Page 975 - Politics
Congress condemns Chhattisgarh Naxal attack, Rahul terms it 'very tragic' incident
The Congress Tuesday condemned the Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district in which a BJP MLA and four security personnel were killed, with party president Rahul Gandhi terming it a "very tragic" incident. BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and the four security personnel were Tuesday killed when their convoy was attacked by Naxalites in Dantewada district, two days before the first-phase elections in the state, police said. "The naxal attack in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh is very tragic. I pray to God for the peace to the departed soul and strength to the families of those killed," Gandhi tweeted. The Congress, on its official Twitter handle, wrote, "We strongly condemn the Naxal attack on the BJP convoy in Chattisgarh. Our deepest condolences to the families of the brave security personnel and Shri Bheema Mandavi (sic)." The incident occurred at Shyamagiri hills when the BJP MLA's convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area, which is about 450 km from state capital Raipur. The ..
Virbhadra skips Himachal Cong meeting
Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh skipped a meeting of the Congress on Tuesday that was held for its Mandi Lok Sabha candidate, who is the grandson of his 'political bete noire', Sukh Ram. Congress legislative party leader Mukesh Agnihotri, a close confidant of Virbhadra Singh, also skipped the workers' meeting organised in support of party candidate Aashray Sharma in Mandi. The meeting was earlier scheduled to be held a few days ago, but was postponed for Tuesday with the hope that Virbhadra Singh would attend it. But both Virbhadra Singh and Agnihotri skipped it and preferred to relax at the former's residence in Shimla. However, Virbhadra Singh's son, Vikramaditya Singh, attended the meeting. Asked about not attending the meeting, Virbhadra Singh avoided a direct reply and said he would start campaigning in the state by attending a workers' meeting in Kangra next Monday. The senior Congress leader also said he would share the dias with former chief minister ...
Two CBI officers promoted as joint directors
Two CBI officers have been promoted as joint directors in the probe agency, according to an official order issued Tuesday. Both the officers -- D S Shukla and Ramnish -- are working at the Deputy Inspector General-level post. Shukla has been working with the special crime unit in Delhi. Ramnish is posted in Gandhinagar. These officers are from the Central Bureau of Investigation's own cadre and had joined the agency as the Deputy Superintendent of Police, a senior official said. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the empanelment of the officers for promotion to the grade of joint director in the CBI, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.
Modi 'applies make-up' everyday to get shine on face: HD Kumaraswamy
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday claimed that the secret behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's glow on the face is due to the makeup he applies every morning, before appearing in front of the cameras."Modi wakes up every morning, applies makeup or wax to get a shine on his face and sits in front of cameras," Kumaraswamy told reporters on April 7 after addressing a rally here.The Chief Minister further said, "But we take bath once in the morning and wash our face only the next day. Our faces do not look good on cameras. That is why even media shows only Modi."The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) formed an alliance and came to power in Karnataka last year after the assembly elections threw a hung verdict.Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka will be held in two phases, April 18 and 23 for 28 parliamentary seats. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.
EC holds meet with CBDT chief, revenue secretary on I-T raids
The Election Commission India has directed all enforcement agencies to take neutral, impartial and non-discriminatory action and to ensure that the poll panel is kept in the loop while carrying out any operation.In the backdrop of recent Income-Tax Department searches in Madhya Pradesh and some other states, the Election Commission of India on Tuesday held a meeting with Revenue Secretary, A B Pandey and the Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), P C Mody.The ECI had summoned the Revenue Secretary and the CBDT chief to discuss the searches conducted at several places across the country."Issues arising out of the advisory of the Election Commission of India dated 07.04.2019 regarding all enforcement actions being neutral, impartial and non-discriminatory and its implementation were discussed in detail," the ECI said.On April 7, the EC had "strongly advised" the Finance Ministry that any action by its enforcement agencies during election time should be "neutral" and ...
Stage set for polls as campaigning ends in Telugu states
The stage is set for polling in all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Thursday even as campaigning came to an end Tuesday evening.
Poll campaigning for Manipur Lok Sabha seat ends
The campaign for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Manipur concluded on Tuesday evening. Eight candidates are in the fray for the Outer Manipur (reserved) seat.
J-K HC directs Guv admin to reply to PILs against ban on civilian movement on NH
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Tuesday directed the Governor administration to reply within 10 days to a bunch of pleas filed against the ban on movement of civilian vehicles on the national highway two days a week. Bureaucrat-turned-politician Shah Faesal through his counsel advocate Tassaduq Khwaja filed a PIL in the High Court here on Monday, seeking quashing of the order passed by state administration last week. Several other politicians, including leaders from the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, and social activists have filed PILs before the High court on the matter. A division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Tashi Rabstan directed the administration to file its response to the public interest ligations before or by the next date of hearing on April 19. The national highway from Baramulla to Udhampur has been put out of bounds for the civilian traffics on Sundays and Wednesdays till May 31, a notification issued by the J-K adminstration ...
