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Fri, 20 May 2016
Alert sounded as Cyclone 'Roanu' to hit West Bengal
Timeline Refresh
23:32
Deadly Cyclone 'Roanu' to incite major flooding, landslides in West Bengal early tomorrow, say media reports.
The state secretariat opened a control room this evening.
Emergency numbers are 1070 and 22143526. Indrani Roy/Rediff.com
23:26 Alert sounded as Cyclone 'Roanu' to hit West Bengal
Cyclonic storm 'Roanu', formed over the Bay of Bengal, is set to intensify and bring heavy to very heavy rains in West Bengal from Friday night, the Regional Meteorological Centre said.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department had predicted that 'Roanu' was likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and hit Andhra coast.
"Thundershowers due to Roanu will lash Bengal districts and Kolkata starting late evening today (Friday). Roanu is likely to cross coastal Bangladesh on May 21 night or early morning on May 22. On the way, the cyclone will hit Bengal," said an RMC official in Kolkata.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
Officials said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in most places over coastal Gangetic West Bengal during the next 48 hours.
Sea waves are very likely to be high to very high along and off Bengal coast during next 48 hours, the IMD said.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department had predicted that 'Roanu' was likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and hit Andhra coast.
"Thundershowers due to Roanu will lash Bengal districts and Kolkata starting late evening today (Friday). Roanu is likely to cross coastal Bangladesh on May 21 night or early morning on May 22. On the way, the cyclone will hit Bengal," said an RMC official in Kolkata.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
Officials said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in most places over coastal Gangetic West Bengal during the next 48 hours.
Sea waves are very likely to be high to very high along and off Bengal coast during next 48 hours, the IMD said.
22:59 RBI should be allowed to take its own decision: Rajan
The Reserve Bank of India has been enjoying full autonomy and support of the government so far and it should be allowed to take its own decision, Governor Raghuram Rajan has told the central bank's staff.
While addressing an in-house meeting of RBI employees in Bhubaneswar on the first day of his three-day visit to Odisha, Rajan also said that with agriculture playing a key role in India there is a need to focus on small and medium agro-based projects.
"Our economy is agriculture based. Therefore, we should focus on small and medium agro-based projects," Rajan said.
He also said that the Indian economy was on the right track and could emerge as a major player globally.
Rajan, however, said the RBI which has been enjoying full autonomy and support of the government so far and should be allowed to take its own decision, said an RBI employee who was present at the meeting where media was not allowed.
"RBI's decision is very crucial as it is connected with fate of crores of people. A slight mistake could put the entire country and its people in trouble. Therefore, RBI's decision must be accurate and to the point keeping in view the interest of the people," the employee said quoting Rajan.
22:43 Pak lost $57 bn due to terrorism in 5 years: Minister
Pakistan has lost a staggering $57 billion due to terrorism in the past five years, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar today said.
In a written reply to the Senate, the Upper House of the parliament, Dar said the Pakistani economy bore losses of $57 billion in the last five years due to terrorism.
Pakistan has been battling home-grown terrorism for many years.
In June 2014, Pakistan launched a major crackdown on militants with a military operation named Zarb-i-Azb. According to Pakistani military, more than 3,000 militants were killed during the offensive.
22:37 CPI calls for analysis of West Bengal poll results
In a veiled criticism of CPI-M, CPI on Friday said the Left Front's electoral tactic of "non-aggression" with th eCongress in West Bengal assembly polls did not help communist parties and instead reduced their strength, as it called for analysis of the results.
The CPI though hailed the "historic" return to power of CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala and thanked people of the southern state for their "positive" support to the Left forces.
It also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his claim that the result in Assam has reflected acceptance of ideology and politics of the NDA major and termed the same as one "without basis".
"The CPI expresses shock at the unexpected defeat of the Left in West Bengal, in spite its best efforts to defeat the arrogant, anti-democratic TMC government.
"TMC winning with bigger margin is definitely not a positive development. Apparently the electoral tactics of the Left Front of non-aggression with Congress in each others seat did not help the Left.
"It further reduced the Left strength. This is to be deeply analysed by the Left and its partners," CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said in a statement without naming any party specifically.
22:08 Kejriwal, Akhilesh Yadav may be invited to Mamata swearing-in
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Akhilesh Singh Yadav are likely to be invited to the swearing in ceremony of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her second tenure on May 27.
"Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Singh Yadav are most likely to be invited to the swearing in ceremony but nothing has been finalised as of now," a senior TMC leader told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be invited to the programme, the leader said he is not aware of any such decision as of now.
"The final list of invitees is yet to be decided," he said.
22:06
JUST IN: Leakage discovered on barge carrying ammonia to Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore; people within 2 km are being evacuated.
21:51 Protesters try to break into Baghdad Green Zone again
Thousands of supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr today attempted to break into Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" again, three weeks after storming parliament.
A huge deployment of security forces met the protesters with tear gas, sound bombs and water cannons, according to an AFP reporter who saw several lightly injured demonstrators.
The protesters gathered on Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, removed barbed wire on one of the main bridges over the Tigris and massed outside the Green Zone.
The Sadr supporters, who have been protesting for months to demand reforms and an end to corruption, pushed past a gate of the Green Zone but were swiftly pinned back.
Sadr supporters had encountered relatively little resistance when they pulled down slabs of blast walls surrounding the Green Zone last month and were able to enter the main parliament building.
21:49 Islamic State is laughing at America: Trump
The Islamic State is laughing at America as the political leaders in the country have no effective strategy against the terror group, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on Friday.
"We can't afford to be so nice and so foolish anymore. Our country is in trouble, the Islamic State is laughing at us," Trump told Fox News in an interview.
Trump lashed out political leaders, in particular Hillary Clinton, his potential Democratic rival in the November general elections, for not having an effective policy against the IS.
"I'm so tired of watching these politicians get up and say exactly what they're going to do with the IS. And in the meantime, the IS sits back, and they laugh and they go out and they prepare for it. You've got to hit people with a little surprise. There has to be some unpredictability," he said.
Trump said Clinton's allegation that his proposal to ban Muslims is promoting terrorists is the "dumbest" thing he ever heard.
"I just think it's absolutely dumb. In fact, if anything, it's just the opposite, because they're going to have to learn we can't take this anymore. And they're going to have to turn in the people that are bombing the planes. And they know who the people are," he said.
"And we're not going to find the people by just continuing to be so nice and so soft. And I have many Muslim friends and they agree. They have a tremendous problem with the radical Islamic terrorism, tremendous problem. And what she said is so dumb," Trump said.
21:18 PM Modi meets Shah, Jaitley ahead of cabinet shuffle
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday initiated consultations on changes in Council of Ministers and organisation. The PM met BJP President Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jailtely at 7 Race Course Road to discuss the process.
Sources close to BJP leadership confirmed that the cabinet expansion will be very simple but there will be drastic changes in the BJP.
Sources said that Amit shah has freedom to select his team. The reshuffle will take place with an eye on elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Gujarat in 2017.
20:53 India to select fighter jet under 'Make in India' by March
The government will zero in by the end of current fiscal a fighter jet it wants to build under 'Make in India' initiative, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday, as he expressed confidence that the deal for 36 Rafale jets will be wrapped up in "weeks".
He said India will decide on either Boeing's F18A, Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale or Gripen.
Parrikar said various issues, like cost and necessity among others, will have to be taken into account before selecting a foreign fighter even as he pointed out that Rafales are expensive.
"I cannot tell you the dates but it is very near. It is near completion. Need a few more weeks to fine tune it," he said in an interview to All India Radio.
He said the price was still under negotiation. "You will have to bring down the cost. If you give away the price they demand, our coffer will soon become empty," he said.
Parrikar pointed out that a Rafale would cost anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 750 crore each and a Sukhoi 30 and Tejas can be bought together at the same price.
20:31 Rahul to be 'more active' in future, says Cong
Amid questions over Rahul Gandhi's leadership after poll debacle, the Congress on Friday signalled that the national leadership is not washing off its hands even as it insisted that the party vice president took no decision on
his own and that he would be "more active" in the future.
After senior leader Digvijay Singh stirred the hornet's nest by talking about the need for "major surgery", the party said a meeting of the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body, will be convened soon to discuss the poll outcome and the future course of action.
However, efforts to shield Rahul Gandhi continued, with party spokesman P C Chacko saying he had not taken a single decision on his own and that it was the state units where poll strategy was decided as per the local conditions.
"We had given full freedom to state units to decide poll strategy...We are not saying national leadership is not responsible," Chacko told reporters while replying to a volley of questions on the poll drubbing.
The CWC had taken decisions on state elections as "ours is a federal system", he said.
On Digvijay Singh's pitch for "major surgery" which reflected an unease in the party, the spokesman said suggestions from senior leaders are welcome but "I wish suggestions are made inside the party fora".
20:24 I will tweet when I will get married: Salman Khan
Without debunking his marriage rumours, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan said he will inform about his wedding through social media.
Gossip mills are abuzz that the 50-year-old "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star would be tying the knot with his rumoured Romanian girlfriend Lulia Vantur on his birthday, December 27.
"When I want to get married I will get married. I don't need to tell you when I am getting married. When I am getting married, I will tweet it and put in on Facebook. So I will keep it to me and my fans," Salman told reporters in Mumbai at the IIFA awards press conference.
Salman made his first joint public appearance with Vantur recently at actress and good friend Preity Zinta's wedding reception.
The Romanian TV star was also spotted with Salman's mother Salma and sister Alvira at the Mumbai airport.
20:14 Russia proposes joint Syria air strikes with US from May 25
Moscow on Friday proposed that Russia and the United States, which have been flying separate bombing campaigns in Syria, launch joint air strikes against jihadists in the war-torn country from next week, AFP has reported.
