Page 959 - Politics
Gujarat: Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor resigns ahead of Lok Sabha elections
Gujarat's OBC leader and Congress party MLA Alpesh Thakor on Wednesday resigned from the Congress party, a day ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections."My Kshatriya Thakor Sena was facing insults in the Congress party. So, I am resigning," said Alpesh.Earlier in the day, Congress MLA Dhavalsinh Zala had said that Kshatriya Thakor Sena's core committee has given an ultimatum to him, OBC leader Alpesh Thakor and Bharatji Thakor to leave the party amid speculation that they may join the BJP."In a meeting, Kshatriya Thakor Sena core committee passed a resolution and served an ultimatum to us to leave the Congress party," said Dhavalsinh Zala."If my supporters insist that I leave the party, I won't defer the decision," he said.On March 7, Zala, a close friend of Alpesh, had told ANI that the BJP contacted him regarding joining the party.Alpesh, who came to limelight due to his quota agitation some years back, joined the Congress in 2017 ahead of the last Gujarat polls and was .
Congress takes dig at PM Modi for his 'love for Nawaz, Imran Khan'
The Congress party on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while criticising Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks that there might be a better chance of peace talks with India if the BJP comes back to power.Speaking at a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "It seems that Pakistan has now officially allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Surjewala said: "Imran Khan seems to wish for his friend Modi's success. We all saw PM Modi's love for Nawaz Sharif and ISI when he went uninvited to Pakistan and then invited ISI to India....It seems that love affair with Imran Khan now continues.""Imran Khan and Pakistan will never succeed because Modi is going to lose Lok Sabha elections," he said.Surjewala said: "Pakistan Prime Minister and ISI want a prime minister should continue in India where the internal strife continues to blow and the atmosphere of hatred and division gets perpetuated by the actions of the powers that ...
Indian Army troops to remain on high alert in wake of Indo-Pak tensions
Top Indian Army commanders have decided that in view of tensions with Pakistan, the armed forces cannot lower their guard and troop readiness levels will remain as they are at the moment, Defence sources said on Wednesday.The decision was taken during the ongoing biannual Army Commanders' Conference being held in New Delhi.The Army commanders also discussed the ongoing operations along the Pakistan border in the wake of simmering India-Pakistan tensions.The conference began on April 8."Indian Army is committed to peaceful security environment. We shall holistically address emerging threats, challenges and ensure no room for terror. Readiness, tri-services synergy, military diplomacy, joint exercises have created capacity and environment," Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat said while addressing the conference.Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also addressed the meet on Wednesday."He (Air Chief Marshal) conveyed the vision and high credibility of the Indian Air ..
Our pilots flying MiG as Cong delayed acquiring Rafale jets, says Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that because of the "delay" in acquiring Rafale fighter jets by the Congress party, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have to fly "MiG" fighter planes.Sharpening his attack on the Congress party, he said: "If it were left to the Congress party, they will never let us buy any defence equipment without any interest or compensation. Had they acquired the Rafale fighter jets without any delay, our IAF pilots would not have been flying MiG," said Goyal, while addressing a gathering at 'India moving towards Super Power' event here.The Railway Minister also lauded the IAF pilots for striking down Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) F-16 fighter jet during an aerial strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp at Balakot in Pakistan on February 26. "Airforce doesn't have a modern aircraft. Still our pilots with their 'capabilities' stuck down the F-16 fighter jet of PAF."He also accused the Congress party of colluding with the "other party", ...
From jail, Lalu calls upon people to chase off 'anti-reservation, anti-constitution' PM Modi
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday called upon the people of the state to chase off alleged "anti-reservation and anti-Constitution" Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls.Yadav, also a former Chief Minister of Bihar whose bail plea in the fodder case was rejected by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, made a written appeal to the state's people from Ranchi jail to oust Prime Minister Modi from power by voting against him in the Lok Sabha polls."We need to have the passion of do-or-die to chase off anti-reservation and anti-Constitution Prime Minister Modi," Lalu said in the letter, which was uploaded on his Facebook page."I am in the prison but not my thoughts," said Yadav, while voicing apprehensions that "destructive ideologies" might be planning some conspiracies in his "absence." "As long as I am here, I won't let anyone cheat the people of Bihar," he said.The RJD chief further said that everything from the society to the country is at stake .
