Page 896 - Politics
Whistleblower bureaucrat writes to PM for details of conversation with former Health minister
Citing "relentless persecution", whistleblower bureaucrat Sanjiv Chaturvedi has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disclose the details of the 2014 conversation he had with then Union health minister Harsh Vardhan. The conversation between Modi and Vardhan led to his removal as anti-corruption officer of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Chaturvedi has said in a letter to the prime minister on February 28. Though the letter was written in February, the contents of the letter have been accessed only recently. Chaturvedi has sought action against those responsible for harassing him as well as disclosure of information related to the status of investigation of corruption cases against serving central ministers, in accordance with a recent order of the Central Information Commission. In his letter, Chaturvedi said he was subjected to "relentless persecution" and dragged into "endless litigations" in more than a dozen court cases across four high courts, tribunals and Supreme
National security, terrorism most important issues facing India: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday rejected the opposition's argument that elections should not be fought on national security issues, saying security and terrorism are the most important issues in long run while all other challenges are capable of early resolution. He also said that the biggest challenge before India is the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and terror as it concerns nation's sovereignty. "India's opposition argues that elections have to be fought on the 'real issues' and not on the issues of national security. It is my endeavour to argue that national security and terrorism are the most important issues which concern India in the long run. All other challenges are capable of early resolution," Jaitley said in a facebook post titled 'Why Jammu and Kashmir, and new approach to terrorism will remain a key political issue'. The opposition parties had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising death of over 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama and Indian Air Force's ...
Pondy CM flays BJP for silence on statehood demand
Senior Congress leader and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Monday flayed the Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) for keeping mum on demanding statehood for the union territory. Addressing reporters at PCC office here, he said the election manifestos of the Congress and the DMK had promised to get the statehood if the Secular Progressive Alliance was voted to power. "But, the BJP is keeping quite without making any demand to procure statehood and it is amusing that the AINRC has joined hands with the BJP to contest the Lok Sabha poll here," he said. Narayanasamy said the territorial government has been facing obstacles in getting grants and funds from the NDA government at the Centre. Besides, the proposals of the territorial government were rejected by the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi. He said the free rice scheme too could not be implemented because of the alleged negative approach of Bedi. "Whatever proposals the government sends to her, she rejects them and ...
EC puts curbs on Yogi, Mayawati campaign
The Election Commission on Monday barred BSP chief Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections for 48 and 72 hours respectively.
Will be carrying out joint exercises with Coast Guards: Army Chief
Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday said that the Army has plans to hold joint exercise with the Indian Coast Guard."We are inducting some Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) and since they (Coast Guard) have expertise in it, we will be carrying joint training and ultimately joint exercise along with Coast Guards on how to operate this ACVs inland and along the coastal area," General Rawat told ANI.He also said that the newly commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Veera will help the Coast Guard to monitor the maritime boundaries more effectively and will also add to their strengths."You are aware that Indian Coast Guard, along with Indian Navy, is responsible for maintaining maritime surveillance and ensuring that our Exclusive Economic Zone is monitored effectively," he said."Coast Guard has been carrying its task in a professional manner and continuously upgrading their efforts. This happens only when they are provided additional resources. ICGS Veera which has been ...
Personal remark on female politicians, a trend refusing to die
When they find it difficult to outwit powerful women fair and square, they often resort to using offensive language in a vain attempt at trying to put them down. That is the current dichotomy of electioneering in India, where personal and insensitive remarks on women have become a part of political debates."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," said Azam Khan at a rally in Rampur, on Sunday, and instantly got criticised for his insensitive remarks against film actress and Rampur BJP candidate Jaya Prada.Responding to his remark, Jaya snapped back saying Khan should not be allowed to contest the elections. She also added that his "vulgar remarks" will not deter her from contesting polls from Rampur.In an unsuccessful attempt for damage control, earlier today, while speaking to ANI, Khan said he did not name anyone .