"We are proposing to the US, as the head of the International Syria Support Group, to take part as of May 25 in joint operations between the Russian air force and the air force of the coalition," Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said in televised comments.
Shoigu said that the proposal included strikes against Jabhat al-Nusra and other illegal armed groups that do not support a frail truce brokered by Moscow and Washington in February.
He also proposed that joint strikes be made against "convoys containing weapons and ammunition, armed units that illegally cross the Syrian-Turkish border."
Russia and the United States pledged earlier this month to redouble efforts to find a solution to the Syrian conflict, which has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced millions since 2011, and extend a truce across the war-torn country.
20:08 Assam CM Tarun Gogoi submits his resignation to Assam Governor P B Acharya
Routed from his throne after three consecutive terms, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi submitted his resignation to Assam Governor P.B. Acharya this evening, thereby vacating the top post for BJP's Sarbhanand Sonowal.
Sonowal's swearing-in ceremony on May 24 will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides other chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states.
Sonowal, who is currently Union Sports Minister, will head his party's first government in Assam, ending 15 years in office for 81-year-old Gogoi.
19:59 Pakistan applies for NSG membership
Pakistan today said that it has formally applied for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, after China blocked India's entry into the 48-member elite group.
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan's Ambassador in Vienna yesterday applied for the membership through a letter addressed to the NSG Chairman.
In the letter, Pakistan said the decision to seek participation in the export-control regime reflects Pakistan's strong support for international efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means
of delivery.
"Pakistan has the expertise, manpower, infrastructure, as well as the ability to supply NSG controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications for peaceful uses," the Foreign Office said.
19:21 EgyptAir crash: No survivors, relatives told
The Washington Post quoting an Egyptian paper reports the countrys civil aviation minister as
telling the relatives of the victims of the EgyptAir crash that there
are no survivors. The daily Al-Masry Al-Youm says Sherif Fathi told
the families on Friday that the Egyptian armed forces are doing their
best to locate the wreckage and personal belongings of the victims.
The Post also reports that the The European Space Agency says one of its satellites has spotted a possible oil slick in the same area of the Mediterranean Sea where EgyptAir Flight 804 disappeared.
The EgyptAir plane en route from Paris to Cairo carrying 66 people crashed into the Mediterranean sea off the Greek island of Crete on Thursday with Egypt saying it was more likely caused by a terror attack than technical problems.
The Post also reports that the The European Space Agency says one of its satellites has spotted a possible oil slick in the same area of the Mediterranean Sea where EgyptAir Flight 804 disappeared.
The agency says its Sentinel-1A radar satellite detected the 2 kilometer- (1.2 mile-) long slick about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the planes last known location. It gave the coordinates as 33 32 N / 29 13 E.
ESA says the information was passed to relevant authorities late Thursday to aid their search-and-rescue operations. The agency cautioned that there was no guarantee the slick was from the missing aircraft.
It said the sister satellite Sentinel-2A will pass above the same area on Sunday and images will be studied for further clues as to the planes fate.
The EgyptAir plane en route from Paris to Cairo carrying 66 people crashed into the Mediterranean sea off the Greek island of Crete on Thursday with Egypt saying it was more likely caused by a terror attack than technical problems.
18:58 Tarun Vijay attack: Uttarakhand CM orders inquiry
Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat orders an enquiry into the incident at Chakrata in which BJP MP Tarun Vijay was injured in a scuffle outside a temple.
18:52 26/11 case:Lakhvi, others to be charged for abetment to murder
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and six others accused in the 2008 Mumbai attack case will be individually charged for the abetment to murder of each of the 166 people who died in the carnage, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court ruled on Friday.
"The seven suspects will be charged individually for the abetment to murder of each victim of the Mumbai attack case,' a senior court official said, quoting the verdict of the trial court. The official told PTI that the court, however, did not allow cross examination of the suspects in this regard.
The prosecution had filed an application in the ATC Islamabad some two months ago requesting it to make amendment in the charges against the suspects in abetment to murder of each individual in the carnage.
The trial court in March last had reserved the verdict after the prosecution and defence lawyers completed their arguments on the plea that amendment in the charges against all seven suspects in abetment to murder of each individual in Mumbai attack should be made.
At least 166 people, including six Americans, were killed and more than 300 injured in the attack in November 2008 by 10 Pakistani terrorists. The prosecution was of the view that it was seeking amendment to the changes "for further strengthening the case against the suspects'.
It had also pleaded for including the post-mortem reports of those killed in the attack. The prosecution said India should be asked to send the post-mortem reports of each victim of the Mumbai attack while the defence lawyers opposed it. Meanwhile, the Mumbai attack case has faced inordinate delay as no proceedings were held for the previous seven consecutive hearings. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for 25 May.
The Pakistani authorities are blaming India for the delay in the case, saying it cannot move further till the Indian government sends witnesses to Pakistan for recording statements in the case.
"The seven consecutive hearings of the case were adjourned without any proceedings because the Pakistani government is still awaiting its counterpart's response about sending (Indian) witnesses to Pakistan for recording statements in the case,' the court official said. The foreign ministry of Pakistan had written to the Indian government about three months ago asking it to send all 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan for recording statements in the trial court in the Mumbai attacks case.
"The seven suspects will be charged individually for the abetment to murder of each victim of the Mumbai attack case,' a senior court official said, quoting the verdict of the trial court. The official told PTI that the court, however, did not allow cross examination of the suspects in this regard.
The prosecution had filed an application in the ATC Islamabad some two months ago requesting it to make amendment in the charges against the suspects in abetment to murder of each individual in the carnage.
The trial court in March last had reserved the verdict after the prosecution and defence lawyers completed their arguments on the plea that amendment in the charges against all seven suspects in abetment to murder of each individual in Mumbai attack should be made.
At least 166 people, including six Americans, were killed and more than 300 injured in the attack in November 2008 by 10 Pakistani terrorists. The prosecution was of the view that it was seeking amendment to the changes "for further strengthening the case against the suspects'.
It had also pleaded for including the post-mortem reports of those killed in the attack. The prosecution said India should be asked to send the post-mortem reports of each victim of the Mumbai attack while the defence lawyers opposed it. Meanwhile, the Mumbai attack case has faced inordinate delay as no proceedings were held for the previous seven consecutive hearings. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for 25 May.
The Pakistani authorities are blaming India for the delay in the case, saying it cannot move further till the Indian government sends witnesses to Pakistan for recording statements in the case.
"The seven consecutive hearings of the case were adjourned without any proceedings because the Pakistani government is still awaiting its counterpart's response about sending (Indian) witnesses to Pakistan for recording statements in the case,' the court official said. The foreign ministry of Pakistan had written to the Indian government about three months ago asking it to send all 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan for recording statements in the trial court in the Mumbai attacks case.
18:43 BJP MP Tarun Vijay injured in scuffle outside temple in Uttarakhand
Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay on Friday sustained seriously injuries after a scuffle outside the Silgur Devta Temple near Mussorie in Uttarakhand. His car was also vandalized. ABP News reports Vijay was injured after being pelted with stones for protesting against the ban on the entry of Dalits in temples. The temples in the Jaunsar Bavar area of Uttarakhand ban the entry of Dalits.
Pic: Tarun Vijay being led away from the place where the scuffle occurred.
Pic: Tarun Vijay being led away from the place where the scuffle occurred.
18:02 Whose defeat is it anyway?
If the BJP or even the regional parties delude themselves that they are going to win the 2019 Lok Sabha election, then they are over-interpreting the assembly election results, says Kumar Ketkar. Read
17:55 BJP MP Tarun Vijay injured
BJP MP Tarun Vijay injured in fight outside Uttarakhand temple: Report
17:51 Nigeria: 2nd girl rescued; not listed as taken from Chibok
Nigeria's military reported rescuing a second "Chibok girl" in a forest battle with Islamic extremists, but a community leader said today she is not on the list of 218 students missing from the 2014 mass abduction from the school by Boko Haram that sparked worldwide outrage.
Army spokesman Col Sani Kukasheka Usman said soldiers freed the girl after a Thursday night battle in the northeastern Sambisa Forest in which it liberated 97 women and children and killed 35 extremists.
He said she is 157 on the list of 218 missing girls seized more than two years ago from a boarding school in Chibok. But number 157 has a different name, Chibok community leader Pogu Bitrus told The Associated Press.
The list has two other young women sharing the surname given by the military and the rescued girl may have been visiting older sisters at the school the night of the kidnapping, said Bitrus. The first Chibok teenager to be freed with a 4-month-old baby and was discovered by hunters wandering on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest on Tuesday.
Army spokesman Col Sani Kukasheka Usman said soldiers freed the girl after a Thursday night battle in the northeastern Sambisa Forest in which it liberated 97 women and children and killed 35 extremists.
He said she is 157 on the list of 218 missing girls seized more than two years ago from a boarding school in Chibok. But number 157 has a different name, Chibok community leader Pogu Bitrus told The Associated Press.
The list has two other young women sharing the surname given by the military and the rescued girl may have been visiting older sisters at the school the night of the kidnapping, said Bitrus. The first Chibok teenager to be freed with a 4-month-old baby and was discovered by hunters wandering on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest on Tuesday.
17:48 Maharashtra CM lauds PM over NEET decision
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the central government cleared an ordinance deferring the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) by a year. The Centre gave its decision following protests from some states and medical colleges over a Supreme Court ruling mandating the exam for all medical aspirants. "Grateful to Modi ji and the Centre for postponing NEET by a year," Fadnavis said. "It has brought relief to lakhs of students," the CM tweeted. Fadnavis on Wednesday met the Prime Minister in New Delhi in connection with the standoff between states and the Centre over the NEET issue, amid concerns raised by parents and students.
