Page 888 - Politics
Cong-AAP flip-flop over alliance continue
The flip-flop on the Congress-AAP alliance continued on Monday with the Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was making a U-turn on the alliance.Gandhi took to Twitter saying that his party is still willing to give up four seats to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to seal an alliance in the national capital and ensure the "rout" of BJP.Kejriwal retorted in a counter tweet, stating that Gandhi was just indulging in talks and was not serious about the alliance."An alliance between the Congress and the AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this," the Congress chief took to Twitter to post.Gandhi had said the Congress' doors are still open but the "clock was running out"."But, Mr Kejriwal has done yet another U-turn!," wrote Gandhi while putting the blame on the Delhi Chief Minister for the delay in sealing the alliance."Our doors are still open, but the clock is running out," Rahul ...
LS polls in Vellore likely to be cancelled: Sources
The Lok Sabha polls in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu is likely to be cancelled over excess use of money power, sources aware of the development said Monday. The Election Commission is learnt to have prepared a recommendation in this regard to be sent to the president. "It would be sent today itself," an official said on Monday. Since the president signs the notification for Lok Sabha elections, it is he who rescinds it. The decision came after a large sum of cash was allegedly seized from the DMK candidate's office a few days ago. The district police had filed a complaint against DMK candidate Kathir Anand as well as two party functionaries on the basis of a report from the Income Tax department on April 10.
Congress candidates hit back at Mamata's RSS jibe
Hitting back at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for trying to link two of its candidates to the RSS, the Congress on Monday accused her of trying to sow the seed of suspicion among the minorities about the Congress, and reminded her of her past relations with the BJP.
Congress files complaints over derogatory remarks by BJP's Himachal Pradesh chief
The Congress Monday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP's Himachal Pradesh chief Satpal Singh Satti for allegedly making a derogatory comment against Rahul Gandhi. The party has also lodged a police complaint against the BJP leader, urging Shimla Police to register a case against him. Earlier the Congress's state unit spokesperson Naresh Chauhan had sought Satti's apology, but he refused saying he merely read out the contents of a message which was already viral on social media. "I have narrated an incident while addressing a public meeting in Nalagarh tehsil of Solan district whereby a derogatory remark was made against Rahul in retaliation of using 'chor' word for PM in a viral social media message," Satti told PTI. "The person who used the derogatory word and made such a message viral can not be our worker. Even then I asked my workers to restrain from using such remark or sharing such messages," he said. He said the Congress leaders listened to only a part ..
BJP leader appraises J-K Guv about Kishtwar situation post-RSS leader killing
BJP national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna met Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday and appraised him about the prevailing situation in Kishtwar district following the killing of RSS leader Chanderkant Sharma, a party spokesperson said. Sharma and his security guard were shot dead by a militant inside a hospital in Kishtwar on April 9, following which a curfew was imposed in the town which continued for the seventh day today. Khanna, who is the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir in-charge urged the governor to direct the district administration to take immediate and effective steps to ensure safety of the people and nab the culprits at the earliest, the spokesperson said. He also visited the residence of the slain RSS leader along with ex-deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta, Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Manhas and state General Secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family. "Anti-national forces will not succeed in their gameplan and the entire BJP ..
Citing poll duty, SDMC asks Delhi govt to transfer survey work
SDMC Mayor Narendra Chawla has written to the Delhi government to transfer the work related to survey of polluting industries to the departments working under it, officials said Monday. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) mayor has requested the Chief Secretary of Delhi government to consider transferring the work related to polluting industries and related survey to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) or Industries Department under the city government, they said. Citing that a majority of staff of the SDMC was presently busy in election duties as well as for the preparation of general elections 2019, Chawla addressed two letters to the chief secretary, stating that it will not be possible to spare the staff for the work related to polluting industries and related survey, the officials said. He also requested the city government official to apprise the factual position to the authorities concerned. The SDMC mayor had also on Saturday written to the chief secretary ...
