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Arab News News Politics

PLO central council to discuss crucial issues

PLO central council to discuss crucial issues

The meeting is scheduled to elect a new secretary-general for the PLO’s executive committee…reports Asian Lite News

The central council of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will convene on Sunday in the West Bank city of Ramallah to discuss crucial issues related to the internal situation and the relationship with Israel and the US.

The meeting is scheduled to elect a new secretary general for the PLO’s executive committee to succeed late Saeb Erekat, who died from Covid-19 in November 2020.

Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the PLO’s executive committee, told Xinhua news agency that representatives of seven Palestinian factions will participate in the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) meetings.

The Palestinians, he said, are facing a complicated situation due to the obstruction of peace with Israel, “which coincides with the failure of the US to fill the existing political vacuum, whether by proposing a political initiative, moving the peace process, or appointing an envoy for the peace process”.

Direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, sponsored by the US for nine months, once stopped in 2014 following deep differences over the borders of the future Palestinian state, settlement, and security issues.

ALSO READ: Palestine and Algeria to resume reconciliation dialogue

Meanwhile, the Palestinian left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the second faction in the PLO after the Fatah Party, said that it decided not to join the PCC meetings in Ramallah.

Minor Palestinian factions and independent figures also announced that they will not join the PCC meetings on Sunday, saying that it reinforces division and abandons the partnership approach and democratic expression required through elections.

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Africa News News Politics

Tanzania’s ruling party marks 45th anniversary with impressive feats

Tanzania's ruling party marks 45th anniversary with impressive feats

Tanzania’s ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has marked its 45th anniversary with its Chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, highlighting achievements made by the party…reports Asian Lite News

Addressing the east African nation from Mara region, Hassan on Saturday said Tanzania has made impressive socio-economic, political and cultural achievements under the leadership of the CCM.

“Let us continue overseeing our party principles in order to fulfil expectations of Tanzanians,” the President told her audience.

ALSO READ: 35th Ordinary Session of African Union kicks off in Addis Ababa

She said following two decades of sustained growth, Tanzania reached an important milestone in July 2020, when it formally graduated to lower-middle-income country status, Xinhua news agency reported.

Under the guidance of the ruling party, Tanzania has also been able to supply clean and safe water to its citizens by 75 per cent, said the Head of State.

President Hassan said notable gains have also been made in education and health services.

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India News Politics

Owaisi, Kejriwal sent by BJP to split votes: Congress

He also urged the Trinamool Congress in Goa to support the Congress party in the poll-bound state to prevent division of votes…reports Asian Lite News

The Congress on Thursday likened Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s Asaduddin Owaisi, both of whom, the opposition party leader Randeep Surjewala said, were being sent to states by the BJP in order to split the anti-BJP votes.

“There are two people, which the BJP sends wherever it is losing. One is AIMIM and second is Kejriwal and AAP. They will wear separate hats, they will seem to be opposing the BJP. But let no Goan be mistaken. At the end of the day, AAP runs its government with the assistance and help of BJP,” Surjewala told a press conference in Panaji.

“There are imposters here who are BJP’s B-team. They are here to assist the BJP and provide cover fire. We need to be wary of such forces, who wear the white topi, but actually wear the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) colours inside,” he also said, while referring to the Aam Aadmi Party.

“Otherwise so many scams happened in Delhi, there is no way they would have been able to rule. He (Kejriwal) would have been behind bars, if 10 per cent of those scams were to be investigated and taken to a logical conclusion in a court of law,” Surjewala also said.

He also urged the Trinamool Congress in Goa to support the Congress party in the poll-bound state to prevent division of votes.

“In a democracy everybody has a right to fight, I’m not disputing their right, but in democracy everyone has to understand and comprehend and think and introspect whether by their act and deeds, knowingly or unknowingly, whether they are giving cover fire to the BJP,” Surjewala said.

ALSO READ-Channi declares fall in income, Sukhbir richest leader in state

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India News Politics

Rapper Moosewala tries to step foot in Punjab politics

Behind the scenes, a social media is sharing and creating a mass connect for Moosewala on his Facebook page, “Sidhu Moose Wala”, with a 1.1 million fan following…reports Vishal Gulati

He’s the youngest and crowd-puller candidate in the Punjab electoral arena as he understands the pulse and instantly strikes a “musical” chord with voters.

Leaving behind his celebrated tag of a top Punjabi rap singer with fans across the globe, singer-turned-actor-politician Sidhu Moosewala, who was booked for allegedly promoting gun culture and violence, takes pride in crediting his mother Charan Kaur, sarpanch of his native Moosa village, for making his electoral debut as a Congress candidate from Mansa for the February 20 Assembly polls.

During his campaigning, he does not hesitate to fold his hands and bow his head before the commoners to seek votes for the party.

