Page 881 - Politics
BJP accuses Congress of dividing the people
The BJP on Tuesday alleged it was in the Congress' DNA to divide the people, citing opposition party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu's purported call to the Muslim community to unite to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a press meeting here, the Bharatiya Janata Party played a video of Sidhu's speech in Araria in Bihar, where the Punjab minister is heard saying minorities in the country are the majority in Araria 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." He attacked Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her criticism of the saffron party over its interpretation of nationalism. How does Sidhu's call to 64 per cent of minorities in the area to unite, help the country, he asked. The Congress might have once played a role in the freedom movement but this party is now known for encouraging ...
Omar bats for harsher measures by poll panel against leaders making hate speeches or sexiest remarks
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah Tuesday welcomed the Election Commission's order barring four prominent politicians from electioneering for two to three days for their "provocative" or "snide" remarks. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, however, wanted the poll panel to take harsher measures against the leaders making hate speeches or sexiest remarks during campaigning. "I think the recent steps taken by the Election Commission, while (being) welcome, need to be stronger," he said. "Stopping somebody from campaigning for a day or two or three days is not exactly something that will deter these people because a lot of them are past masters in this sort of the use of language," he told reporters on the sidelines of campaigning for his father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in Budgam district. The NC leader said there should be no place for hate speeches or sexiest remarks in electoral discourse and even otherwise. "One hopes the Election ...
J-K Guv reviews functioning of various govt departments
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Tuesday reviewed the functioning of various government departments and called for strict action against irregularities and corruption. Malik reviewed the functioning of the government departments in a high-level meeting held at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, an official spokesperson said. Khurshid A Ganai, Kewal Krishan Sharma and K Skandan -- advisors to the governor, B V R Subrahmanyam, chief secretary, Umang Narula, principal secretary to the governor, administrative secretaries of various government departments and other concerned officers were present in the meeting. Malik appreciated the work of officers and observed that he has full faith in their capabilities in running affairs of the state in an efficient and transparent manner. He directed the administrative secretaries to take strict action against irregularities and corruption and emphasised that those responsible should be proceeded against without any fear or favour. While ...
Cong MP Shamsher Dullo's wife joins AAP, named as candidate from Fatehgarh
Former Congress MLA Harbans Kaur Dullo, wife of senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Dullo, joined the AAP Tuesday and was announced the party candidate from the Fatehgarh Sahib seat. She joined the Aam Aadmi Party in Jalandhar in presence of party MLA Aman Arora and other senior leaders. AAP had earlier fielded Baljinder Singh Chaundha from the Fatehgarh Sahib seat. Arora said Chaundha had himself told the party that Harbans Kaur Dullo was a better candidate than him and he would support her candidature from the seat. Harbans Kaur Dullo, 65, was the chief parliamentary secretary in the Amarinder Singh-led government in 2002-07. She said her supporters persuaded her to join the AAP.
BJP wants Congress man arrested for 'tongue cut' threat
The ruling BJP in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday asked the state election commission to register a criminal case against a Congress leader for issuing threats to Bharatiya Janata Party state chief Satpal Singh Satti.
Campaign ends for 2nd phase polling in Odisha
The high decibel campaign ended at 5 pm on Tuesday for Odisha's five Lok Sabha and 35 assembly seats where polling will be held in the second phase on April 18. A galaxy of high-profile leaders of major political parties like the BJP, the Congress and the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) undertook whirlwind tours of the constituencies, mostly situated in western and southern Odisha. Polling in Bargarh, Sundergarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal and Aska Lok Sabha seats and 35 Assembly segments coming under these five constituencies will be held April 18. Spearheading the campaign for the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah crisscrossed the poll-bound segments addressing a host of rallies. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and a number of Union ministers also hit the campaign trail in these seats for BJP. Virtually camping in the state was Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, as the BJP is making all out efforts to ...
Campaign for East Tripura LS seat ends
Campaigning for the East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to the poll in the second phase on April 18, ended at 5 pm Tuesday, Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti said. East Tripura constituency is spread across 30 assembly segments and six districts and altogether 10 candidates, including those of the ruling BJP, Congress and the CPI-M are in the fray for it. Ruling BJP candidate Rebati Mohan Tripura, sitting MP Jitendra Chowdhury of the CPI (M) and Pragya Dev Burman of the Congress are among those contesting from the seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri campaigned for the respective party candidates in the high voltage canvassing. Dhalai district superintendent of police Sudipta Das told PTI that sufficient security deployment was made to ensure free and fair polling on April 18. "We have put central and state armed forces and Tripura Police personnel on duty ...
