Page 913 - Politics
Nehru tried to stop Rajendra Prasad from going to Somnath temple's rejuvenation programme: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tried to stop then President Rajendra Prasad from participating in the rejuvenation programme of Somnath temple after independence.While heaping praise on the first President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Adityanath said that he was the pillar of 'secularism' and strongly upheld the values of 'democracy.'"If we about our post-Independence time, our first President Dr Rajendra Prasad was among those who provided immense strength to Indian politics and democracy and contributed greatly towards it," he said."Who can forget his personality? He was a strong pillar of secularism in Indian politics and set an example that how Indian culture and values should be respected," said Adityanath.However, Adityanath slammed first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru."After independence when talks of rejuvenation of Somnath temple were taking place, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tried that President ...
BJP writes to poll panel on NaMo TV, says 'documentary content' removed
Two days after the Election Commission directed that all recorded programmes displayed on NaMo TV be pre-certified, the BJP on Saturday wrote to the Delhi poll body that "documentary content" has been removed from the channel, officials said. An official of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer's office said the BJP replied in the afternoon and said they will not run any content that was "not certified" or "returned" by the media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC). The party also said the documentary content that was being earlier aired by the channel is not being aired anymore. The CEO's office Saturday also directed the party to ensure that all videos played on NaMo TV bear the certification number given by it. Officials at the CEO office said that parties only specify whether the content is for social media or TV and not whether it will go on any particular channel. Keeping this in mind, the party has been directed to ensure that the content played on NaMo TV bears the ...
Pompeo praises Paraguay's return to democracy in rare visit
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks Saturday with Paraguay's President Mario Abdo Benitez as part of a four-nation tour of Latin American allies focusing heavily on Venezuela and countering China's economic reach. Pompeo -- the first US secretary of state to visit the former dictatorship since 1965 -- paid tribute to the country's transition to democracy as an inspiration to the region. Pompeo arrived in Asuncion late Friday after talks with Chile's President Sebastian Pinera in Santiago that focused heavily on his country's developing trade relationship with China. The tour will also take in stops in Peru and Colombia. In Asuncion, Pompeo praised Paraguay's support for US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido in Venezuela, and its role in the Lima Group of mostly Latin American nations seeking a solution to the Venezuela crisis. "Paraguay is a leader in defending democracy and calling Maduro as he is, a tyrant who has ruined his country," Pompeo said. Foreign Minister Luis ...
Will speak to PM on citizenship bill if NDA voted to power:
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said he will speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make necessary changes in the citizenship bill if the NDA comes to power again. Addressing a press conference here, Athawale, also the chief of the Republican Party of India (A), acknowledged the strong sentiment against the contentious bill across the north east region. "We have sympathy for the peoples' sentiments. When Narendra Modi will become PM again, we will talk to him to see what changes can be made in the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill," he said. The RPI(A) has fielded three candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Assam. It has given tickets to Mehbubar Rahman in Dhubri, Rejaul Karim in Barpeta and Sadek Ali in Gauhati constituencies. "We have opened our party units in all the north eastern states. At this moment, we are new here. But, I can tell that we will be a strong force in the years to come," Athawale said. Criticising .
Row after 'EVM thief' goes with Naidu to EC meet
After Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu raised questions over the Election Commission's independence and impartiality, the poll panel on Saturday issued a notice to the TDP questioning how Naidu allowed a person accused of stealing an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to be part of the delegation that knocked on its doors.
Guj LS poll: Farm distress could hurt BJP in Surendranagar
Farm distress might prove costly for the BJP in Gujarat's Surendranagar Lok Sabha seat, three-fourth of which is rural, though the ruling party says work by the Vijay Rupani government and the Centre will hold it in good stead. Sveral farmers in the region said the Centre and the state government had done nothing to alleviate farm issues caused by the prevailing drought, a sentiment the Congress, which did very well from the here in the 2017 Assembly polls, wants to encash. "We paid Rs 5,000 as premium for crop insurance coverage, and all we got was Rs 6,000 after our crop failed. Forget doubling our income, this government has taken away our money," said Hasmukh Patel, a farmer from Lakhtar near Surendranagar. Patel said he voted for the Congress in 2017 Assembly elections, when the Patidar reservation agitation mobilised the community against the ruling BJP, and would do so again as the Narendra Modi government had failed to deliver on its poll promises to ...