Also the 27-year-old singer, who is often caught on the wrong side of the law but broke several records, does not mind in singing couplets of his songs and posing for countless selfies with the electorate, largely first-timers.

“I have not joined politics for fame. I want to serve my people by generating employment and developing infrastructure,” Shubhdeep Singh, now famous as Sidhu Moosewala, who have lent his voice in messages about how to stay safe amidst Covid-19, said.

He shares a personal bond with his fans. “My songs resonate with their deepest emotions, their loves and likes. They hang on my words and wait for my new releases and sing along when I sing on their request. In other words, they trust me,” an upbeat Moosewala, who calls Toronto his second home, added.

He believes his songs helps building an instant rapport with the voters, especially in rural areas which do no gave much access to modern culture.

“That’s the power,” says octogenarian Dilraj Singh of Joga village, while pointing towards a public meeting of Moosewala. “If he can harness that much energy for raking up local issues and concerns, I am sure Moosewala wins hearts.”

Behind the scenes, a social media is sharing and creating a mass connect for Moosewala on his Facebook page, “Sidhu Moose Wala”, with a 1.1 million fan following.

Pitted against Vijay Singla of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Prem Arora, the singer, donning blue jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt, is seen mingling freely with the crowds, comprising women and children.

With assets of Rs 7.87 crore as per his nomination affidavit, the singer-turned-politician, who loves to ride on an open jeep, is facing four criminal cases, including two for obscene scenes.

Controversies are not new to Moosewala. He created stir by allegedly misusing the name of 18th century Sikh warrior Mai Bhago in his track ‘Jatti Jeonay Morh Di Bandook Wargi’ with panthic bodies demanding his arrest for hurting Sikh sentiments. He later apologised.

Just days ahead of announcing his candidature, Mansa Youth Congress president Chuspinderbir Singh Chahal challenged Moosewala to undergo a dope test. At this, Moosewala replied he has no time for such malicious allegations.

Critics within the Congress were aghast over his candidature. They say on his Instagram account there are several posts where he is carrying guns.

Moosewala, who is facing charges of promoting violence and gun culture in his song “Sanju”, joined the Congress on December 3, 2021.

During the induction ceremony, state party president Navjot Singh Sidhu described Moosewala as a youth icon.

“Not only youngsters, people of all age groups like Moosewala. He has a unique style and is a youth icon,” Sidhu had said.

Describing Moosewala as a “big artiste”, Chief Minister Charanjit Channi said with his sheer hard work he has won the hearts of millions of people.

After joining the party, Moosewala met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.

Moosewala, who created a niche for himself with his unique rapping style, is known for hit tracks like ‘Legend’, ‘Devil’, ‘Just listen’, ‘Jatt da Muqabala’ and ‘Hathyar’, among many others.

He plays the protagonist in Punjabi film ‘Moosa Jatt’. His another film ‘Yes I Am A Student’ is a story that sheds light on the hardship of international students but inspires them to never lose hope.

Many of his songs featured in the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 charts.

“I am not entering politics for status or to earn praise. I want to become a part of the system to transform it. I am joining the Congress to raise the voice of the people. I am joining the Congress as the party has leaders who have come from common families,” Moosewala, who went to Canada in 2016 as an international student, said on the day he joined the politics.

He said he is still living in the same house in his village. His father is an ex-serviceman and his mother is a sarpanch. “Residents of my area have expectations from me,” he added.

From the Mansa seat in 2017, AAP legislator Nazar Singh Manshahia won with over 20,000 votes. In April 2019, he rebelled and joined the Congress.

ALSO READ-BJP leaders slam Rahul Gandhi over remarks 

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India News Politics

Attempts to divide Punjab on communal lines: Akali Dal

Bains said AAP and the Congress have realised that they have lost the election already but this has driven to the desperate, last minute resort to playing the Hindu-Sikh communal card…reports Asian Lite News

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday warned against attempts by the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to “divide Punjab through communal polarisation”.

“Both the Congress and the AAP are making a last minute attempt to derail the narrative of peace, communal harmony and development as they have been stunned by the mounting surge of Akali wave as the polling date draws closer,” Harcharan Bains, Principal Advisor to Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, said.

“This is what lies at the root of their mutually orchestrated conspiracies to inject a new communal element into the campaign. But the SAD-BSP will not allow any attempts at communal polarisation to succeed,” he said in a statement.

Bains said the reason behind this swing towards communal polarisation is that AAP’s “social media bubble” has suddenly burst. The bubble was created by pumping in thousands of crores into a massive publicity and propaganda campaign through fake news and fake surveys.

But now the realisation has dawned on them that these ploys have not been able to stop the SAD-BSP upsurge.

Bains said AAP and the Congress have realised that they have lost the election already but this has driven to the desperate, last minute resort to playing the Hindu-Sikh communal card.

