Page 763 - Politics
Cong party's decision not to field Priyanka against Modi disappointing: Jaitley
Taking a dig at Congress, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said he was "disappointed" by the party's decision of not fielding Priyanka Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after building up a "suspense for an eventual thriller" in the Lok Sabha elections. Modi is contesting from Varanasi for the Lok Sabha and there were speculations that Congress would field Priyanka against him. However, the party Thursday again named Ajay Rai, a political lightweight who was a distant third after Modi and Arvind Kejriwal in the 2014 general election, as its candidate from the holy city. "The build-up of the last two weeks had been that Priyanka would be fielded against the Prime Minister. She rejoiced in giving daily bytes to the media that she was ready to take on the Prime Minister. Her brother (Congress President Rahul Gandhi) claimed that the party was building up the suspense for an eventual thriller. "Obviously, she quietly chickened out of the contest. I am deeply disappointed ...
AAP's manifesto a document of deceit: BJP
The Delhi BJP on Thursday dubbed the Aam Aadmi Party's manifesto as a "document of deceit" and said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was "misleading" the people of the national capital over the issue of full statehood. Shyam Jaju, BJP's national vice president and party in-charge of Delhi, said there is no need for full statehood to Delhi for providing basic amenities like sufficient power, water supply, prevention of pollution, maintenance of sewers-roads, providing health services, employment, security to women and reliable transport system. The AAP on Thursday came out with its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election based on the central theme of full statehood, promising 85 per cent reservation in colleges and jobs for the people of the national capital. Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said Kejriwal, whose party stormed to power by sweeping the 2015 assembly polls, said the AAP's main poll plank was anti-graft, but alleged that corruption has increased during the AAP government's ..
PM holds mega roadshow in Varanasi, witnesses Ganga aarti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday held a mega roadshow here, taking his parliamentary constituency Varanasi by storm a day ahead of filing his nomination papers. In a show of strength, he was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior BJP leaders. Modi started his 7-km roadshow by first garlanding the statue of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. The prime minister, who was wearing a saffron kurta and scarf, was cheered by a massive crowd as his cavalcade passed through the Lanka and Assi areas of the city. The roadshow ended at the Dashashwamedh Ghat where Modi watched the Ganga aarti being performed. Before reaching Varanasi, Modi had tweeted: "After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi." "There are a series of programmes lined up, which would give me another excellent opportunity to interact with my sisters and brothers of Kashi. Har Har Mahadev!" he had tweeted. The show of strength ...
Putin: NKorea ready to denuclearise _ if it gets guarantees
Russian President Vladimir Putin said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed during their first summit Thursday he is willing to give up his nuclear weapons but only if he gets an ironclad guarantee of security beforehand. The Russian president stressed that Moscow and Washington both want North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. But he said the security guarantees should be underwritten by multiple countries, hinting at an arrangement like the six-nation talks Russia participated in until their collapse in 2009. Putin added that Kim encouraged him to explain the nuances of Pyongyang's position to President Donald Trump. He said he's willing to share details of the summit with the American president. "I will talk about it tomorrow with the leadership of China," Putin said before heading to Beijing on a two-day visit after meeting Kim. "And we will just as openly discuss this issue with the US leadership. There are no secrets. Russia's position always has been transparent. There
BJP is not politicising soldiers' valour: Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday denied Opposition's allegation that the BJP was politicising security forces' valour to seek votes, saying her party was only talking about the "political will" necessary to combat terror. ""Who is politicising the (valour of) security forces? We haven't done it," she said, speaking to reporters here. The UPA government led by Manmohan Singh lacked the political will to combat terrorism which was evident after the 26/11 Mumbai attack, the BJP leader said. The Narendra Modi government took "decisive" steps and showed "political will" to combat terror, which was seen in the 2016 surgical strike and Balakot air strike in February in the aftermath of Uri and Pulwama attacks, respectively, Sitharaman said. "The Congress feels hesitant to talk about political will, hence it thinks we are politicising (the valour of soldiers)," she said. "We are not politicising the valour, but talking about the political leadership's will to take ..
