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Mon, 10 December 2018
Tharoor files defamation case against Ravi Shankar Prasad
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23:37 Tharoor files defamation case against Ravi Shankar Prasad
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has filed a defamation case against Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for allegedly making derogatory remarks in connection with his wife, Sunanda Pushkar's death.
Tharoor had earlier sent a legal notice to Prasad, the minister for law Justice and IT, seeking an 'unconditional apology' for calling him a 'murder accused'.
The complaint was filed before the Thiruvananthapuram Chief Judicial Magistrate court.
Tharoor stated in the complaint that the investigation in the Pushkar case had been completed and the Delhi Police had filed a final report before the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate court, in which he was charge sheeted under Sections 308 and 498 A of the Indian Penal Code.
"The final report does not state that the death of the deceased was a murder", Tharoor, who appeared in the court on being summoned and was granted bail, stated.
He alleged that 'it was after much pressure from the external power centres' that the Delhi Police charge sheeted him, years after Pushkar's death.
He alleged that it was a 'conspiracy to frame him in a false case'.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP and former Union minister said that on October 28 around 5.38 am, Prasad had posted a 2 minute 18 seconds video clip of his press conference, along with certain 'false, untrue, malicious and highly defamatory statements on Twitter'.
Tharoor alleged that the video had been posted to defame him and thereby to 'spread an untrue, false and scandalous imputation' against him that he is a 'murder case' accused and that he had been charge-sheeted.
This was intended to 'harm' his reputation and 'malign' him before the public 'by intentionally giving such false and untrue statements, the colour of his office', he said.
'It is evident that the impugned post/tweet and the contents are solely intended to malign and tarnish the reputation of the complainant,' he stated.
Tharoor had sent a lawyer's notice to Prasad, seeking an unconditional apology within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice, for levelling the allegations and to delete and remove the video clip of his press conference, along with defamatory statement on Twitter.
In his reply to the notice, Prasad had defended his tweet, saying it was not defamatory.
According to the complainant, the offence against Prasad constitutes the commission of offence defined under Section 499 of the IPC (defamation), which is punishable Under sections 500 (punishment for defamation).
Tharoor requested that the court summon and proceed against Prasad as per law and award him appropriate punishment. -- PTI
23:08 India's heaviest satellite GSAT-11 in designated orbit: ISRO
The country's heaviest communication satellite GSAT-11 has been placed in its designated geostationary orbit at an altitude of about 36,000 km after four orbit-raising manoeuvres, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Monday.
The space agency said in a statement that the orbit-raising manoeuvres were performed by firing the satellite's propulsion system for a cumulative duration of more than four hours.
'Finally home! The communication satellite has been positioned in its designated geostationary orbit (at an altitude of about 36,000 km) with final orbit-raising manoeuvre... Solar panels and reflectors have been successfully deployed,' the space agency said.
Launch vehicle Ariane 5 VA-246, carrying GSAT-11 and GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (South Korea), had lifted off from the Kourou launch base in French Guiana in the early hours of December 5.
Post-separation, ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan, in Karnataka, took over the command and control of GSAT-11 and found its health parameters normal.
The 5,854-kg GSAT-11 will provide high data rate connectivity to users of the Indian mainland and islands through 32 user beams in Ku-band and eight hub beams in Ka-band, the space agency said.
'GSAT-11 will boost the broadband connectivity to rural and inaccessible gram panchayats in the country coming under the Bharat Net Project, which is a part of the Digital India programme,' ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan had said at its launch.
Sivan said the Bharat Net Project aimed at enhancing public welfare schemes like e-banking, e-health and e-governance, among others.
The ISRO had hired the Ariane-5 rocket as its own geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle, GSLV MK III, can only haul satellites that weigh up to 4 tonnes. -- PTI
22:39 Dy Guv Vishwanathan may be made interim RBI head: Sources
N S Vishwanathan, senior most deputy governor, may be made interim head of the Reserve Bank of India following the unexpected resignation of Urjit Patel, according to sources.
Vishwanathan was appointed as RBI Deputy Governor on July 4, 2016 for a period of three years.
If appointed interim head, Vishwanathan would head the central board meeting scheduled this Friday, the sources said.
The Friday meeting is considered crucial as it is going to take up governance issue and concerns on liquidity and credit flow to productive sectors, especially Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).
According to the sources, the important institution like the RBI cannot be headless for long and the government will soon initiate the process for finding replacement of Patel.
The other three deputy governors are Viral Acharya, B P Kanungo and M K Jain. Both Vishwanathan and Kanungo are career central bankers. Patel, who had a run in with the government over autonomy of the central bank, resigned Monday from his post citing 'personal reasons', creating a crisis in the RBI.
In a brief statement, Patel said he has decided to step down with immediate effect.
Patel was appointed the 24th Governor of the RBI on September, 2016 for a three-year term.
Commenting on the Governor's resignation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government acknowledges with deep sense of appreciation the services rendered by Patel to this country both in his capacity as the Governor and the Deputy Governor of the RBI.
"It was a pleasure for me to deal with him and benefit from his scholarship," he said. -- PTI
22:09 AGP threatens to snap ties with BJP if Citizenship Bill is passed
On a day Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief Upendra Kushwaha quit the National Democratic Alliance, the Asom Gana Parishad threatened to walk out of its alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam if the 'obnoxious' Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is passed in Parliament.
AGP president Atul Bora has written to BJP chief Amit Shah, saying the party will have no alternative but to 'repudiate the existing alliance' in case of such an eventuality.
Reacting to this, the BJP's Assam unit chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass said the issue of alliance with the AGP will be discussed at his party's national executive meeting on December 13.
The letter, the copy which was given by Bora to reporters at a press conference here on Monday, stated that the AGP is fully committed to the implementation of the Assam Accord of 1985.
The draft National Register of Citizens of the state had been prepared in accordance with the Accord.
The AGP has been opposing the Citizenship Bill, saying if it is passed, the NRC exercise in the state would be of no use. The party had also taken out a rally against the bill here in October.
The letter signed by Bora said, 'We are to bring to your notice that if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, is passed in Parliament, the provisions of Assam Accord and the ongoing preparation of the National Register of Citizens will be totally frustrated and the Assamese language, culture, and demography will be changed.'
'Hence, if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, is intended to be passed in Parliament we will have no other alternative except to repudiate the existing alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party,' it stated.
'It is pertinent to mention herein that the Asom Gana Parishad is fully committed to the implementation of the provisions of the Assam Accord and hence, we can never support the obnoxious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016,' the AGP said in the letter.
Bora, along with Kesab Mahanta, the AGP working president, and Phani Bhusan Choudhury of the party are ministers in the BJP-led government in Assam.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and entered India before December 31, 2014 and resided here for six years.
Reacting to the AGP letter, Assam BJP chief, in a press conference, said, "We are going to have a meeting of the national executive on December 13. There, we will discuss the issue of alliance with the AGP."
"We formed the alliance after our national leaders spoke with the AGP. So any decision to break the alliance will be taken by the central leadership only," he said. -- PTI
21:40 Mallya's extradition verdict gives Asthana a reason to cheer
Beleaguered Central Bureau of Investigation special director Rakesh Asthana got a reason to cheer as a United Kingdom court, while allowing extradition of Vijay Mallya, on Monday observed that the Indian official had not acted 'corruptly' as alleged by the liquor baron's defence team.
Asthana, a 1984-batch Gujarat cadre officer, had headed the Special Investigation Team of the CBI after Mallya escaped from India in 2016 and keenly pursued his extradition from the United Kingdom.
He was benched by the government along with CBI Director Alok Verma last month after the investigative agency booked him for allegedly taking bribe in a case related to a Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Sana, a matter challenged by him in the Delhi high court.
Both the officers have levelled allegations of corruption against each other and shielding Sana.
These developments took place after the extradition order was reserved by the Westminster Magistrates' Court in September and were not brought before it.
However, the defence team of Mallya had produced its witness Professor Lawrence Saez who had made serious allegations about the character and professional integrity of Asthana.
During cross questioning, Saez had agreed that he was no longer saying there were issues with Asthana but there were with the independence of the CBI, the Judge has noted.
On Monday, Westminster Magistrates' Court Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot in her order said Asthana was criticised by the defence in its attempt to persuade the court that the prosecution was corrupt and politically led.
The judge said she found no evidence that the prosecution was corrupt or politically led.
"Allegations were made against the professional integrity of Asthana who leads the CBI and is the prosecutor which makes the first two allegations in this extradition Request, a serious allegation to make.
"I find that there is no evidence that Asthana has acted corruptly," the judge said.
