Page 761 - Politics
We will form govt in Goa after assembly bypoll results: Cong
The Congress in Goa Thursday claimed it will form the government in the state after the results of by-elections in four assembly constituencies are declared on May 23. Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar said his party will win all the four assembly seats. "We will form the people's government in Goa after May 23. We are sure to prove our majority after the results of by-elections held in the state are announced," he told reporters here. He said the Congress will restore the mandate given in the 2017 Goa assembly elections which saw the Rahul Gandhi-led party emerging as the single largest political formation. After the polls to the 40-member assembly threw a fractured mandate, the BJP had managed to form its government with support from smaller regional outfits and independents. "The mandate was overturned by BJP and people will teach them a lesson during by-elections," he said. Voting in the by-polls to Mandrem, Mapusa and Shiroda assembly constituencies was held on
BJP's reply to Raj should be pre-certified: Congress
The Mumbai unit of the Congress Thursday asked the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra to obtain "pre-certification" of the reply the BJP is going to issue to rebut MNS chief Raj Thackeray's allegations. As the MNS chief is holding rallies across the state, appealing people not to vote for the BJP, the saffron party had said it would come out with a reply to his allegations on April 27, two days before the last phase of voting for Lok Saha polls in the state on April 29. In a letter to the chief electoral officer, Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora said the campaign would end at 6 pm on April 27, and parties or individual candidates affected by the possible negative comments of the BJP cannot reply afterwards. As per the guidelines of the Election Commission, publication of statements and election-related social media content during the period between the campaign's end and voting should be regulated, he said. The EC should therefore ask the BJP to obtain ...
Kanhaiya Kumar raises Rs 70 lakh through crowd funding, Atishi Rs 61.7 lakh
CPI candidate from Begusarai Kanhaiya Kumar has raised the highest amount of over Rs 70 lakh through crowd funding for Lok Sabha elections while Atishi, AAP candidate from Delhi East, has raised over Rs 61 lakh so far, according an online crowd funding platform.
'Naamdar' wants you to remain backward, Irani tells Amethi voters
Union minister Smriti Irani Thursday said people of the parliamentary constituency here were deprived of basic facilities even after many years of independence. She is contesting the Lok Sabha polls against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. Addressing an election meeting in Tiloi assembly segment, the Minister of Textiles said, "In the five years, I have gone to various villages of Amethi and seen that people are still deprived of basic facilities even after so many years of independence. "Villages do not have roads and farmers are worried as there is no irrigation facility," she said. Taking a jibe at her political opponent Rahul Gandhi, Irani said "naamdar" (famous) do not want development to reach Amethi. "The 'naamdar' people want that you should remain backward, no development should take place, poverty should remain, the youth should remain unemployed and farmers should continue to languish, so that people of Amethi stand with folded hands before him and do not raise ...
Ahmednagar District Congress Committee dissolved
A day ahead of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's rally in Sangamner in the Shirdi parliamentary constituency, the Maharashtra Congress Thursday dissolved the party's district unit in Ahmednagar, party sources said. The Ahmednagar District Congress Committee stands dissolved now, the sources said. District Congress Committee president Karan Sasane had declined to campaign for the NCP nominee from the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat, Sangram Jagtap. The Ahmednagar seat, which went to the NCP as part of its pre-poll alliance with the Congress, went to the polls in the third phase on April 23. Shirdi, which falls in Ahmednagar district of western Maharashtra, will vote on April 29. State Congress president Ashok Chavan is in the temple town to oversee preparations for Gandhi's rally Friday. Sujay Vikhe Patil, the son of Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, contested as the BJP candidate from Ahmednagar.
US says China's progress on IP protection 'falls short'
China has made progress towards beefing up protections for US technology and copyrights but the country has not gone far enough to resolve a main point of friction with Washington, US trade officials said Thursday. Beijing's efforts to date "fall short of needed fundamental changes," the US Trade Representative's office said in an annual report to Congress released days before trade talks are set to resume with Beijing. A USTR official told reporters the Chinese government has made steps to reorganize "ministries and agencies responsible for the protection and enforcement of IP" and continued to reform its judicial system. However, "it's still too early to tell whether these efforts will lead to substantially improved IP protection and enforcement in China," the official said in a conference call. President Donald Trump has repeatedly thrashed Beijing for what he said was the rampant theft of US know-how, through forced technology transfer and other means, and made that a central ...
