LIVE

Sun, 15 December 2024

Portfolio allocation to new ministers soon: Fadnavis

Timeline Refresh

The image shared by Zakir Hussain's nephew on Instagram/Courtesy Ameer/Instagram

23:54 Zakir Hussain's nephew refutes reports of death, appeals to pray for his health

Refuting the reports of Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain's death, his nephew Ameer Aulia appealed to the people to pray for his health.

"I am Zakir Hussain's nephew and he has not passed away," he said.

Ameer posted an image of his mother and uncle Hussain on Instagram.

"Thinking about my Mamu, Zakir uncle. Praying for him and for his good health. Here with my Mother, Zakir Mamu's elder sister," Ameer posted on Instagram.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

22:56 Portfolio allocation to new ministers soon: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday that portfolios will be allocated to new ministers in the next two to three days.

Addressing a press conference after 39 legislators of Mahayuti took oath as ministers as part of the expansion of the cabinet on the eve of the winter session of the legislature, Fadnavis said Mahayuti allies have agreed to conduct a "performance audit" of ministers during their tenure.

While Fadnavis didn't mention any timeline, deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said the ministers of his party will get two-and-a-half years and those who perform will progress.

Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar said "non-performers" can be replaced in two-and-a-half-months also.

Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government will start working towards developing Maharashtra.

"We have decided on the portfolio allocation and it will be announced in two to three days. Our administration will focus on swift development," he said.

He slammed the Opposition MVA for terming the Mahayuti government as a "government of EVM". -- PTI

A Guinness World Record for the "largest Hindustani classical band" was set on Sunday at Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh when 546 artistes performed various ragas on nine instruments, an official said.

The performance was part of the 100th International Tansen Samaroh that pays tribute to the legendary 16th century singer believed to have brought down the rains with his rendition of Megh Malhar.

The 546 artistes comprised 347 males and 189 females and the performance was based on Malhar, Miyan ki Todi and Darbari Kanhra, three ragas composed by Tansen, the official said.

"The performance was organised by renowned flute player Pandit Ronu Majumdar. The collective performance included singing along with musical instruments. A Guinness World Record was created for playing instruments continuously for nine minutes," the official informed.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who received the certificate from an official of the Guinness World Records, hailed the musicians for the feat.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and assembly speaker Narendra Singh Tomar were among those who attended the event. -- PTI

21:56 5 nabbed in Rishikesh train robbery case

Five men were arrested for allegedly carrying out an armed robbery in a passenger train near Motichur between Haridwar and Rishikesh, the police on Sunday said.

The Haridwar unit of the Government Railway Police made the arrests at Ghaziabad Railway Station.

GRP inspector-in-charge Anuj Singh said the looted goods and the weapons used in the crime have been recovered from the accused.

The robbery took place Friday night and was reported by Prabhav Shukla, a resident of Mahavir Nagar in Firozabad district.

Singh said four teams of the 'Special Operation Group' of the Railway Police were formed to solve the case.

The five arrested were found to have dozens of cases between them lodged in Saharanpur and Moradabad.

They were identified as Ansh Sharma, Deepak Sharma, Pradeep Pal, Vivek Bhati, and Sagar. -- PTI

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said the ruling Mahayuti will also give a chance to other legislators, who have not found a place in the current ministry, during this government's tenure.

"We will give an opportunity to others also for two-and-a-half years," NCP leader Pawar said addressing a gathering of his party workers in Nagpur before the cabinet expansion.

Everybody wants to become a minister and deserves an opportunity, but the ministerial berths are limited, he pointed out.

The 10-day-old BJP-led Mahayuti alliance ministry in Maharashtra was expanded in Nagpur on Sunday, with 39 ministers being sworn in, taking its strength to 42.

In the expansion, the Bharatiya Janata Party got 19 ministerial berths, followed by 11 to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 9 for Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.

Among the prominent leaders left out of the ministry include NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil and BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar.

While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state.

The council of ministers in Maharashtra can have a maximum of 43 members, including the chief minister. -- PTI

An anti-encroachment drive underway after a Shiv temple was found encroached upon in Sambhal/ANI Photo

20:32 ASI roped in for carbon dating of Sambhal temple

The Sambhal district administration has written to the Archaeological Survey of India for carbon dating of the Bhasma Shankar temple, including a well there, officials said on Sunday, days after the reopening of the temple locked since 1978 following communal riots in the town.

Worshippers have started visiting the temple and it is being guarded round the clock, they said.

"This is the temple of Kartik Mahadev. A well has been found here. This is Amrit Koop. Security guards have been permanently posted here and CCTV cameras have also been installed. Puja has also started in the temple. There is encroachment here, which is being removed," district magistrate Rajender Pensiya said.

"We have written a letter to ASI for carbon dating of the temple and the well," he added.

Carbon dating is a method used to determine the age of archaeological artefacts from ancient sites.

Superintendent of police Krishan Kumar said that all roads leading to the temple have been covered with CCTV cameras and a control room is also being set up there. -- PTI

Veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu, who was booked on the charges of attempt to murder for allegedly assaulting a journalist in Hyderabad, met the latter on Sunday, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital and offered an apology.

The former Rajya Sabha member along with his elder son Manchu Vishnu termed the incident as unfortunate, said the injured TV journalist M Ranjith Kumar.

"He (Mohan Babu) offered an apology to me, my family and the entire journalist fraternity," he said.

The actor also told the journalist that he would visit his house once he recovers and is discharged from the hospital.

Mohan Babu, in a letter addressed to the management of the TV channel, offered his side of the version of the incident.

"I sincerely apologise for my actions, which have caused pain and distress, and I extend my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery. I deeply regret that my response in the charged moment has led to anguish for your esteemed organisation and for Mr Ranjith's family," he said in a post on 'X' on December 13.

In his complaint, the journalist had stated that when he visited Mohan Babu's Jalpally residence on December 10 to cover the ongoing dispute between the actor and his younger son Manoj, the senior actor confronted him and other journalists aggressively. -- PTI

File image

19:48 Two Odisha sisters trampled to death by wild elephant in sleep

Two sisters were trampled to death by a wild elephant after it attacked their house in Odisha's Sundargarh district on Sunday, officials said.

The incident happened in Kantapalli village in Tamada range of Bonai forest division, they said.

The deceased were identified as Samiya Munda (12) and her sister Chandni Munda (3), they added.

The two girls were sleeping when the elephant attacked their kuchcha house and brought down a portion of it.

When the adults saw the elephant, they fled, but the girls, who were asleep, were left behind amid the commotion.

The tusker trampled the girls to death, officials said.

Divisional forest officer Lalit Patra said, "We are keeping a close eye on the elephant as it is roaming in the area. It is a lone tusker, which probably separated from its herd."

The elephant has a radio collar but could not be tracked as the service provider of the GSM SIM card in it does not have network in the area, he said.

The government would provide compensation to the family members of the deceased, he added. -- PTI

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital after experiencing heart related problems, his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia said on Sunday.

The 73-year-old US-based musician had been having blood pressure issues, added a source close to Hussain.

"He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart related problem for the last week," he said.

"He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation," Chaurasia said. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate a project worth about Rs 40,000 crore to link 11 rivers in Rajasthan that is projected to make it a water-surplus state, Union Jalshakti Minister CR Patil said on Sunday.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of semiconductor plant of Suchi Semicon, Patil appealed to corporates to work on water harvesting to address the issue of water crisis in the future.

"Rajasthan faces severe water crisis. The project that Modi Saheb is going to dedicate there on December 17 will link 11 rivers. This project, worth about Rs 40,000 crore, will be announced by Modi Saheb. After this, Rajasthan will have maximum water," Patil said.

He said people have saved enough money to even take care of their seven generations but there is a need to conserve water for that generation.

Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments signed a memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Jal Shakti in January 2024 to prepare detailed project reports and onbroad planning of the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project, integrated with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project.

The project is expected to improve water crisis in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. -- PTI

File image

19:20 Cold wave persists in Punjab, Haryana; Faridkot remains coldest with 1 degree C

Cold weather conditions continued to grip Punjab and Haryana on Sunday, with Faridkot being the coldest place in the region at a minimum temperature of one degree Celsius, the meteorological department said.

In Punjab, Gurdaspur and Bathinda also experienced chilly nights, recording minimum temperatures of two degrees Celsius and 4.6 degrees Celsius, respectively, it said.

Pathankot registered a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius, while Amritsar shivered at 3.9 degrees Celsius, the weather office said.

It said that Ludhiana logged a minimum temperature of 6.8 degrees Celsius and Patiala registered a low of 3.8 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, Hisar recorded a chill of 1.7 degrees Celsius while Narnaul registered a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, the Met department said.

Piercing cold also swept Bhiwani, which recorded a low of 4 degrees and Gurugram logged a minimum temperature of 5.6 degrees Celsius, it added.

Rohtak logged a low of 5.2 degrees and Ambala registered 5.7 degrees Celsius, the department said.