She noted 'the Supreme Court cleared Asthana of the allegations made against his integrity and there was no reliable or significant evidence produced by the defence expert Professor Saez which undermined that finding'. -- PTI
21:30 Maha: BJP snatches Dhule civic body from NCP; fractured mandate in Nagar
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured a comfortable win in the 74-member Dhule Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra on Monday while voters gave a fractured mandate in the Ahmednagar corporation.
Elections to the two civic bodies in the state were held Sunday. Counting of votes was completed Monday evening after which the state election commission announced the results.
The BJP won 50 out of 74 seats and gained control of the Dhule civic body for the first time, earlier being ruled by the Nationalist Congress Party.
Congress and NCP alliance won 14 seats, Shiv Sena, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Samajwadi Party and independents won two seats each, while one seat went to the Bahujan Samaj Party.
A front floated by BJP rebel and local MLA Anil Gote could win only one seat.
The election in Dhule drew more attention because of Gote's allegations against the BJP leadership for giving tickets to several leaders from the Congress and NCP with alleged criminal background.
Reacting after the results, Gote alleged that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were tampered with.
In Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation, the ruling Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party by winning 24 out of 68 seats, followed by NCP and BJP which won 18 and 14 seats, respectively.
The Congress won only five seats, BSP four, independents two and the SP one. Police used lathi-charge as workers of different political parties scuffled outside the counting centre in Ahmednagar, an official said.
Fifteen out of 27 municipal corporations in the state are now being controlled by the BJP either on its own or in alliance.
Opposition Congress and NCP questioned the results in Dhule and Ahmednagar, alleging that the BJP, which leads the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, used muscle and money power.
"The victory in Dhule is not of BJP, but of 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' (use of all resources including money and muscle power)," said state Congress chief Ashok Chavan. He accused the BJP of admitting goons into the party ahead of the polls.
"It has perfected a formula to win elections by using immoral ways," Chavan said.
State NCP chief Jayant Patil echoed him, saying that with BJP MLA Anil Gote rebelling against his party, the result in Dhule should have been in favour of Congress-NCP alliance.
"But the expected vote division did not happen. And that is not surprising. It is a matter of research why the results came out the way they came out," Patil said.
NCP workers believed they could win 28 to 30 seats in Ahmednagar given the party's strong presence there, he said. In both Dhule and Ahmednagar, there were instances where a large number of people voted for certain candidates but somebody else won, Patil said.
BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said the allegations of EVM tampering and use of money or muscle power were nothing but excuses to shield the opposition's own failure.
"It shows their political immaturity," he said. -- PTI
20:45 Will review the judgment and then decide going forward: Mallya
Vijay Mallya reacts to United Kingdom court orders over his extradition:
"My legal team will review the judgment in detail and consider various options and then I will decide going forward. There is nothing to be shocked about," he said.
When asked if he regrets going to the UK, he said, "At the end of the day that's what the courts are for, that's how lawyers thrive. Do I regret being in a situation where I'm reading legal papers and paying legal fees? Yes, I do."
"I could have done something more productive with my time," he said. -- ANI
19:57 All Indians should be concerned, says Rajan on Patel's resignation
With Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel putting in his papers, his immediate predecessor Raghuram Rajan Monday said 'all Indians' should be concerned as strength of institutions is important for growth and development.
Patel, who faced the possibility of an unprecedented action from the government over differences on a variety of issues, resigned from his job, citing personal reasons.
"I think Dr Patel has made a statement and I think this is the ultimate statement that a regulator or a civil servant can make. I think the statement should be respected," Rajan told news channel ET Now.
"We should" go into the details as to why there was impasse, which forced this ultimate decision, he noted.
"I think, this is something that all Indians should be concerned about because strength of our institutions is really important for our growth, sustainable growth and equity in the economy," said Rajan, who completed his three-year term as RBI Governor in September 2016.
With regard to powers of the RBI Board, Rajan said there is 'an extreme' change in the nature of the governance of the Reserve Bank of India for the 'board to become an operational board, that is to make operational decisions'.
During his tenure, Rajan had differences with the government and did not get an extension.
Earlier, the board was an advisory and the professionals from the central bank took decisions, Rajan said, apparently referring to recent appointments of RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy and cooperative banking sector expert S K Marathe to the board.
"I think, the move towards giving the board more operational authority would impinge on the professional management to regulate and supervise (the bank)... and if that is to be the case then the board should be composed of professionals, as opposed to the larger public," Rajan opined. -- PTI
19:46 Oppn agrees that assault on institutions must be stopped: Rahul
There is consensus among opposition parties that the assault on institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India must be stopped, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday following the resignation of the central bank's governor Urjit Patel.
Gandhi's remarks came after top leaders of over a dozen opposition parties met in New Delhi as part of attempts to forge a front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the meeting, hit out at the Modi government over Patel's resignation, saying it was a matter of 'great shock'.
"Institutions, from the CBI to the RBI, have become total disasters. This has never happened before. It is a matter of great shock. We must protest," Banerjee said.
She proposed that the meeting should continue on Tuesday and leaders of opposition parties should also meet President Ram Nath Kovind over Patel's resignation.
"The BJP is behaving like a dictator. There should be a campaign against this rule. Everybody has agreed to that," she said.
"Financial stability is not there... financial emergency has started," she alleged.
Gandhi said there is consensus among opposition parties to work together to defeat the BJP and protect India's institutions.
The meeting, held in Parliament annexe, came a day ahead of the results of the Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram assembly polls as well as the winter session of Parliament.
The opposition meeting was coordinated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and a number of opposition leaders were invited. -- PTI
19:38 SC seeks Centre's reply about LoP on panel for statutory bodies
The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Centre on a plea that the leader of the single largest opposition party be treated as the Leader of the Opposition and be included in high-level committees involved in the appointment of heads of statutory bodies like Central Bureau of Investigation, Central Vigilance Commission, Central Information Commission and Lokpal.
The apex court issued notice to the Centre and the four statutory bodies on a public interest litigation seeking direction that wherever the appointing committee includes the Leader of the Opposition, the same may be read as to mean the leader of the single largest opposition party in that House.
The top court also sought response from the Centre on the plea by 'Youth for Equality' NGO, seeking the quashing of section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act which provides a blanket protection to all public servants regardless of status from enquiry in graft cases.
The NGO contended that the amendment by which section 17A has been incorporated was discriminatory, manifestly arbitrary and ultra vires of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution as it requires sanction for initiating action against the public servants.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and S K Kaul after brief hearing agreed to examine the two issues but declined to entertain the plea that sought decisions on appointment of the Director CBI, the Central Vigilance Commissioner, the Chief Information Commissioner and the Lokpal be taken by unanimous vote of the appointing committee.
Advocate Gopal Shankarnaryan, appearing for the NGO, submitted that unfortunately, four of those statutory bodies -- the CBI, the CVC, the CIC, and the Lokpal -- have all been limited in their functioning and interfered with by virtue of overwhelming governmental control.
While challenging section 17A, the advocate traced the history of such protection given to the public servants which time and again has been held as unconstitutional by the apex court.
The petition said the attempt by the central government to protect civil servants from so-called vexatious enquiries at the threshold (also known as the 'single directive') was first quashed by the apex court in Vineet Narain case in 1997.
The decision related to investigation of allegations of corruption against high-ranking public officials and amendments in the DSPE Act.
The plea said the same was resurrected as Section 6-A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 with effect from September 12, 2003 and once again, the provision was challenged on the ground of violation of Article 14 of the Constitution by making an irrational classification as well as impeding the due process of criminal investigation, the plea said.
It said by way of a unanimous Constitution Bench judgment in 2014 the provision was struck down on the anvil of Article 14.
"Unfortunately, yet again, by way of an amendment, this time to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Section 17-A has come to be inserted," the petition stated.
The issue of treating the leader of the single largest party as the leader of opposition has been raised as where such individual is not explicitly recognized as leader of opposition, he or she would merely be called upon as an 'invitee', thereby subverting the statutory intent.
"Lack of notification or invitation to such person must not be allowed to delay key institutional appointments," the petition said, adding that the government must not be allowed to frustrate the selection process for lack of notification of a substitute for the Leader of Opposition if none is automatically forthcoming from election results.
Such a situation is prevailing in the current Lok Sabha wherein the Congress emerged as the single largest opposition party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections but it did not have the minimum 10 per cent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha, or 55 seats, to be eligible as the Leader of Opposition.
The Centre appoints the CBI director on the recommendation of the committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him as Members.
The composition of the Selection Committee for the CVC comprises of the Prime Minister as Chairperson and Minister of Home Affairs and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as members.
