Page 908 - Politics

In Kathua, PM Modi accuses Congress of 'overlooking atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday claimed that Congress and its allies "overlooked atrocities" on Kashmiri Pandits as they were more concerned about their vote bank.Addressing a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, Modi said, "Due to the policies of Congress, Kashmiri Pandits had to leave their own home. Congress and its allies are so worried about their votes that they overlooked the atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits.""I would like to ask Congress, who would do justice when they did injustice for 60 years? Will Congress ever be able to provide justice to Kashmiri Pandits? Will they be able to provide justice to those massacred in 1984 riots?" he asked.Reaffirming BJP's commitment towards the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits, Modi said, "Chowkidar is committed to let Kashmiri Pandits live on their land. Work has begun. We're also making efforts for a law to provide citizenship to families which have come here from Pakistan and believe in 'Ma Bharti' (mother ...

Mahagathbandhan formed so that such reports don't appear in foreign newspapers: Akhilesh on Le Monde report

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the 'mahagathbandhan' or grand alliance was formed to ensure that reports like Le Monde's don't appear in foreign newspapers."We don't want such reports (Le Monde) to get published in foreign newspapers and this is why we have formed mahagathbandhan. He (PM Modi) says Make in India and then hands over the contracts for purchasing foreign goods to his friends," Akhilesh said while flagging off the Veer Samman Rath Yatra.Le Monde, a French newspaper, had reportedly published an article which suggested that the French government had favoured Anil Ambani's company with special tax benefits after the deal for the Rafale fighter jets was signed.The report said that Anil Ambani's Reliance received special benefits from the French government in the form of tax settlement, days after the Rafale deal was signed between February and October 2015, while France was negotiating the Rafale contract with India.Akhilesh went on to say ..

BJP names six candidates for Haryana, MP, Rajasthan

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday named six more candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Chaudhary Birender Singh offers to resign from Modi cabinet, RS

Union Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh on Sunday offered to resign from the cabinet and Rajya Sabha after BJP announced his son Brijendra Singh as the party's candidate from Haryana's Hisar Lok Sabha seat.Singh, who is Union Minister of Steel under the Narendra Modi government, said that he has offered to resign from the Rajya Sabha and ministership as the BJP is against "dynastic rule"."When BJP goes for elections, they are against dynastic rule, so I thought it to be proper that if my son gets the nomination, I should resign from Rajya Sabha and Ministership. I have written to Amit Shah ji, that I leave it to the party, forthwith I am ready to resign," Birender Singh told ANI.Earlier today, the BJP released the 20th list of candidates for Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for the ongoing general elections.In the list, the BJP has announced two candidates for Haryana, three for Madhya Pradesh and one candidate for Rajasthan.The party also named one candidate for by-elections to .

Clash of two women in Dausa in Rajasthan

Former Union Minister Jaskaur Meena of the BJP will take on Savita Meena of the Congress in Dausa in Rajasthan in what promises to be a thrilling woman-vs-woman battle to enter the Lok Sabha.

Lack of formal apology casts shadow over Jallianwala Bagh event in UK

The failure of the UK government to tender a formal apology on the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was the overwhelming focus of a commemorative event held at the House of Lords complex in London on Saturday. The massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar during the Baisakhi festival on April 13, 1919, when troops of the British Indian Army under the command of Colonel Reginald Dyer opened fire at a crowd of people holding a pro-independence demonstration, leaving scores dead. Indian-origin peers Lord Raj Loomba and Lord Meghnad Desai were joined by fellow members of the Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Commemoration Committee (JBCCC) to wrap up a series of events and exhibitions held in the UK to mark the 100th anniversary of the British colonial era massacre. "The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919, stands out as a very tragic event in history. Hundred years since then, India has come a long way and this why we have heard various mutterings of regret because ..

