Page 837 - Politics
Yechury urges EC to conduct re-polling at 464 booths in Tripura west LS seat
Communist Party of India-Marxist Secretary General Sitaram Yechury on Friday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct re-polling at 464 booths in west Tripura Lok Sabha constituency, where the polling took place on April 11.Taking to his Twitter handle, Yechury wrote: "It is now established that there were large-scale irregularities. We hope EC will ensure that faith in our democracy is reaffirmed. The re-poll in 464 booths must be done as all voters should be able to exercise their franchise independently, exactly as it should be."He also demanded that the ECI should take all necessary steps and precautions to ensure free and fair polls and the safety of each voter which according to him is under threat from the ruling party in the state.Yechury's second tweet read: "For the next poll due in Tripura East, now on April 23, we hope there will be guarantees of safety for each voter. Free and Fair polls need a fearless electorate. The government of the day cannot be ...
A matter of pain: Surjewala on Priyanka Chaturvedi leaving Congress
Soon after Priyanka Chaturvedi shifted loyalty and joined the Shiv Sena, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it is a matter of pain for the party and wished her luck for future."Every time a party member leaves, it is a matter of pain for us. People look for career progression. We wish all of them well, including Priyanka Chaturvedi... I must frankly and on the record concede, yes, it is a reflection on my leadership," Surjewala said.Meanwhile, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "My best wishes to Priyanka Chaturvedi. She has fought lots of battle with Congress. The incident involving her didn't happen during my tenure. The people involved pleaded forgiveness from her."Priyanka Chaturvedi, who was disappointed over the party's decision to reinstate men who misbehaved with her at a press conference in Mathura last year, on Friday, joined Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.Shiv Sena is a BJP ally in Maharashtra. Chaturvedi joined party shortly after she sent her resignation
Mayawati's anxiety is making her say so: KP Maurya on her PM Modi 'Fake OBC' remark
Utttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Friday slammed Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati over her "Mulayam Singh not a 'Fake OBC' leader like PM Modi" remarks."It is Mayawati's anxiety that is making her say so. On one hand, you have 'nakli bhatija' (fake nephew) on other you have 'nakli bua.' (fake aunt). They are insulting the Prime Minister by using such language," Maurya told ANI while launching a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and the BSP Supremo.The statements of the Deputy Chief Minister comes after Mayawati said Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav is the only "real" backward community leader in the country and not a 'fake OBC' leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi."There is no doubt that he (Mulayam) has joined people from all groups of the society under the SP banner. He does not come from a fake backward community like PM Modi, he is real OBC leader," she said while addressing a rally here on ...
IPS, politicos condemn Sadhvi Pragya's comments on Hemant Karkare
The Indian Police Service (IPS) Association on Friday condemned the 'insulting' statement made by 2008 Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur in reference to former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Hemant Karkare."Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn the insulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all our martyrs be respected," the IPS wrote on their Twitter handle.Karkare was killed along with two other senior police officers while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in November 2008.On Thursday, Thakur, who is also the BJP candidate against Congress's Digvijaya Singh in Bhopal, said that Karkare lost his life because she had cursed him."I called Hemant Karkare and asked him to let me go if there is no evidence (against me). He (Karkare) said that he will bring evidence but will not leave me. I told him -- You will be ruined," she had ...
Anti-incumbency in Maha, Cong-NCP to win over 28 seats: Malik
NCP leader Nawab Malik Friday expressed confidence that the grand alliance of opposition parties in Maharashtra will win over 28 of the total 48 seats if the situation witnessed during the first two phases of Lok Sabha polls in the state continued. He said anti-incumbency was visible in the 17 constituencies that went to polls in the first two phases- on April 11 and 18. Malik, who is the national spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar-led party, claimed that farmers, agrarian workers, youth, backward communities, tribals, Dalits and minorities were angry with the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state. The next two phases of polling will be held on April 23 and April 29. "The BJP and Shiv Sena are unsure if they will be able to win even four of the 17 seats, which went to polls in the first and second phases," Malik told reporters during a joint press conference with Congress leader Sachin Sawant here. "Anti-incumbency was conspicuous in the constituencies where .