CIC is appointed on the recommendation of the Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
The Lokpal is appointed on the recommendation of the panel consisting of the Prime Minister-Chairperson, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him as Member and one eminent jurist, as recommended by the chairperson. -- PTI
19:04 RBI rejects reports about Viral Acharya quitting as Deputy Guv
The Reserve Bank of India Monday denied speculation that Deputy Governor Viral Acharya was resigning from his post.
"Reports of Deputy Governor Acharya also having quit are baseless and incorrect," an RBI spokesperson told PTI.
Within minutes of Governor Urjit Patel announcing his decision to quit, there have been reports of Acharya also following suit.
On October 26, Acharya spoke about the need to preserve the autonomy of the RBI. In the over 90-minute long speech, Acharya, who is in-charge of the monetary policy department, warned of the wrath of the markets if the autonomy of a central bank is compromised.
Acharya had explicitly said he had the backing of Governor Patel for making the speech. -- PTI
18:34 No self-respecting academic can work in this govt: PC on RBI guv's exit
Former finance minister P Chidambaram on RBI governor Urjit Patel's resignation: "Dr Patel may have thought that government will re-trace its steps. I knew it would not. Good he quit before another humiliating meeting. November 19 was the day of reckoning. Dr Patel should have resigned on that day. Saddened, not surprised, by Dr Urjit Patel's resignation. No self respecting scholar or academic can work in this government."
Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel, who faced the possibility of unprecedented action from the government over differences on a variety of issues, Monday resigned from his job citing personal reasons. Patel, 55, who took over as the 24th Governor of the central bank on September 5, 2016, had the shortest tenure since 1992.
He was hand-picked by the BJP-led government after his predecessor Raghuram Rajan was denied a second-term.
"On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately," Patel said in a brief statement.
His resignation was being speculated right from the time the government cited a never-before-used provision of the RBI Act to get him to consider its views on relaxing lending norms for segments such as small and medium enterprises, appropriate size of reserves the central bank must maintain and easing norms for weak banks. In his statement, Patel thanked his colleagues at the RBI but made no mention of the government or the Finance Ministry.
Patel had more than eight months of the first three-year tenure left and was eligible for a second term as was given to several of his predecessors barring Rajan.
Prior to taking over on September 6, 2016, he was a Deputy Governor overseeing the monetary policy department at the RBI under Rajan and was known as his 'inflation-warrior'. Patel, who has worked with the International Monetary Fund, Boston Consulting Group and Reliance Industries, among other organisations, took over after Rajan completed his three-year term on September 4.
Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel, who faced the possibility of unprecedented action from the government over differences on a variety of issues, Monday resigned from his job citing personal reasons. Patel, 55, who took over as the 24th Governor of the central bank on September 5, 2016, had the shortest tenure since 1992.
He was hand-picked by the BJP-led government after his predecessor Raghuram Rajan was denied a second-term.
"On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately," Patel said in a brief statement.
His resignation was being speculated right from the time the government cited a never-before-used provision of the RBI Act to get him to consider its views on relaxing lending norms for segments such as small and medium enterprises, appropriate size of reserves the central bank must maintain and easing norms for weak banks. In his statement, Patel thanked his colleagues at the RBI but made no mention of the government or the Finance Ministry.
Patel had more than eight months of the first three-year tenure left and was eligible for a second term as was given to several of his predecessors barring Rajan.
Prior to taking over on September 6, 2016, he was a Deputy Governor overseeing the monetary policy department at the RBI under Rajan and was known as his 'inflation-warrior'. Patel, who has worked with the International Monetary Fund, Boston Consulting Group and Reliance Industries, among other organisations, took over after Rajan completed his three-year term on September 4.
18:15 Surprised, says RBI board member
RBI central board member S Gurumurthy: Surprised at news that RBI Guv resigned. Previous meeting was held in such cordial atmosphere that it comes as a shock. All directors said media had created a wrong perception while inside it was different. That makes it even more surprising.
18:12 More reactions on Urjit Patel's resignation
Finance minister Arun Jaitley: The Government acknowledges with deep sense of appreciation the services rendered by Dr. Urjit Patel to this country both in his capacity as the Governor and the Deputy Governor of The RBI. It was a pleasure for me to deal with him and benefit from his scholarship. Govt acknowledges with deep sense of appreciation the services rendered by Dr Urjit Patel to this country, both in his capacity as Governor & Deputy Governor of RBI. I wish Dr Patel all the very best and many more years of public service.
Subramanian Swamy: "His resignation will be bad for our economy, RBI & govt. He should at least stay till July, until the next govt comes to power. PM should call him & find out the reason and dissuade him from leaving in larger public interest."
Congress leader Milind Deora: Wishing my friend Urjit Patel godspeed as he embarks on a new journey. Loud & clear message to present & successive governments: diluting the autonomy of institutions like @RBI, CBI, CBDT & judiciary is inversely proportional to talent retention
Former RBI Governor C Rangarajan: Deeply surprised by Urjit Patel's resignation.
Subramanian Swamy: "His resignation will be bad for our economy, RBI & govt. He should at least stay till July, until the next govt comes to power. PM should call him & find out the reason and dissuade him from leaving in larger public interest."
Congress leader Milind Deora: Wishing my friend Urjit Patel godspeed as he embarks on a new journey. Loud & clear message to present & successive governments: diluting the autonomy of institutions like @RBI, CBI, CBDT & judiciary is inversely proportional to talent retention
Former RBI Governor C Rangarajan: Deeply surprised by Urjit Patel's resignation.
18:05 Indians should be concerned about Urjit Patel's resignation: Rajan
Just in: Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Urjit Patel's resignation: "All Indians should be concerned about Governor Patel's resignation."
18:01 PM on Urjit Patel's exit
"Dr Urjit Patel is an economist of a very high calibre with a deep and insightful understanding of macro-economic issues. He steered the banking system from chaos to order. He leaves behind a great legacy. We'll miss him immensely."
17:59 Arun Jaitley reacts to Urjit Pate's resignation
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement on the resignation of RBI governor Ujit Patel: Govt acknowledges with deep sense of appreciation the services rendered by Dr Urjit Patel to this country, both in his capacity as Governor & Deputy Governor of RBI. I wish Dr Patel all the very best and many more years of public service.
17:56
The CBI welcomed the decision on the extradition. For now, the matter of the extradition to India has been referred to the Secretary of State.
17:49 Vijay Mallya to be extradited, orders UK court
A UK court has ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crores.
Mallya, today, sought to disprove the narrative that he has "stolen" money and said his offer to repay the principal amount to the Indian banks was "not bogus".
Mallya made the remarks while talking to reporters outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court today ahead of the delivery of its verdict on his extradition after a year-long trial.
The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year. Mallya can now be extradited to India to stand trial on the charges brought by the CBI and ED.
The decision will now go to the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to pass an order based on that verdict. Both sides will have the right to file for a permission to appeal in the Chief Magistrate's ruling in the UK High Court.
The embattled liquor tycoon said that the value of his assets is more than enough to pay everybody and that is exactly what he was focusing on. "I want to disprove the narrative that I have stolen (money)," he said.
Mallya, today, sought to disprove the narrative that he has "stolen" money and said his offer to repay the principal amount to the Indian banks was "not bogus".
Mallya made the remarks while talking to reporters outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court today ahead of the delivery of its verdict on his extradition after a year-long trial.
The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year. Mallya can now be extradited to India to stand trial on the charges brought by the CBI and ED.
The decision will now go to the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to pass an order based on that verdict. Both sides will have the right to file for a permission to appeal in the Chief Magistrate's ruling in the UK High Court.
The embattled liquor tycoon said that the value of his assets is more than enough to pay everybody and that is exactly what he was focusing on. "I want to disprove the narrative that I have stolen (money)," he said.
17:43 Integrity of RBI stands denigrated by a tyrannical Modi regime: Cong
First reactions from Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala @rssurjewala: Integrity of another institution - RBI, stands denigrated by a tyrannical Modi regime as reflected in RBI Governor's unceremonious exit. Economic anarchy, compromising India's monetary policies & attempting to stifle RBI's independence by Govt appointed puppets is the DNA of BJP!
17:40 RBI governor Urjit Patel steps down
Breaking news: RBI governor Urjit Patel steps down citing personal reasons.
His statement read:
"On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately. It has been my privilege and honour to serve in the Reserve Bank of India in various capacities over the years. The support and hard work of RBI staff, officers and management has been the proximate driver of the Bank's considerable accomplishments in recent years. I take this opportunity to express gratitude to my colleagues and Directors of the RBI Central Board, and wish them all the best for the future.
