Page 768 - Politics
Hold state leadership accountable for 'Mission 13': Bajwa
Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa Thursday welcomed party president Rahul Gandhi's decision to hold legislators responsible if they fail to ensure victory in the Lok Sabha election, saying in the end it is the state leadership that should be held accountable. "I welcome the decision of Rahul Gandhi ji & the party high command to make PB Ministers, MLAs and cadre responsible for Mission 13. But, in the end, it is the state leadership that must be held accountable. One must lead by example, and if not, then let others grace the podium," tweeted Bajwa, also former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief. On Wednesday, the chief minister said ministers in Punjab would be dropped from the cabinet if they fail ensure victory of party candidates in their constituencies during the Lok Sabha election. Besides, legislators would not be given tickets in the next assembly polls if they are unable to ensure victory of party candidates in their constituencies, he had said. The warning ..
Syria negotiators in Kazakhstan for talks
Delegations from Iran, Russia and Turkey were in Kazakhstan's capital Nur-Sultan on Thursday seeking an end to the conflict in Syria while shoring up their interests in any future political settlement. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry confirmed that teams from the three powers as well as negotiators from the Syrian regime and its armed opponents had arrived in the capital Thursday. Talks will take place throughout the day in "two-way and three-way formats" ahead of an expected plenary session on Friday, the ministry said in a statement. United Nations Syria envoy Geir Pedersen would arrive later in the day, the ministry added. The situation on the ground in the northwestern region of Idlib, under the administrative control of Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is expected to feature prominently in the talks. Idlib has been protected from a massive regime offensive by a September deal inked by Damascus ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But regime bombardment .
Amnesty says Hong Kong office hit by China-linked cyber attack
Amnesty International's Hong Kong office has been hit by a years-long cyberattack from hackers with known links to the Chinese government, the rights group said Thursday. The attack comes at a time of growing concern in Hong Kong over shrinking freedoms as Beijing flexes its muscles and western nations fret about the global dominance of China in telecommunications networks. Amnesty said it first detected its systems had been compromised on March 15 when its Hong Kong office migrated its IT infrastructure to the rights group's more secure international network as part of a scheduled upgrade. The group brought in a team of experts to investigate. "Cyber forensic experts were able to establish links between the infrastructure used in this attack and previously reported APT campaigns associated with the Chinese government," the group said in a statement. Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are the most complex and effective hacks that deploy significant know how and resources -- and they ..
Kim, Putin pledge better ties at 1st summit (2nd Lead)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday came together for the very first time and held a summit where the two nations pledged for better ties and expressed hope that the historic meeting will revive the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Govt committed to uproot terrorism, says PM Modi in Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that his government is committed to uprooting terrorism from the country and ensured that it will soon take substantial steps to destroy the terror factories set up near the borders.He also slammed the Opposition for allegedly stating that terrorism is not an issue in India."National security may not be an issue for those who do 'mahamilavat' but in new India, it is a big issue. In our neighbourhood, several terror factories are running. This is the new India, we will enter terror factories," he said while addressing a rally in Bihar's Darbhanga."They keep questioning that why Modi talks about terrorism. They believe that it is not an issue. You (audience) tell me -- are nationalism and terrorism, not the issues? The Opposition does not have the understanding that you all have. More than 350 people were killed in a terror attack in Sri Lanka. Is that not an issue?," the Prime Minister questioned.In a veiled attack at CPI candidate Kanhaiya
Campaign Trail: Train from Delhi to Chhindwara chugs on election steam
Election, election, election talk on the ongoing polls ebbs and flows, keeping time as it were with the rhythmic movement of the train from New Delhi to Chhindwara, as passengers endlessly discuss the permutations and combinations of the country's complex electoral formula. As the Patalkot Express chugs its way from the national capital to the new power centre of Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's turf, the discussion centres almost exclusively on politics and which way the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state will go. From the humble second class coaches to air-conditioned first class coaches, first time voters and political veterans across classes exchange views and debate, sometimes amicably, sometimes acrimoniously. A number of people, who hail from Madhya Pradesh, but work in Delhi, Agra, Gwalior and Bhopal are frequent travellers on this train. "Madhya Pradesh is very important when it comes to forming the government in Delhi. We send 29 MPs. I think the voters ...