17:46 Ikea to open store in Mumbai Metropolitan region
Swedish furniture retailing giant IKEA today announced the purchase of its first land parcel in Mumbai Metropolitan region to build a 4,00,000-sqft store. This will be the second store in the country after Hyderabad. The 23-acre site is located in Navi Mumbai on the Thane-Belapur Road, a company statement said. The IKEA store in Mumbai is planned to be of around 4,00,000 square feet and is expected to have an over 5 million visitors per year, indicative of the company's large expansion plans in the country. To be easily accessible the store site has good access to public transport and next to an existing suburban railway station, Turbhe.
17:45 10 reasons why Jayalalithaa won
In an age when the electorate is increasingly impatient and changes governments every five years, how did the Tamil Nadu chief minister beat anti-incumbency? A Ganesh Nadar, who travelled through the state during the elections, offers a checklist. Read more
17:19 Surgery not first step, have to explore all options: Cong responds to Digvijaya
Congress on Digvijaya Singh's remark that the party needs surgery not introspection. The party said, "Surgery is not the first step, we need to explore all options. All suggestions will be discussed at the Working Committee meeting."
Soon after its dud results on Thursday in the five-state elections, the Congress received lacerating, unsolicited advice from one of its senior leaders.
"Today's results disappointing but not unexpected. We have done enough Introspection shouldn't we go for a Major Surgery ?" tweeted Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.
The tweet was posted not long after party president Sonia Gandhi's statement promising introspection.
"We will introspect into the reasons for our loss and will rededicate ourselves to the service of the people with greater vigour," Gandhi said.
Before Sonia, in a series of tweets, Rahul said: My best wishes to the parties that have won the electionsWe will work harder till we win the confidence and trust of people.
In fact, Digvijaya Singh was not the first to record his dissatisfaction with the way things were in the grand old party.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said yesterday that the time for introspection is now past. "Time for action has come It is time to move and it is time to make some visible changes that the world and the country can see because for a couple of years after 2014, the process for consideration, reflection, introspection and so on has been taking place. It is now time for the leadership to draw on the conclusion from their introspection and take necessary action.
Soon after its dud results on Thursday in the five-state elections, the Congress received lacerating, unsolicited advice from one of its senior leaders.
"Today's results disappointing but not unexpected. We have done enough Introspection shouldn't we go for a Major Surgery ?" tweeted Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.
The tweet was posted not long after party president Sonia Gandhi's statement promising introspection.
"We will introspect into the reasons for our loss and will rededicate ourselves to the service of the people with greater vigour," Gandhi said.
Before Sonia, in a series of tweets, Rahul said: My best wishes to the parties that have won the electionsWe will work harder till we win the confidence and trust of people.
In fact, Digvijaya Singh was not the first to record his dissatisfaction with the way things were in the grand old party.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said yesterday that the time for introspection is now past. "Time for action has come It is time to move and it is time to make some visible changes that the world and the country can see because for a couple of years after 2014, the process for consideration, reflection, introspection and so on has been taking place. It is now time for the leadership to draw on the conclusion from their introspection and take necessary action.
16:57 Is Madhu Shah your FB friend?
Do you know Madhu Shah?
If you dont, then one of your friends almost certainly does. But youd better hope they dont.
The name is used on hundreds of Facebook accounts that dont appear to be linked to any one particular person and might be involved in a bizarre, creepy Facebook scam. Read more
16:54 Yechury mollifies Achutanandan, calls him Fidel Castro of Kerala
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury seems to have take a cue from the BJP's Margdarshak Mandal, which is where the senior leaders of the party have been idling away.
At a meeting in the LDF headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram this morning, CPM leaders Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat, held a meeting to decide on the next Chief Minister.The choice -- 72-year-old Pinarayi Vijayan.
Reports came in thereafter that the 92-year-old VS Achuthanandan had left the building abruptly.
This afternoon, the party formally announced its decision to make Pinarayi Vijayan the Kerala CM. VS Achuthanandan was also present at the press meeting.
Praising Achutanandan, Yechury said that the 92-year-old CPM leader is 'Fidel Castro of Kerala' and will continue to guide and inspire the party, says Yechury's remark likening hims to the grand old man of Cuba comes after reports that VS wanted a short stint as CM before making way for Vijayan.
Much like the what the BJP has done with stalwarts like LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.
At a meeting in the LDF headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram this morning, CPM leaders Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat, held a meeting to decide on the next Chief Minister.The choice -- 72-year-old Pinarayi Vijayan.
Reports came in thereafter that the 92-year-old VS Achuthanandan had left the building abruptly.
This afternoon, the party formally announced its decision to make Pinarayi Vijayan the Kerala CM. VS Achuthanandan was also present at the press meeting.
Praising Achutanandan, Yechury said that the 92-year-old CPM leader is 'Fidel Castro of Kerala' and will continue to guide and inspire the party, says Yechury's remark likening hims to the grand old man of Cuba comes after reports that VS wanted a short stint as CM before making way for Vijayan.
Much like the what the BJP has done with stalwarts like LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.
16:33 Bhujbal seeks bail from HC, medical board to review his health
Former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, incarcerated in an alleged money laundering case, today applied for bail on health grounds in Bombay High Court which asked the Enforcement Directorate to produce him before a medical board for examination.
Justice Ajay Gadkari asked the ED to present Bhujbal (69) before a government-constituted medical board of senior doctors to seek an opinion about his health and submit its report on May 27.
The court would decide the bail plea after going through report of the board. Bhujbal had sought bail on health grounds saying he had multiple problems, including diabetes, blood pressure, chronic asthma and blockages in heart.
Justice Ajay Gadkari asked the ED to present Bhujbal (69) before a government-constituted medical board of senior doctors to seek an opinion about his health and submit its report on May 27.
The court would decide the bail plea after going through report of the board. Bhujbal had sought bail on health grounds saying he had multiple problems, including diabetes, blood pressure, chronic asthma and blockages in heart.
16:30
Indian Mujahideen suspect Abdul Wahid Siddibapa sent to 7-days police custody by NIA Court.
16:26 A vote for continuity contains a challenge to change
Winston Churchill once famously remarked of the general, Lord Montgomery, that in victory he was unbearable. It is to be hoped that a similar statement will not have to be made about Mamata Banerjee after her remarkable victory at the hustings yesterday. She deserves to bask in this moment of glory that belongs to her. Read
16:01 EgyptAir crash: wreckage found, search for bodies ongoing
Egyptian military scouring the Mediteranean Sea today found the wreckage of the crashed EgyptAir aircraft, a day after the ill-fated plane en route to Cairo from Paris went down with 66 people on board, with authorities hinting at a terror angle to the deadly incident.
"Egyptian aircraft and navy vessels have found personal belongings of passengers and parts of the wreckage 290 kilometres north of Alexandria," Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said on his Facebook page.
The military searchers had intensified their search for the missing EgyptAir Flight MS804 after earlier reports that its wreckage had been found turned out to be false. The discovery of the wreckage near the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria comes as the navy continues to sweep the area looking for the plane's black box and bodies.
There were no signs of survivors after the Airbus A320 "swerved and then plunged" into the Mediterranean. The plane, on its fifth journey of the day, was travelling at 37,000 feet when it disappeared from radar. It had made a stop in Tunisia before flying to Paris.
"Egyptian aircraft and navy vessels have found personal belongings of passengers and parts of the wreckage 290 kilometres north of Alexandria," Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said on his Facebook page.
The military searchers had intensified their search for the missing EgyptAir Flight MS804 after earlier reports that its wreckage had been found turned out to be false. The discovery of the wreckage near the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria comes as the navy continues to sweep the area looking for the plane's black box and bodies.
There were no signs of survivors after the Airbus A320 "swerved and then plunged" into the Mediterranean. The plane, on its fifth journey of the day, was travelling at 37,000 feet when it disappeared from radar. It had made a stop in Tunisia before flying to Paris.
15:54 BJP Legislature Party meeting on May 22
The first meeting of the BJP Legislature Party in Assam will be held on May 22 here to elect the party's chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal as its leader. The newly-elected BJP members of the Assam Assembly today informally met under the leadership of Sonowal at the party headquarters in Guwahati, party spokesman Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The victorious BJP legislators decided to have the first official meeting of the Legislature Party on May 22 where Sonowal will be elected as their leader, Sarma said. BJP's alliance partners, AGP and BPF, will meet the next day to elect Sonowal as the leader of the alliance, he said.
15:45 China will 'behave' under my presidency: Trump
Donald Trump has said China will "behave" and will be a "friend" of the US under his presidency even as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee asserted that he was not bothered if a trade war breaks out with the Communist trading giant.
"Let me tell you something. China will behave and China will be our friend. We'll do better under China with me and we're also going to do better economically with me. They are going to respect our country again," Trump told his supporters at an election rally in New Jersey yesterday.
"Let me tell you something. China will behave and China will be our friend. We'll do better under China with me and we're also going to do better economically with me. They are going to respect our country again," Trump told his supporters at an election rally in New Jersey yesterday.
15:40 PM headed for Vatican to attend Mother Teresa's canonisation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the move again. After Iran this month, he will fly to the Vatican to attend Mother Teresas canonisation in September.
Modi, keen to send out a positive global message to the international community, expressed his intentions to visit the ceremony, according to Catholics Bishops Council of India (CBCI) office-bearers. We have requested the Prime Minister to lead the delegation. He said that he is honoured by the invite for a function being organised to respect a great soul, said Fr Chinnayan, deputy secretary general, CBCI.