Rahul questions source of funding of Modi's LS poll campaign
Even a 30-second advertisement on television costs lakhs of rupees, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday and asked who was funding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a rally in favour of Congress nominee Raj Babbar from Fatehpur Sikri, which goes to the polls in the second phase on April 18, Gandhi said, "Everywhere it is the publicity of Narendra Modi. Where is the money coming from? Thirty seconds on TV or newspaper advertisements require lakhs of rupees. Who is giving the money for it? It is not coming from Modi's pocket." He alleged that the prime minister had looted public money and given it to fugitive businessmen such as Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya. Attacking Modi over his "failed" promises, Gandhi said the prime minister had lied to the youth about generating two crore jobs and to the people of India about putting Rs 15 lakh in everyone's bank account. "Modi has destroyed the farmers of this ..
Congress' Shakeel Ahmad to contest as Independent
Congress leader and former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmad on Monday said he will contest the Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate from Bihar's Madhubani seat.
BJP vs coalition in Bulandshahr, Modi a key factor (IANS Special)
This Lok Sabha constituency, a BJP bastion which it has claimed for around 25 years, may, if the Modi magic continues, give it another chance amid the twin challenges of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance and the polarisation of a section of the voters.
Maha: PM to address rallies in Dindori, Nandurbar on Apr 22
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two rallies on April 22 in Nashik and Nandurbar districts in Maharashtra. Bharati Pawar and Union minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre are the BJP candidates from Dindori and Nandurbar Lok Sabha seats respectively. Dindori is one of the three Lok Sabha seats in Nashik district. "PM Modi will address the rally in Dindori first followed by another one in Nandurbar on April 22," a Maharashtra BJP functionary said Monday.
BJP has deviated from path of truth: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Monday alleged that the BJP had deviated from the path of truth and it seemed that the saffron party neither has faith in democracy nor in the people. The Congress secretary general in-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East) also said the BJP instead of speaking about India and what it had done for its youth was talking about Pakistan. "It seems that the government has faith neither in democracy, its institutions nor the people..had they been real nationalists they would have tread the path of truth. "They would have understood that this country is based on truth and those who deviate from it are not let off...you will also not be excused as you, too, have deviated from the path of truth long ago," she said at a rally here. The Congress leader was campaigning for the party's Fatehpur Sikri Lok Sabha seat candidate and Uttar Pradesh unit president Raj Babbar. Lashing out at the BJP government, Priyanka Gandhi said during election time, they are talking ...
Joshi seeks EC probe into circulation of fake letter in his name
Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has sought an inquiry by the Election Commission into a fake letter being circulated in his name on social media and critical of the party's leadership and Lok Sabha poll prospects. The fake letter, addressed to another party veteran L K Advani, has been in circulation for last few days. Demanding an investigation by the poll panel, Joshi has written to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora that he has not written any such letter. "My friends in media called me up and told me that since yesterday a letter addressed by me to L K Advani Ji has been circulated on social media. I have read the contents of it and I am attaching them with this letter. I have not sent any such letter to Advani Ji. Kindly, immediately look into the matter and find the source of the letter, through which it came to social media," Joshi said. Both Joshi and Adavani, who are among the founders of the party, had won last Lok Sabha elections in 2014 from Kanpur and ...
BJP fields Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday named another seven candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, fielding Bhojpuri film star Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur.
Malaysia revived China railway to avoid USD 5 bn penalty: PM
Malaysia would have faced a USD 5-billion penalty if a China-backed rail project was axed entirely, the prime minister said Monday, after a deal was reached to revive the controversial scheme. Last week Malaysia and China agreed to push ahead with the railway at a 30-percent lower cost, lifting a suspension slapped on the project when a corruption-plagued regime lost power last year. It was among several Beijing-financed deals in the Southeast Asian country put on hold after the change of government, amid concerns they lacked transparency and were aimed at funnelling cash to the administration of ex-leader Najib Razak. The 640-kilometre east coast rail link will run from northern Malaysia, near the Thai border, to a port outside Kuala Lumpur, and is seen as a key project in China's Belt and Road infrastructure drive. Announcing further details Monday, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that the government "was faced with the choice to either renegotiate or pay termination costs of ..
Sushma draws Mahabharata analogy over Azam Khan remark
BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Monday drew a Mahabharata analogy over Samajwadi Party Lok Sabha candidate Azam Khan's 'khakhi colour underwear' remark.
