Page 940 - Politics
Two killed as clashes mark polling in Andhra Pradesh
Two persons were killed in clashes in Andhra Pradesh as violence marred polling for simultaneous elections to the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats on Thursday.
Flutter after 'green light' pointed at Rahul in Amethi roadshow, MHA says no threat
A 'green light' pointed at Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his roadshow in Amethi on Wednesday created a scare, but the Home Ministry said there was no threat to his life. However, sources said that a security breach was alleged when the light was seen pointed at the head of Rahul during the roadshow. This led to security concerns within the party, but it was later found that the light was from a camera. When contacted, a home ministry spokesperson said as soon as the ministry's attention was drawn to reports about the incident, the Director (Special Protection Group) was asked to verify the factual position. "Director (SPG) has informed MHA that they have gone through the video clipping of the incident very closely. The 'green light' shown in the clipping was found to be that of a mobile phone used by the AICC photographer, who was videographing the impromptu press interaction of Rahul Gandhi near the collectorate at Amethi. "Director (SPG) has also informed MHA that this ...
CM accuses Stalin of using intemperate language against Modi
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Thursday accused DMK chief M K Stalin of using intemperate language against him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the AIADMK-led combine to seek votes. The top AIADMK leader also alleged that DMK men indulged in unruly behaviour and said a leader should seek votes by focusing on his party's achievements during its stint in the government. Stalin, however, was seeking votes by using intemperate language against the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and leaders of coalition parties wherever he went, Palaniswami alleged. After citing the objectionable words, Palaniswami said he wondered if anyone could talk in such a fashion. "Giving respect to the high office one held is our culture though there could be criticisms," he said. Stalin, however, does not "know our culture and he is undeserving (to be a leader)...there is a limit, he is crossing his limits, if we start giving it back in the same fashion, your ear drum will .
BJP ally MGP to support Congress in Lok Sabha polls in Goa
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the ruling BJP in Goa, has decided to support the opposition Congress in the Lok Sabha polls in the state. The MGP, Goa's oldest regional party, accused the BJP of "backstabbing" it. The MGP Central Committee, a key decision-making body of the regional outfit, met Thursday and resolved to work for Congress candidates in both the Lok Sabha seats - Girish Chodankar (North Goa) and Francisco Sardinha (South Goa). The BJP has fielded its sitting MPs - Shripad Naik in North Goa and Narendra Sawaikar in South Goa - where voting will take place in a single phase on April 23. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MGP working president Narayan Sawant said the decision to support the Congress was taken after consulting MLA Sudin Dhavalikar and party workers. "There is a growing anger among MGP workers after the BJP backstabbed us. The BJP is not to be trusted anymore. Lok Sabha elections are the best opportunity to teach a ...
BJP committed to passing CAB in Parliament : Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday asserted that BJP is committed to passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament in consultation with all sections of the society. Modi said he will ensure that the interests of the Assamese people, their language, culture, traditions, heritage and identity are protected "at all costs" and appealed to the people to have faith and confidence in him. "We are committed to bring the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We will do it in consultation with all sections of the people in the state and take their views into account," he said at an election rally in Silchar. The Bill provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of the current norm of 12 years, even if they do not possess any document. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8, but was not introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It is now set
TRS govt deposited scheme money on election eve, alleges Cong
The Congress in Telangana alleged that the TRS government deposited money under its farmers' investment support scheme two days ahead of Thursday's Lok Sabha elections in the State. The party also accused the Election Commission of not stopping the release of TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's biopic well in time. "...also, paying that Rs 4,000 'Rythu Bandhu' scheme money, just one day before the election. Today is (April) 11th. The message (to farmers about money being deposited in their accounts) is coming on 9th, 10th for the payment." "The money could have been paid before 1st April or after 11," R C Khuntia, AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, told reporters here. Describing it as a "serious violation of election code", he said the party has drawn the attention of Election Commission and the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to it. "I think the appropriate action against the government should be taken," he said. Though the party had ...
Naxal-affected Bastar records 57 pc voting
Altogether 57 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the naxal-affected Bastar Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh Thursday. Election officials said the figure may go up as several polling parties which manned booths in remote interior areas will return only Friday, after which the final turnout will be calculated. Voting which began at 7 am, ended in four Assembly segments -- Dantewada, Konta, Bijapur and Narayanpur -- at 3 pm, while in the other four segments -- Bastar, Chitrakot, Kondagaon and Jagdalpur -- it ended at 5 pm. Congress candidate from the seat Dipak Baij, BJP candidate Baiduram Kashyap, Congress leader and state minister Kawasi Lakhma, BJP leader and former minister Kedar Kashyap voted in their respective areas. Wife and relatives of BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi who was killed in a Naxal attack in Dantewada Tuesday also exercised their franchise. Dantewada assembly segment recorded a turnout of around 43.63 per cent till 3 pm. Nearly 80,000 state and ...
