Politics

Won't form alliance in J-K in haste, says BJP

New Delhi, Jan 5 (ANI): Asserting that all options are open for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Jugal Kishore on Monday said that his party would not form an alliance in haste as they want a stable government which would last for six years. Earlier, the BJP had stated that any attempt to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir without its inclusion will be a travesty of the mandate given by the people of the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections threw up a hung verdict, with the PDP emerging as the single-largest party winning 28 seats. The BJP won 25 seats while the National Conference and Congress won 15 and 12 seats respectively.

Jan 5, 2015

Congress to move SC against education qualification in Rajasthan panchayat polls

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): The Congress is all set to file a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday against an ordinance brought by the Rajasthan government setting a minimum education qualification for candidates contesting panchayat polls. The ordinance stipulates a minimum education qualification of secondary education (Class X) for candidates contesting zila parishad or panchayat samiti polls and Class VIII pass to be eligible to run for the post of sarpanch. Party leader AM Singhvi and Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot claimed that the ordinance is discriminatory and against the constitutional right to equality and highly disruptive for all candidates and political parties. Pilot also reiterated that this ordinance will make SC, ST candidates and rural women ineligible to contest the panchayat polls.

Jan 5, 2015

All have right to choose their religion & also to disagree with my view: Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad, Jan 05 (ANI): After raising controversy over his statements, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Mondauy said that every citizen has the right to choose their religion in a democratic nation. Owaisi said that what he has said was hi personal belief and people have every right to disagree with the same. The MIM Chief also tried to make a point on ‘forceful conversion’ being done by the RSS and VHP. Earlier, Owaisi had said that Islam is the 'real home' of all religions and hence the real 'home coming' will be when people of other religions embrace it. He had also maintained that all are born as Muslims and are later converted to other religions.

Jan 5, 2015

Politicos react as Congress leads, BJP loses in Chhattisgarh civic polls

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): Political leaders reacted on Monday after Congress leads in Chhattisgarh civic polls defeating the BJP-led state government. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that there is no fixed political party to rule a particular state because power keeps changing from party to party in democracy. JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that people have now lost faith in BJP as it did not fulfill the promises. NCP leader Majid Memon said that such results will be seen in the future also.

Jan 5, 2015

Hindu Mahasabha's demand for replacing Gandhi's image on currency notes sparks controversy

New Delhi, Jan 5 (ANI): Leaders of various political parties on Monday slammed the Hindu Mahasabha over its demand of changing the image of currency notes. In a fresh move, the Hindu Mahasabha has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding Mahatama Gandhi's photo be replaced on Indian currency notes with that of Veer Shivaji, Maharana Pratap along with image of B R Ambedkar who gave the country the Constitution post-Independence. Many politicos termed it as a 'non-issue' and added that the country should instead focus on issues which are more relevant.

Jan 5, 2015

John Kerry certifies aid for Pak, says US approves of action against LeT, JeM; politicos react

New Delhi, Jan 5 (ANI): US secretary of state John Kerry has signed off on a certification that makes Pakistan eligible for an aid package under the Kerry-Lugar Bill. The bill requires the US administration to certify that the Pakistan government has taken action to prevent "al-Qaida, Taliban and associated terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba from operating in the territory of Pakistan". The certification has sparked outrage in India.

Jan 5, 2015

Politicos react after at least three lost eye-sight during cataract surgery at NGO camp in Mathura

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): Political leaders reacted on Monday after at least three people lost their eye sight during cataract surgery at an eye camp in Mathura. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said that such surgeries should be conducted under government’s supervision. BJP leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that such camps which are meant to provide relief to the general public in turn prove to be dangerous, so proper investigation should be conducted before their set up. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the government should be careful when such camps are conducted.

Jan 5, 2015

Politicos react on WB govt after Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee slapped during

New Delhi, Jan 5 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek was on Sunday slapped during Trinamool Congress youth wing rally. A man climbed on to the elevated platform and jumped ahead to slap Banerjee. The incident took place in East Midnapore in West Bengal where Abhishek Banerjee was addressing a rally. Politicos reacted on the issue.

