Page 765 - Politics
Congress fields Ajay Rai from Varanasi, ends speculation on Priyanka
The Congress on Thursday fielded Ajay Rai from Varanasi to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ending speculation on a possible blockbuster electoral duel between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the PM in the Uttar Pradesh temple town. The 'will she, won't she' suspense finally ended in a sort of anticlimax with the party nominating Rai, who unsuccessfully contested against Modi in 2014 and finished third in the contest after the BJP leader and Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress also fielded Madhusudan Tiwari from Gorakhpur against BJP's Ravi Kishan, a popular Bhojpuri film star. Speculation on Priyanka Gandhi making her electoral debut from Varanasi had been rife for the past few weeks and was fuelled after Congress president Rahul Gandhi, to a question on whether he planned to field his sister against PM Modi, said last week, "I will leave you in suspense. Suspense is not always a bad thing." Priyanka Gandhi herself added to the buzz by saying on Tuesday that she would ...
Ex-Vice President Joe Biden launches 2020 White House bid
Former Vice President Joe Biden formally joined the crowded Democratic presidential contest on Thursday, declaring the soul of the nation at stake if President Donald Trump wins re-election. In a video posted on Twitter, Biden focused on the 2017 deadly clash between white supremacists and counter protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. Biden noted Trump's comments that there were some "very fine people" on both sides of the violent encounter, which left one woman dead. "We are in the battle for the soul of this nation," Biden said. "If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation who we are. And I cannot stand by and watch that happen." The 76-year-old Biden becomes an instant front-runner alongside Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is leading many polls and has proved to be a successful fundraiser. Among Democrats, Biden has unmatched international and legislative experience, and he is among the best-known
We could have inflicted heavy damage on Pak during aerial raid if we had 'tech asymmetry': IAF
If the Indian Air Force possessed high levels of "technological asymmetry", then it would have been able to inflict heavy damage on Pakistan during its unsuccessful aerial raid on February 27, according to an IAF report. The report analysed various aspects of IAF's air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26 and the subsequent Pakistani retaliation the next day. India carried out the air strike to avenge the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. In the report, the IAF said Pakistan Air Force has been consistently enhancing its air defence and offensive capabilities since the Kargil war in 1999 and there was a need for India to bolster its "technological asymmetry" for aerial combat, official sources said sharing details from the report. At present, Pakistan has some edge with its fleet of F-16 jets with AMRAAM missile fitted with them, said an official. The sources said the planned induction of Rafale aircraft ...
Cong moves Assembly secretariat seeking Thakor's expulsion
The Congress approached the Gujarat Assembly secretariat Thursday, seeking expulsion of disgruntled leader Alpesh Thakor as a legislator for his "anti-party activities". Thakor resigned from all the posts he held in the Congress earlier this month, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The "appeal" seeking his "expulsion" as MLA was submitted to the Assembly secretariat by chief whip of the Congress legislative party Ashwin Kotwal and senior party MLA Baldevji Thakor. Kotwal told reporters that as Thakor is no longer with the Congress and had engaged in anti-party activities, he had no right to be an MLA of the party. Thakor, a prominent OBC leader who was elected from Radhanpur on Congress ticket in 2017 Assembly polls, resigned from party posts on April 10, claiming that he and his Thakor community were insulted and betrayed by the Congress. Kotwal said Thakor had also given up the primary membership of the party. "Alpesh Thakor was elected on Congress' symbol. But he has ...
Kanhaiya no match, Giriraj spent force: RJD Begusarai candidate Tanveer Hassan
CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar is just a "new chap" and BJP's Giriraj Singh is a "kath ki handi" (spent force), says RJD's Tanveer Hassan, who is confident of his victory from Bihar's Begusarai Lok Sabha seat, which goes to polls on April 29. Dismissing the idea of a triangular contest in the constituency, Hassan said the fight is only between him and Singh, while Kumar is just "existing". Begusarai, once known as "Leningrad of Bihar" due to the strong presence of Left parties, converted into "Lalugrad" after the 90s, the RJD leader, who lost to BJP's Bhola Singh from the seat in 2014, told PTI. "The Communist Party (of India) had contested elections in 2014 as well and it had finished third in Begusarai. Kanhaiya is just a new chap and it's not that the party's vote share will double just with his name," Hassan said. "The ground reality is that the CPI is not better than what it was in the last elections and Kanhaiya is just existing in the triangle," he added. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections,
Joe Biden announces candidacy for 2020 presidential elections
The United States' former vice president Joe Biden on Thursday announced his candidacy for the presidential nomination for 2020 elections."The core values of this nation ... our standing in the world... our very democracy ... everything that has made America -- America -- is at stake. That's why today I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States," Biden tweeted, along with the campaign video..
