Page 5 - Political Parties

Freebies announced by political parties have 'tadka' of populism: CEC Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday said the freebies announced by political parties and state governments have a 'tadka' of populism and it is difficult for those who win polls to either implement these sops or stop this practice. Responding to a question on freebies announced by various parties and government ahead of elections, he said while it is the domain of the state governments, they do not remember such sops for five years but announce them just a month or a fortnight before the poll schedule is announced. Kumar made these remarks at a press conference convened here to announce the schedule of elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Mizoram. He said the matter was at present sub-judice and the poll panel will act as soon as clarity and decision is available on this. He recalled that the EC had recently brought out a proforma for parties and states to explain how and when the promises made by them in their poll manifesto will be ...

Govt approves 28th tranche of electoral bonds, sale from October 4

The government on Friday approved the issuance of the 28th tranche of electoral bonds that will open for sale for 10 days beginning October 4. The decision comes ahead of assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. Poll dates are likely to be announced soon. Electoral bonds have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency to political funding. "The State Bank of India (SBI), in the XXVIII Phase of sale, has been authorised to issue and encash electoral bonds through its 29 authorised branches (as per list enclosed) w.e.f. October 4-13," the finance ministry said in a statement. The sale of the first batch of electoral bonds happened in March 2018. The authorised SBI branches include those in Bengaluru, Lucknow, Shimla, Dehradun, Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai, Patna, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Gandhinagar, Bhopal, Raipur, and Mumbai. SBI is the only authorised bank

Akhilesh Yadav to kick off SP poll campaign from Sirmaur on Sept 27

The state is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies

NIA files charge sheet against 13 people in killing of a political worker

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against 13 people in the case of killing of a political functionary in Puducherry about six months ago, an official said on Friday. Senthil Kumaran was brutally killed by six motorcycle-borne assailants on March 26. The accused hurled country-made bombs at the political activist in front of a bakery in the Villianur area of the Union territory and then attacked him with machetes, killing him on the spot. The local police had initially registered a case, which was handed over to the NIA and re-registered by the central agency on April 29. The key conspirator in the case, Nithiyanantham, was later arrested along with his associates identified as Vignesh, Siva Sankar, Raja, Pradap, Karthikeyan, Vengatesh, Rajamani, Ezhumalai, Kathirvel, Ramachandiran, Lakshmanan, Dhilipan and Ramanathan. "All of them, except Ramanathan, have been charge-sheeted by the NIA under various sections of IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act

Parties hesitant to celebrate Telangana Day due to vote bank politics: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said even after the formation of Telangana state political parties were hesitating to celebrate the 'Telangana Liberation Day' due to vote bank politics. Shah was speaking at the Centre's official celebration of Hyderabad Liberation Day' to commemorate the region's freedom from erstwhile Nizam rule and merger of Hyderabad state with the Indian Union on September 17, 1948. He termed as 'unfortunate' political parties hesitating to celebrate the 'Liberation Day' due to vote bank politics. "I would like to tell them that people of the country would turn away from those who turn away from their country's history. The Union Minister pointed out that no government in the past 75 years has celebrated the historic 'Hyderabad Liberation Day. Owing to 'appeasement policies' the previous governments were always afraid and did not celebrate it, he said, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to celebrate the Hyderabad Liberation day. Shah credited

Pak's PTI challenges objections on plea seeking polls within 90 days

As per details, PTI filed an appeal against the objections raised by the registrar of an apex court on a petition seeking general elections in 90 days

Pak's PTI, other parties criticise govt over hike in petrol, diesel price

The price of petrol and diesel hit a record high after the Pakistan government announced a hike of PKR 26.02 and PKR 17.34 per litre, respectively, on Friday

Election fever: Political consulting firms looking for top talent

Apart from IITs and IIMs, political consulting firms are hiring fresh graduates from TISS, NLU, Delhi University, among other institutions

K Kavitha urges all parties to unite and pass the Women's Reservation Bill

Emphasising the importance of inclusivity in our democracy, she asserted that increased women's representation is not a matter of exclusivity but a means to build a more balanced political landscape

WB Dhupguri bypoll: A litmus test for parties ahead of Lok Sabha elections

The triangular contest will be a litmus test for these major parties mainly for the INDIA bloc which are pitted against each other in Dhupguri

J-K Lt Guv, political parties congratulate Isro on Chandrayaan-3's landing

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and political leaders on Wednesday congratulated ISRO scientists on Chandrayaan-3's successful landing on the Moon, which put India in a group of select nations that have mastered the technology of soft-landing on the lunar surface. The feat has been achieved by the US, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Celebrations by tourists erupted near the historic 'Ghanta Ghar' (Clock Tower) in the Lal Chowk city centre as soon as the spacecraft made the soft landing. They were watching its live telecast. Jammu city also witnessed celebrations by political parties and other organisations on the occasion. Led by its Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ravinder Raina, BJP workers burst firecrackers and distributed sweets among people. "India is on the moon! Heartiest Congratulations to team @ISRO for the success of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. Absolutely momentous achievement and important milestone in the development of India's space programme