Urjit R. Patel
10th December 2018"
The resignation comes after tensions between the RBI and the government mushroomed after RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya said last month that undermining the central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", indicating the authority was pushing back against government pressure to relax its policies and reduce its powers ahead of a general election due by May.
The government had also invoked never-before-used powers to issue directions to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.
His statement read:
"On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately. It has been my privilege and honour to serve in the Reserve Bank of India in various capacities over the years. The support and hard work of RBI staff, officers and management has been the proximate driver of the Bank's considerable accomplishments in recent years. I take this opportunity to express gratitude to my colleagues and Directors of the RBI Central Board, and wish them all the best for the future.
Urjit R. Patel
10th December 2018"
The resignation comes after tensions between the RBI and the government mushroomed after RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya said last month that undermining the central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", indicating the authority was pushing back against government pressure to relax its policies and reduce its powers ahead of a general election due by May.
The government had also invoked never-before-used powers to issue directions to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.
17:33 Kanimozhi wins Best Woman Parliamentarian award
DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi has bagged the "Best Woman Parliamentarian" award for 2018 by the Lokmat group. The Congress has not reacted to this announcement, and neither has the BJP, but social media was awash with criticism for selecting an MP who was jailed for corruption in the 2G case.
Kanimozhi was chosen for the award instituted by the daily, 'Lokmat'.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will confer the award on Kanimozhi in the first week of January in the Central Hall of Parliament.
Kanimozhi was chosen for the award instituted by the daily, 'Lokmat'.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will confer the award on Kanimozhi in the first week of January in the Central Hall of Parliament.
17:13 Shastri sets social media abuzz with 'on air' comment
India head coach Ravi Shastri could not keep his emotions in check after the historic first Test win at the Adelaide Oval and made a tongue-in-cheek comment on national television that quickly went viral on social media.
Speaking to Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Clarke and Mark Butcher, who were discussing the game in a television studio in Mumbai, Shastri came up with a rather interesting way to describe the tense moments of the game with Australia almost pulling-off a record chase.
"I just said in Hindi just a little while ago bilkul chhorenge nahi ... Lekin thodi der ke liye wahan g*** muh mein tha (we will go for the kill ... but for sometime we had our **** in our mouths)," said Shastri on air, describing his feelings after the hosts showed a lot of fight on day five and fell just 31-run short of the 323-run target.
The coach was expectedly happy with the hard-fought victory, also India's first in the opening Test of a series in Australia. Moments after he expressed his feelings to Gavaskar and Co, his comment set the social media world abuzz. "Did Ravi Shastri just say 'thodi der ke liye G*** Muh mei tha' on national TV. Oh yes he did," wrote Abijit Ganguly on Twitter. "Ravi Shastri the real Man of the Match #goti," read another post. The former India all-rounder is also a seasoned commentator and was a familiar figure on the mic before taking charge as India coach. -- PTI
Speaking to Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Clarke and Mark Butcher, who were discussing the game in a television studio in Mumbai, Shastri came up with a rather interesting way to describe the tense moments of the game with Australia almost pulling-off a record chase.
"I just said in Hindi just a little while ago bilkul chhorenge nahi ... Lekin thodi der ke liye wahan g*** muh mein tha (we will go for the kill ... but for sometime we had our **** in our mouths)," said Shastri on air, describing his feelings after the hosts showed a lot of fight on day five and fell just 31-run short of the 323-run target.
The coach was expectedly happy with the hard-fought victory, also India's first in the opening Test of a series in Australia. Moments after he expressed his feelings to Gavaskar and Co, his comment set the social media world abuzz. "Did Ravi Shastri just say 'thodi der ke liye G*** Muh mei tha' on national TV. Oh yes he did," wrote Abijit Ganguly on Twitter. "Ravi Shastri the real Man of the Match #goti," read another post. The former India all-rounder is also a seasoned commentator and was a familiar figure on the mic before taking charge as India coach. -- PTI
16:38 Sensex tumbles as exit polls show Congress-BJP neck-and-neck
Market benchmark Sensex buckled under heavy selling pressure Monday, plummeting 714 points as investors panicked over exit polls suggesting the Congress giving a tough fight to the ruling BJP in state elections as also the bruised rupee and weak global cues further dampened sentiment.
The BSE Sensex cracked below the 35,000 mark, plunging 713.53 points, or 2 per cent, to close at 34,959.72. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty fell 205.25 points, or 1.92 per cent, to 10,488.45.
Exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan, impacting trading pattern on the domestic bourses in a big way.
Besides, a weakening rupee, which hit 71.44 per dollar intra-day, and fresh foreign fund outflows further pulled the key indices. All sectoral indices on the BSE and NSE ended in the red, led by realty, banking, metal, pharma, pharma and financial stocks. -- PTI
The BSE Sensex cracked below the 35,000 mark, plunging 713.53 points, or 2 per cent, to close at 34,959.72. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty fell 205.25 points, or 1.92 per cent, to 10,488.45.
Exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan, impacting trading pattern on the domestic bourses in a big way.
Besides, a weakening rupee, which hit 71.44 per dollar intra-day, and fresh foreign fund outflows further pulled the key indices. All sectoral indices on the BSE and NSE ended in the red, led by realty, banking, metal, pharma, pharma and financial stocks. -- PTI
16:33 MP polls: Cong will win more than 140 seats, says Kamal Nath
A day ahead of the Madhya Pradesh assembly poll results, Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath on Monday expressed confidence over winning more than 140 seats. When asked about the chief ministerial candidate, Nath brushed it aside.
He told ANI: "We will win more than 140 seats. Wait till tomorrow; everything will be clear by then."
However, incumbent Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan too had recently expressed confidence of the BJP winning the election.
In Madhya Pradesh, the majority mark is 116 for the 230-seat Assembly. According to exit polls, both BJP and Congress are going neck and neck but falling short of a clear majority.
The state went for voting on November 28, and the results will be announced on December 11. As many as 2,899 candidates were in the fray including 250 women and five third gender candidates. The tenure of the Assembly ends on January 7, 2019. The BJP has been in power in the state since 2003 and is seeking a fourth straight term. -- ANI
Image: A poster seen outside the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bhopal which seems to indicate that Kamal Nath will head the government in the state.
He told ANI: "We will win more than 140 seats. Wait till tomorrow; everything will be clear by then."
However, incumbent Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan too had recently expressed confidence of the BJP winning the election.
In Madhya Pradesh, the majority mark is 116 for the 230-seat Assembly. According to exit polls, both BJP and Congress are going neck and neck but falling short of a clear majority.
The state went for voting on November 28, and the results will be announced on December 11. As many as 2,899 candidates were in the fray including 250 women and five third gender candidates. The tenure of the Assembly ends on January 7, 2019. The BJP has been in power in the state since 2003 and is seeking a fourth straight term. -- ANI
Image: A poster seen outside the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bhopal which seems to indicate that Kamal Nath will head the government in the state.
16:05 CBI gets 5-day remand of Christian Michel
CBI Special Court sends Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland case, to five days remand in Central Bureau of Investigation custody. "We need to confront him with LR (letters rogatory) that have been received from five countries. Christian Michel didn't co-operate with the Italian investigation in the case."
16:03 Hillary heads home
Hillary Clinton leaves from Udaipur after attending the pre-wedding celebrations of Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal in the city.
15:57 Offer to banks not bogus, says Mallya ahead of extradition hearing
Update on the Vijay Mallya case: A defiant Vijay Mallya, wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crores, Monday sought to disprove the narrative that he has "stolen" money and said his offer to repay the principal amount to the Indian banks was "not bogus".
Mallya made the remarks while talking to reporters outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court which is expected to deliver its verdict on his extradition after a year-long trial. The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.
Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to give her verdict on whether Mallya can be extradited to India to stand trial on the charges brought by the CBI and ED.
The decision would then go to the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to pass an order based on that verdict. Both sides will have the right to file for a permission to appeal in the Chief Magistrate's ruling in the UK High Court.
"My settlement offer is made before the Karnataka High Court. It is not related to this extradition trial. Nobody disrespects a court of law by making a bogus offer. The assets have been attached by the ED so they cannot be bogus assets," he said, asserting that his offer to repay the principal amount was not bogus. The embattled liquor tycoon said that the value of his assets is more than enough to pay everybody and that is exactly what he was focusing on.
"I want to disprove the narrative that I have stolen (money)," he said. He said his legal team will review the judgment and take proper steps thereafter. Mallya has contested his extradition on the grounds that the case against him is "politically motivated" and the loans he has been accused of defrauding on were sought to keep his now-defunct airline afloat.
