Page 805 - Politics
Amarinder reaches out to 'sulking' Mohinder Kaypee
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday reached out to former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee, who has been sulking over denial of ticket from Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat. He spent time with Kaypee at the latter's residence. Thereafter, the chief minister accompanied by Kaypee and Congress nominee and sitting MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary proceeded to the district administrative complex for filling of the nomination papers of Chaudhary from Jalandhar (reserve) seat. Kaypee had earlier expressed resentment over denial of ticket and even threatened to contest as an independent candidate. The former Punjab Congress unit chief had also visited Delhi twice to hold meetings with the party high command. Several Congress leaders, including state cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, party MLA Raj Kumar Verka and Pargat Singh had tried to mollify him for supporting the party candidate. "Accompaniedsschaudharymp(Chaudhary)today for filing of his nomination papers asINCPunjab candidate from ...
Vice President Naidu calls for concerted global action to
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Monday urged the world community to initiate "concerted action" to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the face ofthe earth. Naidu also expressed anguish over the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, which claimed the lives of 290 people and said India stands in solidarity with the island Government and its people "in this hour of distress." Expressing anguish over continued terror attacks in various parts of the world, he called upon international agencies like the United Nations to conclude deliberations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism put forth by India to criminalise all forms of international terrorism and deny terrorists, their financiers and supporters access to funds, arms and safe havens. Naidu was addressing the 54th Annual Convocation of Bangalore University here. The Vice President said it was high time that the world took concerted action to deal with the inhuman menace of terror by alienating those ...
BJD writes to EC, demands 'impartial and immediate action' against Dharmendra Pradhan
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) wrote to the state's Chief Electoral Officer on Monday demanding an "impartial and immediate action" to be taken against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for 'misbehaving' with government officials on election duty.In the letter, BJD spokesperson Sulata Deo expressed displeasure over the arrest of a BJD candidate from Pipili Assembly constituency today for obstructing flying squad officials on election duty."It is unfortunate that a State Minister is arrested for obstructing flying squad on election duty from discharging their duties, while Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is allowed to go scot-free and no action is taken against him," she stated in the letter.She also demanded an immediate and strict action against Pradhan, asserting that "failing which the people of Odisha will have grave questions in their hearts about the impartiality and neutrality of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Election Commission."BJD had, on April 18, made a similar request to ..
TMC means Terror Manufacturing Company: Amit Shah
In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP President Amit Shah on Monday said her government has ruined the state economically and culturally, and her party - the TMC - has become a "Terror Manufacturing Company".
Smriti Irani insulted Amethi people by distributing shoes: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lost her usually collected demeanour and lashed out at "outsider" Smriti Irani stating that the Union Minister had insulted the people of Amethi by distributing shoes there."Elections are here and many outsiders have also come here to spread lies that Rahul Gandhi does not visit here. You people know the truth," Priyanka said during an election rally here."The objectionable thing is that Smriti Irani ji came here and distributed shoes. She thought that she is insulting Rahul ji but she has insulted the people of Amethi. You should teach them that people of Amethi and Rae Bareli respect themselves and will not beg in front of anyone. They should come to you and beg for votes," Priyanka said.The Congress leader addressing people at a Nukkad Sabha here said "You should understand what is happening in this election, lying, attempting to divert the attention of people and a campaign that is removed from reality. I have been going around ...
Mehbooba Mufti slams Modi's nuclear arsenal remarks
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lowering the standard of political discourse by his remarks on India's nuclear weapons.
Kremlin says 'too early' to say if it can work with Ukraine's Zelensky
The Kremlin on Monday said it was "too early" to say whether it could work with Volodymyr Zelensky, the comedian who was elected to the Ukraine presidency in a weekend vote. "It's too early to talk about President (Vladimir) Putin congratulating Mr Zelensky, or about the possibility of working together. It will only be possible to judge based on real actions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov said Moscow "respects the choice of the Ukrainian people". But he added that the fact that Ukrainian citizens living in Russia had been barred from participating in the vote "called into question the legitimacy of the election as a whole". Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since a 2014 Kiev uprising ousted a pro-Kremlin leader. Russia that year annexed Crimea and has backed separatists in a conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed some 13,000 people. Shortly after Zelensky's landslide victory on Sunday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the new leadership could .
