Politics

Haryana BJP MLAs meet begins to choose CM

Chandigarh, Oct 21 (ANI): Having got a majority on its own for the first time in Haryana, the BJP on Tuesday took step ahead in the installation of a government in the state. Newly-elected 47 BJP MLAs convened a meeting on Tuesday to elect legislature party leader. The meeting is being chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu and party vice president Dinesh Sharma, who have been appointed observers by the BJP's Parliamentary Board for deciding on the name of Haryana CM, who is "likely" to take oath on October 22.

Oct 21, 2014

JD (U) again demands central grant of special status for Bihar, politicos react

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Raking up the demand for the grant of special status for Bihar again, Janata Dal (United) leader Ali Anwar on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bihar. He also added that the BJP must not let their dislike of former chief minister Nitish Kumar prevent them from granting special status to Bihar. Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party leader Majid Memon also supported the JD (U)'s stance, saying that Bihar needs special attention. However, the BJP said that the JD (U) should rather pay attention towards Bihar Chief Minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi who keeps on giving controversial remarks.

Oct 21, 2014

Politicos react as Shinde says Chavan worked to build his own image

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Political reactions poured in a day after former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde turned the heat on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan saying he worked to build his own individual interest in Maharashtra in the last four years. Shinde claimed that Chavan did little to build the party's image in the state.

Oct 21, 2014

Manohar Lal Khattar Elected as Haryana Chief Minister

Khattar will be the first non-Jat Chief Minister of Haryana in 18 years.

Oct 21, 2014

Rajnath Singh honours martyrs on Police Commemoration Day

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid his respects to the police officers who have sacrificed their lives for the nation at the police memorial ground in Chanakyapuri, on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day in New Delhi on Tuesday. October 21 is observed as 'Commemoration Day' every year in all police lines throughout the country to mark the memory of the gallant personnel who were killed in Ladakh and all other police personnel killed on duty in 1959. The Police Commemoration Day Parade is being held at the national level since 2012 at the Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri.

Oct 21, 2014

India beefs up security along Nepal border region in wake of Burdwan blast

Siliguri, Burdwan, Oct 21 (ANI): Paramilitary, 'Sashastra Seema Bal' (SSB), beefed up security in the areas along the Nepal border in wake of the bomb blast in Burdwan district. The explosion in Burdwan district of West Bengal on October 02 had left two suspected militants dead, while the city court has sent three accused in police custody till October 22. Two women were also arrested in connection with the blast on October 05. The involvement of militant outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami are being suspected in the case as a large number of watch dials, SIM cards, and other tools required to make improvised explosive devices were found in the house. Speaking to mediapersons, Director General of SSB, Ranidanga North Bengal frontier head quarter, BD Sharma, said that many criminal activities were taking place along the border area, which is a threat to India's security.

Oct 21, 2014

Diwali celebrations: People light 51,000 lamps in Pune's Shaniwar Wada palace

Pune, Oct 21 (ANI): Pune illuminated the famed historic monument, Shaniwar Wada palace built in 1746, the seat of Peshwa rule, with 51,000 oil lamps to mark the beginning of festivities ahead of festival of lights, Diwali. The tradition dates back to the time of Maratha Empire and was stopped by the British during pre-independence period. Shaniwar Wada is a historic monument. Pune's Diwali festival starts from here. This tradition has been in practice since last 14 years but was stopped in 1818 by the British. A laughing club Chaitanya Hasya Yog Mandal (CHYM) in the year 2000 resumed this tradition. This lighting up of these numerous lamps marks the beginning of festivities of Diwali in Pune city. Director of Chaitanya Hasya Club Arun Pathak, said residents of Pune start the festivities with this lighting event of 'Deep Utsav' every year.

Oct 21, 2014

Fire in firecracker factory kills 13 in Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Oct 21 (ANI): Major fire broke out at a firecracker factory in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh ahead of Diwali, killing 13 and injuring several others. The injured were rushed to a hospital. Andhra Pradesh Health Minister, Kamineni Srinivas, said 12 had died on spot and five people suffered 90 percent burn injuries.Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced compensation for families of the deceased and injured workers.

Oct 21, 2014

Nepal foreign minister meets Modi to invite him for SAARC meet

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Nepal Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to invite him for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit meet in Kathmandu. The two-day SAARC summit will begin on November 26. Nepal will chair the regional grouping meet that has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as its members. As close neighbours, India and Nepal share a unique relationship of friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture.

Oct 21, 2014

Union Cabinet passes ordinance to auction coal blocks

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Monday passed an ordinance to auction the non-operating coal blocks, which were cancelled by the Supreme Court last month. The ordinance has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his final approval. The cabinet also announced that Coal India's interests will be fully protected and only Indian companies will be allowed to participate in the bidding for the coal blocks. The government also moved to open up its coal industry to commercial mining while protecting the requirements of state-run Coal India, signalling the most serious shift in 42 years toward allowing private players' full participation in coal mining. The mines would also be allotted to public sector units such as the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), which engages in electricity generation and allied activities.

Oct 21, 2014

Maharashtra: Will BJP Form Minority Govt or Join Hands with Shiv Sena? Decision Likely after Diwali

Shiv Sena is rigid on its demand of half the share in ministerial berths in exchange for its support to BJP.

Oct 21, 2014

Muslims in Varanasi to gift lamps to Hindus on Diwali

Varanasi, Oct 21 (ANI): A group of Muslim women in the temple city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is engrossed in making earthen lamps to gift to their Hindu friends on the occasion of the festival of lights, Diwali, with the aim of promoting unity and love between the two communities. By making these lamps, the women are sending across the message of peace and harmony among Hindus and Muslims. A woman making the lamp, Najneen Ansari, said that the lamps will be gifted to their Hindu neighbours to light up their house.

Oct 21, 2014