The trial, which opened at the Magistrates' Court on December 4 last year, has gone through a series of hearings beyond the initial seven days earmarked for it. It opened with the Crown Prosecution Service team, led by Mark Summers, laying out the Indian government's prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Mallya.
Summers sought to establish a "blueprint of dishonesty" against the businessman and that there are no bars to his extradition on human rights grounds. Mallya's defence team, led by Clare Montgomery, deposed a series of experts in an attempt to prove that the erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of bank loans was the result of business failure rather than "dishonest" and "fraudulent" activity by its owner. -- PTI
Mallya made the remarks while talking to reporters outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court which is expected to deliver its verdict on his extradition after a year-long trial. The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.
Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to give her verdict on whether Mallya can be extradited to India to stand trial on the charges brought by the CBI and ED.
The decision would then go to the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to pass an order based on that verdict. Both sides will have the right to file for a permission to appeal in the Chief Magistrate's ruling in the UK High Court.
"My settlement offer is made before the Karnataka High Court. It is not related to this extradition trial. Nobody disrespects a court of law by making a bogus offer. The assets have been attached by the ED so they cannot be bogus assets," he said, asserting that his offer to repay the principal amount was not bogus. The embattled liquor tycoon said that the value of his assets is more than enough to pay everybody and that is exactly what he was focusing on.
"I want to disprove the narrative that I have stolen (money)," he said. He said his legal team will review the judgment and take proper steps thereafter. Mallya has contested his extradition on the grounds that the case against him is "politically motivated" and the loans he has been accused of defrauding on were sought to keep his now-defunct airline afloat.
The trial, which opened at the Magistrates' Court on December 4 last year, has gone through a series of hearings beyond the initial seven days earmarked for it. It opened with the Crown Prosecution Service team, led by Mark Summers, laying out the Indian government's prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Mallya.
Summers sought to establish a "blueprint of dishonesty" against the businessman and that there are no bars to his extradition on human rights grounds. Mallya's defence team, led by Clare Montgomery, deposed a series of experts in an attempt to prove that the erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of bank loans was the result of business failure rather than "dishonest" and "fraudulent" activity by its owner. -- PTI
15:33 Mallya in London court for extradition verdict
Vijay Mallya arrives at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London which is expected to pronounce its judgment in his extradition case. The court is hearing the case on India's request. Mallya said, "I have filed a comprehensive settlement application before the Karnataka High Court, which is also being heard today. Whatever the judgement, my legal team will reveal the judgement and take proper steps thereafter. Yes, I have tweeted saying that I want to repay, that has nothing to do with this extradition issue. It's a completely separate matter."
When asked 'how genuine is his offer of settlement', Mallya said, "There is nothing genuine or in-genuine. Please understand that the offer has been made in a court of law. Nobody disrespects a court of law."
On Sunday, a joint team of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate led by CBI Joint Director A Sai Manohar left for the United Kingdom for the court proceedings.
Earlier, CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana was leading this case.
Reacting on the development, the Congress party termed the proceedings as delayed and said that the authorities have woken up when Mallya is ready to pay all loans.
On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED on a plea filed by Mallya seeking a stay on the proceedings initiated by the ED to declare him a fugitive economic offender and confiscate his assets.
Mallya is facing money-laundering charges in the United Kingdom after India initiated extradition proceedings against him. Both ED and the CBI have filed several cases for alleged loan default against him.Mallya has been residing in the UK from the past two years. His extradition case is reportedly in its final stage at the UK court.
When asked 'how genuine is his offer of settlement', Mallya said, "There is nothing genuine or in-genuine. Please understand that the offer has been made in a court of law. Nobody disrespects a court of law."
On Sunday, a joint team of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate led by CBI Joint Director A Sai Manohar left for the United Kingdom for the court proceedings.
Earlier, CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana was leading this case.
Reacting on the development, the Congress party termed the proceedings as delayed and said that the authorities have woken up when Mallya is ready to pay all loans.
On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED on a plea filed by Mallya seeking a stay on the proceedings initiated by the ED to declare him a fugitive economic offender and confiscate his assets.
Mallya is facing money-laundering charges in the United Kingdom after India initiated extradition proceedings against him. Both ED and the CBI have filed several cases for alleged loan default against him.Mallya has been residing in the UK from the past two years. His extradition case is reportedly in its final stage at the UK court.
15:25 And yesterday's meeting with the Gandhis and the DMK
Yesterday, DMK president MK Stalin met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and discussed a range of issues. Stalin and other senior DMK members met Sonia Gandhi and wished her on her birthday."Shri Stalin and senior members of the DMK, visited Sonia Ji in Delhi today, to wish her on her birthday. We had a warm & cordial meeting & discussed a range of issues," Rahul Gandhi tweeted after the meeting.
"I look forward to continuing our dialogue & to strengthening our alliance, that has stood the test of time," he said.
"I look forward to continuing our dialogue & to strengthening our alliance, that has stood the test of time," he said.
15:17 Naidu's moment in the sun: Meets opposition leaders ahead of meeting
And Naidu's meeting with chairperson of the National Conference party, Farooq Abdullah. Naidu will meet opposition parties at the Parliament annexure at 3:30 pm and thereafter chair the TDP Parliamentary Party meeting at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan. He will leave for Amaravati after the meeting.
The Opposition is planning to form a 'Mahagathbandhan', or grand alliance, to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party. The meeting in Delhi today is to strategise a plan ahead of the 2019 general elections. The meeting has been called by Naidu and most opposition leaders are expected to attend.
The Opposition is planning to form a 'Mahagathbandhan', or grand alliance, to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party. The meeting in Delhi today is to strategise a plan ahead of the 2019 general elections. The meeting has been called by Naidu and most opposition leaders are expected to attend.
15:11 Naidu meets Ahmed Patel
Busy day for Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi. After arriving at the national capital at 11 am, he met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Ahmed Patel, NC leader Farooq Abdullah and had separate, one-on-one meetings with them.
Naidu is leaving no stone unturned to make the opposition meeting a success by ensuring that all those whom he had met in the recent past with the anti-BJP platform as an agenda, make it to the meeting on Monday.
Naidu is leaving no stone unturned to make the opposition meeting a success by ensuring that all those whom he had met in the recent past with the anti-BJP platform as an agenda, make it to the meeting on Monday.
15:08 TRS will form next govt on its own strength: AIMIM chief
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi Monday said TRS will form the next government in Telangana on its own strength and his party will stand by it and its chief K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Owaisi said he will meet KCR (Rao) Monday afternoon adding this is "our first step towards a larger goal of nation building." "I'll be meeting Telangana's caretaker & next CM of Telangana, KCR sahab @TelanganaCMO at 1:30 PM today. Inshallah he'll form government on his own strength, and Majlis will stand by him. This is our first step towards a larger goal of nation building," the Hyderabad MP tweeted.
AIMIM contested eight seats in the December 7 Assembly elections as against the seven in 2014 polls, and supported the TRS. Owaisi had also canvassed and organised public meetings in support of TRS in the run-up to the December 7 Assembly elections. Counting of votes will be taken up on Tuesday. -- PTI
Owaisi said he will meet KCR (Rao) Monday afternoon adding this is "our first step towards a larger goal of nation building." "I'll be meeting Telangana's caretaker & next CM of Telangana, KCR sahab @TelanganaCMO at 1:30 PM today. Inshallah he'll form government on his own strength, and Majlis will stand by him. This is our first step towards a larger goal of nation building," the Hyderabad MP tweeted.
AIMIM contested eight seats in the December 7 Assembly elections as against the seven in 2014 polls, and supported the TRS. Owaisi had also canvassed and organised public meetings in support of TRS in the run-up to the December 7 Assembly elections. Counting of votes will be taken up on Tuesday. -- PTI
14:29 Nitish's agenda is to destroy me and my party: Kushwaha
RLSP Chief Upendra Kushwaha holds a press briefing after his resignation as Union Minister and after he exited the NDA.
"Narendra Modiji couldn't meet the expectations of the people of Bihar. Nothing was done for special status. Bihar is still where it was earlier. Education and health system is non-existent.
"I had attempted to put forth my words strongly while in the NDA so that the people of Bihar get justice. But even after all these efforts, the BJP stood with Bihar CM. Nitishji has done injustice to people on all fronts. . Nitishji's agenda is to destroy me and my party. This was started by the BJP. In Bihar election, seats of all allies were increased. But injustice was done to RLSP."
"Narendra Modiji couldn't meet the expectations of the people of Bihar. Nothing was done for special status. Bihar is still where it was earlier. Education and health system is non-existent.
"I had attempted to put forth my words strongly while in the NDA so that the people of Bihar get justice. But even after all these efforts, the BJP stood with Bihar CM. Nitishji has done injustice to people on all fronts. . Nitishji's agenda is to destroy me and my party. This was started by the BJP. In Bihar election, seats of all allies were increased. But injustice was done to RLSP."
14:25 DMK's big four meet Kejriwal
DMK President MK Stalin along with party leaders Kanimozhi, A Raja and TR Balu met Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi today. The DMK President also invited him for the inauguration ceremony of the statue of M Karunanidhi in Chennai.
Ahead of this meeting, Stalin and the party's Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi held a meeting with Nationalist Congress Party chief Shard Pawar in the national capital on a range of multiple issues.
With Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year, the meeting holds significance.
The DMK president also invited Pawar for the inauguration ceremony of the statue of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, which is scheduled to be unveiled in Chennai on December 16.
In November, Stalin along with Pawar and Congress president Rahul Gandhi attended a significant meeting here of political parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party and discussed at length the future course of action.
Pawar had also met Stalin in July to enquire about Karunanidhi's health who passed away in August.
On December 9, Stalin and other senior party members met Sonia Gandhi to extend their greetings to the United Progressive Alliance chairperson on her 72nd birthday. Those who accompanied Stalin included Kanimozhi, RS Bharathi, TR Baalu and A Raja. -- PTI
Ahead of this meeting, Stalin and the party's Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi held a meeting with Nationalist Congress Party chief Shard Pawar in the national capital on a range of multiple issues.
With Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year, the meeting holds significance.
The DMK president also invited Pawar for the inauguration ceremony of the statue of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, which is scheduled to be unveiled in Chennai on December 16.
In November, Stalin along with Pawar and Congress president Rahul Gandhi attended a significant meeting here of political parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party and discussed at length the future course of action.
Pawar had also met Stalin in July to enquire about Karunanidhi's health who passed away in August.
On December 9, Stalin and other senior party members met Sonia Gandhi to extend their greetings to the United Progressive Alliance chairperson on her 72nd birthday. Those who accompanied Stalin included Kanimozhi, RS Bharathi, TR Baalu and A Raja. -- PTI
14:02 Naidu meets Mamata ahead of mahagathbandhan meeting
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee meets Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi. TDP supremo Naidu is leaving no stone unturned to make the opposition meeting a success by ensuring that all those whom he had met in the recent past with the anti-BJP platform as an agenda, make it to the meeting on Monday.
Naidu who invited leaders from Congress and several non-NDA parties for the meeting in the past few days, had reportedly got consent from them.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, DMK's MK Stalin, Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and others are likely to attend the meeting.
Naidu who invited leaders from Congress and several non-NDA parties for the meeting in the past few days, had reportedly got consent from them.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, DMK's MK Stalin, Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and others are likely to attend the meeting.
13:27 Owaisi to meet KCR
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi will meet caretaker Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at 1.30 pm today.
13:25 Indian diplomat walks out of SAARC meeting over PoK minister's presence
An official of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan staged a walkout of a SAARC meeting over the presence of a minister from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir at the event, according to source in Islamabad.
Diplomat Shubham Singh, left the meeting to register India's protest over the presence of PoK minister Chaudhary Muhammad Saeed at the SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry meeting on the SAARC Charter Day in Islamabad on Sunday.
India considers Kashmir as its integral part and does not recognise any minister for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In 2016, India had pulled out of the 19th SAARC summit that was to be held in Islamabad after the deadly terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri.
The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to attend. No SAARC meeting has happened ever since. India called off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September after the brutal killing of policemen in Jammu and Kashmir and the release of a postage stamp by Pakistan that glorified Kashmiri militant commander Burhan Wani. -- PTI
Diplomat Shubham Singh, left the meeting to register India's protest over the presence of PoK minister Chaudhary Muhammad Saeed at the SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry meeting on the SAARC Charter Day in Islamabad on Sunday.
India considers Kashmir as its integral part and does not recognise any minister for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In 2016, India had pulled out of the 19th SAARC summit that was to be held in Islamabad after the deadly terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri.
The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to attend. No SAARC meeting has happened ever since. India called off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September after the brutal killing of policemen in Jammu and Kashmir and the release of a postage stamp by Pakistan that glorified Kashmiri militant commander Burhan Wani. -- PTI
12:58 RLSP chief Kushwaha meets Rahul after exiting NDA
RLSP president Upendra Kushwaha has quits both from the party and as union minister today, just a day ahead of the start of the Winter Session of Parliament. This has triggered a realignment of political equations in Bihar. Kushwaha met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and is likely to attend the opposition gathbandhan meeting in New Delhi today.
The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief has been targeting the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the ruling party, for weeks. He has been upset with the BJP after it asserted that the RLSP would not be given more than two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, even as it went out of way to accommodate Kumar by agreeing that the saffron party and the JD(U) would fight equal number of seats.
The RLSP may join hands with the opposition, which includes Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress. Bihar sends 40 MPs to Lok Sabha. -- PTI
The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief has been targeting the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the ruling party, for weeks. He has been upset with the BJP after it asserted that the RLSP would not be given more than two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, even as it went out of way to accommodate Kumar by agreeing that the saffron party and the JD(U) would fight equal number of seats.
The RLSP may join hands with the opposition, which includes Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress. Bihar sends 40 MPs to Lok Sabha. -- PTI
12:43
RLSP Chief Upendra Kushwaha resigns as Union Minister, says ANI.
12:40 Separatists-backed strike hits normal life in Kashmir
Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Monday because of a strike called by separatists to highlight the alleged human rights violations in the Valley. Most shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, in support of the strike which is being observed on Human Rights Day.
While public transport was hit, private cars and auto-rickshaws were plying in a few areas of the city. Similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the Valley.
Officials said there were no restrictions imposed but security forces were deployed in sensitive areas across the Valley to avoid any law and order problem. Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership, have called the strike, asking people to observe it as a "black day". -- PTI
While public transport was hit, private cars and auto-rickshaws were plying in a few areas of the city. Similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the Valley.
Officials said there were no restrictions imposed but security forces were deployed in sensitive areas across the Valley to avoid any law and order problem. Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership, have called the strike, asking people to observe it as a "black day". -- PTI
12:26 Former Jamia VC Mushirul Hasan dies after prolonged illness
Noted historian and former Jamia Millia Islamia vice chancellor Mushirul Hasan passed away early Monday after prolonged illness at a private hospital in New Delhi, the university said.
Hasan, who was admitted to the hospital last night, breathed his last at 4 am. He was nearing 70.
"He met with a road accident about two years ago and was mostly bed-ridden after that. He was also undergoing dialysis for kidney problems," former secretary to Jamia Vice chancellor, Zafar Nawaz Hashmi, told PTI. He added, "Some health complications emerged and he was taken to hospital post midnight. He passed away there this morning." -- PTI
Hasan, who was admitted to the hospital last night, breathed his last at 4 am. He was nearing 70.
"He met with a road accident about two years ago and was mostly bed-ridden after that. He was also undergoing dialysis for kidney problems," former secretary to Jamia Vice chancellor, Zafar Nawaz Hashmi, told PTI. He added, "Some health complications emerged and he was taken to hospital post midnight. He passed away there this morning." -- PTI
11:58 I'm totally fine: Shahid Kapoor debunks reports of stomach cancer
Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor Monday quashed reports claiming that he is suffering from stomach cancer. The 37-year-old actor took to Twitter to give a health updated to his followers.
"Guys I'm totally fine please don't believe random stuff," Shahid tweeted. Reports stating that Shahid was suffering from stomach cancer started doing the rounds on the web last week. On the work front, the actor was last seen in the "Batti Gul Meter Chalu".
The film, which also starred Shraddha Kapoor, did not perform well at the box-office. Shahid is currently busy shooting for the Hindi remake of "Arjun Reddy", titled "Kabir Singh". The film is being helmed by Sandeep Vanga, who also directed the original 2017 Telugu blockbuster. "Kabir Singh" will hit the screens on June 21, 2019. PTI
"Guys I'm totally fine please don't believe random stuff," Shahid tweeted. Reports stating that Shahid was suffering from stomach cancer started doing the rounds on the web last week. On the work front, the actor was last seen in the "Batti Gul Meter Chalu".
The film, which also starred Shraddha Kapoor, did not perform well at the box-office. Shahid is currently busy shooting for the Hindi remake of "Arjun Reddy", titled "Kabir Singh". The film is being helmed by Sandeep Vanga, who also directed the original 2017 Telugu blockbuster. "Kabir Singh" will hit the screens on June 21, 2019. PTI
11:53 HC seeks Centre's reply on PIL seeking entry of women into Nizamuddin shrine
The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre, the AAP government and police on a PIL seeking entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in New Delhi.