SC dismisses plea alleging cash-for-vote in Lok Sabha polls in TN
The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a plea which alleged that people were being bribed on a massive scale for Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, saying the elections in the state were already over. However, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the issues arising from the plea would be kept open for consideration at an appropriate time and stage. "As the elections in the state of Tamil Nadu are over, we are not inclined to entertain this special leave petition. The same is, accordingly, dismissed. The issues arising therefrom are however kept open for consideration at an appropriate time and stage as may arise," said the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna. The apex court had earlier sought Election Commission's response on the plea seeking to create awareness through TV, newspapers and radio that it was a punishable offence to give or take cash for votes. So far Rs 78.12 crore in cash has been seized in the state, said the petition, adding that the ..
Trump to end waivers on Iran oil imports: W. House
The White House announced on Monday it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers, in a bid to squeeze the Islamic republic's top export. "President Donald J Trump has decided not to reissue Significant Reduction Exceptions (SREs) when they expire in early May," the administration said in a statement. "This decision is intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero, denying the regime its principal source of revenue.
Shah Rukh Khan turns rapper, urges fans to vote
On the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah Rukh Khan released a rap urging his fans to cast their votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.In March, the Prime Minister had appealed to several Bollywood celebrities to increase awareness among voters. He urged them to creatively inspire more people to come out and vote during the elections.Taking Modi's advice of creatively inspiring his fans to vote, Khan turned rapper for the first time."PM sahib ne creativity ki liye bola tha. Main thoda late ho gaya video banane mein...aap mat hona Vote karne mein!!! (PM sir had spoken about creativity. I got late in making this video but please don't be late in casting your vote) 'Voting is not only our Right, it is our Power.' Please Use It" SRK wrote on Twitter.The lyrics of the song titled 'Karo Matdan' go like "Hum desh ki awaaz, desh ke deewane. Janta taiyaar apna faisla sunane."The 1.06-minute long video features SRK urging his audience to vote for a government that loves the ...
Turkish police arrest ruling party member, eight others after opposition chief attack
Turkish police on Monday arrested nine people, including a member of the ruling AKP party, after a mob attack on opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu that sparked widespread criticism. Kilicdaroglu, 70, of the Republican People's Party (CHP) was assaulted on Sunday in a crowd as he attended a funeral in Ankara for a soldier killed fighting Kurdish militants in the southeast. The attack came days after the opposition CHP won Ankara and Istanbul from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP in March 31 local elections, seen as a major setback for the ruling party after a decade-and-a-half in power. A video of Sunday's attack showed the CHP leader being mobbed and punched, then chanting crowds surrounded a house where he was taken for his protection. The images went viral on social media. CHP leaders blamed Erdogan's AKP for provoking the attack and demanded those detained be held accountable. They called for the interior minister to resign over the incident. "This is not an ordinary attack,
Juncker vows to fight 'fake news' before European elections
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has reportedly vowed to crack down on any 'fake news' in the build up to next month's European election campaigns. "If governments make claims about the EU or the commission, which do not correspond to the truth, then we will respond," Juncker said in an interview appearing in Tuesday's edition of newspapers owned by Germany's Funke media group. "I will do this myself in the coming weeks before the election." Juncker, the commission's president, vigorously warned against manipulation attempts to sway voters - even from EU member states. "I have already see attempts to influence the election of the European Parliament by manipulation, which comes from several corners, not only from outside the EU," he added. "States within the union are also trying to steer the electorate's will in a certain direction with fake news. "The commission is prepared to fight it all off." Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a vocal critic of Juncker, holding
Democracy in WB in 'danger' due to TMC's 'hooliganism, anarchist ways': Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said democracy is in danger in West Bengal due to Trinamool Congress' "hooliganism and anarchist ways".Addressing an election rally here, he said, "Democracy here is in danger due to TMC's hooliganism and anarchist ways. The youth here is unemployed and no one wants to invest here as whenever someone tries to invest, TMC goons harass them."Adityanath said whenever there is an anti-BJP government in a state, it tries to play with the "faith of the people"."Mamata Banerjee banned Durga Puja immersion in 2017, followed by a ban on ringing bells and playing loud music during Durga puja. This is an attack on religious faith. Our government in Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, does not believe in imposing such restrictions on the people," he added.The Chief Minister also contended that no riots have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since the BJP came to power in the state.Stepping up the campaign for his party, Adityanath said, "BJP gave ...