The weather office said that Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab's common capital, recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius. -- PTI

File image

19:02 Jamia shuts classes, library on anti-CAA protest anniversary

Jamia Millia Islamia suspended classes and shut its library and canteen on Sunday, the day a student outfit planned to observe a remembrance event marking the anniversary of the 2019 anti-CAA protests and alleged police brutality on campus.

The Left-backed All India Students' Association alleged that the university administration's decision was aimed at preventing students from participating in the event.

Videos circulating online showed students raising slogans such as "Delhi Police Go Back" to protest the heavy deployment of police personnel outside the campus.

Students claimed that entry and exit from the campus were restricted, with those inside not allowed to leave and others barred from entering.

The administration issued three circulars late Saturday night, stating that classes, the canteen and the library would remain closed from 1 pm due to "maintenance work."

A section of students questioned the timing of the notice, particularly with exams approaching, and alleged that it was an attempt to suppress their right to peaceful protest.

A statement from AISA criticised the administration and police for what it called a "nexus" to stifle dissent.

"The university administration has shut down the campus completely and stationed police inside and outside to prevent any activity around the area," it said "On 15th December 2019, the Delhi Police injured our friends, vandalised our campus, and treated us like terrorists. Today, they are refusing to even let us remember that day of horror," AISA said.

There was no immediate response from the university administration on the allegations. -- PTI

Actor Mushtaq Mohammad Khan/File image

18:56 4 Mushtaq Khan abductors held from Delhi airport

Four members of a gang have been arrested for kidnapping actor Mushtaq Mohammad Khan from the Delhi airport, holding him hostage in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh and demanding ransom, officials said.

According to the police, the miscreants were also plotting to abduct veteran actor Shakti Kapoor on the pretext of inviting him to an event.

Bijnor superintendent of police Abhishek Jha shared the details on Saturday, saying that Mushtaq Khan's event manager, Shivam Yadav, had filed a complaint on December 9.

According to the complaint, Lavi alias Rahul Saini had on October 15 sent an advance payment of Rs 25,000 and an air ticket to invite Khan to an event in Meerut.

Upon arriving at the Delhi airport on November 20, Mushtaq was received by a cab driver who took him to a famous 'shikanji' shop between Meerut and Delhi.

There, Khan was forced into another vehicle, where more individuals joined him.

The actor was then threatened and informed that he had been kidnapped and was being held captive at the home of Lavi, a criminal involved in the case, the police said.

"During his captivity, the kidnappers took Mushtaq Khan's bank account details and password. On the night of November 20, the accused consumed alcohol and slept. The following morning, Mushtaq Khan managed to escape and reached a mosque in Mohalla Chahshiri, where locals contacted his family and helped him return home," the officer said. -- PTI

18:30 Himanta alleges Soros links with Assam MP

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged on Sunday that an MP from the state has links with US-based billionaire George Soros, amid the BJP's charge against the Congress central leadership of conniving with the investor to destabilise the country.

Sarma, however, did not mention the name or party of the MP.

"An Assam MP also has links with George Soros. I don't want to get into this controversy," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a programme, when asked about the Congress-Soros issue.

To a question whether the MP in question had won his election with financial help from the US investor, the CM said, "I cannot comment on it as I have no evidence. Anyway, I am not much interested in this matter."

He added that the journalists themselves can find out about the links between Soros and the state MP.

On the Prime Minister's speech in Lok Sabha on Saturday, Sarma said, "(Narendra) Modi ji has totally exposed the Congress... The fact that the Congress members could sit and hear him out was a big thing, it shows how shameless they are." -- PTI

BJP's Pankaja Munde takes oath as minister in Nagpur on Sunday/ANI on X

18:27 Maha ministry expanded, 39 ministers take oath

The 10-day-old Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance ministry in Maharashtra was expanded at Nagpur on Sunday, with 39 ministers being sworn in, taking its strength to 42.

In the expansion, BJP got 19 ministerial berths, followed by 11 to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 9 for Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.

While 33 legislators were sworn in as cabinet ministers, six took oath as ministers of state.

Governor PC Radhakrishnan administered the oath to the new ministers at the ceremony held on the eve of the state legislature's winter session being held in Nagpur from December 16 to 21.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who took oath in Mumbai on December 5, were present.

The new cabinet includes state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar. -- PTI

Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has said the irony of his life was that his political career was "made by the Gandhis and unmade by the Gandhis".

Aiyar also said for 10 years he was not given the opportunity to meet Sonia Gandhi one-on-one or spend any meaningful time with Rahul Gandhi except once.

