Page 766 - Politics
Sukhpal Khaira resigns as MLA to contest from Bathinda LS seat
Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who floated his outfit after quitting the Aam Aadmi Party, resigned from the state Assembly Thursday as Bholath MLA to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Bathinda. Khaira sent his resignation to Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh. "Since, I will be filing my nomination papers as the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate from the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat tomorrow, I have decided to relinquish my Bholath seat as an MLA to uphold morality and ethics in politics," Khaira wrote in the resignation letter. The PDA, which is fighting on all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, comprises PEP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Lok Insaaf Party, Nawan Punjab Party, Communist Party of India and Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) . Lashing out at Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Khaira said in the resignation letter, "I was elected as MLA Bholath in 2017 on the AAP symbol. My joining AAP was based on the revolutionary and ...
Brent oil hits six-month high above USD 75 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude hit a six-month high above USD 75 per barrel Thursday on supply concerns that have been worsened by the United States tightening the screw on sanctions-hit Iran. Brent for delivery in June jumped to USD 75.42 per barrel, the highest level since late October. Oil's other main contract, WTI, reached a six-month peak at USD 66.16 per barrel. The US removal this week of waivers that allowed countries to buy from sanctions-hit Iran is expected to hit oil supplies, though analysts are keeping watch on the region and whether OPEC responds by opening up the taps. Oil prices had already enjoyed a strong recovery this year, with output capped by Russia and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Crude futures have won support additionally on unrest in OPEC members Venezuela and Libya. "The US government's decision not to extend the exemptions from the Iranian sanctions... is still having after-effects," analysts at Commerzbank said in a note to clients after ...
Eyeing Bundelkhand, Priyanka holds two roadshows in two days
Seeking to woo voters ahead of the April 29 polling for the three out of four Lok Sabha seats in Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday held a roadshow here, the second in two days in the region. On the second day of her Bundelkhand visit, she held the roadshow in a busy commercial area of the city, sitting atop a vehicle in a violet saree and exchanging pleasantries with people who lined up on both sides of the narrow and congested roads. As young voters and Congress workers showered flowers on her cavalcade, she was greeted with slogans of "chowkidar chor hai" from the crowd at some places. Priyanka got off her vehicle near a temple and offered prayers. Jhansi is the largest town in Bundelkhand, a parched and underdeveloped hilly region spread over Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Earlier on Wednesday, she held a roadshow in Mahoba of Banda constituency, which goes to polls on May 6 and an election meeting in Hamirpur, the voting for which will
Full statehood main theme of AAP manifesto, promises 85 pc reservation in colleges, jobs
The Aam Aadmi Party 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. The manifesto, released by AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been divided into two sections -- one about what the party did without full statehood and what they will do in if it is granted. The manifesto, featuring Kejriwal's photograph on the front page, focused on 12 areas of education, health, women safety, police reforms, zero corruption, jobs, land and housing, protection from sealing, cleanliness, pollution, transport and Yamuna rejuvenation. It also promises reservation in sectors such as education and government jobs and focuses on the demand of statehood for the national capital. "We will secure 85 per cent of the seats of Delhi colleges for residents of the city. Sixty-five per cent jobs of the region similarly will be secured for ...
Candidates will have to advertise criminal records from poll expenses: EC
The Election Commission has made it clear that candidates will have to bear the cost of advertising their criminal antecedents in TV and newspapers as it comes in the category of 'poll expenses', a senior functionary said Thursday. The poll panel has made it compulsory for candidates contesting elections to advertise their criminal antecedents in TV and newspapers at least thrice during electioneering. Though directions in this regard were issued on October 10, 2018, the rule is being used for the first time in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The functionary said political parties have been informed that candidates will have to bear the cost of the advertisement from their poll expenses. Some parties had approached the poll panel urging it to allow the advertisement expenditure be borne by them and not the candidates. The parties too will have to advertise the criminal records of the candidates they have fielded. The expenditure of advertisement by the parties will be borne by ...
AAP manifesto promises to secure full statehood for Delhi (2nd Lead)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is contesting all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital, on Thursday promised, in its election manifesto, to secure full statehood for Delhi, suggesting that it would address all the problems afflicting the city.