Jan 5, 2015

Political parties react over Mohan Bhagwat's call for 'unity among Hindus in current scenario'

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): Political parties on Monday slammed RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat after he called for unity among Hindus in the current scenario when BJP is in power. Making a strong pitch for unity among Hindus, Bhagwat said that if the Hindu society is in danger, then the entire country is also in danger. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that the RSS is doing all it can under the BJP government which can divide the nation. NCP leader Majid Memon said that is Bhagwat thinks that he is the prime minister and can do anything he desires, he is wrong. JD (U) also condemned the RSS chief and said that he should realize that he does not have any political accountability. CPI leader Atul Anjan said that RSS has dividing ideology and they don't want to unite even the Hindu community.

Jan 5, 2015

Ramdev knocks out Wrestler Sushil Kumar at 20th foundation day of his ashram

Haridwar, Jan 05 (ANI): Yoga Guru Ramdev on Monday tried his hand at wrestling and successfully knocked out Wrestler Sushil Kumar at 20th foundation day of his ashram. Ramdev decided to celebrate the 20th foundation day of his ashram - Divya Yog Mandir Trust in Haridwar - in a totally different way. Ramdev said that he picked up the 'dangal' skills that he picked up during his heydays at the 'gurukul'. Meanwhile, Sushil Kumar also lauded the yoga guru's skills in the field.

Jan 5, 2015

Political parties react over 'politicizing' Pak boat issue

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): Political parties on Monday react over 'politicization' of Pakistani boat issue which was seen off the Gujarat coast and was later blown away. While BJP maintain that the boat was not the smuggler's vessel but has terror links. Congress said that the ruling BJP government should come out clear on the matter. Other political parties also demanded clear stand of the central government on the issue and said that India should refrain from making false claims on the matter without any evidence.

Jan 5, 2015

Asaduddin Owaisi says all born Muslims and should embrace the religion, Politicos condemn

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): Political leaders on Monday condemned Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi after he said that Islam is the 'real home' of all religions in the world and hence the real 'home coming' will be when people of other religions embrace it. Owaisi had said that all are born as Muslim and are later converted to other religions. NCP leader Majid Memon said that Owaisi is making such statements for vote bank and should refrain from the same. JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that such statements by 'communal forces' harm the nation as a whole. CPI leader Atul Anjan said that people who believe in democracy and such ideologies should not pay heed to communal remarks by Owaisi and others.

Jan 5, 2015

Mangroves: Karachi's natural defence under threat

Thick mangroves have long protected Karachi from battering by the Arabian Sea, but pollution, badly managed irrigation and years of illegal logging have left this natural barrier in a parlous state. Duration: 02:36

Jan 5, 2015

Cold wave sweeps northern India, dense fog delays trains

New Delhi/Kanpur, Jan 5 (ANI): As cold wave continues to lash northern India, train traffic remained disrupted in the region on Monday due to thick blanket of fog. As night temperature plunged further at several places in the region, people who work outdoors were seen seeking warmth from bonfires and hot tea from roadside stalls. In the national capital, New Delhi, passengers at the railway stations complained of long delays in the scheduled timings of trains. Dense fog affected the train traffic in northern Kanpur city as well, where light rains added to the woes of the passengers. The sudden dip in temperatures is said to have been caused by snowfall in upper regions of Himalayas and has adversely impacted the upper half of the country.

Jan 5, 2015

Madhu Kinnar becomes first eunuch to win mayor poll

Chhattisgarh, Jan 5 (ANI): A eunuch, who earned a living by singing in Howrah-Mumbai trains scripted history by winning civic polls in Chhattisgarh, defeating nearest rival from ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Independent candidate Madhu won the mayor election of the Raigarh Municipal Corporation by 4,537 votes against BJP's Mahaveer Guruji. Madhu, 35, belonging to Dalit community, is the first transgender person to get elected as mayor in the state. After winning, Madhu said people had shown faith in her and she will put best efforts to accomplish their dreams. Hundreds of thousands of transgenders in India face discrimination, abuse and often forced into prostitution. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh wished the winning candidates.

Jan 5, 2015