In an interview with PTI Videos on his forthcoming book A Maverick in Politics published by Juggernaut, Aiyar said he "has had it all" but, at the end of the day, he was "completely isolated in the party".

However, he maintained that he was still a member of the party and asserted, "I'll never shift, and I will certainly not go to the BJP".

Asked about the patronage from the Gandhis, Aiyar said, "If you want to be successful in politics as an individual, you have to have a very strong base. Either you have a constituency where you're not defeated or you're undefeatable, or you have a caste base or you have a religious base. I had none of these."

"I only had patronage. I had the favour of (former) prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. I then had the favour of Sonia Gandhi. But that's a very, very uncertain basis on which to be in politics. So when Sonia Gandhi got angry with me in 2010, that patronage got withdrawn. And yet not completely withdrawn," he said.

Aiyar added that on a personal level, she continued to have some affection for him.

"So it was a very slow decline. But it was a decline that took place over a period of about 15 years... And then, once Rahul Gandhi came in, I thought it was going to go up. Because he said to me that where he used to agree with me 75 per cent, he said 'now I agree with you 100 per cent'," the former Union minister said. -- PTI

Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule has amassed Rs 1,292 crore at the box office in just 10 days of its release, the makers said on Sunday.

Directed by Sukumar, the Telugu movie released on December 5 worldwide with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam.

Also starring Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil, Pushpa 2 is a sequel to 2021's blockbuster film Pushpa: The Rise.

Production banner Mythri Movie Makers shared the latest box office update on its official X handle along with the poster of the film which read, "Highest Grosser of Indian Cinema in 2024. Rs 1292 crore gross worldwide 10 days."

The caption of the post stated: "#Pushpa2TheRule crosses Massive 1292 CRORES GROSS in 10 days. The HIGHEST GROSSER OF INDIAN CINEMA IN 2024. #2024HighestGrosserPushpa2 #Pushpa2 #WildFirePushpa. "Icon Star @alluarjun @iamRashmika @aryasukku #FahadhFaasil @ThisIsDSP @resulp @NavinNooli @SukumarWritings @MythriOfficial @AAFilmsIndia @Ags_production @E4Emovies @NCinemasbly @MythriRelease @TSeries @Fanizm_Official @shreyasgroup @lifeindistrict."

Earlier in the day, the makers said the Hindi dubbed collection of Pushpa 2 stands at Rs 507.50 crore, making it "the fastest film in Hindi" to cross the Rs 500 crore mark.

The box office update comes a day after lead star Allu Arjun was released on Saturday morning from a jail in Hyderabad where he spent the night upon being arrested in connection with the death of a woman in a stampede here during the premiere of Pushpa 2. -- PTI

The 'Ram Temple project' of the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya has been awarded the 'Sword of Honour' by the British Safety Council, chairman of construction committee Nripendra Misra said in a statement on Sunday.

In a statement, Misra said that this award was one of the highest recognitions in safety management and that the British Safety Council evaluates the safety processes, practices, and on-site activities during its audits, and only those who receive a five-star assessment were eligible for the 'Sword of Honour' award.

"Shri Ram Mandir project in Ayodhya Dham has won the prestigious 'Sword of Honour' award given by British Safety Council. It is one of the prestigious accolades in safety management. British Safety Council conducts the audit of the process, practices, and finally on-site activity assessments," the statement read.

Larsen and Toubro, the company responsible for the construction of the temple, was also awarded a 'Golden Trophy' by the National Safety Council for its safety measures during the construction process, the statement added.

The temple has been built under close coordination between Larsen and Toubro and Tata Consulting Engineers, with effective supervision by the Construction Committee of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. -- ANI

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday attacked the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, saying they should not speak on reservations as they colluded in opposing legislation giving quota in promotions to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was in power.

Addressing a press conference, she also backed the Centre's bills on 'one nation- one election', stressing it will reduce expenses and ensure public welfare works continue uninterrupted.

She urged other parties to also support the measure.

Mayawati demanded that reservations for SC, ST and OBC be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to prevent any tampering.

Central and state laws listed in the Ninth Schedule are exempt from judicial review.

During the discussion on the Constitution in Lok Sabha, the ruling side and the opposition, especially the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, to woo Dalit and OBC voters, have said a lot of "baseless" things about reservation issue in which there is "not even an iota of truth", she told reporters.

"And it would have been better if these two parties (Congress, SP) had remained silent on this issue in Parliament, because during the time of the Congress party's government at the Centre and with the connivance of this party, SP had strongly opposed the Constitutional Amendment Bill related to reservations in promotion of SC and ST communities.

