Page 853 - Politics
Iran's Rouhani calls on Mideast states to 'drive back Zionism'
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called on Middle East states on Thursday to "drive back Zionism", in an Army Day tirade against the Islamic republic's archfoe Israel. Speaking flanked by top generals before troops began their annual march-past, Rouhani also sought to reassure the region that the weaponry on display was for defensive purposes and not a threat. "The region's nations have lived alongside each other for centuries and never had a problem... If there is a problem, it is caused by others," he said in the speech broadcast live on state television. "Let us stand together, be together and rid the region of the aggressor's presence." Rouhani assured neighbouring countries that Iran's armed forces are "never against you or your national interests" but are "standing against the aggressors." "The power of our armed forces is the power of the region's countries, the Islamic world." he said. "If we have a problem in the region today, its roots are either with Zionism or America's ...
Ker CEO recommends EC action against BJP leader for anti-Islam remarks
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer has recommended "appropriate action" against BJP state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai for allegedly making anti-Islam remarks during an election campaign meeting in Attingal Lok Sabha constituency on April 14. In his report to the Election Commission, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Teeka Ram Meena said Pillai made the remarks while countering the comments of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the number of people killed during the Balakot air strike. "Our Rahul Gandhi, Yechury, Pinarayi and all are saying that, after getting there... the dead bodies... which caste, which religion... if they are Islam then there will be a few signs... if only you remove the dresses only then it can be found out... so after doing all that, we should come back is what they say," Pillai had said, according to Meena's report to the poll body. Pillai made these remarks during the poll campaign ...
Left mere onlookers this Lok Sabha polls: Antony
Congress Working Committee member and Rajya Sabha MP A.K. Antony on Thursday said that the Left forces were mere onlookers in this Lok Sabha elections.
Akhilesh Yadav files nomination from Azamgarh
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday filed his nomination papers from Azamgarh.
Won't seek Mamata's support to form govt: WB Congress chief
West Bengal Congress president Somen Mitra said his party won't seek support from Mamata Banerjee-led TMC to form the next government or support her bid to become the prime minister in case the general election results throw up a hung Parliament. Terming Banerjee the "biggest and most-trusted ally" of RSS-BJP, Mitra said in an interview to PTI that she and her party lack credibility as an anti-BJP force. He claimed Banerjee has kept her "options open" to help BJP, if required, post polls. "I can say this with full responsibility that Congress won't seek support from Mamata Banerjee or TMC to form the next government in case we fall short of majority. "We won't need her support. We would form the government on our own with UPA allies. UPA would get a comfortable majority," Mitra said. Banerjee has often claimed that Congress won't be able to form the government on its own without her support. She had organised a rally of opposition parties in Kolkata in January but it was not attended .
Indonesia warns against unrest as Widodo rival rejects results
Indonesian authorities warned Thursday against unrest as a firebrand ex-general rejected unofficial election results that appeared to hand President Joko Widodo another term as leader of the world's third-biggest democracy. National Police Chief Tito Karnavian said Wednesday's "smooth and safe" polls would not be disrupted by demonstrations, and warned of arrests. "If there are any illegal or unconstitutional actions that threaten public stability and security, (authorities) will take firm action," he said. "We won't tolerate it. "I urge everyone against mass demonstrations, whether it's to celebrate or to express dissatisfaction" at the results, Karnavian added. This year's campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online -- much of it directed at the presidential contenders. Authorities said Thursday they had seen a spike in false reports and hoaxes, with some calling for chaos in the streets and for Indonesians to commit violence in response to the ...
Maneka Gandhi files nomination, holds road show
Union Minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination from the Sultanpur parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh and said she does not want to criticise the Election Commission for banning her from campaigning.
BJP candidate put under house arrest in Bulandshahr
BJP candidate from Bulandshahr, Bhola Singh, was placed under house arrest after a video showing him campaigning and seeking votes inside a polling station went viral on the social media.