Good days will come, once Modi leaves: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Thursday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, using the BJP's 2014 poll slogan and saying 'acche din' (good days) will come when Modi leaves. Modi ji jayenge, aache din aayenge,' (Good days will come, once Modi leaves)," Gehlot mocked the prime minister. "Modi imposes his mann ki baat, but Rahul ji says listen to what people say; don't make promises and if you do, fulfil them," he said during a rally in Jalore, which was also addressed by Congress president rahul gandhi among others. Gehlot said the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are for protecting the Constitution and democracy. Gehlot also sought to rebut the prime minister's charge, made at recent rallies that the state government was dilly-dallying in implementing the central schemes related to health insurance for the poor and the pension for farmers. Gehlot said Modi is misleading the country on the issue. "This was unbecoming of the dignity of the prime minister's post," he said. Addressing .
BJP is promoting family raj in Mapusa, Panaji: Congress
The Congress Thursday accused the BJP of supporting dynastic rule in Mapusa and Panaji Assembly constituencies. A by-election, necessitated by the death of BJP MLA Francis D'Souza, was held in Mapusa on April 23, while another by-election, necessitated by the death of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, is due in Panaji on May 19. Former deputy chief minister D'Souza's son Joshua was the BJP candidate in Mapusa, while in Panaji, Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar is being seen as front-runner for BJP ticket. Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar said the BJP accuses his party of promoting dynasty politics. "The BJP has always said it is against family raj. Now it should explain why it is supporting family raj in Mapusa and Panaji," said the Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly. The result of 2017 Assembly polls would be repeated in two Lok Sabha seats and three assembly constituencies in the state where polling was held on April 23, he claimed. "The BJP was reduced to mere ..
Tribunal gives govt 3 weeks to decide on Bimal Verma's plea against appointment of new Navy Chief
A military tribunal on Thursday gave three weeks to the Defence Ministry to decide on a petition by Vice-Admiral Bimal Verma, challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy Chief overlooking his seniority. Vice Admiral Verma, the senior-most naval commander, on Tuesday once again moved the Armed Forces Tribunal here challenging appointment of Vice Admiral Singh to the top post after the defence ministry did not respond to his statutory complaint. Verma, commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, approached the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) on April 8, but withdrew his petition the next day after the tribunal asked him to first explore "internal remedies". "The AFT has directed the government to dispose of Vice Admiral Verma's petition by May 15 and fixed May 20 as the next date of hearing in the case," Verma's lawyer Ankur Chhibber said. He said though the government sought four weeks' time, the AFT granted only three weeks to it. Vice Admiral ...
In a first, Army starts process to induct women as military police
In a historic first, the Army Thursday began the process to induct women in the military police, nearly two years after Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said women will be recruited as jawans. The Army started the online registration for recruitment in the Corps of military and the last date for filing application has been fixed as June 8. In an interview to PTI in June 2017, Army Chief Gen. Rawat had said the Army was looking at inducting women jawans and the process would start with the induction of women into military police corps. At present, women are allowed in select areas such as medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army. The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war and extending aid to civil police whenever required. The defence ministry had given a go ahead to induct women as ...
ED summons to Shabir Ahmad Shah's daughter 'shameful: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Thursday termed as "shameful" the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons to the teenage daughter of jailed separatist Shabir Ahmad Shah in a 14-year-old money laundering case. Mufti said she believed that vindictive politics was being played in Jammu and Kashmir for garnering votes across the country. "They arrested Mohammad Yasin Malik, then they called Mirwaiz to Delhi (for questioning) and now Shabir Shah's daughter has been summoned. It is regrettable and shameful for the country," Mehbooba told reporters at Kulgam where she was campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. The former chief minister is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, where polling is being held in three stages. Mufti said the summon to Sama Shabir, Shah's 19-year-old daughter who is pursuing studies at Manchester in the UK, was "bad". "She must have been barely five-years-old when this case was registered," she said. Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani also .
22 crorepatis in fray in April 29 Bengal elections
Out of 68 candidates across parties contesting from the eight West Bengal seats in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, 22 have assets worth over Rs 1 crore and 14 have declared criminal cases against them, said a study on Thursday.
Trump questions Biden's intelligence to wage winning primary bid
US President Donald Trump on Thursday cast doubt on Joe Biden's mental capacity for a successful primary campaign as the seasoned Democrat became the latest to join the 2020 race for the White House. "Welcome to the race Sleepy Joe. I only hope you have the intelligence, long in doubt, to wage a successful primary campaign," Trump said on Twitter. "It will be nasty - you will be dealing with people who truly have some very sick & demented ideas.
Priyanka slams BJP, BSP-SP for Bundelkhand's neglect
Keen to make a dent in the parched Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, which goes to the polls on April 29, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is targeting both the BSP-SP alliance and the BJP for the area's backwardness.