The Sunday Standard reports that the PM told Fr Chinnayan that his government will send also an official invite to the Vatican, inviting the Pope to India.
The PMO has told the Ministry of External Affairs to work out the details of the Vatican invite. Plans may be worked out soon after getting inputs from the Vatican, said an official who arranged the meeting between the PM and the church officials.
The PMs proposed trip to the Vatican can bring the Christian community closer to BJP, especially in Kerala, said a former bureaucrat acting as the bridge between the government and the Christian communities. Despite the churchs declared policy of not meddling in politics, it has kept its doors open to senior BJP leaders. The PMs initiatives to ensure the safety of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, the Kerala priest abducted by the ISIS in Yemen, has pleased the Catholics. We felt so secure when we came to know that PM personally has taken initiatives for his release, said the priest.
Modi has reasons to smile, since it is a sentiment shared by the entire Catholic community.
Modi, keen to send out a positive global message to the international community, expressed his intentions to visit the ceremony, according to Catholics Bishops Council of India (CBCI) office-bearers. We have requested the Prime Minister to lead the delegation. He said that he is honoured by the invite for a function being organised to respect a great soul, said Fr Chinnayan, deputy secretary general, CBCI.
The Sunday Standard reports that the PM told Fr Chinnayan that his government will send also an official invite to the Vatican, inviting the Pope to India.
The PMO has told the Ministry of External Affairs to work out the details of the Vatican invite. Plans may be worked out soon after getting inputs from the Vatican, said an official who arranged the meeting between the PM and the church officials.
The PMs proposed trip to the Vatican can bring the Christian community closer to BJP, especially in Kerala, said a former bureaucrat acting as the bridge between the government and the Christian communities. Despite the churchs declared policy of not meddling in politics, it has kept its doors open to senior BJP leaders. The PMs initiatives to ensure the safety of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, the Kerala priest abducted by the ISIS in Yemen, has pleased the Catholics. We felt so secure when we came to know that PM personally has taken initiatives for his release, said the priest.
Modi has reasons to smile, since it is a sentiment shared by the entire Catholic community.
15:36 Bengal tops in Nota votes
A young man who flew in from Delhi for 16 hours just to cast his vote has provided a clue why Bengal has recorded the highest number of votes under the Nota (none of the above) option among the five poll-bound states.
Read more
Read more
15:34 Detained and interrogated for 10 hours in North Korea
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes was last week expelled from North Korea and forced to apologise for his reporting. He was held incommunicado for 10 hours and interrogated. Here he gives his first account of what happened. Read more
15:26 Will the Congress remain a dynastic party, wonders Jaitley
Taking a dig at Congress after its poor show in assembly polls, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the party has been pushed to margins and wondered whether it will "stand behind a hotchpotch combination" of regional parties in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Putting a series of posers to Congress, Jaitley also asked whether it would evolve into a structured party with a galaxy of leaders or remain a dynastic party despite having suffered a series of electoral reverses.
In a Facebook post, Jaitley said the Central Government will work closely with all the five elected state governments for the larger welfare of the people.
The results of the five State Assemblies in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, which went to poll in the last two months are on expected lines, he said.
While the BJP alliance won in Assam, the Congress lost power in Assam and Kerala. "Post 2014 General Elections, the Congress has increasingly adopted fringe positions. It didn't behave as a natural party of governance. Its obstructionism was blended with its leader's 'rent a cause' approach.
The Congress is, today, threatened with being pushed increasingly to the margins.
"Will it be the main challenger to the BJP-led NDA in 2019 or will it stand behind a hotchpotch combination of ideologically disparate regional groups? What is the nature of 'surgery' the party leaders are now talking about? Will the Congress evolve into a structured party with a galaxy of leaders or will it remain a dynastic party?" he said.
Putting a series of posers to Congress, Jaitley also asked whether it would evolve into a structured party with a galaxy of leaders or remain a dynastic party despite having suffered a series of electoral reverses.
In a Facebook post, Jaitley said the Central Government will work closely with all the five elected state governments for the larger welfare of the people.
The results of the five State Assemblies in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, which went to poll in the last two months are on expected lines, he said.
While the BJP alliance won in Assam, the Congress lost power in Assam and Kerala. "Post 2014 General Elections, the Congress has increasingly adopted fringe positions. It didn't behave as a natural party of governance. Its obstructionism was blended with its leader's 'rent a cause' approach.
The Congress is, today, threatened with being pushed increasingly to the margins.
"Will it be the main challenger to the BJP-led NDA in 2019 or will it stand behind a hotchpotch combination of ideologically disparate regional groups? What is the nature of 'surgery' the party leaders are now talking about? Will the Congress evolve into a structured party with a galaxy of leaders or will it remain a dynastic party?" he said.
15:19 It's autonomous, no govt interference in NIA: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today dismissed allegations of political "interference" in the Malegaon blast case investigation conducted by NIA, saying probe agencies in the country function with "full-fledged autonomy".
"All our investigation agencies have full-fledged autonomy...There is no interference from our side or from the government's side," he said while interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a Border Security Force event here.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) had last week, in a complete U-turn, dropped all charges against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and five others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Charges under the stringent MCOCA law were dropped against all the other 10 accused, including Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, as part of its charge sheet filed in a Mumbai court. Asked about a possible time line by when NIA investigators could travel to Pakistan to conduct their probe in the Pathankot terror attack case, Singh said the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries have talked on the issue.
"All our investigation agencies have full-fledged autonomy...There is no interference from our side or from the government's side," he said while interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a Border Security Force event here.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) had last week, in a complete U-turn, dropped all charges against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and five others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Charges under the stringent MCOCA law were dropped against all the other 10 accused, including Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, as part of its charge sheet filed in a Mumbai court. Asked about a possible time line by when NIA investigators could travel to Pakistan to conduct their probe in the Pathankot terror attack case, Singh said the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries have talked on the issue.
15:01 Interference with flight deck controls 'likely to have caused crash'
One man is certain about what caused the loss of EgyptAir flight MS804 and the deaths of the 66 people on board.
Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, said: "If anyone thinks it wasn't blown out of the sky, you are 100 per cent wrong"
But no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the loss of the jet from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Cairo. Investigators are considering a wide range of possible causes of besides a terrorist bomb. Read more
Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, said: "If anyone thinks it wasn't blown out of the sky, you are 100 per cent wrong"
But no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the loss of the jet from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Cairo. Investigators are considering a wide range of possible causes of besides a terrorist bomb. Read more
14:39 Debris of missing EgyptAir plane found near Alexandria
Egyptian military finds parts of debris of missing EgyptAir plane 290 km north of Alexandria, says Egypt State TV.
A massive search has been underway for the wreckage of the EgyptAir plane en route from Paris to Cairo that crashed into the Mediterranean Sea with 66 people on board, with authorities saying the incident was likely a terror attack.
The search for EgyptAir Flight 804 was ongoing after reports that the plane's wreckage had been found turned out to be false, prompting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to demand an "intensified search".
There were no signs of survivors after the Airbus A320 "swerved and then plunged" into the Mediterranean. The plane, on its fifth journey of the day, was travelling at 37,000 feet when it disappeared from radar. It had made a stop in Tunisia before flying to Paris.
The Egyptian navy, air force and army are searching the sea to the north of Egypt's coast, with French, Greek, British and US support. The plane made "sudden swerves" before dropping off radar over the Mediterranean, Greek defence minister Panos Kammenos said.
It made a 90-degree turn left, and then dropped from 37,000 feet to 15,000 feet before swerving 360 degrees right. The plane was carrying 56 passengers and 10 crew: two cockpit crew, five cabin crew and three security personnel. EgyptAir said two babies and one child were on board.
A massive search has been underway for the wreckage of the EgyptAir plane en route from Paris to Cairo that crashed into the Mediterranean Sea with 66 people on board, with authorities saying the incident was likely a terror attack.
The search for EgyptAir Flight 804 was ongoing after reports that the plane's wreckage had been found turned out to be false, prompting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to demand an "intensified search".
There were no signs of survivors after the Airbus A320 "swerved and then plunged" into the Mediterranean. The plane, on its fifth journey of the day, was travelling at 37,000 feet when it disappeared from radar. It had made a stop in Tunisia before flying to Paris.
The Egyptian navy, air force and army are searching the sea to the north of Egypt's coast, with French, Greek, British and US support. The plane made "sudden swerves" before dropping off radar over the Mediterranean, Greek defence minister Panos Kammenos said.
It made a 90-degree turn left, and then dropped from 37,000 feet to 15,000 feet before swerving 360 degrees right. The plane was carrying 56 passengers and 10 crew: two cockpit crew, five cabin crew and three security personnel. EgyptAir said two babies and one child were on board.
14:31 Assam win 'strong dose of tonic' for BJP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the BJP headquarters at 6.30 this evening and appeared briefly before a throng of workers who had by then exhausted their vocal cords with cries of "Bharat Mata ki Jai".
Modi visits 11 Ashoka Road each time the BJP's parliamentary board or central election committee meets, but his presence today acquired a celebratory context. The year 2015 had brought little cheer to the party, which lost the Delhi and Bihar polls. Assam, in a sense, broke the jinx.
"It's a strong dose of tonic for us. We can face the next lot of Assembly polls much more confidently," a spokesperson said, acknowledging Assam's significance in the BJP's political scheme. Read more
Modi visits 11 Ashoka Road each time the BJP's parliamentary board or central election committee meets, but his presence today acquired a celebratory context. The year 2015 had brought little cheer to the party, which lost the Delhi and Bihar polls. Assam, in a sense, broke the jinx.
"It's a strong dose of tonic for us. We can face the next lot of Assembly polls much more confidently," a spokesperson said, acknowledging Assam's significance in the BJP's political scheme. Read more
14:29 Sonowal to be sworn-in as Assam CM on May 24
BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav announces: @rammadhavbjp: "Oath taking in Assam will take place on 24th evening. Hon PM Modiji, Amitbhai n many CMs and leaders will grace d occasion. All are welcome."
BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal won a convincing victory in Majuli (ST) seat and outgoing Congress chief minister Tarun Gogoi did so in Titabor.
BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal won a convincing victory in Majuli (ST) seat and outgoing Congress chief minister Tarun Gogoi did so in Titabor.
BJP's state election convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma, who left the Congress to join the saffron party, romped home with a record margin 85,935 votes over Congress candidate Niren Deka.
AGP President Atul Bora won against sitting Congress MLA Arun Phukan by 40,193 votes, while his party colleague and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta defeated his Congress rival Suresh Bora by a margin of 4558 votes in Baharampur.
Prominent winners for the Congress were assembly Speaker Pranab Gogoi from Sibsagar, Agriculture Minister Rakibul Hussain from Samaguri, Health Minister Nazrul Islam from Laharighat, Public Works Department Minister Ajanta Neog from Golaghat, Minority Development and Public Health Engineering Department Minister Sukur Ali from Chenga.
In the outgoing assembly, the BJP had six seats, the AIUDF 18, the Bodoland People's Front had 12, the AGP nine, the Trinamool Congress one and independents two.
14:27
Assembly results on expected lines; will work closely with five elected governments for welfare of people: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
14:20
JUST IN: Mamata Banerjee elected leader of TMC legislative party.
14:15 Kerala assembly to have 8 women MLAs; no woman member in Oppn
The 140-member Kerala Assembly will have just 8 women MLAs, three of them debutants, all representing the Left Democratic Front that returned to power with a massive majority in the state. The UDF, on the other hand, has no woman representative after the lone woman MLA and minister in the previous government, P K Jayalakshmi, failed to make it to the state assembly this time. She was defeated by CPI(M)'s U R Kelu in Mananthawady constituency by 1,307 votes. Of a total of 109 women candidates who tried their luck in the May 16 polls, only Aisha Potti, K K Shylaja, Mercykutty Amma, Veena George and U Prathibha Hari of CPI(M), and E S Bijimol, Geetha Gopi and C K Asha of CPI succeeded.
13:54 IM man wanted in 3 terror attacks arrested in Delhi
Indian Mujahideen terrorist Abdul Wahid Siddibapa arrested by NIA from IGI airport, New Delhi. Siddibapa is a resident of Maqdoom Colony in Bhatkal, Karnataka.
He is also said to be a distant relative of Indian Mujajideen chief in India Yasin Bhatkal, who is presently in jail.
Abdul was wanted in the conspiracy by Indian mujahideen to attack various places in India. He was based in Dubai and had been involved in recruitment for IM in India and also funded their activities from Dubai.
A warrant of arrest and a Red Corner Notice had been issued against him on the basis of which he was arrested.
NIA officials said that Abdul Wahid was arrested from the IGI airport in Delhi upon his deportation from UAE.
An Interpol red corner notice issued against Wahid says he is wanted for his alleged involvement in the July 2006 Mumbai serial blasts, the 2008 Delhi blasts and the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blasts in Bangalore.
According to the dossier on Wahid with Indian agencies, the 32-year-old terror suspect Wahid is alleged to have routed money sent by Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal using banking channels and Western Union Money Transfer ahead of blasts in India.
He is also said to be a distant relative of Indian Mujajideen chief in India Yasin Bhatkal, who is presently in jail.
Abdul was wanted in the conspiracy by Indian mujahideen to attack various places in India. He was based in Dubai and had been involved in recruitment for IM in India and also funded their activities from Dubai.
A warrant of arrest and a Red Corner Notice had been issued against him on the basis of which he was arrested.
NIA officials said that Abdul Wahid was arrested from the IGI airport in Delhi upon his deportation from UAE.
An Interpol red corner notice issued against Wahid says he is wanted for his alleged involvement in the July 2006 Mumbai serial blasts, the 2008 Delhi blasts and the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blasts in Bangalore.
According to the dossier on Wahid with Indian agencies, the 32-year-old terror suspect Wahid is alleged to have routed money sent by Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal using banking channels and Western Union Money Transfer ahead of blasts in India.
13:43 Maharashtra cop scales Mt Everest
A Police Naik named Rafiq Shaikh today scaled Mount Everest in his third attempt. Born in a small village in Aurangabad, Shaikh had failed to climb the world's tallest mountain peak twice due to natural calamities and predicaments thereafter.
Shaikh, who had begun the expedition on April 4 scaled Mount Everest today, sources from police department said.
According to sources, he scaled the peak from the Sherpa south pole, situated at a height of 26,240 feet.
Aurangabad Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar congratulated Shaikh on his achievement.
Pic: Police Naik Shaikh poses with the flags of Nepal, India and the Maharashtra police.
Shaikh, who had begun the expedition on April 4 scaled Mount Everest today, sources from police department said.
According to sources, he scaled the peak from the Sherpa south pole, situated at a height of 26,240 feet.
Aurangabad Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar congratulated Shaikh on his achievement.
Pic: Police Naik Shaikh poses with the flags of Nepal, India and the Maharashtra police.
13:38 Nilesh Rane arrested in case of assault on party worker
Former Congress MP Nilesh Rane was today arrested by Chiplun police in connection with the case of alleged assault and kidnapping filed by a party worker, police said. Nilesh, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane, surrendered before the Chiplun police in Ratnagiri district at around 8 am today following which he was taken into custody, they said. Rane will be produced before a court in Chiplun later today, police said.
13:32 Jaya thanks Amit Shah, Advani for congratulating her
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today thanked BJP chief Amit Shah for congratulating her on the "resounding victory" in the May 16 Assembly polls, stating she valued his good wishes. "I thank you for congratulating me on the resounding victory in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, 2016," she said. "I value your good wishes and greetings," the 68-year-old AIADMK General Secretary told Shah in a letter. Shah, during his election campaign in the state, had attacked the AIADMK government, describing it as the "most corrupt."
Senior BJP leader LK Advani also greeted Jayalalithaa. Advani congratulated her over phone and the Chief Minister thanked the veteran leader, a release said. Governor K Rosaiah spoke to Jayalalithaa over the phone and sent her a bouquet of flowers. He congratulated her on the "historic" victory achieved by her party, it said. ".... under your dynamic leadership and determination to serve the people above self, Tamil Nadu is set to lead the nation in all spheres once again," Rosaiah said.
In her reply to the Governor, Jayalalithaa said she valued his good wishes and greetings "which will further enthuse me in my mission to make Tamil Nadu the numero uno state in the country in all spheres of development and to strive unceasingly for the welfare of my people," she said.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani also greeted Jayalalithaa. Advani congratulated her over phone and the Chief Minister thanked the veteran leader, a release said. Governor K Rosaiah spoke to Jayalalithaa over the phone and sent her a bouquet of flowers. He congratulated her on the "historic" victory achieved by her party, it said. ".... under your dynamic leadership and determination to serve the people above self, Tamil Nadu is set to lead the nation in all spheres once again," Rosaiah said.
In her reply to the Governor, Jayalalithaa said she valued his good wishes and greetings "which will further enthuse me in my mission to make Tamil Nadu the numero uno state in the country in all spheres of development and to strive unceasingly for the welfare of my people," she said.
13:21 Digvijaya contradicts Sonia: Time for surgery in Cong, not introspection
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has made a pitch for a "major surgery" in the party in wake of the disappointing results in Assembly polls in four states.
The Congress lost power in Assam and Kerala and the alliance with DMK didn't work in its favour in Tamil Nadu.
The Congress general secretary said in a tweet on Thursday: @digvijaya_28 Today's results disappointing but not unexpected. We have done enough Introspection shouldn't we go for a Major Surgery?
His remarks came on a day Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the party would introspect over the causes of the debacle in the assembly elections and work with "greater vigour" for the service of the people. "We will introspect into the reasons for our loss and will rededicate ourselves to the service of the people with greater vigour", Sonia Gandhi had said in a statement reacting to the party's loss.
Digvijaya told India Today TV in an interview that the surgery has to be done by his boss. "Won't like to interfere in Gandhi family's decision but will be happy if Priyanka is in active politics. It's time for the next generation to take over. "
He said the results were disappointing but not unexpected and added that he had full faith in Sonia Gandhi's leadership.
About the party's losses in the Kerala and poor showing in Bengal, he said that anti-incumbency trend in Kerala was nothing new. He said Mamata Banerjee was once with Congress (as an ally) and that she must support the Congress now.
As counting progressed and results showed defeat for the party , the line that Congress spokespersons took is that there was a need for introspection to help set things right.
There have been no changes in the AICC secretariat since the last Lok Sabha polls in which the party had its worst ever performance by securing just 44 seats in the 543-member House.
Digvijaya's suggestion has come at a time when there is talk of the much-delayed reshuffle in the AICC secretariat likely to be carried out soon and indications are that Rahul Gandhi could be elevated as party chief.
The Congress lost power in Assam and Kerala and the alliance with DMK didn't work in its favour in Tamil Nadu.
The Congress general secretary said in a tweet on Thursday: @digvijaya_28 Today's results disappointing but not unexpected. We have done enough Introspection shouldn't we go for a Major Surgery?
His remarks came on a day Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the party would introspect over the causes of the debacle in the assembly elections and work with "greater vigour" for the service of the people. "We will introspect into the reasons for our loss and will rededicate ourselves to the service of the people with greater vigour", Sonia Gandhi had said in a statement reacting to the party's loss.
