Page 866 - Politics
Road to PMO goes from UP, wave in favour of mahagathbandhan': Danish Ali
The BSP-SP-RLD grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh will play a key role in determining who will head the government after the Lok Sabha election, says BSP leader Danish Ali while asserting that the road to the Prime Minister's Office goes through the state. There is a wave in favour of the 'mahagathbandhan', which will sweep the polls in Uttar Pradesh, the grand alliance candidate from Amroha said. Ali, a long-time loyalist of Janata Dal (S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda, joined the Bahujan Samaj Party just ahead of the polls with the blessings of the former prime minister and his son, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. In an interview to PTI, he said he switched over to the BSP as he wanted to work in his janambhoomi' (land of birth) and karmabhoomi' (land of work). I wanted to serve my people and that is why I took this decision. JD(S) does not have that much of presence here and that is why I took the decision with the consent of all my well wishers including the JD(S) leadership, he
10 LS seats in Maharashtra to vote on Thursday
Ten of Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha constituencies, including three reserved for Scheduled Castes, will go to the polls on Thursday.
Congress leader Vikhe Patil to break his silence on April 21
Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, facing heat for campaigning -- despite being a Congressman -- for his son who is a BJP candidate, will reveal his plans on April 21, sources said Wednesday. Vikhe Patil is upset with the criticism directed at him but for the moment he is keeping quiet and supervising his son Sujay's campaign in Ahmednagar, sources close to him said. Sujay Vikhe Patil is pitted against NCP's Sangram Jagtap in Ahmednagar. The sources said the Vikhe Patil senior will hold a press conference and talk about his "political present and future" on April 21, two days before Ahmednagar goes to the polls, amid indications that he would part ways with the Congress. As per the sources, Vikhe Patil was upset with the Congress for failing to persuade the ally NCP to cede Ahmednagar seat for Sujay. The NCP did not have a strong candidate of its own and it had faced defeat in the constituency in the last three elections, the ...
KTK CM questions PM's contribution to country
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioning his contribution to the country over the last five years. "The prime minister failed on various fronts," Kumaraswamy said at an election meeting at Anavati in Shivamogga seeking votes for JD(S) candidate Madhu Bangarappa. "Today when Modi is touring across the country, giving speeches and seeking votes, he asks people to vote for the security of the nation. Instead of development, he seeks vote for the safety and security of the nation," the chief minister said. Kumaraswamy appealed to the people to realise that the country was never insecure. The chief minister said Modi came to power as he lured voters with his oratory skills and claimed the prime minister failed to fulfill any of his promises. "You have to think what Narendra Modi has given to the nation. Did he provide any relief to the farmers? Did women get any security? Did he provide jobs to the unemployed youth?
Gehlot suggests Kovind President because of caste, then backtracks
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Wednesday suggested that the NDA picked Ram Nath Kovind over L K Advani as its nominee for the President's post because of his caste, prompting a sharp response from the BJP. Under flak, Gehlot later tweeted that he was misquoted and said he has the greatest regard for President Kovind. At a press conference in Jaipur, Gehlot had linked Kovind's appointment as President to the Gujarat polls. "People even say that Ram Nath Kovind was made president considering Gujarat assembly elections in 2017, Gehlot said. I was reading an article. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) was afraid that he was not going to form the government in Gujarat. BJP chief Amit Shah might have given him the suggestion after which it was decided to make Ram Nath Kovind the President," the Congress leader said. "Advani was left out though he was to become the President. People of the country had the expectation that he will get the honour that he deserved but was deprived of, ...
Sudan rebels suspend hostilities in Blue Nile, South Kordofan
A Sudanese rebel leader on Wednesday ordered a three-month suspension of hostilities in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states where his forces have been fighting government troops. "As a goodwill gesture... to give a chance for an immediate transfer of power to civilians, I, commander of SPLM-N announce the suspending of hostilities for three months in all areas under its control until July 31, 2019," the leader of the Sudan's People's Liberation Movement-North, Abdulaziz al-Hilu, said in a statement. Hilu's announcement comes days after Sudan's new military rulers, who took power last week after toppling veteran president Omar al-Bashir, declared a ceasefire in all three of the country's conflict zones -- the western region of Darfur included. Blue Nile and South Kordofan lie on the border with South Sudan and there was strong support in both states for the decades-long rebellion that culminated in the south's secession in 2011. Fighting resumed in both states within months of ...