TN leaders make beeline to vote; 39.49 pc turnout so far
Tamil Nadu recorded 39.49 per cent voting till 1 pm in 38 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, with Chief Minister K Palaniswami and DMK chief M K Stalin among the early voters. Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said the state recorded 39.49 per cent voting till 1 PM, with Namakkal registering the highest of 41.56 and Kanyakumari the minimum of 37.2 per cent. In the bypolls in 18 Assembly segments, the polling percentage was 42.92. Sahoo said the polling exercise has been going on peacefully all over the state. As many as 384 EVMs and 692 VVPATs were changed spread over 66,167 polling stations across Tamil Nadu over technical issues, he said. Sahoo said that even if voters did not have the voter's slip, they could still vote since it was not one of the 12 documents mandated for voting. The slips were only meant to identify the elector's polling station and their serial number on poll rolls, he said. Meanwhile, chaotic scenes unfolded at the Koyambedu bus ...
Tamil Nadu records 39.49% voting (2nd Lead)
A total of 39.49 per cent electorate cast their votes till 1 p.m. in Tamil Nadu's 38 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, said a senior election official.
AIADMK alleges violation of model code by Dayanidhi Maran
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Thursday alleged violation of the model code of conduct by DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, the candidate from Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, saying he sought votes on polling day. Party spokesperson and advocate R M Babu Murgavel lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, marking a copy to state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo in this connection. Murugavel alleged that Maran addressed the press after casting his vote and said "he voted for change of government" and he "request" the people also to do so. "It is clear indication to the voters to cast (votes) in his favour. It is clear violation of the MCC," the AIADMK spokesperson said. Murugavel urged the CEO to take necessary action against the former Union minister by issuing a show-cause notice and filing a case against him. Polling began in 38 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, besides the bypolls to 18 assembly segments.
Shortly after returning from EC ban, Mayawati aims at BJP
Back from an Election Commission ban for campaigning for 48 hours, BSP chief Mayawati Thursday lashed out at BJP and its leaders for levelling "unfounded" charges on opposition parties, including allegations that they were abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Besides levelling unfounded allegations in these elections, BJP leaders, including PM Modi, have had no control over their tongue...like the charge that Opposition abuses them. This is most indecent and unrestrained," Mayawati said in a statement issued here in Hindi. At the same time, she cautioned, opposition leaders too should not cross the line of decency and not give BJP an excuse to exploit public sentiment to hide its weaknesses. Mayawati was among four leaders, including BJP's Yogi Adityanath, who were banned by EC for varying periods for violating the moral code of conduct during election campaign. Mayawati's 48-hour ban has ended while Adityanath has one more day left before his 72-hour ban ends. Returning to the poll
Why suspend an officer for checking PM's chopper: Ahmed Patel
A day after the Election Commission (EC) suspended the general observer of Sambalpur parliamentary constituency for acting contrary to the instructions of the poll regulator with respect to Special Protection Group (SPG) protectees, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel asked why an officer was allegedly suspending for "checking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chopper."He asserted that there have been instances where during polls, EC was allowed to check convoys of both current and the former Congress President..
US imposes travel ban, sanctions on Cuba
The United States on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on Cuba including limitations on travel to the Latin American nation.The new measures restricted Cuba's border policies and allowed exiles to sue for properties seized by the former Fidel Castro-led Cuban government, The Washington Post reported.In addition, the United States also announced new limits on the amount of money Cuban Americans can send to relatives on the island at USD 1,000 per person.The measures have been taken in an attempt to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and pressurize all those countries, including Cuba and Nicaragua that support his regime."The Department of the Treasury will implement further regulatory changes to restrict non-family travel to Cuba. These new measures will help steer Americans dollars away from the Cuban regime," The Hill quoted US national security adviser John Bolton as saying.Addressing a gathering in Miami on the 58th anniversary of the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, Bolton ...
