Polls

A majority of Australians believe Scott Morrison was wrong to snub the United Nations climate summit while on a high-profile visit to the US, but have otherwise backed the prime minister’s handling of the relationship with Donald Trump. The latest Guardian Essential poll, taken in the wake of Morrison’s trip to the US last week, shows that most Australians believe it is important for the prime minister to have a good relationship with the US president, “whoever they might be” for the good of the nation. While 15% of people disagreed with the statement, 77% agreed, with men and Liberal voters most likely to back a strong relationship. The survey of 1,097 people was taken before Tuesday’s revelation that Australia had agreed to help investigate the genesis of the Mueller inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US election, which Trump has suggested was a “hoax” to bring him down. But while 57% of those surveyed agreed that Morrison had … [Read more...] about Essential poll: 70% of Australians think Morrison was wrong to snub UN climate summit

TIMES VIEW Stars play a positive role Movie stars in 2014's polls are a welcome addition to the fray. For those carping about how stars represent glamour and gloss, why not? Which political party worth its khaki shorts or khadi cap will ignore someone who draws thousands out to rallies or to vote? Stars fascinate audiences and direct attention to election issues with ease. Stars are also achievers in their own individual right. Few come with the taint of corruption or dynastic privilege. Additionally, they’re careful to preserve their image and avoid controversies. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan was reportedly so upset over the hammering his career took following his political stint, he quit politics entirely. Meanwhile, those who stay mostly make seamless transitions, actors like Jayalalithaa, Khushboo and Sunil Dutt accomplishing non-starry political work. Conditioned by their field which brings them into constant contact with popular realities and dreams, stars are also keenly … [Read more...] about There’s a profusion of movie stars contesting 2014 polls

MUMBAI/PUNE: A Gujarat-based trader's SUV was stopped at a nakabandi in Kandivli (East) and Rs 1 crore seized. Seven others who were with him have also been detained. In a related development, the state election office has registered 50 cases of violations of the model code of conduct since it came into effect on September 21. The state poll officials also seized cash and other items valued at Rs 11.15 crore across the state. The trader from Gujarat, Amit Kantilal Sheth (49), was caught by a flying squad from Samta Nagar police station that was carrying out the election duty looking out for any "suspicious activity" during the poll period. Sheth's custody has been handed over to the Income Tax department for a probe. He was detained after he was unable to give a valid answer for the reason for carrying such a huge sum. "Sheth was detained after finding discrepancies in his explanation for carrying the money. He claimed that Rs 20 lakh belongs to him and the rest has been taken on … [Read more...] about 50 cases of poll code violation reported in Maha

MUMBAI: The proposal for a foreign "public transport study tour" to be undertaken by the BEST general manager Surendrakumar Bagde was met with criticism at the committee meeting on Friday, as the tour dates will coincide with the state assembly election dates. Bagde will attend the UITP international bus conference in Bruseels, participate in the study tour, and go on a technical visit to cities nearby. The trip is scheduled from October 20 to 26. The polling day is October 21, and counting day is October 24. BJP panel member Sunil Ganacharya said, "Is it fair on his part to be absent during the polling day and the counting day? I don't know if this falls under the purview of the code of conduct, but it is uncalled for." Opposition leader and BEST member Ravi Raja questioned if such a tour would actually benefit the BEST. "I can't think of a single benefit of the past visits the GM made to foreign nations. We asked for a presentation about the trips, but it was not done well. We … [Read more...] about BEST chief’s foreign tour to clash with poll dates

KOLKATA: India is keeping a close watch on the political developments during the Bangladesh polls as around 25 Jamaat leaders are contesting the polls on Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ticket and 20 from constituencies close to the Bengal border. Most of these constituencies are within 100km from the Bengal border, while two others are fighting from Commila, located close to Tripura border and two Jamaat-Ul Mujahideen Bangaladesh (JMB) leaders are from Shyllet, which is adjoining Assam and is now plagued with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue. Sources said that the maximum concentration of the Jamaat leaders are found within a range of 50-100km from the Bengal border. The son of a top JMB leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi , who is now serving life term as a war criminal, is contesting from Pirojpur which is barely 160km from Kolkata. Thus, the reason behind fielding JMB candidates close to the Bengal border is considered significant by India. The Bangladesh … [Read more...] about India keeping close eye on Bangladesh polls