Digvijaya told India Today TV in an interview that the surgery has to be done by his boss. "Won't like to interfere in Gandhi family's decision but will be happy if Priyanka is in active politics. It's time for the next generation to take over. "
He said the results were disappointing but not unexpected and added that he had full faith in Sonia Gandhi's leadership.
About the party's losses in the Kerala and poor showing in Bengal, he said that anti-incumbency trend in Kerala was nothing new. He said Mamata Banerjee was once with Congress (as an ally) and that she must support the Congress now.
As counting progressed and results showed defeat for the party , the line that Congress spokespersons took is that there was a need for introspection to help set things right.
There have been no changes in the AICC secretariat since the last Lok Sabha polls in which the party had its worst ever performance by securing just 44 seats in the 543-member House.
Digvijaya's suggestion has come at a time when there is talk of the much-delayed reshuffle in the AICC secretariat likely to be carried out soon and indications are that Rahul Gandhi could be elevated as party chief.
13:09 Bitter critic Murli Manohar Joshi writes congratulatory letter to PM, Shah
"The strategy and workers' hard work has brought a revolutionary change in the country's politics. For the first time the BJP has established a strong presence from Kanya Kumari to Kashmir and Dwarka (Gujarat) to Kamrup (Assam). Workers in other states where elections are due, especially Uttar Pradesh, will be inspired by this victory."
That is BJP magdarskhak Murli Manohar Joshi's letter to PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah after the party's spectacular win in Assam and its inroads in Kerala and West Bengal.
This is huge capitulation from Joshi, who along with LK Advani was pushed into what the party calls, 'Magdarshak Mandal' -- the Group of Mentors, which has little say in the policy decision of the party.
This note is the closest to capitulation from the group who had criticized PM Modi and Amit Shah after the Bihar debacle last year.
"The results of the Bihar elections show that no lesson has been learnt from the fiasco in Delhi," said the opening line of the statement which bore the signature of party veteran and former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha. The statement had been issued following a meeting at the residence of Murli Manohar Joshi.
Five months later, this letter, by a key member of the Magdarshak Mandal, has caused a flutter in party circles.
As of now, there has been no response from the party.
That is BJP magdarskhak Murli Manohar Joshi's letter to PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah after the party's spectacular win in Assam and its inroads in Kerala and West Bengal.
This is huge capitulation from Joshi, who along with LK Advani was pushed into what the party calls, 'Magdarshak Mandal' -- the Group of Mentors, which has little say in the policy decision of the party.
This note is the closest to capitulation from the group who had criticized PM Modi and Amit Shah after the Bihar debacle last year.
"The results of the Bihar elections show that no lesson has been learnt from the fiasco in Delhi," said the opening line of the statement which bore the signature of party veteran and former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha. The statement had been issued following a meeting at the residence of Murli Manohar Joshi.
Five months later, this letter, by a key member of the Magdarshak Mandal, has caused a flutter in party circles.
As of now, there has been no response from the party.
12:47 Pinarayi Vijayan to be Kerala CM
Just in: Reports coming that the Left has chosen Pinarayi Vijayan over one-time CM Achuthanandan. he CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) staged a fascinating comeback in Kerala, winning 91 of 140 Assembly seats, as the incumbency- and scam-hit UDF led by the Congress managed to win only 47 seats. A formal announcement will be made later in the day.
While Politburo member Vijayan has been the CM candidate, what is now going to be watched is how the party would accommodate Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, who had led the LDF campaign.
While Politburo member Vijayan has been the CM candidate, what is now going to be watched is how the party would accommodate Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, who had led the LDF campaign.
12:24 Indian landlords discriminate against Muslims, study finds
Researchers who used assumed identities and tried to rent homes in and around the Indian capital say they found evidence of discrimination against Muslims by landlords.Economists Saugato Datta and Vikram Pathania responded to online real-estate ads using names associated with different religions and castes.They found landlords were significantly less likely to answer applicants with Muslim names than those with upper-caste names. Read
12:18 Knives hang over Yechury
Sitaram Yechury tried to sidestep the question several times but it hung over the news conference till the end. It was about "daggers being out in the party" for him after the rout in Bengal, where he had sanctioned an informal arrangement with the Congress against stiff opposition from powerful party lobbies in Kolkata.
"I don't understand..." the CPM general secretary began and then stopped, avoiding an answer. That led to the query being rephrased as one about "a war in the party now". Yechury wouldn't rise to the bait, though.
"You are at liberty to make your own assessments. On our part we will review the poll results collectively and draw lessons," he said, acknowledging that the Bengal results had been a "big setback".
Strong signals came from some of the party's other central leaders, however, that Yechury would be cornered over the "disaster" in Bengal after going against the party congress's line and backing the ground-level alliance with the Congress. Several of them described the Bengal arrangement as a "big mistake". Today's politburo statement left no doubt that the "electoral tactics" adopted in Bengal would be put under the scanner.
Read more
"I don't understand..." the CPM general secretary began and then stopped, avoiding an answer. That led to the query being rephrased as one about "a war in the party now". Yechury wouldn't rise to the bait, though.
"You are at liberty to make your own assessments. On our part we will review the poll results collectively and draw lessons," he said, acknowledging that the Bengal results had been a "big setback".
Strong signals came from some of the party's other central leaders, however, that Yechury would be cornered over the "disaster" in Bengal after going against the party congress's line and backing the ground-level alliance with the Congress. Several of them described the Bengal arrangement as a "big mistake". Today's politburo statement left no doubt that the "electoral tactics" adopted in Bengal would be put under the scanner.
Read more
12:12 Left win temporary, says Oommen Chandy as he resigns
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today resigned from the post following the defeat of Congress-led UDF in the Assembly election. Chandy drove to the Raj Bhavan this morning around 1030 hrs and submitted his resignation letter to Governor P Sathasivam.
He told reporters that UDF and Congress would be meeting next week to discuss the poll debacle and take stock of the situation. UDF, which was trounced by CPI(M) headed LDF in the May 16 polls, bagged only 47 seats against the rival front's 91.
"This is only a temporary phenomena and Congress will come back with strength," 72-year-old Chandy said, adding, "the party and Front have the responsibility for the setback, but as chairman of UDF, I have more responsibility".
On reports that he was not willing to take up the post of Leader of Opposition, he said, "It is a matter to be discussed at the party level. I have nothing more to say." Chandy said that he would be going to the state Secretariat to meet his office staff and other employees. Chandy has the distinction of being the only Congress chief minister to have completed the five-year term in office.
He told reporters that UDF and Congress would be meeting next week to discuss the poll debacle and take stock of the situation. UDF, which was trounced by CPI(M) headed LDF in the May 16 polls, bagged only 47 seats against the rival front's 91.
"This is only a temporary phenomena and Congress will come back with strength," 72-year-old Chandy said, adding, "the party and Front have the responsibility for the setback, but as chairman of UDF, I have more responsibility".
On reports that he was not willing to take up the post of Leader of Opposition, he said, "It is a matter to be discussed at the party level. I have nothing more to say." Chandy said that he would be going to the state Secretariat to meet his office staff and other employees. Chandy has the distinction of being the only Congress chief minister to have completed the five-year term in office.
12:03 Publisher of LA Times and Chicago Tribune sends IT jobs overseas
Tribune Publishing Co., a major newspaper chain, is laying off as many as 200 IT employees as it shifts work overseas.The firm, which owns the Los Angeles Times, The Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant and many other media properties, told IT employees in early April that it's moving work to India-based Tata Consultancy Services. Read
12:01
Read Ram Guha on social media: A world of conspiracy theories, innuendo, gossip, paranoia, sheer craziness.
11:50 Sarbjit: A shrill, soppy melodrama
So should you watch Sarbjit?
Here's the answer...
"Sarabjit is an irresponsibly sloppy film, a film so focused on artless emotional manipulation and trying to make the audience weep, that it trivialises an important true-life story."
Read Raja Sen's review on Rediff.com.
Here's the answer...
"Sarabjit is an irresponsibly sloppy film, a film so focused on artless emotional manipulation and trying to make the audience weep, that it trivialises an important true-life story."
Read Raja Sen's review on Rediff.com.
11:45 Govt clears medical exam ordinance to defer NEET by a year
In a huge relief to students, the Centre today brought about an ordinance to defer by one year the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered NEET as the sole entrance test for admissions to medical and dental colleges.
The Ordinance was brought to "postpone the effect of the Supreme Court judgement by 12 months". The Supreme Court verdict disallowed states to conduct their own entrance exams and ordered that only the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) be the basis for admissions.
Major political parties and several states have favoured deferring implementation of the apex court verdict by one year. The Centre had yesterday kicked off consultations on the issue, asserting the matter was essentially in "executive domain".
Several state governments wanted their exams to be the basis for admission for their 85 per cent quota seats for this year too. Union Health Minister J P Nadda, however, had made it clear that private medical colleges and deemed universities cannot have their entrance exams and will have to take students only through the NEET route.
The all party meeting and the consultations with state health ministers came amid reports that the Centre may bring an ordinance to bypass the apex court's ruling making NEET mandatory from this year. The Health Minister has said that the future course of action will be formulated "soon" as the Centre was committed to bringing in transparency in medical education system and remove alleged malpractices. The Supreme Court had ruled that starting this academic session, students would have to appear in NEET to seek admission to medical or dental colleges in the country. The apex court order had implied that all government colleges, deemed universities and private medical colleges would be covered under NEET and those examinations which had already taken place or were slated to be conducted separately stand scrapped. The states flagged various issues in the health ministers conference yesterday including problems related to language and syllabus.