Apart from the Centre, the Delhi government and police, a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao also issued notice to the trust managing the 'dargah' (shrine) and sought their stand on the plea by April 11, 2019.
The court was hearing a plea by three women law students, who have claimed that the dargah here does not permit entry of women into the shrine.
The petition, filed though advocate Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, has claimed that there is a notice put up outside the 'dargah' -- a shrine built over the grave of a religious figure -- clearly stating in English and Hindi that women are not allowed inside.
The law students, in their petition, have contended that they made several representations to authorities, including the Delhi Police, but no response was received and therefore, they moved the high court. The plea has sought directions to the Centre, the Delhi government, police and the trust managing the shrine, to frame guidelines for ensuring entry of women into the dargah and declare the bar on entry of women as "unconstitutional".
-- PTI
Apart from the Centre, the Delhi government and police, a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao also issued notice to the trust managing the 'dargah' (shrine) and sought their stand on the plea by April 11, 2019.
The court was hearing a plea by three women law students, who have claimed that the dargah here does not permit entry of women into the shrine.
The petition, filed though advocate Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, has claimed that there is a notice put up outside the 'dargah' -- a shrine built over the grave of a religious figure -- clearly stating in English and Hindi that women are not allowed inside.
The law students, in their petition, have contended that they made several representations to authorities, including the Delhi Police, but no response was received and therefore, they moved the high court. The plea has sought directions to the Centre, the Delhi government, police and the trust managing the shrine, to frame guidelines for ensuring entry of women into the dargah and declare the bar on entry of women as "unconstitutional".
-- PTI
11:29 Vanakam, Mr Pawar
DMK President MK Stalin and party MP Kanimozhi met NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Delhi today and held discussions over multiple issues. The DMK President also invited him for the inauguration ceremony of the statue of M Karunanidhi in Chennai.
11:28 Meet and greet
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI leader D Raja arrive for the all party meeting called by the Central govt ahead of winter session of Parliament.
11:27 Who will be at Naidu's meeting?
Opposition leaders expected at the meeting called by Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, all of whom he has met, include: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal over the last few weeks.
Opposition leaders like West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief (TMC) Mamata Banerjee, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, DMK's MK Stalin, Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and others are likely to attend the meeting.
Opposition leaders like West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief (TMC) Mamata Banerjee, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, DMK's MK Stalin, Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and others are likely to attend the meeting.
11:23
As the Opposition parties are all set to hold a crucial meeting on the eve of Parliament's Winter Session and counting of votes for Assembly elections in five states, the BJP has claimed to remain unaffected.
The BJP has maintained confidence by saying that despite the Opposition meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is again going to retain the post with a clear majority in the upcoming 2019 General Elections.
Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "No matter how much the Opposition unites and makes Mahagathbandhan but the fact will remain intact that in 2019, Narendra Modiji is going to retain the post of Prime Minister again with a clear majority. The BJP will regain power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan with their own strength."
Echoing the sentiments, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that it would be great if the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) also announces their Prime Minister candidate for the 2019 General Elections.
He said, "It's good that they are trying hard for Mahagathbandhan. It will be better if they decide that who will be the next Prime Minister from this grand alliance."
Today's meeting in Delhi has been called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, aimed at bringing all Opposition parties under a single umbrella to take on the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Chandrababu Naidu has recently ended his decades-long rivalry with the Congress.
Ahead of the decisive meeting of the Opposition parties with an aim to build an anti-BJP front, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Tamil Nadu leader of Opposition, MK Stalin, yesterday met and wished United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on her 72nd birthday. Stalin also discussed a range of issues including poll strategies for 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Mekadatu project of Congress-JD(S)-ruled Karnataka government, which is drawing flak from Tamil Nadu.
Last month, the farmers' protest in the national capital brought Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the same stage for the very first time. -- ANI
Image: PM Narendra Modi/File pic
The BJP has maintained confidence by saying that despite the Opposition meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is again going to retain the post with a clear majority in the upcoming 2019 General Elections.
Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "No matter how much the Opposition unites and makes Mahagathbandhan but the fact will remain intact that in 2019, Narendra Modiji is going to retain the post of Prime Minister again with a clear majority. The BJP will regain power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan with their own strength."
Echoing the sentiments, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that it would be great if the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) also announces their Prime Minister candidate for the 2019 General Elections.
He said, "It's good that they are trying hard for Mahagathbandhan. It will be better if they decide that who will be the next Prime Minister from this grand alliance."
Today's meeting in Delhi has been called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, aimed at bringing all Opposition parties under a single umbrella to take on the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Chandrababu Naidu has recently ended his decades-long rivalry with the Congress.
Ahead of the decisive meeting of the Opposition parties with an aim to build an anti-BJP front, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Tamil Nadu leader of Opposition, MK Stalin, yesterday met and wished United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on her 72nd birthday. Stalin also discussed a range of issues including poll strategies for 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Mekadatu project of Congress-JD(S)-ruled Karnataka government, which is drawing flak from Tamil Nadu.
Last month, the farmers' protest in the national capital brought Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the same stage for the very first time. -- ANI
Image: PM Narendra Modi/File pic
10:55 AgustaWestland case: Michel to be produced before Delhi court today
Extradited alleged middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, Christian Michel, will be produced before a Delhi Court on Monday after the end of his five-day CBI custody.
Michel was sent to five days CBI custody on December 5. He arrived in the national capital in the wee hours of the same day after being extradited from Dubai, was produced before a special CBI court here.Special Public Prosecutor Advocate DP Singh appeared for the CBI in the special court.
The CBI counsel had asked for 14 days custody of Michel stating that they needed his custody to confront him with some important documents. Michel's counsel Aljo K Joseph, however, opposed it.Michel had moved a bail plea. The court, however, kept it pending.
The Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VIP helicopter deal, finalised during the previous government of Manmohan Singh, had got mired in allegations of kickbacks.
The 54-year-old Michel is an accused in the case along with some others including former Air Chief SP Tyagi.
According to the Enforcement Directorate chargesheet filed in a court in New Delhi two years back, Michel had received kickbacks to the tune of 30 million Euros from AgustaWestland for the deal involving a purchase of 12 VIP helicopters. The deal, signed in 2007, was scrapped in 2013 following the bribery allegations. -- ANI
Michel was sent to five days CBI custody on December 5. He arrived in the national capital in the wee hours of the same day after being extradited from Dubai, was produced before a special CBI court here.Special Public Prosecutor Advocate DP Singh appeared for the CBI in the special court.
The CBI counsel had asked for 14 days custody of Michel stating that they needed his custody to confront him with some important documents. Michel's counsel Aljo K Joseph, however, opposed it.Michel had moved a bail plea. The court, however, kept it pending.
The Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VIP helicopter deal, finalised during the previous government of Manmohan Singh, had got mired in allegations of kickbacks.
The 54-year-old Michel is an accused in the case along with some others including former Air Chief SP Tyagi.
According to the Enforcement Directorate chargesheet filed in a court in New Delhi two years back, Michel had received kickbacks to the tune of 30 million Euros from AgustaWestland for the deal involving a purchase of 12 VIP helicopters. The deal, signed in 2007, was scrapped in 2013 following the bribery allegations. -- ANI
10:42 Rupee falls 59 paise to 71.40 against US dollar in early trade
The rupee depreciated 59 paise to 71.40 against the US dollar in early trade Monday at the interbank foreign exchange amid strengthening US dollar against some currencies overseas. Forex traders said besides increased demand of the US currency from importers, the dollar's strength against some currencies overseas weighed on the rupee.
The rupee opened lower at 71.28 against the dollar and dropped further to 71.41, 59 paise down over its previous close. On Friday, the domestic currency recuperated by 8 paise to close at 70.82 against the US dollar.
Traders said a lower opening in domestic equity market, rising crude prices and foreign fund outflows put additional pressure on the local unit. The 30-share BSE Sensex plummeted 551.74 points, or 1.55 per cent, to 35,121.51 in opening session. -- PTI
The rupee opened lower at 71.28 against the dollar and dropped further to 71.41, 59 paise down over its previous close. On Friday, the domestic currency recuperated by 8 paise to close at 70.82 against the US dollar.
