Timeline Refresh
Thatcher, the then Prime Minister, considered ordering an emergency recall of Parliament to pass the new law giving extra powers for soldiers to replace striking workers, newly-released documents by the National Archives show.
The then US President Ronald Reagan, one of Thatcher's closest allies, sent her a private cable of support at this point. The American president wrote: "I just wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you as you address these important issues. I'm confident as ever that you and your government will come out of this well"
"He (Modi) is dangerous for Congress, not for the country," Raman Singh said, reacting to Manmohan Singh's statement earlier in the day that Modi as the prime minister would be a disaster for the country.
On the prime minister's statement on corruption, he said, "People are fed up with ten years of UPA rule. Now there is no need to express regret (on corruption issues)," he said, talking to reporters. "People will teach them (Congress) a lesson in this general election, then they will regret."
Diesel rates will go up marginally from Rs 53.80 a litre to about Rs 54.30 in Delhi.
New rates, which are excluding local sales tax or VAT, will be effective from midnight tonight.
Petrol price was earlier hiked on December 20 by 41 paise a litre following the government decision to raise commission paid to petrol pump dealers and firming global oil rates.
Simultaneously, diesel rates were increased by 10 paise per litre due to a hike in dealers commission.
India had said last month that it would be mandatory for all persons -- adults or children -- travelling to the country from Pakistan to furnish proof of vaccination against polio from January 30.
"The deadline for all travellers from Pakistan to India to obtain polio vaccination and certificate has been extended to February 14, 2014," said a statement from the Indian High Commission.
Read: The Polio Jihad
When the arrival at the state assembly of two of his ministers, Rakhi Birla and Saurabh Bhardwaj, in government cars this morning raised eyebrows, the Aam Aadmi Party chief said, "We never said anything about not using cars. We said we will not use red beacon cars."
The Aam Aadmi charm of Birla and other ministers has been on full display ever since they were sworn in on Saturday last. Most have so far been spotted using public transport or hitching rides to work. -- NDTV
Pic: AAP minister Rakhi Birla used a share auto to work
The National University of Juridical Sciences has dissociated itself from him. Ganguly is a guest professor at the university.
Yesterday, the Union Cabinet cleared the proposal to remove him as West Bengal Human Rights Panel chief for Presidential reference against him. Since the President can only act on the advice of the Union Cabinet, he had earlier referred the matter to the government.
The President will now refer the complaints against Ganguly to Chief Justice of India (CJI) for inquiry following which the CJI will set up a committee to probe the allegations. After an inquiry, the Supreme Court will send its report to the President. If charges are made out against justice Ganguly then he will be sacked by the President of India.
Demands for his resignation from the WBHRC have been expressed in several quarters after a three-judge Supreme Court panel indicted the judge over allegations of sexual harassment of a female law intern in December, 2012.
"How does it matter who becomes the prime minister?" the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader told the media.
Kejriwal's comments came shortly after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared he won't seek a third term and that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was a fit candidate for the country's top job.
At Jaitley's press meet are also senior leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
On being asked whether the PM's statements will damage Modi, Jaitley says the people will decide and points to Sonia Gandhi's statements in the last polls, which changed the tide for Modi and won him another term as Gujarat CM.
The PM admits failure on various issues -- employment, inflation -- but there was no solution.
PM's arguments to back his government's performance was a farce.
He says: "The PM's presser was intended to announce this own farewell. As the principal opposition party we wish him good health, long life and many years of public service.
While he announced that he will not be available for the 2014 polls, the rest of the presser was a formality and a farce.
He admits his government failed to control corruption, inflation, unemployment. It was a perfect recipe for disaster.
"We shall not stay the trial... let the proceedings go on in the sessions court," said Justice G S Patel of the vacation bench of the High Court.
The Court was hearing a letter written by three accused in this case who pleaded for transfer of proceedings to another court as they alleged that the trial judge was not properly recording the defence plea in the evidence.
The letter, written by Mohammed Ashfaq Sheikh, Salim Ansari and Vijay Jadhav, was addressed to Chief Justice Mohit Shah who converted it into a petition and placed the matter for hearing before the vacation bench.
Earlier, the High Court had appointed a lawyer to represent the accused and submit arguments. However, this lawyer was discharged today after two defence advocates appeared on behalf of the accused.
Yesterday, two of the four death row convicts in the December 16 gang-rape case told the Delhi High Court that the case against them was "not investigated but prepared at the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs and political bosses".
Mukesh and Pawan were tortured into giving self- incriminating stances, their counsel claimed before a bench of justices Reva Khetrapal and Pratibha Rani.
"The entire case is outcome of torture and fabrication just to please the political bosses. There is length of lacuna which gives clear indication of fabrication of evidence against them," advocate M L Sharma submitted before the bench which was hearing their appeals against conviction and sentence.
