Page 877 - Politics
BJP moves EC to seek campaign ban on Rahul for 'false' allegation against Modi
The BJP Tuesday urged the Election Commission (EC) to ban Congress president Rahul Gandhi from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls and impose the "heaviest penalty" on him, saying he levelled false allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale aircraft deal. A BJP delegation comprising Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Hardeep Singh Puri among others met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora with the complaint and demanded action against Gandhi for repeatedly using the term 'chowkidar chor hai' and making false attributions to the Supreme Court. "Today we have strongly complained to the EC to take serious cognisance, take appropriate action against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his continuous reckless allegations against the Prime Minister of India by calling him 'Chowkidar chor hai'," Prasad told the reporters outside the EC office after meeting the CEC. Demanding strict action against Gandhi, the Union law minister also said that the Congress chief's ...
If ours is Mahamilawat, what shall we call alliance consisting over 38 parties: Akhilesh asks BJP
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repeatedly calling the SP-BSP-RLD alliance as 'Mahamilawat' and asked what name should be given to National Democratic Alliance which has over 38 parties."If our grand alliance of three parties is 'Mahamilawat', what name shall we give to your alliance which is a conglomeration of more than 38 parties in the country?" Akhilesh said at a rally jointly organised by the three parties.Top BJP leaders including Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party president Amit Shah have been calling the Opposition alliance as 'Mahamilawat'.Underscoring that the coming together of SP, BSP and RLD is an alliance of farmers and the poor, the former UP Chief Minister said, "Those who say this is a Mahamilawat, I tell them, this alliance unites the hearts of the people."Akhilesh accused the BJP of spreading hatred and fear and asserted that the alliance will demolish the walls of hatred created by BJP."The BJP
Post-Pulwama attack, govt grants emergency powers to armed forces to buy weapon systems
After the Pulwama attack, the Narendra Modi government has given emergency powers to the three services to buy whatever equipment is required by them for safeguarding the borders with Pakistan.Under the powers given to the three services they can buy the equipment of their choice within three months at the cost of up to Rs 300 crore per case, government sources told ANI here.The emergency powers were given to the forces within few weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 44 CRPF personnel were killed and India started increasing vigil at the borders with Pakistan, they said.In this regard, the services are moving a number of proposals like, the Army has moved a proposal to buy around 250 spike missiles from Israel, which would be meeting its emergency requirements.The Air Force has also shown interest in the acquisition of certain missiles from the international market which would help it in meeting requirements, in case of hostilities on borders.For the procurement under the emergency
Ajit Singh accused Modi of favouring rich, ignoring poor
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh on Tuesday said there is no space for the poor, farmers and the youth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's '56-inch chest' and accused him of favouring only the rich and corrupt."BJP claims Modi is very strong. He has a 56-inch chest. But he has no heart in it. There is no place for the poor, farmers, Dalit and unemployed youth in his heart," Singh said at a rally here organised jointly by the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and RLD."He has enough space for Ambanis, Adanis and one Modi, two Modi, three Modi... in his heart. This is the Chowkidar (watchman) of the people who fled the country with Rs 10,000 crore," he added.Taking a dig at the Prime Minister for calling himself a 'chowkidar', Singh said that the country needs a Prime Minister, not a watchman.The RLD chief exhorted the gathering to chant 'chowkidar chor hai' (the watchman is a thief) by whispering the same in the mic and with his gestures."And where is the place for thieves?" ...
Cong, AAP delegation meet EC; seek review of decision to transfer IG probing Bagari firing
A delegation of leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress on Tuesday called upon the Election Commission (EC), seeking review of its order relieving Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh as a member of the SIT probing the Bagari firing incident.The delegation comprised of Punjab Congress chief and Member of Parliament (MP) Sunil Jakhar, Punjab minister Tripat Rajendra Singh Bajwa, AAP leaders Harpal S Cheema and Nazar Singh.The ECI had earlier directed the Punjab government to transfer Kumwar for "violating" the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Following the directions, the Punjab government posted Kunwar as Inspector General of Police, Counter-Intelligence, in Amritsar.Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had also approached EC, seeking review of the said decision.Amarinder Singh had alleged that the EC order to transfer Kunwar was issued on the basis of a complaint filed by an Akali Dal leader."The Akalis had been trying unsuccessfully to ...