"This bill was torn and thrown away by SP in the Parliament itself and ... is still pending in the Parliament," she lamented. -- PTI

File image

16:16 Oppn MVA to boycott Maharashtra govt's legislature session eve tea party

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi will boycott the tea party to be hosted by the Maharashtra government on the eve of the state legislature's winter session here on Sunday, Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Ambadas Danve said.

Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Danve said though the Opposition's strength in the assembly may be less, it will, with its full force, take on the government on various issues, including those pertaining to farmers.

The six-day duration of the winter session was too short, the leader of opposition in the state legislative council added.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also demanded extension of the session. Devendra Fadnavis took oath as chief minister with Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP head Ajit Pawar as his deputies at a grand ceremony in Mumbai on December 5.

In the November 20 assembly polls, the Mahayuti swept to power, winning 230 out of 288 seats in the state.

The BJP led with 132 seats, followed by Shinde's Shiv Sena with 57 and Pawar's NCP getting 41.

The MVA comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP performed disastrously, winning only 46 seats. -- PTI

Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav/Courtesy X

15:59 VHP event statements: Justice Shekhar may appear before SC collegium

Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who purportedly made controversial statements at a Vishva Hindu Parishad function, is likely to appear before the Supreme Court collegium soon to explain his stand on the controversy.

The top court on December 10 took note of news reports over the statements and sought a report from the Allahabad high court on the entire issue.

"The Supreme Court has taken note of newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the high court of judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the high court and the matter is under consideration," an official statement had said.

As per the established practices, the judge, against whom a report is sought by the apex court collegium on any controversial issue from the high court concerned, is given an opportunity to put forth his or her version before the top court collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India.

Apex court sources said the Allahabad high court judge is likely to be asked to appear and put forth his version as per established practices. -- PTI

Pawan Kuma, father of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash/ANI on X

15:34 Bengaluru techie's father seeks custody of grandson

The father of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, who died by suicide recently, on Sunday called for strict punishment for those who "harassed' his son, asserting that his ashes will not be immersed till justice is served.

Subhash, 34, was found hanging in his house at Bengaluru's Munnekolalu on December 9.

He left behind lengthy videos and notes, blaming his wife and in-laws for driving him to suicide through "false" cases and "persistent torture".

"I thank the Karnataka Police for arresting them (Subhash's estranged wife and in-laws). All those who harassed my son should be punished so that he gets justice, and his soul rests in peace. I will not immerse the ashes of my son till we get justice," Pawan Kumar told reporters in Samastipur.

"My son was being harassed and tortured for money, and humiliated by his wife... I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all concerned' please give us justice," he said.

Subhash's estranged wife Nikita Singhania was arrested in Gurugram, Haryana, while her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anuragh Singhania were picked up from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, police said on Sunday.

Kumar also sought the custody of his four-year-old grandson.

"My son was broken from inside... Even after torture by his wife and in-laws, he didn't tell anyone about it. His suicide note also mentioned that his parents be given custody of his child," Kumar said. -- PTI

Four persons were arrested in Surat in Gujarat with fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 2.57 crore, a police official said on Sunday.

The four accused, three of whom are from Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar district) in neighbouring Maharashtra, were walking with three bags when they were apprehended at a check post in Saroli on Saturday evening, the official said.

"They hid FICN of Rs 500 denomination in 43 bundles, each having 1000 pieces. The first and last notes of these bundles were genuine in order to fool people. In 21 bundles, they had 1,000 pieces of FICN of Rs 200 denomination placed in a similar manner. They planned to dupe unsuspecting persons with these notes at banks, markets etc," the Saroli police station official said.

"The fake notes did not have serial numbers and had 'Bharatiya Bachchon ka Khata' printed in its place. The four accused have been identified as Dattatrey Rokade, Rahul Vishwakarma and Rahul Kale, hailing from Ahmednagar (Ahilyanagar), and Gulshan Gugale, a resident of Surat," he said.

The four have been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 318 (2) (cheating), 61 (criminal conspiracy) and 62 (punishment for attempting to commit serious crimes), the official added. -- PTI

J-K CM Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi/File image

14:52 Stop whining about EVMs, accept results: Ally Omar to Cong

Opening another point of friction with an important ally, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed the Congress party's vehement objection to Electronic Voting Machines, and echoed the Bharatiya Janata Party's defence -- you can't accept election results when you win, and blame EVMs when you lose.

"When you get a hundred plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs, and you celebrate that as sort of a victory for your party, you can't then a few months later turn around and say... we don't like these EVMs because now the election results aren't going the way we would like them to," Abdullah told PTI in an exclusive interview on Friday.

