fielded from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency against Congress' Digvijay Singh to cover up failures of the Narendra Modi government, he said. "Fielding her is a tactical mistake for which they will have to pay a heavy price. This country's structure is secular and people don't like absolute right-wingers and hate-mongers," he said. The BJP thinks people have forgotten the Rafale "scam", highly inflation and job losses and will support its "hardcore Hindutva agenda" as Prime Minister Modi doesn't talk about everyday issues, he said. The saffron party won't get more than 220 seats, he claimed. The NCP leader termed Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar's interview with Modi a "publicity stunt", saying it will not benefit the prime minister. "Akshay Kumar is an excellent artist, but what outstanding ...
Amit Shah accuses Naveen Patnaik of shielding culprits in chit
BJP president Amit Shah Saturday accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of sheltering culprits in chit fund and mining scams and asserted all those involved in these scandals will be jailed in 90 days if the party comes to power in the state. Addressing a rally in this mineral-rich belt under Jajpur Lok Sabha constituency, Shah alleged that BJD MAs, MPs and officers were involved in both chit fund and mining scams, but the culprits went scot-free. "Chit fund looteras and mining mafia were not put behind the bars as Naveen Patnaik protected them," the BJP chief alleged and asserted the culprits would land in jail within 90 days if his party forms government in Odisha after elections. Both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha are being held simultaneously in four phases. The fourth phase will be held on Monday. Shah said no action was taken by the BJD government to recover money from the mining mafias as per the recommendation of the M B Shah ...
Kavita Khanna backs Modi, but upset over Gurdaspur seat
Kavita Khanna, widow of veteran actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna, on Saturday said she would continue to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi even after expressing her disappointment over being overlooked for the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat where the BJP has fielded Bollywood actor Sunny Deol.
Shatrughan stirs controversy over Jinnah remarks
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has stirred a controversy by saying that Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah had the "biggest" role in India's Independence and progress, evoking sharp attack from the BJP.
Foolishness of demonetisation, 'Gabbar Singh Tax' was not done by anyone in 70 years: Rahul
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strident criticism of the Congress, party president Rahul Gandhi Saturday said in the last 70 years, the "foolishness of demonetisation and Gabbar Singh Tax" was not done by anybody. He was addressing an election meeting in Unchahar in Rabeareli from where UPA chairperson and his mother Sonia Gandhi is seeking re-election to the Lok Sabha. "In the past 70 years, the foolishness of demonetisation and Gabbar Singh Tax (Gandhi's coinage for the Goods and Services Tax or GST) was not done by anyone," Gandhi said. His remarks come against the backdrop of repeated attacks by the prime minister on the Congress, holding it responsible for all ills since the country got Independence. "Chowkidar (watchman) has done 'chori' (theft) of factories and employment of people of Raebareli and Amethi (the Lok Sabha seat represented by the Congress chief)," he said. Rahul Gandhi also accused Modi of not wanting to fill 22 lakh vacant posts in the ...
BJP doing injustice to government employees: Maken
Former Union Minister Ajay Maken on Saturday accused the BJP government of doing injustice to government employees, saying that the Modi government gave the worst recommendations in the seventh pay commission.
Indian-American engineer announces 2020 Congressional bid from New Jersey
A 33-year-old Indian-American engineer has announced to challenge the Democratic senator from New Jersey in 2020. Hirsh Singh, known as a supporter of President Donald Trump, will seek the Republican nomination for the US Senate in 2020 against Cory Booker, according to the New Jersey Globe news website. Booker has not yet announced if he will run for re-election, although a new law allows him to simultaneously run for president and re-election to the Senate. Singh, an engineer from Atlantic County who works in the aerospace and defence industries, filed his campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday. This will be his third bid for public office. He lost the Republican Party primaries for governor in 2017 and Congress in 2018. "Booker has brought nothing to New Jersey. Having a US Senator who's not just resisting the president is critical," Singh said. Singh is the first Republican to announce his intention to challenge Booker, who was re-elected by a 56 per .
People don't want 'anti-poor' Modi govt to return: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati said on Saturday people of the country do not want an "anti-poor" Narendra Modi government to return to power. "BJP's claims and promises - only 'hawa hawai'. Their announcements - for hoodwinking people, BJP's statistics - white lies, BJP governments - head of lies and dramatics," Mayawati said. "Their leaders - no.1 'jumlebaaz', real meaning of BJP - only development of the rich, meaning people's call, no more anti-poor Modi government," she said, taking a dig at the BJP's slogans of 'abki baar, Modi sarkar' (This time, Modi govt) in 2014 and 'phir ek baar, Modi sarkar' (Once again, Modi govt) in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Mayawati wondered why the problems of poverty, unemployment and backwardness of Uttar Pradesh did not change even with the Centre and the state being ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Will Prime Minister Modi be able to give its reply to the people by looking at them in their eyes? Habituated of terming ...
Cong, allies have significant lead over NDA in first 3 phases
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday claimed that his party and the allies have a significant lead over the BJP-led NDA at the end of the first three phases of Lok Sabha polls, wherein voting has taken place in 303 constituencies. The former Union minister's remarks come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed in Mumbai that the Congress won't get even 50 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a press conference here, Chidambaram said, "I am prepared to stick my neck out and make a prediction on the results of the first three phases." He also claimed that the Congress is "level" with the BJP. "That means the Congress has gained significantly and, correspondingly the BJP has suffered losses. As an alliance, the Congress and its allies have a significant lead over the BJP and its allies. Mark the word 'significant'. The infinished task is to retain the initiative, press forward and ensure the lead over BJP is extended," he said. When asked .