Indian Coast Guard DG meets Ambassador to Vietnam on 4-day visit
Director General of the Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh met Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Kumar Verma here on Thursday.The meeting comes amidst Singh's four-day visit to Vietnam to strengthen ties with the nation.During the visit, the ICG chief will meet with his Vietnamese counterpart and other dignitaries and hold talks to strengthen defence ties between the two nations.The visit comes less than two weeks after India and Vietnam concluded a bilateral naval exercise.The second edition of the bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy participated in bilateral drills off Cam Ranh Bay between April 13 and 16.Amid India's growing concerns about China's dominance in the region, the bilateral ties between the two countries have deepened considerably especially in the security realm. New Delhi and Hanoi upgraded their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" level.The ties between the two countries have grown over shared concerns ..
TMC candidates for WB assembly by-poll announced
In a rehabilitation of Saradha scam accused Madan Mitra, a former West Bengal minister, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Thursday named him as the party's candidate for the by-election to Bhatpara assembly seat. Banerjee also announced the names of Amal Kishku and Abdul Karim Chowdhury as TMC candidates for Habibpur and Islampur assembly constituencies respectively for the upcoming by-elections. The by-polls to the four assembly seats will be held on May 19, the date for the last phase of election to the Lok Sabha. By-polls to these seats have been necessitated owing to resignations of sitting MLAs who are contesting the Lok Sabha elections. Mitra will contest the Bhatpara seat in North 24 Parganas district, where sitting TMC MLA Arjun Singh has resigned and is contesting as a BJP candidate from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency. Mitra, a former transport minister of the state and a powerful TMC leader, appeared to have lost his place of importance in ...
Will make Delhi best place to live in: Gambhir
Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir on Thursday said that he will work for making Delhi best place to live in.
LS polls will see end of 'Namo, Namo' chant: Mayawati
Lashing out at the BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati Thursday said this Lok Sabha election will see the end of those who chant "NaMo, NaMo". She was addressing a joint rally here with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Ajit Singh. "This election will see the end of those chanting 'NaMo, NaMo and pave the way for those who raise Jai Bheem. Seeing your response it appears you are going to ensure the victory of alliance candidates," she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is often referred to as 'NaMo' by his supporters. Dimple Yadav, the sitting SP MP from Kannauj and wife of Akhilesh Yadav, is seeking re-election from the seat as the joint candidate of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. Mayawati reminded the electorate that the Congress did not implement the Mandal Commission's report and that when the party was in power, it did not give Bharat Ratna to Dalit leader and architect of the Constitution B R Ambedkar. The commission was set up with .
Satti issued another EC notice over 'abusive' remarks against political rivals
Having been banned by the Election Commission from holding public rallies for 48 hours over his derogatory remarks against Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Satti has been issued another notice by the poll body. The notice has been issued to Satti through Una Deputy Commissioner-cum-DEO, Mandi Rigveda Thakur, a state electoral official said. An explanation has been sought from him within 24 hours from the receipt of the notice why action should not be taken against him for making 'derogatory' and 'inciting' remarks against his political opponents, the official said. The notice comes on a complaint by Mandi block Congress president whereby it was alleged that Satti made derogatory remarks at an election rally at Seri Manch before filing of nomination papers by party candidate Ramswroop Sharma in Mandi on April 24. "We will cut arms of those who are pointing fingers at BJP leaders or the PM. Had it not been the model code of conduct, he would have given .
Stars add glitz to rough and tumble of electoral politics this poll season
The road to power in Election 2019 is liberally sprinkled with stardust as celebs from Bollywood and beyond appeal for votes, either as campaigners, candidates or simply camp followers, emphasising once again the close connect between cinema and politics. The newest entrant to the select club of showbiz stars trying to find political relevance is Bollywood's very own action man Sunny Deol, who joined the BJP this week and will contest the elections from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Following in the footsteps of his famous father Dharmendra, who was a BJP MP from Bikaner from 2004-09, Sunny joins several actors from India's various tinsel towns tentatively testing the political waters this time. His "Dillagi" co-star Urmila Matondkar is the Congress candidate from Mumbai North and stepmother Hema Malini, the BJP's sitting MP from Mathura, is contesting again. There are several others who are not contesting but are making their presence felt. Akshay Kumar created a splash with his "non ...
Have joined politics to find solutions to problems faced by people: Gambhir
Sitting in AC rooms and tweeting on any issue is easy but I have joined politics to find solutions to problems faced by people, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir Thursday said. Gambhir, who joined BJP recently is pitted against Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely and AAP's Atishi in a triangular contest in the east Delhi constituency during the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. "Dilli Ko Dilli banane ki jaroorat hain, London ya Paris nahi (Delhi needs to be developed as a national capital city and not London or Paris)," he said in an apparent dig at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal who often talks about making Delhi a global city on the lines of London and Paris if given full statehood. He asserted that the game of cricket was played by him with a "true spirit" and he has joined politics with the same guiding principle. "Tweeting from AC rooms on any issue is very easy. I have joined politics to find solutions to the problems faced by the people. "I have played cricket with true ..
