Days after fractured BMC poll results, impasse continues

Days after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls threw up a fractured result, the political impasse continues with neither Shiv Sena nor BJP taking any overt step to cobble up a ruling combine. 

There was speculation that Sena may seek Congress' support but the latter yesterday said there was no question of supporting the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

RSS ideologue M G Vaidya on Sunday suggested that BJP and Shiv Sena, who are still the ruling allies in the state government, should share the Mayor's post for two-and-a-half years each. 

Sena, being the single largest party in the BMC, should get the Mayor's post first, Vaidya added.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, meanwhile, said his party will join hands with Congress in all the municipal corporations and Zilla Parishads where elections were held this month. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already ruled out the BJP seeking Congress' help in the BMC. 

Congress sources had said there was strong thinking in the party's state unit that it should consider the helping Shiv Sena out, as a tactical move to widen the rift between the Sena and the BJP.

However, senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam had ruled out such a move on Saturday. Nirupam, however, did claim that Sena leaders had been "in touch with" Congress.

Sena won 84 seats in the February-21 election to the 227-member BMC, the country's richest civic body. BJP was close behind, winning 82 seats, while Congress was a distant third with 31 seats. Since 114 seats are required for reaching the simple majority mark, all eyes were on Congress. However, the party sources said it was wary of siding with "communal" forces, especially when it had made secularism its main plank in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Sena had on Saturday claimed that some Independent corporators were with it and have taken its tally to 89.

Since the time Donald Trump has taken over as the US President, Hollywood has been quite vocal about displeasure over his policies and decisions. Going by the trend, set at the Golden Globes, then at the Grammys, BAFTAs and BRITS, expecting the 89th Anuual Academy Awards to go political, is inevitable.

On a related note, if we turn the pages of history, Trump has been one such Oscar buff, who not only used to watch, but also live tweeted about it.

In 2015, Donald Trump found the show terrible and took to Instagram to show his displeasure about it.

Just four months after this post, he announced his candidacy for the President.

However, he will not watch the Academy Awards this year! According to White House Press Secretary, "The president will be busy in hosting the governor's ball that night."

So what has changed over the passage of time?

The whole industry has gone berserk, showing displeasure on everything controversial that he speaks.

At the 2017 Golden Globes, Meryl Streep while accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award, spent all her stage time slamming Trump, without taking his name.

But the biggest reaction came when the Oscar nominated Iranian director Farhadi denied attending the event, in solidarity to those who had been affected by Trump's travel ban decision. Farhadi, whose movie The Salesman has been nominated in 'Best Foreign-Language film' category, will be screening his movie in London, the same night as the Oscars.

Opposing the President's decision, he said, "The gathering of the audience around The Salesman in this famous London square is symbolic of unity against the division and separation of people."

Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his poll promises, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today asked why he was waiting for the results of the Uttar Pradesh election to waive farmers' loans. 

"Why Modi is waiting for the UP poll outcome to waive farmers' loans. He is the PM and he can do it any time. Farmers of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and other states are also waiting for this (waiver)," he said. 

Addressing a press conference hours before the fifth phase polling, he said Modi should tell people the works he has done during his nearly three-year tenure as the Prime Minister. 

"How much has farmers' income increased after Modi's promise to double it?" he asked.

Akhilesh also refuted the Prime Minister's charge that no work has been carried out by the Samajwadi Party government in the state and rubbished charges of discrimination in implementation of various schemes. 

He also hit back at Modi, asking, "What discrimination has my government done in implementing welfare measures for the masses?"

Asking the people of the state to analyse which party did what for them before making any decision on whom to vote for, Akhilesh said, "My government has a lot of achievements and a number of schemes to its credit and people trust SP, which did not discriminate while implementing schemes." 

"We want to tell to the PM and BJP leaders that a number of rallies have been been addressed by them. The people of UP want to know when will you do 'kaam ki baat' (talk about your achievements). I tell about my work to people and expect same from the PM," he said.

"Wherever the PM goes he should inform people about the works the Centre has done. The people of state should know what the Centre has done for them. Demonetisation was aimed at curbing corruption, terrorism and black money but in the state where elections are not going on, people are facing a lot of hardships even now," he said.

Accusing National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah of instigating Kashmiri youths against the country, the J&K unit of BJP today asked him to leave politics and lead the Valley's younger generation militants instead. 

"Farooq Abdullah is instigating youth in Kashmir (by his remarks). He should lead the younger generation of militants," said BJP's state spokesperson Virender Gupta.