Shah accuses Left of inciting violence against BJP workers in Kerala
BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of fanning violence against BJP and RSS workers in the state."More than 120 BJP and RSS workers have been killed in Kerala. The maximum number of killings took place in your district (Kannur). Around 525 incidents of mob lynching and violence have taken place," Shah said at a rally here."The Kerala government has unleashed violence on the devotees of Sabarimala at the pretexts of the Supreme Court's order. What message does the Kerala Chief Minister (Pinarayi Vijayan) want to send through the violence on the devotees?" he added.He claimed that the state government was not able to develop Kerala at an expected scale, despite the Centre giving nearly Rs 2 lakh crore for the southern state's development in the last five years."UPA government gave Rs 45,393 crore under the 13th Finance Commission. However, in five years, NDA government gave Rs 1.98 lakh crore to Kerala under the 14th Finance Commission,"
Iran's parliament labels US troops in Mideast as terrorist
Iran's lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill labelling U.S. forces in the Middle East as terrorist, a day after the U.S. terrorism designation for Iran's Revolutionary Guard formally took effect, state TV reported. Defense Minister Gen. Amir Hatami introduced the bill authorising the government to act firmly in response to "terrorist actions" by U.S. forces. It demands authorities use "legal, political and diplomatic" measures to neutralize the American move, without elaborating. The U.S. move aims at "thwarting Iran's influence," and shows that America's longstanding sanctions against Iran have become ineffective, Hatami told lawmakers. During the debate, some hard-liner lawmakers had demanded listing the entire U.S. army and security forces as terrorist. The TV report said 204 lawmakers approved the bill, out of 207 present at the session in the 290-seat chamber. Two lawmakers voted against the bill and one abstained. However, it remains unclear how the bill's passage .
Akali Dal sees conspiracy in demand for reinstating IGP
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday said the "joint conspiracy" of the Congress, the AAP and the PEP to politicize the police action at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura has been exposed with all three parties approaching the Election Commission to undo the transfer of senior police officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap, a member of the special investigation team.
Rupani won't be Guj CM after two months: Satav
Gujarat state Congress incharge Rajiv Satav Tuesday said Chief Minister Vijay Rupani of BJP will not remain on his post after two months, drawing a sharp rebuke from the latter as the hustings hotted up for the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Reacting to Satav's remark, Rupani said Congress president Rahul Gandhi's politics will be over in the next two months, seeking to imply that the Congress would lose the Lok Sabha polls, counting for which will be held on May 23. "The chief minister will not be in office after two months," Satav said when asked about Rupani's criticism of the Congress in the run-up to April 23 polls. Satav was talking to reporters at the airport. When contacted, Rupani said, "Is Satav joining the BJP and will come to our party to take a decision to remove me? He is daydreaming. The Congress tried to spread such rumours before 2017 state assembly elections. Even after our win, the Opposition party did not stop spreading such rumours," Rupani told ..
Centre not facing anti-incumbency for the first time : Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday claimed that for the first time the Centre is not facing any anti-incumbency this election and hit out at Congress saying it has lost credibility among the people as it has no mission and its leader (Rahul Gandhi) lacks vision. He also claimed that for the first time the party (BJP) in power at the Centre is contesting Lok Sabha polls with confidence, while opposition parties are frustrated and disheartened. People know that the BJP-led government at the Centre is working honestly for the development of the country and there is no anti-incumbency factor this time, he told a public meeting here. "People are not angry with Modi or the BJP-led government. They are angry with the Congress and its 'Mahamilawati' (highly adulterated) friends for their behaviour. They have been spreading lies and making false allegations," the prime minister said. "Now everybody knows that Congress has no mission, while its leader has no vision. They are
BBC India launches interactive election chatbot
BBC India on Tuesday launched an experimental interactive election chatbot in Hindi and English on Facebook's Messenger platform as part of a series of Indian General Election related content. "The chatbot allows users to interact with the BBC, ask questions and get regular updates as the elections unfold," a BBC statement notes. The latest development follows the British Broadcasting Corporation's first-ever voice activated interactive bulletin in Hindi. The special election coverage will be available on smartphones and allow users across India to instruct their voice device to navigate through the news according to their interest. "Elections are the noisiest time in India. It's important to cut through the noise and help voters make informed decisions," said Rupa Jha, Head of BBC Indian Languages. "We have added modern innovations in storytelling to our trademark journalistic rigour in the BBC's election coverage across India," she said. To access the new interactive bulletin, ...
BJP candidate's IPS husband misusing official position: Cong to EC
The Congress Tuesday moved the EC accusing an IPS officer, the husband of BJP's Lok Sabha Sirsa seat candidate, of "misusing" his official position and state machinery at the alleged behest of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. A complaint against IPS officer Rajesh Duggal was handed over to the Election Commission here by state Congress leaders, a party spokesperson said. Rajesh Duggal is married to Sunita Duggal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Sirsa (reserve) Lok Sabha seat. The Congress demanded that Rajesh Duggal be immediately transferred outside Haryana till the elections are over, state party vice president Om Prakash said. "Duggal is misusing his post and official machinery at the behest of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to benefit his wife Sunita Duggal in the polls," he said. Just days before the announcement of polls, Rajesh Duggal was appointed as commandant third battalion of Haryana Armed Police at Hisar which shares its boundary with Sirsa, he ...
