LIVE! Subdued Holi in riots-hit northeast Delhi

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Tue, 10 March 2020

Subdued Holi in riots-hit northeast Delhi

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21:10 Subdued Holi in riots-hit northeast Delhi

It was a subdued Holi in the riots-hit northeast Delhi as relatively less number of people hit the streets to celebrate the festival of colours with the police maintaining a tight vigil.

Some residents visited relatives and exchanged greetings and sweets, while a few others celebrated the festival in their respective localities.

Ankit Tyagi (27), a resident of the riots-hit Shiv Vihar, said,"Last night we celebrated 'Holika Dahan'. In the morning, we celebrated Holi with colours. People here are again trying to normalise their life after the riots. The situation in the area is normal after the deployment of the force."

People in the area came out in less numbers to celebrate the festival.

"This time, Holi seems relatively bleak due to tension following the recent riots. But, overall, people are celebrating the festival of colours here peacefully and trying to forget the past events," said Mohd Shoaib, a resident of Seelampur.

Sohan Pal (63), a pan shop owner, said this year there was less people on the roads on the occasion of Holi.

"Police personnel have been present here since the violence. This year's Holy saw a low turnout as less number of people are coming out of their houses. People are taking time to get their lives back on track. Shops are now opening in the area normally. The scar of the violence is still in the minds of the locals," Pal said.

Residents of Chand Bagh and Khajuri Khas were seen distributing tea and snacks among the security personnel deployed in the areas.

Vivek Sharma (39), a resident of Khajuri Khas, said, "Those who did the violence had done there part and left the place the same day. Local residents are suffering and the situation in the area is normal as of now. Shops are opening normally in the area."

People were going to their relatives' places to great them on the occasion of Holy.

Shahid Changezi, a resident of Seelampur, said that they celebrated the festival with their Hindu friends. -- PTI

The Madras high court on Tuesday granted an interim stay on a single judge's order directing conduct of fresh elections for the South Indian Artists Association, the apex body of film actors.

A division bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and Abdul Quddhose granted the interim injunction on an appeal by the association's former general secretary and actor Vishal against the single judge order.

The bench said the interim stay would be in respect of the directions issued by the single judge on the issuance of fresh notification and conduct of polls again for the office bearers of the Executive Committee.

Justice K Kalyanasundaram had on January 24 declared as null and voidthe elections held to the apex body of actors in June last year while holding that they were conducted without following rules and ordered fresh election.

In his appeal, Vishal said the impugned order has been passed on the wrong premise that all actions carried out by the duly elected office bearers and executive committee of the association after the end of their three-year term were null and void.

He further submitted that during the Annual General Body meeting held on August 19, 2018, it was unanimously approved that the present office bearers continue for another 6 months and conduct the election after that since the construction activity of the association building was at a crucial stage.

Recording the submissions, the court granted the interim stay in respect of the directions of the Single Judge. -- PTI

Mahanaryaman Scindia on Tuesday hailed his father Jyotiraditya Scindia's decision to quit the Congress, saying it takes courage to resign from a legacy and his family has never been power hungry.

In a massive setback for the Congress, its prominent youth leader Jyotiraditya quit the party and appeared set to join BJP amid a rebellion in Madhya Pradesh by his supporters, pushing the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government to the brink of collapse.

"I am proud of my father for taking a stand for himself. It takes courage to resign from a legacy. History can speak for itself when I say my family has never been power hungry," Mahanaryaman tweeted from his account which is not verified but is followed by Jyotiraditya himself.

"As promised we will make an impactful change in India and Madhya Pradesh wherever our future lies," he said.

Twenty-four-year-old Mahanaryaman also tagged a tweet of Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi on the state of affairs in the Congress and said, "Couldn't be more apt. Very well said."

Haryana MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi said Scindia's "departure is a big blow" to the Congress.

"He was a central pillar in the party and the leadership should've done more to convince him to stay. Like him, there are many other devoted INC leaders across the country who feel alienated, wasted and discontented," he said.