Told that he sounded suspiciously like a BJP spokesman, Abdullah reacted with God forbid! He then added: "No, it's just that... what's right is right."

He said he speaks based on principles rather than with partisan loyalty and cited his support for infrastructure projects like the Central Vista as an example of his independent thinking.

"Contrary to what everybody else believes, I think that what's happening with this Central Vista project in Delhi is a damn good thing. I believe constructing a new Parliament building was an excellent idea. We needed a new Parliament building. The old one had outlived its utility," he said.

He said parties should not contest elections if they do not trust the voting mechanism. -- PTI

Actor Allu Arjun

14:38 Allu Arjun visits Chiranjeevi's residence after getting interim bail

Actor Allu Arjun, who was released on interim bail from Chanchalguda Central Jail on Saturday, visited the residence of superstar Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad on Sunday along with his family.

The Pushpa 2 actor was granted bail after furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000.

His release was met with support from family members and colleagues from the film industry, many of whom gathered at his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad.

Visuals captured by paparazzi showed Allu leaving Chiranjeevi's residence in his car after the visit.

Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of a woman during the screening of his latest film last week. -- ANI

Diljit Dosanjh/File image

14:17 Diljit dedicates Chandigarh concert to world chess champion D Gukesh

Punjabi singing sensation Diljit Dosanjh dedicated his Chandigarh concert to D Gukesh, praising the newly crowned world chess champion for turning his dream into a reality.

Indian Grandmaster Gukesh on Thursday became the youngest world chess champion at 18 years after beating title-holder Ding Liren from China.

Diljit, who performed a show in Chandigarh on Saturday as part of his Dil-Luminati India Tour 2024, shared a video from his speech on his official Instagram page.

"Tonight's concert is dedicated to the world chess champion Gukesh. Do you know why it is dedicated to him? Because whatever you dream of in life, Gukesh has already dreamt of it and made it a reality. He became the world champion," the actor-singer said in the clip.

At the concert, Diljit also recreated Telugu superstar Allu Arjun's signature pose from his blockbuster film franchise Pushpa.

The 40-year-old singer asked the audience if they had seen Pushpa 2: The Rule, the recently released sequel to 2021's Pushpa: The Rise.

"Did you watch the film Pushpa? I seen the first film, but haven't watched the second part yet. There is this famous dialogue Jhukega nahi saala. Saala nahi jhukega toh kya jeeja jhuk jayega?" he quipped, referencing Arjun's popular catchphrase from the movie. -- PTI

File image

13:59 Bahraich violence: Arms license of three accused confiscated

The district administration has cancelled and confiscated the arms licenses of three accused of murdering a man during communal violence in October in Maharajganj town of the district.

A 22-year-old man identified as Ram Gopal Mishra was shot dead and about half a dozen people were injured in stone pelting and firing as communal violence broke out during a Durga idol immersion procession in Bahraich on October 13.

Superintendent of police Vrinda Shukla told reporters on Saturday that Abdul Hameed along with his three sons Sarfaraz alias Rinku, Talib alias Sabloo and Faheem had allegedly shot dead Mishra.

During the investigation, Haji Masood Ahmed and Haji Mohammad Ahmed were also found involved in the incident.

The SP said that in public interest and in view of the possibility of social harmony being disturbed in the future, the district magistrate has issued orders for cancellation and confiscation of the licensed weapons of these accused.

She said the licenses of one 12 bore single barrel gun each of Abdul Hameed and Haji Mohammad Ahmed and one 12 bore double barrel gun of Haji Masood Ahmed were cancelled.

These weapons have been confiscated. -- PTI

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

13:33 Punjab DGP, Central govt representative, meet farmer leader Dallewal

Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav accompanied by director in the ministry of home affairs Mayank Mishra on Sunday met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on fast-unto-death to press the Centre to accept the demands of farmers, and enquired about his health.

The 70-year-old Dallewal, a cancer patient, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, "We came to enquire about the health of Dallewal."

Government of India's representative Mayank Mishra was specially sent here, he added.

Deputy inspector general of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Patiala senior superintendent of police Nanak Singh and Patiala deputy commissioner Preeti Yadav were also present during the meeting at Khanauri border point.

Before reaching the protest site at the Khanauri border point, Yadav held a meeting with farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande, Kaka Singh Kotda and other leaders. -- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing a function in Raipur on Sunday/ANI on X

13:27 Give up arms and join mainstream: Shah to Maoists

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to Maoists to give up arms, join the mainstream and contribute in development.

As many as 287 Maoists were neutralised, 1,000 arrested and 837 surrendered in Chhattisgarh in last one year, said the Union home minister.

