Page 990 - Politics
Chg CM files poll code violation complaint against PM Modi
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday lodged a complaint of alleged poll code violation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making statements about the Army and surgical strikes during his public meeting held in Balod district of the state on April 6. Baghel, who also holds the post of state Congress president, reached the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Subrat Sahoo along with senior party leaders and handed over the written complaint. The CM also submitted an audio CD of the PM's speech to Sahoo. The complaint claimed that the prime minister had violated the model code of conduct five times during his speech. "While Modi ji didn't mention about any of the development work done during his five year tenure but he continued patting his own back by highlighting the valour and courage of the Indian army. He tried to gain political benefit and win votes during the election meeting by displaying the courage of the Army," the complaint stated. It .
Joining of 'gangster' in Cong neither deliberate nor condonable: Preneet
Facing embarrassment after an alleged gangster was admitted into the party, Congress candidate from Patiala and ex-Union minister Preneet Kaur Monday said it was neither deliberate nor condonable. In a statement she said that the alleged gangster, Randeep Singh, would not be allowed to remain a member of the Congress and the party had zero tolerance towards criminals entering politics through nefarious ways. Her remarks came after the Akali Dal accused the Congress of backing alleged gangsters to win Lok Sabha elections. Kaur said Singh had joined the party here in a function last week as part of a group of some 1,500 Panjabi University students and she was not aware of his criminal antecedents. Singh had been a supporter of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the past, she said, adding that the "gangster" had found an easy way to foray into politics by projecting himself as a student and a political activist. "When hundreds of people are joining the Congress in one go, it becomes difficult .
Modi congratulates Maldives President on poll victory
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday and complimented him on the victory of his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the recent parliamentary elections in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.
Manifesto Vs Manifesto: BJP opts for national security, Cong banks on NYAY
The issue of unemployment and poverty has acquired prominence in the Congress party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, while the BJP has chosen to focus on national security, zero-tolerance against terrorism, and sustainable creation of job opportunities.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday released the party's manifesto, though also talks of creating employment opportunities, but largely veers around the mission of national security, which is pivotal to a nation's sustainable development.The Congress party has betted on the minimum income support programme (MISP) or Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) scheme, which is expected to cover around five crore families, constituting the poorest 20 per cent of the population. Under NYAY, each such family will get Rs 72,000 annually."All 4 lakh vacancies as on April 1, 2019, in the Central government, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), judiciary and parliament will be filled before the end of March 2020," reads the ...
BJP reiterates abrogation of Article 370, enactment of Uniform Civil Code and Ram Temple in 2019 poll manifesto
Abrogation of the Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and enactment of Uniform Civil Code are among promises that BJP reiterated in its 2019 election manifesto.However, while the promises were also part of BJP's election manifesto in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, this time the party has given prominence to national security, zero-tolerance against terrorism, and sustainable creation of job opportunities.Terrorism, national security, soldier welfare, Article 370 related to Jammu Kashmir, combating infiltration were some of the key issues that Bharatiya Janata Party highlighted in its manifesto released on Monday for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.While the BJP's 2014 document focuses on commitment for tracking down and bringing back black money, e-governance, Digital India, employment, Beti Bachao - Beti Padhao, Skill India and Samajik Nyay (social justice) and Samajik Samrasata (social harmony) among .
PIL moved in Delhi HC to ban Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq, Omar Abdullah from participating in LS polls
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) moved in Delhi High Court on Monday sought direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ban Jammu and Kashmir politicians Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti from participating in the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections as their "statements are against the Indian constitution".All the three leaders are the former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir.The petition filed by an advocate alleged that the statements given by the three leaders were against the Constitution, adding that the court or the ECI should bar or impose conditions on their entry into the general elections.The plea is yet to come up for hearing.Reacting to this, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Why waste time in court. Wait for BJP to scrap Article 370. It will automatically debar us from fighting elections since Indian constitution won't be applicable to J & K anymore. Na samjho gay tou mit jaouge aye Hindustan walo. Tumhari dastaan ..
Congress fields cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad from Dhanbad
Congress pitched former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad from the Dhanbad Parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha elections.The party also announced the name of Kalicharan Munda as its candidate for the Khunti Lok Sabha seat.Lok Sabha member Kirti Azad, who was suspended from BJP, joined Congress in February in the presence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi.A cricketer-turned-politician, Azad was elected to Lok Sabha thrice from Darbanga in Bihar. He had fought the 2014 general elections on a BJP ticket.Jharkhand will vote during the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th phase of polling to be held on April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19 respectively.Azad was a part of the World Cup Winning Indian Team in 1983.