Jagan slams Naidu for ignoring needs of poor and middle class
YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Tuesday slammed the ruling Telugu Desam Party for ignoring the poor and middle class in the last five years. Reddy alleged subsidy facilities, including education and 'Arogyasri' introduced for the poor and middle classes by the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, were completely abandoned by the Chandrababu Naidu government leaving the people to their own fate. Addressing a well-attended election rally in the temple city on the last day of campaigning for the April 11 first phase of elections, he claimed unemployment was on the rise in the State after Naidu came to power in 2014 with 2.3 lakh vacant posts not being filled. Referring to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Raos support for Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, Reddy said it would be easy to achieve SCS with combined efforts of 25 MPs from AP and 17 MPs from neighbouring Telangana. "The TDP government has failed .
People have rejected politics of dynasty & family: Das
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Tuesday said the people of the country have "rejected" politics of dynasty and family as it is "undemocratic". "Dynasty is at its peak in JMM and Congress. Other than a member of the family no other person can find a place in these parties. But it is not the case with the BJP. Any common worker of the BJP can become prime minister and chief minister," Das told a poll meeting at Chatra in support of its candidate Sunil Singh. "Those who are indulging in politics of dynasty are in favour of politics of negativity and wish to take the state and the country backwards. They think the country is their fiefdom," Das said. Asking the tribals to remain vigilant, Das said that in a recent meeting in the Santhal Pargana region of the state, the youth alleged that the JMM had exploited them during the last several years. "The JMM remained indifferent," he said, adding it was irony that both the Congress and the JMM sought votes to root out ...
NC, Abdullahs were once BJP's allies, Pawar reminds Modi
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked him Tuesday for joining forces with the National Conference (NC), NCP chief Sharad Pawar reminded him that the Farooq Abdullah-led party was an ally of the BJP in the past. He also said that Modi labelled everyone who goes against him as "terrorist". Earlier in the day, at a rally at Ausa in Maharashtra, Modi asked if it behoved Pawar to side with the NC which has sought a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir. "The prime minister targets me whenever he comes to Maharashtra. Today also he raised question as to why Sharad Pawar was with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah who is like a terrorist," Pawar tweeted after addressing a campaign meeting for Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora, who is in fray from the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat. Pawar recalled that the BJP had been a partner of the National Conference in the past in Jammu and Kashmir and also in the Central government. "Whenever any force ...
Campaign ends for one seat in Tripura
Campaign for the West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency which would go to poll on April 11 ended at 5 pm Tuesday, state Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti said. Campaign for the East Tripura (ST), the other Lok Sabha constituency of the state, would continue till April 16. Elections for that constituency would be held on April 18. "If found that campaigning by anyone in the East constituency had any impact on the voters of the West seat, it would be violation of the model code of conduct," Taranikanti told reporters. Altogether, 13 candidates including those of the BJP, the Congress and the CPI-M are in the fray. Ruling BJP general secretary Pratima Bhowmick, sitting MP Shankar Prasad Datta of the CPI(M) and Subal Bhowmick of the Congress are fighting the elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri have campaigned in the state. The CEO said 12000 odd Bru voters of Mizoram, who are living in ...
Our 'NYAY' to undo the "anyay" of Narendra Modi govt: Rahul
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Tuesday launched a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his party has come up with "NYAY" (justice), a reference to the proposed minimum income guarantee scheme, to undo the "anyay" (injustice) done by the Centre. He said the proposed scheme, known by the acronym "NYAY", was a realistic measure that could be implemented without harming the economy or increasing the tax burden on the common people "unlike the boastful promise made by Modi of remitting Rs 15 lakh into the bank accounts of all poor people in the country". He accused Modi of spreading the "canard" that NYAY will be an expensive scheme to implement which the Congress would not find enough funds unless more taxes are imposed on the salaried class. "I promise that the scheme would be implemented no sooner than the party comes to power and we would get the money out of the pockets of people like Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi the role of whose chowkidar ..
New poll finds Palestinians deeply distrust their leaders
A new public opinion survey shows the overwhelming majority of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are disillusioned with their leaders and desperate for presidential elections. The poll, conducted by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center and released Tuesday, shows that only 11 per cent of Palestinians trust Fatah leader President Mahmoud Abbas and 6 per cent trust rival Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh. Around 48 per cent say they don't trust any political figure, and 87 per cent are demanding elections. The survey, which has a margin of error of 3 pe cent, is based on the responses of 1,200 people. The Palestinian leadership hasn't held elections since 2005 due to a bitter split between the West Bank's governing Fatah movement and Gaza's Hamas rulers. Abbas' 14-year rule has been marked by corruption and deepening Palestinian division.
Mayawati promises quota in private sector jobs
BSP president Mayawati Tuesday promised to extend reservation to the private sector if the opposition alliance comes to power at the Centre. "Once the alliance forms its government, reservation will also be extented in jobs in the private sector," BSP president said while addressing an election meeting here. "We will work on the policy of 'sarvjan hitay, sarvjan sukhay' on coming to power," she said. The BSP is contesting the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the Samjawadi Party and RLD in the state. Asserting that only the alliance can check the BJP, Mayawati said, "Only the alliance can chase Modi and Yogi out of power. If there is no tampering in the voting machines, the alliance candidates will win with a big margin." She also attacked the Congress saying that it enacted a drama over 'garibi hatao' (eliminating poverty) for years and eventually was thrown out of the power by the people. Polling in Bijnore will be held in the first phase on April 11.
No chance of alliance with Cong in Punjab: AAP sources
There is no possibility of any alliance with the Congress in Punjab and the Aam Aadmi Party is presently working on a three-state equation in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh, AAP sources said. A meeting of the party's Punjab unit was Tuesday held at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and the three names of candidates who would contest from Punjab were decided. "The names for Bathinda, Khadoor Sahib and Ludhiana would be announced in the next one or two days," the sources said. They said that there is no possibility of any alliance with the Congress in the state and the party is internally working on a possible three-state equation of alliance with the grand old party in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh. Sisodia held the meeting at his residence with AAP Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Harpal Singh Cheema. The party has till now declared the names of candidates for 10 of the 13 seats. Polling will be held in Punjab in single .
Modi to first-time voters: Dedicate vote for Balakot 'air strike' men; CPI-M alleges model code violation
Invoking the Balakot air strikes inside Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asked first-time voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the daring operation to target a terror camp. Modi also urged the voters to dedicate their first vote to the slain CRPF personnel in the Pulwama terror attack and to the cause of providing pucca houses to the poor, water in farms of farmers and 'healthcare for all'. The first phase of the multi-phase parliamentary elections begins Thursday. The remarks by Modi on the IAF operation on February 26 while addressing rallies in Maharashtra and Karnataka prompted the CPI-M to write a letter to the Election Commission(EC) alleging violation of model code. "With deep anguish we are drawing your attention to the latest violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is also violating the specific direction of the Election Commission to refrain from invoking the armed forces ...
Putin says knew 'from beginning' Mueller probe would find no collusion
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday he knew from the start that the massive investigation into links between US President Donald Trump's campaign and Moscow would come up empty. "We have said from the beginning that (special counsel Robert Mueller's) commission would not find anything. Nobody knows better than us, Russia did not meddle in any elections," Putin said. "It was clear ahead of time," he said at the International Arctic Forum. "I talked about this." The long-awaited report into election meddling concluded that no members of the campaign conspired with Russia to boost Trump in the 2016 presidential elections. At the same time the investigation did find that Russia carried out a campaign of disinformation and hacked emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign team, and 25 Russians have been indicted. Putin on Tuesday again called accusations of meddling "total nonsense for the (US) domestic audience". A redacted version of the Mueller report could be released to the ...
Congress to come up with Delhi-specific manifesto
The Congress's Delhi unit will come out with a separate election manifesto for the national capital focusing on issues faced by unauthorised colony residents, the issue of sealing and pollution, a party spokesperson said on Tuesday. The manifesto will be released soon after the announcement of party candidates, said Delhi Congress spokesperson Jitender Kochar. "The manifesto will focus on areas like unauthorised colonies, pollution, sealing, among others, that have been crucial for Delhi," he told reporters. The Congress last week released its Lok Sabha election manifesto "Ham Nibhayenge" (we will deliver), covering all sections of the society and promising Rs 72,000 per annum to the poorest 20 per cent of the country. Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit met party councilors of the three municipal corporations in the city and called upon them to take the manifesto to people in door to door campaign. "It covers the needs and aspirations of all sections of people, including the ...
Yogendra Yadav appeals to Sikkimese voters to support HSP
Swaraj India Party president Yogendra Yadav on Tuesday urged the people of Sikkim to vote and support the Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) in Sikkim Assembly and Lok Sabha polls to be hailed simultaneously on April 11. "The HSP led by iconic footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and others represents a new ray of hope in Indian politics because they have entered into public life with a motto to serve the people," Yadav said at a press conference. "In order to succeed in an endeavour to serve the people without greed of power, position and pelf, the young and selfless leaders like Bhutia must be backed to the hilt by the voters of Sikkim in the simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls," he said. The Swaraj India leader hailed the HSP's manifesto saying that unlike other parties which seek to woo voters with sops, here is a party which has come out with its home work and calculated costs of various promises made to the people before elections. "No political party anywhere in the country ...