Shekhawat caught on camera purportedly threatening government officials
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was caught on camera purportedly threatening government officials, saying they would not be spared once the party in power in Rajasthan changes. The BJP candidate from Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat was angered apparently by the videography of vehicles during his election meeting in Pokaran on Sunday. The videography was carried following a notice from the sub-divisional magistrate stating that the expenditure on vehicles used by Shekhawat in the meeting would be added to his total campaign cost. "This is not the last election. I have details of all officials. The government would change after five years. I would hang all of them upside down then," Shekhawat purportedly said on Sunday. A complaint has been lodged against Shekhawat with the District Election Officer by NSUI leader Sunil Chaudhary over his alleged threat. "Desperation of the BJP candidate was evident by his threat. It showed the BJP doesn't believe in democracy," Chaudhary said. ADM Madan
Jadeja bats for BJP after father, sister join Congress
Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja Monday said he supports the BJP after a family divide which saw his wife joining the saffron party, and his father and sister becoming members of the opposition Congress in Gujarat in run up to the Lok Sabha polls. On Sunday, over a month after Ravindra Jadeja's wife Rivaba was inducted into the BJP, the Saurashtra cricketer's father and sister joined the Congress in the presence of party leader and Patidar quota spearhead Hardik Patel. "I support BJP," Ravindra Jadeja, who was Monday selected in the Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup, said in a short tweet, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rivaba Jadeja. Ravindra Jadeja's father, Anirudhsinh, and sister, Nainaba, joined the Congress at an election rally in Kalavad city of Jamnagar district Sunday. Congress candidate for the Jamnagar Lok Sabha seat, Mulu Kandoriya, was also present. Ravindra Jadeja (30) hails from Jamnagar. The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder's wife, Rivaba Jadeja, .
Opposition making hue and cry over EVMs as they see defeat: Rajnath
Union minister Rajnath Singh Monday said opposition parties are questioning the reliability of electronic voting machines as they are apprehending defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing an election meeting at Chaumuha town here in favour of BJP candidate Hema Malini, he said, "The way after the polling of 91 seats, opposition parties are questioning the reliability of EVMs, it is clear that they have virtually accepted their defeat." Persisting with their doubts over the credibility of EVMs, several opposition parties have said they will move the Supreme Court to seek verification of at least 50 per cent of the polled votes against VVAPT slips. Opposition parties, including the Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Samajwadi Party, CPI and CPI(M), also jointly addressed a press conference to highlight the issue of transparency in the election process and protection of voter rights and gave a call to "save democracy". Exuding confidence that the Narendra Modi government will come .
93pc voter turnout at repolling in Meghalaya booth
Around 93 per cent voters cast their ballots during repolling at the Konarchar booth in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills on Monday, for both the Lok Sabha and the Selsella bye-elections, officials said. The repoll was necessitated due to a mix up of the EVMs for the Lok Sabha and Selsella by-election held on April 11, they said. Out of a total of 674 eligible voters under Konachar polling station, 665 cast their ballot for the Lok Sabha elections and 663 for the assembly by-poll, election officials said. The figure is 14 votes less than that on April 11, which saw 668 voters exercising their franchise for the general elections and 674 for the assembly by-poll, the officials said.
Germany laments fire at Notre-Dame, 'symbol of France'
Germany lamented the huge fire devastating Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's office calling the building a "symbol of France and of our European culture". "These horrible images of Notre-Dame on fire are painful," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Twitter. "Notre-Dame is a symbol of France and of our European culture. Our thoughts are with our French friends.
EC to decide on Vellore polls on Tuesday
Following the seizure of Rs 11.5 crore cash from a warehouse in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district, the Election Commission (EC) is expected to decide the issue of cancelling the election in the Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday, informed sources said on Monday.
BJP urges EC to take action against Rahul Gandhi for alleged casteist remark
Accusing Rahul Gandhi of insulting people of a particular caste by his "why all Modis are thieves" comment, the BJP Monday moved the election commission demanding action against the Congress chief. Gandhi on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of corruption and asked how come all "thieves" have 'Modi' as the common surname as he referred to fugitive businessman Nirav Modi and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi. Led by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a BJP delegation which included leaders Om Pathak and Satyapal Jain met top poll panel officials here and demanded action against Gandhi. "We requested the election commission to take action against Rahul Gandhi as he has insulted people from a backward caste by asking why all Modis are thieves. This shows his feudal mindset," Naqvi said. Jain claimed that the Congress president's remark is an insult to a specific caste and therefore the delegation has requested the Election Commission to take cognisance of it. The .
In letter to EC, AAP's Raghav Chadha seeks action over voter cards found in garbage dump
AAP leader Raghav Chadha has written to the Election Commission, demanding a probe into voter cards found in a garbage dump in south Delhi and alleged a BJP conspiracy behind it. Chadha, who is also the South Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, demanded that the EC immediately identify the Election Commission Officers who are acting as "BJP agents and to identify BJP leaders who are conspiring to snatch away people's democratic right". He also asked the EC to ensure that all the missing voter cards along with the cards yet to distributed are properly and fairly delivered to rightful recipients at their registered addresses. "The shocking discovery of more than 200 voter ID cards yesterday, found lying in garbage dump only a few hundred metres away from Badarpur MLA's office has exposed the nexus between the BJP, the Booth Level Officers and officers of postal department as they work in tandem to ensure that voter IDs of those registered though AAP registration camps are not received," Chadha ..