He was referring to Farooq's Friday statement that dubbed the present turmoil in the Valley as new generation militants' fight for freedom of the nation (Kashmir Valley). 

Gupta lashed out at Farooq, lamenting that such a provocative statement has been made by a person who has been the chief minister of the state and a Union minister too. 

His statement proves that Farooq is responsible for the present state of affairs in the Valley that started when he was the state's chief minister before 1990, the BJP leader said.

The BJP spokesperson said the NC president is speaking out of sheer frustration as his party and his son Omar Abdullah were dethroned by the the people "because of their malpractices, corrupt administration and anti-people policies."

He said Farooq's outburst is aimed at recovering the lost ground to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

At least 17 people were killed and 62 injured when a truck ferrying them to a church service overturned after hitting a concrete railing in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district today. 

The incident took place around 8.30 am at Nongspung village, about 11 km away from the district headquarters Nongstoin.

"The truck overturned after hitting the railing at the side of the road due to overspeeding," Superintendent of Police of West Khasi Hills Sylvester Nongtnger said.

12 people died on the spot, while five succumbed to their injuries at the Nongstoin Civil Hospital, the SP said. 

Those seriously injured were taken to different hospitals including Shillong Civil Hospital and NEIGRHIMS. 

People from three villages -- Nginiong, Mawbyrkong and Nongbudum -- were travelling in the truck and were on their way to Nonglang village for attending a Synod (church service).

Delhi University teacher Prasanta Chakravarty, who was was roughed up during the recent North Campus clashes, has been hospitalised due to severe abdominal pain as a result of internal injuries. 

"Passed out with shooting abdominal pain, at Fortis Noida emergency," he posted on Facebook.

He said he has been diagnosed with deep bruises and "concealed spasms" on the right kidney and his spine muscles have also suffered serious injuries.

Chakravarty, an associate professor with DU, said people who assaulted him during the clashes appeared to be "some kind of mercenaries" and not students.

He had alleged the involvement of outsiders in the violence between student groups ABVP and AISA.

SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav has punctured the 'cycle', while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's feuding uncle Shivpal has broken its chain, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. 

"I really wonder how Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh will reach Lucknow riding the damaged cycle," he said at an election rally in Ballia, UP, making fun of the ruling party's election symbol. 

The Home Minister, however, claimed that the atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh was conducive to blooming of 'lotus' -- the BJP's poll symbol.

"Parties like SP, BSP and Congress have created muddy pools throughout the state, and in these very pools lotus will bloom," Singh said.

He said the SP realised it has gone weak and that's why it forged an alliance with the Congress. 

"SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, has punctured the bicycle, while Shivpal Singh Yadav has broken the chain of the bicycle... I really wonder how will Rahul and Akhilesh reach Lucknow riding the damaged cycle," he said. 

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was today given one-year extension as chairman of his Tehreek-e-Hurriyat party. 

87-year-old Geelani has been serving as the head of the outfit since its formation in 2003 following a vertical split in Hurriyat Conference.

The election to the party post was due in August last year but could not be conducted due to the unrest in Kashmir triggered by killing of Hizbul Mujhaideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July. 

"To facilitate the smooth functioning (of the party), a resolution was moved by general secretary Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, in which it was suggested to extend the tenure of chairman and executive body.

"The move was supported by all members and an amendment in this regard was permitted," a spokesman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat said in a statement.

A fire broke out this evening in the Times of India building at Central Delhi's ITO, the second such incident in two years. 

A fire official said the flames were reported around 4.45 pm and 10 firetenders were rushed to the spot. 

The flames were reported in the first floor of the five-storey building in Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. 

The extent of the damage has not yet been ascertained. A major fire had engulfed parts of the building's top floor in May last year.

Kim Jong-nam was dead within 20 minutes of being attacked and would have suffered a "very painful death" as his major organs shut down, Malaysia's health minister said today. 

The estranged half-brother of the North Korean leader was killed with lethal nerve agent VX, police have revealed, after he was ambushed at Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13. 

Two women can be seen shoving something into Kim's face in leaked CCTV footage of the brazen assassination before he seeks help.

"He died in the ambulance. He fainted in the clinic," Health Minister S Subramaniam told reporters. 

"From the time of the onset (of the attack) he died within 15 to 20 minutes." 

Autopsy results suggested the 45-year-old died from "very serious paralysis" due to a lethal nerve agent, Subramaniam said earlier Sunday.

Police are holding two women suspected of staging the attack as well as a North Korean man. 