Stop playing with fire: Mehbooba on BJP's promise to abrogate Articles 370, 35A
Reacting to BJP's poll commitment to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday appealed the party to "stop playing with fire".Mehbooba warned that if the BJP annulled the Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution after coming to power in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, then, not only Kashmir but the entire country will burn."Already Jammu and Kashmir is sitting on 'barud ka dher (pile of gunpowder)'. If this happens then not only Kashmir but the country and the region will burn. So, I appeal to BJP that please stop playing with fire," Mehbooba told ANI.BJP released its election manifesto titled 'Sankalp Patra' on Monday, proposing to annul the two Articles. While Article 370 grants special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A provides special rights and privileges to the citizens of the state.There are several PILs pending in the Supreme Court, ...
LS polls: Shahi Imam Bukhari will not appeal in support of any political party
With the first phase of Lok Sabha elections due in three days, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Monday said that he would not appeal in support of any political party."The unabated hatred and growing religious mania rampant in the country have trampled over our basic values and traditions. These circumstances have caused grave concern to the civilised society.... Things have come to the point that instead of following the golden principles of one nation and unity in diversity, the venom of communalism is being spread in every matter," said Bukhari in a press statement.He added, "In these circumstances, the parliamentary elections of 2019 are a trial of the wisdom and farsightedness of the people. In the current situation, it is difficult to ascertain which one deserves to be supported. Therefore, after much deliberation and consultations, I have decided not to appeal in support of any of the political parties," the statement read.Expressing disappointment with political
USA designates Iran's Guard Corps as 'terrorist organisation'
In a first, the United States on Monday designated Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a "foreign terrorist organisation" in a bid to pressure Iran into abandoning "its deadly ambitions," according to US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.This is the first time the United States has designated another country's governmental entity as a terror body. The designation makes it illegal to provide any materials to Iran's paramilitary organisation formed in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution to defend its government."In an important step to counter the Iranian regime's terrorism, the US has designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including Qods Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. We must help the people of Iran get back their freedom," Pompeo said. Qods Force is an unit of the IRGC."The use of terrorism is central to the Iranian regime's foreign policy. The designation of IRGC, including Qods Force will help starve the regime of the means to execute
People are waiting for Rs 15 lakh in their accounts: Kapil Sibal on BJP manifesto
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said that BJP failed to fulfil its 2014 poll manifesto promises and people are still waiting for the Rs 15 lakh into their bank accounts and the return of "black money" stashed abroad."I say it's like 'Mungeri Lal ke tute sapne' as they have not fulfilled the promises made in 2014. First of all the people are still waiting for Rs 15 lakh into their accounts. Secondly, they promised the return of black money stashed abroad and did nothing for bringing it back," said Kapil Sibal referring to the fictionalised character from a TV series."Earlier also they talked of Article 370 and Article 35A but did nothing. They also talked of Uniform Civil Code but did nothing. They have such a good chance for implementing 33 per cent reservation for women by means of a constitutional amendment as they have the full majority, but they failed to do that," Sibal told ANI."Now they claim to make our economy 5 trillion by 2025 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi who speaks .
Shah visits Advani, Joshi, sparks speculations
BJP President Amit Shah on Monday paid a visit to senior party leaders Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi at their residences in the capital, setting off speculations in the power capital.The visit assumes significance in the wake of recent political developments.Both the leaders have not been fielded by the party in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. Both the leaders were also conspicuous in their absence at the BJP's manifesto release eventParty president Amit Shah is contesting from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat this time, a seat which Advani won six times.Murli Manohar Joshi too has been replaced by Satyadev Pachauri to contest from Kanpur.Advani on April 4 wrote a blog in which he said, "Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries. Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as 'anti-national'.""The party has been ...
BJP manifesto is a fresh set of 'jumlas': Arvind Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday termed the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls as "a fresh set of fake promises."He also accused the BJP of lacking the courage to talk about the demonetisation and asked why two crore jobs were not created in the country?"BJP unveils a fresh set of 'jumlas' without telling the country what is the fate of its 2014 'jumlas.' Modi-Shah don't have the courage to speak on why demonetisation was done? What happened to two crore jobs? Why were farmers pushed towards destruction," posted Kejriwal on Twitter.The Delhi CM also stated the BJP had promised full statehood to Delhi in 2014 but had now removed the promise from its 2019 manifesto, which meant that the BJP had "deceived the people of Delhi" and was, therefore, lying in its manifesto."Now you have removed Delhi statehood from your manifesto altogether. You have deceived the people of Delhi. It is clear that you lie in the ...
