Page 753 - Politics
Police response sought on complaint against Rahul
A court here on Friday asked the Delhi Police to file an Action Taken Report (ATR) on a private complaint filed against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for making an objectionable speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Those close to Cong hit as home prices fell after note ban: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the Congress was targeting him over demonetisation owing to the reverses suffered by "people close to it" in the realty sector as a result of the note ban. Housing prices fell due to the note ban, leading to the "devastation" of people close to the Congress who had invested in the sector, Modi said, addressing a rally here. Modi said a majority of Indians supported his move despite the difficulties which it entailed. He said a campaign was launched when he started acting against black money and corruption and public was instigated by showing videos of people standing in queues outside banks. A few people sitting in AC rooms of Delhi celebrated the decision, saying 'Modi's fate is sealed', but the majority countrymen have proved them wrong, he said. "Note ban led to a reduction in house prices, but those close to the Congress who had invested in the sector are devastated. The Congress is at pains because 3 lakh companies were sealed
Giriraj has foot and mouth disease : Brinda Karat
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat Friday hit out at union minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh for his comment on the Mulsim community and said he suffers from "foot and mouth disease". Singh was on Thursday booked for violating the model code of conduct for his controversial remarks against the community at a rally in Begusarai on Wednesday in the presence of BJP national president Amit Shah, who was campaigning for him. He had said that members of the community need land even after their death for the burial of their mortal remains. "Giriraj Singh has the disease called 'foot and mouth disease. This shows the politics of Modi (PM) and Shah (BJP president) who patronise a serial offender by giving ticket to him," Karat told reporters here. In medical parlance the hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral ailment that usually affects infants and children younger than five years old. Typical symptoms include fever, mouth sores and skin rash. The firebrand BJP leader
Modi makes people at rally repeat they too are 'chowkidars'
Undeterred by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's oft-repeated 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe thrown at him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday made people at a poll rally here to say multiple times that like him they and all starata of the society, too, are 'chowkidars'. Gandhi, at his poll rallies, repeatedly raises his 'chowkidar chor hai' (watchman is a thief) slogan to attack Modi over alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000-crore Rafale fighter jet deal with France. Of late, the Congress leader says only the first word - 'chowkidar' - and prompts people at rallies to complete the slogan by shouting the rest of it - 'chor hai'. Seeking to turn the table on Gandhi, the PM at a rally here Friday asked members of the gathering to say 'chowkidar' after his every sentence or word. Modi said 'gaon gaon hai" and people replied, 'chowkidar'. The Prime Minister then said 'shahar shahar hai' and people replied in chorus 'chowkidar'. Similarly, he said baccha baccha and people replied in
Rahul promises 'kisan budget', law to prevent farmers going to
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday promised to introduce a separate "kisan budget" and bring a law to prevent farmers from being jailed for inability to repay farm loans. Mounting a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said if the BJP-led government can waive huge debts of industrialists, why should the distressed farmers be punished. "A new law will be brought if Congress is voted to power. It will ensure that no farmer is sent to jail for being unable to repay agriculture loan," Gandhi said at an election rally in this coastal Odisha town. Similarly, a separate budget for the agriculture sector will be introduced which will be presented before the general budget, the Congress chief said. "We will introduce a kisan budget which will specify the amount of farm loans to be waived a year in advance, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for foodgrains. Places where cold storages and food processing units are to be set up will also be shared a year in ...
Sunny Deol filmy Fauji, but I am real fauji, says Capt Amarinder Singh
BJP candidate Sunny Deol is a 'filmy fauji' while I am a 'real fauji," said Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here on Friday, adding that actor-turned-politician does not pose any threat to sitting Congress MP Sunil Jakhar."Sunny Deol is a 'filmy fauji,' while I am a 'real fauji.' Sunil has been working on the ground in Gurdaspur for long while Deol has no base here. He will run away back to Bollywood, and won't be here for the people of Gurdaspur. We will defeat him. He is no threat to Sunil or the Congress," said Chief Minister Singh, while talking to media persons.Describing Deol as an aging actor, whose acting career was over, Captain Singh said: "He will come and go. He might have played Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri role in 'Border' film, but that does not make him a real fauji."Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Sunil Jakhar is seeking re-election from Gurdaspur after winning the by-poll, necessitated due to death of BJP MP Vinod Khanna.On Friday, Captain ...