Echoing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's concern for receding water flow in the Ganga and increasing silt deposit due to Farakka barrage causing floods in Bihar every year, experts today advocated "urgent review" and comprehensive study of the barrage to make the river rejuvenated.

Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh, also known as Waterman, advocated removal of Farakka barrage and said that "On the basis of what we have discussed so far, we can easily say that Farakka is inauspicious (Ashubh) for Bihar. It is a curse (Abhishap) which needs to be removed. Because unless and untill we remove it, we cannot move forward." 

Singh was addressing an international seminar, organised by Bihar's Water Resources Department, on "Incessant Ganga" on the second day.

"We have so far discussed so many aspects such as engineering and technological aspects of Farakka, but there are other aspects such as environmental, cultural, natural, spiritutal that need to be discussed," he said. 

Late Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar, who recently entered the political arena by launching 'MGR Amma Deepa Forum', today said she had to face "several hurdles and obstacles" before floating the outfit. 

"There were many people who created several hurdles and obstacles trying to ensure that I do not enter politics. But, after facing all those issues and by getting the feedback from majority of those who supported me, I decided to launch this Forum," she said, two days after she launched the outfit. 

"True AIADMK supporters are with me and they have been supporting me right since the beginning," she told reporters in Chennai.

"I will decide the future course of action based on the people's wish, most importantly the wishes of true AIADMK supporters," she added.

Reiterating that her recent meeting with former chief minister O Panneerselvam was only a "courtesy call", Deepa said, "As I said earlier, it is only a courtesy meeting. Whether I will join him or not will be decided in future." 

"This Forum is only for ensuring the welfare for the people (of Tamil Nadu)," she said.

A massive landslide has cut off the mountainous district of Kishtwar from the city, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded en route the Doda-Kishtwar highway, police said today. 

The highway has been blocked due to massive landslide in Drabshala belt yesterday and is covered with big rocks and boulders, they said.

The men and machinery, both are working to clear the blockade on the highway, police said, adding over 100 vehicles are stranded at various places en route the highway. 

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today condemned the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas, saying the US government should respond to such incidents and take the "strongest action". 

"USA should respond to this incident. American President and people of America, they should come out openly to condemn such actions...and then take strongest action. Also send a message that it is not acceptable," Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad. 

"These kind of incidents involving racial discrimination are shameful. They will dent the image of USA. So the US President, administration and civil societies should

unequivocally respond and condemn such incidents. I as a central minister condemn such incidents," he said. 

According to reports, the shooter who has been arrested, yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire on 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his Indian colleague Alok Madasani on Wednesday night. Srinivas was killed while his friend was injured. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said nobody has the "absolute right" to define nationalism but anyone who wants to break India and supports terrorists can be called an "anti-national".

He also said under the guise of freedom of expression even some students "fantasize" about "breaking" India. 

"Nobody has the absolute right to define nationalism but anybody who wants to break India, supports Afzal Guru and terrorists is anti-national," he said in a tweet.

The remarks came amidst the ongoing row over the clashes between the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP in Delhi University's North Campus.

Guru was hanged after his conviction in the 2001 Parliament attack case.

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said he was born in a border village which was occupied by China for a few days (in 1962).

"I grew up with the pledge to defend India as every Arunachalee is doing. If India does not remain united as a strong nation, what is the meaning of freedom," he said

The examination papers of Army Recruitment Board were allegedly leaked following which the Thane Police's Crime Branch conducted raids and arrested 18 persons from Maharashtra and Goa. 

Nearly 250 students have also been taken into custody in connection with the paper leak. The recruitment exam was slated to be held on Sunday across the country.

Following a tip-off about the offence, the Thane city police, with the help of their local counterparts, conducted raids at various places and arrested 18 persons since Saturday night from Nashik, Pune and Nagpur in Maharashtra, and Goa. 

They also took into custody nearly 350 students, from various parts of Maharashtra and Goa, who allegedly benefited out of the exam paper leak, Senior Police Inspector of Thane Crime Branch Unit-I, Niteen Thackeray, said on Sunday. 

The students were allegedly given the exam papers by those who run various coaching classes and some army employees to write the answers in lodges and other places, he said. 

The students allegedly were to pay Rs 2 lakh each to the accused for the leaked exam papers, police said. 

The raids were carried out following a tip-off and police found some students writing the papers at different places in Thane, they said.

Police are trying to find out the source of the leaked papers.

Further probe in the matter was on. 

Operations at public sector banks may be hit on Tuesday as most unions under the aegis of UFBU have threatened to go on strike to press for various demands, including accountability of top executives in view of mounting bad loans in the banking sector. 

Most of the banks, including SBI, PNB and BoB, have already informed their customers that functioning of branches and offices will be impacted if the strike takes off.

The functioning of private lenders like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank is expected to be normal except delay in cheque clearances.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is an umbrella body of 9 unions, but two of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates -- National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers -- are not part of the stir.

The conciliation meeting before the chief labour commissioner on February 21 failed to break the logjam as the bank management represented by the Indian Banks Association did not agree to demands and put conditions, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said.

With hundreds of employees being handed out pink slips by companies such as Snapdeal and Stayzilla, rival e-commerce firm Paytm is walking into the ring by offering generous job offers to laid-off staffers. 

Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma tweeted: "Hello, Tech/Product people in Delhi NCR, feeling heat of business restructuring? We welcome you @Paytm and @Paytm-Mall with open arms."

While the tweet did not mention any names, it may be noted that last week Softbank-backed e-commerce firm Snapdeal announced laying off 500-600 employees across verticals while homestay-booking platform Stayzilla shut shop. 

Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl admitted to having made mistakes in growing much before it could figure out the right economic model.

Struggling to raise fresh capital, Snapdeal will stop all non-core activities, reduce costs drastically and cut down staff strength to turn profitable.

Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has stopped selling one of its popular hatchbacks Ritz in both domestic and international markets. 

Launched in 2009 in both petrol and diesel versions, the Ritz sold a total of around 4 lakh units. 

Confirming the development, MSI spokesperson told PTI: "As part of refreshing our product portfolio, we continuously review our portfolio and introduce new models."

Stating that Ritz has been one of MSI's successful models in its portfolio, the spokesperson said it played a role in strengthening the company's presence amongst the modern compact cars. 

"Maruti Suzuki is committed to ensure availability of spare parts and service for next 10 years," the spokesperson added.

The company now sells the newly-launched Ignis, Swift, Celerio, Dzire and Baleno in the compact segment, which witnessed 25.2 per cent growth in sales to 55,817 units last month as against 44,575 in the year-ago month. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation through his monthly radio show, titled 'Mann Ki Baat'. The radio programme is among his many initiatives to connect with people in the remotest parts of the country.

* "Youth & those who won prizes under 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' and Digi Dhan should become ambassadors of these schemes on their own."

* "On 14th April, there will be a major draw worth crores of rupees as 'Lucky Grahak Scheme' will complete 100 days."

* "Govt, society, institutions, organisations, in fact everyone, is making some or the other effort towards cleanliness."

* "Our society is increasingly becoming technology driven; focus is now being laid on digital transactions. The young generation is getting habituated to digital payments through mobile handsets."

* "Digital payments will help fight corruption and proliferation of black money."

* "On the occasion of Baba Sahebs anniversary on 14th April, let us ensure BHIM App reaches 125 crore people of this country."

* "An App is developed particularly aimed to the fishermen, it helps them locate best zone of fish, wind conditions, tides etc

* "Inquisitiveness has played a significant role in the journey of progression of human life and development."

* "India has successfully tested Ballistic Interceptor Missile; This is a cutting edge technology in the arena of security."

* "Every new technology gives birth to a new era."

* "The attraction of science for youngsters should increase. We need more & more scientists."

* "Particularly for my farmer brothers and sisters, our new Satellite Cartosat 2D will be immensely helpful."

* "It is a matter of exultation for us that the entire campaign was led & steered by our young & women scientists."

* "India created history by becoming the first country to launch successfully 104 satellites into space at one go. This cost effective, efficient space programme of ISRO has become a marvel for the entire world."

* "After the successful mission of sending Mangalyaan to Mars, recently ISRO achieved a world record in the arena of space."

* "Winter is on its way out; Vasant, the season of spring has just started to step into our lives."

Fearing Delhi University-like violence on its campus, the Ambedkar University in the national capital has postponed an event marking the 26th anniversary of the alleged Kunan Poshpora mass rape in Kashmir.

On February 23, Ambedkar University and an NGO 'Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression' (WSS) were to organise an event to observe the Kashmiri Women's Day of Resistance on the 26th anniversary of the alleged mass sexual violence unleashed by the army against the villagers of Kunan and Poshpora in Kashmir.

Less than 24 hours before the event, the speakers were sent an email informing them that the seminar has been postponed citing the alleged threats to 'freedom of speech'.

'The AUD administration wants some changes in the shape of the event from the faculty and we will do that and reschedule a date and place sometime in March as you can see the times are bad for the university as a place for free speech and free discussions and critical engagements in our society, the university said in an email to the speakers of the seminar.