Hong Kong rights must be 'fully respected': Britain
Free speech and assembly rights in Hong Kong must be "fully respected", Britain said on Thursday, a day after leaders of the city's democracy movement were jailed for organising mass protests in 2014. "It would be deeply concerning if the outcome for these individuals were to deter the people of Hong Kong from participating in peaceful protest in the future," a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said. "Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are both guaranteed by the Sino-British Joint Declaration and it is important that these... are fully respected." The 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, which called for free elections to appoint Hong Kong's leader, paralysed the city for months and infuriated Beijing. Four prominent leaders of the movement were jailed on Wednesday for their role. Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen in mainland China, including freedom of speech and the press, which are enshrined in the 1997 Sino-British Joint Declaration when Britain handed the territory back .
SP has turned Azamgarh into 'stronghold of terrorism': Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Thursday alleged that the Samajwadi Party had turned Azamgarh, which was once known in the field of education and literature, into a "stronghold of terrorism". The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have crime in their DNA, he said, while addressing an election meeting here in support of BJP's Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua'. "Once Azamgarh was known in the field of education and literature but the Samajwadi Party turned it into a stronghold of terrorism," he said. The SP and the BSP through mischievous means made Azamgarh "a fortress of terror and crime to defame it and we have come to pull it out of it," the chief minister said. They have crime in their DNA and "that is why they support cases like the Batla House (encounter case)", he said "We must link Azamgarh to art and culture and not with terrorism and crime," said Adityanath, who was barred from campaigning for 72 hours by the ...
BJP fulfilling Pakistan's agenda of dividing India: Kejriwal
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said the BJP is fulfilling Pakistan's agenda of dividing India and asserted that his party would do everything to stop the Modi-Shah duo from coming back to power. Addressing the media after releasing his party's manifesto here, the Delhi chief minister said AAP will support any "secular mahagathbandhan" after the general elections. Kejriwal said AAP's focus would be on getting full statehood for Delhi. "We will fight our battle on the issue of getting full statehood for Delhi," he said. The AAP chief said this election can prove to be a "turning point" in the history of the country. "This election is the fight to save the nation, democracy and the Constitution of the country," he said. He said India is not a 10 or 20 year old country but a 4,000 years old country and also has a rich culture. "It has many religions and many castes. In all this diversity India has unity. We can be Hindu, Muslim, Sikh of different castes but first we are Indian. ...
There shouldn't be censor board to keep tab on politicians' speeches: Himanta
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma feels there should not be any "activism" on what politicians speak during election time or a "censor board" to keep a tab on their speeches and it should left for the voters to judge. His remark comes amid the Election Commission recently banning political leaders like Yogi Adityanath, Mayawati, Maneka Gandhi, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Azam Khan from campaigning for a period of time for their controversial statements. The BJP leader was of the opinion that leaders should be allowed to speak out their minds as this will help voters know them better. Too much control over speeches will result in Indian election losing its "charm", he argues. "People (politicians) should be allowed to speak so that the public can judge them. If you start dictating that this man should speak this, then before every speech he has to consult an advocate whether he should speak this particular line or whether this will attract penal provision," Sarma told PTI in an ...
Punjab MLA Sukhpal Khaira resigns
Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Thursday resigned as the legislator from the Bholath Assembly seat in Punjab.
Ex-Vice President Biden launches 2020 presidential campaign
Former Vice President Joe Biden formally joined the crowded Democratic presidential contest on Thursday, betting that his working-class appeal and ties to Barack Obama's presidency will help him overcome questions about his place in today's increasingly liberal Democratic Party. He made his announcement in a video posted on Twitter. Thursday's announcement marks the unofficial end of the chaotic early phase of the 2020 presidential season. The field now features at least 20 Democrats jockeying for the chance to take on President Donald Trump next year. Several lesser-known candidates may still join the race. Biden, a 76-year-old lifelong politician, 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 faces in U.S. politics. But the anti-establishment wave that swept Trump into office has
Manshahia joins Cong, Punjab CM calls it clear sign of disillusionment within AAP
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that it is a clear sign of disillusionment within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as its sitting MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia has joined the Congress party.The 56-year-old Manshahia is an engineering graduate from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, who won the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections from Mansa.Singh said, "With Manshahia Congress, it would further strengthen the party, which is riding a wave of the strong public mood in its favour."The Punjab chief minister said, "Like-minded people from other parties were joining the Congress in Punjab in large numbers. It was a clear sign of complete disillusionment within AAP, which had lost its 'locus standi' amid a party-wide rebellion."Manshahia, who had taken premature retirement from Punjab Pollution Control Board in 2015 after serving as a senior environmental engineer in the department, said: "He wanted to serve the people of Punjab, which he felt the Congress was best equipped ..