It's a contest between nationalism vs local issues in Vadodara
The two main parties in the fray in Vadodara are going to voters with very different appeals -- the ruling BJP is pitching for teaching Pakistan a lesson and the opposition Congress is focusing on problems such as lack of jobs and high education costs. The urban seat was propelled into the national spotlight in 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi defeated Congress veteran Madhusudan Mistry by over 5.7 lakh votes. When Modi chose to represent Uttar Pradesh's temple town of Varanasi and resigned from Vadodara, the BJP chose Ranjanben Bhatt to fill his shoes. Bhatt, who won the bypoll that followed, has again been nominated by the BJP from Vadodara. Her message to voters is unambiguous and focused. In her campaign posters, Bhatt is seen asking people to vote for the nation's security and "to teach Pakistan a lesson". She has also appealed to people to boost the morale of soldiers and uproot terrorism. The Congress outreach is diametrically different. Congress candidate Prashant Patel .
Chit fund scam accused will be jailed in 90 days if BJP comes
BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed the ruling BJD over corruption, and asserted that all those involved in chit fund scam will be jailed within 90 days, if the party is voted to power in Odisha. Addressing an election rally here, Shah alleged that many leaders of the BJD and officials were involved in the multi-crore chit fund scam in which thousands of poor investors were duped of their money. "Once the BJP comes to power in Odisha, all those involved in the chit fund scam will be put behind the bars within 90 days of forming government," the BJP chief said. Mounting a scathing attack on the Naveen Patnaik-led government, he said the M B Shah Commission had found that mines were alloted at throw-away prices in the mineral-rich state, and it involved a huge scam. If the BJP comes to power, those involved in the mining scam will be sent to jail, too, Shah said, adding, though Odisha is endowed with rich mineral resources, its people languished under poverty ...
Media misquoted my remark on President Kovind, clarifies Gehlot
Hours after the BJP demanded an apology for his comments on President Ram Nath Kovind, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday claimed that a section of media misquoted him as saying Kovind was elected to the highest constitutional post due to his caste."It is very unfortunate that my comments during a press conference have been misquoted by few media houses," Gehlot tweeted.Earlier in the day, at a press conference here, he said: "Ramnath Kovind ji was made the President keeping in mind the caste equations ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections. This is why Advani ji was left behind (in the presidential race)."However, later while clarifying Gehlot asserted that he had the greatest regards for President Kovind and was impressed with his simplicity and humbleness."I have the greatest regards for the President of India, and personally for Sh. Ramnath ji whom I have met in person and highly impressed with his simplicity and humbleness," the Chief Minister said in his ...
Crores of rupees being poured into country to prevent Modi from coming back to power: Baba Ramdev
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday said there is currently no other leader in the country who can match up to the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and anti-national powers are using foreign funding to prevent him from returning to power."Anti-national powers within and outside the country and many Christian and Islamic countries are funding thousands of crores of rupees to prevent Modi from coming to power," Ramdev said.The yoga guru said that thousands of crores are pouring into the country from "anti-India, Islamic and Christian countries to facilitate the win of politicians who are against India.""They want to defeat Modi who worships the nation, wants to end terrorism, kill corruption and remove poverty from the country," he said.Talking to reporters here, the yoga guru said: "Modi is the only leader who talks about taking India forward and he will definitely win by a huge margin, the opposition is just engaged in attacking the PM, they have nothing to offer. People will ...
Cong derailing opponents' campaigns using dirty tricks: Tejasvi Surya comes out in support of Pratap Simha
BJP's candidate from Bangalore South Tejasvi Surya has come out in support of his colleague Pratap Simha, who is currently facing allegations of mental and physical harassment of an unidentified woman, while lambasting the Congress for attempting to derail the election campaign of its opponents using "dirty tricks" and "doctored content".This comes in the backdrop of a complaint being lodged with the state's Women Commission against Simha - BJP's candidate from Mysuru - for allegedly mentally and physically harassing the said woman.In an exclusive interview with ANI on Wednesday, Surya, who also faced similar allegations in the recent past, said," I am surprised, rather appalled that Congress is derailing election campaigns of its opponents using such dirty tricks. Issues of elections are very different, issues are related to jobs, performance of the government in the last five years and aspirations of young India.""Centrally, your(Congress) campaign is based on lies, fake news, and ..
Modi failed to deliver anything to public except 'Baba ji ka thullu': Navjot Singh Sidhu
Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promises made by him during 2014 elections, saying the PM failed to deliver anything to public except for 'Baba ji ka thullu,' a commonly used phrase meaning 'absolutely nothing'."People are starving and their pockets are empty, but the government is making them do Yoga and open bank accounts," Sidhu said without mentioning the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.Addressing a public rally here, he said, "the stomachs are empty and the government is busy building toilets. The condition of the roads and other infrastructure facilities are pathetic. There is no electricity in the villages and PM Modi talks about 'digital India'".Claiming that the Congress will deliver what it has promised, he said Rahul Gandhi has proved himself in three states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. "Whatever, Rahul Gandhi has said, he will deliver it. He had promised that the farm loans will be ...