Caste factor will not play role in Chikkaballapur constituency: Veerappa Moily
Former Union minister M Veerappa Moily said Monday caste factor will not play a role in the Vokkaliga-dominated parliamentary constituency of Chikkaballapur, from where he is seeking re-election, as it has been a Congress bastion since its formation in 1977 and lost only once. "This constituency is a Congress bastion. We have lost only once since its formation in 1977. We had lost to R L Jalappa in 1996 Lok Sabha elections. He had fought on Janata Dal ticket, then. Hence, caste factor will not play any role here," he told PTI in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of his third round of electoral campaign in Doddaballapur city. Chikkaballapur, nearly 60 km from the state capital Bengaluru, is dominated by Vokkaligas, with about 4 lakh votes. The hat-trick win of a Brahmin candidate V Krishna Rao on Congress ticket between 1984 to 1991 is a good indicator that caste politics does not play a role in this Vokkaliga-dominated parliamentary constituency, Moily, aiming for a third term ..
Notification for local body polls before April 20, says SEC 0
: Telangana State Election Commission would issue a notification for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies between April 18 and 20, said the State Election Commission (SEC) chairman V Nagi Reddy Monday. The elections would be held for 535 ZPTCs and 5,857 MPTCs in three phases on political party symbols, he told reporters here. The preparation is underway for the conduct of the polls. "We've convened a meeting with senior officials, including the Chief Secretaryand the Director General of Police," he said. As these polls are being held based on political party symbol, ballot paper-printing would start once the candidates are finalised, Reddy said. The Telangana government had earlier conveyed its readiness to the SEC for the conduct of the polls between April 22 and May 14. The results would be announced after the announcement of Lok Sabha election results, an official release had said.
Finland eyes left-right coalition to keep populists out
Finns can expect a broad, ineffective coalition government for the next four years as the Social Democrats, who narrowly won weekend elections, focus on keeping the surging anti-immigration populists out, analysts said. The polls were closely watched to see how the nationalists would do ahead of European Parliament elections in May when many believe they and the eurosceptic camp as a whole could make significant inroads. As Finland's politicos digested Sunday's vote, the big question Monday was what role the far-right anti-immigration Finns Party, which more than doubled its seats in parliament under the leadership of hardline nationalist Jussi Halla-aho, would play. The Social Democrats came in as Finland's biggest party with 17.7 percent of the votes, just ahead of the Finns Party on 17.5 per cent. Halla-aho told Finnish media Monday he did not want to repeat the mistakes his party made in 2015 when it entered government and was forced to compromise on immigration and EU ...
Pawar promises farm loan waiver, Rafale probe if UPA wins
NCP chief Sharad Pawar Monday said the UPA would give complete farm loan waiver and conduct a detailed probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal if it forms the next government after the April-May Lok Sabha polls. Pawar was speaking at the poll campaign of Rajendra Shingne, the NCP Lok Sabha candidate from Buldhana. The Congress has been alleging graft in the Rafale deal while the Centre has maintained that it was carried out following laid down norms. "We will carry out a detailed probe into the Rafale deal and will not keep quiet until the truth is brought out. We will also solve the problems of farmers once the Congress and NCP's UPA comes to power," he said at a rally. "We will also give complete loan waiver to farmers as well as 1.5 times support price. We don't just make announcements," the former Union agriculture minister said. He said the UPA had given loan waiver in the past (in 2009) too and added that no compromise would be made on issues concerning ...
Draupadi in Rampur being disrobed, don't stay slient: Sushma to Mulayam
Union Minister Sushma Swaraj Monday questioned Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's silence on party leader Azam Khan's alleged "underwear" jibe against his BJP rival from Rampur Lok Sabha seat Jay Prada and asked him not to stay silent like 'Bhishma Pitamah' did at disrobing of Draupadi in Mahabharata. The senior BJP leader's comments followed SP leader Khan's alleged remarks at a rally in which, without naming actor-turned-politician Prada, he had said it took 17 years for people of Uttar Pradesh to understand her, but he knew in 17 days that she wears a "khaki underwear". Tagging a video of Khan's remarks, Swaraj tweeted, "Brother Mulayam, you are the patriarch of the Samajwadi Party. In Rampur, Draupadi is being disrobed in front of you. Don't commit the mistake of staying silent like Bhishma Pitamah", referring to an incident from the famous Indian mythology Mahabharata. Swaraj also tagged SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who was allegedly present at the rally when Khan made