Premier League: Haaland wants Manchester City to 'try to enjoy the situation and win the game'

'Nidal Hasan's firing-squad execution to be livestreamed', says Pentagon; first US military execution since 1961

Trump's naked 23-karat gold statue unveiled near European Parliament

‘Never-ending flow of cheap labour’: JD Vance hits back at Indian-origin Congresswoman over US green card curbs for major tech companies

Thai Actors Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit face racism accusations from Indian fans over viral Bollywood act

Nigeria govt rolls out 30-day NNPC petrol discount, insists it is not a subsidy

Captain Smit Machchhar on feet again, walks 10 steps as recovery continues after Flydubai flight attack

Fastest-growing Asian economies in 2026: Who tops the chart? Where does India rank?

A Love Other Than Yours: The temptation to cheat and what pushes people over the edge

Russia president Putin promises to 'do everything' to help settle Middle East conflict as US-Iran negotiations stall

‘Wait till you discover the other guy’: Rahul Gandhi takes a swipe as Musk's 'Ambani real boss of India' remark triggers X subscription cancellations

BTS agency HYBE announces first-ever Weverse Con Festival in India

Trump has a new 'enemy': Anyone who calls it 'artificial intelligence'. Here's what we wants instead

India at UN: Pak allows terror groups to operate from its soil

Air India, Air India Express increase fuel surcharge on domestic, international flights amid rising ATF costs

'Something truly catastrophic will happen': Former OpenAI researchers sound the alarm, claim they were fired for prioritising AI safety

Scientists find highly radioactive nuclear particles at Chernobyl 40 years after the disaster

Nana Patekar's #MeToo controversy: From Tanushree Dutta’s allegations to court ruling

Pakistan denies reports of PAF jets being used in attacks against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen

New York ICE shooting sparks protests as Mamdani to call on Trump to halt ICE operations

Atlantic hurricane Isaias could make landfall as a strong Category 2 storm, tornado warnings issued

From Kramatorsk buses to Yandex fire: Russia-Ukraine war in the last 48 hours

AUS vs SA: 'That's fine,' says Cummins on Khawaja's book contents about Sandpapergate

Who is Nana Patekar's wife Neelakanti? The bank officer who earned Rs 2,500 when he earned Rs 50

KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza to return in 2027 after hiatus, agency issues statement

French students light European bonfire, protests erupt in Belgium, Italy & Greece | Gravitas

France student protests: Over 500 arrested, govt promises 3,000 substitute teachers

Arizona congressional candidate claims she was sexually assaulted while repairing signs

New Cold War: Why is China buying more gold? Explained

OpenAI shuts down Russian, Iranian influence operations using ChatGPT to spread propaganda

'Understood consequences of a few mistakes': Ishan Kishan reflects on journey back to India team

435 House seats, 35 Senate races: The numbers behind US midterms 2026

Bangladesh named as Pakistan’s replacement for Asian Hockey Champions Trophy

SC asks Centre to frame mechanism against unethical pharma marketing practices

US suspends Microsoft, Infosys, Tata, Wipro from green card programme over alleged H-1B abuse

Trump honours Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with top technology honour amid immigration scrutiny

Flydubai flight attack: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar to receive Israel's highest civilian bravery award for saving 174 lives

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Thursday filed nominations to contest the November 28 state polls from Champhai South and Serchhip assembly seats, officials said.&nbsp;

The last day for filing of nominations is Friday.

The Congress leader would be contesting from his home turf Serchhip as well as the Champhai South constituency located on Mizoram's border with Myanmar.

He could not file his nomination papers from Serchhip on Tuesday due to a massive protest for removal of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) SB Shashank. The agitation was held in front of the office of the returning officer.

While Thanhawla personally appeared before the returning officer in Champhai on Thursday, his representative filed the papers on his behalf in Serchhip, the officials said.

The five-time chief minister would be pitted against Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee C Lalramzauva, a senior advocate, and People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party chief Vanlalruata, among others, in the Serchhip seat.

Thanhawla would contest against another lawyer T J Lalnuntluanga of the MNF, and C Lalremliana of the ZPM, both first-timers, in the Champhai South seat.

Mizoram is the only State in the north-east where the Congress is in power.&nbsp;

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Thursday filed nominations to contest the November 28 state polls from Champhai South and Serchhip assembly seats, officials said.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Thursday filed nominations to contest the November 28 state polls from Champhai South and Serchhip assembly seats, officials said. The last day for filing of nominations is Friday. The Congress leader would be contesting from his home turf Serchhip as well as the Champhai South constituency located on Mizoram's border with Myanmar. He could not file his nomination papers from Serchhip on Tuesday due to a massive protest for removal of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) SB Shashank. The agitation was held in front of the office of the returning officer. While Thanhawla personally appeared before the returning officer in Champhai on Thursday, his representative filed the papers on his behalf in Serchhip, the officials said. The five-time chief minister would be pitted against Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee C Lalramzauva, a senior advocate, and People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party chief Vanlalruata, among others, in the Serchhip seat. Thanhawla would contest against another lawyer T J Lalnuntluanga of the MNF, and C Lalremliana of the ZPM, both first-timers, in the Champhai South seat. Mizoram is the only State in the north-east where the Congress is in power.

Mizoram polls: Lal Thanhawla files nomination from two seats

Delhi authorities have imposed a three-day ban on trucks entering the the national capital as its 20 million inhabitants wheezed in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/pollution-in-delhi-akin-to-smoking-20-cigarettes-a-day-176146">toxic annual winter smog</a>.

With levels of air pollution classed as "hazardous", the restriction on the nearly 40,000 medium and heavy lorries that enter Delhi every day was imposed late on Thursday.

The transport ministry said that vehicles carrying food and other essentials were exempted, while appealing to private owners of diesel sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to leave their cars at home.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chokes-after-diwali-as-several-places-record-aqi-999-176129">Delhi's air quality</a> typically worsens in winter, as clouds of smoke from farmers' fires billow into the city and mix with industrial and traffic emissions to form a noxious cocktail.

On Wednesday night, Delhites largely defied a court order and set off an immense barrage of smoke-spewing firecrackers to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/thick-haze-engulfs-delhi-as-diwali-celebrations-continue-long-after-supreme-court-deadline-176125">celebrate Diwali</a>, sending pollution levels soaring.

On Friday, levels of PM2.5, the most harmful to human health, peaked at 845, according to the US embassy website that monitors air quality independently.

The "hazardous" figure is roughly 33 times the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 25 and health experts advise people to stay indoors or use masks for protection.

Vehicles on Delhi roads generate roughly 20 per cent of these tiny particles in air, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream and which are linked to chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease.

Authorities in the previous years have rationed private car use and imposed shutdowns on industrial units and coal-run power plants, as well as taxes on lorries to discourage them from using Delhi as a transit route.

Delhi was among 14 Indian cities that figured in a list of the 20 most polluted cities across the globe this year issued by the WHO.

Delhi authorities have imposed a three-day ban on trucks entering the the national capital as its 20 million inhabitants wheezed in the toxic annual winter smog.

Delhi authorities have imposed a three-day ban on trucks entering the the national capital as its 20 million inhabitants wheezed in the toxic annual winter smog. With levels of air pollution classed as "hazardous", the restriction on the nearly 40,000 medium and heavy lorries that enter Delhi every day was imposed late on Thursday. The transport ministry said that vehicles carrying food and other essentials were exempted, while appealing to private owners of diesel sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to leave their cars at home. Delhi's air quality typically worsens in winter, as clouds of smoke from farmers' fires billow into the city and mix with industrial and traffic emissions to form a noxious cocktail. On Wednesday night, Delhites largely defied a court order and set off an immense barrage of smoke-spewing firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, sending pollution levels soaring. On Friday, levels of PM2.5, the most harmful to human health, peaked at 845, according to the US embassy website that monitors air quality independently. The "hazardous" figure is roughly 33 times the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 25 and health experts advise people to stay indoors or use masks for protection. Vehicles on Delhi roads generate roughly 20 per cent of these tiny particles in air, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream and which are linked to chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease. Authorities in the previous years have rationed private car use and imposed shutdowns on industrial units and coal-run power plants, as well as taxes on lorries to discourage them from using Delhi as a transit route. Delhi was among 14 Indian cities that figured in a list of the 20 most polluted cities across the globe this year issued by the WHO.

Delhi bans trucks as megacity chokes

Delhi imposes three-day ban on entry of trucks as pollution soars

The Election Commission on Thursday rejected a plea of the BJP to extend the last date of filing nominations for the November 28 assembly polls in Mizoram.

The party had moved the plea citing the law and order situation in the northeastern state.

In a letter to state BJP chief J V Hluna, the poll panel said his plea has "not been acceded to on account of peace and normalcy in the state today." 
Friday is the last date of filing nominations.

There have been protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank by the NGO Coordination Committee.

But the protests were called off Wednesday after the officer left for Delhi.

The NGO Coordination Committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations in the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state.

It also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014. 
&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Thursday rejected a plea of the BJP to extend the last date of filing nominations for the November 28 assembly polls in Mizoram. The party had moved the plea citing the law and order situation in the northeastern state.

The Election Commission on Thursday rejected a plea of the BJP to extend the last date of filing nominations for the November 28 assembly polls in Mizoram. The party had moved the plea citing the law and order situation in the northeastern state. In a letter to state BJP chief J V Hluna, the poll panel said his plea has "not been acceded to on account of peace and normalcy in the state today." Friday is the last date of filing nominations. There have been protests demanding the ouster of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank by the NGO Coordination Committee. But the protests were called off Wednesday after the officer left for Delhi. The NGO Coordination Committee, the apex body of civil societies and students' organisations in the north-eastern state, has been demanding that Shashank be replaced and transferred outside the state. It also demanded that 11,232 Bru voters lodged in six Tripura relief camps be allowed to exercise their franchise at their respective polling stations in Mizoram and not in Tripura as committed by the poll panel in 2014.

EC rejects Mizoram BJP plea to extend date of filing nominations for assembly polls

CBI Director Alok Verma Friday appeared before the Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary in connection with the corruption charges levelled against him by his deputy and special director in the probe agency Rakesh Asthana.

Verma also met Chowdary and Kumar in connection with the inquiry on Thursday.&nbsp;

Verma appeared before the panel headed by Chowdary and comprising Vigilance Commissioners Sharad Kumar and T M Bhasin among others, they said, without citing any other details, the report added.

The Supreme Court had on October 26 asked the Central Vigilance Commission to complete within two weeks its inquiry into the allegations against Verma levelled by Asthana.

Verma and Asthana have been sent on leave by the government.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma reaches Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He was examined by the Commission yesterday. <a href="https://t.co/mzbojryraA">pic.twitter.com/mzbojryraA</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1060757607516921856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

CBI Director Alok Verma Friday appeared before the Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary in connection with the corruption charges levelled against him by his deputy and special director in the probe agency Rakesh Asthana.

CBI Director Alok Verma Friday appeared before the Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary in connection with the corruption charges levelled against him by his deputy and special director in the probe agency Rakesh Asthana. Verma also met Chowdary and Kumar in connection with the inquiry on Thursday. Verma appeared before the panel headed by Chowdary and comprising Vigilance Commissioners Sharad Kumar and T M Bhasin among others, they said, without citing any other details, the report added. The Supreme Court had on October 26 asked the Central Vigilance Commission to complete within two weeks its inquiry into the allegations against Verma levelled by Asthana. Verma and Asthana have been sent on leave by the government. Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma reaches Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He was examined by the Commission yesterday. pic.twitter.com/mzbojryraA — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018 ×

CBI director Alok Verma appears before CVC for the second day

National Saffron Mission fails to boost saffron production in Kashmir valley

Nitin Chaturvedi, son of senior Congress leader and former MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi, filed nomination as a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Thursday from Rajnagar in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.

Assembly elections will be held in the BJP-ruled state on November 28.

Nitin Chaturvedi filed his papers in the presence of his father and a group of supporters.

Satyavrata Chaturvedi, a former Congress national spokesperson, said he himself was still with the Congress.

"I am still a Congress member. Congress has been repeating the same mistake (of ignoring his son) for 15 years. Doing injustice is sin, and tolerating injustice is equally sinful. So my son took the decision to go to the people's court," he said.

"It was Nitin's own decision to contest on SP ticket. He is adult and a father of two children, so he can take decision on his own. I will help him as much as I can," Satyavrata Chaturvedi added.

Nitin Chaturvedi alleged that the Congress has ignored its ground-level workers.

The party has fielded Vikram Singh Natiraja, a three-time MLA, from this seat.

Defending the decision to give ticket to Natiraja, Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi cited his record.

"Natiraja is a three-time MLA from here. He won two consecutive elections, in 2008 and 2013, on Congress ticket. He was elected as MLA on SP's ticket in 2003. How can Congress ignore ground reports," he said. 
&nbsp;

Nitin Chaturvedi, son of senior Congress leader and former MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi, filed nomination as a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Thursday from Rajnagar in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.

Nitin Chaturvedi, son of senior Congress leader and former MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi, filed nomination as a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Thursday from Rajnagar in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. Assembly elections will be held in the BJP-ruled state on November 28. Nitin Chaturvedi filed his papers in the presence of his father and a group of supporters. Satyavrata Chaturvedi, a former Congress national spokesperson, said he himself was still with the Congress. "I am still a Congress member. Congress has been repeating the same mistake (of ignoring his son) for 15 years. Doing injustice is sin, and tolerating injustice is equally sinful. So my son took the decision to go to the people's court," he said. "It was Nitin's own decision to contest on SP ticket. He is adult and a father of two children, so he can take decision on his own. I will help him as much as I can," Satyavrata Chaturvedi added. Nitin Chaturvedi alleged that the Congress has ignored its ground-level workers. The party has fielded Vikram Singh Natiraja, a three-time MLA, from this seat. Defending the decision to give ticket to Natiraja, Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi cited his record. "Natiraja is a three-time MLA from here. He won two consecutive elections, in 2008 and 2013, on Congress ticket. He was elected as MLA on SP's ticket in 2003. How can Congress ignore ground reports," he said.

MP polls: Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi's son to contest on SP ticket

Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Sartaj Singh Thursday switched over to the Congress after his name did not figure in the ruling party's third list for the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls.

Singh, two-time MLA from Seoni-Malwa who wept openly after the BJP snub, was immediately named as the Congress' nominee for the Hoshangabad Assembly seat in the opposition party's fifth list comprising 16 candidates.

Singh holds sway in the Hoshangabad region and had defeated late Congress stalwart Arjun Singh from there in 1998.

"I am grateful to the Congress for nominating me from Hoshangabad. I had been with the saffron family for 58 long years. The BJP denied me a ticket. I want to be in the midst of the people so I am contesting elections," Singh told PTI over phone.

"I don't want to sit at home and confine myself to counting prayer beads," he added.

With the fifth list, released Thursday evening, the Congress has now announced names for 225 seats in the 230-member MP Assembly.

The Congress is yet to announce its contestants from Budhni (Sehore), Manpur (Dhar), Indore-2, Indore-5 and Jatara (Tikamgarh) seats.

Congress sources said the party is looking for a strong candidate for Budhni to "confine" MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan there.

The BJP Thursday released its third list of 32 candidates, leaving only six seats, in the 230-member MP House, for which no names have been declared so far.

These are Seoni-Malwa, from which Singh was a sitting MLA, Panna, Lakhnadoun, Bhopal North, Mahidpur and Garoth.

Sitting among his supporters earlier Thursday, the Sikh leader tried to conceal his tears by covering his face for a few moments.

State BJP spokesperson Anil Soumitra, who had earlier in the day called Singh's teary reaction to his exclusion from the party's list as "unbecoming", later in the evening said the veteran MLA's exit would not harm the BJP.

"Will the Congress workers accept him? Is this trend of nursing personal political ambitions right? If he was such a big leader, why he did not run as an Independent candidate," Soumitra said.

Earlier in the day, asked for a comment, Soumitra said," The BJP has valued him immensely. The party has made him Union minister, twice MP Minister, MP and MLA. What more does he want? Instead of Vanaprashta (retirement in forest), he wants to stay put in Grihastha (household)."

Singh was earlier dropped as MP PWD minister along with state Home minister Babulal Gaur in June 2016 reportedly due to old age.

Singh is the third powerful BJP leader to join Congress after Sanjay Sharma and Padma Shukla.

Sharma was the sitting BJP MLA from Tendukhenda in Seoni district and has now been given a ticket from there by the Congress.

Shukla, who resigned as MP Social Welfare Board chief and quit the BJP, has got the Congress' nomination from Vijayraghavgarh constituency in Katni district.

Besides, the Congress has made Sanjay Singh Masani, brother-in-law of MP CM Chouhan, its nominee from Waraseoni assembly seat in Balaghat district, currently represented by BJP's Yogendra Nirmal.

A native of Maharashtra, Masani's name figured on the fourth list of 29 candidates released Wednesday by the Congress.

Meanwhile, the Congress took a dig at the BJP over Sartaj Singh and said the ruling party had a habit of treating senior leaders in such a manner.

 
MP Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta claimed that the BJP had "no respect" for elders and gave the example of party patriarch LK Advani.

Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Sartaj Singh Thursday switched over to the Congress after his name did not figure in the ruling party's third list for the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls.

Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Sartaj Singh Thursday switched over to the Congress after his name did not figure in the ruling party's third list for the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. Singh, two-time MLA from Seoni-Malwa who wept openly after the BJP snub, was immediately named as the Congress' nominee for the Hoshangabad Assembly seat in the opposition party's fifth list comprising 16 candidates. Singh holds sway in the Hoshangabad region and had defeated late Congress stalwart Arjun Singh from there in 1998. "I am grateful to the Congress for nominating me from Hoshangabad. I had been with the saffron family for 58 long years. The BJP denied me a ticket. I want to be in the midst of the people so I am contesting elections," Singh told PTI over phone. "I don't want to sit at home and confine myself to counting prayer beads," he added. With the fifth list, released Thursday evening, the Congress has now announced names for 225 seats in the 230-member MP Assembly. The Congress is yet to announce its contestants from Budhni (Sehore), Manpur (Dhar), Indore-2, Indore-5 and Jatara (Tikamgarh) seats. Congress sources said the party is looking for a strong candidate for Budhni to "confine" MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan there. The BJP Thursday released its third list of 32 candidates, leaving only six seats, in the 230-member MP House, for which no names have been declared so far. These are Seoni-Malwa, from which Singh was a sitting MLA, Panna, Lakhnadoun, Bhopal North, Mahidpur and Garoth. Sitting among his supporters earlier Thursday, the Sikh leader tried to conceal his tears by covering his face for a few moments. State BJP spokesperson Anil Soumitra, who had earlier in the day called Singh's teary reaction to his exclusion from the party's list as "unbecoming", later in the evening said the veteran MLA's exit would not harm the BJP. "Will the Congress workers accept him? Is this trend of nursing personal political ambitions right? If he was such a big leader, why he did not run as an Independent candidate," Soumitra said. Earlier in the day, asked for a comment, Soumitra said," The BJP has valued him immensely. The party has made him Union minister, twice MP Minister, MP and MLA. What more does he want? Instead of Vanaprashta (retirement in forest), he wants to stay put in Grihastha (household)." Singh was earlier dropped as MP PWD minister along with state Home minister Babulal Gaur in June 2016 reportedly due to old age. Singh is the third powerful BJP leader to join Congress after Sanjay Sharma and Padma Shukla. Sharma was the sitting BJP MLA from Tendukhenda in Seoni district and has now been given a ticket from there by the Congress. Shukla, who resigned as MP Social Welfare Board chief and quit the BJP, has got the Congress' nomination from Vijayraghavgarh constituency in Katni district. Besides, the Congress has made Sanjay Singh Masani, brother-in-law of MP CM Chouhan, its nominee from Waraseoni assembly seat in Balaghat district, currently represented by BJP's Yogendra Nirmal. A native of Maharashtra, Masani's name figured on the fourth list of 29 candidates released Wednesday by the Congress. Meanwhile, the Congress took a dig at the BJP over Sartaj Singh and said the ruling party had a habit of treating senior leaders in such a manner. MP Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta claimed that the BJP had "no respect" for elders and gave the example of party patriarch LK Advani.

MP polls: Snubbed senior BJP leader joins Congress, gets ticket

US Vice President Mike Pence would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his four-nation trip next week, during which he will also attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore, the White House has said.

Generally the summit is attended by US President. However, this time Pence would be representing the country at the request of President Donald Trump.

Pence will travel to Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Papua New Guinea between November 11 and 18 to attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore as well as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Papua New Guinea.

Pence will also participate in meetings with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Singapore premier Lee Hsien Loong, India's Narendra Modi, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in addition to other bilateral meetings, the White House said.

National Security Advisor John Bolton will join Vice President Pence for the US-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in Singapore and APEC meetings in Papua New Guinea.

"The Vice President is honoured to represent President Donald Trump at the US-ASEAN Summit and APEC next week, where he will highlight American leadership in the region and reaffirm our commitment to freedom, economic prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific," Alyssa Farah, Press Secretary for the Vice President said.

This will be Pence's third trip to the region as the Vice President and he will reaffirm President Trump's commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, she said.

"He will also deliver the message that authoritarianism, aggression, and the disregard for other nations' sovereignty by any nation in the Indo-Pacific will not be tolerated by the United States," Farah said.&nbsp;

US Vice President Mike Pence would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his four-nation trip next week, during which he will also attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore, the White House has said.

US Vice President Mike Pence would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his four-nation trip next week, during which he will also attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore, the White House has said. Generally the summit is attended by US President. However, this time Pence would be representing the country at the request of President Donald Trump. Pence will travel to Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Papua New Guinea between November 11 and 18 to attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Singapore as well as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Papua New Guinea. Pence will also participate in meetings with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Singapore premier Lee Hsien Loong, India's Narendra Modi, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in addition to other bilateral meetings, the White House said. National Security Advisor John Bolton will join Vice President Pence for the US-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in Singapore and APEC meetings in Papua New Guinea. "The Vice President is honoured to represent President Donald Trump at the US-ASEAN Summit and APEC next week, where he will highlight American leadership in the region and reaffirm our commitment to freedom, economic prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific," Alyssa Farah, Press Secretary for the Vice President said. This will be Pence's third trip to the region as the Vice President and he will reaffirm President Trump's commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, she said. "He will also deliver the message that authoritarianism, aggression, and the disregard for other nations' sovereignty by any nation in the Indo-Pacific will not be tolerated by the United States," Farah said.

US Vice President Mike Pence to meet PM Modi next week: White House

What's in a name? A lot, if the name to bank upon is Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this assembly constituency of Chhattisgarh where Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP is pitted against Congress candidate Karuna Shukla, niece of the late former prime minister.

Both the parties are trying their best to garner votes in Vajpayee's name. While the ruling party leaders say the BJP and Vajpayee are "synonymous", Shukla alleged the chief minister was showing his "double standards" by claiming to follow the ideology of the BJP stalwart when the state government was "miles apart" from the former prime minister's teachings.

"BJP has changed its 'chaal, charitra aur chehra' (ways, character and face). It is no more a party envisaged by Atal ji and (Lal Krishna) Advani ji and people of the state know this," Shukla told PTI on her campaign trail.

"There is no question of denying that I am Atal ji's niece. His teachings and courage are in my blood. I am guided by his principles. People in Rajnandgaon know that I will implement the model of good governance in the corruption-riddled state if the Congress wins election," said Shukla, a former BJP central office-bearer who quit the party in 2013 after over three decades of association.

She joined the Congress in February 2014 and unsuccessfully fought the Lok Sabha elections from the state's Bilaspur seat on the party ticket. As a BJP leader, she had won the Lok Sabha elections from Janjgir in 2004, but lost in 2009 from Korba.

The Congress has now fielded her from Rajnandgaon, the chief minister's home turf.

"Raman Singh calls me his sister. He claims that he is following the ideology of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As far as I know this (state) government is miles apart from Atal ji's teaching. It is his (CM's) double standard," Shukla alleged.

Both Shukla and Singh are seeking votes in the name of Vajpayee and his good-governance principles.

Shukla also accused Singh of ignoring his home constituency, alleging that no development has taken place in the area in the past five years.

"It is a sorry state of affairs in Rajnandgaon where people face scarcity of water and access to other necessities. Corruption is rampant in the administration. People will root out this corrupt government this time from the state," she said.

She exuded confidence that the Congress will form a government in the state after winning the elections. Singh has been the state's chief minister for nearly 15 years with his party managing to keep the Congress away from the government for three consecutive assembly elections.

The Congress was in power in the state only during the first assembly, after the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh.

Rejecting Shukla's allegations, the BJP leaders said the people of Rajnandgaon are seeing development done by the chief minister Raman Singh and his government and that the BJP will win the seat with record margin this time.

"Karuna ji had left BJP to join Congress. People know this very well. She will not present any challenge for Raman Singh who will win the polls with the record margin of votes,"said Sanjay Shrivastava, a senior BJP leader of the state.

The BJP has projected the election in Singh's home constituency as a fight between a local and an outsider.

Shrivastava said Shukla is an outsider and voters know this.

"How can they expect somebody who is not from their area to work from them. People in Rajnandgaon have full faith in Raman Singh and it will be proved after the voting on November 12,"&nbsp;Shrivastava said.

He said the BJP and Atal ji are synonymous with each other and there is no denying this fact.

"BJP is seeking votes by citing its good governance and development model which people of the state have been witnessing. All leaders of the party including Atal Ji and their legacy is certainly part of the part campaign," another senior BJP leader said.

The chief minister's son Abhishek Singh is the sitting MP from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency. The six assembly seats under Rajnandgaon district, including the one from which the chief minister is fighting, will go to polls on November 12.

Voting will take place for a total of 18 seats on the date, while the remaining 72 seats will go to polls in the second phase on November 20. The counting for all 90 seats will take place on December 11, along with the same for the four other states -- neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Mizoram.

In the 2013 elections, the BJP lifted 49 seats while the Congress got 39.

Singh had defeated his Congress rival in 2013 from nearly 36,000 votes, but some poll pundits attributed his victory to urban areas as they saw the Congress having done better among rural voters.

Another key factor in the state elections this time is former chief minister Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), who has joined hands with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party.

First Jogi was being seen as giving a direct fight to Singh from Rajnandgaon constituency, but later he nominated a local corporator. Pundits say Jogi himself could have given Singh a good fight given a strong presence of voters from his caste base of Mahars and Satnamis.

What's in a name? A lot, if the name to bank upon is Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this assembly constituency of Chhattisgarh where Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP is pitted against Congress candidate Karuna Shukla, niece of the late former prime minister.

What's in a name? A lot, if the name to bank upon is Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this assembly constituency of Chhattisgarh where Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP is pitted against Congress candidate Karuna Shukla, niece of the late former prime minister. Both the parties are trying their best to garner votes in Vajpayee's name. While the ruling party leaders say the BJP and Vajpayee are "synonymous", Shukla alleged the chief minister was showing his "double standards" by claiming to follow the ideology of the BJP stalwart when the state government was "miles apart" from the former prime minister's teachings. "BJP has changed its 'chaal, charitra aur chehra' (ways, character and face). It is no more a party envisaged by Atal ji and (Lal Krishna) Advani ji and people of the state know this," Shukla told PTI on her campaign trail. "There is no question of denying that I am Atal ji's niece. His teachings and courage are in my blood. I am guided by his principles. People in Rajnandgaon know that I will implement the model of good governance in the corruption-riddled state if the Congress wins election," said Shukla, a former BJP central office-bearer who quit the party in 2013 after over three decades of association. She joined the Congress in February 2014 and unsuccessfully fought the Lok Sabha elections from the state's Bilaspur seat on the party ticket. As a BJP leader, she had won the Lok Sabha elections from Janjgir in 2004, but lost in 2009 from Korba. The Congress has now fielded her from Rajnandgaon, the chief minister's home turf. "Raman Singh calls me his sister. He claims that he is following the ideology of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As far as I know this (state) government is miles apart from Atal ji's teaching. It is his (CM's) double standard," Shukla alleged. Both Shukla and Singh are seeking votes in the name of Vajpayee and his good-governance principles. Shukla also accused Singh of ignoring his home constituency, alleging that no development has taken place in the area in the past five years. "It is a sorry state of affairs in Rajnandgaon where people face scarcity of water and access to other necessities. Corruption is rampant in the administration. People will root out this corrupt government this time from the state," she said. She exuded confidence that the Congress will form a government in the state after winning the elections. Singh has been the state's chief minister for nearly 15 years with his party managing to keep the Congress away from the government for three consecutive assembly elections. The Congress was in power in the state only during the first assembly, after the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. Rejecting Shukla's allegations, the BJP leaders said the people of Rajnandgaon are seeing development done by the chief minister Raman Singh and his government and that the BJP will win the seat with record margin this time. "Karuna ji had left BJP to join Congress. People know this very well. She will not present any challenge for Raman Singh who will win the polls with the record margin of votes,"said Sanjay Shrivastava, a senior BJP leader of the state. The BJP has projected the election in Singh's home constituency as a fight between a local and an outsider. Shrivastava said Shukla is an outsider and voters know this. "How can they expect somebody who is not from their area to work from them. People in Rajnandgaon have full faith in Raman Singh and it will be proved after the voting on November 12," Shrivastava said. He said the BJP and Atal ji are synonymous with each other and there is no denying this fact. "BJP is seeking votes by citing its good governance and development model which people of the state have been witnessing. All leaders of the party including Atal Ji and their legacy is certainly part of the part campaign," another senior BJP leader said. The chief minister's son Abhishek Singh is the sitting MP from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency. The six assembly seats under Rajnandgaon district, including the one from which the chief minister is fighting, will go to polls on November 12. Voting will take place for a total of 18 seats on the date, while the remaining 72 seats will go to polls in the second phase on November 20. The counting for all 90 seats will take place on December 11, along with the same for the four other states -- neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Mizoram. In the 2013 elections, the BJP lifted 49 seats while the Congress got 39. Singh had defeated his Congress rival in 2013 from nearly 36,000 votes, but some poll pundits attributed his victory to urban areas as they saw the Congress having done better among rural voters. Another key factor in the state elections this time is former chief minister Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), who has joined hands with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party. First Jogi was being seen as giving a direct fight to Singh from Rajnandgaon constituency, but later he nominated a local corporator. Pundits say Jogi himself could have given Singh a good fight given a strong presence of voters from his caste base of Mahars and Satnamis.

In Raman Singh's home turf, both BJP and Congress seek votes in Vajpayee's name

One Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist has been gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral area on Friday.

Several arms and ammunition have been recovered from the spot.&nbsp;

As per reports, the security forces began a cordon and search operation in Darganie-Gund area in Tral which is in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani troops fired at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&amp;K's Rajouri district, injuring a BSF jawan.

One Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist has been gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral area on Friday. Several arms and ammunition have been recovered from the spot.

One Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist has been gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral area on Friday. Several arms and ammunition have been recovered from the spot. As per reports, the security forces began a cordon and search operation in Darganie-Gund area in Tral which is in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Earlier in the day, Pakistani troops fired at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K's Rajouri district, injuring a BSF jawan.

Jammu and Kashmir: Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist killed in Tral

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend a ceremony on Friday to induct new artillery guns and equipment, including K9 Vajra and M777 howitzers, at Deolali artillery centre in Nashik, a ministry spokesperson said.

Induction of 100 K9 Vajra at a cost of Rs 4,366 crore is to complete by November 2020. The first batch of 10 guns will be delivered this month, Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand told reporters on Thursday.

The next 40 guns will be delivered in November 2019, and another 50 in November 2020, he said.

The first regiment of K9 Vajra, first-ever artillery gun manufactured by the Indian private sector, is expected to complete by July 2019.

The gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km. It is capable of burst firing three rounds in 30 seconds, intense firing of 15 rounds in three minutes and sustained firing of 60 rounds in 60 minutes, he said.

The Army is also going to raise seven regiments of 145 M777 howitzers.

Five guns each will be delivered to the Army beginning August 2019 and the entire process will complete in following 24 months. The first regiment will complete by October next year, the spokesperson said.

The gun, having a range of 30 km, can be moved to a desired location using helicopters and service aircraft.

Compact gun tractor to tow 130 MM and 155 MM artillery guns will also inducted during the ceremony, the officer said. It is fitted with a crane that can handle ammunition weighing two tons.

Maximum speed of the vehicle without a tow is 80 km per hour which comes down to 50 km per hour with a gun attached to it, he added.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend a ceremony on Friday to induct new artillery guns and equipment, including K9 Vajra and M777 howitzers, at Deolali artillery centre in Nashik, a ministry spokesperson said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend a ceremony on Friday to induct new artillery guns and equipment, including K9 Vajra and M777 howitzers, at Deolali artillery centre in Nashik, a ministry spokesperson said. Induction of 100 K9 Vajra at a cost of Rs 4,366 crore is to complete by November 2020. The first batch of 10 guns will be delivered this month, Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand told reporters on Thursday. The next 40 guns will be delivered in November 2019, and another 50 in November 2020, he said. The first regiment of K9 Vajra, first-ever artillery gun manufactured by the Indian private sector, is expected to complete by July 2019. The gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km. It is capable of burst firing three rounds in 30 seconds, intense firing of 15 rounds in three minutes and sustained firing of 60 rounds in 60 minutes, he said. The Army is also going to raise seven regiments of 145 M777 howitzers. Five guns each will be delivered to the Army beginning August 2019 and the entire process will complete in following 24 months. The first regiment will complete by October next year, the spokesperson said. The gun, having a range of 30 km, can be moved to a desired location using helicopters and service aircraft. Compact gun tractor to tow 130 MM and 155 MM artillery guns will also inducted during the ceremony, the officer said. It is fitted with a crane that can handle ammunition weighing two tons. Maximum speed of the vehicle without a tow is 80 km per hour which comes down to 50 km per hour with a gun attached to it, he added.

Indian Army to induct K9, M777 howitzer guns on Friday

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-candidates-in-congress-fifth-list-for-madhya-pradesh-polls-176271">Congress</a> on Thursday night released its sixth and final list for the November 28 Assembly polls in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, nominating its OBC face Arun Yadav against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh in Budhni seat in Sehore district.

The BJP also announced its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mp-assembly-polls-bjp-releases-fourth-list-of-candidates-176311">fourth and final list</a> of seven candidates for the polls.&nbsp;

The Congress left one seat, Jatara, for its ally Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD).

With an apparent objective to tie down Chouhan in his bastion Budhni, the opposition party picked up former Union Minister and former MP Congress chief Yadav as his opponent.

Yadav community accounts for a large number of votes, nearly twice that of Kirars, an OBC community to which Chouhan belongs, a source in Sehore district said.

Chouhan has been elected from Budhni thrice in a row.

Yadav will file his nomination papers on Friday, party sources said.

The Congress left a seat in Jatara, reserved for SC candidate, for LJD in the party's final list. The LJD might field Vikram Choudhary from Jatara, sources said.

"With the final list out, we have declared candidates for 229 out of 230 seats," MP Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi said.

Budhni, over 60 km from here, is Chouhan's home turf from where he was first elected as MLA in 1990. This would be the fifth time he will be contesting from the seat, which is close to his ancestral village of Jait in Sehore.

In 2013, Chouhan had defeated Congress's Mahendra Singh Chauhan by 84,000 votes from Budhni.

Besides Yadav, the Congress, in the final list, announced candidates for Indore-1 (Sanjay Shukla in place of earlier announced Preeti Agnihotri), Indore-2 (Mohan Singh Sengar), Indore-5 (Satyanarayan Patel), Manpur-ST (Gyanwati Singh) and Ratlam Rural-ST (Thavar Lal Bhuria).

The BJP, in a surprise move in its final list, nominated a woman candidate, Fatima Rasul Siddaki, against Congress's sitting MLA Arif Aqueel from Bhopal North.

Other seats for which it announced candidates were: Pawai (Prahlad Lodhi), Panna (Brijendra Singh), Lakhnadoun-ST (Vijay Uike), Seoni-Malwa (Prem Shankar Verma in place of former minister Sartaj Singh, who quit BJP at the last moment to join Congress in protest), Mahidpur (Bahadur Singh Chauhan) and Garoth (Devilal Dhakar).

With this, BJP has announced its candidates for all 230 seats in the state, party spokesperson Sarvesh Tiwari said.&nbsp;

The Congress on Thursday night released its sixth and final list for the November 28 Assembly polls in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, nominating its OBC face Arun Yadav against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh in Budhni seat in Sehore district.

The Congress on Thursday night released its sixth and final list for the November 28 Assembly polls in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, nominating its OBC face Arun Yadav against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh in Budhni seat in Sehore district. The BJP also announced its fourth and final list of seven candidates for the polls. The Congress left one seat, Jatara, for its ally Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD). With an apparent objective to tie down Chouhan in his bastion Budhni, the opposition party picked up former Union Minister and former MP Congress chief Yadav as his opponent. Yadav community accounts for a large number of votes, nearly twice that of Kirars, an OBC community to which Chouhan belongs, a source in Sehore district said. Chouhan has been elected from Budhni thrice in a row. Yadav will file his nomination papers on Friday, party sources said. The Congress left a seat in Jatara, reserved for SC candidate, for LJD in the party's final list. The LJD might field Vikram Choudhary from Jatara, sources said. "With the final list out, we have declared candidates for 229 out of 230 seats," MP Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi said. Budhni, over 60 km from here, is Chouhan's home turf from where he was first elected as MLA in 1990. This would be the fifth time he will be contesting from the seat, which is close to his ancestral village of Jait in Sehore. In 2013, Chouhan had defeated Congress's Mahendra Singh Chauhan by 84,000 votes from Budhni. Besides Yadav, the Congress, in the final list, announced candidates for Indore-1 (Sanjay Shukla in place of earlier announced Preeti Agnihotri), Indore-2 (Mohan Singh Sengar), Indore-5 (Satyanarayan Patel), Manpur-ST (Gyanwati Singh) and Ratlam Rural-ST (Thavar Lal Bhuria). The BJP, in a surprise move in its final list, nominated a woman candidate, Fatima Rasul Siddaki, against Congress's sitting MLA Arif Aqueel from Bhopal North. Other seats for which it announced candidates were: Pawai (Prahlad Lodhi), Panna (Brijendra Singh), Lakhnadoun-ST (Vijay Uike), Seoni-Malwa (Prem Shankar Verma in place of former minister Sartaj Singh, who quit BJP at the last moment to join Congress in protest), Mahidpur (Bahadur Singh Chauhan) and Garoth (Devilal Dhakar). With this, BJP has announced its candidates for all 230 seats in the state, party spokesperson Sarvesh Tiwari said.

Madhya Pradesh polls: Congress, BJP final lists out; Arun Yadav to take on CM

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released the fourth list of seven candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections.

The party has fielded Prahlad Lodhi for its constituency in Pawai, Prem Shankar Verma from Seoni-Malwa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan from Mahidpur and Devilal Dhakar from the Garoth constituency.

The BJP has also fielded Brijendra Singh from Panna replacing Kusum Mehdele, who represents the constituency at present.

The list also consists of one Scheduled Tribe from the Lakhnadon constituency for which it has fielded Vijay Uike and the only woman candidate in the list is Fatima Rasul Siddaki for the Bhopal Uttar constituency.

In the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mp-assembly-polls-bjp-releases-third-list-of-32-candidates-176196"> third list released</a>, the party included general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya`s son Akash Vijayvargiya from the Indore-3 constituency and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur`s daughter-in-law Krishna Gour from Govindpura constituency.

The state is slated to go to polls on November 28 for 230 constituencies. Counting of votes will take place on December 11.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released the fourth list of seven candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections. The party has fielded Prahlad Lodhi for its constituency in Pawai, Prem Shankar Verma from Seoni-Malwa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan from Mahidpur and Devilal Dhakar from the Garoth constituency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released the fourth list of seven candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections. The party has fielded Prahlad Lodhi for its constituency in Pawai, Prem Shankar Verma from Seoni-Malwa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan from Mahidpur and Devilal Dhakar from the Garoth constituency. The BJP has also fielded Brijendra Singh from Panna replacing Kusum Mehdele, who represents the constituency at present. The list also consists of one Scheduled Tribe from the Lakhnadon constituency for which it has fielded Vijay Uike and the only woman candidate in the list is Fatima Rasul Siddaki for the Bhopal Uttar constituency. In the third list released, the party included general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya`s son Akash Vijayvargiya from the Indore-3 constituency and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur`s daughter-in-law Krishna Gour from Govindpura constituency. The state is slated to go to polls on November 28 for 230 constituencies. Counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Madhya Pradesh assembly polls: BJP releases fourth list of candidates

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres of land in the state and give it to the Centre for constructing barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, officials said Friday.

The move came after the home minister wrote to the chief minister, whose government had been dithering for months over acquiring the land, leading to a delay in construction of a fence along the international border, they said. Singh’s letter to Banerjee, requesting her to acquire and hand over about 300 acres of land, has worked, a Home Ministry official privy to the development said.

The firebrand West Bengal leader enjoys cordial relations with the home minister, who is known to have friends across political parties and acts as an emissary of the Narendra Modi government whenever necessary. With an agreement on handing over the land, the long-delayed construction of the fencing in the West Bengal sector of the India-Bangladesh border is expected to start soon, the official said.

India shares a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh. Of this, 2,216 km falls in West Bengal. The border in the state is infamous for a variety of reasons such as illegal immigration and smuggling of cattle and narcotics. The home minister had sent similar letters to the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Bihar, which helped resolve pending issues related to the acquisition of land in the states, the official said.

The home minister on Friday also reviewed the progress of various projects being undertaken along the borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. During the meeting, it was conveyed to Singh that various projects got delayed due to the non-availability of environment clearances from state governments.

The home minister asked the officials present to pursue the matter with the concerned governments. Singh also reviewed the progress of ongoing projects being executed by the Land Ports Authority of India and the border management division under the Home Ministry.

There was very good progress and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at five border crossing points out of seven approved projects have been completed, an official statement said. Terminals for smooth movement of goods and people at ICP Raxaul and ICP Jogbani on the India-Nepal border, ICP Petrapole and ICP Agartala on the India-Bangladesh border and ICP Attari on India–Pakistan border have been made functional.

At each ICP, facilities have been constructed for customs clearance, immigration, warehouses for storage of goods, approach roads and terminal buildings to adequately handle import and export of goods and entry and exit of people. Work on ICP Moreh on the India-Myanmar border and ICP Dawki on India-Bangladesh border is in advanced stage of completion. The total approved expenditure for the seven ICPs is over Rs 700 crore, the statement said.

The home minister also directed officials to take up construction of an additional 13 ICPs — Hili, Jaigaon, Ghojadanga, Mahadipur, Changrabandha, Fulbari, Rupaidiha, Kawrpuichhuah, Panitanki, Sutarkandi, Sunauli, Banbasa and Bhithamore — and the passenger terminal at Petrapole, the statement said.

Projects have been taken up for construction of 18 coastal border outposts (BOPs) in Gujarat and improvement of border floodlighting in Punjab and Rajasthan. Some floating BOPs have also been approved in Gujarat and West Bengal. To improve coastal security, 121 coastal police stations have been operationalised, 30 jetties have been constructed and biometric cards have been issued to 18.5 lakh fishermen.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres of land in the state and give it to the Centre for constructing barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, officials said Friday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres of land in the state and give it to the Centre for constructing barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, officials said Friday. The move came after the home minister wrote to the chief minister, whose government had been dithering for months over acquiring the land, leading to a delay in construction of a fence along the international border, they said. Singh’s letter to Banerjee, requesting her to acquire and hand over about 300 acres of land, has worked, a Home Ministry official privy to the development said. The firebrand West Bengal leader enjoys cordial relations with the home minister, who is known to have friends across political parties and acts as an emissary of the Narendra Modi government whenever necessary. With an agreement on handing over the land, the long-delayed construction of the fencing in the West Bengal sector of the India-Bangladesh border is expected to start soon, the official said. India shares a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh. Of this, 2,216 km falls in West Bengal. The border in the state is infamous for a variety of reasons such as illegal immigration and smuggling of cattle and narcotics. The home minister had sent similar letters to the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Bihar, which helped resolve pending issues related to the acquisition of land in the states, the official said. The home minister on Friday also reviewed the progress of various projects being undertaken along the borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. During the meeting, it was conveyed to Singh that various projects got delayed due to the non-availability of environment clearances from state governments. The home minister asked the officials present to pursue the matter with the concerned governments. Singh also reviewed the progress of ongoing projects being executed by the Land Ports Authority of India and the border management division under the Home Ministry. There was very good progress and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at five border crossing points out of seven approved projects have been completed, an official statement said. Terminals for smooth movement of goods and people at ICP Raxaul and ICP Jogbani on the India-Nepal border, ICP Petrapole and ICP Agartala on the India-Bangladesh border and ICP Attari on India–Pakistan border have been made functional. At each ICP, facilities have been constructed for customs clearance, immigration, warehouses for storage of goods, approach roads and terminal buildings to adequately handle import and export of goods and entry and exit of people. Work on ICP Moreh on the India-Myanmar border and ICP Dawki on India-Bangladesh border is in advanced stage of completion. The total approved expenditure for the seven ICPs is over Rs 700 crore, the statement said. The home minister also directed officials to take up construction of an additional 13 ICPs — Hili, Jaigaon, Ghojadanga, Mahadipur, Changrabandha, Fulbari, Rupaidiha, Kawrpuichhuah, Panitanki, Sutarkandi, Sunauli, Banbasa and Bhithamore — and the passenger terminal at Petrapole, the statement said. Projects have been taken up for construction of 18 coastal border outposts (BOPs) in Gujarat and improvement of border floodlighting in Punjab and Rajasthan. Some floating BOPs have also been approved in Gujarat and West Bengal. To improve coastal security, 121 coastal police stations have been operationalised, 30 jetties have been constructed and biometric cards have been issued to 18.5 lakh fishermen.

Mamata Banerjee agrees to Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres for Bangladesh border fencing

Former finance minister P Chidambaram Friday warned the NDA government against laying its hands on RBI reserves, saying it will have “catastrophic” economic consequences for the country.

He also said the minutes of a Reserve Bank of India meeting on November 7, 2016 is a “comprehensive repudiation” of the government’s “justification” for demonetisation.

Talking to reporters in Guwahati, the senior Congress leader said it is clear that the BJP has no understanding of the role of the central bank and no respect for the independence of its governor.

The government has already taken the “extraordinary step” of invoking Section 7 of the RBI Act (that empowers the government to issue directions to the RBI), he said.

He alleged that the “immediate goal of the government is to lay its hands on the reserves of the RBI and appropriate a sum of at least Rs one lakh crore to meet its fiscal deficit target and to increase spending in an election year”. He also said that “According to reports the BJP government is planning to override the RBI governor through the board of directors in which it has planted its hand-picked nominees”.

Taking to Twitter, he said the RBI Board had met on November 8, 2016 and “disagreed” with the key reasons given by the government, but “obediently endorsed demonetisation” and that was a “black day” in the central bank’s history.

Chidambaram also hit out at the government over its claim to “fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI” after it rejected as speculation reports that it was seeking the reserve bank’s approval for release of Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

“RBI minutes of 7-11-2016 is a comprehensive repudiation of government’s “justification” for demonetisation.

“RBI Board, with many members absent, met at 5.30 pm on 8-11-2016 and disagreed with the key reasons given by government, yet obediently endorsed demonetisation. That was a black day in RBI’s history,” he tweeted.

He said that “shockingly, government’s paper calculated GDP growth in real terms and growth in money circulation in nominal terms, yet compared the two and reached absurd conclusions. So much for the competence of the government. On Modi government’s clarification that it is not seeking transfer of Rs 3.6 lakh crore reserves from the RBI and the only proposal under discussion is to fix appropriate economic capital framework of the central bank, the former finance minister questioned the claim as a “jargon”.

“What is this jargon put out by the government about “fix the economic capital framework of the RBI”?

“You fix what is broke. Which part of RBI is broken that the government is anxious to fix,” he asked.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg earlier tweeted, “Lot of misinformed speculation is going around in media. Government’s fiscal math is completely on track. There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 or 1 lakh crore, as speculated.” On the fiscal road map, he said, the government will stick to the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent for the current financial year.

Garg further said the only proposal “under discussion is to fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI”.

The clarification came amid reports that the government is seeking transfer of at least a third of Reserve Bank’s Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserves. &nbsp;In Guwahati, Chidambaram said he fears the worst at the next meeting of the RBI board on November 19.

“I consider it my duty to warn the people of the country of the catastrophic consequences of the BJP government’s ill-conceived actions.” He said, “Our (Congress) immediate concern is the BJP government’s determined efforts to wreck or capture crucial institutions of the country. The latest victim is the Reserve Bank of India.”

Asked if the RBI governor would resign over the standoff with the Centre if the central bank fund is transferred to the government through the resolution, Chidambaram said “Either way – whether the governor resigns or the money is transferred – it will be disastrous”.

He said if RBI is directed by the government to transfer money from its reserve it will be “way more dangerous than the note ban. No government has till now made such a proposal to the RBI”.

To a question whether there were legal recourse available to halt the government’s alleged move, Chidambaram, also a legal luminary, said, “I don’t know. I will have to see.”

Asked to comment on his tweet that the results of the midterm elections in the US is a lesson for India, he said, “America is becoming one person, one man government. Institutions are being humiliated. The results were a mandate of the people for checks and balances”.

Referring to India, he said, “In India too it is the same. Cabinet, ministers have no power. Institutions are humiliated. So people of India should vote for checks and balances.”

Former finance minister P Chidambaram Friday warned the NDA government against laying its hands on RBI reserves, saying it will have “catastrophic” economic consequences for the country.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram Friday warned the NDA government against laying its hands on RBI reserves, saying it will have “catastrophic” economic consequences for the country. He also said the minutes of a Reserve Bank of India meeting on November 7, 2016 is a “comprehensive repudiation” of the government’s “justification” for demonetisation. Talking to reporters in Guwahati, the senior Congress leader said it is clear that the BJP has no understanding of the role of the central bank and no respect for the independence of its governor. The government has already taken the “extraordinary step” of invoking Section 7 of the RBI Act (that empowers the government to issue directions to the RBI), he said. He alleged that the “immediate goal of the government is to lay its hands on the reserves of the RBI and appropriate a sum of at least Rs one lakh crore to meet its fiscal deficit target and to increase spending in an election year”. He also said that “According to reports the BJP government is planning to override the RBI governor through the board of directors in which it has planted its hand-picked nominees”. Taking to Twitter, he said the RBI Board had met on November 8, 2016 and “disagreed” with the key reasons given by the government, but “obediently endorsed demonetisation” and that was a “black day” in the central bank’s history. Chidambaram also hit out at the government over its claim to “fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI” after it rejected as speculation reports that it was seeking the reserve bank’s approval for release of Rs 3.6 lakh crore. “RBI minutes of 7-11-2016 is a comprehensive repudiation of government’s “justification” for demonetisation. “RBI Board, with many members absent, met at 5.30 pm on 8-11-2016 and disagreed with the key reasons given by government, yet obediently endorsed demonetisation. That was a black day in RBI’s history,” he tweeted. He said that “shockingly, government’s paper calculated GDP growth in real terms and growth in money circulation in nominal terms, yet compared the two and reached absurd conclusions. So much for the competence of the government. On Modi government’s clarification that it is not seeking transfer of Rs 3.6 lakh crore reserves from the RBI and the only proposal under discussion is to fix appropriate economic capital framework of the central bank, the former finance minister questioned the claim as a “jargon”. “What is this jargon put out by the government about “fix the economic capital framework of the RBI”? “You fix what is broke. Which part of RBI is broken that the government is anxious to fix,” he asked. Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg earlier tweeted, “Lot of misinformed speculation is going around in media. Government’s fiscal math is completely on track. There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 or 1 lakh crore, as speculated.” On the fiscal road map, he said, the government will stick to the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent for the current financial year. Garg further said the only proposal “under discussion is to fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI”. The clarification came amid reports that the government is seeking transfer of at least a third of Reserve Bank’s Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserves. In Guwahati, Chidambaram said he fears the worst at the next meeting of the RBI board on November 19. “I consider it my duty to warn the people of the country of the catastrophic consequences of the BJP government’s ill-conceived actions.” He said, “Our (Congress) immediate concern is the BJP government’s determined efforts to wreck or capture crucial institutions of the country. The latest victim is the Reserve Bank of India.” Asked if the RBI governor would resign over the standoff with the Centre if the central bank fund is transferred to the government through the resolution, Chidambaram said “Either way – whether the governor resigns or the money is transferred – it will be disastrous”. He said if RBI is directed by the government to transfer money from its reserve it will be “way more dangerous than the note ban. No government has till now made such a proposal to the RBI”. To a question whether there were legal recourse available to halt the government’s alleged move, Chidambaram, also a legal luminary, said, “I don’t know. I will have to see.” Asked to comment on his tweet that the results of the midterm elections in the US is a lesson for India, he said, “America is becoming one person, one man government. Institutions are being humiliated. The results were a mandate of the people for checks and balances”. Referring to India, he said, “In India too it is the same. Cabinet, ministers have no power. Institutions are humiliated. So people of India should vote for checks and balances.”

Laying hands on RBI reserves will have catastrophic economic consequences: P Chidamabaram

Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on Friday tweeted in support of actor Vijay`s latest Tamil film "Sarkar". The duo also condemned unlawful acts such as damaging the film`s banners and demanding the removal of certain scenes from the film.

"Sarkar", a political thriller directed by A.R. Murugadoss,&nbsp;hit the screens on Tuesday. Ever since its release, many AIADMK ministers and party cadres expressed their displeasure over certain scenes in the film and indulged in damaging the banners of the film and cut-outs of actor Vijay.

Several party cadres on Wednesday protested outside various theatres in Tamil Nadu and demanded certain scenes to be removed from the film.

Rajinikanth lashed out against these acts. He took to Twitter and wrote in Tamil: "To protest for the removal of certain scenes from the movie and stop it from being screened after the Censor Board has certified it is against the law. I strongly condemn this act."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
தணிக்கைக்குழு தணிக்கை செய்து படத்தை வெளியிட்டபிறகு,அந்தப் படத்திலிருந்து சில காட்சிகளை நீக்கவேண்டும் என்று போராட்டம் நடத்துவதும், திரையிடத் தடுப்பதும்,படத்தின் பேனர்களை சேதப்படுத்துவதும், சட்டத்திற்குப் புறம்பான செயல்கள். இத்தகைய செயல்களை நான் வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறேன்.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajinikanth/status/1060600812898934784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Thursday, actor-politician Kamal Haasan had also strongly objected the actions of AIADMK government regarding the issue.

"It isn`t new for this government to act and pressurize against a film like Sarkar, which has completed its censor formalities properly. A government that can`t face criticism can go off the tangent. Commercialised politicians will soon vanish and the good people would win," Haasan tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
முறையாகச்சான்றிதழ் பெற்று வெளியாகியிருக்கும் சர்கார் படத்துக்கு,சட்டவிரோதமான அரசியல் சூழ்ச்சிகள் மூலம் அழுத்தம் கொடுப்பது இவ்வரசுக்கு புதிதல்ல.விமர்சனங்களை ஏற்கத்துணிவில்லாத அரசு தடம் புரளும்.அரசியல் வியாபாரிகள் கூட்டம் விரைவில் ஒழியும்.நாடாளப்போகும் நல்லவர் கூட்டமே வெல்லும்.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/1060517897129275392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

If the grapevine is anything to go by, "Sarkar" team has agreed to mute scenes that have been termed controversial.

However, the makers of the film Sun Picture are yet to officially announce if they are muting scenes.

Despite opening to mixed reviews and getting embroiled in controversies, "Sarkar" managed to gross over Rs 100 crore in just two days at the box-office.

Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on Friday tweeted in support of actor Vijay`s latest Tamil film "Sarkar". The duo also condemned unlawful acts such as damaging the film`s banners and demanding the removal of certain scenes from the film.

Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on Friday tweeted in support of actor Vijay`s latest Tamil film "Sarkar". The duo also condemned unlawful acts such as damaging the film`s banners and demanding the removal of certain scenes from the film. "Sarkar", a political thriller directed by A.R. Murugadoss, hit the screens on Tuesday. Ever since its release, many AIADMK ministers and party cadres expressed their displeasure over certain scenes in the film and indulged in damaging the banners of the film and cut-outs of actor Vijay. Several party cadres on Wednesday protested outside various theatres in Tamil Nadu and demanded certain scenes to be removed from the film. Rajinikanth lashed out against these acts. He took to Twitter and wrote in Tamil: "To protest for the removal of certain scenes from the movie and stop it from being screened after the Censor Board has certified it is against the law. I strongly condemn this act." தணிக்கைக்குழு தணிக்கை செய்து படத்தை வெளியிட்டபிறகு,அந்தப் படத்திலிருந்து சில காட்சிகளை நீக்கவேண்டும் என்று போராட்டம் நடத்துவதும், திரையிடத் தடுப்பதும்,படத்தின் பேனர்களை சேதப்படுத்துவதும், சட்டத்திற்குப் புறம்பான செயல்கள். இத்தகைய செயல்களை நான் வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறேன். — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) November 8, 2018 × On Thursday, actor-politician Kamal Haasan had also strongly objected the actions of AIADMK government regarding the issue. "It isn`t new for this government to act and pressurize against a film like Sarkar, which has completed its censor formalities properly. A government that can`t face criticism can go off the tangent. Commercialised politicians will soon vanish and the good people would win," Haasan tweeted. முறையாகச்சான்றிதழ் பெற்று வெளியாகியிருக்கும் சர்கார் படத்துக்கு,சட்டவிரோதமான அரசியல் சூழ்ச்சிகள் மூலம் அழுத்தம் கொடுப்பது இவ்வரசுக்கு புதிதல்ல.விமர்சனங்களை ஏற்கத்துணிவில்லாத அரசு தடம் புரளும்.அரசியல் வியாபாரிகள் கூட்டம் விரைவில் ஒழியும்.நாடாளப்போகும் நல்லவர் கூட்டமே வெல்லும். — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) November 8, 2018 × If the grapevine is anything to go by, "Sarkar" team has agreed to mute scenes that have been termed controversial. However, the makers of the film Sun Picture are yet to officially announce if they are muting scenes. Despite opening to mixed reviews and getting embroiled in controversies, "Sarkar" managed to gross over Rs 100 crore in just two days at the box-office.

Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan condemn unlawful acts against Tamil film 'Sarkar'

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday.

China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast.

It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean.

China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India.

The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said.

Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent.

The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement.

A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port.

The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said.

The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to a disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding.

This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of a pro-China military junta.

Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty.

The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar.

Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan. China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday. China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast. It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean. China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India. The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said. Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent. The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement. A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port. The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said. The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to a disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding. This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of a pro-China military junta. Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty. The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar. Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

Eye on India's backyard? China to build third port in India's neighbourhood at Myanmar

India's government is to sell more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of shares left behind by people who fled to Pakistan or China after wars with those countries.

The government said the "enemy shares" were in 996 companies held by 20,323 people and entities. They were seized after conflicts with Pakistan in 1947, 1965 and 1971 and the 1962 border war with China.

The sale, to be led by India's finance minister, is expected to raise at least Rs 3,000 crore, a minister said after the government announced late Thursday.

The proceeds would be used for development and social welfare programmes, the government added.

The shares are being sold under a 1968 law which defined as "enemy assets" those belonging to people who left India following the conflicts with Pakistan and China.

Citizens of hostile countries were treated as "enemies" and their assets including land, houses, jewellery and shares were seized.

Descendants of those who fled the country, however, continued to live in some of the properties.

"The decision will lead to monetisation of enemy shares that had been lying dormant for decades since coming into force of the Enemy Property Act in 1968," said the government statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government amended the controversial law in 2017 to include even assets held by legal heirs who stayed behind and were Indian citizens. This triggered outrage as many of those who left for Pakistan were Muslims.

Families who remain in the listed properties fear being evicted any time.

The government said in January it had identified more than 9,400 "enemy" assets for auction. Among these, 9,280 properties were left behind by Pakistani nationals and 126 by Chinese.

India's government is to sell more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of shares left behind by people who fled to Pakistan or China after wars with those countries. The government said the "enemy shares" were in 996 companies held by 20,323 people and entities.

India's government is to sell more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of shares left behind by people who fled to Pakistan or China after wars with those countries. The government said the "enemy shares" were in 996 companies held by 20,323 people and entities. They were seized after conflicts with Pakistan in 1947, 1965 and 1971 and the 1962 border war with China. The sale, to be led by India's finance minister, is expected to raise at least Rs 3,000 crore, a minister said after the government announced late Thursday. The proceeds would be used for development and social welfare programmes, the government added. The shares are being sold under a 1968 law which defined as "enemy assets" those belonging to people who left India following the conflicts with Pakistan and China. Citizens of hostile countries were treated as "enemies" and their assets including land, houses, jewellery and shares were seized. Descendants of those who fled the country, however, continued to live in some of the properties. "The decision will lead to monetisation of enemy shares that had been lying dormant for decades since coming into force of the Enemy Property Act in 1968," said the government statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government amended the controversial law in 2017 to include even assets held by legal heirs who stayed behind and were Indian citizens. This triggered outrage as many of those who left for Pakistan were Muslims. Families who remain in the listed properties fear being evicted any time. The government said in January it had identified more than 9,400 "enemy" assets for auction. Among these, 9,280 properties were left behind by Pakistani nationals and 126 by Chinese.

India to sell 'enemy properties' worth Rs 3000 cr of people who fled to Pakistan, China

Fuel prices continued to decline on Friday with prices of petrol reaching Rs 78.06 per litre in Delhi and Rs 83.57 per litre in Mumbai.

While the prices of petrol reduced by 15 paise in the two cities, diesel witnessed a reduction of 15 paise in Delhi and 16 paise in Mumbai.

The prices of diesel were revised to Rs 72.74 per litre in Delhi and Rs 76.22 per litre in Mumbai.

Petrol prices on Thursday were recorded at Rs 78.21 per litre in Delhi, Rs 80.13 in Kolkata, Rs 83.72 in Mumbai and Rs 81.24 in Chennai.

While diesel prices were recorded at Rs 72.89 per litre in Delhi, Rs 74.75 in Kolkata, Rs 76.38 in Mumbai and Rs 77.05 in Chennai.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Petrol and diesel prices in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> are Rs 78.06 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.15) and Rs 72.74 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.15), respectively. Petrol and diesel prices in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> are Rs 83.57 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.15) and Rs 76.22 (decrease by Rs 0.16), respectively. <a href="https://t.co/VMCVuUInGH">pic.twitter.com/VMCVuUInGH</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1060693544166408199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The fuel prices in the country have witnessed a relentless hike since the past few months in the country, burning a hole in the commuter's pocket.

In a bid to ease the crunch caused by soaring fuel prices, finance minister Arun Jaitley on October 2&nbsp;announced a reduction of Rs 2.50 per litre on both petrol and diesel prices.

The ministry had curbed the excise duty on the commodity by Rs 1.50 per litre.&nbsp;

The fuel rate in the country is revised every single day based on global oil prices. State-run oil marketing companies Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum revise the prices with effect from 6 am on a daily basis.&nbsp;

The government allowed revision of fuel rates on a daily basis since mid-June last year to reflect changes in costs instantly.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Fuel prices continued to decline on Friday with prices of petrol reaching Rs 78.06 per litre in Delhi and Rs 83.57 per litre in Mumbai. While the prices of petrol reduced by 15 paise in the two cities, diesel witnessed a reduction of 15 paise in Delhi and 16 paise in Mumbai.

Fuel prices continued to decline on Friday with prices of petrol reaching Rs 78.06 per litre in Delhi and Rs 83.57 per litre in Mumbai. While the prices of petrol reduced by 15 paise in the two cities, diesel witnessed a reduction of 15 paise in Delhi and 16 paise in Mumbai. The prices of diesel were revised to Rs 72.74 per litre in Delhi and Rs 76.22 per litre in Mumbai. Petrol prices on Thursday were recorded at Rs 78.21 per litre in Delhi, Rs 80.13 in Kolkata, Rs 83.72 in Mumbai and Rs 81.24 in Chennai. While diesel prices were recorded at Rs 72.89 per litre in Delhi, Rs 74.75 in Kolkata, Rs 76.38 in Mumbai and Rs 77.05 in Chennai. Petrol and diesel prices in #Delhi are Rs 78.06 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.15) and Rs 72.74 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.15), respectively. Petrol and diesel prices in #Mumbai are Rs 83.57 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.15) and Rs 76.22 (decrease by Rs 0.16), respectively. pic.twitter.com/VMCVuUInGH — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018 × The fuel prices in the country have witnessed a relentless hike since the past few months in the country, burning a hole in the commuter's pocket. In a bid to ease the crunch caused by soaring fuel prices, finance minister Arun Jaitley on October 2 announced a reduction of Rs 2.50 per litre on both petrol and diesel prices. The ministry had curbed the excise duty on the commodity by Rs 1.50 per litre. The fuel rate in the country is revised every single day based on global oil prices. State-run oil marketing companies Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum revise the prices with effect from 6 am on a daily basis. The government allowed revision of fuel rates on a daily basis since mid-June last year to reflect changes in costs instantly.

Fuel prices down again, petrol at Rs 78.06 per litre in Delhi, Rs 83.57 per litre in Mumbai

After facing immense criticism from various political quarters for participating in the 'Moscow format meeting' on Afghanistan, which will also be attended by a Taliban delegation, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, on Friday clarified that "India always wanted Afghan-led peace process."

Reiterating India's stand on the issue, Kumar told the reporters here, "India will be participating in the meeting at non-official level" and added that "New Delhi's Afghan policy has been consistent".

Kumar also slammed the opposition parties for their remarks in this regard and questioned, "Don't know how are people concluding that India will hold talks with the Taliban. It is a meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow."

The statement from Kumar came a few hours after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah slammed the Central government for participating in the meeting by saying, "If "non-official" participation in a dialogue that includes the Taliban is acceptable to the Modi government, why not a "non-official" dialogue with non-mainstream stakeholders in J&amp;K? Why not a "non-official" dialogue centred around J&amp;K's eroded autonomy &amp; its restoration?."

Joining Omar's contention, Farooq Abdullah, chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference also stated that there is a dire need to hold a dialogue with the non-mainstream stakeholders in order to prevent further crumbling of democracy in the state.

"Before further erosion of democracy in the state, one should immediately start a dialogue and it should be meaningful. It has to have compulsion in the centre of restoring our autonomy. Unless they restore autonomy, to expect any forward movement from people is impossible," Farooq said.

On Thursday, MEA headed by Union Minister Sushma Swaraj had confirmed India's informal participation in the talks in Moscow and said, "Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level."

"India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan that will preserve unity and plurality, and bring security, stability, and prosperity to the country. India's consistent policy has been that such efforts should be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled and with the participation of the Government of Afghanistan," the MEA added.

After facing immense criticism from various political quarters for participating in the 'Moscow format meeting' on Afghanistan, which will also be attended by a Taliban delegation, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, on Friday clarified that "India always wanted Afghan-led peace process.

After facing immense criticism from various political quarters for participating in the 'Moscow format meeting' on Afghanistan, which will also be attended by a Taliban delegation, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, on Friday clarified that "India always wanted Afghan-led peace process." Reiterating India's stand on the issue, Kumar told the reporters here, "India will be participating in the meeting at non-official level" and added that "New Delhi's Afghan policy has been consistent". Kumar also slammed the opposition parties for their remarks in this regard and questioned, "Don't know how are people concluding that India will hold talks with the Taliban. It is a meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow." The statement from Kumar came a few hours after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah slammed the Central government for participating in the meeting by saying, "If "non-official" participation in a dialogue that includes the Taliban is acceptable to the Modi government, why not a "non-official" dialogue with non-mainstream stakeholders in J&K? Why not a "non-official" dialogue centred around J&K's eroded autonomy & its restoration?." Joining Omar's contention, Farooq Abdullah, chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference also stated that there is a dire need to hold a dialogue with the non-mainstream stakeholders in order to prevent further crumbling of democracy in the state. "Before further erosion of democracy in the state, one should immediately start a dialogue and it should be meaningful. It has to have compulsion in the centre of restoring our autonomy. Unless they restore autonomy, to expect any forward movement from people is impossible," Farooq said. On Thursday, MEA headed by Union Minister Sushma Swaraj had confirmed India's informal participation in the talks in Moscow and said, "Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level." "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan that will preserve unity and plurality, and bring security, stability, and prosperity to the country. India's consistent policy has been that such efforts should be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled and with the participation of the Government of Afghanistan," the MEA added.

India always wanted Afghan-led peace process: MEA Raveesh Kumar

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California.&nbsp;

Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again,” said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City.

“It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region,” said Jas Sajjan, Director of Public Policy for the National Sikh Campaign.

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections.

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city. “I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again,” said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City. “It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region,” said Jas Sajjan, Director of Public Policy for the National Sikh Campaign.

Indian-American Sikh elected mayor of Anaheim city in California

RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s son and MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, who has been in the news for his failing marriage, Friday said he was currently putting up in Haridwar and would not return home till his family backed his decision to divorce his wife of six months.

Talking to a regional news channel over the telephone, he extended his greetings to younger brother Tejashwi Yadav on his birthday but said he would not be able to join the celebrations in New Delhi, where the RJD heir apparent has gone to meet their sisters.

The mercurial RJD leader was last seen in Bodh Gaya on Saturday where he had checked in at a hotel after meeting his ailing father at a hospital in Ranchi.

Lalu Prasad is learnt to have been upset over his elder son’s decision to seek a divorce.

Prasad is serving sentences in a number of fodder scam cases. At present, he is lodged at a hospital in Ranchi on medical grounds.

Tej Pratap Yadav and Aishwarya Rai – daughter of RJD MLA Chandrika Rai and grandchild of former Bihar chief minister Daroga Prasad Rai – had tied the knot on May 12.

“Our differences are irreconcilable. I had said this to my parents before the marriage was solemnized. But nobody listened to me then and nobody is listening to me now. Until they agree with me, how can I return home?” Yadav said.

The former Bihar minister also expressed displeasure over the role played by some of his close relatives, including in-laws, in his marital dispute.

In an apparent rebuttal of reports that he has been feeling slighted over the growing clout of his younger brother, Yadav said, “I offer my blessings to Tejashwi. May he become the next chief minister of Bihar. I would be by his side and help him the way Krishna had assisted Arjuna in the battle of Mahabharata”.

Meanwhile, party national general secretary and Lalu Prasad’s close aide Bhola Yadav requested journalists “not to make news out of differences within the family”.

“Lalu ji has been not keeping well. The developments have only made the matters worse for him and the way things are being highlighted in the media is causing him further anguish,” Bhola Yadav – who has been by the side of the RJD supremo for the most part of his incarceration – said.

He also said that Prasad’s wife Rabri Devi will not be performing ‘Chhatth’ this year.

“She has decided to stay away from the festivities as she is also not keeping well. But please do not jump to any conclusions upon hearing this,” Bhola told reporters.

Chhath is arguably the most popular festival in Bihar and the Lalu Prasad family arranges for fervent celebrations on the occasion every year.

The RJD national general secretary also extended his birthday greetings to Tejashwi and expressed hope that Tej Pratap would return home soon.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s son and MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, who has been in the news for his failing marriage, Friday said he was currently putting up in Haridwar and would not return home till his family backed his decision to divorce his wife of six months.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s son and MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, who has been in the news for his failing marriage, Friday said he was currently putting up in Haridwar and would not return home till his family backed his decision to divorce his wife of six months. Talking to a regional news channel over the telephone, he extended his greetings to younger brother Tejashwi Yadav on his birthday but said he would not be able to join the celebrations in New Delhi, where the RJD heir apparent has gone to meet their sisters. The mercurial RJD leader was last seen in Bodh Gaya on Saturday where he had checked in at a hotel after meeting his ailing father at a hospital in Ranchi. Lalu Prasad is learnt to have been upset over his elder son’s decision to seek a divorce. Prasad is serving sentences in a number of fodder scam cases. At present, he is lodged at a hospital in Ranchi on medical grounds. Tej Pratap Yadav and Aishwarya Rai – daughter of RJD MLA Chandrika Rai and grandchild of former Bihar chief minister Daroga Prasad Rai – had tied the knot on May 12. “Our differences are irreconcilable. I had said this to my parents before the marriage was solemnized. But nobody listened to me then and nobody is listening to me now. Until they agree with me, how can I return home?” Yadav said. The former Bihar minister also expressed displeasure over the role played by some of his close relatives, including in-laws, in his marital dispute. In an apparent rebuttal of reports that he has been feeling slighted over the growing clout of his younger brother, Yadav said, “I offer my blessings to Tejashwi. May he become the next chief minister of Bihar. I would be by his side and help him the way Krishna had assisted Arjuna in the battle of Mahabharata”. Meanwhile, party national general secretary and Lalu Prasad’s close aide Bhola Yadav requested journalists “not to make news out of differences within the family”. “Lalu ji has been not keeping well. The developments have only made the matters worse for him and the way things are being highlighted in the media is causing him further anguish,” Bhola Yadav – who has been by the side of the RJD supremo for the most part of his incarceration – said. He also said that Prasad’s wife Rabri Devi will not be performing ‘Chhatth’ this year. “She has decided to stay away from the festivities as she is also not keeping well. But please do not jump to any conclusions upon hearing this,” Bhola told reporters. Chhath is arguably the most popular festival in Bihar and the Lalu Prasad family arranges for fervent celebrations on the occasion every year. The RJD national general secretary also extended his birthday greetings to Tejashwi and expressed hope that Tej Pratap would return home soon.

Won’t return home till family backs decision to seek divorce: Tej Pratap Yadav

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday accused the Congress of backing ‘urban Maoists’ who he said have ruined the lives of poor Adivasi youth.

Addressing his first election rally for the state Assembly polls scheduled later this month, Modi also said Congress makes “fun” of adivasis (tribals). “I don’t know why Congress makes fun of adivasis. Once I had gone for a rally in North-East India and wore a traditional adivasi headgear but Congress leaders made fun of it. This was an insult of adivasi culture,” he said.

Mr. Modi said he will not rest till he fulfils late Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dreams for a prosperous Chhattisgarh, adding the Congress-led government did not do enough to develop the Naxal-infested Bastar region citing the Maoist menace as an excuse. “The urban Maoists who live in air conditioned homes in the cities, look clean and whose children study abroad, remote control the adivasi children in the Naxal dominated areas,” Mr Modi said.

“I want to ask the Congress why it supports the urban Maoists when the government takes action against them and come to Bastar and speak against Naxalism,” he said.

Describing Naxals as “monsters with evil mindset”, the Prime Minister said earlier governments did not do enough for the development of Bastar region. “Will you forgive such people? These people will not win Chhattisgarh. I appeal to you to ensure that BJP wins all seats in the Bastar region. If anyone else wins, it will be a blot on Bastar’s dreams,” he added.

Modi said no other Prime Minister visited Bastar as often as he did. “I have not come empty handed but given you some scheme and development programme. We are working hard to eradicate unemployment, poverty and hunger from the region. Previously there were resources but nothing happened,” he said.

Modi said he wanted to serve the people of Chhattisgarh and fulfil Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dreams of a prosperous state. “I will not rest till I fulfil his dreams. Chhattisgarh is now 18 years old. There are different dreams and aspirations of 18-year-olds now,” he said.

Congress speaks of Dalits, deprived sections and tribals but the party considers them as vote banks and not as human beings, he said.

“Do you want a government which works or one which stops development works,” he said.

Modi said his government has never discriminated among people. “Previous governments did that. Our government works for the development of all,” he said.

Elections to the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be held in two phases on November 12 and November 20.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday accused the Congress of backing ‘urban Maoists’ who he said have ruined the lives of poor Adivasi youth. Addressing his first election rally for the state Assembly polls scheduled later this month, Modi also said Congress makes “fun” of adivasis (tribals).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday accused the Congress of backing ‘urban Maoists’ who he said have ruined the lives of poor Adivasi youth. Addressing his first election rally for the state Assembly polls scheduled later this month, Modi also said Congress makes “fun” of adivasis (tribals). “I don’t know why Congress makes fun of adivasis. Once I had gone for a rally in North-East India and wore a traditional adivasi headgear but Congress leaders made fun of it. This was an insult of adivasi culture,” he said. Mr. Modi said he will not rest till he fulfils late Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dreams for a prosperous Chhattisgarh, adding the Congress-led government did not do enough to develop the Naxal-infested Bastar region citing the Maoist menace as an excuse. “The urban Maoists who live in air conditioned homes in the cities, look clean and whose children study abroad, remote control the adivasi children in the Naxal dominated areas,” Mr Modi said. “I want to ask the Congress why it supports the urban Maoists when the government takes action against them and come to Bastar and speak against Naxalism,” he said. Describing Naxals as “monsters with evil mindset”, the Prime Minister said earlier governments did not do enough for the development of Bastar region. “Will you forgive such people? These people will not win Chhattisgarh. I appeal to you to ensure that BJP wins all seats in the Bastar region. If anyone else wins, it will be a blot on Bastar’s dreams,” he added. Modi said no other Prime Minister visited Bastar as often as he did. “I have not come empty handed but given you some scheme and development programme. We are working hard to eradicate unemployment, poverty and hunger from the region. Previously there were resources but nothing happened,” he said. Modi said he wanted to serve the people of Chhattisgarh and fulfil Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s dreams of a prosperous state. “I will not rest till I fulfil his dreams. Chhattisgarh is now 18 years old. There are different dreams and aspirations of 18-year-olds now,” he said. Congress speaks of Dalits, deprived sections and tribals but the party considers them as vote banks and not as human beings, he said. “Do you want a government which works or one which stops development works,” he said. Modi said his government has never discriminated among people. “Previous governments did that. Our government works for the development of all,” he said. Elections to the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be held in two phases on November 12 and November 20.

Chhattisgarh assembly polls 2018: PM accuses Congress of supporting 'urban Naxals'

BJP MLA from Telangana Raja Singh has said that their party will change the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar if it wins the assembly elections in Telangana.

The MLA from Goshamahal assembly constituency added that they may also change the name of Secunderabad to Karimnagar.

“Earlier, Hyderabad was Bhagyanagar and in 1590 Quli Qutub Shah came to Hyderabad, he changed Bhagyanagar to Hyderabad. At that time many Hindus were attacked, many temples destroyed. We are planning to rename Hyderabad".

In Telangana, BJP will win in a majority and then our first aim will be developing the state and the second objective will be renaming Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. We will also change the names of Secunderabad and Karimnagar, he added.

This has come days after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj. &nbsp;

While addressing a deeputsav occasion on Diwali, Adityanath also proposed to change the name of Faizabad to Ayodhya and added that Ayodhya will have its own airport named after Ram and a medical college after king Dashrath.

Following the path of Uttar Pradesh chief minister, several other leaders have expressed their desire to change the name of other&nbsp;cities.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said on Thursday that his government was contemplating to change the name of Ahmedabad to Karnavati.

Adding to the list, Shiv Sena also demanded to rename two towns in Maharashtra – Aurangabad and Osmanabad.

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

BJP MLA from Telangana Raja Singh has said that their party will change the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar if it wins the assembly elections in Telangana. The MLA from Goshamahal assembly constituency added that they may also change the name of Secunderabad to Karimnagar.

BJP MLA from Telangana Raja Singh has said that their party will change the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar if it wins the assembly elections in Telangana. The MLA from Goshamahal assembly constituency added that they may also change the name of Secunderabad to Karimnagar. “Earlier, Hyderabad was Bhagyanagar and in 1590 Quli Qutub Shah came to Hyderabad, he changed Bhagyanagar to Hyderabad. At that time many Hindus were attacked, many temples destroyed. We are planning to rename Hyderabad". In Telangana, BJP will win in a majority and then our first aim will be developing the state and the second objective will be renaming Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. We will also change the names of Secunderabad and Karimnagar, he added. This has come days after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj. While addressing a deeputsav occasion on Diwali, Adityanath also proposed to change the name of Faizabad to Ayodhya and added that Ayodhya will have its own airport named after Ram and a medical college after king Dashrath. Following the path of Uttar Pradesh chief minister, several other leaders have expressed their desire to change the name of other cities. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said on Thursday that his government was contemplating to change the name of Ahmedabad to Karnavati. Adding to the list, Shiv Sena also demanded to rename two towns in Maharashtra – Aurangabad and Osmanabad.

Will change Hyderabad's name to Bhagyanagar if we come to power in Telangana: BJP leader

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at the Congress saying that the party supports the urban Maoists "who&nbsp;have ruined the lives of poor Adivasi youth".

"The urban Maoists who live in air-conditioned homes in the cities, look clean and whose children study abroad, remote control the adivasi children in the Naxal dominated areas. I want to ask the Congress why it supports the urban Maoists when the government takes action against them and come to Bastar and speak against Naxalism," PM Modi said.

Addressing his first election rally in poll-bound&nbsp;Chhattisgarh, PM Modi also said he will not rest until he fulfils late Atal Bihari Vajpayee's dreams for a prosperous Chhattisgarh.

PM Modi said the Congress-led government did not do enough to develop the Naxal-infested Bastar region citing the Maoist menace.

"For 10 years, Congress was at the Centre, but they never paid attention to the needs of Chhattisgarh and blocked all development for the state. They never thought of the region's progress," PM Modi said.

"Will you forgive such people? These people will not win Chhattisgarh. I appeal to you to ensure that BJP wins all seats in the Bastar region. If anyone else wins, it will be a blot on Bastar's dreams," he added.

"I don't know why Congress makes fun of adivasis . Once I had gone for a rally to the Northeast of our country and there had worn a traditional adivasi headgear but Congress leaders made fun of that hat, it was an insult of adivasi culture" PM Modi said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I urge the people of Bastar to teach a fitting lesson to the Congress leaders, who on one hand try to shield the urban Maoists, and in Chhattisgarh, they speak about freeing the state from Maoists: PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChhattisgarhElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChhattisgarhElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/a7r5wjxKXN">pic.twitter.com/a7r5wjxKXN</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1060806632052006912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I urge the people of Bastar to teach a fitting lesson to the Congress leaders, who on one hand try to shield the urban Maoists, and in Chhattisgarh, they speak about freeing the state from Maoists", PM Modi said.

He further targetted the Congress party over the recent death of a cameraman in the state.

"A brave and innocent cameraman from DD, Achutyanand Sahu was killed by Maoists. Recently our valiant jawans were also martyred in an encounter with Maoists and for Congress party these Maoists are revolutionaries? What sort of vocabulary is this?".

Chhattisgarh will go to polls on November 12 and November 20. 
&nbsp;

 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at the Congress saying that the party supports the urban Maoists "who have ruined the lives of poor Adivasi youth".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at the Congress saying that the party supports the urban Maoists "who have ruined the lives of poor Adivasi youth". "The urban Maoists who live in air-conditioned homes in the cities, look clean and whose children study abroad, remote control the adivasi children in the Naxal dominated areas. I want to ask the Congress why it supports the urban Maoists when the government takes action against them and come to Bastar and speak against Naxalism," PM Modi said. Addressing his first election rally in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, PM Modi also said he will not rest until he fulfils late Atal Bihari Vajpayee's dreams for a prosperous Chhattisgarh. PM Modi said the Congress-led government did not do enough to develop the Naxal-infested Bastar region citing the Maoist menace. "For 10 years, Congress was at the Centre, but they never paid attention to the needs of Chhattisgarh and blocked all development for the state. They never thought of the region's progress," PM Modi said. "Will you forgive such people? These people will not win Chhattisgarh. I appeal to you to ensure that BJP wins all seats in the Bastar region. If anyone else wins, it will be a blot on Bastar's dreams," he added. "I don't know why Congress makes fun of adivasis . Once I had gone for a rally to the Northeast of our country and there had worn a traditional adivasi headgear but Congress leaders made fun of that hat, it was an insult of adivasi culture" PM Modi said. I urge the people of Bastar to teach a fitting lesson to the Congress leaders, who on one hand try to shield the urban Maoists, and in Chhattisgarh, they speak about freeing the state from Maoists: PM Modi #ChhattisgarhElections2018 pic.twitter.com/a7r5wjxKXN — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018 × "I urge the people of Bastar to teach a fitting lesson to the Congress leaders, who on one hand try to shield the urban Maoists, and in Chhattisgarh, they speak about freeing the state from Maoists", PM Modi said. He further targetted the Congress party over the recent death of a cameraman in the state. "A brave and innocent cameraman from DD, Achutyanand Sahu was killed by Maoists. Recently our valiant jawans were also martyred in an encounter with Maoists and for Congress party these Maoists are revolutionaries? What sort of vocabulary is this?". Chhattisgarh will go to polls on November 12 and November 20.

Chhattisgarh polls: Congress supports urban Maoists, says PM Modi

india-news

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news

india news