Page 918 - Politics
Mufti's popularity to be tested in family borough Anantnag
Nearly a year after her bitter split with the BJP, PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftis popularity in her traditional family stronghold Anantnag will be on test when the Lok Sabha constituency goes to polls in three phases on April 23, 29 and May 6.
Kerala: Days ahead of LS poll, Sabarimala outfit holds 'namajapa' protest
With Lok Sabha polls just nine days away in Kerala, activists of an umbrella organisation of various Hindu outfits Saturday staged a dharna here to protest the alleged mass imposition of cases against them in connection with the Sabarimala agitation. 'Sabarimala Karma Samithi', which had spearheaded the agitation against the CPI(M)-led LDF government's decision to implement the Supreme Court September 28 verdict permitting women of all age groups into the shrine, alleged that their members had been implicated in various criminal cases "unlawfully". Braving the scorching heat, a number of activists, including women, squatted on the road in front of the Secretariat here, and held 'namajapa' protest by chanting Lord Ayyappa hymns near the god's picture. The outfit's protest, days before the April 23 Lok Sabha polls, rekindles the memories of the Sabarimala agitation, which had seen frenzied protests by devotees across the state and the alleged police action against them. The ...
Congress accepts they did injustice: Modi (2nd Lead)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday mocked the Congress's proposed NYAY scheme which translates to "justice" in Hindi literally and claimed that the grand old party has finally agreed that injustice was done by them over the past 60 years.
Shah's journey of 93,000 km helped BJP win 71 seats in UP in 2014: Book
After being appointed BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit in-charge in May 2013, party president Amit Shah travelled about 93,000 kms over the year in the state and visited 52 districts, a new book on the political journey of the leader claims. This massive exercise by Shah resulted in the BJP winning 71 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections compared to 10 seats in 2009, the book says. The book 'Amit Shah aur Bhajapa ki Yatra' (The journey of Amit Shah and BJP) is sponsored by the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF), a think tank affiliated to the BJP, and published by Bloomsbury.
AAP still open to alliance with Cong in Delhi, Hry and Chandigarh: Sisodia
AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Saturday said his party is still ready to form an alliance with the Congress in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh but it would not agree for a tie-up just in the national capital. He said the priority of the Aam Aadmi Party is to stop the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo which, he said, is proving to become very "dangerous" for the country. "We wanted to form a united opposition against the BJP and were ready to ignore our differences because right now the priority is to stop the dangerous Modi-Shah duo," he said. "In last one week, meetings were held between the AAP and the Congress and we proposed alliance on 33 seats in Delhi, Goa, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab seats, out of them 23 seats is with NDA. He said a tie-up between the two parties could have caused a "damage" to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the 23 seats. "But the Congress purposely wasted time to take a decision on alliance and now it says it can tie up ...
TN Governor, CM extend Tamil New Year wishes
: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and other leaders Saturday extended their greetings on the eve of Tamil New Year Day. The new year is a day of rejoicing and celebrations to mark the greatness of tradition, heritage and culture, Purohit said in a press release from his official residence Raj Bhavan. The people of the state, who have made a mark for themselves for their kindness and compassion combined with bravery, sincerity and discipline, have been torch-bearers of peace and prosperity, the release quoted him as saying. "I extend my best wishes and greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu on this happy occasion," he said in the release. Chief Minister K Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam extended their greetings in a joint statement Saturday. Tamil new year is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month Chithirai every year. "On this occasion, let new thoughts, initiatives, hope prosper among Tamils the worldover," ..
BJP tryin to gain pol advantage by using religion : Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday hit out at BJP for trying to gain political advantage by using religion as a tool to mislead people. She hit out at armed Ram Navami rallies taken out at BJP at various part of the state and accused BJP of trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Bengal. "The BJP is misleading the people in the name of religion. Ahead of elections they are using it as a tool to divide the masses in Bengal. The culture of Bengal never supports the politics of violence. They are taking out rallies with swords and mace," Banerjee said at an election rally in Darjeeling in support of TMC candidate Amar Singh Rai. "Whose throat do you want to slit with swords? Whose head do you want to smash with the mace? " Banerjee questioned while addressing a rally in favour of party's Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat candidate Amar Singh Rai. The chief minister reiterated that she will not allow NRC in West Bengal. "They (BJP) say that they will conduct
In Tamil Nadu, PM promises creation of 'Jal Shakti Ministry' if voted to power
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured that if voted to power, his government would ensure the establishment of a separate Jal Shakti Ministry to cater to many aspects relating to water.Addressing a public gathering at Ramanathapuram, the Prime Minister said: "After May 23, when the Modi Government will once again assume office, there will be a separate Ministry for Jal Shakti. This Ministry will cater to many aspects relating to water.""The NDA govt had devoted a lot of attention to Water resources. There will be a separate ministry for Jal Shakti to ensure clean water and top class irrigation water facilities for the farmers," he added.The pre-poll promise assumes significance as the state has been dealing with multiple issues over the allocation of water with its neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka.Talking about the Centre's efforts to develop connectivity and tourism sectors in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister said: "Work is fast progressing on doubling of railway .