ICC urges US to review GSP withdrawal, Iran oil waiver revocation
The Indian Chamber of Commerce Thursday said it has urged the US government to take a long-term view on business ties with India, citing key issues like withdrawal of GSP and its decision to end the Iran oil waiver. An ICC delegation led by President Rudra Chatterjee called on key US government authorities and attended a business seminar organised by the US India Business Council on the first day of their visit to the US. According to a statement, Chatterjee opined at various meetings and business seminars that GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) provides duty free access to certain Indian Goods to the US market and these goods are further value added and marketed by their US counterparts. While the withdrawal will impact Indian exporters severely, it will also impact importing US companies equally badly, the Indian Chamber of Commerce said. The Trump administration this week decided to cancel the waivers from sanctions it had granted to eight countries, including India, for ...
PM Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi; to file nomination tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a roadshow in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, ahead of filing his nomination on Friday.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister JP Nadda, UP and Delhi BJP chiefs, Mahendra Nath Pandey and Manoj Tiwari, are among the senior leaders who are accompanying the Prime Minister at the event.PM Modi began the roadshow after paying his tributes at Pt Madan Mohan Malviya's statue outside Banaras Hindu University. The rally, stretching over 6km, will pass through Lanka and Madanpura areas of the city and end at the famed Dashashwamedh Ghat.Before embarking on the roadshow, PM Modi said that his scheduled programmes in "beloved Kashi" would give him an opportunity to interact with his "sisters and brothers" of the town."After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi. There are a series of programmes lined up, which would give me another excellent opportunity to interact with my sisters and brothers of
Gambhir slams Kejriwal over 'negative politics'
Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir on Thursday said that he will work for making Delhi best place to live in and slammed state's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for doing "negative politics".
Modi has 'betrayed' people of Varanasi, must apologise: Cong
The Congress on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi was aimed at covering up his failure of fulfilling the promises made to the people there and demanded that he should apologise for "betraying" them. Modi held a mega roadshow in Varanasi, in a show of strength, with senior leaders and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath present on the occasion. "Optics are more important than results and that is why the roadshow is being taken out as the resolve of serving the people of Varanasi that Modi ji had taken, the commitment he had shown to purify Ganga Ma, he has been completely unsuccessful in that," Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak. The prime minister wants that people's cries get "drowned in today's noise and show", she alleged. "Ma Ganga ne bulaya hai (Mother Ganga has called me) was just a jumla and self-declared son of Ma Ganga has betrayed her. Neither Ganga was cleaned, nor Kashi was transformed into Kyoto. And ...
Will win 8 of the 10 LS seats polled in Bengal: BJP
West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh on Thursday said his party will emerge victorious in seven to eight of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in which polling has been completed in the state, but where Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress may not be able to open its account.
Cong capable of defeating communal and fascist forces, says Mir
Congress candidate from the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency G A Mir said Thursday that his party was capable of defeating the communal and fascist forces who were hell bent upon abrogating the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Mir also hit out at the PDP, BJP and other parties for allegedly misleading people on various sensitive issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir for electoral gains. "We are capable enough to fight the communal and divisive forces in the country as well as in the state, who are hell bent to abrogate special status granted to J&K. The Congress is fighting present elections against the divisive forces and communal agenda of the BJP and the RSS," Mir said at various election rallies in Kulgam district. "The policy of falsehood and deceit adopted by these opportunist parties has made the lives of people in Kashmir impossible," he said. He appealed to the people to "remain vigilant about the designs of PDP and other opportunist parties". Mir said the Congress can ..
BJP's Muslim face in Bhopal won't campaign for Pragya Thakur
Fatima Rasool Siddique, the BJP's lone Muslim candidate in the last year's Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, Thursday announced she will not campaign for Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the saffron party's Lok Sabha nominee from Bhopal. Siddique, who unsuccessfully contested Assembly polls from the Bhopal North seat in November last year, said some of the statements given by Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon bomb blast case of 2008, after her candidature was announced were "communal and obnoxious". "I won't campaign for her as she has made statements like waging a 'dharm yudh' (crusade). Her controversial statement against former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, a martyr who laid down his life fighting terrorists in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, has also hurt me badly," the 35-year-old told PTI. "Pragya's statements about dharm yudh and against Karkare have not gone down well in my community also," she said. Siddique said the 49-year-old right-wing .