Page 897 - Politics
BJP trying to create insecurity among people to carry out another Balakot-like attack: Mehbooba
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday claimed that the BJP is creating insecurity among people in order to carry out another Balakot-like attack to garner votes.Speaking to reporters here, Mufti said, "Narendra Modi has failed in all his attempts. He tried to incite communal violence and create polarisation here. He also did drama of Balakot attack. Now they can see their defeat in the first phase of elections. He is creating a sense of insecurity among people and it seems that they are planning another attack on Pakistan so that they get votes in the other phases."She also claimed that everything BJP is doing today is only for votes. "Be it attack on Pakistan or strictness in Kashmir, it is all vote politics and nothing else," she said.Mufti also said that a lot of questions have been raised on the Pulwama attack and how it happened. "I feel that complete inquiry must be done to reveal the full truth," she opined.Yesterday, Mufti had said that the leaders who are speaking against ...
Rahul manufacturing Court order on Rafale for political propaganda
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of manufacturing Supreme Court order on Rafale deal for political propaganda and said 'right to free speech' is not 'right to falsehood'. The minister was commenting on the Supreme Court order which said that the remarks made by Gandhi on its April 10 Rafale case verdict were "incorrectly attributed" to the apex court and directed the Congress President to give his explanation by April 22. In a series of tweets, Jaitley said, "In Rahul Gandhi's politics, the Right to Free Speech includes the Right to Falsehood". He further said dynasts are also subject to the Supreme Court and while truth holds together, falsehood falls apart. "Indian democracy does not permit them (dynasts) to rewrite Court orders... To manufacture a Court order for a political propaganda is a new low for Rahul Gandhi. The lower he sinks, the higher we rise," Jaitley said. BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi in her plea before the Supreme Court alleged ..
Shah slams Rahul on Rafale, blasts Azam for Jaya Prada remark
BJP chief Amit Shah Monday attacked Congress president Rahul Gandhi for "lying" over a Supreme Court order on the Rafale fighter jet purchase deal. The Congress tells a lie and repeats it, Shah said, adding that Gandhi had got notice from the apex court for his utterances on the Rafale deal. Shah was addressing a rally in Kodinar town in Gir Somnath district for the party's Junagadh Lok Sabha candidate. "The Supreme Court heard the (Rafale) case on a preliminary technical objection. The Supreme Court passed its judgement, and Rahul baba started saying the Supreme Court had rebuked the government on the Rafale issue. In reality, no such thing happened," Shah said. The Congress president had on April 10 claimed that the apex court has made it "clear" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committed a theft". The apex court, which had earlier cleared the Modi government of accusations of corruption over the Rafale deal with France, had on April 9 said it will hear a review ...
Where does all the money for Modi's publicity come from, asks Rahul
With only three days left for the second phase of the general elections, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has upped the ante against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the source of money being used for his publicity."Priyanka ji said in the beginning that wherever you see, you will find publicity of Narendra Modi being done. Switch on TV-Narendra Modi, switch on a radio-Narendra Modi, and walk on the roads-Narendra Modi. Where does all this money for publicity come from?""I tell you from where this money is coming from. Narendra Modi has looted crores of your money and has given to all 'chors' (thieves). Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani were all given stolen money," he claimed.Making another poll promise, Gandhi said that the Congress will present a separate budget for farmers if voted to power."When the Congress comes to power in 2019, we will present a separate budget for farmers. Like there was a separate Railway budget, we will present a farmer ...
If govt nationalist, it should stop disrespecting freedom fighters: Priyanka Gandhi
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, came down heavily on the BJP-led central government and said if it is nationalist, it should stop disrespecting the freedom fighters who laid the foundation of this country."Government says it is nationalist. I want to ask the government if it is nationalist then it should respect the fallen soldiers, whether they are Hindus or Muslims. If it is nationalist, it should stop disrespecting the freedom fighters who have laid the foundation of this country," Priyanka said while sharing the stage with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia at a public rally here.She added, "If it is nationalist, it should stop talking about Pakistan in the election rallies. Instead, it should tell the youth, women and farmers of India as to what it is going to do about them."She mentioned in her speech about farmers from different parts of the country marching to Delhi and slammed the ...
Congress, BJD have 'anti-national mentality', claims Yogi
Stepping up the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) attack against Opposition parties over national security, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of having an "anti-national mentality.""The BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working with a motive of 'sabka saath sabka vikas' for the welfare of the people. On the other hand, Congress and BJD's stand is exposed because of their negative and anti-India mentality, and for adopting a soft approach towards Naxalism, terrorism and anti-India activities," he said at a rally here.The BJP leader claimed that Congress and BJD were in the electoral process only to create a mess and had no agenda of development for the poor and the youth.Adityanath also said that only BJP can take tough decisions to eradicate the menace of terrorism. "It is only BJP which talks about zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. Only BJP can eliminate terrorists by storming into ...