Naidu demands EC to revert to ballot paper system to 'protect spirit of electoral process'
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) to revert to ballot paper system immediately to "preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of the electoral process and democracy."The TDP supremo met officials of the ECI earlier today over the issue of electronic voting machines (EVM) malfunctioning in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections."We demand the Election Commission of India for reverting to paper ballot system immediately to preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of electoral process and democracy respectively," Naidu said in a letter written to the Chief Election Commissioner."I wish to bring to your notice a series of malafide actions of Election Commission of India in managing the election process in Andhra Pradesh that gave rise to serious doubts that the constitutional duties of this great institution are not performed with objectivity, impartiality and, professionalism,"
Election Commission has no credibility: Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said the Election Commission has lost its credibility as it functions on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his office.
Syria claims Israel attacked military position in Hama
Israeli planes on Saturday attacked a military position in the Hama province of Syria, reported Syria state news agency SANA.The Syrian Army, however, intercepted and foiled the Isreali attack.The attack has caused the destruction of some buildings and has left three fighters injured.The agency quoted a military source, who said that around 2:30 am, warplanes of Israel conducted an air strike from Lebanese air space.The tensions between Israel and Syria have escalated after the United States' recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.The decision sparked condemnation and protests in Syria.
Who will do 'NYAY' with victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Bhopal gas tragedy? Modi asks Congress
Playing on the word NYAY, the Congress party's ambitious poll promise for the poor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said who will give 'nyay (justice)' to the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Bhopal gas tragedy that happened under the Congress regime.Modi was addressing an election rally in Theni in Tamil Nadu on Saturday in which he referred to the word NYAY, an acronym of Congress party's Nyuntam Aay Yojana promise in the manifesto. Congress has promised that it will give Rs 72,000 per year to 20 per cent of India's poorest under NYAY, if the party emerges victorious in the Lok Sabha elections."I want to ask the Congress party that who will do the NYAY with the victims of 1984 riots? Who will do the NYAY with the governments of the great MGR ji which were dismissed by Congress just because of one family did not like those leaders? Who will do NYAY with the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy, the first environmental disaster in India? That too happened under the Congress ..
Prashant Kishor rubbishes Rabri's merger claim; dares Lalu to
Poll strategist Prashant Kishor Saturday dismissed Rabri Devi's claim of he as an emissary of Nitish Kumar meeting her husband Lalu Prasad with a proposal to merge JD(U) and RJD which should declare its prime ministerial candidate ahead of the polls and dared RJD president to tell the media what transpired during their talks. Kishor, who is the national vice-president of the Janata Dal (United), also came down heavily on Prasad for making "false claims" and quipped "those convicted or facing charges of abuse of public office and misappropriation of funds are claiming to be the custodians of truth". He threw a challenge to the RJD supremo to sit with him before the media and tell everybody what transpired during their meeting and "who offered what". "Whenever @laluprasadrjd ji wants, he should sit with me before the media as it would let everybody know what transpired between me and him and who gave an offer to whom," Kishor said in a tweet. Rabri Devi on Friday dropped a
"100 per cent chowkidar is a thief," says Rahul attacking Modi
Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of corruption, Congress President Rahul Gandhi Saturday alleged that "100 per cent chowkidar (guard) is a chor (thief)." At a rally here, Gandhi also asked as to why all the "thieves" have the surnames of Modi. "I have a question. Why all the thieves have Modi in their names whether be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi? We don't know how many more such Modis will come out," Gandhi said. Raking up the Rafale fighter jet deal issue, he said, "100 per cent chowkidar is a chor" and alleged that the prime minister stole Rs 30,000 crore and gifted it to his "thief friend" Anil Ambani. "You stole Rs 30,000 crore and gifted to your thief friend. You 100 per cent steal money. 'Chowkidar' is a thief. Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksy, Lalit Modi, Mallya, Anil Ambani and Narendra Modi - There is a group, a team of thieves," Gandhi said as he attacked Modi, who has described himself as a "chowkidar" who would not tolerate ...
