Congress MLA J N Ganesh was arrested on Wednesday near a restaurant at Somnath in Gujarat, weeks after he was declared absconding for allegedly assaulting another lawmaker from his party during a brawl at a resort.

Ganesh was at large after the alleged assault on Anand Singh, both from Ballari district, on January 20 at the Eagleton Resort on the city outskirts, where the Congress had sequestered its MLAs to prevent a poaching bid by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The MLA was arrested in the afternoon when he was going to have lunch near Somnath Temple, Ramanagara district superintendent of police Ramesh Bhanot said.

"We had sent a team to Gujarat three days ago following information that he was staying in a hotel there.

"Today our team got inputs that he was near Somnath temple to have meals at a hotel. He had stopped his vehicle there when we arrested him," Bhanot told reporters.

He said police teams were sent to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Delhi.

There were three people with him -- two of them from Karnataka and one of his friends was from Gujarat, he added.

Karnataka Home minister M B Patil said the MLA was arrested at 2 pm.

"He will be brought here by a flight in the night," Patil told reporters in Bengaluru.

Ganesh had allegedly attacked Singh with his fists and a flowerpot, hit him near his eye and kicked him on his chest,according to the complaint filed with the police.

In his complaint, Singh said Ganesh was upset as he suspected that he wanted to finish him off politically and did not support him financially during the Karnataka assembly polls last year.

A seriously injured Singh was admitted to a private hospital in the city.

Based on his complaint, the police had registered a case of attempt to murder against Ganesh.

Fearing arrest, the Congress MLA did not appear for the crucial budget session of the state legislature, despite a whip.  -- PTI

The United Democratic Party, a constituent of Meghalaya's ruling alliance, on Wednesday announced that it has severed ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Formed in 2016, the NEDA is an alliance of non-Congress parties in the northeast.

The UDP is a constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), which also includes the BJP.

The UDP has nine MLAs in the MDA, while the BJP has two.

The UDP decided to leave the NEDA following BJP chief Amit Shah's announcement in Assam on Sunday that if voted to power after the Lok Sabha polls, the saffron party would ensure that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed in Parliament, UDP vice-president Allantry F Dkhar said.

"We have decided to sever ties with the NEDA. It is amply clear that the BJP does not respect the sentiment of the people of the north east region and has announced that it will bring back the bill," he told PTI.

The contentious Citizenship Bill is set to lapse on June 3, when the term of the present Lok Sabha ends.

It could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session, the last Parliament session of the present government, which ended last week.

"The regrouping of all political parties of the region in Guwahati last month has rendered the NEDA bereft of regional parties," Dkhar said.

Ten political parties of the northeastern region, most of which are members of the NEDA, along with the Janata Dal-United -- the BJP's key ally in Bihar, had on January 29 unanimously decided to oppose the bill.

Last year, the MDA cabinet, which includes a BJP minister, had also adopted a resolution opposing the bill in Meghalaya and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was instrumental in leading an all-party delegation against the bill to Delhi to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Asom Gana Parishad had severed ties with the BJP-led Assam government over the issue last month.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who fled persecution, after six years of residence in India, instead of 11 years, which is currently the norm, even if they do not possess any document.

Several organisations and political parties claim that the bill threatens the identity, language and culture of indigenous people.  -- PTI

The government of Jammu and Kashmir has downgraded and withdrawn the security of 18 Hurriyat leaders in the state.

Among the leaders whose security has been downgraded and withdrawn by Jammu and Kashmir government are: SAS Geelani, Aga Syed Mosvi, Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Yaseen Malik, Saleem Geelani, Shahid ul Islam, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Farooq Ahmed Kichloo, Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Abul Hussain, Abdul Gani Shah and Mohd Musadiq Bhat.  

The recent decision comes days after the security cover of six separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was withdrawn on Sunday, in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror strike in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed.  -- ANI

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday increased India's Haj quota by 25,000, the third hike in three years, taking the number of pilgrims from the country who can perform Haj to 2 lakh.

The decision was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in New Delhi.

While T S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, said the implementation of the enhanced quota will depend on logistical and other things, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it will be effective from this year.

"At our request, Saudi Arabia has decided to increase the quota for Haj pilgrims from India to 2 lakh. This gesture is deeply appreciated," Tirumurti told reporters at a briefing on the talks.

Naqvi hailed the decision and thanked the prime minister, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the crown prince and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"This is the third hike in consecutive years. When the Modi government came to power in 2014, India's Haj quota was 1,36,000, which has now been increased to 2 lakh. This will be the highest number of pilgrims going for Haj from India since independence," Naqvi told PTI.

