Page 922 - Politics
Nagpur should not rule Tamil Nadu: Rahul
Tamil Nadu should be ruled by the people of Tamil Nadu and DMK President M.K. Stalin will become its next Chief Minister, Congress President Rahul Gandhi declared on Friday.
Congress-JD(S) mission is 20% commission, taunts Modi
Slamming the alliance of the ruling Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the mission of the coalition government in Karnataka was to take 20 per cent commission in every deal-making.
UN votes to end peacekeeping operations in Haiti on Oct 15
The UN Security Council voted unanimously Friday to completely end its peacekeeping operations in Haiti on Oct. 15 and establish a political mission to support government efforts to promote order and development in Latin America's poorest country. UN military peacekeepers had already left the country on Oct. 15, 2017, but a stabilization group stayed behind to train national police, help the government strengthen judicial and legal institutions and monitor human rights. The resolution approved Friday gives a final six-month period for such operations and asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to plan a political mission. Haiti's leaders had asked the U.N. to allow government authorities to fully assume responsibility for security. The Security Council resolution acknowledged Guterres' recent report citing "the increased capacity, leadership, and crime prevention operations" of Haiti's police. But the council also said that "Haiti continues to face significant challenges," and said ...
Delhi CEO directs BJP to not air content on NaMo TV without certification
A day after the Election Commission directed that all recorded programmes displayed on NaMo TV be pre-certified, the Delhi poll body has directed the BJP not to air any content on the platform without its certification, officials said. The poll body had on Thursday said since NaMo TV was sponsored by the BJP, all recorded programmes displayed on the platform should be pre-certified by media certification and monitoring committee of Delhi and all political publicity contents displayed without pre-certification be removed immediately. Following the EC's directive, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Delhi wrote to the saffron party to ensure that all political content not approved be removed. "As a precautionary measure, two officials have been deployed to watch NaMo TV and monitor its content," officials said. An official said political parties usually submit audiovisual content for pre-certification, without specifying on which platform it will be aired. The content may be aired during
69.43pc voting in phase 1: EC
A voter turnout of 69.43 per cent was recorded in phase one of Lok Sabha elections held Thursday, the Election Commission said Friday night. A total of 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union territories had gone for polls in the first phase. Over 14.20 crore people were eligible to vote to decide the fate of 1,279 candidates in the 91 constituencies. According to data made available by the EC, out of the total voters, 69.43 per cent turned up at polling stations to exercise their democratic right. The turnout figure is likely to go up as some polling parties were yet to return. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the overall turnout was recorded at 66.44 per cent across all the nine phases. Voting for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th phase of the elections will take place on April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, respectively. The counting of votes to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha will take place on May 23.
Mehbooba asks Shah to apologise to people of India
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Friday accused BJP chief Amit Shah of shaking the country's foundations with his recent controversial statements, and asked him to apologise to the people. She was reportedly referring to Shah's speech at Raiganj in West Bengal on Thursday. Calling illegal migrants from Bangladesh "termites", the BJP president had said that his party would throw them out after coming to power at the Centre for a second consecutive term. "It is our commitment to bring in NRC across the country to chuck out each and every infiltrator. For us national security is supreme. We would ensure that each and every Hindu and Buddhist refugee gets citizenship of this country," Shah said. Talking to reporters at Kangan in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, Mehbooba said, "It is not only for Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims, the country is for everyone. I think by such statements, they are trying to shake the foundations of the country. "They have become a danger for the country. Such ...
Lok Sabha polls: Congress to go alone in Delhi as talks with AAP fail
The Congress on Friday said its talks with the AAP for an alliance has failed as the Arvind Kejriwal-led party took an "impractical stand" of a tie-up in four states, but indicated that possibilities for an electoral understanding between the two were still alive for Delhi. Congress in-charge for Delhi P C Chacko announced that the party will go alone, but maintained that it is still willing to have an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party provided the tie-up is restricted only to the national capital. The AAP, however, said the tie-up can only be done on 33 Lok Sabha seats across four states and one Union Territory. Soon after the Congress announcement, the AAP announced a tie-up with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) for Haryana. The JJP was launched by former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala's grandson Dushyant Chautala, following a power struggle in the state's main opposition INLD last year. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said the JJP will fight on seven seats and AAP on three ..