Rajasthan govt concerned only about its 'Vaibhav', says BJP
A BJP leader Saturday said the people of Rajasthan are paying the price as the Congress government is focused on its own 'Vaibhav', using the Hindi word which means 'glory' and also is the name of the chief minster's son. Former state BJP president Arun Chaturvedi said, "The government is only concerned about its 'Vaibhav' even as people of the state were paying the price." Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, Vaibhav Gehlot, is contesting the Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat, currently held by Union minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Addressing a press conference here, Chaturvedi said the entire state is suffering from a severe water crisis. "The Congress government announced to provide free water in the state but in reality, people are not getting enough drinking water. The present government has shelved its water conservation scheme Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Yojana," he claimed. Accusing the state government of giving contract of drinking water supply to people ...
Modi to address traders in Delhi on Apr 19
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address traders of the country at Talkatora Stadium here on April 19, Union minister Vijay Goel said, adding he will discuss the issues of the community as mentioned in the party's 'Sankalp Patra' manifesto. The convention is being organised by the Rashtriya Vyapari Dhanywad Mahasammelan, he said. "There has been huge enthusiasm among the trading community after the BJP released its Sankalp Patra manifesto which promises to address prominent and fundamental issues concerning traders. Traders have been organising meetings in different places to express their gratitude to the prime minister and BJP national president Amit Shah," Goel said. Prominent business leaders and office-bearers of all market associations in Delhi have been invited on this occasion, he said. The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs said Sankalp Patra talks about setting up a National Traders Welfare Board, new retail policy to boost retail trade, pension scheme for small ..
Attempts being made by Centre to weaken J-K politically, economically: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Saturday alleged that attempts were being made by the Centre to weaken Jammu and Kashmir politically and economically and asked the people to stand in unison against "divisive forces" and actively participate in the ongoing parliamentary polls. Addressing public meetings at Chadoora and Khan Sahib in central Kashmir's Budgam district to garner support in favour of the party candidate for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, Aga Sayed Mohsin, she said the people of the state have to stay united and fight a collective battle to "thwart attacks on our identity". "Attempts are being made by New Delhi to weaken J-K politically as well as economically. We are facing an onslaught on our special status from New Delhi. I have fought it both within and outside the government. My party always stood firm on the core issues without any compromise. Our track record is certificate of our integrity," Mehbooba said. She asked people to strengthen the PDP and send "our best ...
Sudan's new military ruler vows to 'uproot' Bashir regime
Sudan's second new military leader in as many days vowed Saturday to 'uproot' deposed president Omar al-Bashir's regime and release protesters, in a bid to placate demonstrators demanding civilian rule. "I announce the restructuring of state institutions according to the law and pledge to fight corruption and uproot the regime and its symbols," General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said, a day after he was sworn in to head Sudan's new ruling military council. He also ordered the release of all prisoners jailed by special emergency courts and the immediate lifting of a night-time curfew imposed by the council earlier this week. Career soldier Burhan took the helm of Sudan's transitional military council on Friday when his predecessor General Awad Ibn Ouf -- a close aide of ousted veteran president Bashir -- quit after little more than 24 hours in power. Burhan also pledged Saturday that individuals involved in the killing of protesters would face justice. His initial announcements indicated ..
Congress, BJP trade charge, blame AAP over sealing in Delhi's Mayapuri
The BJP and the Congress blamed each other besides charging the ruling AAP for sealing drive at west Delhi's Mayapuri on Saturday which witnessed violent protest by locals resulting in use of force by police. Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit condemned use of force by police in Mayapuri, blaming the Centre and the MCD, both ruled by the BJP, for sealing "There was collusion of the Centre and the MCD in sealing at Mayapuri. Congress condemns brutal lathicharge on the people," she said. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari lodged a complaint against the AAP, with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi alleging sealing drive was being conducted selectively during imposition of model code of conduct. He urged the poll panel for intervention to halt it. "Arvind Kejriwal who is blaming the Centre and criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi is exposed today as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and local SDM, who conducted the sealing in Mayapuri, come under Delhi government," Tiwari ...
For whom Raj Thackeray, MNS campaigning, asks BJP
Rattled by two rallies addressed by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday asked the Election Commission to ascertain who was funding them and for whom the MNS was campaigning.
Deepender, Selja figure in new Congress LS list
The Congress on Saturday released a list of 18 Lok Sabha candidates, fielding Deepender Singh Hooda from Rohtak, former Union Minister Kumari Selja from Ambala and Ashok Tanwar from Sirsa.