No option but to scrap Article 370 & 35A in backdrop of demand for PM in J-K: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the government will have no option other than to do away with Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, related to special status for Jammu and Kashmir if there is a demand for a separate Prime Minister for the state."I want to say it very clearly, if the demand of two Prime Minister is raised, then we are left with no other option except than to scrap Article 370 and Article 35A," said Rajnath Singh addressing a rally here hours after he participated in the release of BJP's election manifesto in New Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls 2019.Singh asked the Congress and leaders of political parties to clear their stance on such demands."Those who have led Jammu and Kashmir as chief minister for a long time, they say that Jammu and Kashmir should have a different Prime Minister. I want to ask Congress, I want to ask leaders of all political parties, what's your view on the statement of that person? What you have to say? Whether you also ..
LS polls: Cong has vanished in Telangana, fight between BJP and TRS now, says Shahnawaz Hussain
Former union minister and BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Monday hit out at Congress stating that the party has vanished in Telangana and now the fight is between the BJP and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Addressing a public gathering here, Hussain said: "A wrong perception was built that BJP had joined hands with TRS in the assembly elections. KCR (Telangana Chief Minister) is speaking in the language of Owaisi brothers (Akbaruddin Owaisi and Asaduddin Owaisi) and Rahul Gandhi. KCR is losing his impact in the state as he is being overshadowed by Asaduddin Owaisi.""If it is about the Congress then I must say that it has already vanished in Telangana and now it is a direct fight between BJP and TRS," he added.Hussain asserted that the country has witnessed new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said BJP's manifesto has promised development and a better future.Earlier in the day, BJP had released its ...
PM Modi will 'fail miserably' if he tries to abrogate Article 370: Omar Abdullah
National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Monday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government to abrogate Article 370 and asserted that they would "fail miserably" if they tried to do so. Addressing an election rally, he said"Even befriending those who sell out the country will not help you in this case," he further said.His comments come hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its election manifesto promising among other things the abrogation of Article 370 if the party retains power in the Lok Sabha polls.NC chairman and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, earlier today, also said that if such a thing happens, then he would do everything in his power to help Kashmir gain independence from India.Abdullah also said that if Article 370 is repealed, then the national flag will not be unfurled in the state.Article 370 gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir.The BJP manifesto also promises to annul Article 35A of the Constitution, which the BJP .
With radar images, IAF proves F-16 was shot down, exposes Pakistan
Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday released radar images to reiterate the fact that not just F-16 was used by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on February 27 but also that a MIG-21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down the F-16 in the dogfight."The Indian Air Force has irrefutable evidence to prove not only the fact that F-16 was used by PAF on February 27 but also that an IAF MiG 21 Bison shot down a PAF F-16," Air Vice Marshal RG Kapoor said while addressing a press conference here.Explaining the entire action of February 27 with the help of slides and images from the ground-based radars, Kapoor said: "PAF package of fighter jets were in three groups. One was to the north, and the other ones in central (Jhanagar) and southern (Naushera) sector which were picked by AWACS. The northern group was JF-17 while the central and southern group were F-16s.""IAF aircraft were vectored to shoot down the PAF aircraft. PAF aircraft fired multiple AMRAAM missiles which were ...
Upset over ignoring Christians in ticket allocation, KPCC vice president Sangliana resigns
Retired IPS officer H T Sangliana on Monday tendered resignation from the post of vice president Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and primary membership of the Indian National Congress (INC) claiming that the Congress has lost its focus and neglected the minority Christian community in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.In a letter written to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, former Member of Parliament (MP) Sangliana said that not even a single seat among 28 Lok Sabha seats from Karnataka was given to the Christian community.Expressing his pain over the alleged "indifferent attitude of Congress towards Christian community," Sangliana said: "I have selflessly worked for the party since 2008, and today I feel sad that the Congress party has lost its focus and neglected the minority Christian community.""I am deeply pained by this indifferent attitude towards Christian community and had conveyed the feelings of the Christians in Karnataka to Priyanka Gandhi a year ago as per your
France begins debating digital tax, defying US ire
French lawmakers on Monday began debating a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move. The United States has urged its NATO ally to drop the plan, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning last week that it would hurt both the American firms and the French citizens who use them. The legislation, dubbed "Gafa" after Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple, comes amid rising public outrage at the minimal tax paid by some of the world's richest firms. "France is honoured to be leading on such subjects," Le Maire told parliament, saying that the draft constituted a "step... towards a fairer and more efficient taxation for the 21st century." The debates in the National Assembly are due to last until Wednesday. Responding to the criticism from the United States, Le Maire said France was "determined" to press on with the legislation and would
Reluctant Britain sets EU polls for May 23
The British government on Monday set May 23 as the date for European Parliament elections, but said it never intends to hold them as it hopes to have left the EU by then. A spokeswoman said the formal "day of poll order" had been laid in parliament, but added: "It remains the government's intention to leave the EU with a deal and pass the necessary legislation before 22 May, so that we do not need to participate.