Politics

Sonia targets Modi's Gujarat model of development

Barnala, April 26 (ANI): Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday targeted BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's Gujarat model of development, saying that only God can save the nation if Gujarat model is implemented across the country. While addressing a rally in Barnala district of Punjab, Congress chief said that Modi government has overlooked the plight of Sikh farmers in Gujarat. Sonia also heaped praises on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that the country has made rapid development under his rule.

Apr 26, 2014

Alternative to Congress and BJP needed: CPI on Chavan's remark

New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): CPI leader D Raja on Saturday reacted to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's remark saying that the regional parties are trying to provide an alternative to the Congress and BJP. Raja stated that Congress has shamefully accepted its defeat before polls. Further, he denied any possibility of Congress' inclusion in the Third Front.

Apr 26, 2014

Sing-along saint: Showbiz gets papal inspirationromains

Pope John Paul II's extraordinary life is being set to music in Rome, with audiences enjoying a flourish of theatre shows about the former playwright and future saint ahead of his canonisation on Sunday. Duration: 02:43

Apr 26, 2014

2014 LS Polls: Priyanka campaigns for Rahul, attacks rival parties

Amethi, April 26 (ANI): Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while campaigning for her brother and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, attacked the rival parties saying that they are competing not for the welfare of Amethi but to defeat Rahul.

Apr 26, 2014

'Saranda Development Plan' encourages voters to cast their ballot in Jharkhand

Jamshedpur, April 26 (ANI): The Maoists controlled Saranda forest area of Jharkhand witnesses a high voter turnout in the Lok Sabha polls, after the implementation of ' Saranda Development Plan,' a development initiative. Reportedly, the Saranda Development Plan was launched in 2011 and promised roads, livelihood, homes, health and most of all, links to the mainstream. Under the plan, efforts were made to free the area from Maoists, as a result of which, nearly 3000 of the 5000 people of the Digha village in Saranda forest area cast their ballot. A villager, James Dodrai, said that fear of the Maoists prevented them from voting earlier. Head of Digha village Panchayat, Guruvari Mundari, also said that earlier there was a lot of fear of Maoists among people of the area.

Apr 26, 2014

Sibal mocks Ramdev, says no Modi wave only money wave

New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Saturday attacked the BJP on its various allegations and remarks over Congress leaders. Sibal mocked at Baba Ramdev's comment on Rahul Gandhi saying that he gives different statements according to his attire. Responding to Arun Jaitley's remark on Congress having a myopic view, Sibal lined up a series of questions to be answered by the BJP in same context. He further commented upon Modi wave calling it a wave of money.

Apr 26, 2014

JandK: Fierce gun battle in Shopian kills Army Major, two jawans

Shopian, April 26 (ANI): An Army Major and two jawans have been killed along with two terrorists in a gun battle between security forces and militants which intensified in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. Acting on a tip-off on militant hideout, security forces launched a search operation to flush them out, triggering the gunfight. The restive region has witnessed numerous militant attacks, insurgency, and infiltration attempts from across the border in the last two decades. Police official said that the reinforcements have been rushed to the village and efforts are on to neutralise the terrorists who had refused to surrender and continued firing.

Apr 26, 2014

Congress has already accepted its defeat: BJP on Chavan's third front remark

New Delhi, Apr 26 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Shahnawaz Hussain on Saturday stated that the Congress has already accepted defeat and none can stop the BJP from coming to power. He was responding to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's remark that the Congress is in a position to consider forming a government at the Centre with the help of the Third Front. Chavan, said that the chances of Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister were slim, and the Congress could form the next government in alliance with "the Third Front".

Apr 26, 2014

PM's brother joins BJP, Politicos give mixed reactions

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): Political leaders gave mixed reactions after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's brother Daljit Singh Kohli joined BJP and shared dais with Narendra Modi in Amritsar. BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the move is welcomed by the party and that many people are joining to be a part of Narendra Modi's revolution. Rameshwar Chaurasia this is in reaction to the Modi tsunami. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that it is Kohli's personal decision, but if PM's nephew's allegation on deal between the two is right, then the BJP needs to explain. Rajya Sabha MP Mohammed Adeeb also condemned the move.

Apr 26, 2014

US envoy calls India to engage in discussions regarding IPR

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): US ambassador to India, Nancy Powel, recommended India to engage in discussions related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The United States has listed India in Priority Watch List - countries whose practices on protecting intellectual property, which it believes should be monitored closely. Speaking at the annual general meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in New Delhi, Powel also reiterated US government's critical view point of 'forced local requirements' implemented India. Earlier in March, the US voiced concern over protection of patents on safer and more effective next-generation medicines in India upon fear that authorities are considering to allow more Indian firms to make new varieties of cheap generic drugs still on patent.

Apr 26, 2014

Modi says Shinde immature in discussing Dawood matter in media, politicos slam

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): Political leaders on Saturday slammed BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his comment on Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Modi said that the issue of bringing back underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, to India was not a matter to be discussed openly in the media and this shows Shinde's immaturity. He also compared the matter to the United States pursing Osama bin Laden saying that they did not conduct any press conference before going after the al-Qaeda terrorist.

Apr 26, 2014

Ramdev says Rahul goes to Dalit homes for picnic and honeymoon, Politicos react

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): Though BJP leader Rameshwar Chaurasia welcomed Baba Ramdev's comment that Rahul Gandhi cannot find a girl to marry and goes to houses of Dalits 'for picnics and honeymoon', other politicos condemned the same. Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia said that Ramdev is a man of low morals and comparing him with Asaram, said that Ramdev should be jailed. Party leader Meem Afzal said that he has no shame and such a thing was not expected of a saint man. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Mohammed Adeeb said that Ramdev can't even keep his eyes still for 3 minutes and the person who can't maintain eye contact for sometime, can't be trusted on if saying truth or not.

Apr 26, 2014

BJP condemns Shakeel Ahmad's tweet alleging outsiders in Modi's Varanasi road show

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): After Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad said that Sushil Modi's tweet confirms the presence of 'outsider Biharis' in Narendra Modi's Varansi road show, BJP leader Rameshwar Chaurasia condemned the same. He said that this is the panic of the Congress party who knows that they will be defeated in the polls. He said that the crowd showed the support of the people of Varanasi and that if the BJP didn't question on Rahul Gandhi's rose petals road show in Amethi, why are they pointing finger on Modi's.

Apr 26, 2014

Daljit Singh Kohli joining BJP his personal decision: Congress

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): After PM Manmohan Singh’s brother Daljit Singh Kohli joined the BJP and was present on stage at the BJP- Shiromani Akali Dal rally in Amritsar, Congress called it Kohli’s personal decision, from which the party is not affected. Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad said that the PM’s office was surprised on the decision but every man has a freedom to choose any political party. Meanwhile, Meem Afzal said that this is not a big issue to be discussed and that even his relatives are saying that there is a deal that took place behind this.

Apr 26, 2014

Sushil Modi's tweet confirms Biharis present at Modi's Varanasi road show: Shakeel Ahmad

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): After his tweet on the presence of outsiders in Narendra Modi's Varanasi road show, Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad on Saturday said that BJP leader Sushil Modi's tweet confirms the same. he said that there were people from outside as BSP Chief Mayawati had said. But later, a confirmation tweet by the BJP leader confirms it. Ahmad had tweeted earlier, "Biharis in huge number were there, Sushil Modi's tweet confirms Mayawati Ji's claim that outsiders were there during Mr Modi's nomination".

Apr 26, 2014