Page 835 - Politics

Ram Madhav blames Cong for infiltration in Assam

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav on Friday accused the opposition Congress for encouraging infiltration in Assam and even backing out from updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He also accused former Congress chief minister Tarun Gogoi of backing out in 2010 after protests during the initial preparation and "ran away" from the updation of the NRC. "Who allowed infiltration from Pakistan ? It was the Congress government at the Centre in 1967 who repealed the Prevention of Infiltration from Pakistan Act and opened doors for infiltrators from the then East Pakistan to come into Assam and Northeast," alleged Madhav while addressing a press conference here at the BJP Assam unit headquarters. It is Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of BJP who took up the NRC process again under the guidance of the Supreme Court, Madhav, who is the party's in-charge for the north east, said. Hitting out at the Congress, the BJP leader said "They are friends of infiltrators .

Satti banned from campaigning for 48 hours for derogatory comment against Rahul

The Election Commission has banned Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party president Satpal Satti from holding public rallies for 48 hours for his derogatory remark against Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Satti, who had read out a cuss word against Gandhi from a message circulating on social media, has been barred from holding public rallies from 10am Saturday, according to an EC order, which said the remark was indecent, derogatory and totally uncalled for. The ban bars Satti from holding public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in (electronic, print, social) media in connection with the Lok Sabha election under way, EC Secretary Rahul Sharma said in the order. EC has barred Satti from holding public rallies under article 324 of the Constitution. The article gives the poll panel the powers of "superintendence, direction and control" of elections. The commission is convinced that the statement is in "violation of the provisions

AAP candidate Raghav Chadha to take out roadshow against Bidhuri's 'gundaraj'

Before filing his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls, AAP's South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha will take out a 'Gundaraj Mukhti Raj' yatra against incumbent BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday. He will be accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during the roadshow, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said. Chadha is expected to file his nomination on Monday. The AAP candidate alleged that Bidhuri has been attacking people from other states living in the South Delhi constituency. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party also came out with a report card of Bidhuri in which it claimed that people are fearful of the BJP MP and his work has been negligible in the area. "Even the village he adopted had negligible work done," Rai claimed. No immediate response was received from Bidhuri on the accusations. The AAP has been coming out with report cards of all MPs of Delhi. Voting in the national capital is slated for May 12.

Pragya Singh would not have made curse remark had EC acted against Modi in 2017: Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Friday said BJP Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh would not have made the 'curse' remark about police officer Hemant Karkare, had the Election Commission taken action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017. He was apparently referring to the controversial 'shamshan-kabristan' remark made by Modi during an election rally in 2017. "If there is electricity in graveyard and during Ramzan, it must also be available in a crematorium and during Diwali," Modi had said. Yadav said, "Had the Election Commission initiated action against the prime minister in 2017, such statements would not have been given." He slammed the saffron party for fielding Thakur, who had Thursday night said that Karkare died during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her. "You see what message the BJP is trying to give. They are fielding such candidates," he said. Yadav also sharpened his attack on the Congress, terming it the most "dhokebaaz" party .

Modi promises collateral-free loan, insurance, pension, credit card as he woos traders

In a strong re-election pitch to the business community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday promised collateral-free loan of up to Rs 50 lakh, Rs 10-lakh accidental insurance to GST-registered entities, credit card facility for traders, a pension scheme for small shopkeepers and a new retail policy. Addressing a traders' convention here, Modi said opposition Congress abused businessmen by calling all of them 'chor' (thieves), while the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to take pride in hailing from the businessmen community of Baniya. The BJP government, he said, has stood by traders in thick and thin and will upon re-election set up a National Traders' Welfare Board to address their issues. Stating that the country has seen the "insults" meted out by Congress to traders, he said the opposition party has in its 70-year rule only "insulted" businessmen. "They called all businessmen chor (thieves)" without realising the contribution of the business community in the economy, he ..