Youth of braveheart soldier's village in Sambhal appeals politicians to not politicise Army

Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 14 (ANI): Just nine days ahead of Lok Sabha polls in Sambhal parliamentary constituency, the youth of slain soldier Sudesh Kumar's Pansukha Milak village has appealed politicians to not politicise the Army as it demoralises them.The villagers voiced their hope for a strong government at the centre that will focus on national security.Speaking to ANI, Sudesh's father Brahmpal Singh said, "Whatever be the result, national security should be the priority. In our village, there are at least 24 people serving in the Army. My own son sacrificed his life on the border. Hence, I want a government that will keep village and national security on priority."Sudesh Kumar lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan on October 16, 2016, in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.Remembering her son with teary eyes, Sudesh's mother Harvati Devi said, "Though I have lost my son, I want other sons on the borders to come back to their respective homes ...

UP govt has started educating Dalits: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said the BJP government in the state had started the process of educating the Dalits. Speaking at a programme held here to celebrate the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Adityanath said, "Babasaheb used to say that the Dalit society's uplift will be possible when they become educated.... We have started working in that direction." He added that prior to the formation of the BJP government, Ambedkar's photos were not put up at government offices. "When we assumed office, the first thing we did was put up Babasaheb's photographs at all the government offices," he said. Adityanath later tweeted saying, "I bow down in reverence of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, an apostle of equality & freedom, and whose work left an indelible mark on making of New India. I draw supreme inspiration from your ideals, which constantly guide me to work for welfare & dignity of our people.

Opposition to approach SC on EVMs

Opposition leaders on Sunday said they will approach the Supreme Court over what they said were malfunctioning and tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Heroin worth Rs 55 lakh seized in UP; Nepalese man arrested

Heroin worth Rs 55 lakh was seized from a Nepalese national in Sonauli along the Indo-Nepal border here Sunday by a joint team of police and SSB personnel, an official said. Birbal Chaudhery (25) was arrested from the Sonauli bus stand following his arrival from Nepal with the contraband in possession, he said. Sonauli is a common transit point between India and Nepal. The heroin was seized and an investigation is underway, the official added.

BJD, BJP key contenders in Bargarh LS seat

With the Congress fielding a greenhorn, Bargarh Lok Sabha seat is witnessing an intense battle betwen two heavyweights of the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP. The grand old party has pitted Pradip Debata, a businessman, against BJD stalwart and sitting Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya, and BJP national secretary Suresh Pujari in the backward constituency in western Odisha. Fighting his maiden electoral battle, Debata is facing a tough fight at the hustings as both Pujari and Acharya are known for their oratory skills and political experience. "The people in Bargarh are unhappy with the Naveen Patnaik government which has failed to bring development," Debata said. "The BJD government has also failed to improve irrigation facilities during its 19-year rule, and not a single industry has been set up in Bargarh," he said. Describing development as BJD's main agenda, Prasanna Acharya said, "our party symbolises progress of all sections of society. I am highlighting the ..

Shah accuses Pawar of spreading falsehoods

BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday accused NCP chief Sharad Pawar of spreading falsehoods, claiming that he was doing so because of his party's falling fortunes and family fights over seats. Shah's barb was in reaction to Pawar's claim that late BJP leader Manohar Parrikar quit defence ministry because he did not agree with the Rafale jet deal. "Being a former Defence Minister yourself, one expected better from you Pawar Sahab! Your party's falling fortunes and family fights over seats is making you nervous and spread falsehoods," Shah said in a tweet. The BJP chief added, "Talking of quitting, remember why you quit Congress and what you did thereafter?" Shah was apparently referring to Pawar quitting the Congress in 1999 after raking up Sonia Gandhi's foreign origins and her credentials to lead the party. Pawar formed Nationalist Congress Party but soon joined hands with the Congress to form government in Maharashtra. Recently Pawan had claimed that Parrikar returned to Goa and quit ..

MP: BJP names 3 LS candidates, undecided on Bhopal, Indore,

The BJP Sunday declared candidates for three more Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, dropping two sitting MPs. Suspense, however, continued for prominent seats like Bhopal, Vidisha and Indore. In the 2014 polls, it had won 27 seats in the state, with the Congress managing to retain only Chhindwara and Guna. In Bhopal, the Congress has nominated senior leader Digvijaya Singh while in Indore, the BJP's eight-time sitting MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had announced that she would not be contesting this time. On Sunday, the BJP dropped sitting MPs Nagendra Singh and Savitri Thakur from Khajuraho and Dhar Lok Sabha seats respectively, giving tickets to BD Sharma and Chhatar Singh Darbar in their place. From Ratlam, which was won by the Congress' Kantilal Bhuria in a bypoll, the BJP has fielded Jhabua MLA GS Damor. Before contesting the Assembly polls post retirement, Damor was the engineer-in-chief of the Madhya Pradesh Public Health Engineering (PHE) ...