77.6 per cent polling in Tripura
An estimated 77.6 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the election to the West Tripura Lok Sabha seat on Thursday, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Suman Rakshit said. The CPI(M) and Congress alleged rigging and intimidation of voters by the BJP, a charge denied by the saffron party. "Till 5 pm voting percentage was 77.6 per cent. The polling percentage may rise as data from all booths are yet to reach," Rakshit told reporters. Those voters who were in the queue in the polling booths at 5 pm, the official time for end of voting, would be be able to exercise their franchise, the official said. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Leader of the opposition Manik Sarkar, sitting MP and CPI-M candidate for the West Tripura constituency Shankar Prasad Datta, Congress candidate Subal Bhowmick and BJP candidate Pratima Bhowmick exercised their franchise in the morning. CPI-M general secretary, Sitaram Yechuri, who is in the state alleged that more than 460 booths out of the
2 West Bengal govt schemes win UN awards
Two schemes of the West Bengal government for skill development and distribution of bi-cycles to students have won the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) awards of the United Nations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Thursday. The schemes are "Utkarsh Bangla" and "Sabooj Sathi". "I am very happy to share with you that our Utkarsh Bangla and Sabooj Sathi projects have won the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) awards under the aegis of the United Nations," the chief minister said in a Facebook post. The "Utkarsh Bangla" project aims at creating a pool of skilled candidates who are industry ready, while under the "Sabooj Sathi" scheme, bi-cycles are distributed to students between class IX and XII studying in government run and government aided schools and madrashas of the state. "Out of 1062 nominations in 18 categories, Utkarsh Bangla got the topmost award and emerged a winner in Capacity Building category. Sabooj Sathi .
Sitharaman lauds IAF for flawless Balakot strike
A day after Pakistan shepherded internal and foreign media to the site where Indian bombs dropped on February 26 in air raid, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded the Indian Air Force for "flawless execution of the Balakot strikes and subsequent thwarting of the Pakistani response".
Himachal CM gets foot sprain while campaigning
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday got his ankle injured while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.
AAP holds talks with JJP over alliance in Haryana
The Aam Aadmi Party Thursday held talks with Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) to discuss seat sharing in Haryana for the Lok Sabha elections after talks with the Congress on a tie-up in the state was called off recently. Sources said AAP is eyeing the Faridabad, Gurgaon, Karnal and Ambala seats in Haryana in a 4:6 ratio but the JJP is proposing a seat sharing equation of 3:7. The AAP is eyeing these four constituencies as it has mixed population of various castes and a large proportion of Muslims, who are in favour of the ruling party in Delhi, sources said. AAP has now moved on and held talks with the JJP, a senior AAP leader said. The move comes after talks between the AAP and the Congress on a possible alliance in the state were called off after the former rejected the offer of the grand old party to form an alliance in any state. Haryana has ten constituencies which are going to poll in the sixth phase on May 12. Calling the proposal of the Congress of giving AAP just three seats in ...
PM Modi not invincible: Sonia, Rahul; UPA Chairperson reminds BJP of Vajpayee defeat in 2004
Top Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not invincible" with the former reminding the BJP about the defeat of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 despite the party's 'India Shining' campaign. Without naming Modi, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president, also called Modi an "arrogant" leader. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were talking to reporters after the UPA chairperson filed her nomination papers from the Rae Bareli constituency seeking a fifth term from her hometurf in Uttar Pradesh. When Sonia Gandhi was asked to comment on BJP believing that Modi was invincible, she replied, "not at all...don't forget 2004... Vajpayeeji was invincible but we won", recalling the 'India Shining' campaign of the BJP. Vajpayee, who headed the BJP-led NDA government, was defeated in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi-led Congress, despite predictions that he would win another term with his 'India Shining' campaign. Rahul Gandhi also intensified his attack ..