Spain all set for snap polls on April 28
Spain is all set to vote on Sunday, April 28, for the 2019 general elections - the third to be held in the last four years.Voting for the 350-seat parliament is being held in the backdrop of tensions over Catalonia, following the failed bid for Catalan independence in 2017.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was forced to announce the snap polls in February this year after his 2019 budget proposals were rejected across political lines, including by pro-independence Catalan parties whose support kept Sanchez's government afloat.The major parties which will be contesting the elections for the 350-seat parliament are the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), the conservative People's Party (PP), left-wing populist Podemos, centrist-populist Ciudadanos (or Citizens) and far-right Vox party, according to Al Jazeera.Incumbent Prime Minister and PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez will be seeking re-election during Sunday's elections.The elections will be held for the third time in four years. ...
Nath father-son in fray from home turf Chhindwara
Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh has gained the unique distinction of being the only constituency from where a father and son are contesting the elections.
HC not satisfied with Delhi govt on issue of framing rules under NFSA
The Delhi High Court on Friday said it was not satisfied with the way the AAP government was proceeding in the matter relating to framing of rules for grievance redress and accountability under the food security law and sought an exact timeline of action. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambhani asked a senior officer of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to appear before it on May 9. "We are not satisfied with the manner in which the respondents are proceeding. We direct the respondent officer to appear before us and tell us the correct and exact timeline on which action will be taken...," the bench said. The court order came after perusing an affidavit filed by the Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in response to a contempt petition by an NGO which claimed that the authorities have failed to comply with the high court's September 2017 directions regarding implementation of grievance redress and accountability measures under the ...
Afghan President inaugurates newly elected Parliament
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani formally inaugurated the country's new Parliament amid tight security on Friday.
LS poll: Cong has edge, will form next government, says Kharge
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge Friday said his party would form the next government at the Centre with the support of like-minded parties. Speaking to reporters here, Kharge said there was an undercurrent against the BJP which has given the Congress an edge in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. "What feedback I have got from our sources suggests that we have got an edge and other parties too- except the BJP- have got an advantage when compared to the election in 2014. The BJP and its allies are lagging behind," he said. "There is a large chunk of invisible voters who are angry with the draconian policies of the BJP. They form a huge undercurrent against the Modi regime. Let the result come, we are sure to form the government. If need be, we will take support of like-minded parties," Kharge said. He refuted charges of infighting in the Congress or that party chief Rahul Gandhi had sought to cancel his Mumbai trip because of it. "All party workers and leaders are ...
Ravi Shankar Prasad files nomination from Patna Sahib
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad filed his nomination from the Patna Sahib constituency on Friday.Patna Sahib constituency is important in Bihar as it is situated right in the heart of the state capital.Former BJP leader and actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha was the winner from the seat in 2009 and 2014 but joined the Congress party in 2019 after differences arose between him and the party leadership.Ravi Shankar Prasad will have to face Shatrughan who is fighting on Congress ticket this time.Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are fighting the Lok Sabha elections in a grand coalition.Elections in Bihar were held in three phases and will continue to be held in the remaining four phases on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.
MP government pocketed funds for poor kids, pregnant women: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attacked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, alleging that the state's Congress government misappropriated funds meant for providing nutrition to poor children and pregnant women.
Inhumane treatment being meted out to Lalu ji on Modi's orders: Tejashwi Yadav
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, on Friday claimed that his father Lalu Yadav was being treated inhumanely in the hospital on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's orders."When I was not allowed to meet my father I could not control my frustration, they were not even allowing the doctors to carry out necessary tests and all of it was the administration's doing, the doctors have told me this. Laluji is being treated inhumanely, and all of this is being done at Modi's behest," Tejashwi said addressing an election rally here.The RJD leader was joined by Congress president Rahul Gandhi at the rally held in Samastipur in Bihar.He went on to add that the BJP government had betrayed the residents of Bihar and had made nothing but hollow promises right from 2014. Tejashwi also said that he had seen through the plans of PM Modi from the very start."They have played with Bihar in these five years, they have given nothing to us. Back in 2014 ..