HC asks govt, political parties to respond to plea against use of INDIA

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from the Centre, Election Commission of India, and 26 political parties on a petition seeking to restrain opposition parties from using the acronym INDIA for their alliance. Opposition bloc INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) comprising 26 parties was announced at a meeting in Bengaluru, Karnataka on July 17-18 to take on the ruling NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Amit Mahajan issued notices to the ministries of Home Affairs and Information and Broadcasting, ECI and 26 political parties on the petition, saying that the matter needs to be heard. "It has to be heard. It requires hearing. Notice issued," the bench said. It, however, refused to grant any interim relief at this stage and said that no order can be passed without hearing the respondents. "We can't pass any order like this. Let the response of the other side come. We will definitely look in

CIC verdict can't be referred to bring political parties under RTI: Centre

An order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) cannot be used to seek a writ from the Supreme Court to bring recognised political parties under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Centre told the apex court on Tuesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta made the submission while appearing for the central government before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which is hearing two PILs seeking a direction to bring political parties under the transparency law. The CIC order cannot be used to seek a writ of mandamus (a judicial order to the government to fulfil official duties) to bring political parties under the RTI, the law officer told the bench, which also comprised Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), represented by lawyer P V Dinesh, said the party has no objection to RTI with regard to ensuring financial transparency. But there cannot be requests (under RTI) on why a candidate has been selecte

TMS Ep481: NDA and INDIA, tech layoffs, healthcare stocks, Oppenheimer

Is the era of political alliances back? Is there an end in sight for tech layoffs? Why are healthcare stocks gaining muscle? Who was J Robert Oppenheimer? All answers here

38 parties have confirmed participation in NDA meeting Tuesday: J P Nadda

Leaders of 38 parties have confirmed their participation in a meeting of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to be held in the national capital on Tuesday, BJP president J P Nadda said. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Nadda said NDA's reach and scope have increased over the years. He said the NDA constituents are upbeat due to the positive impact of the Narendra Modi government's schemes and policies. The meeting of the BJP-led coalition is scheduled to be held on a day several opposition parties are set to hold deliberations in Bengaluru to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The NDA meeting here will see the presence of a host of existing and new BJP allies as the ruling party has worked overtime in recent weeks and months to seal fresh alliances and win back those who had quit the ruling combine.

J-K govt announces enhanced ration quota, praised by political parties

Local residents also expressed their happiness and appreciation for the enhanced ration quota, praising the LG administration for this decision

CPI(M) excluding Cong from seminar on UCC aimed at creating conflict: IUML

Key Congress ally in Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Sunday rejected the ruling CPI(M)'s overtures to take part in its seminars on the hotly debated Uniform Civil Code (UCC), claiming that the Left party was trying to create "conflict" and "division" by not inviting the grand old party. The IUML said it was implied from the CPI(M)'s invite that it had "no good intentions" and there was no need for a seminar which divides people -- a response that comes as a blow to the Left party which was optimistic of seeing the League take part in its first seminar to be held on July 15 in Kozhikode district of the state. Throwing its weight behind the Congress, the League said without the grand old party's leadership and support, it would not be possible for anyone to fight against the UCC at the national level as it was an issue concerning everyone in India and not just the Muslims. The IUML announced its decision after a meeting of the party leadership at Panakkad here followi

Restoration of political process, statehood key to normalcy in J-K: Cong

The political process has to be restored in Jammu and Kashmir, veteran Congress leader Karan Singh said as he batted for early assembly elections in the Union Territory as well as reinstating its statehood. He also acknowledged that the law and order situation is "better" in Jammu and Kashmir, saying there has been a cessation of shutdown calls and "Hurriyat fatwas". But it cannot be claimed that there is "100 per cent complete control", Singh told PTI in an interview. The Congress leader said that "at some point in time, the political process has to be restored". "Statehood has to be restored. Only then (when statehood and political process is restored), we can say, that total normalcy has set in (Jammu and Kashmir)," Singh said. He highlighted that panchayat elections have already taken place, and now it is imperative to hold assembly elections as soon as possible. "It is assembly elections that are to be held now. They should be held as soon as possible. It is for the government

Former Mizoram minister Beichhua to join BJP ahead of assembly polls

: Former Mizo National Front (MNF) leader K Beichhua, who resigned as a minister last year, will join the BJP ahead of the Mizoram assembly polls later this year, a BJP leader said. The veteran Mara politician said he will formally join the saffron camp after poll dates are announced, BJP media convener Johny Lalthanpuia told PTI on Friday. Beichhua said he will contest the polls from Siaha in south Mizoram on a BJP ticket. Beichhua, who had held multiple portfolios including social welfare, excise and animal husbandry, resigned from Zoramthanga's ministry on December 13 last year, a day after he was allegedly told to do so by the chief minister. The ruling MNF expelled him as primary member of the party on January 25 along with the chairman of the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) N Viakhu for 'anti-party activities'. Beichhua had been elected from Siaha on a MNF ticket for two consecutive terms since 2013. The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the poll

Meeting to select new Delhi Congress chief held at DPCC office: Report

Two separate meetings have been held to seek suggestions on selecting new chief of the Congress' Delhi unit and discuss ways to mobilise the party workers in the national capital, party sources said on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by AICC incharge for Delhi Deepak Babaria at the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office here on Wednesday. He also met Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the same day. The meeting to seek suggestions on the new party chief was a one-on-one meeting with the party's district and block-level leaders and workers, sources said. "Delhi Congress' district and block level leaders and workers were called individually to seek suggestions about a new party president. The meeting on Wednesday lasted for more than eight hours," a source in the party told PTI. "Suggestions were also sought on how to mobilise the party workers in every district of Delhi and strengthen the party further ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," the source