BJP slams Congress for Sidhu's speech, accuses it of dividing people
The BJP on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress after its leader Navjot Singh Sidhu apparently asked Muslims at an election rally in Bihar to unite and oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it was in the opposition party's "DNA" to divide people. At a press conference here, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) played a video of Sidhu's speech at Katihar in Bihar, where the Punjab minister is heard saying minorities in the country are the majority in that area and if they vote unitedly, the Modi government will be "sorted out". Slamming the Congress,BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "It is part of the Congress' DNA to divide. It is not a new norm in this party." The BJP also moved the Election Commission, seeking action against Sidhu for allegedly inflaming communal passion. Prasad also attacked Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her criticism of the saffron party over its interpretation of nationalism, and said she should not be giving lessons in .
Ombudsman summons Ganguly on Apr 20, BCCI says allow him only on full disclosure
BCCI Ombudsman Justice (Retd) D K Jain has summoned Sourav Ganguly for a hearing on April 20 over an alleged conflict of interest situation arising out of his dual role as Cricket Association of Bengal president and Delhi Capitals advisor. Coincidentally, Delhi Capitals are scheduled to play Kings XI Punjab at the Feroz Shah Kotla on April 20. The Committee of Administrators (CoA), through BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, has requested the Ombudsman "to allow" Ganguly to continue in his dual role, provided he makes "full disclosures" of his interests. However, the BCCI note also stated that the Ombudsman needs to "examine" Ganguly's dual role as "member of Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC)" as well as DC advisor. Three Bengal-based cricket fans -- Bhaswati Shantua, Abhijeet Mukherjee and Ranjit Seal -- had alleged that Ganguly's duty as a state association president is in direct conflict with his role as an advisor of an IPL franchise. "The parties may appear before the Ethics Officer, BCCI for a
Himachal Congress leader booked for Facebook post
Himachal Pradesh Police on Tuesday booked a Congress leader for his remarks inciting violence against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Satpal Singh Satti.
Prabhu dodges query on demonetisation sequel
Dodging the demonetisation issue, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu here on Tuesday refused to comment on whether the Indian economy needed another round of the note ban exercise to get rid of black money.
BJP's Satpal Satti served notice for using expletive against Rahul Gandhi
The Himachal Pradesh election office Tuesday served a notice to the state BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti for allegedly using an expletive against Congress president Rahul Gandhi, an official said. The election office and the local police are also looking into a BJP complaint that a Congress supporter has offered a reward of Rs 10 lakh to anyone who cuts off Satti's tongue. The police registered an FIR against Satti for his alleged derogatory comments at a recent election meeting.
Moradabad a difficult election but will win: BJP candidate
The election for the Moradabad Lok Sabha seat will be difficult but the BJP will win with even better margin, says the BJP's candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar. Kumar, a Thakur and five-time MLA from Moradabad, is pitted against Congress' Imran Pratapgarhi, a poet who has often questioned the BJP government through his provocative compositions and fiery speeches and SP-BSP-RLD coalition's S T Hasan, a doctor by profession who is also trying to win over the Muslim votes, about 47 per cent of the total 19.41 lakh voters in the constituency. Political observers say Muslim voters often decide their support during last three days of campaigning. "The election is going to be difficult. But we are sure of our win. People are seeing good work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have seen huge attendance in our rallies as compared to those of SP BSP Gathbandhan," Kumar, busy campaigning in interior areas of the constituency, told PTI on the phone. He said, "The fragmentation of Muslim votes has ...
Nagaland: Seven NPF legislators suspended
The opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) of Nagaland on Tuesday suspended seven of its legislators from both primary and active membership for extending support to outgoing Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) MP Tokheho Yepthomi in the April 11 Lok Sabha polls.
CPI(M) claims rigging in 464 booths of Tripura West LS seat
The CPI(M) on Tuesday alleged that polling in 464 booths under Tripura West Lok Sabha seat were rigged and demanded a re-poll. Out of two Lok Sabha seats in the state, polling was held in Tripura West parliamentary constituency during the first phase on April 11. The other seat, Tripura East, will go to polls in the second phase on April 18. A CPI(M) delegation met the Election Commission on Monday and demanded repoll in those booths, incumbent MP Tripura West Sankar Prasad Datta said. "During the first phase of polls, CPI(M) polling agents and voters were driven out of the booths. BJP workers were standing beside EVMs inside polling booths," he alleged. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, addressing party workers at Jantar Mantar here, said, "There should be re-polling in 464 booths where the rigging took place during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. It is a murder of democracy in Tripura." He claimed that he could hardly spot security forces in the booths in the ...