Japan hopes UK will avoid no-deal Brexit
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday expressed hope that the UK will take measures to avoid 'no deal' Brexit.Abe also told British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt that he hopes the Brexit's impact would be "minimal" on Japanese firms and the global economy."I hope the UK will not leave the European Union without an agreement," NHK World quoted Abe, as saying. "I hope that the impact of Brexit on Japanese firms and the global economy will be minimal."Abe's remark came days after European leaders agreed to delay the deadline for the UK's exit from the European bloc until October 31, with a review in June.Despite the recent extension, the future of British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal appears bleak.The British Parliament had rejected May's Brexit deal thrice. Parliamentarians have also rejected four alternative proposals for the UK's exit from the EU.The UK was due to leave on April 12 without a deal. However, the EU called a marathon emergency summit to prevent 'no deal' .
Siliguri: Unidentified miscreants vandalise 3 BJP booth offices
Unidentified miscreants vandalised three booth offices of the Bharatiya Janata Party here on Monday."After we closed the booths last night and went to our respective houses, several men on bikes vandalised booth number 1955, 1957 and 1958. We have registered an FIR against them," BJP party worker Vikram Gajay told ANI.He said that the miscreants could be Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. "Their party workers attacked us because they are afraid that TMC would lose this time, as people are in favour of Modi-led BJP," he added.Three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal - Darjeeling, Raigunj and Jalpaiguri - will vote on April 18. Two seats in the state, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, went to polls on April 11.
Macron to set out fix for 'yellow vest' anger
French President Emmanuel Macron was to set out a series of major policy announcements Monday in response to five months of nationwide "yellow vest" protests, in what has been billed as a make-or-break moment for his presidency. Yet the task of trying to satisfy the many, sometimes competing demands coiled up in the protests will be a tricky one for the 41-year-old leader, who was elected two years ago on promises of sweeping changes. His reform drive was abruptly knocked off course by the yellow vests, whose movement erupted in November against social inequality. Macron responded by embarking on a major voter-listening exercise between January and March called the "Great National Debate", in which grievances were aired during thousands of town hall-style meetings. "We have decided to transform the anger into solutions," Macron wrote on Twitter. "For several months you told us what you think and we heard... (Monday) night I will respond to you." The centrist will give a speech at 1800
'Reject Article 370 as Kashmir's connect to India'
Calling the issue of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir the biggest challenge before India, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday said it cannot be solved until the "failed obsolete thought" of Article 370 as a "loose constitutional connect" between the state and the rest of the country is rejected.
'Modi trying to incite communal violence for votes'
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to incite communal violence to win votes.
Dynasts not allowed to rewrite court orders: Jaitley
In the wake of the Supreme Court's observations, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi, saying that he had hit a "new low" as he "manufactured" a court order for his political propaganda.
South Korean president calls for 4th summit with Kim Jong Un
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday he's ready for a fourth summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to help salvage faltering nuclear negotiations between the North and the United States. Moon's comments came after Kim issued his harshest criticism yet of South Korea's diplomatic role last week, accusing Seoul of acting like an "overstepping mediator" and demanding that it diverge from Washington to support the North's position more strongly. Moon met Kim three times last year and also brokered nuclear talks between North Korea and the U.S. following tensions created by the North's nuclear and missile tests and the exchange of war threats by Kim and President Donald Trump. "Whenever North Korea is ready, we hope that the South and North could sit down together and hold concrete and practical discussions on ways to achieve progress that goes beyond what was accomplished in the two summits between North Korea and the United States," Moon said in a meeting with senior ...
LS polls: SBSP to go alone in UP
The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), an ally of the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh, on Monday said it will go alone in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the state. "The SBSP will contest the Lok Sabha election on its own. It will field candidates from 25 seats (in Uttar Pradesh) and their names will be announced soon," party chief and state minister Om Prakash Rajbhar told reporters at his residence here. The SBSP had won four seats in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Rajbhar said there was a meeting on the alliance at the chief minister's residence on April 13, in which Union minister JP Nadda was also present. At that meeting, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had proposed to field an SBSP candidate on its symbol, which was disapproved by him, Rajbhar added. He insisted to use his party symbol even if the SBSP got just one seat to contest. The Uttar Pradesh minister for backward class welfare and divyangjan empowerment said he had sought time from Chief Minister Yogi ...