Modi to address two rallies in MP on Friday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold two rallies in Madhya Pradesh on Friday ahead of the first phase of polling in the state on April 29. Modi will address a public meeting in Sidhi around 1 pm and another one in Jabalpur at about 4 pm, BJP's media cell in-charge Lokendra Parashar said on Thursday. The BJP has fielded its sitting MP Riti Pathak from Sidhi against Congress' Ajay Singh, the former Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. From Jabalpur, the BJP has fielded its sitting MP and state party president Rakesh Singh to take on Congress' legal cell chairman and Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha. Rakesh Singh defeated Tankha in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls by a margin of over two lakh votes. Polling in 29 Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh will be held in four phases on April 29, and May 6, 12 and 19.
LS polls: Congress fields Ajay Rai against PM Modi from Varanasi
Congress on Thursday fielded Ajay Rai as its candidate from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, putting to rest speculation regarding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting the general elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi won from Varanasi by a margin of 3.37 lakh votes. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Rai were among the candidates from the seat. While Kejriwal came in the second place, Rai stood third in the vote tally.Priyanka last week had said that she will contest the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi against Prime Minister Modi if the party president Rahul Gandhi asks her to do so.This would be the second time Prime Minister Modi and Ajay Rai will battle from Varanasi seat.Varanasi goes to polls in the seventh and the final phase of the general election on May 19. The result will be announced on May 23.Meanwhile, the Congress has also announced the name of Madhusudan Tiwari as its candidate from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat.
No Priyanka in Varanasi, Congress fields Ajay Rai
The Congress on Thursday cleared the candidature of Ajay Rai in the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, scotching speculation that General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi may be fielded there to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
AAP releases Delhi manifesto
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday released the party's Delhi manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, with a promise to secure "full statehood" for the national capital.
Sexist remarks against TMC candidate: SC asks EC to act
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Election Commission to take appropriate action against opposition party workers for making sexist remarks against Trinamool candidate Mahua Moitra during an election campaign in West Bengal.
2019 election is to save democracy, Constitution: Kejriwal
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday described the 2019 general elections as a battle to save democracy, Constitution and the long tradition of unity which he said was under threat.
EC letting Modi violate model code: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Thursday accused the Election Commission of ignoring the alleged model code violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "PM Modi is moving about freely despite facing numerous serious allegations of the model code of conduct violation, thanks to the ECI. That's why he has started crossing the limit as far as respect for women is concerned. Hasn't the BJP/RSS imposed a lajawab neta upon the country?" Mayawati asked. In another tweet, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party for asking who is the prime ministerial face of the Opposition. "Why is the BJP & co. repeatedly insulting masses by claiming that the Opposition lacked leadership for the post of the Prime Minister? Who after Nehru was the arrogant question asked earlier too. But people gave a befitting reply to all this nonsense and will surely give another one shortly," the BSP chief added.
Will do everything to stop Modi-Shah duo: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said his party would do everything to stop the Modi-Shah duo from coming to power and support any "secular mahagathbandhan" after the general election. Addressing the media after releasing the party manifesto here, Kejriwal said the 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. Kejriwal targeted Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah over his remarks to remove "infiltrators" except Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. "This proves that the BJP plans to remove all other religions except these three religions," he said. The chief minister also hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi after the AAP and the grand old party failed to form an alliance. "Want to ask Rahul Gandhi which alliance is formed on Twitter? If Modi, Shah return to power, only Gandhi will be responsible," Kejriwal said. He alleged that the ...