Cong announces its first list of 6 candidates for LS polls in Haryana
The Congress Saturday announced its first list of six candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Haryana which includes sitting MP Deepender Hooda and Rajya Sabha member Kumari Selja. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's son Deepinder Singh, who is sitting MP, has been renominated from Rohtak. State Congress chief Ashok Tanwar will contest from the Sirsa (Reserved) seat. CLP leader Kiran Choudhary's daughter Shruti has been named from the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh seat. She contested unsuccessfully from this seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress has reposed faith in Rajya Sabha MP Kumari Selja and nominated her from the Ambala (Reserved) seat, six-time MLA Capt Ajay Singh Yadav will contest from Gurgaon and Lalit Nagar will contest from the Faridabad seat, according to the list. The Congress is yet to announce candidates for Karnal, Sonipat, Hisar and Kurukshetra seats. Out of 10 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress had won only the Rohtak seat in 2014.
'RSS control over BJP is reducing due to Modi's one man show'
Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said the "control of the RSS" over the BJP is gradually decreasing due to the "one man show" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Alleging various violations of the model code of conduct, the senior Congress leader also said the Election Commission is not functioning effectively in having a free and fair polling. "It is well known that the RSS has a control over the BJP, but we are seeing that slowly it is decreasing, mainly because of the one man show of Modi," Gogoi told a press conference here. Leaders of the saffron party nowadays do not say "BJP government", but use the phrase "Modi government", in an attempt to give an impression that only he is running the government, he said. "Modi is creating an indispensable image of himself for the party... His dictatorial behaviour and one man show is a concern for all," the former CM said. Stating that the Lok Sabha polls in 2019 is the most important in Indian democracy so ...
Former Rajasthan BJP MLA quits party
Former Dholpur legislator Abdul Sagir Khan Saturday resigned from the BJP, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah for the "plight" of the party. "I have not seen such a plight of the party in my 40 years of political career," Khan said. He alleged that Modi and Shah have "hijacked" the party. "Leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani are no longer with the party who were my inspiration to be with the BJP," Khan told reporters at a press conference here. Khan, also a former chairman of the Rajasthan Waqf Development Council, was elected to the state assembly on a BJP ticket in 2008. Along with Khan, nearly two dozen supporters also left the party. "I will consult supporters and workers and announce the next move in coming days," he said.
Several joins BJP,Sushil Modi claims 'modi wave' in 2019 much
Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) national vice president and former Bihar minister Mahachandra Prasad Singh, ex-state Congress general secretary Binod Sharma and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwahas nephew Vijay Singh Kushwaha Saturday joined BJP in the presence of senior party leaders. They took membership of BJP in the presence of senior party leaders, including national general secretary and Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Suhsil Kumar Modi, Health Minister Mangal Pandey, state party vice president Devesh Kumar and others. Both Bhupendra Yadav and Sushil Kumar Modi welcomed them into the party fold and said BJP would be strengthened with their induction especially at a time when Lok Sabha elections are underway. Sushil Modi asserted that "Modi wave" in 2019 elections is much more stronger than what it was in 2014 and claimed that sab aaklan dhare rah jayenge" (all calculations may not have any meaning). Modi said that the kind of importance party has ...
BJP promises rice, salt, pulses at Re 1 in Odisha
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will provide rice, dal and salt at Re 1 per kg to 3.26 crore people if the party came to power in Odisha.
Modi not successful, does not deserve second term: Patnaik
BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not deserve a second term, as he is not successful. "I do not realy think so. No," Patnaik told a news channel when asked whether Modi deserves another chance as prime minister. "Modi has not been successful. During the last five years, there has been no improvement in unemployment, irrigation and railways," he said. The CM, however, described Atal Bihari Vajpayee as one of the best prime ministers the country had. Patnaik, who has been claimning that no national party will get majority to form government on their own at the Centre, said the BJD has kept its options open to suppport any party for government formation. "We will support any side that supports just demands of Odisha... who will support the legitimate demands of Odisha," he said, making it clear that it may be the BJP or the Congress. On Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Patnaik said, "He still has to ...
Govt wrote off Rs 5.5 lakh cr loans of its 'blue-eyed' boys, worst example of crony capitalism: Cong
The Congress on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi government of writing off Rs 5.5 lakh crore in loans of its "blue-eyed boys" and said it was the worst example of crony capitalism. Citing a news report, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused the government of "favouritism". "Crony capitalism's worst example is this. In the last 10 years, the total write off was Rs 7 lakh crore. Out of this Rs 5.5 lakh crore has been written off under Modiji. This means 80 per cent write offs have happened during the Modi government's tenure. "The excuse given frequently is that writing off loan in the books does not mean that the loan is waived. But, that is a very illusory, a very tactical argument. The reality is that when a bank writes off a loan, the incentive to recover is virtually nil," he said. Alleging that the Modi government rested on the twin pillars of "cronyism and loot", Singhvi challenged the government to reveal the names of those whose loans have been written ...