Cong-NCP leaderless, struggled to find candidates: Uddhav
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said Tuesday that the Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra lacked both leaders and direction. The Sena-BJP alliance will win all the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, Thackeray said, addressing a campaign rally for sitting MP and Sena candidate Anandrao Adsul here. "Congress-NCP alliance is leaderless and rudderless... They even struggled to find candidates," he said. Saying that the strike carried out by the Indian Air Force on a terrorist training camp at Balakot taught a lesson to Pakistan, Thackeray asserted that for "a strong and safe nation", prime minister Narendra Modi must get another term in office. The steps taken by the NDA government for farmers' welfare were bearing fruit, the Sena chief said. Referring to alleged scams that took place during the Congress-NCP regime in the state, Thackeray said if these parties came back to power, the country would plunge into "darkness". Polling for the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency in ...
CPI(M) seeks EC action against PM for Sabarimala remarks
The CPI(M) Tuesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora demanding action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct and communally polarising voters by making remarks on the Sabarimala issue. Addressing a rally in Theni inTamil Nadu, Modi had said the Left and the Muslim League are playing a dangerous game on Sabarimala, and are initiating "to strike at the root of faith and aspiration". In a letter to the CEC, party Politburo member Nilotpal Basu said the remarks made by the PM were a "flagrant violation" of the model code of conduct. "This is a clear example as to how Modi is not only violating MCC but also implicitly challenging the order of the Election Commission to refrain from using Sabarimala temple and Lord Ayyappa in the election campaign. To recapitulate, the LDF government has, time and again, reiterated that it does not stand against faith; but was confining itself to implementing the Supreme Court order/" Basu ...
TN CEO asks parties not to indulge in any campaigning once
Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo Tuesday advised political parties not to indulge in any form of campaigning once the 'silence period' begins. Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 prohibits election campaign activities through public meetings, processions, etc, and displaying of election matter by means of television and similar apparatus during 48-hours, between the deadline for the end of campaigning and the end of voting. The prohibition is aimed at providing a period of silence for quiet deliberation ahead of voting day. Campaigning for 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu, which goes to the polls on April 18, will come to a close at 6 pm Tuesday. The CEO exuded confidence that higher number of voters would turnout to vote on April 18 by crediting expectations to extensive awareness measures taken up by the poll panel. "The silence period begins at 6 pm Tuesday and no political party or candidate should indulge in any campaign. We ...
BJP now a major force in Tripura LS battle
Tripura, which has traditionally witnessed a direct or triangular contest, will for the first time in seven decades see a multi-cornered battle as the ruling BJP has emerged as a potent political force after last year's Assembly polls.
Fear of army action as Sudan protesters toughen stand
Sudanese protesters have hardened their stand, demanding a transitional military council be scrapped and immediately replaced with civilian rule as Tuesday they refused to end a days-long sit-in outside army headquarters. Organisers fear the army is seeking to hijack the revolution on the streets which saw veteran president Omar al-Bashir, whose three-decade reign was toppled on Thursday by top commanders after four months of nationwide demonstrations. On Monday, activists accused commanders of launching an abortive attempt to clear the sit-in outside army headquarters, ending the relative calm that has reigned since Bashir's overthrow. Witnesses said several army vehicles had surrounded the area and that troops were seen removing the barricades which demonstrators had put up as a security measure. Activists voiced fears that the army would make a new attempt on Tuesday. Several vehicles carrying paramilitary forces deployed on a bridge that connects the protest site with north ...
ACB files charge sheet against govt employee in J-K
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Tuesday filed a charge sheet against a government official for accepting a bribe of Rs 13,000 from a person for issuance of a contractor license, a spokesperson of the organisation said. A formal case was registered against Jagdeep Singh, personal assistant to superintending engineer in the office of chief engineer, Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings), Jammu, after he was caught red-handed while accepting bribe from the complainant, Daler Singh, for issuance of a 'D' contractor license, he said. "After completing the investigation and seeking sanction for prosecution from the competent authority, the charge sheet was filed against the accused in the special judge anti-corruption, Jammu for legal determination," the spokesperson said.
SC to EC: You have woken up to take action
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it was content with the Election Commission (EC) action against Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan for their controversial statements violating the model code of conduct.