He said this was possible because of Modi's 'very cordial and friendly' relations with the Saudi leadership.

This year, 2,340 Muslim women from India will go for Haj without 'Mehram' or male companion. Also India will be sending the second highest number of pilgrims for Haj after Indonesia, he said.

The government had last year allowed women to go on Haj without Mehram, which saw about 1,300 women going without any male companion.

They had been exempted from the lottery system.

Last year, Saudi Arabia had increased India's Haj quota by 5,000 to 1,75,025, while in 2017 it was increased by about 35,000.

The Haj subsidy provided by the government was removed last year in the light of a Supreme Court order of 2012.

Naqvi had earlier said that digitising Haj-related processes has ensured that the annual pilgrimage remained inexpensive despite the absence of subsidy and made the system 'pro-pilgrim'.  -- PTI

The Pakistan army violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate, a defence spokesperson said in Jammu.

"At about 1830 hours Wednesday, the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to heavy shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Kalal and Nowshera sectors of Rajouri district," he said.

The Pakistan army had resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri on Tuesday as well.

The year 2018 had witnessed the highest number of ceasefire violations -- 2,936 -- by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years along the Indo-Pak border.

Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire understanding of 2003 despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the agreement during flag meetings between the border guarding forces of the two nations, the official said.  -- PTI

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress announce alliance for Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.

DMK president M K Stalin on said nine Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and one seat in Puducherry have been given to the Congress.

"The constituencies to be given to the Congress will be decided in due course of time after holding talks with alliance partners," he said.  -- ANI

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Wednesday that any terrorist or anyone who supports terror must be designated by United Nations, a reference to India's efforts on banning of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

He also said that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia joint statement on UN designations was not against India's efforts to get Azhar banned.

He expressed hope that India and Pakistan 'can de-escalate and resolve issues peacefully'.

"We will not involve ourselves into tensions between India and Pakistan without being invited by both the countries. No body wants to see armed conflict between two nuclear powers, nobody benefits except terrorists," the Saudi FM said.

He said it is important that those who committed the terrible Pulwama terrorist act be held accountable and brought to justice.  -- PTI

India'a new ambassador to China Vikram Misri presented his credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

Misri, a 1989-batch India Foreign Service officer, succeeded Gautam Bambawale who retired in November last year.

The 54-year-old Indian diplomat presented his credentials to President Xi in a special ceremony held at the Great Hall of People here, the Indian Embassy said on Twitter.

Since he took charge last month, Misri has been meeting various Chinese officials, discussing Sino-India ties.

Before his appointment to China, he served as India's envoy to Myanmar.

Misri, born on November 7, 1964 in Srinagar, has served in various capacities at the headquarters of the MEA as well as in the Prime Minister's Office.

He has also served in various Indian missions in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

Misri took the charge of the country's envoy at a time when India and China are trying to deepen their cooperation in various areas, leaving behind the 2017 Doklam standoff which was the most serious military face-off in decades.  -- PTI

Congress MLA Deepak Saxena on Wednesday resigned as Chhindwara MLA, clearing the way for Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath to contest the by-election from this assembly seat.

Nath had taken oath as the chief minister of the state on December 17 last year.

As per the rules, he has to get elected to the assembly within six months.

Talking to PTI, Saxena said, "I have resigned as MLA from Chhindwara to make way for Nathji to fight the bypoll."

"I tendered by resignation to the state assembly Speaker today," he added.

Kamal Nath, the nine-time MP from Chhindwara, was earlier thinking of contesting the by-election from Sausar in Chhindwara district, his aide said on the condition of anonymity.

However, the chief minister changed his mind and decided to fight from Chhindwara as he thought that if he contests from Sausar, a little known assembly seat in his district, the Bharatiya Janata Party may run a campaign to defame him saying that he was running away from his home turf, he added.

Nath has represented Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat nine times since 1980, except once.

In the state elections held in November, the Congress had won all the seven assembly constituencies in Chhindwara district.  -- PTI

Another Indian Army jawan, Naik Sandeep who had sustained serious injuries during an encounter in Ratnipora area of Pulwama district in Kashmir on February 12, succumbed to injuries at Srinagar's Army Hospital on Tuesday.

Two security personnel, including the 32-year-old Naik Sandeep, had sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Havaldar Baljeet Singh, one of the security personnel, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on the same day.