Time running out: List of Cong probables in Delhi sent to Rahul as alliance talks with AAP stuck
With the nomination process set to close on Tuesday, a list of Congress probables for seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi has been sent to party president Rahul Gandhi for his approval, a senior party leader said. The list of party probables, including Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit, was sent to Gandhi and party's organisation secretary KC Venugopal on Friday, said AICC incharge PC Chacko. "The list is likely to be out on Saturday since Rahul Gandhi is out of Delhi for campaigning and will be back late tonight," Chacko said. Another senior Congress leader said efforts to forge an alliance with the AAP in Delhi were stuck as there was an impasse on seat sharing in Delhi. "They (AAP) are coming out with new formulae instead of agreeing to contest four seats and leave three for Congress in Delhi. Time is running out for nomination and campaigning, so we are focusing on announcement of our candidates," he said. Sources said AAP has proposed to withdraw its Chandigarh candidate in ...
Priyanka on Kanpur road show after Amethi meetings (2nd Lead)
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Friday drew huge numbers of Congress supporters out on the streets as she kicked off her road show in this Uttar Pradesh industrial city on Friday.
Egyptians abroad begin voting in charter referendum
Egyptians living abroad on Friday began casting their ballot in a referendum on constitutional reforms that could allow current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to rule until 2030.
35 trucks return after ban on cross-LoC trade
Authorities on Friday disallowed 35 trucks carrying goods to cross over to Pakistan-administered part of Jammu and Kashmir following India's decision to suspend the cross-LoC trade trade.
Congress opened doors to infiltrators: Ram Madhav
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress alleging that it was the Congress government at the Centre in 1967 that opened the country's doors to infiltrators.
227 candidates in fray for 20 LS seats in Kerala
A record 227 candidates will fight it out for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, which go to the polls in the third phase of polling on April 23.
PM playing caste card for political gains: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing the caste card in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections for political gains. He said the prime minister was "misleading" the people of the country through "pseudo nationalism". "Whenever he feels that he is lagging behind, he misleads people by talking about religion, nationalism, Pakistan and him being from the backward class," Gehlot said in a statement issued here. He said Modi was not talking about "real issues" and the people of the country have decided to overthrow the BJP government. "Instead of replying to the issues raised by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the entire opposition in the interest of the nation, Modi is engaged in creating emotional issues. The people have made up their mind and the time for BJP's departure has come," he said. Gehlot accused the prime minister of being an "expert" in presenting facts in a "distorted manner". "Recently, he, in a public meeting in ...
Arjun Chautala, latest Chautala clan, to make electoral debut from Kurukshetra
Amid the Chautala clan feud, another member of the family has thrown his hat into the poll ring. Arjun Chautala, younger son of INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala, has announced to contest from Kurukshetra seat in the Lok Sabha elections. The 26-year-old INLD candidate told PTI the party has entrusted a huge responsibility on his shoulders and that he will try to live up to the expectations of the political outfit. "I will take every section along and focus on the youth, of which about 60 per cent are into agriculture," he said. Arjun's name figured in the list of contestants announced by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) from three Lok Sabha seats in Haryana Friday. Fourth generation Chautala clan members Dushyant Singh Chautala and Digvijay Chautala -- sons of Ajay Singh Chautala-- have contested elections. Ajay Chautala is the elder brother of Abhay Chautala. Both are sons of former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, who in turn is the son of late former deputy prime minister Devi .