Azam Khan targeted by EC because he is Muslim: Son
A day after the EC barred senior SP leader Azam Khan from poll campaigning over his derogatory remarks against BJP leader Jaya Prada, his son Abdullah Tuesday alleged that his father was targeted as he is a Muslim. "No action was taken when the BJP candidate (Jaya Prada) stated on Twitter that she is coming to Rampur (Khan's constituency) to bring an end to the regime of a demon," Abdullah told news persons here. "But in (Khan's) speech, there has been no mention of a name or gender, Azam Khan has been banned only because he is a Muslim," he added. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was slapped Monday with a poll campaign ban, an FIR and a women commission notice for his alleged "khaki underwear" jibe at Jaya Prada. Jaya Prada, who was earlier with the SP and has now been pitted by the BJP against Khan from Rampur Lok Sabha seat, demanded his immediate disqualification from contesting polls. However, Abdullah termed the gag order as an attempt by the EC to please the Bharatiya ...
Row over Bangladeshi actor campaigning for TMC in West Bengal
A controversy has erupted in West Bengal after popular Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed campaigned for the state's ruling TMC, prompting the BJP to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission claiming it violated the model code of conduct. State BJP leaders Jay Prakash Majumdar and Sisir Bajoria met the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab and urged him to take appropriation action over the alleged violation of the model code. A video showing Ferdous and Bengali actors Ankush and Payal participating in a roadshow to seek votes for Trinamool Congress candidate for Raiganj Lok Sabha seat Kanhaiyalal Agarwal on Sunday has gone viral on social media. The BJP leaders met Aftab on Monday to register their complaint. "We believe that it is a compeletely illegal move executed intentionally. This is a proof of the TMC's bankrupt politics," the Majumdar, the state BJP vice president, said. He wanted to know how a Bangladeshi national visiting the country on a tourist
Poll campaigning ends for Srinagar seat
The campaigning for prestigious Srinagar Lok Sabha seat here, going to the polls on April 18 in the second phase of elections, came to an end Tuesday. Srinagar Lok Sabha seat comprises three districts of Jammu and Kashmir -- Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal. It was relatively a low key campaign here with only National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from here, making his presence felt as a candidate. Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP. An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period. "The campaign period remained by and large peaceful," he added. He said 16 complaints of the violation of model code of conduct were received and the action was taken in nine of them. The polling on Thursday will be keenly watched within and ...
Shah holds massive road show in Tumkur on last day of
BJP President Amit Shah Tuesday held a massive road show in Tumkur, where his party nominee is pitted against JDS supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, as the town was swathed in Saffron. Ahead of the road show, Shah visited Siddaganga mutt, a prominent Lingayat seminary in Karnataka, and paid respects at the "Gadduge" (the final resting place) of its highly revered seer Shivakumara Swami, who passed away at the age of 111-year, in January this year. Thousands of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered Shah chanting "Modi, Modi" as his "Rath", a modified campaign vehicle, traversed through the streets of Tumkur in the around 40-minute road show. Shah canvassed votes for BJP candidate G S Basavaraj on the last day of the electioneering in the constituency, which is going for polls on Thursday along with 13 other seats in the first of the two-phase elections in the state. The remaining 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will have polling on April 23. A large number of ...
Poonam Sinha joins SP, to contest against Rajnath Singh from Lucknow
Poonam Sinha, wife of actor-politician Shatrugan Sinha on Tuesday joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), who is pitting her from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow parliamentary constituency against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.The development comes after last week, Shatrughan Sinha joined the Congress after quitting the BJP, with whom he had an almost three-decade-long association.Poonam was inducted into the party in the presence of SP leader and party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav.SP leader Ravidas Mehrotra told ANI that Poonam would contest from Lucknow parliamentary constituency against Rajnath Singh."Poonam Sinha ji will be the SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow. She will file her nomination on April 18 and we appeal to the Congress to not field their candidate from here so that BJP can be defeated," Mehrotra said.Reacting to her induction into the SP fold, party chief Akhilesh Yadav said" "I would like to congratulate Poonam Sinha on joining Samajwadi party. Good thing is Dimple .
HIGHLIGHTS AT 1700HRS
Following are the top stories at 1700hrs. NATION ELN3 POLL-DEROGATORY SPEECHES Underwear and pajamas: Attacks turn too personal in poll season New Delhi: As the poll fever rises, many politicians have stooped so low that the political narrative is sometimes hitting below the belt. ELN17 UP-JYOTIRADITYASCINDIA-INTERVIEW Modi must stop looking outwards by talking of Pak; jobs, farm distress key issues: Scindia Nagina (UP): Hitting out at the BJP for repeatedly bringing up Pakistan in its campaign, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia says Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party must stop looking outwards and gaze inwards as jobs and agrarian distress are the key issues facing the country. By Asim Kamal ELN33 UP-RAJNATH-LD ROADSHOW Rajnath Singh files nomination papers for Lucknow seat Lucknow: Union Home minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday filed his nomination papers for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat after holding a roadshow in the Uttar Pradesh capital, where BJP supporters turned up in ...