Late Naik Sandeep, who had sustained bullet injuries, was given immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital.

Naik Sandeep had joined the Army in 2005. He belonged to Village Atali of Ballabh Garh Tehsil, Faridabad district of Haryana and is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

The mortal remains of the Army jawan were flown for last rites to his native place.

He was laid to rest with full military honours on Wednesday.

"In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family of the martyr and remains committed to their dignity and well being," a release from the Army said.

In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks paid homage to the martyr on behalf of a proud nation.

Representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the Army jawan. -- ANI

One Indo-Tibetan Border Poice jawan dead, five others still trapped after an avalanche hit them in Namgya region of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh.

The rescue operation by ITBP and district police is underway.

More details awaited.  -- ANI

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Wednesday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, amid the heightened tension between the two countries, officials said.

India's Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla too called on the home minister and discussed bilateral issues.

The terror attack in Pulwama prominently figured during the 20 minutes meeting between Bisaria and Singh, a home ministry official said.

He was called back by the government for consultations after the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into their bus.

However, a home ministry spokesperson described the two Indian envoys meeting the home minister as 'courtesy call'.

Lt  Gen K J S Dhillon, commander of Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, said on Tuesday that anyone who picks up gun will be eliminated.

He also requested mothers of Kashmiri terrorists to persuade their sons to surrender.  -- PTI

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condemned the Pulwama terror attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed while 'complicity' of Pakistan was underlined during the meeting between the two leaders, external affairs ministry officials said on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters on the crown prince's visit and on the issues discussed during the talks, T S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, said the two leaders also called upon countries to renounce use of terrorism as a state policy.

Complicity of Pakistan in the Pulwama attack was underlined during the talks, he said, adding both Modi and Salman condemned the Pulwama attack.

Earlier at a joint press event, Modi called the Pulwama attack a 'cruel symbol' of the scourge of terrorism and sought punishment for the terrorists and their backers.

The crown prince, however, did not mention the strike.

"Last week's barbaric Pulwama attack was a symbol of the shadow of the inhuman danger hovering over the world.

"To deal with the scourge, we have agreed that there was a need to ramp up pressure on countries extending any sort of support to terrorism," Modi said, without naming Pakistan.

On his part, the visiting dignitary said, "As far as terrorism and extremism are concerned -- which are common concerns -- I want to tell India that we will extend all cooperation to you -- be it intelligence sharing... not only with India but also with other countries."

"We will work together so that we can ensure a bright future for the generations to come," he added.  -- PTI

Snowfall around the Jawahar Tunnel and landslides triggered by rains at several places near Banihal disrupted traffic for several hours on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Wednesday, officials said.

Several landslides struck the strategic 270-km highway overnight at Digdole, Battery Cheshma and Maroog between Banihal and Ramban, blocking the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, they said.

The official said a road-clearance operation was launched immediately and the traffic, which was allowed from Jammu to Srinagar this morning and stopped at Udhampur, was allowed to ply around noon.

A landslide had also occurred at the highway at Digdole around 4 pm on Tuesday and the debris was cleared by 8 pm, they said.

The traffic was stopped around midnight in view of a risk of more landslides, leaving hundreds of Jammu-bound vehicles stranded, they added.

After the highway was reopened, the stranded vehicles were first cleared from the landslide-prone areas, the officials said, adding that the traffic was plying smoothly when last reports were received.

They said fresh snowfall, about six inches, around Jawahar Tunnel -- the gateway to the Kashmir Valley -- was also cleared.

Banihal town also experienced light snowfall, while heavy rains lashed other parts of the highway during the night, the officials said.  -- PTI

The United States President Donald Trump told the media at the White House on February 19 while replying to a question on the terrorist strike in Pulwama and the ensuing India-Pakistan tensions: "I have watched. I have got a lot of reports on it.

"We will have a comment (on it) at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along. That (the terrorist attack) was a horrible situation. We are getting reports. We will have a statement to put out."

This is an exceptionally important remark, since this is the first time Trump commented on the rising tensions in South Asia.

He disclosed that a White House statement could be in the pipeline. But his remarks give tell-tale markers on what to expect.

Most important, Trump said the US is 'getting reports' regarding India-Pakistan tensions. He didn't elaborate.

But what is pertinent is that the US has the military-technical capability to monitor the India-Pakistan border minutely, accurately on  24X7 basis and Trump gets daily inputs.