Army Commanders' Conference discusses security issues
The Army Commanders' Conference being held in the national capital has comprehensively deliberated all aspects of extant security dynamics, emerging security scenarios, enhancing operational capability and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries, as per a statement.
Sudan protestors step up calls for civilian rule
Sudanese protestors vowed Friday to chase out the country's new military rulers, as the army offered talks on forming a civilian government after it ousted president Omar al-Bashir. But the military council warned it would tolerate no breaches of security, after protesters defied a night-time curfew following Bashir's Thursday fall, keeping up their sit-outside the army headquarters. Thousands of men and women, dressed in white, also braved the searing Sudanese heat on Friday to offer prayers outside the sprawling complex, witnesses said. The imam leading the prayers was draped in the Sudanese flag. Hussein Mohamed, an elderly man from Omdurman, said he was attending the protest for the first time in response to a call to hold Friday prayers there. "It is too, too hot but I'm impressed by what our young men and women are doing here," he said. "I'll surely come again." Many Coptic Christians were also there, serving food and drinks to Muslims as they got ready for prayers. Some also ...
US declassifies Argentina coup files in largest ever handover
The United States handed thousands of documents Friday to Argentina on disappearances by the former US-backed military dictatorship, completing Washington's biggest-ever transfer of documents to another government. With a ceremony at the National Archives, the grand Greco-Roman building in central Washington that is home to the US Constitution and other founding documents, the United States fulfilled a pledge made three years ago by then president Barack Obama when he honored the victims of the 1976-1983 military regime on a visit to Buenos Aires. Receiving the files from the archivist of the United States, Argentina's Justice Minister German Garavano said the documents "will be fundamental to justice." "This is good news for the Argentine people to learn from the past and not repeat this in the future," he said. In an accompanying letter to his Argentine counterpart Mauricio Macri, President Donald Trump said the declassification "demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting open .
Congress fields Scindia from Guna, Tewari from Anandpur Sahib
The Congress on Friday released a list of seven candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, fielding party General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia from Guna in Madhya Pradesh and former Union Minister Manish Tewari from Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.
BJP govt has zero tolerance policy for terror, Naxalism: UP CM
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday claimed the BJP government had a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and Naxalism and urged people to re-elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister to end the menace. Addressing an election rally in Nawapara town of Raipur district, Adityanath said, "The BJP government has a zero tolerance policy against terrorism, Naxalism and separatists. The BJP in its sankalp patra (manifesto) has promised to continue to work on zero tolerance policy against such menace," he said. As a result of the BJP's tough policy, Naxalism, terrorism and separatism, which were affecting 217 districts of the country during Congress rule, had now declined to 5-6 districts, he claimed. "Give another chance to Narendra Modi ji. You will see the end of terrorism, Naxalism and separatism. The BJP is committed towards security of the nation," he said. "When the Kumbh Mela was held (in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh), I was asked what would happen if ...
WB govt denies permission for Rahul chopper to land, poll
Congress president Rahul Gandhi's proposed meeting at Siliguri has been cancelled after the Congress leadership was denied permission for his chopper to land at the police ground there. Senior Congress leader and the party's Darjeeling Lok Sabha candidate Shankar Malakar said he had sought permission for Gandhi's chopper to land at the police ground on April 14 but it was denied by the police. "We had to cancel the rally as we didn't get the permission," Malakar said. Siliguri Police Commissioner B L Meena confirmed that the Congress had sought permission for landing a helicopter at police ground which was denied. "We had denied permission for that specific ground. There are some rules due to which it was not allowed. But they didn't come up with any alternative venue," Meena said. Amid the blame game, the infighting in Bengal Congress came out in open as state Congress president Somen Mitra said he was not aware of the rally of the AICC chief. "I can't say whether or not
Left, Congress failed Kerala, give BJP a chance: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a broadside on his party's political rivals in Kerala and said it was time the people of the state gave Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a chance.
Amit Shah meets party workers, reviews poll preparations in western UP
BJP national president Amit Shah on Friday held a meeting with party leaders and workers here to review poll preparations of the party in the eastern-UP region. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who accompanied Shah soon after his arrival at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport this evening, also participated in the meet. Shah also discussed the preparations for the roadshow, which the party wants to make a mega event ahead of the nomination filing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat to fight for a second term, said a party leader. Modi is likely to make a two-day stay on April 25 and 26 in the parliamentary constituency, where he may hold a roadshow. Voting in Varanasi will take place on May 19.