After IS war, Iraq seeks to reclaim status in Arab world
After decades of conflict, Iraq is seeking to reclaim a leadership role and status in the Arab world with a centrist policy and a determination among the country's top leaders to maintain good relations with both Iran and the United States. A flurry of recent diplomatic activity and high-profile visits to the Iraqi capital, including this month's re-opening of a Saudi Consulate in Baghdad for the first time in nearly 30 years points to a new era of openness as the nation sheds its war image and re-engages with the world. "Iraq is coming back to the neighbourhood," President Barham Salih told The Associated Press in a nearly hour-long interview last month. The veteran politician laid out a vision centered on an "Iraq First" policy, saying his country can no longer afford to be caught in regional disputes. "For almost four decades Iraq was the domain in which everybody pursued their agenda at the expense of the Iraqi people. It's time we say we need a new political order ... in which .
No online voting for 2019 elections for Indian expats in UAE: clarifies Consul-General of India
There will be no online voting for the 2019 polls for Indian expatriates in the UAE, the Consul-General of India in Dubai has said, as he dismissed rumours that it was possible for non-resident Indians to vote online for the ongoing general elections. Indian expats have complained that social media platforms have been rife with forwards of misleading posts that suggest non-resident Indians (NRIs) can vote online for 2019 polls. There will be no e-voting for the 2019 elections, the Consul-General of India in Dubai, Vipul was quoted as saying in a media on Sunday. "One can register on the National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP), and ensure that their name has appeared in the electoral roll," he told Khaleej Times, adding that the only way people can vote is by personally visiting the polling booth in their respective constituency. According to many Indian expats, the posts have been making the rounds since January. While some of them believed the posts, others cross checked on the ...
Cong leader to file nomination papers from Madhubani; insists
Senior Congress leader Shakil Ahmed on Monday announced that he will be filing his nomination papers from Madhubani Lok Sabha seat, which he has represented twice and which has gone to Mahagathbandhan alliance partner VIkassheel Insaan Party (VIP), a fledgling outfit, which came into being barely six months ago. He claimed that the party was not averse to his entering the fray on the seat. I will be filing my nomination papers from Madhubani on Tuesday, April 16. I have urged the party leadership to consider two alternatives. One is a friendly fight on the Congress symbol. The other is that I contest as an Independent with the partys support, Ahmed told PTI over phone from Madhubani. The party is not averse to my entering the fray. I have spoken to AICC in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, who told me that my wish has been conveyed to Rahul Gandhi, who will take a call after due consideration. I have pointed out to the party leadership that we are witnessing friendly fights in ..
Azam Khan's remarks on Jaya Prada show SP's thinking, culture: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday hit out at Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for his "objectionable remarks" against film actor and BJP leader Jaya Prada, stating that the remarks made show his party's "thinking and culture."Adityanath's response comes a day after Khan while addressing a rally, claimed that the actor-turned-politician wears "Khaki underwear.""This shows the thinking and culture of Samajwadi Party. The silence of Samajwadi Party chief (Akhilesh Yadav) and his ally Mayawati (Bahujan Samaj Party supremo), who is also a woman, is surprising. This is very unfortunate," Adityanath said while speaking to ANI."Azam Khan's statement is extremely disrespectful and shows his cheap mindset," the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister added.Criticising Khan for his below-the-belt remarks, Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani, while speaking to ANI in Amethi, said: "Derogatory comments were being made on a woman and SP leaders were sitting silently. I urge them that .
Sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' successfully test-fired
India on Monday successfully test-fired its first indigenously designed and developed long-range sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' from a test range in Odisha. The state-of-the-art missile, which can be deployed from multiple platforms, was test-fired at 11.44 am from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here, sources in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. Describing the trial "successful", they said the missile, which is capable of loitering and cruising at 0.7 Mach at altitude as low as 100 metre, covered the designated target range in 42 minutes and 23 seconds. The flight test achieved all the mission objectives, right from lift off till the final splash, boosting the confidence of all scientists associated with the trial, sources said, adding it has an engine with rocket booster and turbofan/jet. The sophisticated missile took off in a programmed manner and all critical operations like launch phase, booster deployment, ...
Rahul's lie on Rafale deal exposed by SC: BJP
The Supreme Court has exposed Rahul Gandhi's "lie" on the Rafale deal, the BJP said on Monday, claiming that people want the Congress president to apologise for "defaming" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javadekar hit out at Gandhi at a press conference after the apex court said it had made no such observations as allegedly attributed to it by the Congress chief. The Supreme Court was hearing a contempt case filed against Gandhi by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi after the Congress president reportedly said the apex court had accepted that there was corruption in the Rafale fighter jets deal and that Modi gave away Rs 30,000 crore to industrialist Anil Ambani. "The Supreme Court has exposed Gandhi's lie. He lies daily and one of those lies has been exposed.... People are demanding that he tender an apology," Javadekar said. He accused Gandhi of using the court to defame Modi and institutions, claiming that the Congress and the Gandhi