177 pc rise in terror attack in 5 yrs; Modi's focus on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has focused on the security of the country just before the elections though terrorist attacks have increased 177 per cent during the past five years, senior Congress leader Mukul Sangma said Friday. The central government's approach has aggravated the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeastern region, Chhattisgarh and other states, claimed Sangma, chairman of the North East Congress Coordination Committee. Modi has failed to deal with security of the nation effectively, the former Meghalaya chief minister alleged. According to data placed in the Rajya Sabha, there has been 177 per cent increase in terrorist attacks during the last five years, but the government has responded to the situation only before the election, Sangma told reporters. "War is being fought daily in Jammu and Kashmir, North East, Chhattisgarh and other states but the government's approach has aggravated the situation. It created more problems, alienated more people ..

Chandumajra diverted MPLAD funds to son's constituency: Tewari

Senior Congress leader and the party's candidate from Anandpur Sahib Manish Tewari Friday accused sitting MP Prem Singh Chandumajra of diverting his MPLAD funds to Sanour, an assembly segment represented by his son and Akali leader Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra. Following the declaration of Tewari's candidature from Anandpur Sahib, Prem Singh Chandumajra has been attacking the Congress leader by calling him an "outsider". "Chandumajra has proved it himself as who is an outsider by diverting his MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division) funds to Sanour, an assembly segment represented by his son and falling in Patiala parliamentary constituency, which is illegal and against the parliamentary guidelines," Tewari said here. He said the matter will be investigated and whatever violations have been committed, responsibility will be fixed for it. After addressing a workers meeting organised by local MLA Chaudahry Darshan Lal here, the former Union minister said the very .

President should condemn "Modi ki sena" refrence by BJP

CPI National Secretary D Raja Friday termed as"attrocious", the description of the Indian army as "Modi ki Sena" by two BJP leaders and said that President Ram Nath Kovind, who is the supreme commander of the Armed forces, should condemn such acts. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had recently courted controversy by describing the Indian Army as 'Modiji ki Sena' in different campaign rallies. The Election Commission had warned the two leaders and asked them to be more careful. "UP CM calls Indian Army Modi ki Sena. Even union minister Naqvi said so. How can they such things? They have taken an oath under the Constitution. It's the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. It cannot be somebody's army or some political party's army. It's an atrocious statement," Raja told PTI. He said the President, who is the commander-in-chief, must take note of the incident and condemn such acts. "Actually the President must ...

INLD announces three more candidates in Haryana

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Friday named candidates for three more Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. The party had on Wednesday announced candidates for six seats.

Sadhvi Pragya's comments 'sickening and repulsive': Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday slammed BJP's Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her controversial remarks on IPS officer Hemant Karkare, who was killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying her comments were "sickening and repulsive". Thakur, addressing BJP workers at a rally in Bhopal on Thursday, claimed that Karkare died during the attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her. She has been has been pitted by the BJP against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh. Singh described Thakur's comments as sickening and repulsive and accused her of insulting a decorated police officer, and dragging the current discourse on nationalism in the country to a new low. Karkare, who headed the Mumbai anti-terror squad, died in the terror attacks in 2008. Two other senior police officers were also killed fighting terrorists during the attacks. That woman cannot be sane. No person in their sane mind can think or talk like that, ..

UP govt formed anti-Romeo squad for people like Azam: Adityanath

Resuming campaigning after 72-hour poll panel ban, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Friday attacked Azam Khan over the latter's "underwear" jibe, saying his government constituted anti-Romeo squads for people like the SP leader. "Our government has constituted anti-Romeo squad for persons like Azam," he said addressing a gathering in Hardoi. In his earlier rally at Sambhal, the chief minister without taking the name of Khan said, "A 'jeev' (human being) of SP lives in Rampur... What kind of language he used for Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar... Today Mayawati ji is seeking votes for those who had disrespected Baba saheb... What kind of language he uses against mothers and daughters?" Adityanath also claimed that the Congress and the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will get zero seats in the first two phases of general elections held so far in the state. Addressing an election meeting at Kaila Devi area here, he said, "The BJP has got maximum votes in the first two phases of polling on .