Traders said a lower opening in domestic equity market, rising crude prices and foreign fund outflows put additional pressure on the local unit. The 30-share BSE Sensex plummeted 551.74 points, or 1.55 per cent, to 35,121.51 in opening session. -- PTI
10:36 Taj ticket increased by Rs 200
Those wanting to see the main mausoleum at the Taj Mahal will need to buy an additional ticket of Rs 200 from Monday. Vasant Swarnakar, Archaeological Survey of India's chief archaeologist in Agra, said domestic visitors will have to pay Rs 250 and foreign visitors Rs 1,300 to see the main mausoleum at the 17th-century monument.
The visitors from SAARC countries will have to pay Rs 740 instead of Rs 540. The new ticketing system will help reduce the human load on the main structure.
Visitors who buy the Rs 50 ticket would not be allowed to enter the main mausoleum, but would be able to move around the Taj and see the rear side, the Yamuna river front at the back.
The Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest specimen of the Mughal architecture. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." -- PTI
The visitors from SAARC countries will have to pay Rs 740 instead of Rs 540. The new ticketing system will help reduce the human load on the main structure.
Visitors who buy the Rs 50 ticket would not be allowed to enter the main mausoleum, but would be able to move around the Taj and see the rear side, the Yamuna river front at the back.
The Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest specimen of the Mughal architecture. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." -- PTI
10:33 United they stand? Key oppn meet today
A day before the results of the polls in the five states are declared, the opposition will be holding a meeting to discuss a grand alliance for next year's general elections.
The meeting, to be held in Delhi, has been called by Chandrababu Naidu, who has taken on the task of bringing the disparate opposition parties under a single umbrella to take on the BJP in 2019.
Mayawati, who has a large following among the Scheduled Castes -- especially in Uttar Pradesh -- is likely to give the meeting a miss, NDTV reported. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, an absentee in all such gatherings, has however, agreed to attend, sources said.
Both parties have been unhappy with the Congress -- Mayawati after seat-sharing talks for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh failed and the Aam Aadmi Party after the Congress failed to respond to its feelers for a tie-up for 2019.
Talks of a broad opposition alliance have been on since the oath ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy in May. With the new chief minister of Karnataka inviting all leaders, the occasion had doubled up as the first unofficial meet for Grand Alliance. The huge reverses of the BJP in a string of by-elections in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in March had given weight to the idea.
Meanwhile, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, who may quit the NDA told ANI that he will not participate in the meeting of NDA allies, which is also scheduled today.
The meeting, to be held in Delhi, has been called by Chandrababu Naidu, who has taken on the task of bringing the disparate opposition parties under a single umbrella to take on the BJP in 2019.
Mayawati, who has a large following among the Scheduled Castes -- especially in Uttar Pradesh -- is likely to give the meeting a miss, NDTV reported. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, an absentee in all such gatherings, has however, agreed to attend, sources said.
Both parties have been unhappy with the Congress -- Mayawati after seat-sharing talks for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh failed and the Aam Aadmi Party after the Congress failed to respond to its feelers for a tie-up for 2019.
Talks of a broad opposition alliance have been on since the oath ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy in May. With the new chief minister of Karnataka inviting all leaders, the occasion had doubled up as the first unofficial meet for Grand Alliance. The huge reverses of the BJP in a string of by-elections in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in March had given weight to the idea.
Meanwhile, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, who may quit the NDA told ANI that he will not participate in the meeting of NDA allies, which is also scheduled today.
09:45 RLSP chief Kushwaha may quit NDA today
RLSP president Upendra Kushwaha may quit the BJP-led NDA Monday, a day ahead of the start of the Winter Session and triggering a realignment of political equations in Bihar.
The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief has been targeting the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the ruling party, for weeks.
He has been upset with the BJP after it asserted that the RLSP would not be given more than two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, even as it went out of way to accommodate Kumar by agreeing that the saffron party and the JD-U would fight equal number of seats.
"Kushwaha is likely to announce his parting of ways with the BJP today. He will also quit as a Union minister," a senior RLSP leader said.
The RLSP may join hands with the opposition, which includes Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress.
Bihar sends 40 MPs to Lok Sabha.
-- PTI
09:28 Mamata a lady of great courage, can lead anti-BJP coalition: Yashwant Sinha
Praising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Union Finance Minister Yashant Sinha said she has all the qualities to be the face of a coalition that can be formed at the Centre if the incumbent Narendra Modi-led dispensation is defeated in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
"She has all the qualities to be the face of that coalition," Sinha told mediapersons in Kolkata on the sidelines of a talk show "Idea of Bengal", organised by Banerjee`s Trinamool Congress.
Sinha, who held important portfolios including Finance and External Affairs in the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee -- the first Prime Minister to complete a full term as the head of a coalition -- said such governments can run well if the Prime Minister has the ability to carry all coalition partners.
"I have experience of coalition government. I think it can run beautifully if the Prime Minister has the personality to carry all the coalition partners," he said.
Sinha also lauded Banerjee for her courage and said she has a big role to play in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
"She is a lady of great courage, and that reflects all the time in her actions. We have just talked about electing a new government when Lok Sabha elections take place. My view is that the Chief Minister of West Bengal has a very major role to play in achieving that," he said.
08:47 Macron to break silence, address French nation amid protests
Pressure mounted on French President Emmanuel Macron to announce concrete measures to calm protests marked by violence when he addresses the nation on Monday evening, and breaks a long silence widely seen as aggravating a crisis that has shaken the government and the whole country.
The president will consult in the morning with an array of national and local officials as he tries to get a handle on the ballooning and radicalising protest movement triggered by anger at his policies, and a growing sense that they favour the rich.
Macron will speak from the presidential Elysee Palace at 8 pm (1900 GMT), an Elysee official said. The official wasn't authorised to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said earlier on LCI TV station he was "sure (Macron) will know how to find the path to the hearts of the French, speak to their hearts."
But, he added, a "magic wand" won't solve all the problems of the protesters, known as "yellow vests" for the fluorescent safety vests they often wear.
Last week, Macron withdrew a fuel tax hike the issue that kicked off protests in mid-November in an effort to appease the protesters, but the move was seen as too little too late.
For many protesters, Macron himself, widely seen as arrogant and disconnected from rank-and-file French, has become the problem. Calls for him to resign were rampant on Saturday, the fourth weekend of large-scale protests.
08:31 Will Vijay Mallya be extradited to India? London court may deliver verdict today
Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore, is scheduled to return to the Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday when his extradition trial is listed for a judgment hand-down.
The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.
He has contested his extradition on the grounds that the case against him is "politically motivated" and the loans he has been accused of defrauding on were sought to keep his now-defunct airline afloat.
"I did not borrow a single rupee. The borrower was Kingfisher Airlines. Money was lost due to a genuine and sad business failure. Being held as guarantor is not fraud," he said in his recent tweet.
"I have offered to repay 100 per cent of the principal amount to them. Please take it," the flamboyant businessman tweeted earlier.
While dismissing that his intervention has anything to do with the extradition case, it came just days before Judge Emma Arbuthnot was expected to present her ruling in the case.
The trial, which opened at the Magistrates' Court on December 4 last year, has gone through a series of hearings beyond the initial seven days earmarked for it.
If the judgment goes ahead as scheduled on Monday, it would mark a significant point in this high-profile extradition trial that has lasted over a year.
07:56 India's growth 'very solid': IMF Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld
India's growth has been "very solid" over the past four years, IMF's Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld said, praising the fundamental economic reforms like the GST and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code carried out by the government.
Obstfeld -- who is set to retire this month-end -- will be succeeded by Gita Gopinath, the second Indian to be appointed to the position. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had served as Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund.
"India under the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carried out some really fundamental reforms. These include the Goods and Services Tax, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code...A lot of what they have done on financial inclusion has been really important," Obstfeld told a group of journalists here.
Summing up his impression of India's economy in the last four-and-a-half years of the Modi government, the top IMF economist said the country's "growth performance has been very solid".
"I mean, not so much in the third quarter of this year, but generally it has been quite solid," he said.
"There are important vulnerabilities, so it is important for the reform momentum to be maintained even as an election comes up and for the path of fiscal adjustment to be maintained," Obstfeld added.
He said one risk that has become much more evident in the last few years has been non-bank finance, usually called shadow banking.
"There is a big challenge of stricter, oversight," the economist said.
Noting that there has long been a legacy of corporate debt associated with bad infrastructure projects in India, Obstfeld said it has been very concentrated in banking system.
"But as the government is trying to better oversee the banking system, these loans have migrated to shadow banking and that is an area where more needs to be done to contain financial pressures, which we are beginning to see in India," he said.
However, with an upcoming election in the country, there is a reluctance to do anything that would slow the economy, Obstfeld said, observing, "But the lesson of experiences is that financial vulnerabilities can go south very quickly".
-- PTI
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