LS polls: Voter turnout in Uttarakhand dips from 2014 figures
Voter turnout in Uttarakhand for Lok Sabha elections held on Thursday declined as compared to 2014 in 7 Vidhan Sabha constituencies, including those of the chief minister, Vidhan Sabha speaker, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president.The voter turnout in the leader of opposition's constituency too remained low, however, there was a rise of 10.50 per cent in that of the Congress state president.66.17 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Doiwala, which is chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat's electorate, compared to the last elections where it was 66.57 per cent.Similarly, Vidhan Sabha speaker Premchand Agarwal's constituency Rishikesh saw a voter turnout of 61 per cent, compared to 63.71 per cent in the last elections.Voter turnout in Haldwani, Bajpur, Haridwar, Kotdwar, Someshwar and Narendranagar constituencies too remained low in comparison to the previous elections.The turnout in BJP state president Ajay Bhatt's Vidhan Sabha constituency fell to 46.25 per cent from ...
DMK releases list of 4 candidates for Assembly by-polls
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday released a list of four candidates for the assembly by-polls in the state.The party has fielded N Pazhanisamy from Sulur, Senthil Balaji from Aravakurichi, P Saravanan from Thiruparankundram and MC Shanmugaiya from Ottapidaram Assembly constituency.DMK had, on March 15, filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) claiming that the Election Commission (EC) is holding by-polls in only 18 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, and not in the three constituencies, namely- Ottapidaram, Tirupparankundrama, and Aravakurichi.The by-polls of these three constituencies were being withheld in view of pending election petitions before the Madras High Court.In response to the petition, the top court had sought directions from the EC to notify by-polls and publish the schedule of elections in the three constituencies.On April 9, EC announced that polling in Ottapidaram, Thiruparankundram, Aravakurichi, and Sulur will be held on May 19, and results will be declared .
Grand alliance a 'Rent a Cause' campaign with manufacturing issue: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday hit out at the grand alliance stating that it is 'Rent a Cause' campaign which has no leader, no gathbandhan, no common minimum programme, and no real issue."There is no leader, no gathbandhan, no common minimum programme and no real issue. Not surprisingly, there are not many takers for a "failed campaign". It is 'Rent a Cause' Campaign," Jaitley said in a blog post.He added that the Opposition wasted the past two years dealing with "manufacturing issues" which did not exist."To oust a popular Government, an extremely popular Prime Minister, you need some real issues, not fictional issues. The Opposition wasted the past two years in a run-up to the polls 'manufacturing issues' which didn't exist. The false campaign on Rafale didn't carry much weight. Loan waiver to industrialists was a lie, the EVM as an instrument of rigging was a bigger lie. Now that they are in the midst of the campaign for over a month what is the issue which they are ...
Alliance partners unhappy with DMK's pitch for 'naamdar' as PM candidate: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said alliance partners in 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) are disappointed with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin pitch for Congress president Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.Addressing a public rally here, Modi said that all "friends" in the "mahamilawati (grand adulteration)" are aspiring to be the Prime Minister.Modi, who indirectly calls Rahul "naamdar", said: "Some days ago, the DMK leader proposed 'naamdar' as the prime ministerial candidate but no one was ready to accept it, not even their 'mahamilawati' friends. The proposal made other partners in the alliance unhappy since everyone in mahagathbandan wants to be the Prime Minister."Stalin while addressing a rally in December last year claimed that if Rahul became the Prime Minister he can provide a stable government.His statement came at a time when various political parties came together ahead of the ongoing General ..
BJP beating drums in the name of Balakot strike: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that the incumbent ruling government is merely "beating the drums" in the name of the Balakot air strike.Addressing an election rally here, he remarked: "PM Modi is fooling people by showing 'fake' war with Pakistan. They are beating the drums in the name of Balakot strike."The NC leader scoffed at BJP's claim of killing hundreds of Pakistani soldiers across the LoC and called it "fake".The Indian Air Force (IAF) had attacked terror launch pads in Pakistan on February 26. This was in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir which more claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.Hardening his stand on the special status row, Abdullah said: "Amit Shah threatened us and said Article 370 and 35A will be abrogated. Amit Shah, if you have guts then visit Kashmir and face the people,"Abdullah went on to equate Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Hitler and said: "PM Modi looks like Hitler. This Hitler has banned .
Shinde-Ambedkar 'chai pe charcha' fuels speculation
An impromptu meeting between Congress candidate Sushilkumar Shinde and VBA-AIMIM leader Prakash Ambedkar at a hotel here on Saturday morning sparked a hot political speculation.