Putin calls for international security guarantee for North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for "international security guarantee" for North Korea to ensure denuclearisation by the country.He also put forward the idea of resuming the six-party talks, saying it would be "helpful in developing a system of international security guarantees" for North Korea."I am not sure these (six-party) talks need to be resumed right now but I am confident that if we reach a stage where we will need to develop some kind of guarantees for one of the parties, primarily, security guarantees for North Korea, international guarantees will be necessary," TASS quoted Putin as saying.Putin made these remarks during his maiden "constructive" summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the port city of Vladivostok in eastern Russia.Terming the talks effective, the Russian President said, "We discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and shared our positions on the measures to be taken for the situation to have good prospects for ...
BJP remembers Odisha during elections, not when natural calamities occur: Naveen Patnaik
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday claimed that BJP leaders remember Odisha in the run-up to elections, but none of them visit the state when natural calamities occur.In a public meeting at Mayurbhanj, Patnaik said, "At the time of elections, the big leaders of the BJP remember Odisha. But when there is a major natural disaster, no leaders are seen here. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot be seen. But now in the elections, all BJP leaders came to Odisha and showed crocodile tears."Patnaik went on to claim that the BJP is creating 'roadblocks' in Odisha's policies."When the Biju Janata Dal came back to power, the farmers got Rs 10,000 in two installments instantly under the Kalia Yojana. After this, women got Rs 10 lakh under the Biju Health yojana," he said.Patnaik also said his government provided 80 per cent money to establish PRM Medical College while the central government provided only 20 per cent."Unfortunately one BJP Union minister is trying to create roadblocks ..
Kannauj: Dimple Yadav touches Mayawati's feet, seeks blessings
In a show of mahagathbandhan unity, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and wife of Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, touched Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's feet and sought blessings before addressing a public gathering at a rally here.In a video from the rally, Dimple is seen bending to touch Mayawati's feet, after which the BSP chief pats her on the back. Dimple's husband and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was also present.During the rally, Mayawati said Dimple was like a member of her family.Terming Dimple as a "mature" woman, Mayawati said, "SP president Akhilesh Yadav respects me as an elder of the family and after this Gathbandhan I also have accepted Dimple as a part of my family."She also appealed to public present at the event to vote for Dimple. "Make her (Dimple) win by record margin," she said.She then went to say that the "theatrics of chowkidari" will not help BJP win elections.Terming the BJP's campaign on national security "unfortunate", Mayawati said, "Every now and then our
Won't campaign for AAP candidates, says Alka Lamba
"Pained" by the "ignorance" of the party leadership, disgruntled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Alka Lamba on Thursday announced that she will not campaign for the party candidates in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections."It pains me to say that the party leadership did not feel the need to talk to me for the last four months. They did not feel the need to give time to me even after asking for it. I was kept away from official functions," the AAP leader said in a statement."That is why I have decided that I will not campaign for AAP candidates. Probably, the party also wants the same," she added.She accused her party colleague Saurabh Bhardwaj of spreading misinformation about her."AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj has been repeatedly levelling accusations that I am joining the Congress party, (he has) fuelled the rumours in party and media that I am contesting Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket," Lamba said."Now that everything is clear, then I think everyone must have got to know that I am still
Ground situation needs to change to withdraw AFSPA: Nirmala Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said that the operation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) can be withdrawn only when there is a change in the ground situation in areas where the law is in force."The Army cannot work without AFSPA in the areas like Jammu and Kashmir. You need to change the ground situation to remove AFSPA. Many programmes need to be done for that change," she said, addressing a press conference here."We have done (removed) it in Arunachal (Pradesh) and some parts of Assam and Meghalaya. The central and state governments have to work towards changing the situation. After this, AFSPA can be removed. Without changing the ground situation, it is not right to remove it," Sitharaman said.Congress has promised in its election manifesto that it will not allow any change in Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to J and K, and will review AFSPA if voted to power. AFSPA provides sweeping powers to the security forces.Replying .
Indian Army signs MoU with NHPC for construction of tunnels on China, Pakistan borders
Indian Army signed an MoU with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) on Thursday to construct tunnels on borders with China and Pakistan for storage of ammunition and other war-related equipment.Under the pilot project, three tunnels will be built on China border while one will be built along the Line of Control with Pakistan, Army sources said.The project is meant to bolster the Indian Army's capabilities along the Chinese border where India's infrastructural development is far outpaced by that of China.It is difficult to move heavy equipment in the mountainous region bordering China due to lack of infrastructure development.Besides strengthening the defensive capabilities, the tunnels will protect the ammunition and other stored equipment from the air-strikes and detection by the enemy satellite.
Pradhan calls Patnaik a "merchant of lies"
Describing Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as a "merchant of lies", senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan Thursday alleged that the Odisha chief minister is misleading the people about the Centre's contribution to the state. The statement of Pradhan, also a Union minister, came hours after Patnaik accused the BJP led central government of contributing only 20 per cent of the cost of setting up two medical colleges in the state. "Patnaik is a merchant of lies. He has been misleading the people. The central government has contributed 60 per cent for the construction of two medical colleges at Balasore and Baripada," Pradhan claimed. Patnaik also alleged that a Union minister from Odisha has put up obstructions in setting up the two medical colleges. "The state government has set up the two medical colleges after obtaining the MCI (Medical Council of India) permission through the Supreme Court's Empowerment Committee," Patnaik said. However, Pradhan denied the ...
Sudan converge on army HQ for 'million-strong' protest
Sudanese marchers converged from all directions on army headquarters for a "million-strong" demonstration Thursday to turn up the heat on the ruling military council after three of its members resigned following talks on handing over power. The rally comes after Sudan's new military rulers and protest leaders agreed to set up a joint committee, to chart the way forward two weeks after the ouster of veteran president Omar al-Bashir. "We call on our people, who have been demanding a transitional civilian rule, to participate in the million-strong march," said the Alliance for Freedom and Change, the umbrella group leading the protests. "Our sit-in will continue to protect our revolution and to ensure that all our demands are achieved," the alliance said in a statement. Witnesses said marchers were closing in on the main protest site from different directions. They included dozens of judges, dressed in their robes, rallying from the constitutional court, an AFP photographer said. "We are
Bookies see BJP returning but discount 'Modi wave'
The pollsters may be more or less unanimous in predicting a thumping victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP, but Hapur's "satta bazaar" is betting on a much closer fight. Punters do see Modi returning to power but not a wave as such in his favour.
Major jump seen in Indian tourists visiting France: Envoy
France tops the European destinations for Indian tourists, with the number of travellers from this country expected to cross 8 lakh as of 2018, French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler said here on Thursday.
US bars Chechnya PM over human rights
The United States said Thursday it would bar the entry of Chechnya's prime minister for allegedly orchestrating human rights violations in the Russian republic. Under a US law that requires action against foreign officials over human rights concerns, the United States announced that Chairman Muslim Khuchiyev and his immediate family will be ineligible for US visas if they apply. The State Department said in a statement that it had "credible information that Muslim Khuchiyev was involved in torture." Chechnya's pro-Moscow authoritarian leader Ramzan Kadyrov last year elevated Khuchiyev, previously the mayor of the Chechen capital Grozny which was reduced to rubble when Russia crushed two separatist wars that left tens of thousands dead. While the Muslim-majority republic has largely been pacified, Chechen authorities have still engaged in unlawful arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings, according to a report last year by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in ...
NIA takes custody of 2 JeM suspects in terror cases
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday took custody of two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives, imprisoned in Jammu under the Public Safety Act (PSA), to interrogate in connection with various terror acts, including the February 14 Pulwama attack, NIA officials said here.
Kejriwal responsible for failure of tie-up talks: Cong
The Congress blamed AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday for "botching up" the possibility of an alliance of the two parties for the Lok Sabha polls, with the two sides trading barbs on the issue that hogged the headlines for weeks prior to the nomination of candidates in Delhi. All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Delhi PC Chacko told PTI that there is no possibility of an alliance between his party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) anymore as the last date for withdrawal of nominations in Delhi is Friday. Kejriwal Thursday said Rahul Gandhi would be the only person responsible if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came back to power as he slammed the Congress chief days after both the parties failed to form an alliance in Delhi. Chacko said Kejriwal was to be "squarely blamed" for the failure to arrive at an understanding as the Delhi chief minister went back on his words after a 4-3 seat-sharing formula was worked out for the national capital. "The time is over now. ...
Cross-LoC trade 'confidence building measure', says Pak as it hopes for its early resumption
Pakistan on Thursday condemned the unilateral suspension of trade by India across the Line of Control and expressed hope that it resumes soon as the step is a "confidence building measure" between the two nations. Hardening its stand against Pakistan, India last week indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, following reports that it was being "misused" by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal condemned the unilateral suspension of the trade by India and said, "We hope that trade is resumed soon, as it is a confidence building measure between the two countries." The trade was halted at Salamabad of Baramulla in Kashmir region, and Chakkan-da-Bagh of Poonch district in Jammu region. The cross-LoC trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes was started on October 21, 2008 as a Confidence Building Measure (CBM). Trade since 2008