Asserting that attempts to divide Punjabis will never be allowed to succeed, Bains said, “Punjab is another name for human brotherhood where the dominant communities Hindus and Sikhs have always coexisted in mutual love and trust with Muslims and Christians. No one will be able to divide us.”

In the fray for 117 seats in Punjab are three prominent parties — the ruling Congress, the opposition Aam Aadmi Party and the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha, and two alliances — the SAD-BSP and the BJP-Punjab Lok Congress.

Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase on February 20 and the counting of ballots will take place on March 10.

ALSO READ-Goa AAP candidates sign affidavits; pledge against defection

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India News Politics

Will not be cowed down, says AIMIM after attack on Owaisi

Owaisi escaped unhurt when two men opened fire at his car when he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut…reports Asian Lite News

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Thursday condemned the attack on its president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in Uttar Pradesh.

Party leader and Telangana MLA Mumtaz Ahmed Khan said the party will not be cowed down by such incidents.

Khan said such attacks were not new for the party as it made many sacrifices during the last 65 years.

The AIMIM leader said the party’s opponents, especially the communal forces, were afraid of its growing popularity. He said the public meetings being addressed by Owaisi in Uttar Pradesh were drawing lakhs of people and the party’s opponents were unable to digest this.

Owaisi escaped unhurt when two men opened fire at his car when he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut.

The MP’s SUV came under attack at a toll plaza in Hapur in western Uttar Pradesh. He left for Delhi in another vehicle.

Police arrested one of the assailants while the search was for his accomplice.

Owaisi has demanded the Election Commission to order an independent inquiry into the attack. He also sought an inquiry by the governments in UP and at the Centre.

The MP also plans to raise the issue with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Owaisi has been campaigning aggressively in UP for the last few weeks. His party has already announced that it will contest 100 seats in the state.

ALSO READ-AAP’s Bhagwant Mann tries to woo voters in high-stakes Dhuri battle

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Goa India News Politics

Goa AAP candidates sign affidavits; pledge against defection

Two of the three MLAs from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party also switched to the BJP during that period…reports Asian Lite News

Weeks after Congress party candidates took a public oath in front of religious deities against defecting to other political parties after elections, candidates of the AAP in Goa on Wednesday signed affidavits against switching political parties after the February 14 polls.

At a press conference in Panaji, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also said that the issue of defections had reached “world record” proportions in Goa, calling for the strengthening of anti-defection laws in the country.

“Goa’s politics is such that it has a history of defections. I think it must be a world record that 15 of the 17 elected MLAs of one party switch sides to another. This pledge is a legal document and if any of our candidates go against their pledge they can be prosecuted for breach of trust and swearing a false oath,” Kejriwal told a press conference in Panaji, during which the party’s 39 candidates posed with their signed affidavits.

Kejriwal was referring to the exodus of Congress party MLAs to the BJP between 2017 and 2022. Two of the three MLAs from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party also switched to the BJP during that period.

“We have chosen all good candidates, when choosing we have chosen based on who is clean and honest. We have chosen them well, yet we have felt the need for this affidavit because not only should you be honest, but you should also be seen to be honest. People have to be reassured (that) If I work dishonestly or change my party you can file a case against me,” the Delhi Chief Minister also said.

“Anti-defection laws need to be strengthened in India. Especially in the case of Goa. If an MLA wants to defect for reasons of ‘defection’ then they need to go back to the people. This is a confidence building measure that we are giving you in writing that we will not change. Today we are the only party that is bringing a statement of oath before the people,” Kejriwal said.

ALSO READ-5 Cong MPs skip Rahul’s poll campaign launch in Punjab

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India News Politics

BJP leaders slam Rahul Gandhi over remarks 

Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal said, “It is a religious matter of an individual, as many of us do puja at home and don’t allow shoes at home.”…reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Parliament on Wednesday has drawn huge flak from the ruling BJP leaders.

The ruling party leaders condemned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks related to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, judiciary, Election Commission, unemployment, pegasus spyware and foreign policy.

Reacting to the remarks made by the former Congress chief while addressing the motion of thanks to the President’s address in Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi said, “The Congress which doesn’t have democracy within their party, is talking about our elected Prime Minister in a very very silly manner. I don’t understand his mentality and language. He is talking about China and Pakistan, they have been against us since decades, it’s a known fact.”

“When somebody comes to our home, we always request him to remove shoes outside, it’s our culture. We keep separate slippers for home, Rahul Gandhi doesn’t understand this. I must say he is a brainless person,” Joshi said while reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that a group of politicians from Manipur was “forced to remove their shoes” at Amit Shah’s home.

Similarly, Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal said, “It is a religious matter of an individual, as many of us do puja at home and don’t allow shoes at home.”