India now virtually terror-free, says Modi
Citing the example of the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 300 people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that India is now virtually "terror-free" barring some pockets of Jammu and Kashmir.
India raises blacklisting of Masood Azhar with China (4th Lead)
India has shared with China "all evidences" of the terrorist activities of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and its chief Masood Azhar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in New Delhi on Monday as Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale held talks with the Chinese leadership in Beijing.
By-elections on four assembly seats in Gujarat Tuesday
Along with voting in all the 26 parliamentary constituencies in Gujarat, by-elections will also be held Tuesday on four assembly seats, which fell vacant following the resignation of sitting Congress MLAs who later joined the ruling BJP. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had notified by -elections on a total of five assembly seats in Gujarat to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. However, the Supreme Court later stayed bypoll on the Talala assembly constituency in Junagadh district. By-elections will be held on the assembly segments of Dhrangadhra, Manavadar, Unjha and Jamnagar (Rural), which fall under Lok Sabha constituencies of Surendranagar, Porbandar, Mehsana and Jamnagar, respectively. A total of 45 candidates are in the fray on these seats, won by the opposition Congress in the 2017 polls. Three of the four sitting Congress MLAs who had resigned to join the BJP have been fielded by the ruling party from their respective seats. These ...
BJP will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, says Dr Harsh Vardhan
The BJP will win all seven Lok Sabah seats in the national capital, said Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who on Monday filed his nomination papers from Chandani Chowk seat."I cannot make any comment on the candidates of other parties, but I can say confidently that the BJP will mark a historic win on all Lok Sabha seven seats of Delhi," Dr Harsh Vardhan told ANI.The BJP had won all seven seats in 2014 Lok Sabha poll.Dr Vardhan will seek re-election from Chandani Chowk against JP Aggarwal of the Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Pankaj Gupta.Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal won from this seat in 2004 and 2009 before losing to Dr Harsh Vardhan in 2014.AAP's Pankaj Gupta also filed his nomination papers. He was accompanied by his party's spokesperson Sanjay Singh.Talking to ANI, Gupta said: "AAP has only one agenda - to get full statehood for Delhi. Despite being having our government in Delhi, we are not able to provide security to our people. We feel helpless when public
Rahul Gandhi expresses "regret" over his remarks on Rafale verdict in SC
Congress President Rahul Gandhi expressed "regret" in the Supreme Court on Monday over his remarks in connection with the Rafale judgment, which the apex court had said was "incorrectly attributed" to it, saying it was made in the "heat of political campaigning". The apex court on April 15 had given a categorical clarification that in its Rafale verdict there was no occasion for it to make a mention of the contemptuous observation that "chowkidar Narendra Modi chor hain" as has been attributed to it by Gandhi. The court had directed Gandhi to give his explanation on April 22 on a petition filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi seeking criminal contempt action against him for his remarks. It is scheduled to hear Lekhi's petition on Tuesday. Gandhi, who filed an affidavit in response to the apex court's order, said his statement was "purely political" and was made to counter the "misinformation campaign" being led by senior BJP functionaries as well as the Government that the December 14 last .
Delhi poll body to provide pick and drop facilities to centenarians
People aged 100 years and above will get special pick and drop facilities to exercise their voting rights and will also be felicitated on May 12 when Delhi goes to polls, Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh said Monday. There are 90 such voters who have been identified by the Delhi's Chief Electoral Office across ten districts of the national capital so far. "Arrangements will be made to ensure these people are transported to the polling booths and back home to help them cast their vote. They will be welcomed at the polling booths with bouquets of flowers. The aim is to make them feel special and cared for," Singh said. South-West Delhi has the highest number of such voters registered at 16 followed by west Delhi which has 15 such registered voters and North Delhi having 10 such voters. Central Delhi has nine such voters while North-East, North-West and South-East has 8 each registered with them. Shahdara and South districts has seven such registered voters while East Delhi ..
Rahul regrets attributing 'chor' remarks to SC
Explaining his remarks on the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday expressed regret for attributing his "Chowkidar Chor Hai" remarks to the top court and said he has incorrectly done so in the "heat of the moment".