The Chhattisgarh police along with other security forces of country have put last nail in the coffin of Maoists in last one year, said Shah.

More details soon. -- PTI

Four tribal persons were killed and 15 others injured when a tractor-trolley overturned in an attempt to save a buffalo in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district, the police said on Sunday.

The accident took place at around 10.30 pm on Saturday in Ghatigaon area, an official said.

As many as 31 persons, belonging to the Saharia tribal community, had gone to a forest in Pai Kho village for collecting herbs.

They were returning to the Kait village when the tractor-trolley overturned at Tilawali square while its driver was trying to avoid hitting a buffalo, Ghatigaon police station in-charge Jeevanlal Mahor said.

Four persons, identified as Foolwati (45), Ramdas (46), Arun (14) and Kasturi Bai (65), were killed in the incident, the official said.

Fifteen others were injured and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gwalior, he added. -- PTI

File image

12:41 Centre nor got subsidised helicopter service for Jammu-Mendhar route in J-K

The Centre has approved a new subsidised helicopter route connecting Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar with an additional option of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu route, an official said.

The decision follows a proposal submitted by Jammu and Kashmir civil aviation department secretary Mohammad Aijaz Asad for connecting the remote area of Mendhar directly with the winter capital Jammu, the official said.

Subsidised helicopter services are already operational in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Kishtwar-Sounder-Navapachi-Ishan-Kishtwar, Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch-Jammu, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar-Jammu, Bandipora-Kanzalwan- Dawar-Niri-Bandipora, and Kupwara-Machil-Tangdhar-Keran-Kupwara.

Quoting a communication from the ministry of home affairs, the official said it has given its approval to the proposal to operate the subsidised helicopter services on the new route of Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar with an additional option of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu.

The Union Territory has been advised to claim the subsidy from the ministry of home affairs within the approved budget allocation, he said.

Asad said the subsidised helicopter service in the Mendhar sector is aimed at enhancing connectivity in remote areas of the region, particularly those facing accessibility challenges.

"This development will significantly benefit commuters, especially those residing in remote areas like Poonch and Mendhar. This will also help in emergency evacuation of the patients as and when required."

"Improved air connectivity will contribute to better infrastructure and enhanced travel convenience for residents in Jammu and Kashmir," he said in a statement. -- PTI

File image

12:10 Arms, ammunition recovered from two Manipur districts

Security forces recovered firearms and ammunition during search operations in Manipur's Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, the police said.

The seized arms include an assault rifle, a single-barrel gun and hand grenades, they said.

The recovery was made during search operations at Keirao Khunou area, a police statement said on Saturday.

In another operation at Khunkho Kuki village, rifles and 49 rounds of ammunition were seized, it said. -- PTI

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar/File image

11:56 Pranab should have been made PM in 2012: Aiyar

Pranab Mukherjee should have been given the reins of the UPA-II government and Manmohan Singh elevated to President when the office of Rashtrapati presented an opening in 2012, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar says in his latest book.

The 83-year-old Aiyar states in the book that if this step had been taken, the UPA would not have gone into a "paralysis of governance".

He says the decision to retain Manmohan Singh as the PM and shift Pranab Mukherjee to the Rashtrapati Bhawan "doomed" any prospects the Congress might have had to form UPA-III.

Aiyar puts forward these ideas in his forthcoming book A Maverick in Politics published by Juggernaut.

In the book, Aiyar talks about his early days in politics, navigating through the Narasimha Rao years, his time as a minister in UPA I, his Rajya Sabha term and then his "decline...fade out...fall".

"In 2012, the prime minister (Manmohan Singh) underwent operations for multiple coronary bypasses. He never quite recovered physically. It slowed him down and this showed up in governance. As for the party, there was no official announcement about the Congress president's health when she took ill at about the same time as the PM," Aiyar says.

It soon became clear that in both the offices --? the PM's and the party president's -- there was stasis, a distinct absence of governance, while several crises, particularly Anna Hazare's 'India Against Corruption' movement, were either not handled effectively or not handled at all, says the diplomat-turned-politician. -- PTI

File image

11:48 BSF jawan injured in IED explosion in Chhattisgarh

A jawan of the Border Security Force was injured when an improvised explosive device planted by Maoists exploded while his team was trying to defuse it in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Sunday, the police said.

The blast occurred around 9.30 am on the Hetarkasa village road near Panidobir camp, where a team of security personnel was out on an area domination operation, Kanker superintendent of police Indira Kalyan Elesela said.

During patrolling, the BSF team detected an IED planted by Maoists, he said.