Citing a court verdict that endorsed a clean chit given to the Gujarat chief minister in the 2002 communal riots in his state, BJP president Rajnath Singh said "whatever happened in 2002 is sad, but when the SIT and court have given him a clean chit, such a statement against him is unfortunate."
The BJP chief also slammed Dr Singh's remark that it would be "disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as Prime Minister."
"Narendra Modi in his tenure has made Gujarat a model state...such a comment on him is laughable," he said.
Watch this space
"This move, the pundits assured us, was certain to be counter-productive for the BJP as it would contribute to a polarization that, in turn, would boost the fortunes of a beleaguered Congress."
Swapan Dasgupta on AAP, Congress, Modi. Read
"I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister .... I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter the Opposition in Parliament... Given the political compulsions, I have done the best I could do.
"...I have done as well as I could do according to the circumstances... It is for history to judge what I have done or what I have not done," Singh said addressing a press conference, the third in his two terms.
He was responding to a volley of questions regarding criticism that his leadership was "weak" and he has not been decisive on many occasions.
The PM said it will be the "sincere effort" of the government to pass a clutch of anti-corruption measures pending in Parliament ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections so that the fight against graft can move ahead.
He hoped that "an atmosphere is created so that these bills are passed and our fight against corruption can move ahead. It will be our sincere effort".
According to the Prime Minister, five-six bills dealing with corruption are pending in Parliament.
He was asked about the steps the government is taking to get the anti-graft measures passed ahead of next general elections as stressed by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi recently.
Singh told the press conference that the Women's Reservation Bill, already passed by Rajya Sabha and pending in Lok Sabha, was also a legislation the government was keen on passing.
"The Women's Reservation Bill also happens to be one such area," he said. The bills which create the 'framework' to tackle corruption include the Whistleblowers' Protection Bill, Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, a bill on citizens' charter, amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act and the just-passed Lokpal Bill, which has received assent of the President.
At one time, senior UPA ministers had termed these bills as a "bouquet" of measures to fight graft. While the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill deals with corruption in higher judiciary, the bill on citizens' charter provides for timely services to the common man and punishment for those who deny such services.
The Whistleblowers' Bill protects those who expose corrupt practices. The controversial yet historic Women's Reservation Bill, ensuring 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, was passed in Rajya Sabha in March 2010 amid disruption of House proceedings.
"I have publicly apologised to the Sikh community on behalf of the government. What happened in 1984 should have never happened."
Omar Abdullah tweets: "hon'ble lady in the black coat", heck of a way to be called out to ask a question."
That was addressed to Smita Prakash of ANI.
She tweets: "Haha, "lady in black" anyday better than 'black-listed lady'. :-)
In fact the PM ended the 75-minute long presser, with one more barb at Narendra Modi. Asked whether he believes that Modi will become prime minister on the back of a huge wave of support for him, the prime minister says, "I sincerely believe that what Mr Narendra Modi is saying is not going to materialise. "
Dr Singh's press conference ends.
And with it, first reactions from the BJP. Nirmala Sitharaman tweets: Utterly disappointed - the PM in his Press Conf, alleges CM Gujarat. Courts have found no merit. On Coalgate even inter/gtn hasn't happened.
The PM said Modi would be disastrous for the country and that India does not need someone who presided over mass murders in Ahmedabad.
"What the country thinks of me I can't speculate. I have tried to serve my country with greatest dedication."
"There were times when Rahul, Sonia differed with the government and we reconsidered the issue. That is is a positive thing."
"It's too early to say what I will do. I still have five months to complete my tenure. When I reach that stage, I will cross that bridge. Only time will tell whether or not I write my memoirs after 5 months."
"Haven't thought through it. But would like to do lot more in the area of healthcare of women and children. Lot more needs to be done."
"Whether the AAP will succeed or not, time will tell. Dealing with corruption is not easy. We must collectively grapple the task of dealing with corruption. It is not a matter that only one party can accomplish. Various parties will have to accomplish it together."
"Will take time to remember what has been my best moment. But the best moment is probably the nuclear deal with the US, ending the nuke apartheid."
The PM either forgot to mention the worst moment or chose to ignore the question.
"PM if you compare the performance of our nine years and preceding six years, you will find we have done exceedingly well. Nobody has asked me to step down because of any inadequacy during my tenure as PM"
"I believe the system has worked. The arrangement where the Congress president and the PM do not happen to be the same person has worked extremely well.
Mrs Gandhi's support has been enormous especially in dealing with complex issues. The fact that she has been there to back me up has been very important."
"I have full confidence that the next PM will from the UPA. Won't discuss the match between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi. But it will be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as PM.
"If being a strong leader and a measure of strength is that you preside over the massacre of people in Ahmedabad, I don't want to be that kind of strong leader. "
"History will be kinder to me than the media. All for that matter the opposition parties in Parliament [Smiles]. I have done the best I could do in the circumstances."
"I have never used my office to enrich myself or my relatives or my friends. I am the same person as I was nine years ago... there has been no change."