The Ordinance was brought to "postpone the effect of the Supreme Court judgement by 12 months". The Supreme Court verdict disallowed states to conduct their own entrance exams and ordered that only the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) be the basis for admissions.
Major political parties and several states have favoured deferring implementation of the apex court verdict by one year. The Centre had yesterday kicked off consultations on the issue, asserting the matter was essentially in "executive domain".
Several state governments wanted their exams to be the basis for admission for their 85 per cent quota seats for this year too. Union Health Minister J P Nadda, however, had made it clear that private medical colleges and deemed universities cannot have their entrance exams and will have to take students only through the NEET route.
The all party meeting and the consultations with state health ministers came amid reports that the Centre may bring an ordinance to bypass the apex court's ruling making NEET mandatory from this year. The Health Minister has said that the future course of action will be formulated "soon" as the Centre was committed to bringing in transparency in medical education system and remove alleged malpractices. The Supreme Court had ruled that starting this academic session, students would have to appear in NEET to seek admission to medical or dental colleges in the country. The apex court order had implied that all government colleges, deemed universities and private medical colleges would be covered under NEET and those examinations which had already taken place or were slated to be conducted separately stand scrapped. The states flagged various issues in the health ministers conference yesterday including problems related to language and syllabus.
11:40
Just in: The Centre clears ordinance to defer central medical exam for a year.
11:40 Modi magic did NOT work, sniffs BJP ally Shiv Sena
If you have an ally like this, you don't need the opposition. A day after the results of the 5-state elections, BJP ally Shiv Sena today criticised the Centre saying, the famed 'Modi magic' did not work.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, the Shiv Sena said, "Modi magic did not work. Achche din for BJP meant opening their account in kerala."
The BJP won one seat (O Rajagopalan) in the state.
The Saamna also sought to pare down it's ally's win in Assam, saying, "BJP benefitted from alliance with other parites in Assam. It defeated the Congress in Assam, but couldn't defeat Jaya or Mamata".
Yesterday, in the immediate aftermath of the results, the Shiv Sena was more gracious. It said they would have been happier had the saffron party won in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry as well.
"This is good thing (BJP leading in Assam). We congratulate all the parties who have won. There is nothing surprising in BJP winning in Assam. If the BJP had won even in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, then we would have been happier. Thing to be noted here is that regional parties are winning and not the national parties," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.
Pic: The PM receives a grand welcome ahead of his address to party workers at the BJP HQ in New Delhi yesterday.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, the Shiv Sena said, "Modi magic did not work. Achche din for BJP meant opening their account in kerala."
The BJP won one seat (O Rajagopalan) in the state.
The Saamna also sought to pare down it's ally's win in Assam, saying, "BJP benefitted from alliance with other parites in Assam. It defeated the Congress in Assam, but couldn't defeat Jaya or Mamata".
Yesterday, in the immediate aftermath of the results, the Shiv Sena was more gracious. It said they would have been happier had the saffron party won in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry as well.
"This is good thing (BJP leading in Assam). We congratulate all the parties who have won. There is nothing surprising in BJP winning in Assam. If the BJP had won even in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, then we would have been happier. Thing to be noted here is that regional parties are winning and not the national parties," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.
Pic: The PM receives a grand welcome ahead of his address to party workers at the BJP HQ in New Delhi yesterday.
11:30 AIADMK party meet today to elect Jayalalithaa as leader
Newly elected AIADMK MLAs will meet in Chennai this evening to elect party chief J Jayalalithaa as legislature party leader, as she created history yesterday by becoming the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 32 years to be voted back to power.
The AIADMK bagged 134 seats out of 232 assembly constituencies that went to polls. The opposition DMK won 89 seats, while Congress bagged eight and IUML one.
The AIADMK bagged 134 seats out of 232 assembly constituencies that went to polls. The opposition DMK won 89 seats, while Congress bagged eight and IUML one.
11:18 Impact of EVMs on electoral frauds, democracy, and development
In an attempt to curb electoral malpractices, Electronic Voting Machines were introduced on a national scale by the Election Commission of India in the 1990s. Using data from state assembly elections during 1976-2007, this column analyses the impact of the machines on electoral processes. It finds that the change in voting technology made elections more competitive, which in turn promoted development. Read more
11:13 Oommen Chandy submits resignation letter to governor
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy hands over resignation letter to Governor P Sathasivam.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front on Thursday returned to power in Kerala getting a comfortable majority dealing a huge blow to the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front while the Bharatiya Janata Party created history making its debut.
In the 140-member assembly, the LDF won 91 seats, the UDF 47, the BJP and Independents one each. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Marxist Veteran V S Achutanandan and congratulated him for the LDF's resounding victory.
Immediately after the poll results were out, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, said he will be submitting his resignation on Friday (today), and added that poll outcome was a 'setback' and they had not expected such a defeat.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front on Thursday returned to power in Kerala getting a comfortable majority dealing a huge blow to the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front while the Bharatiya Janata Party created history making its debut.
In the 140-member assembly, the LDF won 91 seats, the UDF 47, the BJP and Independents one each. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Marxist Veteran V S Achutanandan and congratulated him for the LDF's resounding victory.
Immediately after the poll results were out, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, said he will be submitting his resignation on Friday (today), and added that poll outcome was a 'setback' and they had not expected such a defeat.
10:57
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy hands over resignation letter to Governor P Sathasivam.
10:56 India rushes 3 naval ships with aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
India on Friday rushed two naval ships with relief material to Sri Lanka which has been severely-hit by tropical cyclone Roanu.
Navy said two Naval ships, one Naval Off Shore Patrol INS Sunayna and one survey vessel INS Sutlej, are being sent to Colombo coast from Southern Naval Command in Kochi.
"INS Sutlej with relief material has already embarked its journey to Colombo harbour from Southern Naval Command in Kochi. INS Sunayana will leave for Sri Lanka from the Kochi coast shortly," a navy spokesman said.
The cyclone has wreaked havoc along Sri Lankan coast. 43 people have been killed and 133 were missing following massive landslides and floods in the Kegalle region.
10:37 India's missile programme can nuclearise Indian Ocean: Pakistan
Pakistan has alleged that India was pursuing conventional, nuclear and missile development programmes which can lead to nuclearisation of the Indian Ocean and can disturb the 'balance of power' in the region.
Speaking on India's successful testing of a ballistic missile defense system on May 15, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that apart from this air defence system, India has also recently conducted tests of nuclear capable, submarine based K4 Ballistic Missiles.
"Simultaneously large nuclear powered submarines are being built to carry these nuclear armed missiles as a part of its second strike nuclear capability," Aziz said while making a statement in the Senate, the Upper House of Parliament on Thursday.
"These two developments are part of the massive conventional nuclear and missile development programmes being pursued by India, which are now leading to nuclearisation of Indian Ocean," he said, adding Pakistan would take all necessary measures to augment its defence capabilities.
Aziz said that the development of a ballistic missile defense system and nuclear-powered submarines by India will upset the strategic balance in South Asia and affect the maritime security of all the 32 littoral states around the Indian Ocean.
10:21 'Roanu' to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in Andhra
India Meteorological Department predicted that Cyclone 'Roanu' is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Friday night and will hit Andhra coast.
Heavy rain and strong winds on Thursday night caused some damage in parts of coastal Andhra.
IMD officials said that the system was initially moving north-northeastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh and thereafter to north eastwards.
Due to the depression, Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam likely to have another spells heavy showers.
"Gales with speed reaching 90 to 100 km/ph gusting at 110 km/ph are very likely to prevail and strong surface winds from a westerly direction with speed reaching 60 to 70 km/ph are also likely along and off south coastal AP," CWC statement reads.
Heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rain is very likely to occur in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore till Friday morning.
Heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur and Kurnool districts of Rayalaseema.
Heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari districts of north coastal AP.
The Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, has issued a warning to fishermen against venturing into the sea along and off AP coast during the next 48 hours.
09:53
CBI summons Tyagi brothers (Sanjeev Tyagi and Rajiv Tyagi) for ongoing investigation in AgustaWestland case, today
09:45
MeT dept issues heatwave to severe heat wave warning in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, Delhi; max temperature could touch 45-47 degrees
09:44
Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first female president
09:41 Navy's show of strength for China has a weak link -- Agusta
Four ships of the Indian Navy's Eastern Command have set sail on Wednesday on a two and a half month deployment through areas that the Chinese Navy considers its own.
The ships are headed for Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Russia and eventually the United States as part of what the Navy calls "a demonstration of its operational reach and commitment to India's 'Act East' policy."
The Rear Admiral commanding the fleet knows that it enters China's backyard, the South China Sea, with a glaring operational shortfall. He has just a single anti-submarine helicopter between the four warships: a Westland Sea King, variant of a chopper that first entered service with the Indian Navy 45 years ago.
The other two helicopters on the decks of the warships are French-designed Chetak helicopters which began flying in India 55 years ago. The Chetaks are unarmed, have no ability to track enemy submarines and serve only a very basic utility role.
Read more HERE
08:59 Day after UDF rout, Kerala CM Chandy to resign today at 10:30 am
With the Congress-led United Democratic Front being routed in the May 16 assembly polls, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will submit his resignation to state Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam today at 10:30 am.
The Left Democratic Front had put up an impressive performance in the assembly polls winning 91 seats, while UDF could manage only 46.
Chandy, the only Congress chief minister to complete his full five year term came to power with a wafer thin majority of 72 members in a 140-member assembly in 2011.
08:54 Jaya set to be elected AIADMK Legislature Party chief today
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, who led her party to a successive win in the assembly elections is all set to be elected as leader of the Legislature Party in a meeting today, setting the stage for her to be sworn in as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for the sixth time.
"AIADMK's legislative members' meeting will be held today at 5 pm in the party headquarters and all the elected members should participate without fail," a statement said.
AIADMK has won over 130 constituencies which includes seats won by allies -- Karunas (Mukkulathor Pulipadai in Thruvadanai), U Thaniarasu (TN Kongu Ilangyar Peravai in Kangeyam), and Thammemun Ansari (Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi in Nagapattinam).
Several of the sitting Ministers, including her trusted aide and Finance Minister O Panneerselvam and Industries Minister P Thangamani, are among the prominent winners.
08:52 EgyptAir denies finding wreckage of flight, cites translation mistake
A translation mistake of EgyptAir's press release about finding wreckage of the missing flight MS804 has caused misunderstanding, a source from EgyptAir told Xinhua.
An EgyptAir source said the Arabic version of a press statement on the "possibility of finding parts of the missing airplane" was mistakenly translated into English by EgyptAir's official Facebook page, which caused "confusion".
The source further explained that EgyptAir "has never confirmed the finding of any wreckage," a translation mistake was the reason behind the "confusion".
"In the Arabic version, we only spoke about the possibility that the objects found might belong to the airplane," the source said.
Earlier on Thursday, EgyptAir said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry had confirmed to the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry that wreckages of the missing airplane were found near the Greek Island of Karpathos.
04:21 Militants attack BSF convoy in Manipur
A Border Security Force convoy on foot patrol was ambushed by militants armed with rocket launchers and sophisticated automatic weapons on Thursday in Thoubal district of Manipur but there was no casualty, a police officer said.
The ambush took place at Heirok Melei Lampak Chinglon in Thoubal district in the afternoon, 38 km from state capital Imphal.
Superintendent of Police, Thoubal, Radhasyhyam, said the BSF personnel belonging to 54 Battalion, D Company, also retaliated and the gunbattle went on for at least half an hour.
No casualty occurred on the side of BSF personnel, the SP said. Later, additional Manipur police commandos were rushed to the ambush site but the suspected militants had already fled the area, the officer said.
Security forces, including the commanding officer of the battalion, rushed to the ambush site to conduct further combing operations, the SP said.
The ambush took place at Heirok Melei Lampak Chinglon in Thoubal district in the afternoon, 38 km from state capital Imphal.
Superintendent of Police, Thoubal, Radhasyhyam, said the BSF personnel belonging to 54 Battalion, D Company, also retaliated and the gunbattle went on for at least half an hour.
No casualty occurred on the side of BSF personnel, the SP said. Later, additional Manipur police commandos were rushed to the ambush site but the suspected militants had already fled the area, the officer said.
Security forces, including the commanding officer of the battalion, rushed to the ambush site to conduct further combing operations, the SP said.
03:18 Amid shouts of 'shame,' House GOP defeats gay rights measure
Democrats shouted 'Shame! Shame!' but seven Republicans have switched their votes under pressure from House leaders and defeated a measure to protect gay rights.
The final vote was 213-212 after the chaos on the House floor. That was enough to defeat an amendment by Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., aimed at upholding an executive order that bars discrimination against LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) employees by federal contractors.
Maloney and other Democrats were incensed.
"They literally snatched discrimination from the jaws of equality," Maloney said.
He said he had approached Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as McCarthy worked on GOP colleagues to vote against the measure. McCarthy told Maloney to get back on his side of the aisle.
"I told him, 'What side am I supposed to stand on in support of equality?" said Maloney, New York's first openly gay congressman. "It was disgraceful." McCarthy rejected the assertion that Republicans unfairly held the vote open to prevail.
"Was that a long time? So the answer is no," he said. Maloney's amendment would have prohibited the use of taxpayer dollars to violate President Barack Obama's executive order barring discrimination.
The final vote was 213-212 after the chaos on the House floor. That was enough to defeat an amendment by Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., aimed at upholding an executive order that bars discrimination against LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) employees by federal contractors.
Maloney and other Democrats were incensed.
"They literally snatched discrimination from the jaws of equality," Maloney said.
He said he had approached Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as McCarthy worked on GOP colleagues to vote against the measure. McCarthy told Maloney to get back on his side of the aisle.
"I told him, 'What side am I supposed to stand on in support of equality?" said Maloney, New York's first openly gay congressman. "It was disgraceful." McCarthy rejected the assertion that Republicans unfairly held the vote open to prevail.
"Was that a long time? So the answer is no," he said. Maloney's amendment would have prohibited the use of taxpayer dollars to violate President Barack Obama's executive order barring discrimination.
02:47 Nurses' body file complaint against Kapil Sharma
A body of nurses on Thursday lodged a complaint against stand-up comedian and actor Kapil Sharma for allegedly depicting nursing profession in bad light and demanded an apology from him.
The All India Government Nurses' Federation lodged a police complaint with the North Avenue Police Station in New Delhi district expressing their 'resentment over derogatory representation of nurse' in an episode of a private television show aired on a popular TV channel, sources said.
In the complaint, the federation has demanded that all versions of the episode (broadcast on May 7 and 8), in which a popular Bollywood actor was the chief guest, be removed from all platforms, including the internet. It also demanded a public apology from the stand-up comedian and actor and two others associated with the channel and the programme, the source added.
Two days ago, nursing and paramedical staff of government Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, which is Sharma's hometown, had staged a demonstration over the issue. Later, a nurse association there had lodged a police complaint too.
The All India Government Nurses' Federation lodged a police complaint with the North Avenue Police Station in New Delhi district expressing their 'resentment over derogatory representation of nurse' in an episode of a private television show aired on a popular TV channel, sources said.
In the complaint, the federation has demanded that all versions of the episode (broadcast on May 7 and 8), in which a popular Bollywood actor was the chief guest, be removed from all platforms, including the internet. It also demanded a public apology from the stand-up comedian and actor and two others associated with the channel and the programme, the source added.
Two days ago, nursing and paramedical staff of government Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, which is Sharma's hometown, had staged a demonstration over the issue. Later, a nurse association there had lodged a police complaint too.
01:47 Left Front partners blame CPI-M for poll debacle
Several Left Front members on Thursday blamed the Communist Party of India-Marxist for going overboard on the alliance with the Congress at the cost of Left partners and caused a dismal performance in the hustings.
"We told the CPI-M that there is a need for serious introspection as why this debacle happened. The CPI-M had gone overboard on the alliance with Congress, even at the cost of Left partners. They had forgotten their old friends. The result shows that people have not accepted this alliance," Revolutionary Socialist Party state secretary Khsiti Goswami said.
The CPI-M on Thursday had to face severe criticism from most of the Left Front partners at the Left Front meeting, where the partners questioned various decisions of the party.
"The CPI-M district leadership in many places have worked against the officially nominated Left Front candidates in places where there was friendly fights with the Congress," another Front partner said.
Several party leaders also questioned the style of functioning of the top CPI-M leadership.
"The Left Front government was formed out of mass struggles. But the top party leadership is now more interested in committee meetings and public rallies rather than mass contact. Until and unless you have mass contact, how will you find out your lacunae," party leader Manash Mukherjee, who won from Kamarhati seat, said.
"We told the CPI-M that there is a need for serious introspection as why this debacle happened. The CPI-M had gone overboard on the alliance with Congress, even at the cost of Left partners. They had forgotten their old friends. The result shows that people have not accepted this alliance," Revolutionary Socialist Party state secretary Khsiti Goswami said.
The CPI-M on Thursday had to face severe criticism from most of the Left Front partners at the Left Front meeting, where the partners questioned various decisions of the party.
"The CPI-M district leadership in many places have worked against the officially nominated Left Front candidates in places where there was friendly fights with the Congress," another Front partner said.
Several party leaders also questioned the style of functioning of the top CPI-M leadership.
"The Left Front government was formed out of mass struggles. But the top party leadership is now more interested in committee meetings and public rallies rather than mass contact. Until and unless you have mass contact, how will you find out your lacunae," party leader Manash Mukherjee, who won from Kamarhati seat, said.
00:44 Bypolls: SP wins both UP seats, TRS gains Palair
The Samajwadi Party candidates won both Bilari and Jangipur assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.SP candidate Mohammad Faheem defeated his nearest rival Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Suresh Saini by a margin of 7,000 votes from Bilari seat in Moradabad district.
From Jangipur seat of Gazipur district, SP candidate Kismati Devi defeated BJP candidate Ramesh Singh Pappu by a margin of 22,000 votes.
In Telangana, ruling Telangana Rastra Samiti gained Palair assembly constituency with its candidate Nageswara Rao emerging the winner.
Rao defeated Congress rival Sucharitha Reddy by a margin of over 45 thousand votes.
From Jangipur seat of Gazipur district, SP candidate Kismati Devi defeated BJP candidate Ramesh Singh Pappu by a margin of 22,000 votes.
In Telangana, ruling Telangana Rastra Samiti gained Palair assembly constituency with its candidate Nageswara Rao emerging the winner.
Rao defeated Congress rival Sucharitha Reddy by a margin of over 45 thousand votes.
00:28 Top headlines at this hour
Mamata and Jaya hold on to power; Kerala and Assam vote for change
People accepting BJP ideology, says Modi after 5-polls results
EgyptAir plane from Paris to Cairo crashes; terror motive suspected
NOTA gets a few takers in assembly polls
Will introspect over causes of poll debacle: Sonia
Raina's fifty helps Gujarat thrash Kolkata
Read yesterdays' live commentary HERE
People accepting BJP ideology, says Modi after 5-polls results
EgyptAir plane from Paris to Cairo crashes; terror motive suspected
NOTA gets a few takers in assembly polls
Will introspect over causes of poll debacle: Sonia
Raina's fifty helps Gujarat thrash Kolkata
Read yesterdays' live commentary HERE
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