Priyanka Gandhi holds road show in Jhansi
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday held a massive road show here in Uttar Pradesh ahead of addressing a public meeting.
BJP has embraced communal-chauvinist appeal: CPI-M
The CPI-M has accused the BJP of abandoning the slogan of 'sabka saath sabka vikas' and embracing "an open Hindutva communal-militaristic-chauvinist appeal" by fielding Pragya Singh Thakur in the Lok Sabha elections.
Odisha to witness triangular battle in fourth phase
Odisha is expected to witness a triangular battle between the ruling BJD, BJP and Congress in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to be held on April 29.
Sudan braces for 'million-strong' protest march
Huge crowds are expected to join a "million-strong" protest march Thursday in Sudan to turn up the heat on the ruling military council after three of its members resigned following talks on handing over power. The rally outside the army headquarters comes after the military rulers and protest leaders agreed to set up a joint committee, to chart the way forward two weeks since the ouster of veteran president Omar al-Bashir. "We expect huge crowds to come to the protest site, including people from outside of Khartoum," activist Ahmed Najdi told AFP. Demonstrator Ayman Ali Mohamed was among those preparing to march in the capital. "We fear that the military council might steal our revolution, so we have to participate until the transfer to civilian rule is accomplished," he said. "We are standing our ground no matter what." The planned march follows a late-night meeting between the military council and leaders of the umbrella group heading the protest movement. "We have an agreement on ..
LS polls will see end of "Namo, Namo" chant: Mayawati
Lashing out at the BJP, BSP supremo Mayawati Thursday said this Lok Sabha election will see the end of those who chant "Namo, Namo". The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was addressing a joint rally with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Dimple Yadav, the sitting SP MP and wife of Akhilesh Yadav, is seeking re-election from the seat as the joint candidate of the SP-BSP alliance. "This election will see end of those chanting 'Namo, Namo'," she said at the rally. Playing the caste card to the hilt, Mayawati reminded the electorate that the Congress did not implement the Mandal Commission report. She also told the gathering that when the Congress was in power, it did not give Bharat Ratna to BR Ambedkar. Mayawati also hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, charging it paid lip service to the poor, the downtrodden, the youth and farmers by making lofty promises and not fulfilling any. "Chowkidari ki nataak baazi nahin chalegi," she said in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ..
Ex-bureaucrats condemn Pragya's remarks on Karkare; demand withdrawal of her candidature
Upset over BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur's remark that her curse killed decorated IPS officer Hemant Karkare, over 70 retired civil servants have demanded withdrawal of her candidature. In an open letter, the former officers said Thakur, who is an accused in the Malegaon blast case and is out on bail on medical grounds, has used the political platform not just to propound her "brand of bigotry", but also to "insult" the memory of Karkare, who died fighting terrorists during the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. The BJP has fielded Thakur for the Bhopal parliamentary seat. Last week, Thakur said she cursed Karkare, the former Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief of Maharashtra, for treating her "very badly" while she was in custody in connection with the 2008 blast case, that killed six and injured over a 100. Her statement evoked condemnation from several quarters and the BJP too distanced itself from the comments. Karkare was killed fighting terrorists in the 26/11 terror ...
Shivraj Singh writes letter to EC, complains about Chhindwara collector
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday wrote a letter to the Election Commission urging it to take an action against Chhindwara district collector for allegedly stopping him from conducting a political campaign in the region."I have come to election commission office to file a complaint against the collector of Chhindwara. Yesterday, I went to for election campaigning in the region. I was scheduled to reach the place at 5:30 but they denied permission to the land chopper. I urged them to take action against Collector in the matter," he said while speaking to media in Bhopal."Earlier, in West Bengal didi (Mamata Banerjee) stopped me and now Dada (Kamal Nath) is stopping me to enter Chhindwara. In a democracy, everyone is allowed to do campaigns. But these people (District Election Officer and Chhindwara district collector) are deliberately trying to spoil my rallies," he added."It is unfortunate that the collector is not allowing star campaigners of the .