Mahanaryaman also re-tweeted a known columnist's tweet in which it was recalled that Madhavrao Scindia had resigned in 1996 from the Congress following which the party expelled him.

Earlier, Mahanaryaman tagged his father's resignation letter and said, "Sad it had come to this."

A shell-shocked Congress, in a largely symbolic move of no consequence, expelled Jyotiraditya, the party general secretary and scion of the erstwhile Gwalior royal family, on charges of anti-party activities. -- PTI

Image: Jyotiraditya Scindia with wife Priyadarshini Raje Scindia and son Mahanaryaman

20:04 MP: 22 Cong MLAs, 3 of allies skip CLP meet

Amid the crisis caused by resignations of 22 legislators, meeting of the Congress Legislative Party in Madhya Pradesh began in Bhopal on Tuesday evening, with 92 of 114 party MLAs attending it.

The 22 MLAs, who have resigned from the assembly and most of whom are supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia who quit the Congress earlier on Tuesday, were absent, sources said.

Two Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs and the lone Samajwadi Party MLA supporting the Congress government too skipped the meeting, spelling more trouble for the Kamal Nath-led Congress government which is on the brink of collapse, sources added. -- PTI

Amid the crisis in the ruling Congress' Madhya Pradesh unit, 19 MLAs of the party, who are staying in Bengaluru, have written to the Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police seeking protection and police escort.

"We have come to Karnataka state voluntarily on some important work, regarding which we require protection and escort from local police for our safe movement and safe stay in and around Bangalore," the letter dated March 9 and signed by 19 legislators said.

The MLAs, including six ministers, on Tuesday sent their resignation letters via e-mail to the Raj Bhavan in Bhopal from Bengaluru, putting the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh in a crisis.

The move came as the congress prominent youth leader Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the party and appeared set to join BJP Tuesday amid a rebellion in Madhya Pradesh by his supporters, pushing the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government to the brink of collapse.

Among the 19 here, two are women. -- PTI

Image: Media personnel at the entrance of a resort where rebel Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh are staying at Devanahalli in outskirts of Bengaluru. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo

19:49 4 held for posting fake news on coronavirus

Four people have been arrested in the state in connection with fake social media campaigns on coronavirus, police said on Tuesday.

Two people were arrested in Thrissur district and others in Alappuzha and Wayanad districts, a police press release said.

19:46 Keeping tabs on MP developments: Guv

On a day when Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the Congress and 22 MLAs close to him resigned from the Madhya Pradesh assembly, governor Lalji Tandon said he is keeping tabs on political developments and will take a decision only after reaching the Raj Bhavan in Bhopal.

Tandon is currently in Lucknow to celebrate Holi with his family and made the remarks in a conversation with an English news channel over the phone.

When asked whether the Governor House (Raj Bhavan) is keeping tabs on the prevailing situation in Madhya Pradesh, he said, "Yes, yes definitely. Whatever decision I have to take, I will do so once I reach the Raj Bhavan."

When asked as to when will he return Bhopal, Tandon said he was on leave till March 12 to celebrate Holi with his family.

"At present, I am a spectator. Once I return there, only then can I make any comment after seeing all things, letters in which people have made some complaints," Tandon said responding to when will he call any party to prove majority in the House.

"As of now, I am at my home meeting everyone on the occasion of Holi," he said. -- PTI

A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Tuesday met Madhya Pradesh assembly speaker N P Prajapati in Bhopal and handed resignations of 19 Congress MLAs who are holed up in a resort in Bengaluru.

After receiving the letters, Prajapati told reporters that he will take decision as per the rules.

Senior BJP leader Bhupendra Singh reached in Bhopal on Tuesday afternoon by a special flight, carrying with him the resignations, said BJP MLA Vishwas Sarang.

So far, 22 Congress legislators have submitted their resignations from the state assembly in the wake of senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia's exit from the party.

Three of them are in Bhopal, while others are in Bengaluru, capital of BJP-ruled Karnataka.

A delegation which included Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava, Bhupendra Singh, Narottam Mishra and Sarang visited Prajapati's residence.

Singh read out names of the MLAs whose letters he was submitting in front of Prajapati, claiming that the Congress government had lost its majority.

Singh also said that these resignations were in the MLAs' own hand-writing.

The number of Congress MLAs resigning could reach 30 very soon, he claimed.

"I have received these resignations. I will take action on these letters as per the established rules and regulations of the state assembly," speaker Prajapati told reporters.

Those who resigned included six ministers: Tulsi Silawat (constituency Sanver), Govind Singh Rajput (Surkhi), Dr Prabhuram Choudhry (Sanchi), Imarti Devi (Dabra), Pradyumna Singh Tomar (Gwalior) and Mahendra Singh Sisodia (Bamori).

Other MLAs who have resigned include Hardeep Singh Dang (Suvasara), Rajyavardhan Singh (Badnawar), Brajendra Singh Yadav (Mungaoli), Jaspal Jajji (Ashok Nagar), Suresh Dhakad (Pohri), Jaswant Jatav (Karera), Raksha Santram Sironia (Bhander), Munnalal Goyal (Gwalior East), Ranveer Singh Jatav (Gohad), OPS Bhadoria (Mehgaon), Kamlesh Jatav (Ambah), Girraj Dandotiya (Dimni) and Raghuraj Kansana (Morena).

All these are staying in Bengaluru, while Biasahulal Singh (Anuppur), Aidalsingh Kansana (Sumawali) and Manoj Choudhary (Hatpipalya) submitted their resignations in Bhopal itself. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders arrived at the BJP headquarters in Delhi for the Central Election Committee meeting to decide on the candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election.

The meeting is underway amid reports that Jyotiraditya Scinidia, who resigned from the Congress in the morning, will join the BJP today.

Earlier today, Scindia met PM Modi at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.

Shortly after, he announced his resignation from the Congress.

The leader was accompanied by home minister when he went to meet the PM.

Amid the ongoing political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday said that soon the day will come when the Congress will have only two leaders -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

"How many leaders are they going to expel? If they continue expelling their leaders like this, soon the day will come when only Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will be left in the Congress," Hussain told ANI.

"The Congress is treating Sachin Pilot the same way they had treated Jyotiraditya Scindia. The Congress does not include Pilot's photos even in their hoardings. Supporters and youth leaders of their party are unsure of their future under Congress' top leadership," he said.

Earlier today, Scindia resigned from the Congress party stating that "it is time to move on."

Commenting upon Scindia's resignation, Hussain said, "Jyotiraditya Scindia hails from a respectable family. His grandmother, 'Rajmataji' (Vijaya Raje Scindia) was one of our party's founders. Even after facing humiliation from Congress party, he was working enthusiastically. The BJP respects his decision. We are hoping that he will work with us."

Manipur has shut its border with Myanmar indefinitely amid the novel coronavirus scare, officials said on Tuesday.

Neighbouring Mizoram had on Monday also sealed its borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and banned the entry of foreigners to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

An official order, issued by special secretary-home H Gyan Prakash on Monday, said the Indo-Myanmar border in the Manipur sector would remain shut until further orders.

"In view of possible threat of transmission of Coronavirus/COVID-19, Government of Manipur hereby prohibits movement of people across the international border and accordingly orders closure of Gate No 1, No 2, Moreh and other crossing points along Manipur sector of Indo-Myanmar border until further orders," it said.

The state government directed the district magistrates, police and other officials to immediately take necessary action, including keeping the gates concerned closed.

The move comes days after Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh announced similar curbs on visit of foreigners.

Bhutan has also shut its borders to foreign visitors for two weeks in an effort to limit the impact of the disease.

The virus, which first emerged in China's Hubei province last December, has spread to more than 100 countries, with over 4,000 deaths worldwide and more than 1,10,000 confirmed cases.

According to the Union health ministry, the number of positive cases in the country stood at 44.

However, the Indian Council of Medical Research has also counted three persons from Karnataka and two from Pune as positive.

Six more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Kerala, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. -- PTI

Amid the political turmoil caused by resignations of at least 22 MLAs of the ruling Congress in Madhya Pradesh, a legislator of the Bahujan Samaj Party and another of the Samajwadi Party met Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday.

The Bahujan Samaj Party with its two MLAs and the SP with its sole MLA are supporting the Kamal Nath-led Congress government.

BSP MLA from Bhind Sanjiv Singh Kushwaha and SP legislator from Mehgaon, Rajesh Shukla, met Chouhan at his residence here.

Chouhan said after the brief meeting that it was a courtesy call on the occasion of Holi.

Shukla and Kushwaha had gone missing after switching off phones last week amid allegations by the Congress that the BJP was trying to lure the MLAs and topple the state government.

After returning to Bhopal on March 4 both the MLAs had denied the allegation that they had been `abducted' by the BJP (as claimed by the Congress). -- PTI

The number of MLAs who have resigned from the Congress in Madhya Pradesh climbed to 20 on Tuesday afternoon with another legislator quitting the ruling party, sources said.

While 19 MLAs, most of them believed to be loyal to expelled party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, have sent their resignation letters via e-mail to Raj Bhavan, Bisahulal Singh submitted his resignation letter as an MLA to the assembly speaker.

"We have received resignations of 19 MLAs through e-mails with attachments," a Raj Bhawan official told PTI.

Sources in Congress produced a copy of Bisahulal Singh's resignation letter which he submitted to the speaker.

Former chief minister and senior BJP leader later announced that Singh (65) has joined the BJP. -- PTI

Tribal leader Bisahulal Singh, one of the 19 MLAs of the Congress who have sent their resignations to Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon, on Tuesday said he was feeling neglected in the ruling party.

Speaking to reporters, the senior-most legislator in the party said he was not under any pressure to quit.

"I have resigned from the Congress party because despite being senior-most MLA, I was feeling neglected. I have not resigned from the party under any pressure," he told reporters flanked by senior BJP leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Yashodhara Raje Scindia, aunt of Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Notably, Bisahulal Singh had remained 'untraceable' for at least five days among other legislators of the Congress. He returned to Bhopal on Sunday from Bengaluru and met Chief Minister Kamal Nath.

The 15-month-old Kamal Nath government is virtually tottering on the brink of collapse with 19 MLAs, most of them loyal to expelled party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, sending their resignation letters to Raj Bhavan in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning.

In Delhi, Scindia resigned from the Congress amid speculations that he might join hands with the BJP to toppled the Kamal Nath government.

Scindia was subsequently expelled from the Congress by party president Sonia Gandhi. -- PTI

Amid rising coronavirus cases in India, for the first time a combination of two drugs, which is widely used for controlling HIV infection, was administered on an elderly Italian couple undergoing treatment at a Jaipur hospital for Covid-19.

The Drug Controller General of India has approved "restricted use" of the combination of medications lopinavir and ritonavir which are second-line HIV drugs, for treating those affected by novel coronavirus after the Indian Council of Medical Research sought an emergency approval for the same.

SMS Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr D S Meena said the Italian man and his wife had developed severe respiratory problems following which a decision was taken to put them on the combination of lopinavir and ritonavir.

According to officials, consent of the patients was taken before the drugs were administered.

"The Italian man, who himself is a doctor, is on oxygen support. Even before he acquired the infection, he had some respiratory issues. His condition had deteriorated and he developed severe respiratory problems after getting the coronavirus infection and thus was given these drugs.

"His condition is stable now. His wife is also doing better and she is taking care of her husband," Dr Meena said.

The combination of lopinavir and ritonavir along with other drugs have been used in clinical trials in China, where coronavirus first emerged, and Thailand for treating Covid-19 patients.