Read the full blg by M K Bhadrakumar HERE

Ministry of External Affairs briefing on the meeting between PM Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: The two leaders condemned in the strongest terms the recent terrorist attack on Indian forces in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir and underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the United Nations. The complicity of Pakistan in Pulwama attacks was very much underlined. They agreed on the need for creating necessary conditions for any resumption of talks. The Saudi Crown Prince appreciated the consistent efforts made by PM Modi since May 2014, including his personal initiatives to have friendly relations with Pakistan. Both sides agreed on the need for creation of conditions necessary for resumption of the comprehensive dialogue.

MEA on being asked if Saudi Arabia has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan: At this point in time, no mediation has been offered.

Speaking to the media in Jammu, she said: "It is true that whether it was Pathankot attack or Mumbai attack they (Pakistan) were given proof but they did not take action. But because Imran Khan is a new PM and he is talking about a new start, he should be given a chance. We should give proof and see what they do."

The Sena leader said if the BJP did not wish to fulfil its commitment, it was free to break the pre-poll alliance immediately. "The Sena-BJP pact has been agreed on two major conditions. One was scrapping the Nanar refinery project in Konkan area and the other was sharing the chief minister's post for half-terms each," Kadam told reporters.

He said despite BJP chief Amit Shah's commitment, it was unbecoming of senior BJP leaders to make statements that the party getting more seats in the Assembly will decide on the chief minister.

Congress general secretary in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia was also present at the prayer meeting held in Shamli district. "Congress President @RahulGandhi and General Secretary In charge UP East Smt. @priyankagandhi attend the prayer meeting of martyr Amit Kumar Kori and share their grief with the family," the party said in a tweet. 

Rahul and Priyanka were seen consoling the members of the bereaved family.  Speaking on this occasion, Rahul said, "In these moments of grief, we are with you... His (Kori's) father told us that he is sad, but at the same time proud (of his son). And I want to say that we are sad, but at the same time we are proud that a family of this country gave love to its son and educated him. The son gave his love, body and heart to the country. We can never forget this thing."

"My sister said that in a way our father (former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi) had also met the same fate. We understand your pain and agony. We are here to sit only for five minutes with you and to tell all of you that we want to share your grief," he added. 

The Congress president said India is a country of bravehearts and no power in the world can push it backward. "From the bottom of our heart and on behalf of the country, I thank you, your son and the entire family," Rahul said. 

"This is one country. This is a country for everyone (of us) and this is a country of love and brotherhood. This is the message of India," he added. 

Forty CRPF personnel were killed on February 14, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber, in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

Among the CRPF personnel killed in the attack, 12 hailed from Uttar Pradesh, including two from Shamli. -- PTI

Image: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra comforts a relative of slain CRPF jawan Amit Kumar Kori. Pic: @INCIndia. 

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday re-registered a case to probe the February 14 Pulwama terror strike in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed, officials said.

The NIA has already taken samples of the explosives and evidence from the area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, where a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed detonated his explosives laden vehicle next to the bus carrying the CRPF personnel.

An NIA spokesperson said the agency has 're-registered the case and a probe team has been formed to investigate the case'.

The agency is tasked with probing terror incidents in the country.  -- PTI

Representational image. 

The apex court on January 27 had cancelled the scheduled hearing for January 29 as Justice S A Bobde, one of the five judges of the Constitution Bench, was not available that day. Besides CJI and Justice Bobde, members of the bench are Justices D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer. 

The apex court on January 27 had cancelled the scheduled hearing for January 29 as Justice S A Bobde, one of the five judges of the Constitution Bench, was not available that day. Besides CJI and Justice Bobde, members of the bench are Justices D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer. 

This was the semi-high speed train's third commercial run after it started operations on February 17. Earlier, during a trial run between Delhi and Agra in December last year, stones were hurled at the train as well. A similar incident occurred earlier that month too.

After the first incident of stone throwing, the Railway Protection Force had started campaigns across the areas where such cases were reported. Investigation into several incidents of the sort in Delhi established that most of the stone-pelters were young children. Since then, the RPF has distributed toys, sweets, colour pencils and other such things to them to stop them from hurling stones at trains. PTI

On February 2, a video went viral on social media which purportedly showed miscreants damaging pillars in the temple ruins of Hampi.

After the incident, Bellary SP Arun Rangarajan told reporters that four to five people were involved in the incident.

Subsequently, the police arrested them.The development came days after the Time magazine listed the Hampi World Heritage site as the second must-see place in 2019.