Congress 'rattled' by poll panel move to transfer IPS officer: Sukhbir
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed on Wednesday that the Congress was "rattled" by the Election Commission's move to transfer Inspector General of Police (Crime) Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh as the ruling party "wanted to vitiate atmosphere" during elections by "using" him. Badal asked the Congress why it was so much "hurt" with the poll panel's decision to divest the officer of his charges. "They (Congress) are rattled as the EC has come to know that they wanted to use this officer in order to vitiate the atmosphere in election. They are now scared. Therefore, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Congress coming out in support of the IPS officer proves that Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh is their agent," alleged Sukhbir. "We objected...as he (the IPS officer) was acting as Congress agent. We have even given proof to the EC to show he was acting at the behest of the Congress," Badal told reporters in Sanaur in Patiala after holding an election rally. Following a complaint ...
1 seat, 7 candidates, 80,000 security men: Bastar set to vote
The naxal-affected Bastar Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh is all set to go to the polls Thursday amid tight security and looming threat from Maoists who have called for a boycott of elections. In a grim reminder of the challenges being faced by security forces, Naxals carried out a major attack Tuesday in Dantewada district, which is part of the Bastar parliamentary constituency, the only seat in the state to vote in the first phase. BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi and four police personnel were killed in the attack which came two days before polling. "All preparations have been made for conducting a free and fair election in Bastar, the lone Lok Sabha constituency going to the polls in the first phase in the state on April 11," an official from the Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office said. The Bastar Lok Sabha (ST) constituency, where seven candidates are in the fray, consists of eight assembly seats. Polling in four of them - Dantewada, Konta, Bijapur and ..
Elaborate security pressed in as Baramulla seat goes to polls Thursday
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha seat as separatists and militants have called for a boycott of the elections on Thursday. The Baramulla seat -- spread over 15 assembly segments in three districts of north Kashmir -- will go to polls on Thursday along with 90 other constituencies across the country in the first phase of polling. Officials said authorities have established 1,749 polling stations at 1,387 locations for over 13.12 lakh voters to exercise their franchise. "Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that people come out to exercise their franchise without any fear," election officials said Wednesday. The separatists and militants have called for a boycott of the elections. Some of the areas in the constituency, particularly falling in Kupwara and Bandipora districts, are still snowbound, but poll staff and material has already been dispatched to respective polling stations, the officials .
Shah holds massive road show in Bengaluru
Creating a saffron surge, BJP president Amit Shah Wednesday held a massive road show on the city outskirts that falls under Chikkaballapura Lok Sabha constituency, campaigning for party candidate B N Bachche Gowda, who is pitted against Congress leader M Veerappa Moily. Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered Shah chanting "Modi, Modi" as the "Rath", a modified vehicle, covered little more than one and half kilometre distance with Bachche Gowda, MLA, among others, accompanying him. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the "rath" wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. The road show,that began with party workers greeting Shah with a huge garland of apples, lasted about 40 minutes. Ahead of the "rath", BJP supporters sporting saffron turban and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drum beats, as slogans of 'Modi Modi' rent the air. Accompanying Shah were Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath and BJP national
Netanyahu poised to become Israeli PM for 5th time
Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to be headed toward a historic fifth term as Israel's prime minister on Wednesday, with close-to-complete unofficial election results giving his right-wing Likud and other nationalist and religious parties a solid majority in parliament. The outcome affirmed Israel's continued tilt to the right and further dimmed hopes of a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Re-election will also give Netanyahu an important boost as he braces for the likelihood of criminal charges in a series of corruption scandals. With 97.4 per cent of the vote counted, Likud and its traditional political allies were in command of a 65-55 majority in parliament. A couple of small parties were still teetering along the electoral threshold and fighting for their survival, so the final makeup of the next parliament has yet to be decided. Final results were expected Thursday. Two of his potential allies, hawkish former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and ...