Gowhar Fazili, a scholar who was supposed to present a paper entitled 'Familial Grief, Resistance and the Political Imaginary in Kashmir', confirmed receiving the email.

"The institutions, academicians and activists buckle before the Right-wing threats with such ease," he said.

Other speakers of the seminar were Bhavneet Kaur from Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, who was slated to speak on 'The politics of emotion: women's narratives of memory, resistance and the Everyday in Kashmir', Vanessa Chishti, OP Jindal University the womans question in Kashmir, Iffat Fatima, director of documentary 'Khoon Div Baarav' and Essar Batool, co-author of Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora. -- PTI

The crash was reported on Saturday at about 6.45 pm. New Orleans police says that 'initial reports show so far that about a dozen people are in critical condition'.

She says that number could increase as the investigation continues.   One woman at the scene told The New Orleans Advocate that a silver truck whisked by her just feet away as she was walking through the intersection.

She said that the driver of the truck seemed almost unaware of what he had just done. -- Agencies

A post office building and its godown were gutted after a fire broke out near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

No casualties or injuries were reported, and the situation is said to be under control presently. 

This is the third such incident being reported in the area encircling this temple, in the past year.

Dewaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has appealed to the public, stating that the matter is being considered for immediate discussions.

According to locals, the city lacks an efficient waste disposal system, due to which locals are forced to burn piles of garbage.

However, the local administration has assured residents that the matter is of serious concern, and is being monitored and discussed with the concerned authorities. -- ANI

Author J K Rowling has never been one to mince words, especially when it comes to Donald Trump. With the Kansas shooting -- in which an Indian engineer was shot dead by a white man which is being touted as a hate crime -- grabbing eyeballs across the globe, the legendary author has once again lashed out at the United States President over the tragic development.

Re-tweeting a post by an Indian author Anand Giridhardas where he expressed shock at the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, Rowling, maintaining her trademark candour, said, 'Why hate speech isn't funny. Language has consequences' and pointed to the thread of the former's tweet, where he went on to explain how it greatly matters what politicians says.

In regard to the Kansas tragedy, Giridhardas drew parallels with a similar crime in Texas, where the shooter thought that he was targeting people of Middle Eastern nationality, and went on to slam the White House for denying and links between the shooting and President Trump's rhetoric on immigrants.

'President Trump's administration has quickly leapt to say his talk and actions have nothing to do with this crime. I would like to explain why the president is dead wrong on this one. He has everything to do with this, and I can explain,' Giridharadas said in a series of tweets and went on illuminate the impact of Trump's words on masses.

Earlier, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that any loss of life is tragic but it would be absurd to link the attack to President Donald Trump's rhetoric. -- ANI

'I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year,' Trump announced on Twitter.

'Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!' he said.

In the past few days, Trump has accused the mainstream American media as real enemy of the country.

Said to be the most high profile annual event in Washington, DC, the dinner has traditionally been attended by the US President and celebrities mainly from Hollywood. 

It was held for the first time in Washington DC in 1920. This year's dinner has been scheduled for April 29.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials for the help, he says he will never forget what he went through.

"They used to force me to get into operation theatres, but I never did any surgery or stitches. They did not do anything to me physically, but abused me verbally, they were educated youth well aware about India," Dr Ramamurthy said.

"One day, ISIS fighters came to my room and told me to come with them; There was another Indian; They took two of us to their Central jail in Sirte.

"In jail, we met another two other Indians, who were captured from outskirts of Sirte (Libya) and had already finished two months in jail.

"ISIS people forced us to watch videos of what they did to Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other places; It was bit difficult to watch them:,' Dr Ramamurthy said.

"Then organisation people taught about Islam and how to pray five times a day, how to clean up before prayers; this went on for two months.

"After that, for unknown causes, they took us to another underground jail. After one month, they again shifted us to an area in Sirte. There, we met some Turkish people, Koreans and others. ISIS members taught us about Islam organisation, their rules and regulations," he said.

"At that time, Libyan military forces from Misurata declared war on ISIS. Bombings and all scared them, so they kept moving prisoners.

"During Ramadan 2016, ISIS people approached me as they needed doctors at their hospitals; I refused as I was 61 at that time. I told them that I'm medically trained and not surgically, but still they posted me at hospital in Sirte that was near sports club," he said.

"While I was working at a camp, within 10 days I got bullet injuries to my left hand and both legs; they shot me 3 times," Dr Ramamurthy said. -- ANI