Chidambaram raises question over I-T tip-offs
Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday wondered how the Income Tax (I-T) Department gets tip-offs regarding illegal wealth of only opposition leaders.
INLD announces six candidates for LS polls in Haryana
With the last date for filing of nominations being April 23, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Wednesday announced its candidates for six Lok Sabha seats in Haryana.
Country can't tolerate Azam Khan's utterances: UP Dy CM Maurya
UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Wednesday sought an apology from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for Azam Khan's underwear jibe allegedly targeting film actor and BJP's Rampur candidate Jaya Prada, saying the country cannot tolerate his utterances. "Neither the BJP nor the country can tolerate derogatory remarks by Azam Khan. The SP chief should take stern action against Azam Khan and also tender an apology to the country for Khan's comments amounting to humiliation of mothers and sisters," said Maurya, addressing an election meeting for BJP's Aonla nominee, Dharmendra Kashyap. The deputy CM also expressed surprise over the BSP president Mayawati's silence over Azam Khan's remarks saying it is surprising that despite being a woman she has not uttered a word on the issue. While addressing an election rally in Rampur, where he is pitted against Jaya Prada, Khan, without naming her, had said he had come to know in 17 days that "she wears a khaki underwear". Attacking Samajwadi .
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh express solidarity with France
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed solidarity with France after a major fire engulfed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
BJP writes to EC, demands review over alleged biopic of Mamata Banerjee
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Election Commission (EC) over the alleged biopic of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee titled - 'Baghini', which is slated to release on May 3.The party has asked the EC to review the purported biopic on the TMC supremo."This is to draw your attention to the news in the media that a biopic allegedly of Smt Mamata Banerjee will be released on 3 May 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party requests the Hon'ble Election Commission of India and its representative in West Bengal, the CEO, to review the said biopic before release, on similar lines done in the case of another biopic depicting Shri Narendra Modi," a letter signed by BJP West Bengal Vice-President Joy Prakash Majumdar and BJP leader Shishir Bajoria read.The development comes in the backdrop of the EC staying the release of 'PM Narendra Modi', a biopic on the Prime Minister till the Lok Sabha elections are over, citing the film "disturbs the level-playing ...
INLD names six candidates for LS polls in Haryana
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Abhay Singh Chautala, on Wednesday, declared the name of six candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, where 10 seats in total are at stake.Incumbent MP Charanjit Singh Rori has once again been given the INLD ticket from Sirsa and the party has fielded Yamunanagar's former Mayor Ram Pal Balmiki, from Ambala (reserved) constituency.Other candidates declared by Abhay Chautala include Dharamvir Pada from Karnal, Surendra Chhikara from Sonipat, Suresh Koth from Hisar, and Mahendra Singh Chauhan from Faridabad.Candidates for Gurugram, Mahendragarh-Bhiwani, Kurukshetra, and Rohtak constituencies would be announced soon, after holding discussion with the party national president Om Prakash Chautala, Abhay told reporters.Haryana will go to polls in a single phase on May 12. Counting of votes will begin on May 23.
No longer outsider in Mysore, BJP's Pratap Simha hopes to ride devt wave to victory
Once a right-wing idealogue whose primary claim to fame was authoring two books on Narendra Modi, journalist turned MP Pratap Simha now seems a much mellowed man who places development -- and the prime minister -- at the centre of his political discourse. The BJP MP from Mysore, who won the last election on the Modi wave, talks mostly of his contribution in developing the area and of the benevolence of the prime minister in sanctioning dozens of central projects for the constituency. "Modi has sanctioned development works worth Rs 13,000 crore in less than five years... Between 2004 and 2014, this region gave many Congress MPs and chief ministers but I alone brought investment several hundreds of crores," Simha told PTI in an interview. The 43-year-old is hoping his hard work coupled with the youth's fascination for Modi will get him through again. The Mysore parliamentary seat, which goes to the polls on Thursday, is locked in a direct contest between Simha, who credits his entry ...
Kashmiris having a 'rethink' over state's accession to India: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday claimed the situation in Kashmir has worsened to an extent that the people have begun rethinking over the state's accession to India. "There is a law of jungle here. Yesterday an SDM and other staffers with him were beaten up by the Army. Prison inmates are beaten up, bodies (of militants killed) in encounters are mutilated and burnt by some chemical..," claimed the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister. She was talking to reporters after a convention of her party workers at Khanabal in Anantnag district of the state. "It does not seem we are with the India to which Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Maharaja Hari Singh had acceded. That India was the country of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and everyone," she said. "Today, there is so much of oppression and atrocities committed that Kashmiris shiver and think which India did we accede to!" Mehbooba added. The PDP chief president, meanwhile, asked police not to take action against anyone involved in the ...