The couple were among the 16 Italian tourists who and their Indian guide tested positive for coronavirus.

Except the couple, 14 Italian tourists are currently admitted at Medanta hospital while the Indian guide is being treated at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.

According to health ministry officials, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country stood at 44.

However, the ICMR has also counted three persons from Karnataka and two from Pune as positive, which once taken into account takes the total 49. -- PTI

Amid a political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday wrote to state governor Lalji Tandon seeking immediate removal of six ministers who belonged to the camp of expelled leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The copy of the letter, shared by a state Congress spokesman, mentioned the names of Imarati Devi, Tulsi Silawat, Govind Singh Rajput, Mahendra Singh Sisodiya, Pradyumn Singh Tomar and Prabhuram Chaudhari.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday accused Jyotiraditya Scindia of betraying the trust of people and ideology, saying people like him cannot thrive without power and the sooner they leave the better it is.

Hitting out at Scindia soon after he resigned from the Congress, Gehlot said joining hands with the BJP at the time of national crisis spoke volumes about his self-indulgent political ambitions.

"Mr Scindia has betrayed the trust of people as well as the ideology. Such people prove that they can't thrive without power. Sooner they leave the better," he said on Twitter.

"Joining hands with the BJP in a time of national crisis speaks volumes about a leader's self-indulgent political ambitions, especially when the BJP is ruining the economy, democratic institutions, social fabric and as well the judiciary," he said.

Gehlot landed in Delhi on Monday night to make last-minute efforts to save the Madhya Pradesh government of the Congress. -- PTI

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday said it was yet to decide whether to approach the Supreme Court against the Allahabad high court's order to immediately remove the posters of those accused of vandalism during protests against the amended citizenship law.

The posters, bearing photographs, names and addresses of those accused of vandalism during protests against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act in December, had come up at major road crossings in Lucknow last Thursday.

The Allahabad high court had on Monday ordered the Lucknow adminstration to remove these posters.

"Nothing has been decided on this yet. We will decide what we have to do," Awanish Awasthi, additional chief secretary, home, told PTI when asked about media reports that the state government would challenge the decision in the apex court.

Asked about any meeting of chief minister Yogi Adityanath with senior officers, Awasthi said: "No such meeting was held".

A bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Ramesh Sinha also directed the district magistrate and the Lucknow police commissioner to submit a report in this regard by next Monday.

The court had on Sunday termed the move "highly unjust", saying it was an "absolute encroachment on personal liberty of individuals".

Referring to the rebellion in Madhya Pradesh Congress, the party's Karnataka unit chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said it was time for Rahul Gandhi to lead the party from the front and make drastic changes at the top.

Whatever may happen in Madhya Pradesh, one thing is clear. Its time for"@RahulGandhi to lead from the front. Its time for him and the senior leaders to make drastic changes at the top. We cant go on like this anymore, said Rao in a tweet.

"@INCIndia (Congress) needs him (Gandhi) and he needs the party," he added.

His appeal came amid the Congress suffering a massive setback with its prominent youth leader Jyotiraditya Scindia quitting the party, pushing the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh into virtual collapse and signalling that he is likely to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party. -- PTI

Jyotiraditya Scindia's paternal aunt and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Madhya Pradesh, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, on Tuesday welcomed her nephew's decision to resign from the Congress, calling it in the "interest of the nation".

"Rajmata's blood took the decision in the national interest, the new country will be created, now every distance has ended. @jyotiraditya, I warmly welcome the bold move to leave the Congress," she tweeted.

Yashodhara Raje is younger sister of Jyotiraditya's father late Madhavrao Scindia.

She had served as a minister for sports in the previous BJP government headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Jyotiraditya's grandmotherand Yashodhara Raje's mother Vijayaraje Scindia, popularly known as 'Rajmata', was a BJP stalwart.