Rahul Gandhi, during his speech, “narrated an incident” about Amit Shah alleging that when a delegation from Manipur went to meet Shah, “they were told to remove their shoes, whereas Amit Shah himself was wearing slippers”.

The Congress leader, demanding an apology from Shah, has asserted that the Home Minister has “insulted people of Manipur”.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has sought the Congress leader’s apology for his comments on Constitutional institutions- Judiciary and the Election Commission.

“How can he give reference to a matter (pegasus spyware) which is sub judice, he should know the rules,” BJP MP Nishikant Dubey interrupted Rahul Gandhi during his speech, quoting the rule.

Meanwhile, responding to the former Congress president’s remark that the BJP-led Central government brought “Pakistan and China together”, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the two Asian countries have been sharing close ties since the last several decades.

Jaishankar also rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that “it is India’s faulty foreign policy under the Narendra Modi-led government which made China and Pakistan join hands together against India, and convert into a front”.

ALSO READ-5 Cong MPs skip Rahul’s poll campaign launch in Punjab

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India News Politics

All parties fielded candidates with criminal history in UP

The directions of the Supreme Court have apparently had no impact on the political parties in selection of candidates in Phase one of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections…reports Asian Lite News

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) which has analysed the affidavits filed by 615 candidates out of the total 623 for the first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh, has found that almost all parties have fielded candidates with a criminal background.

Among the major parties, 21 out of 28 candidates analysed from Samajwadi Party, 17 out of 29 candidates from Rashtriya Lok Dal, 29 out of 57 candidates from BJP, 21 out of 58 candidates from Congress, 19 out of 56 candidates from BSP and 8 out of 52 candidates from AAP, have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

There are 12 candidates with declared cases related to crime against women. Out of 12 candidates, one candidate has declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376).

Those having serious criminal cases against them include 17 from SP, 15 from RLD, 22 from BJP, 11 from Congress, 16 from BSP and five from AAP.

The directions of the Supreme Court have apparently had no impact on the political parties in selection of candidates in Phase one of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Releasing the report, ADR said that all major parties contesting in the first phase of elections have given tickets to 15 per cent to 75 per cent candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The Supreme Court in its directions dated February 13, 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection have to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned.

During the recent state assembly elections held in 2020-21, it was observed that political parties gave unfounded and baseless reasons like popularity of the person, good social work, cases are politically motivated etc. These are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds.

ALSO READ-Lakhimpur Kheri farmers to opt for NOTA in UP polls

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India News Politics

Punjab: Congress leader Jagmohan Kang joins AAP

Kang joined AAP along his two sons — Yadvinder Kang and Amarinder Kang….reports Asian Lite News

Three-time Punjab cabinet minister Jagmohan Kang, who was denied party nomination for contesting the February 20 assembly polls, parted ways with the Congress on Tuesday after serving it 47 years and joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Earlier, Kang, who is known for proximity with Congress leader Ambika Soni, announced to field his son from Kharar.

Kang faced defeat in the 2017 Assembly polls by a slender margin of 2,000 votes from journalist-turned-politician Kanwar Sandhu, now AAP rebel.

Since the code of conduct, two veteran Congress leaders have joined AAP.

Kang joined AAP along his two sons — Yadvinder Kang and Amarinder Kang.



The three leaders joined in the presence of AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab affairs co-in-charge Raghav Chadha.

Kang was Vice President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.

He has been elected MLA thrice — 1992-97, 2002-2007 and 2012-2017 — and was a minister in the Congress government from 1992 to 1995.

Kang is an influential leader in Punjab and has a deep hold among the people of Kharar and Anandpur Sahib region.

His younger son Amarinder was the state general secretary of the social media wing of the Congress. He has been active in the politics of Kharar and Anandpur Sahib.

His elder son Yadvind is a member of the Zilla Parishad (Khijrabad) and has been an active Congress leader.

After joining AAP, Jagmohan Kang said the people of Punjab are fed up with the mutual discord between the Congressmen. The Congress has now become a party of opportunists and power-greedy people. The poor and common people have to bear the brunt of their tussle for the power.

“People of Punjab deserve better government, I have decided to support Aam Aadmi Party so that a pro-people government can be formed in our state,” he told the media.

Congress has pitted a liquor businessman and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s close confidante Vijay Sharma Tinku against Punjabi singer Anmol Gagan Mann, 31, of AAP as its candidate from Kharar constituency in Mohali district.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has fielded realtor Ranjit Singh Gill as its candidate. He finished third in 2017.

The Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) has fielded Kamaldeep Saini and the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) fielded Paramdeep Singh Baidwan.

In the Kharar municipal elections in February last year, AAP won only one seat of the 27. The Congress got 10, followed by eight each to SAD and Independents.

ALSO READ: Jakhar’s revelation triggers new crisis in Punjab