Politics

'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

Manmohan Singh's step brother joins BJP

Amritsar, April 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's step-brother, Daljit Singh Kohli, has joined the BJP. Kohli was present on stage at the joint BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) rally held in Amritsar on Friday night. The rally was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Addressing the gathering, Modi said that Kohli's decision to join the BJP would increase the party's strength, and added that it would be his endeavour to forge a close relationship with the latter. Meanwhile, shocked by the news, PM's relatives are with the Congress party and confirmed their support for the party and Singh.

Apr 26, 2014

Meteorological department sees below-average monsoon in 2014

New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): Director General of Indian Meteorological Department, Laxman Singh Rathore, said that India was likely to have below-average monsoon rainfall in 2014. Patchy rain could hit planting of crops such as soybeans, rice, corn and cotton, pressuring economic growth that has nearly halved to below five percent in the past two years. Poor crops could in turn raise food inflation now stuck at nine percent. Below-average rains in the June-September monsoon season may create a headache for the new government, expected to formed after results of the general election are announced on May 16. The last time India faced a drought with rainfall below the normal range was in 2009 and prior to that, in 2004 and 2002 - with El Nino hitting the Indian monsoon season on each occasion.

Apr 26, 2014

Life inside Guantanamo Bay detention facility

It’s been over 12 years since inmates first arrived at US detention camps in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Conditions have improved for prisoners but rights groups still decry that some of them have little prospect of being charged or tried. Duration: 05:03

Apr 26, 2014

Egypt's Mubarak makes rare appearance for supporters

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made a rare appearance on Friday to wave to supporters from the window of the military hospital where he is being held during his ongoing trial. Duration: 00:33

Apr 26, 2014