Macron tweets 'emotion of a whole nation' on seeing Notre-Dame ablaze
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday expressed the "emotion of a whole nation" on seeing the famed Notre-Dame cathedral ablaze and its spire collapse. "Notre-Dame consumed by flames. Emotion of a whole nation," Macron tweeted, adding that "like all my compatriots I am sad to see a part of us burn this evening" and expressing solidarity with "all Catholics and all French people." Macron, who cancelled a major policy speech to follow events, was on his way to the scene.
EC should also stop PM Modi from seeking votes in name of Army : Akhilesh Yadav
After Election Commission banned BSP Chief Mayawati from campaigning for 48 hours for violating poll code, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, took to Twitter questioning the poll panel's integrity and asked whether it could stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from seeking votes in the name of the army.Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a rally on April 9 at Latur, Maharashtra, urged the first time voters to dedicate their votes to the Air Force which carried out air strikes at Balakot.The SP-BSP-RLD are contesting in alliance in Uttar Pradesh.Akhilesh Yadav wrote on twitter:.
After Yogi and Mayawati, EC bars SP's Azam Khan and BJP's Maneka Gandhi from campaigning
Taking cognizance of their alleged controversial comments, th Election Commission of India on Monday barred Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning for 72 hours while Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has been barred from election campaigning for 48 hours.The prohibition on Khan begins on 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16.Azam Khan while addressing an election rally on Sunday had made derogatory remarks against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada, the BJP candidate from Rampur."I brought her (Jaya Prada) to Rampur. You are a witness that I did not allow anyone to touch her body. It took you 17 years to identify her real face but I got to know in 17 days that she wears khaki underwear," Khan had said while addressing an election rally in Rampur.Meanwhile, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on April 12 had said in a public address in Sultanpur that her win from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency was certain "with or without" the support of the Muslims and the community should realise it ...
Digvijaya accuses BJP of shutting down PSUs
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday accused the BJP of attempting to shut down Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and replacing them with private organisations."Before 2014, nearly 37 to 40 lakh people were employed in LIC. But after five years, 25 lakh LIC agents have stopped working due to the policies of the Narendra Modi government," Singh told reporters here.He alleged that the government forced the LIC to give an interest-free loan amounting to Rs 1.50 lakh crore to the Railways in 2015."The Modi government also forced the LIC, which is a 'Navratna' company, to bail out IDBI bank having higher NPAs. The LIC cannot buy shares of not more than 15 per cent in any organisation. But the IDBI bank was forced to purchase 51 per cent of shares," Singh claimed.The senior Congress leader alleged that the BJP's policies are against the stakeholders and LIC agents."If this situation persists, the LIC may not be able to return the money of its policyholders in the future," Singh .
100 Indian fishermen from Pakistan return home
As many as 100 fishermen, who were released by Pakistan a day before, reached India through Attari-Wagah border here on Monday.The Pakistan government was supposed to release 355 Indian fishermen along with five civilians from their jails. Pakistan released 100 Indian fishermen last week.The remaining Indian fishermen and civilians who are still in Pakistan jails are expected to be released on April 22 and 29.The fishermen were arrested for fishing illegally in Pakistani waters.The fishermen, from Malir Jail in Karachi, were taken to Lahore through train on Sunday.Pakistan authorities handed over the fishermen to the BSF at Attari border after the retreat ceremonies.
BJP seeks Rahul's apology for 'lying shamelessly' over SC judgment in Rafale case
BJP on Monday accused the Congress president Rahul Gandhi of 'lying shamelessly' over the recent Supreme Court (SC) judgment in connection with a review petition in Rafale case and sought his apology."Rahul lied regarding SC observation in connection with the review petition over Rafale case. When will he stop resorting to such shamelessness? When will he stop shameless showering of abuses on our leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi," asked Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, while addressing a press conference here.An audio-visual clip of the Congress president shot on April 10 was also played during the press conference, in which Rahul is heard saying that the Supreme Court has clearly said "Chowkidar Ne Chori Karwayi."The Congress president had said on April 10 that the Supreme Court has accepted that there is some form of corruption in Rafale deal."The Supreme Court has accepted that there is some form of corruption in Rafale deal and that 'Chowkidar Ne Chori Karwayi Hai," Rahul ...