Hampi, an ancient village in Karnataka,is dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara empire. It is believed to have been the countrys richest city, which has attracted traders from Persia and Portugal. -- ANI

In the first part of an e-mail interview with Rediff.com's Nikhil Lakshman, Michael -- Deputy Director and Senior Associate for the South Asia programme at the Wilson Center, the Washington, DC-based think-tank -- looks closely at the fog of war enveloping current strategic conversations in the Indian sub-continent and discusses the events that could emerge from the miasma of anger and loathing.  Read the interview here 

The protesting students threatened to leave the institute if the Kashmiri students were not expelled, he said. "We had to suspend the Kashmiri students to pacify the protesting students and stop them from leaving," he said. He said the matter is under investigation and stern action will be taken against those found guilty.  -- PTI

In Maharashtra, seat-sharing talks between the Congress and the NCP are still on in Maharashtra, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said on Wednesday. Discussions were still continuing over five to six Lok Sabha seats, including Ahmednagar, the senior Congress leader told PTI.  

Image: Congress president Rahul Gandhi with DMK president MK Stalin in a file picture. 

The official, however, cautioned that if India did not play against the country in the tournament then Pakistan will get the points without even participating in the match. It was further clarified by the official that the Indian board has not approached the International Cricket Council in the matter.

"The situation with regard to World Cup can only become clear after some time that is a little closer to the World Cup. ICC has nothing to do with it. If the government, at that point of time, feels that we should not play then we should not play. It is obvious that we won't play but result for that would be that Pakistan will get the points for match and if it is the final match then without playing, Pakistan will win the cup," the BCCI official told ANI.

Meanwhile, ICC is scheduled to hold a meeting in Dubai from February 27 and there are chances that the matter related to India-Pakistan world cup clash will be discussed on the sidelines. BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri and secretary Amitabh Chaudhry are expected to represent the Indian board in the meeting.  - PTI

Standing at the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt, the Saudi prince said, "Today we want to be sure that this relation is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries. With the leadership of the President and the PM, I am sure we can create good things for Saudi Arabia and India." 

The prince, MBS as he is popularly known, will meet Modi later today, with his business mission under threat of being overshadowed by soaring tensions between India and Pakistan. The crown prince was greeted at the airport last night by Modi, who gave his traditional bear hug for honoured guests. 

The prince arrived from a two-day stay in Pakistan amid tensions between the two countries over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-base Jaish-e-Mohammad group. 

Curfew was clamped in entire Jammu city on Friday after massive anti-Pakistan protests and sporadic incidents of violence broke out over the terror attack in Pulwama district of south Kashmir which left 40 CRPF personnel dead on February 14.

On Monday, curfew was relaxed for two hours in the jurisdiction of three police station areas of Jammu from 2 pm to 5 pm."Relaxation has been given in curfew in Jammu city between 8 am to 11 am today," Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar told ANI. A review of the situation will be carried out later today, he added.

Kumar also said that all educational institutions in Jammu will remain closed today. Authorities have also warned of strict action against those who upload fake, inflammatory posts and pictures on social media.  -- ANI

It is the commander who remains anonymous in history, and Krishnamurthy Hanuru's novel suggests that such a man's adventures can become the stuff of folklore and local tales.  Read more 

Zubair Khan, Kumar Ashish and Bajirao Khade have been appointed as AICC Secretaries for UP East and attached with General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

With the announcement of these names, Congress has chosen a blend of experienced and low-key faces of the organisation to serve as the secretary for both regions of the politically significant Uttar Pradesh.

Designated in Scindia's team, Rana Goswami hails from Assam and has worked in Uttar Pradesh before as well. Similarly, Zubair Khan hailing from Rajasthan and a former MLA from state's Ramgarh constituency has also worked as convener secretary in Bundelkhand region. -- PTI

Positive cues from other Asian markets too buoyed mood on Dalal Street. The 30-share index was trading 269.24 points, or 0.76 per cent, at 35,621.85. Similarly, the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 74.40 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 10,678.75. 

The Sensex had settled 145.83 points lower at 35,352.61 in the previous session, while the Nifty had fallen 36.60 points to 10,604.35. Top gainers in the Sensex pack on Wednesday include ONGC, Vedanta, Yes Bank, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, L&T, Tata Steel, HDFC, Reliance and Bharti Airtel, rising up to 2.12 per cent. 

On the other hand, HCL Tech, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto and M&M were the losers, falling up to 0.76 per cent. -- PTI

Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas on Wednesday morning after a 4.0-magnitude earthquake was reported in western Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district and another one in faraway Tajikistan in central Asia.