PM Modi's road show sparks war of words between BJP and Oppn parties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow sparked a war of words between the BJP and the opposition parties.The Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders criticised the roadshow which will take place in Varanasi on Thursday. While the BJP said that their leader is hope and pride of the nation.Talking to ANI, National Spokesperson of Congress Meem Afzal said, "In this Lok Sabha Elections, people are not happy with him (PM Modi) throughout the country. With his roadshow today, the Prime Minister is trying to prove that Varanasi stands for him. This is an old tactic of PM Modi to influence people using his power," he added.BSP Spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria echoed similar sentiments and said, "Whenever PM Modi goes to Varanasi, he tries to polarize people. He talks about graveyards and cremation grounds...the Prime Minister talks about providing electricity on Eid and not on Diwali.""The Prime Minister has also cheated the people by not doing enough to clean river Ganga. Nothing has .
PM to hold mega roadshow in Varanasi in presence of top BJP leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a mega roadshow in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Thursday, a show of strength that will include union ministers, state chief minister and other senior leaders of the BJP. Modi, who will file his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday, is expected to start his roadshow by first garlanding the statue of Banaras Hindu University founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. The roadshow will stretch over six kilometres, going from the Lanka area to Dashashwamedh Ghat via Godoliya, party insiders said. Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, as well as BJP president Amit Shah and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to accompany him. JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will accompany Modi as he files his nomination around 11.30 am on Friday. Shiromani Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal and Lok Janshakti .
Kim Jong-un meets Vladimir Putin for maiden Summit
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday met for their maiden Summit at Russia's eastern port city of Vladivostok, amid a deadlock between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea's nuclear programme.The Russian leader greeted Kim as the latter arrived at the federal university here for the talks. They also exchanged a few words before entering the venue.Bilateral relations are expected to be a key focus of the Summit though no official word has come from either side on the agenda of the meeting. Kim and Putin are also not likely to sign any agreements or make any joint statement, according to CNN.After his arrival for the talks, Kim told a Russian TV channel that he was hoping for a "successful and useful" meeting with Putin and would like to discuss the settlement of the situation in the Korean Peninsula.This is the first meeting between leaders of the two countries in eight years. Former leader of North Korea Kim Jong-il, father of Kim ...
'Bhaagti Janata Party' (BJP) runs away from press conferences: Akhilesh
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav coined a new term for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, saying the "Bhaagti Janata Party" runs away from press conferences and whenever journalists asks questions. "Vikas (development) is asking if you have also heard anything new? Have heard that people have found a new meaning of the BJP -- 'Bhaagti Janata Party' -- as pradhan ji is running away from press conferences, his leaders run away from questions of journalists and his party workers are demanding Rs 15 lakh and employment from the people," Yadav tweeted. In another tweet, the SP chief hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by tagging a picture of Khazanchi, a child born during demonetisation. "Vikas wants to know if you know this child Pradhan Sb?" Yadav asked. "His name's #Khazanchi. He was born in a bank during notebandi. Now he wants to vote out the party who caused his mother pain. But we said you're too young and just because you were wronged doesn't mean you wrong ..
Top NDA leaders to attend Modi nomination on Friday
Top NDA leaders from across the country are expected to be in attendance when Prime Minister Narendra Modi files his nomination papers for the Varanasi parliamentary constituency on Friday, a party leader said on Thursday.
Mayawati is a fused transformer: UP Minister Suresh Khanna
Uttar Pradesh urban development minister Suresh Khanna on Thursday referred Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati as a "fused transformer".Khanna, who was asked to react on Mayawati's scheduled rally in Shahjahanpur said, "See, they all fused transformer. If you connect a wire to a fused transformer, it will neither light a bulb nor turn on a fan. Neither will you get water nor air. So there is no point in discussing it. Why should we discuss a fused transformer?"Exuding confidence of winning Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Khanna said, "BJP is capable enough to answer SP-BSP alliance. In the first three phases of elections, Opposition is completely decimated."'Mahagatbandhan' (grand alliance) leaders like Mayawati, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, and RLD chief Ajit Singh will hold a joint rally in Shahjahanpur.SP-BSP-RLD are fighting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh as allies. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting 37 seats and BSP 38. .