Politics

Political parties condemn BJP over its poll expenses

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Reacting on BJP’s poll campaigning expenses amounting to Rs. 400 crore, political parties condemned the same and said that the public will decide on the party’s fortune. AAP leader Manish Sisodia said that it is still doubtful that the expenses were just Rs. 400 crore, in the backdrop of choppers used and huge stages made for Narendra Modi. CPI leader D Raja said that the party needs to answer on the same. Following the suit, NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that BJP has spent money in campaigning like flowing water and they have to answer at some point on the source of that money.

Feb 20, 2014

NC & PDP draws contradictory opinion on Rajiv Gandhi assassins

Jammu, Feb 20 (ANI): Reacting on Rahul Gandhi’s reaction over developments in Rajiv Gandhi case, Jammu & Kashmir’s NC & PDP reacted in a contradictory manner. National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal said that this is condemnable that such decisions by Supreme Court sends wrong message. On the other hand, People's Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti said that if Gandhi is grieved about this case, he should have reacted the same way in Afzal Guru’s case too.

Feb 20, 2014

TN govts decision to free Rajiv Gandhis assassins illegal, procedures not followed: Kiran Bedi

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Reacting over Tamil Nadu government’s decision to free Rajiv Gandhi assassins, Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi said that the decision is illegal and there are certain procedures in the case to be followed, which is totally neglected. Bedi said that the decision is a violation of the Supreme Court judgements and it has to go through Sentence Revising Board if the state government is considering the release of a convict.

Feb 20, 2014

BJP not spending 400 crores on poll campaign: Naqvi

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Speaking on BJP’s poll expenses reaching to a whooping 400 crores for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said that BJP is not spending 400 crores on its advertisement campaign. Further speaking on AAP leader Ashutosh’s reaction on the same, Naqvi said that AAP has a misconception that everybody will have to take a clearance certificate from them before doing anything.

Feb 20, 2014

AAP enquires about source of money in BJPs 400 crore poll drive

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Speaking on BJP’s poll expenses reaching to a whooping 400 crores for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, AAP Leader Ashutosh on Thursday asked the party to explain the source of the money. He further said that if BJP is spending 400 crores only for advertisement, then how much will be spent on total elections.

Feb 20, 2014

Politicos condemn Jayalalithaas decision to free Rajiv Gandhis assassins

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Reacting on J Jayalalithaa government’s decision to free Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins, political leaders condemned the same. BJP Spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said that any government should be harsh on terrorism. JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari said that this is an issue of concern and shows that there is no unity in the nation. Meanwhile, I&B Minister Manish Tewari said that it was an attack on the unity and sovereignty of the nation and should be taken seriously.

Feb 20, 2014

SC to hear centres review petition in Rajiv Gandhi case

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday said that Centre is moving a review petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday to challenge Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to free the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi. He further said that he hopes the Supreme Court reviews the matter as soon as possible. He also added that it is unfortunate that political parties have double standards when it comes to terrorism.

Feb 20, 2014

S. Koreans head for bittersweet family reunion in North

A group of elderly South Koreans leave for North Korea for the first reunion in more than three years for families divided by the Korean War.

Feb 20, 2014

Gaya school remains in dilapidated condition 3 years after Maoist attack

Gaya, Feb 20 (ANI): A school in Gaya district of Bihar, which was destroyed in a Maoist attack three years back, is still in ruins due to government’s apathy. On May 25, 2011, Maoist rebels destroyed a government-run school by dynamite explosion in Tillaya Khurd village of Gaya district. Since then more than 200 students have been facing a lot of problems and are forced to attend their classes under the open sky, even during the monsoon and winter season. The teachers of the school have repeatedly tried to contact the authorities regarding the matter but no initiative has been taken yet to reconstruct the school building.

Feb 20, 2014

Chidambaram boosting revenue by taxing my speeches: Narendra Modi

Gandhinagar, Feb 20 (ANI): Continuing with the war of words with Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Narendra Modi said that the Congress minister was working very hard to boost the country’s revenues by imposing service tax on his speeches. Modi was addressing a seminar on 'Financial Services - a key driver for economic growth in Gandhinagar where he took pot shots at Chidambaram. Earlier, Chidambaram has said that he does not want to indulge in a class 8 schoolboy debate after Modi criticised the interim budget.

Feb 20, 2014

Will release Rajiv Gandhi assassins if centre fails to reply immediately: Jayalalithaa

Chennai/ Coimbatore/ New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa triggered outrage in the Congress and elsewhere after the state government decided to release all seven assassins of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This comes a day after Supreme Court of India commuted death sentences of three accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination to life term because of an 11-year delay in deciding on their petitions for mercy. The Supreme Court had granted powers to the Tamil Nadu government to exercise its remission powers under the sections 432 and 433 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc). Jayalalithaa decided to release the convicts after due consultations with the central government and announced the same in the state assembly on Wednesday.

Feb 20, 2014

Oommen Chandy denies lapses in Italian Marines case

Trivandrum, Feb 20 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that there were no lapses on the part of his government in the Italian Marines case. Chandy assured that the victim compensation fund will be handled by proper legal authority. Earlier, Rome expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday to postpone the hearing in the case. India's government has given its approval to an investigation agency to charge the sailors under its maritime security law, but said it would not seek death penalty if they were found guilty.

Feb 20, 2014

Delhi court awards death penalty to three convicts in Haryana gangrape case

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): A fast-track court in Delhi ordered death penalty to the three accused in a case of abduction, rape and gruesome murder of a 19-yr-old girl in 2012 in Haryana. The verdict was passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Virender Bhatt. Social worker, Anita Gupta, who was helping the family in fighting the case said that they were pleased with the judgment. The victim’s relatives celebrated outside the court premises after the verdict was delivered by the court. The father of the victim thanked the people for their support.

Feb 20, 2014

South Asia Newsline - Feb 19, 2014

Feb 20, 2014

Centre forms committee to look into the welfare of northeast people

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered a CBI probe into the murder of Nido Taniam, a college student from Arunachal Pradesh who died last month after allegedly beaten up by shopkeepers in the capital. The order came following a meeting between the victims’ parents and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Following widespread outrage over the incident, the centre has recently announced the formation of a six-member committee to look into the concerns of northeastern people residing across the country.The committee, led by former IAS officer M P Bezbaruah will examine the cause for violence and discrimination against people from the Northeast and suggest measures to be taken by the government to address these concerns. One representative from each northeastern state will also be a part of the panel.

Feb 20, 2014