Rahul Gandhi citizenship: UP court asks petitioner to approach central govt

The Allahabad High Court Friday asked a petitioner to approach the central government to raise his grievance about the citizenship of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The Lucknow bench of the high court directed the competent authority in the central government to consider and decide the matter, if so raised, in accordance with the law expeditiously. A bench of justice D K Arora and justice Manish Mathur passed the order on the petition moved by R K Singh. Passing the order, the bench kept in mind an order it issued on Dec 1, 2015, when it directed the petitioner to approach the central government to raise a similar issue. The court learnt that a representation was filed before the government on Dec 12, 2015, but the matter has not been decided yet. In the latest petition, Singh has alleged that Gandhi has filed income tax return in Britain showing himself to be a citizen of Britain. It was stated that under article 9 of the Constitution and section 9 of the Indian Citizenship Act , ..

Congress seeks security for Hardik after attack

The Congress on Friday urged the Election Commission to immediately provide security to Patidar leader Hardik Patel, hours after he was slapped by a man who alleged Patel was playing politics with the sentiments of the community.

Gadkari says Rahul Gandhi's minimum income promise is a lie

Union minister Nitin Gadkari Friday accused Congress chief Rahul Gandhi of misleading people with a false promise of providing a minimum income of Rs 72,000 per year. Addressing a campaign rally at Pathalgaon in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh, he also said the credit for transforming the country's image in the last five years did not go to him or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but to the people who gave majority to the BJP. "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, all gave the slogan 'garibi hatao' (remove poverty) and people voted for them, but they did nothing. "Similarly, Rahul Gandhi has started misleading the country by lying to people. He is making a false promise of giving Rs 72,000 per year to the poor," Gadkari said. "It is wrong, because they cannot give it. From where they will get the money? To mislead people has been the Congress' policy," he said. "During its 50-year-rule, the Congress spread the poison of casteism and ...

EC bans Satti from campaigning for 48 hours over using expletive against Rahul Gandhi

The Election Commission of India (EC) Friday slapped a campaign ban on Himachal Pradesh BJP president Satpal Satti for 48 hours over his alleged use of expletives against Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The ban will be in effect for 48 hours from 10 am on April 20. The EC bars Satti from holding any public meetings, processions, rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 10 am on April 20, EC Secretary Rahul Sharma said in his order. Satti had allegedly made an abusive remark about Gandhi while addressing party workers at Ramshehar village in Solan district Sunday. Acting on a formal complaint by Congress general secretary Rajneesh Kimta, the EC had on April 16 issued a notice to Satti and sought his reply within 24 hours for violation of the Model Code of Conduct over his use of alleged derogatory remarks. An FIR was also registered against Satti under section 294 of IPC ...

Ears to the ground: UP bypolls a warning to BJP

Gorakhpur, Phulpur, Kairana and Noorpur continue to haunt the Bhartiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh even as the party leadership insists that it is returning to power with a bigger majority.

Two-day campaigning ban on Himachal BJP chief Satti

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday barred BJP's Himachal Pradesh chief Satpal Singh Satti from campaigning for two days starting Saturday over his "indecent and derogatory" comment against Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi to address two rallies in C'garh on Saturday

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address two election rallies in Chhattisgarh on Saturday. The rallies will be held at Bilaspur district and at Bhilai town in Durg district. "The Congress chief will first address a public meeting in Sakri Bhata area of Bilaspur town at around 3 pm and the next one in Bhilai town of Durg district around 5 pm," Congress' state spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said. This will be Gandhi's first poll campaign tour in the state after the announcement of Lok Sabha election schedule. He did not campaign for the first and second phases of poll in the state. Congress has fielded Atal Shrivastav, state Congress general secretary from Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency and its former MLA Pratima Chandrakar from Durg Lok Sabha seat. Election to the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state is being held in three phases. Seven seats - Korba, Raipur, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa (SC), Durg, Surguja (ST) and Raigarh (ST) - will go to polls in the third phase on ...

After years, Sena gets a face to woo urban class

After nearly three decades, ex-Congresswoman Priyanka V. Chaturvedi's grand entry to the Shiv Sena will bring a much-needed 'glamour quotient' to the Mumbai headquartered party.

Sushma urges Indians in Tripoli to leave immediately

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday called upon relatives of Indians residing in Tripoli to ask them to leave the Libyan capital immediately, saying the situation there is fast deteriorating.