Chinese military silent over Pakistan naval ships absence at Chinese navy fleet review
The Chinese military said on Thursday that it "always attached importance" to relations with the Indian and Pakistani counterparts and was ready to make more efforts to advance the ties, but kept silent over the absence of ships from its all-weather ally at the fleet review of the 70th anniversary celebrations of China's navy. Two Indian battle ships, including INS Kolkata - the biggest indigenously built stealth destroyer - along with INS Shakti - one of biggest fleet support ships - took part in the fleet review at Qingdao on April 23 which was presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Significantly, conspicuous by their absence were the ships of Pakistan Navy at the parade. The Pakistan Navy reportedly could not send its ships to PLAN's most celebrated moment despite the all-weather relations due to the recent Indo-Pak hostilities after the deadly Pulwama terror attack in February. However, a delegation headed by Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi attended the ...
Oppn alliance will give new PM to the country: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Thursday expressed confidence that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh will give a new prime minister to the country. He was addressing a joint rally here with BSP supremo Mayawati and RLD president Ajit Singh. "This alliance will give a new prime minister to the country," Yadav said. Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SP chief said the BJP will not be able to talk about their performance. "So, how can they face the SP-BSP-RLD alliance," he asked. The alliance has been formed with an aim to ensure social justice and take the ideals of B R Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia, Kanshiram and 'Netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav) forward, the SP chief said. On Monday, he had said that regional parties will get more seats than the Congress and the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Kejriwal asks AAP workers to come to Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asked party workers from across the country, barring Punjab and Haryana, to come to Delhi to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.
Congress has a direct fight with BJP in Delhi: PC Chacko
Congress leader PC Chako Thursday said his party will have a direct fight with the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi and asserted that the possibility of a triangular contest is "slowly disappearing" in the national capital. The senior Congress leader also raised doubts about AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's seriousness in defeating the BJP. Chacko said the Congress was getting a good response after the party fielded its candidates for all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, which goes to polls on May 12. Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) Thursday introduced its candidates before the media at its party office here. Talking to reporters, Chacko said he has "doubts" about Kejriwal's seriousness to defeat the Bhartitya Janata Party in Delhi. "Earlier, we thought there is a triangular fight in Delhi, but (the possibility) of a triangular fight is disappearing slowly in Delhi. We have a direct fight with BJP in Delhi," the party's general secretary in-charge of Delhi said. Asked ...
Take leave from work and join party's fight against BJP in Delhi: Kejriwal to volunteers
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has urged party volunteers across the country, except the ones in Haryana and Punjab, to take leave from work and come to Delhi to help the party defeat the BJP in the national capital. Delhi goes to poll on May 12 and the results would be announced on May 23. In a tweet, Kejriwal said, "I request all volunteers to take leave from work till elections. Except Punjab and Haryana I urge all volunteers to come to Delhi and join our fight in defeating BJP on all seven seats in the national capital." The AAP is fielding Pankaj Gupta from Chandni Chowk, Atishi from East Delhi, Gugan Singh from North West Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South Delhi, Dilip Pandey from North East Delhi, Balbir Singh Jakhar from West Delhi and Brajesh Goel from New Delhi constituency.
LS polls: 4 women MLAs campaign for their children in Haryana
As Haryana goes to the polls on May 12, five mothers--four of them sitting MLAs--are actively campaigning for their children. Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Choudhary, another party leader Renuka Bishnoi, BJP leader Prem Lata and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader Naina Chautala are battling the scorching sun to seek votes for their children in the general elections. While Choudhary's daughter Shruti Choudhary (43), a former MP, is contesting from Bhiwani-Mahendergarh, children of the other three women legislators are locked in a contest from Hisar Lok Sabha seat. Renuka Bishnoi's son Bhavya (26), grandson of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, and Prem Lata's bureaucrat-turned-politician son Brijendra (46) are taking on Naina Chautala's son and sitting MP Dushyant Chautala (31) from Hisar. While Kiran Choudhary is an MLA from Tosham in Bhiwani, Renuka Bishnoi represents Hansi in Hisar. Naina Chautala represents Dabwali in Sirsa and Prem Lata is the MLA from Uchana in ...
AAP legislator Manshahia joins Congress in Punjab
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, the Congress got a major boost in the Bathinda parliamentary constituency with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Nazar Singh Manshahia joining the party, here on Thursday.