When the IED was being neutralised, it exploded, causing minor injuries to BSF jawan B Ishwar Rao on his hand and face, he said.

The SP said the injured jawan was administered preliminary treatment and was being shifted to a hospital for further medical attention.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at Raipur around 1.30 am on Sunday on a two-day visit to the state.

He will attend programmes in Raipur and Bastar districts. -- PTI

Pakistani cultural enthusiasts and film lovers gathered at the iconic Kapoor House in Peshawar on Saturday to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Bollywood filmmaker and actor Raj Kapoor.

A highlight of the event, reinforcing the significance of Peshawar's ties to cinematic history, was the cutting of a cake to mark the birth centenary of Kapoor -- one of the most influential figures of Indian cinema.

Participants also welcomed the World Bank's announcement to allocate Rs 100 million each for the restoration of the ancestral homes of Raj Kapoor and fellow Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar.

Both homes, located near the famous Qissa Khawani Bazaar, are celebrated as symbols of Peshawar's deep ties to Indian cinema.

The gathering, jointly organised by the Cultural Heritage Council and the Directorate of Archaeology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, called for larger-scale events to commemorate the legacy of Kapoor.

The attendees emphasised Kapoor's connection to Pakistan, where he was born in Peshawar's Dhaki Nalbandi, and praised his enduring influence on cinema. Muhammad Hussain Haidery, secretary of the Pak-Iran Trade and Investment Council, was the chief guest of the event.

Born on December 14, 1924, Kapoor was the son of stalwart actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

He made classics like Awara, Barsaat, Shree 420, Sangam and Mera Naam Joker during his illustrious 40-year career. He died in 1988.

Ibrahim Zia, a renowned writer and researcher on the Indian film industry who has extensively studied film legends with roots in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presented rare photographs of Raj Kapoor from his childhood and early adolescence years in Peshawar. -- PTI

Amid the ongoing tensions in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, the district administration on Sunday launched an anti-encroachment drive to clear public spaces of illegal structures.

According to Sambhal SDM Vandana Mishra, the operation aims to address encroachments in public areas and has been actively implemented in Chandauli for the past two months as well.

"Anti-encroachment drive is being run against encroachment on public places. This drive has also been run in Chandauli for the last two months... A drive is being run against electricity theft also in Sambhal..," she said.

Earlier on Saturday morning, an anti-encroachment drive was carried out in the Shahi Jama Masjid area. -- ANI

Over 30 people, including women and children, were injured after a gate at the venue of a folk theatre show collapsed in Odisha's Cuttack district, police said.

The incident took place at Raisunguda in Salepur area on Saturday night as the people were passing through the iron structure, they said.

The injured have been admitted to Salepur hospital, a police officer said.

Six of them, who suffered critical injuries, were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, he said.

An investigation is underway. -- PTI

10:19 Govt defers simultaneous polls bill

The government has deferred the introduction of bills related to 'one nation one election' in the Lok Sabha till after the completion of financial business, sources said.

Earlier, the two bills -- The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill) -- were listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The sources in the government said the the bills could be brought later this week after the House passes the first batch of supplementary demands for grants listed for Monday.

The revised list of business, issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat, does not have the two bills on the agenda for Monday.

However, the government can always bring in legislative agenda to Parliament at the last minute through 'Supplementary List of Business' with the permission of the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The two bills related to implementation of the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies have been circulated among members last week as per the rules of procedure.

The Winter session of Parliament is scheduled to conclude on December 20. -- PTI

09:09 Atul Subhash suicide: Wife, in-laws arrested

Deceased engineer Atul Subhash's estranged wife Nikita Singhania, whom he had accused of harassment in his suicide note, has been arrested from Gurugram, Bengaluru police said on Sunday.

Nikita's family members -- Nisha and Anurag Singhania -- have also been arrested from Prayagraj, DCP White Field Division, Bengaluru, Shivakumar said.

They were produced before a court that has sent them to judicial custody.

More details awaited. -- ANI

The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to cede housing ministry to the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra following the likely cabinet expansion in the state, sources said, adding that the BJP will retain the home ministry.

The sources said the two BJP allies -- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party -- will retain the portfolios they had in the previous Mahayuti government except for one additional ministry to the Shiv Sena.

With former chief minister Shinde now as one of the two deputies to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP may give his party one more important ministry, they added.

Pawar is likely to retain the finance ministry.

There is a possibility of cabinet expansion taking place in Nagpur on Sunday.

The BJP may induct a few fresh faces in the cabinet, the sources said. -- PTI

Portfolio allocation to new ministers soon: Fadnavis

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES