Page 976 - Politics
High-pitch campaigning for Jammu LS seat ends
The high-pitch campaigning for the Jammu Lok Sabha seat ended Tuesday with top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, dashing the region to canvass for the party candidate to retain the seat. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also held three election rallies in different parts of Jammu region on Monday. While the star campaigners were missing from the Congress, the party mostly banked on the services of their veteran leaders -- former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and erstwhile 'Sadre-e-Riyasat' (president) and scion of Dogra dynasty Karan Singh. The campaigning for the seat ended peacefully with no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the constituency, poll officials said. However, the campaigning was a low-key affair along the line of Control (LoC), especially in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Ten people, including four security personnel, have been killed and nearly 45 others, mostly civilians, injured in the twin districts since ...
Poll campaigning ends in U'khand
Campaigning for Uttarakhand's five Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 11 came to an end Tuesday, with BJP and Congress top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi, addressing a slew of rallies in different parts of the state over the past fortnight. After the end of campaigning at 5 pm Tuesday evening, candidates will not be able to hold rallies to garner support for themselves, Chief Electoral Officer Saujanya said, adding they can go door to door in a peaceful way to contact voters. All preparations for the April 11 polls in all the five Lok Sabha seats are complete, she said. There are a total of 78,56,268 voters in Uttarakhand, including 3,71,220 women. Transgender voters are 259 whereas service voters are 90,845. Haridwar has the highest number of voters at 18,40,732 while Almora has the lowest number of voters at 13,37,803, she said. The highest percentage of voters are in the age group of 30-39 years who constitute 27.4 per cent of voters .
No need for seat sharing with AAP in Goa: Congress
Congress spokesperson Trajano D'Mello on Tuesday said that just because the Congress and the AAP are in talks for a seat-sharing arrangement in the national capital, there need not be a similar arrangement between the two parties in Goa.
AG to testify at US House panel on Mueller report
US Attorney General William Barr is scheduled to testify before the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday for the first time since he received and summarised special counsel Robert Muellers report on Russias interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
Campaigning ends in 2 LS seats of Meghalaya
Campaigning for the April 11 single phase Lok Sabha elections to Shillong and Tura seats in Meghalaya ended on Tuesday. Voting to the two parliamentary constituencies will be held from 7 am to 5 pm. The by-poll to Selsella assembly constituency will also take place simulateneously. State Chief Electoral Officer Frederick R Kharkongor said, "All arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair election. Polling parties have also been asked to reach the polling stations well in advance," Kharkongor told PTI. Sitting Congress MP Vincent H Pala and five others are contesting in the Shillong seat while a three-cornered contest is on the cards in Tura where Mukul Sangma of the Congress will fight NPP's Agatha Sangma, daughter of former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma. Security in the two constituencies has been tightened with deployment of 40 companies of central armed police forces. Over 19 lakh voters are eligible to vote in the two seats.
SC verdict Wednesday on Centre's preliminary objection in Rafale review pleas
The Supreme Court will Wednesday pronounce verdict on the preliminary objections raised by the Centre that the documents on which it was claiming "privilege" cannot be relied upon to re-examine the verdict in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will pronounce the verdict. On March 14, the apex court had reserved verdict on the preliminary objections raised by the Centre on admissibility of privileged documents annexed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie as also activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan in their review petition against the top court's December 14 judgement that dismissed all petitions against the Rafale jet deal. "Only after we decide the preliminary objection raised by the Centre, we will go into other aspect of the review petitions," the bench said, adding that "only if we overrule the preliminary objection, we will go into other details". The Centre had claimed privilege over documents pertaining to the .
Campaign ends for four Bihar Lok Sabha seats
Campaign ended Tuesday evening for four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar Gaya, Jamui, Nawada and Aurangabad all of which go to polls in the first phase of elections on April 11. Leading the charge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies in Jamui and Gaya, Lok Sabha seats which are being contested by BJP alliance partners LJP and JD(U) respectively. BJP president Amit Shah held a rally in Aurangabad, from where party MP Sunil Kumar Singh is seeking re-election. The opposition "Mahagathbandhan" has fielded Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)) candidate Upendra Prasad from the seat. LJP leader Chirag Paswan is contesting from the Jamui reserved seat. He is the sitting MP and is locked in a virtual straight contest with Bhudeo Chaudhary of RLSP. Union Home Minister Rajnath Sinh has addressed a rally in Jamui. The Home Minister also held a rally in favour of Chandan Kumar the Lok Janshakti Party nominee in Nawada one of the BJPs sitting seats which the party had to forgo to ..
Thai minister says envoys breached diplomatic etiquette
Thailand's foreign minister said Tuesday that he will summon representatives from the embassies of the European Union and the United States to discuss why he believes they breached diplomatic etiquette by observing a Thai politician being charged with sedition by police. Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said that foreign countries are barred from closely observing internal procedures "not only by etiquette but also by rules and regulations that the whole world abides by." His remarks come after several countries sent envoys to observe a police proceeding at a Bangkok police station on Saturday where Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of a popular new political party, was formally charged with sedition and other crimes following a complaint filed by a member of the country's ruling military junta. Don said Tuesday that the foreign ministry is considering whether to verbally summon the embassy representatives or submit an invitation in writing. Thailand has been led by a military ...
All constitutional means to build to Ram temple being explored: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said the BJP will construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya and all options for doing so under the ambit of the Constitution were being explored. "Only the BJP will get the Ram temple constructed in Ayodhya and all options for it under the Constitution are being explored. No one should have any doubt over the BJP on this count," the chief minister said, addressing an election meeting here in favour of BJP candidate Santosh Gangwar. He charged BSP president Mayawati with playing with the sentiments of the Dalits for the sake of Muslim votes, He took a dig at the Congress, saying the party's manifesto gave the impression of "Congress ka haath, deshdrohiyon key saath" (Congress is backing traitors). He attacked the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, saying their aim was not the peoples' welfare but their own families' welfare. "They are fighting with a narrow mindset," he said. Later, the chief minister elaborated on the projects taken up the BJP-led ...
Campaign for seven Vidarbha seats ends
The campaign for seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra which will go to the polls on April 11 ended Tuesday evening. Polling will be held for Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Bhandara-Gondia, Yavatmal-Washim, Gadchiroli-Chimur and Ramtek seats in Vidarbha on April 11. Candidates and campaigners braved scorching heat of summer in Eastern Maharashtra as they held rallies and roadshows. On the last day, BJP chief Amit Shah addressed a public meeting in Nagpur, where senior BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari is locked in a battle with Congress' Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. In Chandrapur, another Union minister, Hansaraj Ahir of the BJP, is seeking a fourth term. The Congress has fielded Suresh Dhanorkar against him. BJP's Ramdas Tadas is seeking re-election from Wardha, facing Congress' Charulata Tokas. The Yavatmal-Washim constituency is witnessing a contest between Shiv Sena's sitting MP Bhavana Gawali and Congress' Manikrao Thakare. Sena's Krupal Tumane is seeking a ..
Congress abusing middle class people by calling them greedy and selfish: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday fired a fresh salvo at the Congress party stating that it has started abusing the middle class by calling them 'greedy and selfish.'Addressing an election rally here, PM Modi saidLambasting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Kerala and not Karnataka, PM Modi said: "Congress has made Karnataka Chief Minister (HD Kumaraswamy) their punching bag. This is the politics of blackmailing. This is politics of dynasty, corruption which has caused anger in the country.""When Deve Gowda ji was Prime Minister, he was back-stabbed by Sonia Gandhi. Congress does not trust Janata Dal (Secular) and hence, Naamdaar (Rahul Gandhi) hasn't dared to fight elections from Karnataka." Asserting that the BJP's resolution is to develop the new infrastructure of new India, PM said: "It's our resolution that by 2030, India will be in the top three economies of the world. Our resolution is to double the numbers of the functional airport in the next five years. ..
Centre gives nod to acquire 464 new T-90 tanks for Indian Army
In a major boost for the Indian Army, the Centre has cleared the acquisition of 464 T-90 main battle tanks to be deployed on the borders with Pakistan."In a recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, the acquisition of the 464 T-90 tanks was approved. The cost of the project is expected to be worth over Rs 13,000 crore," government sources said.The contract will also include a Make-in-India element for integration at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi near Chennai.The new acquisition will increase the new T-90 regiments by 10 more units and would be equipped with thermal imaging night sights to allow the tank commander to strike enemy locations during night battles.The new inductions will also strengthen the Army's fire-power along the land border stretch with Pakistan -- from Jammu in the north till the western flank in Gujarat.India has already inducted 18 regiments of T-90 tanks which are deployed in Rajasthan and Punjab on the Pakistan front.However, the Indian Army's ..
'Chowkidar', Anil Ambani, Nirav, Choksi will fund NYAY scheme: Rahul on PM questioning source of resources
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for questioning the source of funds to implement NYAY scheme promised by the Congress, party president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the money for the proposal will come from pockets of 'Chowkidar' and businessmen like Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi."Whenever we talk about giving money to the poor people, Narendra Modi says where will the money come from? I will tell you where the money will come from. It will come from the pockets of people like Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Mehul Chowksi and 'Chowkidar'," Rahul said while addressing a public rally here.Attacking the Modi government for allegedly favouring a handful of businessmen, the Congress president said, "I will not let India get divided into two. We will always stay under one flag. The entire Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) team is here united. We will implement NYAY and provide jobs to the unemployed."Calling the Prime Minister "jumledar" Modi, Rahul said: "We promised farm ...
Punjab CM seeks review of EC decision to transfer IGP
The Punjab government on Tuesday decided to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking a review of its decision to transfer Inspector General of Police (IGP), Crime, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh.The ECI on Monday had directed the Punjab government to transfer Kunwar for "violating" the Model Code of Conduct. Following the directions, the Punjab government posted Kunwar as Inspector General of Police, Counter-Intelligence, in Amritsar.Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has alleged that the EC order to transfer Kunwar was issued on the basis of a complaint filed by an Akali Dal leader."Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has found the EC order, issued in response to a complaint by an Akali Dal leader, to be tantamount to being direct interference in the investigations into the Bargari firing incident and has decided to ask the Election Commission to reconsider the matter in the interest of justice and Constitutional propriety," an official statement read."The Akalis had been trying ...
Campaigning ends for six LS seats in Uttarakhand
The electioneering for all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state going to polls in the first phase on April 11 came to end on Tuesday evening.
Campaign ends for first phase of LS polls in Bengal
The campaign for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal ended on Tuesday in two parliamentary constituencies which go to the hustings on April 11.
AAP, PEP condemn EC order of shifting IPS officer
The EC's order of shifting IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh was strongly condemned by the opposition parties led by the AAP, while the SAD defended the move, claiming that the election watchdog found that he was "not acting as a police officer". Raising questions over the EC's move, representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) sought a review of the order. AAP Punjab unit chief and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann demanded that the decision be reviewed. AAP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema said how could the EC shift the officer who is the member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents, when the investigation were already on before the model code of conduct coming into force. "The EC's move seems to be politically-motivated as a police officer was shifted on the false complaint of the Akali Dal," claimed Cheema. Punjab Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira demanded reversal of
Ashok Gehlot's son files nomination in Jodhpur
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, Vaibhav Gehlot, filed his nomination for the Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday, which was followed by a show of strength that was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. Ashok Gehlot, Pilot, state ministers, sitting and former lawmakers, and others party leaders were present on the stage at the election meeting. Vaibhav Gehlot spoke to the public from the same place where his father had addressed a rally during his filing of nomination 40 years ago. "I know the issues of Jodhpur well... what are the needs of the people, where are the bridges and underpasses required and how issues of water supply and electricity are to be addressed. They all are on my mind. I am going to win the election," the 38-year-old leader said. "People have showed faith in me and supported my candidature. I thank the party and public for giving me chance." Addressing the rally, Pilot, who is also the state Congress chief, said: "I have given the ...
If speaking the truth makes me a rebel, I am a rebel: Shatrughan Sinha
Veteran actor-turned- politician Shatrughan Sinha on Tuesday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had attempted to silence him and also termed him an "anti-national" when he raised questions on the party's demonetisation move."They tried to silence me after I questioned demonetisation and also tried to label me as a leader who was anti-party. I hit back saying their move was against the best interest of the country and necessitated criticism. If speaking the truth made me a rebel, then yes, I was a rebel," Sinha said.Sinha was speaking in Gaya at his first public rally after joining the Congress on Saturday.The actor-politician was joined by Congress president Rahul Gandhi at the rally.Sinha said that he could not term the BJP guilty of a scam in the Rafale deal but also could not give them a clean chit till all the questions regarding the deal were answered by the party."On the Rafale deal I will not accuse them of a scam, but I also cannot say that they are guilty until they ...
AAP planning to mobilise trader community in Delhi against BJP: party leader Brajesh Goyal
The AAP is planning to mobilise the traders community in Delhi against the BJP as the saffron party's manifesto, released recently has made no reference about them, the ruling party's Lok Sabha candidate from New Delhi Brajesh Goyal said on Tuesday. Goyal claimed that the trader community is "angry" with the BJP manifesto. "We have spoken to many traders organizations and we will soon expose the BJP manifesto across Delhi for its treachery with the trading class. "After having destroyed traders through Demonetisation, GST, FDI in retail, the BJP manifesto does not even have a word how it will de-seal more than 20,000 shops sealed due to its inaction," Goyal , who is also AAP's trade wing convenor, said. He said the AAP would be mobilising the trader community and apprising them about how the BJP "has destroyed their community by its policies". "The election manifesto contains nothing for the traders of India and is a fraud on them," he said, adding "traders are angry and agitated at ..