Around 700 join BJP during Facebook live session hosted by party's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari
Around 700 persons joined the BJP during an hour long Facebook live session hosted by party's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari on Thursday. Tiwari welcomed the new members of the party saying their membership will be formalised within a week. "The Facebook live session that lasted for around an hour reached to over four lakh persons and more than 2,000 persons interacted with the Delhi BJP president. "Around 700 persons became members of the party in this unique digital initiative," said Delhi BJP's social media and media co-incharge Neelkant Bakshi. Tiwari said not only supporters of the BJP but even people of the country were working actively to ensure victory of the party to make Narendra Modi Prime Minister of the country for the second term. Answering a question on full statehood, Tiwari said his party had promised a "review" of full statehood. "We had promised a review of the full statehood but no one had expected that an elected Chief Minister like Arvind Kejriwal would threaten .
At IAF commanders meet, Defence Minister praises 'flawless execution' of Balakot operation
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday complimented the Indian Air Force for its "flawless execution" of the February 26 Balakot operation and subsequent thwarting of the Pakistani response as she addressed top IAF commanders here. Sitharaman, in her inaugural speech at the two-day IAF conference, also commended Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who had become the face of the conflict between the two nations. Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal B S Dhanoa emphasised on further enhancing the IAF's capability in the field of space, cyber, artificial intelligence and drone technology to further boost its overall combat capability. The IAF said the commanders will deliberate on a range of issues including the "successful strike over Balakot" and the subsequent Pakistani air action on February 27, besides exploring ways to enhance India's air power capability in the short and long term. "The defence minister complimented the IAF and its air warriors for achieving and maintaining the
BSP,SP allegation of Dalits being prevented from voting is baseless: Poll officers
The election office here Thursday dismissed as "rumour" the allegations levelled by the BSP and the SP that some Dalit voters were prevented from casting ballots in a booth in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency. The BSP has alleged that they had received reports of Dalits being prevented from reaching polling booths in "various" places in the state. Eight Lok Sabha seats in western Uttar Pradesh went to polls Thursday. In total, polling was held in 91 seats in 18 states and two Union Territories. "These (reports) are only rumours," State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) L Venkateshwarlu told PTI. "We have spoken to all DMs (district magistrates) in this regard. Nothing of this type of incident has taken place. These are only rumours, as they are not mentioning any specific polling booth," he said. BSP national general secretary Satish Chandra Misra has alleged that the party had received information that people, especially Dalits, were being prevented from exercising their ...
Indo-Singapore joint military exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra 2019' ends
The four-day long joint military exercise between India and Singapore, Bold Kurukshetra 2019, came to an end with an impressive closing ceremony on Thursday.The ceremony took place at Babina Military Station in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh.A statement by Army spokesperson said: "The four-day long joint training focused on developing interoperability and conduct of joint tactical operations in mechanised warfare. The troops learnt about each other's organisations and best practices being followed in combat."The reviewing officers addressed the contingents and congratulated the participating nations for successful termination of the exercise.This was the 12th edition of joint military training between India and Singapore.
SC closes Enron-Dabhol power plant corruption case
The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the case filed in 1997 relating to alleged political corruption in allowing US energy major Enron to set up Dabhol power plant in Maharashtra.A Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi closed the case while taking into a note of the inordinate delay in the case. Maharashtra government had in February requested the apex court to end the proceedings which have been pending for the past several years.US-based Enron and its associate Dabhol Power Corporation had set up the USD 3 billion 2,550 megawatt power project in Maharashtra in 1996 after signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) in 1993.In 1997, the apex court had admitted the petition of the Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) that had challenged a Bombay High Court order upholding the PPA and issued a notice to the MSEB on the government's role and its officials in signing of the PPA.The top court had earlier asked Maharashtra government to ..
Police did not allow dalits to vote in Uttar Pradesh, alleges BSP in complaint to EC
BSP has lodged a complaint with Election Commission of India alleging that Dalit voters were stopped from casting their votes by police and administration in Uttar Pradesh."In today's election, both the police and administration have stopped Dalit voters from reaching polling stations. It is done on the direction of higher-ups in the police department and we have complained both to Chief Election Commissioner and Election commissioner of UP, Satish Chand Mishra, national general secretary, BSP told ANI."We demand that immediate action should be taken by Election Commission in the matter," Mishra said.The BSP leader alleged that Dalits and backward community members were being stopped from reaching polling booths so that they are not able to cast their votes.The BSP has also lodged another complaint with EC citing malfunction in some electronic voting machines."We have registered another complaint with EC and have sent them a video clip of the EVM, in which it is seen that 'elephant' ..
Greenhorn Urmila meets 'Chanakya' of politics Pawar
Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar, who is contesting as a Congress candidate from Mumbai North parliamentary constituency, called on NCP President Sharad Pawar, often called the 'Chanakya' of Indian politics, here on Thursday.