"Have done lot of work to implement recommendations of the Sachar panel. Sad that everything has not reached the people."
"I have spoken whenever there has been a need at the party forum and will continue to do so in public."
Probably the biggest criticism against the PM, dismissed in a single sentence.
"Rahul has outstanding credentials to be nominated as the PM candidate and I hope the party will take that that decision. I have already said I will not be standing for elections for a third term."
"I have never felt I should resign. I have conducted my duties without fear or favour."
I feel sad that I was the one who insisted that spectrum allocations and coal block allocations should be auctioned and the process should be transparent. There were irregularities, but the dimensions of the problems have been overstated by the media, by the CAG and other indviduals."
So, rumours that Dr Singh will be resigning and handing over the reigns to Rahul Gandhi at this presser is unfounded.
PM refuses to say who is the prime ministerial candidate for 2014.
-- Have taken major steps for allocation of spectrum and coal so problems do not arise again.
-- Decisions taken earlier that has come under question is being probed. Wrongdoers will be punished.
-- Fighting graft has been our topmost priority.
-- Rural wages have increased in real terms
-- Employment creation has not been fast enough.
-- India has become one of the world's largest producers of agricultural produce.
-- We have not been able to control inflation as we wished, but that is because of food inflation. We need to increase supplies, marketing arrangements and logistics especially for perishables.
-- Rate of growth will get better.
-- All emerging economies have suffered
-- It is time to learn from our mistakes
-- Long-term indicators of growth remains robust
-- Percentage of population has fallen, number of people below poverty line has come down by 13.8 crore.
- Growth momentum will increase.
- People have demonstrated faith in institution of democracy by voting in record numbers.
-- Cong did not do well, but we welcome extent of participation.
-- Democratic institutions are cornerstone of a better India.
-- No institution or authority can substitute the institutions of democracy.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he would like to ask the prime minister five questions. Read more
The PMO claims the PM has addressed pressers outside Delhi, but at this scale, it's safe to say, this is a once in three years event. The Press Information Bureau officers are buzzing around.
Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tiwari will anchor the show and not the PM's media advisor Pankaj Pachauri.
The hall itself is very small, and certainly no match for the magnificent Vigyan Bhawan.
-- Sheela Bhatt
A gesture of support for a friend, a gesture that is "anti-system," says French footballer Nicolas Anelka, who chose to celebrate his goal-scoring performance in an English Premier League game last weekend with a movement that has sparked controversy not just in the sporting world but also the political.
Known as the "quenelle," it involves pointing the right arm straight down and touching that arm with the left hand. Anelka explained that Saturday's celebration was nothing more than a nod to his friend, controversial French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, who has popularized the gesture in France.
The Britush prime minister argues life should mean life, despite European court of human rights' rejection of whole-life sentences
Special forces in Iraq are fighting jihadist militants who have reportedly taken over swathes of two cities. The clashes with Sunni fighters from the al-Qaeda linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant are taking place in Fallujah and Ramadi. Both cities are in the province of Anbar where Sunni militant activity has been on the rise.
Meanwhile a suicide car bomb in the town of Baladruz killed at least 12 people, according to local officials. The bomb went off outside car showrooms in the town, which is 73km (45 miles) northeast of Baghdad.
Police on Thursday granted conditional permission for a two-day fast at Indira Park in Hyderabad to be undertaken by Seemandhra MPs from Friday demanding that the Centre stop bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The fast, 'Sankalpa Deeksha', coincides with the debate on Telangana Bill to be taken up by the state legislature.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) V B Kamalasan Reddy, who accorded permission to Amalapuram MP G V Harsha Kumar and other lawmakers for conducting relay hunger strike, said in his orders that the fast should be held from 9 am on January 3 till 9 pm on January 4.
The organisers were informed that the permission will be cancelled with immediate effect if there was any move to disturb law and order. Participants were further directed not to make any provocative speeches/slogans at the venue.
AP minister Sridhar Babu resigns over portfolio rejig
Virbhadra rules out resignation; says ready to face probe
Digvijaya sings a different tune: 'Modi should learn from Kejriwal'
Yeddy rejoins BJP; will lead party's LS poll campaign in K'taka
Won't lose any money by scrapping chopper deal: India
Maha cabinet partially accepts Adarsh report; goes soft on politicians
Khaleda Zia will face trial for violence, warns Hasina
Sexual harassment charges: Justice Ganguly in more trouble
Arvind Kejriwal's AAP wins trust vote
26 dead as bus falls into ravine in Maharashtra
Now, Vasundhara wants to be aam-aadmi's CM
Army worried over mobile signal spillover from Pakistan
62 Indians short-listed for one-way trip to Mars
Kolkata teen who was gang-raped, set on fire, was pregnant
Home ministry refuses to share report on Muzaffarnagar riots
16 newborns die at Malda hospital in 3 days
'Telangana Bill will be passed at special Parl session on Jan 23'
Former UN envoy Hardeep Puri joins the BJP