Yashodhara Raje also paid tributes to Madhavrao Scindia on his birth anniversary on Tuesday.

In a massive setback for the Congress, Jyotiraditya quit the party pushing the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh into virtual collapse and signalling that he is likely to join hands with the BJP.

On its part, the Congress expelled the party general secretary and scion of the erstwhile Gwalior royal family on charges of anti-party activities. -- PTI

Crisis-hit Yes Bank said on Tuesday that customers could now make payments towards their credit card and loans through other bank accounts, days after prominent banking services were curtailed after the Reserve Bank of India imposed moratorium on the lender.

The announcement comes as panic gripped the bank's customers, who queued before ATMs and bank branches to withdraw money.

They were also not even able to access Internet banking and other services like digital payments through another party's platform.

Forex services and credit card purchases, among others, were also impacted.

"Inward IMPS/NEFT services have now been enabled," Yes Bank tweeted. "You can make payments towards YES Bank credit card dues and loan obligations from other bank accounts. Thank you for your co-operation."

The Reserve Bank of India had put a moratorium last Thursday on the cash-strapped Yes Bank, imposed withdrawal restriction of Rs 50,000 only till April 3 and superseded its board through appointment of an administrator.

However, the bank has now said that its ATMs are fully up now and customers can withdraw the stipulated amount from other banks' ATMs as well.

During the moratorium period, Yes Bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

As per the RBI's draft reconstruction scheme, State Bank of India will pick up 49 per cent stake in the crisis-ridden Yes Bank under a government-approved bailout plan by infusing capital of Rs 2,450 crore.

The bank's financial health is not sound as it has failed to raise enough capital under the new leadership of Ravneet Singh Gill, who took charge as the managing director and CEO from March last year.

Troubles at new-generation private sector started brewing up ever since the the Reserve Bank denied extension to its co-founder Rana Kapoor -- who now is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate on charges of financial mismanagement and money-laundering -- to continue as MD and CEO in September 2018, and had asked the lender to find a new successor.

Yes Bank's administrator, Prashant Kumar, a former SBI executive, had on Monday assured customers that the moratorium period could end by this weekend. -- PTI

Six more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Kerala, and the total number of infected people now stood at 12, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

The affected include three who had come from Italy and eight who came in contact with them, Vijayan told reporters after a special cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

A three-year-old child, who returned along with his parents from the European nation, had tested positive in Kochi on Monday.

The samples of his parents have also been sent for testing and the results are awaited, Vijayan said.

Totally, 1,116 people are under surveillance in the state and 149 in various hospitals, he said.

India's first three positive cases, reported from Kerala earlier, have been treated and discharged from hospitals.

In the backdrop of more cases being reported, classes for grade one to 7 would not be held in all state, CBSE and ICSE schools.

But, exams for grade eight, nine, 10 and higher secondary would be held.

Students who are under observation would be permitted to write examinations in a special room.

The chief minister said all colleges would also be shut till this month end.

Madrasas and tutorials would also be closed till March 31.

Marriage rituals can be held but people should aovid attending such functions.

It is better pilgrims do not visit Sabarimala for darshan, Vijayan said. -- PTI

Indian Youth Congress chief Srinivas B V on Tuesday slammed Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has announced his resignation from the primary membership of the Congress, and thanked party chief Sonia Gandhi for expelling the former Guna MP "who was promoting anti-party activities and factionalism".

Soon after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Tuesday, disgruntled Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia tendered his resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi, saying it was now time for him to move on.

Gandhi, however, immediately expelled him from the Congress for "anti-party activities", as the crisis looming over the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh deepened.

"The history of 1857 and 1967 was once again repeated," Srinivas B V said, referring to the 1857 Revolt against East India Company and the role of the Scindia royals back then as well as Vijayaraje Scindia's switch from the Congress to the Jana Sangh in 1967.

"I would like to thank Congress president Sonia Gandhiji for taking the strong steps to expel the leader who was promoting anti-party activities and factionalism," the IYC chief said.