According to United States Geological Survey, an earthquake of 4.6-magnitude struck Tajikistan at around 7:05 am.

Soon after, an earthquake was reported from Kandhla in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli, 90 km from Delhi.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to take "immediate steps" to deescalate tension that soared after 40 Indian security personnel were killed in an attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama.

 

"The Secretary General stresses the importance for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalation, and his good offices are always available should both sides ask," the UN Chief's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Tuesday at the daily press briefing.

Dujarric was asked about a meeting Pakistan's Permanent Mission to the UN has sought with the Secretary General and also about Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi saying the UN must step in to defuse tensions between the two nations. 

"...Looking at the situation in general between India and Pakistan, we're deeply concerned at the increase in tensions between the two countries in the wake of the attack on Indian security personnel on 14 February in Pulwama," Dujrraic said.

 

He said Pakistan's mission at the UN requested for the meeting with the Secretary General.

"We have seen press reports of a letter having been delivered to the UN. As far as we've ascertained, none has been received as of this very minute," he added. 

Last week, Guterres had "strongly" condemned the terror attack against security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, perpetrated by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, calling for those behind the attack to be brought to justice. 

"We strongly condemn today's attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the government and people of India," Dujarric had said at the daily press briefing last Thursday.

Dujarric said, "We of course wish a speedy recovery to those injured and call for those behind the attack to be brought  to justice." -- PTI

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a "horrible situation" the Pulwama terrorist attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, and said he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.

The February 14 attack has led to escalation of tension between India and Pakistan and Trump told reporters at the Oval Office of White House that it would be "wonderful" if the two South Asia neighbours get along.

"I have watched. I have got a lot of reports on it. We will have comment (on it) at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along," he said in response to a question.

"That (the terrorist attack) was a horrible situation. We are getting reports. We will have a statement to put out," Trump said.

Following the terrorist attack, his National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has supported India's right to self-defense. 

Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, Bolton, and the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in separate statements have asked Pakistan to immediately take action against the JeM and its leaders and end support to terrorist safe haven. 

The security personnel were killed when a JeM terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a vehicle carrying them. -- PTI 

The Indian American community will hold peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions in the United States over the Pulwama terrorist attack, alleging China provides tacit support to Pakistan which uses non-State actors against its neighbours.

A candlelight protest will be held outside the Pakistan Consulate in Chicago after which the protesters will march to the Chinese consulate on Thursday, February 21, the organisers have said. 

The main objectives of the protest, according to the organisers, are to "expose the barbaric nature" of Pakistani terrorism and to wake up the world against Pakistan- and China-supported terrorism, a media release said.

The next day, the Indian Americans in New York and New Jersey area would hold another peaceful protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Manhattan, New York.

"It is time that the United States and rest of the world speak in unison against Pakistani establishment's continued support to terrorists in recruiting, training, arming, finance and providing safe haven," eminent Indian American Dr Bharat Barai said in a statement. 

Billions of dollars of US aid to Pakistan have done little to curb the terror outfits in Pakistan, he rued.

Forty Indian paramilitary personnel were killed on February 14 when a JeM terrorist rammed his explosive-laden in car in a vehicle carrying the jawans. 

"This is not an act of terrorism but act of war. Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for this. Time has come to take decisive and ruthless action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity," said New York-based Jagdish Sewhani, the president of the American India Public Affairs Committee.

"The Indian community is deeply pained by this mindless barbaric act. We are grieving for our slain soldiers and at the same time we want Pakistan to take strict actions against the terrorists," said a local Republican leader from Illinois J D Diganvker.

"We want the world community to take note. We all know terrorism has no place in the world today and we want the world to urge Pakistan to respond with stringent actions," he said, adding the protestors plan to submit memorandums to the Pakistani and Chinese consulates in Chicago.

It is time to declare Pakistan a terrorist State and isolate it completely -- both economically and militarily -- until it mend its ways, demanded community organiser Nirav Patel. -- PTI

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party because of the saffron party's changed way of dealing with its allies.

Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence in Mumbai.

On Monday, Shiv Sena and BJP, the sparring ruling allies, announced that they would contest the coming Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections together.

"I experienced the change in the way they treat people, hence I decided to join hands with the BJP," Thackeray said.

He also reiterated that the BJP's proposal that chief minister will be from the party which will send more MLAs to the assembly was not acceptable to the Sena.

"I want to see a Sena chief minister and I will work for it," he said.

"I have already won in the treaty, now we should win the real battle of election," Thackeray said.  -- PTI