We want 33 seats, not just 3 if Congress wants alliance in Delhi, says AAP leader Gopal Rai
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday sought 33 seats from the Congress to have an alliance in the Lok Sabha polls, and not just three seats in the national capital."We want alliance on 33 seats with the Congress and not just three seats in Delhi," said AAP senior leader and Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai."If an alliance has to be there, it has to be on 33 seats and not on just three seats in Delhi. If Congress thinks it can defeat the BJP in Punjab, AAP is even stronger than them in Delhi. We will defeat them on all 7 seats in the national capital," said Rai while addressing a press conference here.Rai's statement comes a few hours after the Congress announced that it will fight the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi alone but added that it is still willing to have an alliance with the AAP provided it is restricted to Delhi only."AAP wanted to have an alliance in other states also which is not practical. Every state is different. We will announce the seats tomorrow or day after tomorrow. If they ...
Apolitical nature of Indian Army has been great boon for democracy: Lt Gen Hooda
Apolitical nature of Indian Army has been a great boon for our democracy, said Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retd) on Friday."The Indian Army was created for an independent India. Since then, the Indian Army and other security forces have remained apolitical. It has been a great boon for our democracy," said Lt Gen Hooda while speaking to ANI.This comes after the several senior armed forces veterans denied writing a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind over alleged politicisation of the services with former Army Chief General Sunith Francis Rodrigues calling it "a classic manifestation of fake news."On being asked about the purported letter, which went viral on social media, Lt Gen Hooda said: "I don't want to talk about the specific letter or whether it should or should not be written.""I think the larger issue is that there is some concern during the election period that the name of the army, military and air force is being dragged into the political discourse.""I think this should not be done.
PM Modi raps 'fake liberals' and 'outdated communists' for political violence in Kerela
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at 'outdated communists' and 'fake liberals' for their silence on the political violence in Kerela while assuring the BJP workers that their 'struggles' won't go in vain."I want to ask the outdated communists and fake liberals--why are you silent on political violence in Kerala? What are your compulsions? I assure my fellow BJP workers that your struggles won't go in vain. Their bullying won't weaken us," PM Modi said while addressing an election rally here.Terming Kerala as "a land of peace and harmony," the Prime Minister said: "Insensitive Communists and Congress have brought a culture of political violence. Several patriotic RSS and BJP workers have been attacked and killed for serving the people."The Prime Minister termed the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) as "same in deeds" and being different only in name."UDF and LDF are different only in name. In deeds, they are the same. Both have taken turns ..
New Zealand thanks India for support after Christchurch attacks
New Zealand on Friday thanked India for its support when the country is recovering from the March 15 shootings in two Christchurch mosques that claimed 50 lives.New Zealand High Commissioner to India, Joanna Kempkers, in a statement, said, "India, we thank you."She said that India and New Zealand stand united against terrorism."Both countries strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and all those who support such acts of violence. This support and solidarity underscore the close ties between our two countries, and, from our nation to yours, we'd like to extend a very heartfelt thank you," Kempkers said.She noted, "We look forward to an enduring close relationship with India, and to continuing to welcome Indians to our country, Aotearoa New Zealand, whether that be for business, for holiday, to study or to migrate more permanently.""During this difficult time, we have been immensely heartened by the support received from India, including the many personal ...
Dalits were stopped from voting by police during first phase of polling in UP, BSP writes to EC
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Friday complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs).The party also alleged that voters from the Dalit community were stopped from voting by the police.In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora, BSP general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra said: "During the first phase of voting, malfunctioning of EVMs were reported from several booths.""Buttons were pressed in front of the elephant (BSP symbol) but votes were being cast in favour of the BJP.""Similarly, at several places police forcibly stopped people, especially from the Dalit community from reaching the polling stations," Mishra said.The BSP general secretary alleged that administration and police officials were immediately informed about the same but no action was taken."There is a general discussion going on in Uttar Pradesh that the police and district administration have been told to deploy heavy police force in ...