Modi lists Rs 2.5 crore worth assets, MA degree from Gujarat University in election affidavit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assets worth Rs 2.5 crore including a residential plot in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, fixed deposits of Rs 1.27 crore and Rs 38,750 cash in hand, according to his affidavit filed with the Election Commission on Friday. Modi has named Jashodaben as his wife and declared that he has an M.A. degree from Gujarat University in 1983. The affidavit said he is an arts graduate from Delhi University (1978). He passed SSC exam from Gujarat board in 1967, it said. He has declared movable assets worth Rs 1.41 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 1.1 crore. The prime minister has invested Rs 20,000 in tax saving infra bonds, Rs 7.61 lakh in National Saving Certificate (NSC) and another Rs 1.9 lakh in LIC policies. His cash balance in savings bank account is Rs 4,143. Modi has four gold rings, weighing 45 grams, valued at Rs 1.13 lakh. The prime minister has declared the property details in the affidavit which is a mandatory requirement for filing nomination ...
Sumalatha counting on votes from women, farmers to win Mandya LS seat
Actor-turned-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh, who made her electoral debut from Mandya Lok Sabha seat on April 18, says she is hoping that votes from women and farmers will propel her to Parliament. Wife of late Kannada superstar and Congress MP Ambareesh, Sumalatha contested as an Independent after the party denied her a ticket from the constituency. The seat went to Congress's coalition partner Janata Dal (Secular). She had locked horns with senior JD(S) leader and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil, also a debutante. "As much as 80 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Mandya parliamentary constituency. This is also the highest voter turnout in this Lok Sabha election in Karnataka," Sumalatha said. "Out of this, a large chunk of women and farmers have exercised their franchise. As many as 6.5 lakh women have voted. This, I think, will work in my favour," she told PTI in an interview. Both farmers and women are angry with the Kumaraswamy-led coalition ...
PM Modi not from backward class by birth: Mayawati
BSP chief Mayawati on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he does not belong to the backward class by birth."Prime Minister Narendra Modi still says he is from the weaker section of the society. Everyone knows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not belong to backward class by birth," she said here while addressing an election rally."When his government was formed in Gujarat, then he got his community included in the backward class list. He just wants the votes of the people from backward classes. He is fake," she said.Asserting that the people of the reserved class are not getting reservation, former UP Chief Minister Mayawati said: "I want to tell you all that if he were truly well-wisher classes, then your position with regard to the reservation would not have been so bad."On Thursday, while addressing an election rally in Banda in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi had accused the SP-BSP alliance of indulging in caste politics. "SP-BSP .
From boardroom fights to poll battle, Mahua Moitra leading TMC's charge in Bengal's Krishnanagar
Run from a two-storey building, the campaign office of Mahua Moitra, the TMC candidate from Krishnanagar constituency, is nothing short of a modern-day electioneering spectacle. It is helmed by six young Supreme Court lawyers from Delhi and supported by 30 youths from Trinamool Congress's local unit. The team uninterruptedly works the phones and laptops round-the-clock, seeking feedback from party workers and offering immediate solutions to them. Moitra, a former investment banker, steps in when the matter is serious. "I always do my elections like this," she said. "We are not a cadre-based party and elections are not won (just) like that. I have names of 20 party workers in all of the nearly 1,900 booths. So reaching out to everyone, training polling agents, handling procedural work, everything is done from here and my brother-in-law is heading all this," she told PTI. An MLA from Karimpur assembly segment in the parliamentary constituency, Moitra is fighting her maiden Lok Sabha ...
Former RS MP extends support to AAP in Delhi
Former Rajya Sabha member Shahid Siddiqui on Friday extended support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its seven candidates in Delhi.
BJP candidates in Delhi say their party will win all seven seats with a much higher margin in 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the support of every section of the society, BJP candidates from the national capital Friday said and exuded confidence that they will emerge victorious on all the seven seats with a much higher margin than 2014. Taking a jibe at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Union Minister and party's Chandni Chowk constituency candidate Harsh Vardhan said that the "pleading" done by the Delhi's ruling party for a pre-poll alliance with the Congress gives an indication that it was staring at a defeat. Hitting out at the AAP, Ramesh Bidhuri, party's South Delhi constituency candidate said those rejected by the people were pleading for an alliance with the Congress. "The BJP will win all seven seats with a bigger margin in 2019 than 2014," Bidhuri said. Harsh Vardhan echoed similar reactions. "Every section of the society, from youth to street hawkers, supports Modi. People, more than BJP workers, are eager to make Modi Prime Minister of the country again. BJP will win ...