Modi shedding "crocodile tears" on Sabarimala issue, says
: The Congress in Kerala Friday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Sabarimala issue, saying he was once again shedding 'crocodile' tears over it. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala sought to know why the BJP led NDA government did not frame laws or issue an ordinance after the September 28 2018 Supreme Court verdict, allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at the Lord Ayappa hill shrine if they were really sincere in protecting the faith and tradition of the believers. After the CPI(M) led LDF government decided to implement the Apex Court verdict,saying they were constitutionally bound to do so, protests by right outfits and BJP/RSS workers had erupted in various parts of the state. But the Central government did not do anything and did not even file a review petition, Chennithala said. Modi, who was in the state capital on Thursday for campaigning, had addressed a public meeting and had hit out at the state government,saying "We will not allow them
Suspension of cross-LoC trade unfortunate: Mirwaiz
Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday termed the Centre's decision to suspend cross-LoC trade "extremely unfortunate" and said such measures for "short-term gains" come at a huge price for the people. Hardening its stand against Pakistan, India Thursday indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir effective Friday, following reports that it was being "misused" by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. "Extremely unfortunate that GoI (government of India) instead of enhancing people to people contact as families of both side of LoC stand divided & improving trade & other ties, even whatever little had been achieved since (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee time is being blocked & stopped. "Such measures for short term gains come at a huge price for people" Mirwaiz tweeted. In an official statement, the Home Ministry said Thursday that orders have ...
BJP will win Pawar bastion Baramati with huge margin: Shah
BJP chief Amit Shah Friday said his party would win Baramati Lok Sabha seat, a pocket borough of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, with a "huge margin" and stressed there was no "friendly fight" between the two parties. Pawar's daughter and sitting Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule is pitted against the BJP's Kanchan Rahul Kul. Addressing a poll rally in Baramati, Shah said, "There was no plan to have my rally in Baramati as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is doing a great job and that is why the party had reduced (number of) my rallies in Maharashtra. However, there was a rumour doing the rounds that there is a friendly fight between BJP and Pawar." "I have come here to clarify that BJP is going to win Baramati seat with a huge margin. There cannot be a friendly fight here because the BJP is pulling out all the stops to win the seat," he added. Challenging Pawar in his own bastion, Shah asked the people to "hit at the root". Pawar was MP from Baramati in 1984, 1991, ...
Goa by-elections may decide fate of coalition government
Along with elections to Goa's two Lok Sabha seats on April 23, the state is also going to witness by-elections to three Assembly seats, the results of which may well decide the fate of the incumbent BJP-led coalition government.
Will scrap A 370 once BJP gets majority in Parliament: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah said Friday that his party would abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution which gives a special status to Jammu and Kashmir after getting a majority in both houses of Parliament. Speaking at a poll rally at Dharampur in Gujarat's Valsad district, he also said the main issue in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections was national security. "We have already said in our manifesto that we will repeal Article 370 once we get majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha so that Kashmir becomes integral part of India permanently," said Shah. At present, the BJP does not enjoy a majority in the Upper House of Parliament. Shah was here to campaign for Dr K C Patel, BJP MP and candidate from Valsad. All 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will go to the polls on April 23. "This fight is not just about development. There is no doubt development took place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The issue this time is national security and only Modi and the BJP can provide ...
Apologise for Pragya Thakur's remarks against 26/11 martyr Karkare: Congress asks Modi
The Congress Friday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise and take action against BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur who has termed 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare "anti-national" and claimed he died because she had cursed him for "torturing" her. Karkare, who died fighting terrorists during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, gave his life protecting India and he must be treated with respect, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said BJP's "anti-national face" stands exposed with Thakur's view towards soldiers who sacrificed their life for the country. He alleged the prime minister was behind the remarks made against Karkare by Thakur. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the nation. The anti-national face of BJP now stands exposed before the people of India. They have crossed all limits by showing their disrespect towards martyrs. "The prime minister should take strict action against Pragya Thakur for her remarks ...
US, Japan meet amid standstill on North Korea
Top leaders of the United States and Japan gathered for talks Friday amid a standstill in diplomacy aimed at reaching a deal with their mutual adversary North Korea. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed Foreign Minister Taro Kono for talks ahead of a planned expanded session with the two allies' defense chiefs. The meeting comes nearly two months after President Donald Trump walked away from a summit in Hanoi with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the United States presses for the authoritarian state to eliminate its nuclear programme. With no visible progress since then, North Korea this week demanded that Pompeo be excluded from future negotiations after he apparently encouraged Trump to stand firm. The regular "two-plus-two" dialogue is one of a flurry of meetings between the allies, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe due in Washington next week. Trump and his wife Melania will then travel to Japan in May as the first state guests following the enthronement of Naruhito as