'AAP backtracked on alliance, Cong will fight on all seats in Delhi'
Congress leader PC Chacko said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) backtracked on the issue of forging an alliance with Congress after a final understanding over the seat sharing in Delhi was reached between both the parties.Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Chacko asserted that the Congress is ready to fight on all the seven seats in Delhi, adding that the party will announce its candidates by tomorrow."I had a discussion with AAP leader Sanjay Singh and we decided on a 3: 4 formula. That was finally decided but then AAP was discussing some other states," said Chacko."I had always said the situation in one state is different than that in another state and whether there will be an alliance in other states or not we are ready for an alliance in Delhi. AAP finally agreed and we came to an understanding but today morning AAP is going back (on its words). I don't know the reason. AAP has to explain it to the people of Delhi," he mentioned.Chacko added, "They are saying since the last two weeks that they
Guarantee entry of all athletes: IOA to Rathore
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has once again requested the government to submit a written guarantee to International Olympic Committee (IOC) so that India can hold international sporting events.
Kashmir integral part of India, can't be separated: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah Thursday said Kashmir is an integral part of India and cannot be separated from the country till a single BJP worker is alive, irrespective of whether the party is in power or not. Addressing an election rally in Raigarh district headquarters in Chhattisgarh, he said when the Modi government is re-elected at the Centre, infiltrators will be identified across the country and deported. "Election is underway in Jammu and Kashmir and an ally of Congress, leader of National Conference Omar Abdullah had advocated for a prime minister in Kashmir. Do you think it's possible that a country can have two PMs? I have been asking Rahul baba to clarify his stand on the (Abdullah's) statement, but he is silent," Shah said slamming Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul baba listen carefully...Presently there is a government headed by Modi ji and it will be re-elected. But even if we are not in power, nobody can separate Kashmir from India till a single BJP worker .
BJP nominates names of three councilors for mayoral elections
Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari Thursday nominated the names of three councilors - two women and a sikh hailing from the Dalit community for the mayoral elections in three municipal corporations of the national capital. Expressing confidence, Delhi BJP general secretary Rajesh Bhatia said Avtar Singh, a mallah Sikh, representing the Civil Lines ward and nominated for the mayoral elections will create history by becoming mayor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation(NDMC). Bhatia said, "No Dalit Sikh has ever become mayor of Delhi's civic bodies." Anju Kamalkant and Sunita Kangra, both belonging to SC category, were nominated as mayoral candidates from East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and South Delhi Municipal Corporation(SDMC) respectively. The BJP, which has majority in the three civic bodies. Sanjay Goyal (EDMC), Yogesh Verma (NDMC) and Raj Dutt Gahlot (SDMC) have also been nominated as candidates for deputy mayor elections. Two councilors each of the party were also ...
Deve Gowda defends family politics, his grandsons contesting
Faced with criticism for turning the JD(S) into a family enterprise, party supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda Thursday said people and party workers wanted his grandsons Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna to contest from Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Hassan, Gowda said his opponents accused him of indulging in familypolitics but his rise in politics was possible because of God and voters, whom his family served to the best of its ability. "People describe this as family politics. We are the children of farmers. We believe in God. My father was an ordinary farmer. By the grace of God, we grew in stages in politics. "It (growth) is not in anyone's hand. Voters have strengthened us. We, whether it is Revanna (PWD minister), myself or (chief minister) Kumaraswamy have served them to the best of our ability," he said. Justifying the decision to field his grandsons from Mandya and Hassan,Gowda ...
LS polls: 47 pc polling till 1 pm in Chhattisgarh
Over 47 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm in Chhattisgarh's three Lok Sabha seats on Thursday as people braved the scorching summer heat to come out and exercise their franchise, an official said. Voting in the second phase of polling in the state began at 7 am in Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Mahasamund Lok Sabha seats, all having Naxal presence, amid tight security, the official at the state election office said. "Around 47.02 per cent voting has been recorded till 1 pm," he said, adding that long queues of voters were seen at several polling booths. Former chief minister Raman Singh, BJP candidate from Rajnandgaon Santosh Pandey, party's state chief Vikram Usendi, Congress leader and women and child development minister Anila Bhediya and other senior leaders cast votes in their respective areas, he said. According to police, except for the IED (improvised explosive device) blast triggered by Maoists in Mohla-Manpur Assembly segment of Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha ...