Page 947 - Politics
Initial voter turnout encouraging: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said the initial voter turnout across 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over 18 states and two Union Territories appears "encouraging" for the party.
Sonia files nomination, says Modi not invincible
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination papers from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and declared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not invincible.
Sudanese officials say army forced president to step down
Tens of thousands of Sudanese were making their way to the center of the country's capital on Thursday, cheering and clapping in celebration as two senior officials said the military had forced longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir to step down after 30 years in power. The circumstances of al-Bashir's apparent ouster and his current whereabouts remained unclear, however. The armed forces were to deliver an "important statement" and asked the nation to wait for it, state TV reported earlier. The two officials, in high positions in the government and the military, told The Associated Press the army forced al-Bashir to step down and was now in talks about forming a transitional government. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. The swirling reports of a coup following nearly four months of street protests against al-Bashir's rule raised expectations it was a sign the autocrat was relinquishing power or was being removed by the ..
Pak PM has no right to interfere in Indian elections: Owaisi
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Thursday hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over his remarks about India's general elections, saying he has no right to interfere in the country's electoral process. During an interaction with foreign journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday, Khan said he believed there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and settling the Kashmir issue if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP wins the general election. "... I have condemned the statement of Imran Khan. He has no right whatsoever to interfere in the electoral process of a great country like India," Owaisi said. The AIMIM leader, who is seeking re-election from Hyderabad, was speaking after casting his vote at a polling booth here under the Chevella parliamentary constituency. Responding to a question on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao receiving a notice from the Election Commission for allegedly making controversial remarks, Owaisi said he was "surprised" that Modi did not
India's Independence, Constitution under threat: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday claimed that India's Independence and its Constitution were under threat in BJP regime. Addressing a public meeting at Chauk Bazaar area here, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said the saffron party was trying to "take advantage of the political turmoil in the Darjeeling". "They (BJP) ignite fire in Darjeeling during polls. People in Delhi (BJP) instigate problems here the more the problems, the better are the party's chances of taking advantage of the situation. BJP does not want any progress in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik," Banerjee said. The TMC chief accused the saffron party's outgoing MP SS Ahluwalia of not take any measure to bring about development in the region. "Ahluwalia never visited the region after winning the election. He fled the Hills," she claimed. Referring to the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, the CM said, "India's independence and its Constitution have come under threat. .
3 injured in Arunachal clash; over 40 pc polling till 1 pm
At least three persons were seriously injured in a clash between supporters of two rival political parties under Tali assembly constituency in Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh during polling on Thursday, police said. Polling personnel were not among the injured and voting was underway, an election official said. The injured were evacuated by a chopper requisitioned by the district administration, Director General of Police (DGP) S B K Singh said. District Electoral Officer Santosh Kumar Rai said the clash occurred between supporters of two political parties, outside a polling booth at Pipsorang. The DEO, however, could not give details about the political parties whose supporters were involved in the clash as phone connectivity in the area is very bad. "I got the information via wireless message and details are awaited," Rai added. Meanwhile, the voter turnout in the state was 40.34 per cent till 1pm, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Kangki Darang ...
Smriti Irani files her nomination from Amethi
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani, who is contesting against Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday filed her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections.
Pakistani pilots training on Rafale fake news: Envoy
France has denied reports that Pakistani pilots under an exchange programme with Qatar were being trained to fly Rafale fighter jets.
Electoral bond scheme a policy decision, Centre tells SC; order reserved for Friday
The government's electoral bond scheme for political funding is a "policy decision" and it can't be "faulted" for taking it, the Centre Thursday told the Supreme Court, which reserved the order on a PIL challenging its validity. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it would pronounce its order Friday on the plea filed by NGO, Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR). The NGO, which has challenged the validity of the scheme, has sought interim relief including that either the issuance of electoral bonds be stayed or the names of the donors be made public to ensure transparency in the poll process. Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, supported the scheme saying the purpose behind it is to eliminate the use of black money in elections. "So far as the electoral bond scheme is concerned, it is the matter of policy decision of the government and no government can be faulted for taking policy decision," Venugopal said, adding the court can scrutinize the ...
Two killed in poll-related clash in Anantapuramu in AP
A ruling Telugu Desam party worker and another belonging to the main opposition YSR Congress were killed Thursday in a poll-related group clash in Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh, police said. The clash occurred at Veerapuram village under Tadipatri Assembly constituency in the afternoon. The deceased have been identified as Pulla Reddy of YSR Congress party and Sidda Bhaskar Reddy of the TDP, according to police sources. TDP president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the killing of his party worker and accused the YSR Congress of indulging in violence to win the election. Countering this, the YSRC alleged that followers of local TDP MP and MLA, the JC brothers (MP J C Diwakar Reddy and MLA, J C Prabhakar Reddy), tried to rig the votes in a polling booth at Veerapuram. Pulla Reddy was attacked with sickles, resulting in his death,the YSRC claimed. Another YSRC worker was also injured in the incident, the party said in a statement. Additional police
Modi will be Prime minister for a second term: Sonowal
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday cast his ballot in Dibrugarh district, and asserted that Narendra Modi will be the prime minister for a second term. "Along with Assam, the people of the country have decided to cast their vote for the second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for development, brotherhood, peace and security of the nation," he told reporters here. Polling is being held since 7 am amid tight security in five parliamentary constituencies of Tezpur, Kaliabor, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur to decide the fate of 41 candidates in the fray. "The people of Assam have participated in the elections with enthusiasm...," said Sonowal, who leads the BJP coalition government in the state.
BJP candidate Smriti Irani performs 'puja' ahead of filing nomination from Amethi LS seat
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday performed 'puja' ahead of filing her nomination from the Lok Sabha seat in Amethi where she is pitted against Congress president Rahul Gandhi.Her husband Zubin Irani was also present at the 'puja'.Rahul Gandhi, a three-time Member of Parliament from Amethi, had filed his nomination papers yesterday. He was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister and Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Priyanka's husband Robert Vadra and their two sons were also present.Polling will be held in Amethi on May 6 during the fifth phase of the general elections.In the 2014 general elections, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Smriti Irani by a margin of around one lakh votes.The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh started today and will end on May 19. Counting of votes will be held on May 23.
Karnataka Minister to retire if Modi gets re-elected
Karnataka's PWD Minister and senior Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader H.D. Revanna on Thursday said if he quit politics if Prime Minister Narendra Modi got re-elected from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency to become PM again.
Voter turnout encouraging, things going in NDA's favour: BJP
Describing the voter turnout in the first phase of the general election till 1 pm as "encouraging", the BJP Thursday said everything seems to be going in favour of the NDA. "BJP workers are extremely enthused and motivated at the good voter turnout so far on the first day of polling. Everything seems to be going in NDA's favour," BJP leader and Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Voting has been largely peaceful and it augurs well for democracy. The feedback the BJP has been getting from its workers is very encouraging, she told reporters. Citing the Election Commission figures, she said the voter turnout has been anywhere between 33 to 44 per cent till 1 pm.
Over 38% polling in Bengal till 11 a.m. (2nd Lead)
Amid stray violence and EVM glitches, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar constituencies in West Bengal polled over 38 per cent votes in the first four hours of polling on Thursday as the Lok Sabha polls kicked off in the country.
RSS leader killing: Several OGWs detained for interrogation in J&K
Jammu and Kashmir Police has detained several over-ground workers (OGWs) for interrogation in connection with the killing of an RSS leader and his PSO in Kishtwar district, a senior officer said Thursday. Chanderkant Sharma (52), a senior RSS functionary and his security guard were killed on Tuesday when a militant opened fire at a health centre in Kishtwar town, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the communally sensitive region. "We have picked up some people, commonly known as over-ground workers. We suspect their involvement. They are being interrogated," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, M K Sinha, told reporters here. "An operation is on (to track down the terrorist involved in the attack). The person has not been identified so far. We are trying to identify him," he said. Asked about the weapon used in the attack, the IGP said it appeared that it had been hidden inside Kishtwar only. Sinha said security had been beefed up in Kishtwar and the curfew remained
Urmila meets Pawar, seeks his guidance in LS polls
Ahead of polling in Mumbai for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress candidate Urmila Matondkar on Thursday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence here. Matondkar, who is contesting from Mumbai-North Lok Sabha constituency, held discussions with Pawar for about half-an-hour over the current political scenario. She exuded confidence that the Maratha strongman's guidance will set her on the path of victory. "The journey will be towards victory now after receiving guidance from a guru-like and towering personality, honourable Pawar Saheb. Many thanks to him for strengthening my fight," Matondkar tweeted in Marathi after the meeting. The Bollywood actor is entering electoral politics from the constituency in Mumbai, where she is pitted against BJP's sitting MP Gopal Shetty, who routed Congress' Sanjay Nirupam in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai will go to polls in the fourth phase of elections on April 29. As part of their seat-sharing pact for the ...
Sonia Gandhi conducts 'hawan' before filing nomination
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday conducted a 'hawan' before filing her nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli.Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with her husband Robert Vadra too joined Sonia in offering prayers.Sonia is also going to hold a roadshow before filing her nomination papers from Rae Bareli from where she has been undefeated since 2004.Uttar Pradesh will see polling in all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections beginning April 11 and ending on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.
BJP complains to EC over Cong leader's remarks against Modi
The Gujarat BJP has complained to the Election Commission (EC) against Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia for using "unparliamentary" language and words like 'donkey' while criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a letter to the EC headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday, the state BJP's legal cell said the remarks were an insult to the constitutional post and a violation of the model code of conduct. "Modhwadia during a public rally at Deesa town in Banaskantha district uttered unparliamentary, abusive and foul words against the prime minister by describing him as a 'donkey'," said the letter, released by the BJP Thursday. "This is a clear violation of the election code of conduct and an insult to the constitutional post," it said. Claiming that the Congress leader had a "record" of using abusive language against the prime minister since the 2000 state polls, the BJP demanded strict and prompt action against him. The party also sent a copy of the letter to Gujarat's ...
Vijayan slams Shah for calling Wayanad as 'Pakistan'
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday slammed BJP President Amit Shah for calling Wayanad, from where Congress President Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha elections, as Pakistan.