Netanyahu win gives US peace plan 'better chance:' Trump
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that election results handing a narrow victory to right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu give a "better chance" to a yet to be unveiled US peace plan. "I'd like to congratulate" Netanyahu, said Trump after nearly complete results put the incumbent premier in position to form a coalition and extend his long tenure. Trump predicted a boost to his administration's promised plan for a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The fact that Bibi won I think we'll see some pretty good action in terms of peace," Trump said. "Everybody said you can't have peace in the Middle East with Israel and Palestinians. I think we have a chance and I think we now have a better chance," he said.
UK PM expresses regret over Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday expressed regret over the worst bloodbath committed by the British Army during the colonial period, terming it as a "shameful scar" on British Indian history.
EC issues poll notification for Ladakh Lok Sabha seat
The Election Commission of India (EC) on Wednesday issued election notification for Ladakh parliamentary constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
Cadres may ruin JD-S, Congress plans in Karnataka
The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress ruling coalition in Karnataka faces a catch-22 situation as the cadres of the two parties are refusing to campaign for each other's candidates, given their historic rivalry of over three decades.
Recognise your 'true brothers', UP CM tells Muslim women
Claiming the BJP has brought back dignity and respect to Muslim women, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday urged them to recognise their "true brothers" as he referred to the Centre's step to ban triple talaq. "We have freed our Muslim sisters from hundreds of years of abuse and captivity, which they were subjected to. The wicked practice of triple talaq was being used as a weapon to exploit them in many ways. "By abolishing the process, we have brought back their dignity and respect... I want my Muslim sisters to recognize their true brothers. Women power must be respected. India got its freedom in 1947, but now we have to fight a battle for the dignity of the women," he said said at an election meeting here. Attacking the opposition parties, Adityanath said, "You must have seen the rally in Kerala when Rahul Gandhi went to file the nomination. There were no flags of India or the Congress party. The only flags present there, were of the Muslim League. The ...
Rafale: SC rejects Centre's privilege plea, to hear review (3rd Lead)
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment, on Wednesday rejected tge preliminary objections raised by the Central government and as a result, will hear the Rafale review petitions on merits. The court will also look into the published documents.
Rafale deal: SC order on leaked documents setback for NDA
Senior CPI leader D Raja Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court order allowing leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of its Rafale judgment, saying the order was a "setback" for the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. The CPI national secretary said the "truth has to be found out now." Hitting out at the NDA government, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury claimed it was clear that the government had concealed many truths as far as the deal was concerned. "This (apex court order) the government of India, the Modi Government, hoped will not happen, Yechury told reporters at Coimbatore. Quoting Modi's words that results of Balakot air strike could have been different if the Indian Air Force had the Rafale fighter jets, Yechury asked what was the reason for it, "because you (Modi) renegotiated the deal, by overriding officials and multi-ministerial committees." "There is a very, very big scam involved in the deal. Why did you renegotiate the .
Modi cites 'Bofors sins' to counter Rahul's Rafale jibe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday attempted to turn the tables on Congress president Rahul Gandhi, citing the Bofors scam to blunt the edge of the latter's attack on the Rafale deal. Addressing a poll rally here, Modi indicated that the Congress chief was "burdened" with "Bofors sins" of his late father (Rajiv Gandhi) and therefore, was accusing others of corruption. The Bofors deal, signed in 1986, was believed to be one of primary reasons for the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress' defeat in the 1989 Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the prime minister on the Rafale fighter jet deal purchase, calling it a scam. Referring to the I-T raids on close aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Modi said the opposition party wants to be in power to loot. "After 15 years, they got a chance in Madhya Pradesh. It has been only few days of their government there, but the kind of loot they are engaged in such a short span," Modi said. "(It is) directly (linked)
What next for Kerala Congress (Mani) without its chieftain? (News Analysis)
With the last word on the Kerala Congress (Mani) -K.M. Mani - bowing out after being at the helm of all the political upheavals he and his party faced in more than half a century, the question on everyone's lips is: What's next for his party.
Youth, women dominate Mizoram's electoral politics
Young voters, who constitute around 64 per cent of the total 787,777 electorate, will dominate the electoral politics of Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha seat which goes to the polls on Thursday, officials and political analysts said here on Wednesday.