Jasakur Meena BJP candidate from Dausa

Former MP Jaskaur Meena has been declared as BJP candidate from Dausa Lok Sabha constituency of Rajasthan. The party finally announced her name in its list of candidates on Sunday after days of confusion and resistance from party leader Kirori Meena. Kirori Meena was demanding ticket for his wife Golma Devi and his supporters held protests in the constituency a couple of days back. There was speculation over the name of Jaskaur Meena and the party's state unit had congratulated her on Twitter even before the formal announcement of ticket on Thursday. However, the tweet was soon removed and it was clarified that there was no decision over the candidate for the Dausa seat. Dausa is among 12 constituencies which will go to poll on May 6.

India called Pakistan's bluff with air strikes: Modi

India has called nuclear-armed Pakistan's bluff with its air strikes on terror camps in that country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, adding that one country cannot have two Prime Ministers.

In case of hung Parliament, regional parties can be kingmakers

With some poll surveys predicting that BJP-led NDA may fall short of numbers in the Lok Sabha elections, the role of regional political parties can become crucial in deciding who forms the government at the Centre, if the predictions prove correct.

Priyanka Gandhi to embark on UP river ride

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi is set to embark on a three-day river ride from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency of Varanasi to other eastern Uttar Pradesh districts, a party leader said on Sunday.

Saudis, UAE express support for Sudan military council

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have issued statements in support of Sudan's transitional military council after mass protests forced longtime President Omar al-Bashir from power. Saudi Arabia says it "stands by the Sudanese people" and calls on all Sudanese "to give priority to the national interest" of their country. The UAE called on the Sudanese "to work for protecting legitimacy and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power." Saudi King Salman ordered an unspecified package of aid for Sudan that includes petroleum products, wheat and medicine. In separate statements issued late Saturday, Saudi Arabia and the UAE specifically expressed support for Sudan's transitional council formed by the military. The UAE said it welcomed the swearing-in of Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan on Friday as head of that council.

Cong to win all Mumbai seats; people will not be fooled by 'opportunistic' Sena-BJP tie-up: Deora

Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora has said his party will win all the six Lok Sabha seats in the metropolis as anti-incumbency was a major factor in the polls and people will not be fooled by the BJP-Shiv Sena's "opportunistic alliance". Deora, who was last month appointed Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief replacing Sanjay Nirupam, also said the Congress' Mumbai unit was "united and fighting for one cause". In an interview to PTI, he said 2014 was an exceptional year and those political situations do not prevail any more after five years. The Congress had drawn a blank in the six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai in the 2014 general elections after having cornered a lion's share of five seats in the 2009 elections. Three seats were won by the BJP, while three went to Sena in 2014. Deora, who is again fighting from Mumbai South seat, said the Congress has fielded best candidates amongst all parties on all six seats. The list of candidates includes those who had lost had lost in the ...

PM targets Abdullahs, Muftis, says he won't allow them to divide India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday slammed the Abdullahs and Muftis, saying two families "ruined" three generations of Jammu and Kashmir and he will not allow them to "divide" India. The prime minister was referring to NC leader Omar Abdullah's demand for a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir. The Abdullah and Mufti families have "ruined" three generations in the state. They laid seize to the state for three generations. For the better future of the state, they need to be voted out, he told a public rally here. The bright future of Jammu and Kashmir can be ensured only after their departure. They can bring their entire clan into the field, can abuse Modi as much as they want but they won't be able to divide this nation, the prime minister said. Campaigning for Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, who is seeking re-election from Udhampur Lok Sabha seat, the prime minister said people in Jammu and Kashmir voted in large numbers in the first phase of polls and "rattled" ...