"No person is, nor will be greater than the party," he added. -- PTI

Even as the political crisis in Madhya Pradesh continues, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of planning a conspiracy to reverse the mandate of people in the state as chief minister Kamal Nath has acted against mafias.

"This is part of a conspiracy to reverse the mandate of people of Madhya Pradesh because Kamal Nath has acted against mafias," said Singh while speaking to media in Bhopal.

He alleged that his party has evidence that three chartered planes, which reportedly flew Congress MLAs to Bengaluru, were arranged by the BJP.

The 15-month-old Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh was pushed to the brink on Tuesday with 19 MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia camping in Bengaluru sending their resignations to Raj Bhavan.

A short while ago Scindia resigned from the Congress in Delhi saying it was now time for him to move on.

13:07 MP crisis: 14 Congress MLAs resign

Fourteen MLAs of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh who are loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia have sent their resignations to state governor on Tuesday, Raj Bhavan sources said.

"We have received resignations of 14 MLAs through two e-mails with attachments," a Raj Bhavan official told PTI.

Further details are awaited.

A short while ago, Scindia tendered his resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi, moments after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. -- PTI

The Congress has expelled Jyotiraditya Scindia from the party moments after he releases resignation letter to party president Sonia Gandhi.

"Congress President has approved the expulsion of Sh. Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Indian national Congress with immediate effect for anti-party activities," Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in a statement.

12:21 Jyotiraditya Scindia resigns from Congress

After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, Disgruntled Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has resigned from the Congress.

In his resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Scindia said," this is a path that has been drawing itself out over the last year."

Here's a full text of his resignation letter:

Dear Mrs Gandhiji

Having been a primary member of the Congress Party for the last 18 years, it is now time for me to move on.

I am tendering my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and as you well know, this is a path that has been drawing itself out over the last year.

While my aim and purpose remain the same as it has always been from the very beginning, to serve the people of my state and country, I believe I am unable to do this anymore within this party.

To reflect and realise the aspirations of my people and my workers I believe it is best that I now look ahead at a fresh start.

I would like to thank you and through you all my party colleagues for providing me with a platform to have served the nation.

Regards,

Sincerely yours,

JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA

12:05 MP govt crisis: Sonia calls urgent meeting

As disgruntled Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has called meeting of senior leaders to make first effort to save the Madhya Pradesh government.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal is at 10 Janpath to meet Sonia.

Legislators loyal to Scindia, who has been upset with the Congress leadership with his marginalisation in the affairs of the Madhya Pradesh Congress, are likely to quit the party to reduce the Kamal Nath-led government to a minority.

11:55 Modi-Scindia meet over

After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, disgruntled Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia leaves his residence along with Union home minister Amit Shah.

11:16 Scindia meets PM Modi, Shah amid speculations

JUST IN: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia is meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the former's residence in New Delhi, sources said.

They said Scindia is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also at PM Modi's residence.

More details awaited.

10:25 Coronavirus: 58 Indians brought back from Iran

A military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) brought back 58 Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran on Tuesday, official said.

The aircraft, a C-17 Globemaster, was sent to Tehran on Monday evening.

About 2,000 Indians are living in Iran, a country that has witnessed increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in the last few days.

'The IAF aircraft has landed. Mission completed. On to the next,' External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

In an earlier tweet, he said, 'First batch of 58 Indian pilgrims being brought back from Iran. IAF C-17 taken off from Tehran and expected to land soon in Hindon.'

'Thanks to the efforts of our Embassy @India_in_Iran and Indian medical team there, operating under challenging conditions. Thank you @IAF_MCC. Appreciate cooperation of Iranian authorities. We are working on the return of other Indians stranded there (sic),' Jaishankar added.

The aircraft landed at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, from where the passengers were take to a medical facility.

According to latest reports, 237 people have died of novel coronavirus in Iran while the number of positive cases stands at around 7,000.

It is the second such evacuation by the C-17 Globemaster in the last two weeks.

On February 27, 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals were brought back from the Chinese city of Wuhan by the aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The C-17 Globemaster is the largest military aircraft in the IAF's inventory.

The plane can carry large combat equipment, troops and humanitarian aid across long distances in all weather conditions.

Four days ago, a Mahan airline plane brought swab samples of 300 Indians from Iran to India. -- PTI

09:48 Naidu, Modi greet people on Holi

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Holi on Tuesday, saying let the festival break barriers that divide people.

'This Holi, let us strive to strengthen the bonds of friendship and amity that hold our society together,' Naidu tweeted.

'This festival break the barriers that divide us and unite us in the quest for shared prosperity, peace, progress, harmony and joy,' the vice president said.

Greeting people on the festival of colours, Modi hoped that it brings happiness in the lives of all people of the country. -- PTI

09:08 Coronavirus: Xi pays first visit to Wuhan

JUST IN: Chinese President Xi Jinping pays first visit to coronavirus-hit Wuhan since virus outbreak, reports Chinese official media.

Details are awaited. -- ANI

08:56 Coronavirus: 58 Indians on way back from Iran

First batch of 58 Indian pilgrims being brought back from Iran, says External Affairs Ministers S Jaishankar.

"IAF C-17 Globemaster has taken off from Tehran and is expected to land soon in Hindon Air Force Station (in Ghaziabad)," Jaishankar says.

"Thanks to the efforts of our Embassy in Iran and Indian medical team there, operating under challenging conditions. Thank you Indian Air Force. We appreciate cooperation of Iranian authorities. We are working on the return of other Indians stranded there," he said. -- ANI

08:35 Not interested in toppling MP govt: Shivraj

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that the ongoing political crisis in Madhya Pradesh is the internal matter of the Congress party and the BJP is not at all interested in toppling the government.

When asked about the political crisis in the state, Chouhan said, "We have nothing to do with this. This is Congress' internal matter and I would not like to comment on it. We had said on the first day that we are not interested in bringing down the government."

Around 20 cabinet ministers in Madhya Pradesh tendered their resignation to Chief Minister Kamal Nath late night on Monday.

The chief minister has accepted their resignations and is likely to reconstitute the cabinet.

Earlier, several Congress leaders, including Digvijaya Singh, had accused the BJP of horse-trading and conspiring to bring down the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. -- ANI

00:32 Coronavirus Europe deaths top 500

The death toll in Europe from the coronavirus topped 500 on Monday, after Italy recorded a sharp rise.

Italy's civil protection agency reported 97 new deaths, bringing the country's toll to 463, as the country takes a series of stringent measure to battle the spread of the virus.

he number of Europeans felled by the virus now stands at 511.

00:03 Resigned to defeat BJP's designs: MP ministers

he political turmoil in Madhya Pradesh government reached a tipping point on Monday night as CM Kamal Nath-led Congress party in the state plunged into the troubleshooting after several lawmakers, including ministers, supporting Jyotiraditya Scindia flew to Bengaluru amid intensified factionalism in the ruling party ahead of Rajya Sabha polls.

Kamal Nath cabinet's minister Sajjan Singh Verma, who just resigned, spoke to media about the late-night meeting but refused to divulge any information on the whereabouts of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is reportedly leading the rebel by Congress MLAs.

Umang Singhar, Congress: All the 20 ministers who were here, have tendered their resignations. CM can reconstitute the state cabinet now. All are together. Scindia ji (Jyotiraditya Scindia) also is with Congress. Agar mantrimandal banana hai toh sarkar surakshit hai.

Resigned from cabinet to defeat BJP's dubious designs, say ministers. Sajjan Singh Verma and PC Sharma, who tendered their resignation from their ministerial births after a late-night meeting with Kamal Nath, told media that they resigned to defeat 'dubious designs of BJP' to topple the Congress government in the state.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath, Delhi.

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