Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Delhi Police on the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit chief and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari in connection with the scuffle that took place during the inauguration ceremony of Signature Bridge.

On November 4, Tiwari got into a brawl with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and the Delhi Police at the event after which he wrote to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North- East Delhi and filed a complaint against AAP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Amanatullah Khan, Kejriwal and unknown persons.

Khan was caught on camera shoving Tiwari during the inauguration ceremony of the Signature Bridge.

In a video footage of the incident, Tiwari was seen standing at the edge of an elevated platform when Khan, an AAP MLA from Okhla, pushed the BJP's Delhi unit chief, nearly causing him to fall.

A large number of police personnel and AAP workers were also present on the occasion.

While speaking to ANI after the scuffle, Tiwari had claimed that the entire incident took place in front of Kejriwal.

He had alleged that he was stopped by the police and AAP supporters from attending the event.

The bridge was inaugurated on November 4 and was opened for the public the next day.

It was inaugurated by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Announced in 2004, the 575-metre bridge over the river Yamuna aims at reducing travel time and traffic congestion between the north-eastern and northern parts of the national capital, and is the first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in India.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Delhi Police on the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit chief and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari in connection with the scuffle that took place during the inauguration ceremony of Signature Bridge.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Delhi Police on the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit chief and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari in connection with the scuffle that took place during the inauguration ceremony of Signature Bridge. On November 4, Tiwari got into a brawl with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and the Delhi Police at the event after which he wrote to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North- East Delhi and filed a complaint against AAP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Amanatullah Khan, Kejriwal and unknown persons. Khan was caught on camera shoving Tiwari during the inauguration ceremony of the Signature Bridge. In a video footage of the incident, Tiwari was seen standing at the edge of an elevated platform when Khan, an AAP MLA from Okhla, pushed the BJP's Delhi unit chief, nearly causing him to fall. A large number of police personnel and AAP workers were also present on the occasion. While speaking to ANI after the scuffle, Tiwari had claimed that the entire incident took place in front of Kejriwal. He had alleged that he was stopped by the police and AAP supporters from attending the event. The bridge was inaugurated on November 4 and was opened for the public the next day. It was inaugurated by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Announced in 2004, the 575-metre bridge over the river Yamuna aims at reducing travel time and traffic congestion between the north-eastern and northern parts of the national capital, and is the first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in India.

Signature Bridge scuffle: CM Arvind Kejriwal named as accused in Manoj Tiwari's FIR

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sunday promised a corruption-free administration, prohibition and a loan waiver for farmers if elected to power in Chhattisgarh.

Releasing its manifesto here for the state polls, which the AAP is contesting for the first time, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party announced a slew of measures for different sections of the society.

The Delhi-based party has fielded candidates in all the 90 assembly seats in the BJP-ruled state.

The AAP manifesto comes on the eve of the first phase of polling Monday covering 18 assembly seats spread across over half a dozen Naxal-affected districts.

The second and final phase of voting, covering the remaining 72 seats, will be held on November 20.

In its 36-point manifesto, the fledgling outfit has promised Rs 2,600 minimum support price (MSP) for each quintal of paddy, a loan waiver for farmers, jobs to youths and a ban on sale of liquor in the state.

"After the AAP government is formed in the state, the priority will be to make it corruption-free and prosperous," Delhi Cabinet Minister and Chhattisgarh AAP in-charge

Gopal Rai said while releasing the manifesto at a press conference.

The journey for a prosperous Chhattisgarh can not be undertaken until corruption is eradicated, he said.

Apart from the main manifesto, all the AAP candidates have released similar documents in their respective areas, incorporating measures based on the situation prevailing in their region, he said.

Targeting the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, Rai sought to know what the two national parties have done for the state, which has a large tribal population.

"What Ajit Jogi had done when he was (Congress) chief minister for three years (2000-2003) and what the BJP has done during its 15-year long rule?" the AAP leader asked.

"Instead of releasing its report card (of works done till now), the BJP released its manifesto on Saturday as if it was seeking a chance for the first time to form its government in the state," Rai said.

The ruling party had made a slew of promises to farmers ahead of every election, but it did not fulfil them, he said.

All these years, farmers did not get good returns on their produce and once again the BJP has made "false" promises to cultivators (in its manifesto), Rai said.

Besides providing remunerative price to paddy growers, the AAP will generate jobs for the youths of the state if elected to power, he said.

The youths of the state will be given priority in jobs in private as well as government sectors and the contract system of employment will be abolished, Rai added.

Agriculture-based industries will be set up in the state, he added.

The manifesto also promised a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre in event of crop loss and introduction of new farm technologies.

Besides, it promised to bring Chhattisgarh Jan Lokpal Bill, an anti-graft legislation covering the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs and all government officers.

The AAP wants to make Chhattisgarh an alcohol-free state. Liquor will be banned for people barring for some special communities, Rai said.

The party has projected its Bhanupratappur assembly seat candidate Komal Hupendi as its chief ministerial candidate.&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sunday promised a corruption-free administration, prohibition and a loan waiver for farmers if elected to power in Chhattisgarh. Releasing its manifesto here for the state polls, which the AAP is contesting for the first time, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party announced a slew of measures for different sections of the society.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sunday promised a corruption-free administration, prohibition and a loan waiver for farmers if elected to power in Chhattisgarh. Releasing its manifesto here for the state polls, which the AAP is contesting for the first time, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party announced a slew of measures for different sections of the society. The Delhi-based party has fielded candidates in all the 90 assembly seats in the BJP-ruled state. The AAP manifesto comes on the eve of the first phase of polling Monday covering 18 assembly seats spread across over half a dozen Naxal-affected districts. The second and final phase of voting, covering the remaining 72 seats, will be held on November 20. In its 36-point manifesto, the fledgling outfit has promised Rs 2,600 minimum support price (MSP) for each quintal of paddy, a loan waiver for farmers, jobs to youths and a ban on sale of liquor in the state. "After the AAP government is formed in the state, the priority will be to make it corruption-free and prosperous," Delhi Cabinet Minister and Chhattisgarh AAP in-charge Gopal Rai said while releasing the manifesto at a press conference. The journey for a prosperous Chhattisgarh can not be undertaken until corruption is eradicated, he said. Apart from the main manifesto, all the AAP candidates have released similar documents in their respective areas, incorporating measures based on the situation prevailing in their region, he said. Targeting the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, Rai sought to know what the two national parties have done for the state, which has a large tribal population. "What Ajit Jogi had done when he was (Congress) chief minister for three years (2000-2003) and what the BJP has done during its 15-year long rule?" the AAP leader asked. "Instead of releasing its report card (of works done till now), the BJP released its manifesto on Saturday as if it was seeking a chance for the first time to form its government in the state," Rai said. The ruling party had made a slew of promises to farmers ahead of every election, but it did not fulfil them, he said. All these years, farmers did not get good returns on their produce and once again the BJP has made "false" promises to cultivators (in its manifesto), Rai said. Besides providing remunerative price to paddy growers, the AAP will generate jobs for the youths of the state if elected to power, he said. The youths of the state will be given priority in jobs in private as well as government sectors and the contract system of employment will be abolished, Rai added. Agriculture-based industries will be set up in the state, he added. The manifesto also promised a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre in event of crop loss and introduction of new farm technologies. Besides, it promised to bring Chhattisgarh Jan Lokpal Bill, an anti-graft legislation covering the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs and all government officers. The AAP wants to make Chhattisgarh an alcohol-free state. Liquor will be banned for people barring for some special communities, Rai said. The party has projected its Bhanupratappur assembly seat candidate Komal Hupendi as its chief ministerial candidate.

AAP promises farm loan waiver, prohibition in Chhattisgarh

The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered three cases, including one against the ruling AAP's MLA Amanatullah Khan, in connection with the ruckus at the inaugural function of Signature Bridge.

The cases have been referred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police for investigation.

Three cases have been registered at New Usmanpur police station under North East district in connection with the incidents during the inauguration of the Signature Bridge, Delhi Police said in a statement.

The cases have been registered on complaints of Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, his colleague B N Jha and an an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker Taukir, it said.

"All the three cases are being referred to crime branch for further investigation," the statement said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern Range) Ravindra Yadav said a case has been registered against Khan on a complaint filed by Tiwari.

The state BJP president alleged in his complaint that Khan pushed him down and threatened to shoot him.

Tiwari and his supporters allegedly got into a scuffle with AAP members and police at the inaugural event of the newly-built Signature Bridge here on Sunday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had gone to the event to stage a protest for allegedly not being invited to the inauguration despite being Member of Parliament from the area.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain had directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Parida to lodge a police complaint against Tiwari for allegedly indulging in violence at the Signature Bridge inauguration.

In his note to Parida, Jain said Tiwari and his associates indulged in hooliganism to overawe the highest functionaries of the government at the event where Chief 
Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other cabinet ministers were present.

"Manoj Tiwari and his associates formed unlawful assembly, forcibly entered (reached the) dias with the intention to attack and harm the chief minister and council of ministers and create ruckus, obstructed and assaulted public servant..." Jain said in the note.

"It is therefore directed that home department immediately lodges a formal complaint with the CP (commissioner of police) and concerned DCP/police station against Manoj Tiwari and his associates..." he said.

Jain said a CD containing various videos of the event showed the "lawlessness" Tiwari and his associates indulged in.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Delhi Police of "inaction" in dealing with those responsible for the ruckus at the event and demanded that it register a case against Tiwari.

In a letter written to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, he asked why Tiwari had not been booked even 48 hours after the incident.

He said the police in the country, particularly in Delhi, worked under "tremendous political pressure".

Earlier on Tuesday, BJP leaders and workers staged protests across Delhi, demanding Khan's arrest and waved black flags at Kejriwal in Nand Nagri, where he had gone to attend an official function.

The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered three cases, including one against the ruling AAP's MLA Amanatullah Khan, in connection with the ruckus at the inaugural function of Signature Bridge.

The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered three cases, including one against the ruling AAP's MLA Amanatullah Khan, in connection with the ruckus at the inaugural function of Signature Bridge. The cases have been referred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police for investigation. Three cases have been registered at New Usmanpur police station under North East district in connection with the incidents during the inauguration of the Signature Bridge, Delhi Police said in a statement. The cases have been registered on complaints of Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, his colleague B N Jha and an an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker Taukir, it said. "All the three cases are being referred to crime branch for further investigation," the statement said. Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern Range) Ravindra Yadav said a case has been registered against Khan on a complaint filed by Tiwari. The state BJP president alleged in his complaint that Khan pushed him down and threatened to shoot him. Tiwari and his supporters allegedly got into a scuffle with AAP members and police at the inaugural event of the newly-built Signature Bridge here on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had gone to the event to stage a protest for allegedly not being invited to the inauguration despite being Member of Parliament from the area. Earlier in the day, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain had directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Parida to lodge a police complaint against Tiwari for allegedly indulging in violence at the Signature Bridge inauguration. In his note to Parida, Jain said Tiwari and his associates indulged in hooliganism to overawe the highest functionaries of the government at the event where Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other cabinet ministers were present. "Manoj Tiwari and his associates formed unlawful assembly, forcibly entered (reached the) dias with the intention to attack and harm the chief minister and council of ministers and create ruckus, obstructed and assaulted public servant..." Jain said in the note. "It is therefore directed that home department immediately lodges a formal complaint with the CP (commissioner of police) and concerned DCP/police station against Manoj Tiwari and his associates..." he said. Jain said a CD containing various videos of the event showed the "lawlessness" Tiwari and his associates indulged in. AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Delhi Police of "inaction" in dealing with those responsible for the ruckus at the event and demanded that it register a case against Tiwari. In a letter written to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, he asked why Tiwari had not been booked even 48 hours after the incident. He said the police in the country, particularly in Delhi, worked under "tremendous political pressure". Earlier on Tuesday, BJP leaders and workers staged protests across Delhi, demanding Khan's arrest and waved black flags at Kejriwal in Nand Nagri, where he had gone to attend an official function.

AAP legislator booked for ruckus during Signature Bridge inauguration in Delhi

The Aam Aadmi Party may have made blundered while announcing the inauguration of Delhi's much-awaited&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-to-inaugurate-much-awaited-delhi-signature-bridge-today-175361">Signature Bridge</a>.&nbsp;

The party posted a series of pictures on its twitter handle Saturday with the caption: "Delhi!&nbsp;Here is your pride. The Signature Bridge. Ready to welcome you tomorrow for Inauguration Ceremony..&nbsp;4PM onwards.. Sunday, 4th Nov. - @msisodia."

Twitter users however were quick to point out that the first image from the series was of the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and not of Signature Bridge.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
"Delhi ! 
Here is your pride ..The Signature Bridge . Ready to welcome you tomorrow for Inauguration Ceremony.. 4PM onwards.. Sunday, 4th Nov."- <a href="https://twitter.com/msisodia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@msisodia</a> <a href="https://t.co/agEuZhrjib">pic.twitter.com/agEuZhrjib</a>
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AamAadmiParty/status/1058763831604850688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga told Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that "if you had carried out development, then you wouldn't have had to steal a picture from the Netherlands."&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
. <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> साहब विकास कर लिया होता तो नीदरलैंड के इरास्मस ब्रिज की फोटो चुराने की जरूरत नही पड़ती । ये रहा उसका लिंक जहाँ से आपने तस्वीर चुराई खैर चोरी/घोटाला तो आपकी फितरत में है<a href="https://t.co/edwphH9ubn">https://t.co/edwphH9ubn</a> <a href="https://t.co/w9Z8xHSkWc">pic.twitter.com/w9Z8xHSkWc</a>
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) <a href="https://twitter.com/TajinderBagga/status/1058939923099639808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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And the jibes continued:&nbsp;&nbsp;

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LOL the 1st image is a bridge in Rotterdam <a href="https://t.co/8QvILrq6xh">pic.twitter.com/8QvILrq6xh</a>
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabbbarSingh/status/1058921730587217920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Pic 1 : Posted by <a href="https://twitter.com/AamAadmiParty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AamAadmiParty</a> of signature bridge in Delhi 
Pic 2 : Posted by <a href="https://twitter.com/TajinderBagga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TajinderBagga</a> of Erasmus bridge in Netherland 
 
Bridge bhi same, lights bhi same aur background main buildings bhi same to same hain. 
Lagta hai <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> ne delhi ko Netherland bana diya 😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/CsZ0HfcbvM">pic.twitter.com/CsZ0HfcbvM</a>
— Ek Hindustani 🇮🇳 ÉTF (@Ek_Hindustaani) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ek_Hindustaani/status/1058953650083491840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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photo chor! shame! shame shame. ..
— Sanjaykumar (@Sanjayk56382160) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sanjayk56382160/status/1058952684391170048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Delhi Netherland Mein Aati Hai??
— Krishiv_tanna (@TannaKrishiv) <a href="https://twitter.com/TannaKrishiv/status/1058983261609684993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kejriwal is scheduled to inaugurate the bridge at 4 pm on November 4 and it will be opened to the public on November 5. The bridge has been built over river Yamuna and&nbsp;will reduce the travel time between north and northeast Delhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party may have made blundered while announcing the inauguration of Delhi's much-awaited Signature Bridge. The party posted a series of pictures on its twitter handle Saturday with the caption: "Delhi!

The Aam Aadmi Party may have made blundered while announcing the inauguration of Delhi's much-awaited Signature Bridge. The party posted a series of pictures on its twitter handle Saturday with the caption: "Delhi! Here is your pride. The Signature Bridge. Ready to welcome you tomorrow for Inauguration Ceremony.. 4PM onwards.. Sunday, 4th Nov. - @msisodia." Twitter users however were quick to point out that the first image from the series was of the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and not of Signature Bridge. "Delhi ! Here is your pride ..The Signature Bridge . Ready to welcome you tomorrow for Inauguration Ceremony.. 4PM onwards.. Sunday, 4th Nov."- @msisodia pic.twitter.com/agEuZhrjib — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 3, 2018 × Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga told Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that "if you had carried out development, then you wouldn't have had to steal a picture from the Netherlands." . @ArvindKejriwal साहब विकास कर लिया होता तो नीदरलैंड के इरास्मस ब्रिज की फोटो चुराने की जरूरत नही पड़ती । ये रहा उसका लिंक जहाँ से आपने तस्वीर चुराई खैर चोरी/घोटाला तो आपकी फितरत में हैhttps://t.co/edwphH9ubn pic.twitter.com/w9Z8xHSkWc — Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) November 4, 2018 × And the jibes continued: LOL the 1st image is a bridge in Rotterdam pic.twitter.com/8QvILrq6xh — Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 4, 2018 × Pic 1 : Posted by @AamAadmiParty of signature bridge in Delhi Pic 2 : Posted by @TajinderBagga of Erasmus bridge in Netherland Bridge bhi same, lights bhi same aur background main buildings bhi same to same hain. Lagta hai @ArvindKejriwal ne delhi ko Netherland bana diya 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/CsZ0HfcbvM — Ek Hindustani 🇮🇳 ÉTF (@Ek_Hindustaani) November 4, 2018 × photo chor! shame! shame shame. .. — Sanjaykumar (@Sanjayk56382160) November 4, 2018 × Delhi Netherland Mein Aati Hai?? — Krishiv_tanna (@TannaKrishiv) November 4, 2018 × Kejriwal is scheduled to inaugurate the bridge at 4 pm on November 4 and it will be opened to the public on November 5. The bridge has been built over river Yamuna and will reduce the travel time between north and northeast Delhi.

AAP posts picture of Signature Bridge, Twitter quickly points out mistake

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before.

AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh also claimed the Centre has "invoked" a rare provision under section 7 of the RBI Act to "pressurise" the apex bank in its bid to benefit some businessmen, who he said is close to Modi government.

"The government is destroying various institutions. Invoking section 7 of RBI Act would end the 83-year-old autonomy of the RBI. Through this step, the Centre will direct the RBI to release funds to the banks so that they could compensate the deficit created due to huge loans given to big businessmen who are close to Modi government. This will push the country towards recession and bankruptcy," Singh alleged.

Questions are being raised over the autonomy of the RBI, with the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya last week warning that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic."

However, the government Wednesday said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured".

The government is believed to have sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.

Singh said, "Those who take small loans of Rs 2-5lakh from banks have to mortgage their entire assets. But as the government fails to recover big loans from industrialists, such bad loans are recovered from people. The NPA of big industrialists has gone up to Rs 10.25 lakh crores and section 7 has been involved to compensate this".

Singh also alleged that the Rafale fighter jet deal is "Rs 36,000-crore scam".

"Government has not been disclosing the price of Rafale fighter jet because they have purchased a plane costing Rs 526 crore at an inflated price of Rs 1670 crore," he alleged.

He said there is a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, "as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never goes to campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency (Chhindwara) of state Congress president Kamal Nath".&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before. AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh also claimed the Centre has "invoked" a rare provision under section 7 of the RBI Act to "pressurise" the apex bank in its bid to benefit some businessmen, who he said is close to Modi government. "The government is destroying various institutions. Invoking section 7 of RBI Act would end the 83-year-old autonomy of the RBI. Through this step, the Centre will direct the RBI to release funds to the banks so that they could compensate the deficit created due to huge loans given to big businessmen who are close to Modi government. This will push the country towards recession and bankruptcy," Singh alleged. Questions are being raised over the autonomy of the RBI, with the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya last week warning that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic." However, the government Wednesday said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured". The government is believed to have sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest. Singh said, "Those who take small loans of Rs 2-5lakh from banks have to mortgage their entire assets. But as the government fails to recover big loans from industrialists, such bad loans are recovered from people. The NPA of big industrialists has gone up to Rs 10.25 lakh crores and section 7 has been involved to compensate this". Singh also alleged that the Rafale fighter jet deal is "Rs 36,000-crore scam". "Government has not been disclosing the price of Rafale fighter jet because they have purchased a plane costing Rs 526 crore at an inflated price of Rs 1670 crore," he alleged. He said there is a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, "as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never goes to campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency (Chhindwara) of state Congress president Kamal Nath".

Centre destroying institutions like Reserve Bank of India: Aam Aadmi Party

The AAP Wednesday launched a 15-second video featuring its national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing for donations to promote the "honestly working" Delhi government.&nbsp;

The public donation drive titled "Aap Ka Daan, Rashtra Ka Nirman" was launched by Kejriwal on Monday.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which rules in Delhi, has plans to contest the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. The party is also hopeful of contesting the Lok Sabha polls in a "focussed manner" in several states, especially Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.&nbsp;

Claiming that the party is "pauper'', the AAP dispensation in Delhi is urging people to donate generously to safeguard an "honest government".&nbsp;

"The Delhi government is working honestly because AAP runs on your donations. We need funds to contest elections. No matter how much but do give donations to AAP so we can continue to work with honesty," the chief minister says in the video that appeared on social media.&nbsp;

Under the party campaign for monthly donations, the AAP has launched a mobile number on which people can place missed calls if they are willing to donate. The minimum donation amount is Rs 100 per month.

Party leaders said Kejriwal himself would seek donations by going door-to-door after Diwali.

The Delhi chief minister had on Monday announced that he would donate Rs 10,000, his wife and daughter Rs 5,000 each and his father Rs 500 per month to the party fund.

The AAP Wednesday launched a 15-second video featuring its national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing for donations to promote the "honestly working" Delhi government.

The AAP Wednesday launched a 15-second video featuring its national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing for donations to promote the "honestly working" Delhi government. The public donation drive titled "Aap Ka Daan, Rashtra Ka Nirman" was launched by Kejriwal on Monday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which rules in Delhi, has plans to contest the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. The party is also hopeful of contesting the Lok Sabha polls in a "focussed manner" in several states, especially Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. Claiming that the party is "pauper'', the AAP dispensation in Delhi is urging people to donate generously to safeguard an "honest government". "The Delhi government is working honestly because AAP runs on your donations. We need funds to contest elections. No matter how much but do give donations to AAP so we can continue to work with honesty," the chief minister says in the video that appeared on social media. Under the party campaign for monthly donations, the AAP has launched a mobile number on which people can place missed calls if they are willing to donate. The minimum donation amount is Rs 100 per month. Party leaders said Kejriwal himself would seek donations by going door-to-door after Diwali. The Delhi chief minister had on Monday announced that he would donate Rs 10,000, his wife and daughter Rs 5,000 each and his father Rs 500 per month to the party fund.

AAP launches video seeking donations to promote 'honest' Delhi government

The AAP Sunday announced that Brijesh Goyal and Rajpal Solanki will be in-charges of New Delhi and West Delhi parliamentary constituencies in the national capital for 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The announcement halted conjecture that rebel BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha will be Aam Aadmi Party candidates on the two seats.

Making the announcement, Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai said there were talks with Yashwant Sinha for him to contest from New Delhi seat but he has expressed willingness to campaign against the Modi government across the country.

There were no talks about Shatrughan Sinha being the party candidate.

The party has announced its in-charges for all seven constituencies in Delhi.

Rai said the candidates for five seats will be announced soon.

Party sources said the in-charges will be ultimately the party candidates in 2019 elections.

The AAP Sunday announced that Brijesh Goyal and Rajpal Solanki will be in-charges of New Delhi and West Delhi parliamentary constituencies in the national capital for 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The AAP Sunday announced that Brijesh Goyal and Rajpal Solanki will be in-charges of New Delhi and West Delhi parliamentary constituencies in the national capital for 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The announcement halted conjecture that rebel BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha will be Aam Aadmi Party candidates on the two seats. Making the announcement, Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai said there were talks with Yashwant Sinha for him to contest from New Delhi seat but he has expressed willingness to campaign against the Modi government across the country. There were no talks about Shatrughan Sinha being the party candidate. The party has announced its in-charges for all seven constituencies in Delhi. Rai said the candidates for five seats will be announced soon. Party sources said the in-charges will be ultimately the party candidates in 2019 elections.

2019 polls: Brijesh Goyal, Rajpal Solanki AAP in-charges for New Delhi, West Delhi LS seats

Former Union Minister and Delhi state unit chief Ajay Maken has expressed complete disagreement with the idea that Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) should have an electoral tie-up to keep the BJP away. He also said that a fragmented Opposition will not work against the BJP and Congress will have to regain its space as the principal party opposed to BJP as in the past fragmented Opposition government have not survived for long.

In the interview with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Maken also reached out his colleagues in the party. Congress is holding a grand iftaar for its potential political allies in Delhi and has chosen not to invite AAP. 
&nbsp 
WION: How do you evaluate AAP's performance in Delhi?

Ajay Maken: AAP has slipped in Delhi. Their vote percentage has gone down consistently. From the municipal elections to Rajouri Garden by-polls, AAP's vote share has decreased. Rajouri Garden was a seat which AAP had won by a huge margin. AAP was third and came behind the Congress. This happened because they have not been able to fulfill promises.

WION: Do you feel that Delhi has suffered because of AAP's national ambitions?

Ajay Maken: Delhi has suffered simply because AAP does not know how to govern. Since coming to power they have been trying to create an artificial confrontation with the BJP for political reasons. One cannot rule by confrontation. Delhi is a Union Territory and one needs to build consensus with stakeholders. Being a bureaucrat, Kejriwal should have known this but again AAP does not know what governance is. We never compromised the interest of the people.

WION: What is your view on 'one-seat-one-candidate' proposed arrangement to challenge BJP?

Ajay Maken: My opinion is that a strong Congress is required at the Centre to counter BJP-RSS. One-seat-one-candidate is a good concept, but fragmented Opposition does not work. We have seen that in the past too. You need a strong party in the Opposition as there is a political life beyond elections too.

WION: Should this proposal apply on Delhi as well?

Ajay Maken: No, it should not. Even the chief minister of Punjab is opposed to this idea to stop the BJP. AAP is losing ground and when they are being rejected by people why should we supply them political oxygen? AAP is an opportunist party. It is not a secular party. Kejriwal is ideologically hollow. He was the one who tied up with Baba Ramdev and Kiran Bedi. If he gets concessions from BJP, he will side with them.

WION: Are you saying that alliances should be state specific?

Ajay Maken: Alliances have to be crafted on state to state basis after consulting the state leadership.

WION: What is the Congress roadmap of recovery under you?

Ajay Maken: Congress needs understanding within the party than help from outside. We have conducted surveys and found that people very fondly remember 15 years of Sheila Dixit's regime. We will win elections on our own. We cannot undermine the strength of the Congress workers in a state. In the past two decades Congress was able to defeat BJP thrice. In order to come back we don't need assistance. We have bench strength in leaders like Sheila Dixit, Mahabal Mishra, JP Agarwal and Sandeep Dixit. If we work together, we will defeat both AAP and BJP.

The DPCC chief lashes out at Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, says Congress has to capability to win Delhi assembly election on its own.

Former Union Minister and Delhi state unit chief Ajay Maken has expressed complete disagreement with the idea that Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) should have an electoral tie-up to keep the BJP away. He also said that a fragmented Opposition will not work against the BJP and Congress will have to regain its space as the principal party opposed to BJP as in the past fragmented Opposition government have not survived for long. In the interview with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Maken also reached out his colleagues in the party. Congress is holding a grand iftaar for its potential political allies in Delhi and has chosen not to invite AAP. WION: How do you evaluate AAP's performance in Delhi? Ajay Maken: AAP has slipped in Delhi. Their vote percentage has gone down consistently. From the municipal elections to Rajouri Garden by-polls, AAP's vote share has decreased. Rajouri Garden was a seat which AAP had won by a huge margin. AAP was third and came behind the Congress. This happened because they have not been able to fulfill promises. WION: Do you feel that Delhi has suffered because of AAP's national ambitions? Ajay Maken: Delhi has suffered simply because AAP does not know how to govern. Since coming to power they have been trying to create an artificial confrontation with the BJP for political reasons. One cannot rule by confrontation. Delhi is a Union Territory and one needs to build consensus with stakeholders. Being a bureaucrat, Kejriwal should have known this but again AAP does not know what governance is. We never compromised the interest of the people. WION: What is your view on 'one-seat-one-candidate' proposed arrangement to challenge BJP? Ajay Maken: My opinion is that a strong Congress is required at the Centre to counter BJP-RSS. One-seat-one-candidate is a good concept, but fragmented Opposition does not work. We have seen that in the past too. You need a strong party in the Opposition as there is a political life beyond elections too. WION: Should this proposal apply on Delhi as well? Ajay Maken: No, it should not. Even the chief minister of Punjab is opposed to this idea to stop the BJP. AAP is losing ground and when they are being rejected by people why should we supply them political oxygen? AAP is an opportunist party. It is not a secular party. Kejriwal is ideologically hollow. He was the one who tied up with Baba Ramdev and Kiran Bedi. If he gets concessions from BJP, he will side with them. WION: Are you saying that alliances should be state specific? Ajay Maken: Alliances have to be crafted on state to state basis after consulting the state leadership. WION: What is the Congress roadmap of recovery under you? Ajay Maken: Congress needs understanding within the party than help from outside. We have conducted surveys and found that people very fondly remember 15 years of Sheila Dixit's regime. We will win elections on our own. We cannot undermine the strength of the Congress workers in a state. In the past two decades Congress was able to defeat BJP thrice. In order to come back we don't need assistance. We have bench strength in leaders like Sheila Dixit, Mahabal Mishra, JP Agarwal and Sandeep Dixit. If we work together, we will defeat both AAP and BJP.

No tie-up with Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi: Congress leader Ajay Maken to WION

In a clarion call, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today exhorted party workers with the slogan 'L-G, Delhi Chodo' (L-G, Quit India) , as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party announced a city-wide campaign for full statehood to Delhi.&nbsp;

Addressing party's ward-level officer-bearers and legislators at his residence here, the chief minister equalled the fight for Delhi's full statehood with the freedom struggle.&nbsp;

In a passionate address, he said Mahatma Gandhi had launched Quit India campaign during the British rule, and the Aam Aadmi Party will run 'L-G, Delhi Chodo' campaign.

He said that in 1947, India got freedom and all British viceroys were removed, but in Delhi, L-G was appointed in place of viceroys.

Elaborating on the campaign, Kejriwal said AAP leaders, MLAs and workers will hold meetings at 300 locations in the national capital from June 17 to June 24 in the first phase of the agitation.

In the second phase, AAP has planned to hold party workers' convention at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on July 1, where the next course of action will be decided, he said.

"Had a meeting wid ward level office bearers of AAP Delhi. Made strategy to take msg of full statehood to every house in Delhi (sic)", the chief minister tweeted after the meeting.

The clarion call for full statehood to Delhi comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year.

According to party sources, the ruling party in Delhi is planning to strongly raise the statehood issue during the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

"We would ask people (during meetings) whether there should be people's rule or L-G's rule in Delhi. L-G creates hurdles in our every project, be it the CCTV project or doorstep delivery of ration," Kejriwal said.

During his address, the AAP supremo also pitched for 85 per cent reservation in recruitment for Delhi government departments.&nbsp;

"If we want to open colleges, they (L-G) do not allow. It is not the issue of just development....Our ancestors had also fought for freedom of the country. Delhi gives Rs 1.3 lakh crore tax to the Centre, but we get nothing in lieu of this...

"Every person in Delhi will get good job and every family will get own house if Delhi is given full statehood status," he said.

The chief minister also attacked former chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, alleging that during her government's tenure, people were fed up with inflated water and electricity bills, as well as the poor condition of government hospitals.&nbsp;

"During your (Sheila) tenure, your party's government was at the Centre for ten years and your L-G was also there. I challenge you to run Delhi under Modi's rule for one year," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

His comment came in response to Dikshit's reported statement that she ruled Delhi for 15 years, but never had any conflict with the Centre and L-G during her tenure.

Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai alleged that the BJP and Congress have taken 'U turn' on the issue of full statehood to Delhi.

The AAP government has called a special session of the Delhi Assembly to press its demand for full statehood to Delhi. Earlier this week, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had tabled a government resolution in this regard.

Kejriwal is likely to speak on the issue in the assembly tomorrow.

In a passionate address, he said Mahatma Gandhi had launched Quit India campaign during the British rule, and the Aam Aadmi Party will run 'L-G, Delhi Chodo' campaign.

In a clarion call, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today exhorted party workers with the slogan 'L-G, Delhi Chodo' (L-G, Quit India) , as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party announced a city-wide campaign for full statehood to Delhi. Addressing party's ward-level officer-bearers and legislators at his residence here, the chief minister equalled the fight for Delhi's full statehood with the freedom struggle. In a passionate address, he said Mahatma Gandhi had launched Quit India campaign during the British rule, and the Aam Aadmi Party will run 'L-G, Delhi Chodo' campaign. He said that in 1947, India got freedom and all British viceroys were removed, but in Delhi, L-G was appointed in place of viceroys. Elaborating on the campaign, Kejriwal said AAP leaders, MLAs and workers will hold meetings at 300 locations in the national capital from June 17 to June 24 in the first phase of the agitation. In the second phase, AAP has planned to hold party workers' convention at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on July 1, where the next course of action will be decided, he said. "Had a meeting wid ward level office bearers of AAP Delhi. Made strategy to take msg of full statehood to every house in Delhi (sic)", the chief minister tweeted after the meeting. The clarion call for full statehood to Delhi comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year. According to party sources, the ruling party in Delhi is planning to strongly raise the statehood issue during the Lok Sabha elections. "We would ask people (during meetings) whether there should be people's rule or L-G's rule in Delhi. L-G creates hurdles in our every project, be it the CCTV project or doorstep delivery of ration," Kejriwal said. During his address, the AAP supremo also pitched for 85 per cent reservation in recruitment for Delhi government departments. "If we want to open colleges, they (L-G) do not allow. It is not the issue of just development....Our ancestors had also fought for freedom of the country. Delhi gives Rs 1.3 lakh crore tax to the Centre, but we get nothing in lieu of this... "Every person in Delhi will get good job and every family will get own house if Delhi is given full statehood status," he said. The chief minister also attacked former chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, alleging that during her government's tenure, people were fed up with inflated water and electricity bills, as well as the poor condition of government hospitals. "During your (Sheila) tenure, your party's government was at the Centre for ten years and your L-G was also there. I challenge you to run Delhi under Modi's rule for one year," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. His comment came in response to Dikshit's reported statement that she ruled Delhi for 15 years, but never had any conflict with the Centre and L-G during her tenure. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai alleged that the BJP and Congress have taken 'U turn' on the issue of full statehood to Delhi. The AAP government has called a special session of the Delhi Assembly to press its demand for full statehood to Delhi. Earlier this week, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had tabled a government resolution in this regard. Kejriwal is likely to speak on the issue in the assembly tomorrow.

AAP announces campaign for full statehood to Delhi

In a boxing match, a player sometimes fends off the opponent, sometimes defends, and then, at the apt moment, he attacks.

As momentum gathers for the 2019 general election, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seems to be playing the political game just as carefully, say leaders of his Aam Aadmi Party and political observers.

In 2017, following AAP's poor performance in Punjab and the BJP's sweep in Uttar Pradesh, Kejriwal consciously decided to minimise his attacks on his bete-noire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp

He continued with the strategy for a little more than a year. But with the BJP suffering a string of electoral defeats and anti-incumbency sentiment slowly setting in&nbspagainst the BJP government at the Centre, Kejriwal has renewed his attacks on Modi with the same level of acerbity as before.

"When Kejriwal changed strategy in 2017, post Uttar Pradesh poll results, the charisma of Modi was intact. You don't attack a leader who is popular because that will backfire. But when he is becoming unpopular, change the strategy,&nbspa senior AAP leader told PTI.

The rising fuel prices that has resulted in anger among the people, the recent defeats in the bypolls and the opposition banding together against the BJP have prompted the change, he said.

On May 31, the day of the bypoll results in which the BJP won one parliamentary seat and one assembly seat of 14 constituencies, Kejriwal posted a carefully timed tweet in praise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, the target of his anti-graft campaign during the 2013 Delhi Assembly polls and the Lok Sabha polls the following year.

Taking a swipe at Modi, Kejriwal said people were missing an "educated prime minister" like Manmohan Singh.

"It's dawning on people now that the PM should be educated," Kejriwal tweeted, posting a Wall Street Journal article on the falling rupee.

This was a clear dig at Modi, reminiscent of his past attacks on the prime minister and reiterating doubts on the authenticity of his educational qualifications.

After the bypoll results became known, Kejriwal said the results were a reflection of people's anger against the prime minister.

The BJP had earlier lost Karnataka and the Gorakhpur and Phulpur parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

On May 31 itself, Kejriwal tweeted a video about people in Varanasi criticising the prime minister. He sought to link the CBI raid on state Health Minister Satyendar Jain's residence to steps the Delhi government is planning to take to reduce the charges by hospitals.

On the raid that took on place on May 30, he tweeted, "What does PM Modi want?"

A few days before that, on May 26, responding to a tweet on the performance of Delhi government schools, Kerjiwal said, "This is despite the obstacles created by the LG, the BJP and the PM. Congratulations to all students, principals and teachers."

On May 22, he attacked the prime minister's insurance scheme on the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). "PM's crop insurance scheme is a complete fraud on the farmers. Its sole objective is to benefit some insurance companies,"&nbspthe AAP chief said.

"Attacking a leader when he is popular will backfire. When the opposition is uniting against Modi, the bypoll results suggest that anti-incumbency is setting in, he is jumping on the bandwagon and mounting an attack,"&nbspsaid political analyst Sanjay Kumar.

AAP's Delhi unit spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said Kejriwal was a human being and was bound to hit back.

"How long will you push him against the wall? After all he is a human being, he is bound to hit back. They have not allowed the Delhi government to function,"&nbsphe said.

"We also tried to use the strategy of minimising our attacks and instead focus on work, but the incidents over past one year reflect that the strategy has not worked,"&nbspBharadwaj added.&nbsp

He was referring to the recent raids on Jain's residence by the CBI, the interrogation of the chief minister and his deputy Manish Sisodia in the case of an alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by AAP MLAs, the removal of Delhi government advisors, including Atishi Marlena, and the arrest of Kejriwal's kin in an alleged irregularity in the PWD related work.&nbsp

Kejriwal kept mum in 2017 after AAP's poor performance in Punjab and the the BJP's sweep of Uttar Pradesh. But now, with Modi on the backfoot, the Delhi Chief Minister has renewed his attacks with the same level of acerbity as earlier

In a boxing match, a player sometimes fends off the opponent, sometimes defends, and then, at the apt moment, he attacks. As momentum gathers for the 2019 general election, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seems to be playing the political game just as carefully, say leaders of his Aam Aadmi Party and political observers. In 2017, following AAP's poor performance in Punjab and the BJP's sweep in Uttar Pradesh, Kejriwal consciously decided to minimise his attacks on his bete-noire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He continued with the strategy for a little more than a year. But with the BJP suffering a string of electoral defeats and anti-incumbency sentiment slowly setting in&nbspagainst the BJP government at the Centre, Kejriwal has renewed his attacks on Modi with the same level of acerbity as before. "When Kejriwal changed strategy in 2017, post Uttar Pradesh poll results, the charisma of Modi was intact. You don't attack a leader who is popular because that will backfire. But when he is becoming unpopular, change the strategy,&nbspa senior AAP leader told PTI. The rising fuel prices that has resulted in anger among the people, the recent defeats in the bypolls and the opposition banding together against the BJP have prompted the change, he said. On May 31, the day of the bypoll results in which the BJP won one parliamentary seat and one assembly seat of 14 constituencies, Kejriwal posted a carefully timed tweet in praise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, the target of his anti-graft campaign during the 2013 Delhi Assembly polls and the Lok Sabha polls the following year. Taking a swipe at Modi, Kejriwal said people were missing an "educated prime minister" like Manmohan Singh. "It's dawning on people now that the PM should be educated," Kejriwal tweeted, posting a Wall Street Journal article on the falling rupee. This was a clear dig at Modi, reminiscent of his past attacks on the prime minister and reiterating doubts on the authenticity of his educational qualifications. After the bypoll results became known, Kejriwal said the results were a reflection of people's anger against the prime minister. The BJP had earlier lost Karnataka and the Gorakhpur and Phulpur parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. On May 31 itself, Kejriwal tweeted a video about people in Varanasi criticising the prime minister. He sought to link the CBI raid on state Health Minister Satyendar Jain's residence to steps the Delhi government is planning to take to reduce the charges by hospitals. On the raid that took on place on May 30, he tweeted, "What does PM Modi want?" A few days before that, on May 26, responding to a tweet on the performance of Delhi government schools, Kerjiwal said, "This is despite the obstacles created by the LG, the BJP and the PM. Congratulations to all students, principals and teachers." On May 22, he attacked the prime minister's insurance scheme on the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). "PM's crop insurance scheme is a complete fraud on the farmers. Its sole objective is to benefit some insurance companies,"&nbspthe AAP chief said. "Attacking a leader when he is popular will backfire. When the opposition is uniting against Modi, the bypoll results suggest that anti-incumbency is setting in, he is jumping on the bandwagon and mounting an attack,"&nbspsaid political analyst Sanjay Kumar. AAP's Delhi unit spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said Kejriwal was a human being and was bound to hit back. "How long will you push him against the wall? After all he is a human being, he is bound to hit back. They have not allowed the Delhi government to function,"&nbsphe said. "We also tried to use the strategy of minimising our attacks and instead focus on work, but the incidents over past one year reflect that the strategy has not worked,"&nbspBharadwaj added. He was referring to the recent raids on Jain's residence by the CBI, the interrogation of the chief minister and his deputy Manish Sisodia in the case of an alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by AAP MLAs, the removal of Delhi government advisors, including Atishi Marlena, and the arrest of Kejriwal's kin in an alleged irregularity in the PWD related work.

After a year of keeping quiet, Kejriwal renews attacks on Modi 

Polling to the Shahkot, Punjab&nbsp;bypoll is underway&nbsp;in which the Congress is hoping to maintain its winning momentum while the Akali Dal is trying to retain the seat.

Sixty nine per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm.

The Shahkot bypoll was necessitated following the demise of Akali MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in February this year.

The ruling Congress has fielded Hardev Singh Laddi while Akali Dal has given a ticket to Kohar's son Naib Singh Kohar. The Aam Aadmi Party has nominated Rattan Singh Kakkar Kalan for the Shahkot bypoll.

As many as 1,72,676 voters will decide the fate of 12 candidates who are in the fray.

Voters including women could be seen standing in queues at various polling booths in the morning for voting.

The Election Commission has deployed a total of 1,022 personnel of security forces, including six companies of the Border Security Force, in Shahkot, an official said.

The voting commenced at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. Holiday had already been declared for the electors of Shahkot Assembly constituency which falls in Jalandhar district.

The counting of votes will take place on May 31.

There are total 236 polling stations in the constituency, out of which, webcasting will be held at 103 stations.

The Electronic Voting Machines and Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) are being used at all the polling stations while 15 per cent additional EVMs and VVPAT have been kept as reserve if some malfunctioning is developed during polling, an official said.

With the Congress eyeing to maintain the winning momentum on the development agenda, opposition Akali Dal is striving to retain its pocket borough from where late Ajit Singh Kohar had remained five-time MLA.

Main opposition Aam Aadmi Party, which faced humiliating defeat during Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll and civic polls, is desperately looking for the victory.

The Congress&nbsp;won 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab Vidhan Sabha during 2017 Assembly polls while the Shiromani Akali Dal BJP alliance had managed to win 18 seats. The AAP had won 20 seats while Lok Insaf Party had bagged two seats.&nbsp;

The Shahkot bypoll was necessitated following the demise of Akali MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in February this year

Polling to the Shahkot, Punjab bypoll is underway in which the Congress is hoping to maintain its winning momentum while the Akali Dal is trying to retain the seat. Sixty nine per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm. The Shahkot bypoll was necessitated following the demise of Akali MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in February this year. The ruling Congress has fielded Hardev Singh Laddi while Akali Dal has given a ticket to Kohar's son Naib Singh Kohar. The Aam Aadmi Party has nominated Rattan Singh Kakkar Kalan for the Shahkot bypoll. As many as 1,72,676 voters will decide the fate of 12 candidates who are in the fray. Voters including women could be seen standing in queues at various polling booths in the morning for voting. The Election Commission has deployed a total of 1,022 personnel of security forces, including six companies of the Border Security Force, in Shahkot, an official said. The voting commenced at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. Holiday had already been declared for the electors of Shahkot Assembly constituency which falls in Jalandhar district. The counting of votes will take place on May 31. There are total 236 polling stations in the constituency, out of which, webcasting will be held at 103 stations. The Electronic Voting Machines and Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) are being used at all the polling stations while 15 per cent additional EVMs and VVPAT have been kept as reserve if some malfunctioning is developed during polling, an official said. With the Congress eyeing to maintain the winning momentum on the development agenda, opposition Akali Dal is striving to retain its pocket borough from where late Ajit Singh Kohar had remained five-time MLA. Main opposition Aam Aadmi Party, which faced humiliating defeat during Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll and civic polls, is desperately looking for the victory. The Congress won 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab Vidhan Sabha during 2017 Assembly polls while the Shiromani Akali Dal BJP alliance had managed to win 18 seats. The AAP had won 20 seats while Lok Insaf Party had bagged two seats.

Lok Sabha, assembly bypolls: Shahkot in Punjab goes to polls

Three days after US retail giant Walmart struck its largest deal with a big-ticket investment in Indian online marketplace Flipkart, members of trade wing of New Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party or "common man party" staged a demonstration calling for the deal to be scrapped.

Walmart said on Wednesday (May 09) it would pay some $16 billion for a roughly 77 per cent stake in the Indian e-commerce firm, stepping up competition with rival Amazon.com in a major growth market.

Opposing the takeover, protesters holding banners and placards were seen marching around the Indian capital and demanded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention into the matter. While such small protests are unlikely to affect the deal, such sentiments pose a challenge for Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it prepares to fight an election next year.

For Modi, appeasing small traders and farmers, who are part of the BJP's core constituency, is as important as upholding India's image as a place that welcomes foreign investment.

According to the deal, Walmart's investment is in Flipkart's online marketplace platform, where foreign investment is allowed. The US company cannot open physical stores in India, according to rules governing the multi-brand retail sector.

Traders say they are most concerned about predatory pricing and steep discounting by e-commerce firms with deep pockets thanks to foreign funding that could edge out smaller rivals. 
&nbsp

Three days after US retail giant Walmart struck its largest deal with a big-ticket investment in Indian online marketplace Flipkart, members of trade wing of New Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party or 'common man party' staged a demonstration calling for the deal to be scrapped

Three days after US retail giant Walmart struck its largest deal with a big-ticket investment in Indian online marketplace Flipkart, members of trade wing of New Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party or "common man party" staged a demonstration calling for the deal to be scrapped. Walmart said on Wednesday (May 09) it would pay some $16 billion for a roughly 77 per cent stake in the Indian e-commerce firm, stepping up competition with rival Amazon.com in a major growth market. Opposing the takeover, protesters holding banners and placards were seen marching around the Indian capital and demanded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention into the matter. While such small protests are unlikely to affect the deal, such sentiments pose a challenge for Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it prepares to fight an election next year. For Modi, appeasing small traders and farmers, who are part of the BJP's core constituency, is as important as upholding India's image as a place that welcomes foreign investment. According to the deal, Walmart's investment is in Flipkart's online marketplace platform, where foreign investment is allowed. The US company cannot open physical stores in India, according to rules governing the multi-brand retail sector. Traders say they are most concerned about predatory pricing and steep discounting by e-commerce firms with deep pockets thanks to foreign funding that could edge out smaller rivals.

Walmart Go Back! Protesters in New Delhi decry Flipkart deal

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party for vitiating the atmosphere. While addressing press the&nbsp;Minister of Human Resource and Development said that people from AAP held out a rally outside a Delhi Mosque during Ram Navami. He added that the people shouted inciting slogans and&nbsp;were dressed in saffron.

Javadeskar said, " Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad people gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords and raised inciting slogans, later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere".

He also questioned the Congress party about the arrest of state chief Ghulam Mir.&nbsp;

He said, " Our two ministers resigned, but Congress state chief Ghulam Mir said the same so why no action against him by Rahul Ji? Jammu Bar Association chief was polling agent of GN Azad. Azad ji&nbsp;has no responsibility? He should apologise to nation".

The Congress state chief reportedly spoke in support of the outfits that protested against the arrest of the accused involved in Kathua rape and murder case. Citing a video, reports also said that the Congress Chief claimed that the real culprits in the case were being protected.&nbsp;

Two BJP leaders Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga resigned from the party on Friday over massive outrage that emerged following their participation in a rally that was organised in support of the accused in Kathua gang rape and murder.

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Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad ppl gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords&raised inciting slogans,later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is a clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister <a href="https://t.co/PIKxN6zJNH">pic.twitter.com/PIKxN6zJNH</a>
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Javadeskar said, ' Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad people gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords and raised inciting slogans, later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere'

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party for vitiating the atmosphere. While addressing press the Minister of Human Resource and Development said that people from AAP held out a rally outside a Delhi Mosque during Ram Navami. He added that the people shouted inciting slogans and were dressed in saffron. Javadeskar said, " Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad people gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords and raised inciting slogans, later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere". He also questioned the Congress party about the arrest of state chief Ghulam Mir. He said, " Our two ministers resigned, but Congress state chief Ghulam Mir said the same so why no action against him by Rahul Ji? Jammu Bar Association chief was polling agent of GN Azad. Azad ji has no responsibility? He should apologise to nation". The Congress state chief reportedly spoke in support of the outfits that protested against the arrest of the accused involved in Kathua rape and murder case. Citing a video, reports also said that the Congress Chief claimed that the real culprits in the case were being protected. Two BJP leaders Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga resigned from the party on Friday over massive outrage that emerged following their participation in a rally that was organised in support of the accused in Kathua gang rape and murder. Yesterday I saw on a channel that on Sri Ram Navmi some saffron clad ppl gathered outside a Delhi Mosque with swords&raised inciting slogans,later it was revealed that they belonged to AAP. It is a clear attempt to vitiate atmosphere: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister pic.twitter.com/PIKxN6zJNH — ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018 ×

Saffron-clad AAP members wielding swords gathered outside mosque: Javadekar

Arun Jaitley on Monday accepted Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders' <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kejriwal-apologises-again-arun-jaitley-refuses-to-roll-back-defamation-case--127838">apology</a>, Jaitley counsel confirmed today.&nbsp;

A joint plea was today moved by Union Minister Arun Jaitley and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to "settle" their over two-year-old litigation regarding alleged defamatory statements made against the BJP leader after the AAP supremo apologised for his remarks.&nbsp;

The joint application was mentioned before Justice Manmohan by advocates Manik Dogra and Anupam Srivastava, who appeared for Jaitley and Kejriwal, respectively.&nbsp; 
 
The court agreed to list the matter for hearing before the appropriate bench tomorrow if no technical objection is raised by the registry.&nbsp;

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and three other AAP colleagues Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Ashutosh apologised to Jaitley in a defamation case he had filed against him.&nbsp;

"In the civil case, we'll agree to a decree in the matter based on apology and the acceptance thereof," said M Dogra, Jaitley's counsel.&nbsp;

In his apology letter, Kejriwal admitted having made "certain statements" about Jaitley in connection to his tenure as the President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association.&nbsp;

Jaitley had filed a Rs 10-crore defamation suit against Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders -- Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Deepak Bajpai. All six alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) when Jaitley was its president.

Embroiled in a legal mess with 30 defamation lawsuits, Kejriwal has been on an apology spree since last month. After apologising to Punjab ex-minister Bikram Majithia, Kejriwal apologised to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Kapil Sibal's son Amit Sibal.&nbsp;

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and three other AAP colleagues Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Ashutosh apologised to Jaitley in a defamation case he had filed against him

Arun Jaitley on Monday accepted Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders' apology, Jaitley counsel confirmed today. A joint plea was today moved by Union Minister Arun Jaitley and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to "settle" their over two-year-old litigation regarding alleged defamatory statements made against the BJP leader after the AAP supremo apologised for his remarks. The joint application was mentioned before Justice Manmohan by advocates Manik Dogra and Anupam Srivastava, who appeared for Jaitley and Kejriwal, respectively. The court agreed to list the matter for hearing before the appropriate bench tomorrow if no technical objection is raised by the registry. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and three other AAP colleagues Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Ashutosh apologised to Jaitley in a defamation case he had filed against him. "In the civil case, we'll agree to a decree in the matter based on apology and the acceptance thereof," said M Dogra, Jaitley's counsel. In his apology letter, Kejriwal admitted having made "certain statements" about Jaitley in connection to his tenure as the President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association. Jaitley had filed a Rs 10-crore defamation suit against Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders -- Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Deepak Bajpai. All six alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) when Jaitley was its president. Embroiled in a legal mess with 30 defamation lawsuits, Kejriwal has been on an apology spree since last month. After apologising to Punjab ex-minister Bikram Majithia, Kejriwal apologised to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Kapil Sibal's son Amit Sibal.

Jaitley accepts Kejriwal apology, duo move HC to 'settle' defamation cases

The Delhi Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution, condemning the police&#39;s &quot;lethargic attitude&quot; in probing the alleged sexual harassment of some women students of JNU by a professor and stating that the AAP government would provide all possible help to the victims, including legal assistance by appointing special public prosecutors in the cases.

The resolution, moved by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sourabh Bharadwaj, stated that the Delhi government should also provide counselling to the victims through its women and child welfare department and the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

It stated that the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students had filed complaints of sexual harassment and molestation against Atul Johri, a professor of the School of Life Sciences in the premier institute.

&quot;This House therefore condemns the lethargic attitude of the Delhi Police in not taking prompt action on the complaints of the students and hence, the students had to resort to protest and gherao of the police station to get their complaints heard and acted upon by the Delhi Police,&quot; the resolution that was passed by a voice vote stated.

&quot;The House resolves that the Government of Delhi shall extend all possible assistance to the victims, including legal assistance by appointing special public prosecutors, and counselling through its women and child welfare department and DCW,&quot; it further stated.

During the discussion on the resolution, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia attacked the Centre, alleging that &quot;a conspiracy is being hatched in the country for the last four years to ensure that the youth does not get a better education&quot;.

He further alleged that during the regime of the BJP-led central government, universities had hogged the limelight due to &quot;wrong reasons&quot; and their ranking had not improved at the world-level.&nbsp;

The Delhi Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution, condemning the police's "lethargic attitude" in probing the alleged sexual harassment of some women students of JNU by a professor

The Delhi Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution, condemning the police's "lethargic attitude" in probing the alleged sexual harassment of some women students of JNU by a professor and stating that the AAP government would provide all possible help to the victims, including legal assistance by appointing special public prosecutors in the cases. The resolution, moved by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sourabh Bharadwaj, stated that the Delhi government should also provide counselling to the victims through its women and child welfare department and the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). It stated that the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students had filed complaints of sexual harassment and molestation against Atul Johri, a professor of the School of Life Sciences in the premier institute. "This House therefore condemns the lethargic attitude of the Delhi Police in not taking prompt action on the complaints of the students and hence, the students had to resort to protest and gherao of the police station to get their complaints heard and acted upon by the Delhi Police," the resolution that was passed by a voice vote stated. "The House resolves that the Government of Delhi shall extend all possible assistance to the victims, including legal assistance by appointing special public prosecutors, and counselling through its women and child welfare department and DCW," it further stated. During the discussion on the resolution, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia attacked the Centre, alleging that "a conspiracy is being hatched in the country for the last four years to ensure that the youth does not get a better education". He further alleged that during the regime of the BJP-led central government, universities had hogged the limelight due to "wrong reasons" and their ranking had not improved at the world-level.

JNU harassment case: Assembly passes resolution on 'lethargic attitude' of police

The Lok Insaf Party on Friday&nbsp;announced to break its alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab in the wake of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal&#39;s apology to a SAD leader for accusing him of being involved in the drug trade.

Kejriwal tendered the apology to former minister Bikram Singh Majithia yesterday for levelling charges of involvement in drugs trade against the former minister

&quot;We have announced to break our alliance with the AAP. We cannot be associated with a party whose main leader meekly surrendered by tendering an apology to former minister Bikram Singh Majithia,&quot; LIP leader and MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains said here today.

Bains also called Kejriwal a &quot;traitor&quot;, alleging that he &quot;betrayed&quot; Punjabis by tendering an apology.

&quot;He is a fraudster. He accepted funds from Punjabis and also promised to punish Majithia. And now he tendered an apology which is the biggest fraud with Punjabis. Therefore we ended the alliance with AAP,&quot; he said.

However, he said he will continue to support &quot;at the&nbsp;personal level&quot; 14-15 AAP MLAs out of 20 who are working in the interest of Punjab.

The AAP and the LIP had entered into an alliance six months before the Punjab Assembly polls held in February last year.

In his apology, Kejriwal said he had now learnt that his allegations were unfounded.

Earlier in the day, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann resigned as the AAP&#39;s Punjab chief protesting the apology.

The Delhi chief minister&#39;s apology drew flak from his party&#39;s other leaders and MLAs in Punjab, who said they were &quot;stunned&quot; by the move and &quot;disappointed&quot; as Kejriwal had not kept them in the &quot;loop&quot;.

The AAP and the LIP had entered into an alliance six months before the Punjab Assembly polls held in February last year.

The Lok Insaf Party on Friday announced to break its alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab in the wake of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's apology to a SAD leader for accusing him of being involved in the drug trade. Kejriwal tendered the apology to former minister Bikram Singh Majithia yesterday for levelling charges of involvement in drugs trade against the former minister "We have announced to break our alliance with the AAP. We cannot be associated with a party whose main leader meekly surrendered by tendering an apology to former minister Bikram Singh Majithia," LIP leader and MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains said here today. Bains also called Kejriwal a "traitor", alleging that he "betrayed" Punjabis by tendering an apology. "He is a fraudster. He accepted funds from Punjabis and also promised to punish Majithia. And now he tendered an apology which is the biggest fraud with Punjabis. Therefore we ended the alliance with AAP," he said. However, he said he will continue to support "at the personal level" 14-15 AAP MLAs out of 20 who are working in the interest of Punjab. The AAP and the LIP had entered into an alliance six months before the Punjab Assembly polls held in February last year. In his apology, Kejriwal said he had now learnt that his allegations were unfounded. Earlier in the day, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann resigned as the AAP's Punjab chief protesting the apology. The Delhi chief minister's apology drew flak from his party's other leaders and MLAs in Punjab, who said they were "stunned" by the move and "disappointed" as Kejriwal had not kept them in the "loop".

Lok Insaf Party breaks alliance with AAP over Kejriwal apology

The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on Aam Aadmi Party MLA disqualification case. 20 disqualified AAP MLAs had filed a plea challenging their disqualification in office-of-profit case.

A bench headed by justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar decided to keep the final decision pending.&nbsp;

The Election Commission had asked the MLAs in question to be disqualified after which President Ram Nath Kovind also gave his nod to the EC&#39;s recommendation. The MLAs then moved the HC challenging their disqualification.

The MLAs on Tuesday called the EC&#39;s order &quot;complete violation of natural justice&quot;.&nbsp;

They also stated that they were not given the opportunity to explain their stand before the poll panel.

&nbsp;

A bench headed by justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar decided to keep the final decision pending

The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on Aam Aadmi Party MLA disqualification case. 20 disqualified AAP MLAs had filed a plea challenging their disqualification in office-of-profit case. A bench headed by justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar decided to keep the final decision pending. The Election Commission had asked the MLAs in question to be disqualified after which President Ram Nath Kovind also gave his nod to the EC's recommendation. The MLAs then moved the HC challenging their disqualification. The MLAs on Tuesday called the EC's order "complete violation of natural justice". They also stated that they were not given the opportunity to explain their stand before the poll panel.

AAP MLA disqualification case: Delhi High Court reserves order

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-rs-97-cr-bank-loan-fraud-case-against-simbhaoli-sugars-ltd-chairman-deputy-md-34044">CBI registers Rs 97-cr bank loan fraud case against Simbhaoli Sugars Ltd, chairman, deputy MD</a>

The CBI has registered a case against Simbhaoli Sugars Limited, its Chairman Gurmit Singh Mann, Deputy Managing Director Gurpal Singh and others in connection with an alleged bank loan fraud of Rs 97.85 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fir-against-aap-mla-naresh-balyan-for-saying-officers-should-be-beaten-up-34048">Delhi: FIR filed against AAP MLA Naresh Balyan for saying officers &#39;should be beaten up&#39;</a>

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Uttam Nagar&#39;s MLA Naresh Balyan has been booked for saying that officers obstructing public work &quot;should be beaten up&quot;, police said on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/manohar-parrikar-readmitted-to-goa-hospital-34042">Goa CM Manohar Parrikar readmitted to hospital</a>

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Panaji on Sunday evening after he complained of uneasiness, a GMCH official said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-gun-lobby-pushes-back-against-trumps-gun-plans-after-florida-shooting-34050">US gun lobby pushes back against Trump&#39;s gun plans after Florida shooting</a>

The National Rifle Association pushed back on Sunday against modest proposals by President Donald Trump and other Republicans to change U.S. gun laws in the wake of a school shooting in Florida that killed 17 students and staff.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-shooting-students-brace-for-emotional-return-to-florida-school-34039">After shooting, students brace for emotional return to Florida school</a>

Students and teachers preparing to return to the Florida school that was the scene of a gruesome mass shooting called the prospect &quot;daunting&quot; and &quot;scary&quot; Sunday as they urged politicians to act swiftly to address gun violence.

CBI registers Rs 97-cr bank loan fraud case against Simbhaoli Sugars Ltd, chairman, deputy MD The CBI has registered a case against Simbhaoli Sugars Limited, its Chairman Gurmit Singh Mann, Deputy Managing Director Gurpal Singh and others in connection with an alleged bank loan fraud of Rs 97.85 crore. Delhi: FIR filed against AAP MLA Naresh Balyan for saying officers 'should be beaten up' Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Uttam Nagar's MLA Naresh Balyan has been booked for saying that officers obstructing public work "should be beaten up", police said on Sunday. Goa CM Manohar Parrikar readmitted to hospital Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Panaji on Sunday evening after he complained of uneasiness, a GMCH official said. US gun lobby pushes back against Trump's gun plans after Florida shooting The National Rifle Association pushed back on Sunday against modest proposals by President Donald Trump and other Republicans to change U.S. gun laws in the wake of a school shooting in Florida that killed 17 students and staff. After shooting, students brace for emotional return to Florida school Students and teachers preparing to return to the Florida school that was the scene of a gruesome mass shooting called the prospect "daunting" and "scary" Sunday as they urged politicians to act swiftly to address gun violence.

WION Morning News Brief, February 26, 2018

In the last 24 hours, things have dramatically changed in Delhi. Delhi&#39;s Chief Secretary alleged that he was beaten by Aam Aadmi Party MLA&#39;s, assaulting him in front of the Chief Minister. After this incident, it has turned into a battle between&nbsp;bureaucracy and Kejriwal government. On Tuesday, Delhi police filed an FIR after getting a written complaint from Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash.&nbsp;

Within few hours, the Delhi police arrested AAP&#39;s Deoli MLA Prakash Jarwal. Police had also been&nbsp;looking for another MLA named &nbsp;Amanthullah Khan, from Okhla, but failed to get him. But by the afternoon,Amanthullah&nbsp; Khan surrendered in Jamia Nagar police station.&nbsp;

After taking both the MLA&#39;s into custody, the police produced them in the court. Delhi Police wanted two days custody for both of them but the court dismissed the police&#39;s plea for custodial interrogation of AAP MLAs Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal. Delhi court rejected the plea for police custody, saying the two legislators were ready to cooperate and join the investigation.

While all these things were happening, Delhi IAS, DANICs and DASS association sought time from President Ramnath Singh. The Association wanted to brief him about the incident and wanted him to look into this matter. But they couldn&#39;t get time from President yesterday. But association hopes to get time on Thursday. Apart from this, the association also held a meeting with all his stakeholders in Chanakyapuri.

In this meeting, many retired and serving Delhi Government IAS and DANICS officers took part. At the meeting, all the stakeholders decided not to attend any meeting called by the Delhi government till Arvind Kejriwal apologises for the incident and action is taken against the MLAs involved. Same was decided at past meetings too. Meanwhile, Delhi IAS Association is getting support from many state IAS Associations that include Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka etc.

Tuesday, after this alleged attack on Chief Secretary, a meeting was called in Delhi Secretariat. In this meeting, the chief secretary and all the other officers decided to report this matter. The IAS officers association also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and LG Anil Baijal to lodge a protest over the alleged assault. A delegation of IAS, DANICS and subordinate services of Delhi government called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh and termed the alleged manhandling of Prakash a &quot;pre-planned and pre-meditated&quot; attack.

On Wednesday, the IAS association took out a candlelight march at Rajghat to protest the incident in which not only serving IAS, DANICs, and DASS cadre employees participated but many retired officers took part as well.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash asked Kejriwal to apologise for manhandling and decided not to attend any meeting called by Delhi Government until alleged MLS's get punished.

In the last 24 hours, things have dramatically changed in Delhi. Delhi's Chief Secretary alleged that he was beaten by Aam Aadmi Party MLA's, assaulting him in front of the Chief Minister. After this incident, it has turned into a battle between bureaucracy and Kejriwal government. On Tuesday, Delhi police filed an FIR after getting a written complaint from Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash. Within few hours, the Delhi police arrested AAP's Deoli MLA Prakash Jarwal. Police had also been looking for another MLA named Amanthullah Khan, from Okhla, but failed to get him. But by the afternoon,Amanthullah Khan surrendered in Jamia Nagar police station. After taking both the MLA's into custody, the police produced them in the court. Delhi Police wanted two days custody for both of them but the court dismissed the police's plea for custodial interrogation of AAP MLAs Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal. Delhi court rejected the plea for police custody, saying the two legislators were ready to cooperate and join the investigation. While all these things were happening, Delhi IAS, DANICs and DASS association sought time from President Ramnath Singh. The Association wanted to brief him about the incident and wanted him to look into this matter. But they couldn't get time from President yesterday. But association hopes to get time on Thursday. Apart from this, the association also held a meeting with all his stakeholders in Chanakyapuri. In this meeting, many retired and serving Delhi Government IAS and DANICS officers took part. At the meeting, all the stakeholders decided not to attend any meeting called by the Delhi government till Arvind Kejriwal apologises for the incident and action is taken against the MLAs involved. Same was decided at past meetings too. Meanwhile, Delhi IAS Association is getting support from many state IAS Associations that include Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka etc. Tuesday, after this alleged attack on Chief Secretary, a meeting was called in Delhi Secretariat. In this meeting, the chief secretary and all the other officers decided to report this matter. The IAS officers association also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and LG Anil Baijal to lodge a protest over the alleged assault. A delegation of IAS, DANICS and subordinate services of Delhi government called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh and termed the alleged manhandling of Prakash a "pre-planned and pre-meditated" attack. On Wednesday, the IAS association took out a candlelight march at Rajghat to protest the incident in which not only serving IAS, DANICs, and DASS cadre employees participated but many retired officers took part as well. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How it is turning out to be a bureaucracy vs. Kejriwal fight in Delhi

The Election Commission on Friday recommended disqualification of 20 Aam Admi Party MLAs for holding office of profit. \

Although the Arvind Kejriwal party has decided to take recourse to legal action, it has asked its disqualified members to be prepared to face legal and electoral action.

A by-poll is likely to be conducted in 6 months&#39; time.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, AAP moved the Delhi High Court seeking a relief, the matter was postponed and is now slated for a hearing tomorrow.

The party may also move the Supreme Court in the absence of a favourable ruling by the apex court.

&quot;We hope to get justice on the court. Even if we don&#39;t get justice then we will go to the people&#39;s court which is the highest court,&quot; said Madanlal, who represented the Kasturba Nagar constituency prior to his disqualification.

&quot;If we don&#39;t get a positive ruling then we will go to the people&#39;s court,&quot; noted Sarita Singh who represented Rohtas Nagar noted.&nbsp;

Alka Lamba, who represented Chandani Chowk, said the disqualified lawmakers have confidence in the judiciary but are also ready to go back for a fresh mandate.

The party met the disqualified lawmakers twice in the last couple of days.

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

The party met with the disqualified lawmakers twice in the last couple of days.

The Election Commission on Friday recommended disqualification of 20 Aam Admi Party MLAs for holding office of profit. \ Although the Arvind Kejriwal party has decided to take recourse to legal action, it has asked its disqualified members to be prepared to face legal and electoral action. A by-poll is likely to be conducted in 6 months' time. Meanwhile, AAP moved the Delhi High Court seeking a relief, the matter was postponed and is now slated for a hearing tomorrow. The party may also move the Supreme Court in the absence of a favourable ruling by the apex court. "We hope to get justice on the court. Even if we don't get justice then we will go to the people's court which is the highest court," said Madanlal, who represented the Kasturba Nagar constituency prior to his disqualification. "If we don't get a positive ruling then we will go to the people's court," noted Sarita Singh who represented Rohtas Nagar noted. Alka Lamba, who represented Chandani Chowk, said the disqualified lawmakers have confidence in the judiciary but are also ready to go back for a fresh mandate. The party met the disqualified lawmakers twice in the last couple of days. (With inputs from PTI)

AAP asks disqualified MLAs to be prepared for legal & electoral battles

Twenty lawmakers of the Aam Aadmi Party were disqualified on Sunday by the President acting on the recommendation of the Election Commission. The legislators have been disqualified for holding &lsquo;offices of profit.&rsquo; They had been appointed &lsquo;Parliamentary Secretaries&rsquo; by the Delhi government headed by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi High Court set aside the appointments in 2016 and the Aam Aadmi Party would have perhaps thought that&rsquo;s that. Expect that it wasn&rsquo;t. The Election Commission acted on the letter of the law and now many observers and, of course, the Aam Aadmi Party, are claiming that the spirit of the law has been violated.

So did the Election Commission wake up one fine morning and say - &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll huff and I&rsquo;ll puff and I&rsquo;ll blow your house down&rdquo;? Anyone familiar with the goings-on of Nirvachan Sadan would agree that its not how the Election Commission works at all. Most decisions are based on precedent and following the letter of the Constitution and the laws therein to the T. It is an institution that is admired for its impartial conduct and, come elections, it does not shy away from taking uncomfortable decisions in replacing top officials in a state, should they feel that such officials would impede the conduct of free and fair polls.

The appointments as Parliamentary Secretaries were made in March 2015, the AAP sought to exempt theMLAs by amending the provisions of the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act 1997, in 2016 &mdash; a year later. The bill seeking the amendments was struck down by the then President, Pranab Mukherjee.

So why then is the disqualification of these 20 MLAs being branded as an excess? Would similar questions have been raised if the members were from the Bharatiya Janata Party? Is it playing into the politics of Centre Vs State and then some? After all, Delhi&rsquo;s state government has gone toe-to-toe with the Lieutenant Governor over the past 3-4 years and the relationship between this state government and the Centre has been tenuous, to say the least. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has branded the disqualification of AAP MLAs as &lsquo;Tughlaqshahi of the worst order&rsquo;. The reference to a former Sultan of Delhi is ironic - the Chief Minister is also branded as a despot by many within his own ranks and is capable of, shall we say, whimsical behaviour. AAP founder-member, and now a staunch Kejriwal critic, Kumar Vishwas says his opinion on the appointment of the parliamentary secretaries was disregarded.

AAP is now pinning its hopes on the Delhi High Court which will examine the decision not just on the principles of natural justice but also under the provisions of laws like the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and Article 239 AA of the Constitution which deals with Centre-State relations.

If the disqualification holds, then Delhi is heading for a mini-poll of sorts in six months to elect 20 lawmakers. The chief minister and his ilk can continue to cry foul, suggest the Election Commission is in cahoots with the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and perhaps garner some sympathy (and votes too).

Meanwhile, even with its diminished strength of 45, the Aam Aadmi Party has a comfortable majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. Assuming that AAP loses the contest for all 20 seats, while it will be a loss of face, that majority wouldn&rsquo;t change. This churn may also give Arvind Kejriwal a chance to consolidate his flock and inject some fresh loyalists in the party that has been badly plagued with dissension.

Not just an open revolt by Kumar Vishwas who is still smarting from being denied a Rajya Sabha ticket, but the Aam Aadmi Party also has Kapil Mishra and Devendra Sehrawat who are MLAs but have been suspended from the party. Some other lawmakers like Asim Ahmed Khan have been dumped as ministers. The by polls, if won, would not just serve as a referendum of Arvind Kejriwal&rsquo;s policies in government but would also keep detractors at bay.

So what has the Chief Minister to lose from this disqualification? Nothing at all. No matter how the cookie crumbles, it is a win-win situation for Arvind Kejriwal.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

AAP is now pinning its hopes on the Delhi High Court which will examine the decision.

Twenty lawmakers of the Aam Aadmi Party were disqualified on Sunday by the President acting on the recommendation of the Election Commission. The legislators have been disqualified for holding ‘offices of profit.’ They had been appointed ‘Parliamentary Secretaries’ by the Delhi government headed by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi High Court set aside the appointments in 2016 and the Aam Aadmi Party would have perhaps thought that’s that. Expect that it wasn’t. The Election Commission acted on the letter of the law and now many observers and, of course, the Aam Aadmi Party, are claiming that the spirit of the law has been violated. So did the Election Commission wake up one fine morning and say - “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down”? Anyone familiar with the goings-on of Nirvachan Sadan would agree that its not how the Election Commission works at all. Most decisions are based on precedent and following the letter of the Constitution and the laws therein to the T. It is an institution that is admired for its impartial conduct and, come elections, it does not shy away from taking uncomfortable decisions in replacing top officials in a state, should they feel that such officials would impede the conduct of free and fair polls. The appointments as Parliamentary Secretaries were made in March 2015, the AAP sought to exempt theMLAs by amending the provisions of the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act 1997, in 2016 — a year later. The bill seeking the amendments was struck down by the then President, Pranab Mukherjee. So why then is the disqualification of these 20 MLAs being branded as an excess? Would similar questions have been raised if the members were from the Bharatiya Janata Party? Is it playing into the politics of Centre Vs State and then some? After all, Delhi’s state government has gone toe-to-toe with the Lieutenant Governor over the past 3-4 years and the relationship between this state government and the Centre has been tenuous, to say the least. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has branded the disqualification of AAP MLAs as ‘Tughlaqshahi of the worst order’. The reference to a former Sultan of Delhi is ironic - the Chief Minister is also branded as a despot by many within his own ranks and is capable of, shall we say, whimsical behaviour. AAP founder-member, and now a staunch Kejriwal critic, Kumar Vishwas says his opinion on the appointment of the parliamentary secretaries was disregarded. AAP is now pinning its hopes on the Delhi High Court which will examine the decision not just on the principles of natural justice but also under the provisions of laws like the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and Article 239 AA of the Constitution which deals with Centre-State relations. If the disqualification holds, then Delhi is heading for a mini-poll of sorts in six months to elect 20 lawmakers. The chief minister and his ilk can continue to cry foul, suggest the Election Commission is in cahoots with the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and perhaps garner some sympathy (and votes too). Meanwhile, even with its diminished strength of 45, the Aam Aadmi Party has a comfortable majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. Assuming that AAP loses the contest for all 20 seats, while it will be a loss of face, that majority wouldn’t change. This churn may also give Arvind Kejriwal a chance to consolidate his flock and inject some fresh loyalists in the party that has been badly plagued with dissension. Not just an open revolt by Kumar Vishwas who is still smarting from being denied a Rajya Sabha ticket, but the Aam Aadmi Party also has Kapil Mishra and Devendra Sehrawat who are MLAs but have been suspended from the party. Some other lawmakers like Asim Ahmed Khan have been dumped as ministers. The by polls, if won, would not just serve as a referendum of Arvind Kejriwal’s policies in government but would also keep detractors at bay. So what has the Chief Minister to lose from this disqualification? Nothing at all. No matter how the cookie crumbles, it is a win-win situation for Arvind Kejriwal. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Undue process? Why AAP MLAs being disqualified is a win-win situation for Arvind Kejriwal

The disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs was deliberately delayed due to the hidden alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congress party alleged.&nbsp;

&quot;The AAP has been helped by the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) by delaying the decision for over three weeks. If decision would have come before December 22, these 20 MLAs would have been disqualified and the party would not have been able to send three MPs to Rajya Sabha,&quot; Congress leader Ajay Maken said while addressing a press conference here.

Twenty AAP MLAs, accused of holding the &#39;office of profit&#39;, were disqualified from the Delhi Assembly today after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to election commission&#39;s recommendation in the matter.

&quot;Having considered the matter in the light of the opinion expressed by the Election Commission, I, Ram Nath Kovind, president of India, in exercise of the powers...do here hold that the aforesaid 20 members of the Delhi legislative assembly stand disqualified from being members of the said assembly,&quot; read a notification issued by the law ministry.

The election commission on Friday recommended to the president the disqualification of the 20 AAP MLAs on for holding &#39;&#39;office of profit&#39;&#39;.

Initially, the petition was directed at 21 MLAs, but one MLA, named Jarnail Singh, resigned last year to contest in the Punjab elections.&nbsp;

Twenty AAP MLAs, accused of holding the 'office of profit', were disqualified from the Delhi Assembly

The disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs was deliberately delayed due to the hidden alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congress party alleged. "The AAP has been helped by the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) by delaying the decision for over three weeks. If decision would have come before December 22, these 20 MLAs would have been disqualified and the party would not have been able to send three MPs to Rajya Sabha," Congress leader Ajay Maken said while addressing a press conference here. Twenty AAP MLAs, accused of holding the 'office of profit', were disqualified from the Delhi Assembly today after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to election commission's recommendation in the matter. "Having considered the matter in the light of the opinion expressed by the Election Commission, I, Ram Nath Kovind, president of India, in exercise of the powers...do here hold that the aforesaid 20 members of the Delhi legislative assembly stand disqualified from being members of the said assembly," read a notification issued by the law ministry. The election commission on Friday recommended to the president the disqualification of the 20 AAP MLAs on for holding ''office of profit''. Initially, the petition was directed at 21 MLAs, but one MLA, named Jarnail Singh, resigned last year to contest in the Punjab elections.

BJP, AAP 'hidden alliance' delayed disqualification of MLAs: Congress

The Delhi Court is all set to hear an appeal filed by 20 disqualified lawmakers of the Aam Aadmi Party today.

The members were disqualified on January 21 after a recommendation by the Election Commission for holding office of profit.&nbsp;

Party chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal denied the accusation.

Kejriwal called President Kovind&#39;s order &quot;undemocratic&quot;.

In an open letter to Delhiites, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia described the disqualification as &quot;dirty politics&quot;.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order on staying the Centre&#39;s notification disqualifying 20 AAP MLAs.

Although a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypolls-imposed-on-delhi-will-hamper-development-work-kejriwal-30416">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypolls-imposed-on-delhi-will-hamper-development-work-kejriwal-30416"> was &quot;imposed&quot;</a> on Delhi, the court had asked the Election Commission <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636">not to make any announcement regarding </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636">bypolls</a> in Delhi until January 29, the next date of hearing in the case.

The high court also noted that the elections cannot be held in Delhi until it reaches a conclusion in the case. 
&nbsp;

The members were disqualified on January 21 after a recommendation by the Election Commission

The Delhi Court is all set to hear an appeal filed by 20 disqualified lawmakers of the Aam Aadmi Party today. The members were disqualified on January 21 after a recommendation by the Election Commission for holding office of profit. Party chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal denied the accusation. Kejriwal called President Kovind's order "undemocratic". In an open letter to Delhiites, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia described the disqualification as "dirty politics". The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order on staying the Centre's notification disqualifying 20 AAP MLAs. Although a bypoll was "imposed" on Delhi, the court had asked the Election Commission not to make any announcement regarding bypolls in Delhi until January 29, the next date of hearing in the case. The high court also noted that the elections cannot be held in Delhi until it reaches a conclusion in the case.

Delhi High Court to hear disqualified AAP MLAs appeal today 

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/onedegree/rohingya-refugee-leaders-draw-up-demands-ahead-of-repatriation-30073">Rohingya refugee leaders draw up demands ahead of repatriation</a>

Rohingya leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp have drawn up a list of demands they want Myanmar to meet before authorities begin sending back hundreds of thousands in a repatriation process expected to begin next week and last for two years.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-plans-of-a-modi-abbasi-meet-at-davos-mea-30082">No plans of a Modi-Abbasi meet at Davos: MEA</a>

There are no &quot;plans&quot; of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos next week, the external affairs ministry said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-aap-mlas-disqualified-over-office-of-profit-30060">Election Commission disqualifies 20 AAP MLAs for holding &#39;office of profit&#39;</a>

In a major blow to Aam Aadmi Party, the Election Commission is learnt to have recommended to the President the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-china-justifies-building-infrastructure-in-doklam-india-says-keeping-a-close-vigil-30065">China &#39;justifies&#39; building infrastructure in Doklam; India says keeping a close vigil</a>

China on Friday justified its massive construction activities in the Doklam area, describing it as &quot;legitimate&quot; and aimed at improving the lives of its troops and the people living on its own territory.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051">Supreme Court rejects plea to cancel CBFC certificate to &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051">&#39;</a>

The Supreme Court today rejected a plea seeking an urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board&#39;s certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie &#39;Padmaavat&#39;.

Rohingya refugee leaders draw up demands ahead of repatriation Rohingya leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp have drawn up a list of demands they want Myanmar to meet before authorities begin sending back hundreds of thousands in a repatriation process expected to begin next week and last for two years. No plans of a Modi-Abbasi meet at Davos: MEA There are no "plans" of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos next week, the external affairs ministry said today. Election Commission disqualifies 20 AAP MLAs for holding 'office of profit' In a major blow to Aam Aadmi Party, the Election Commission is learnt to have recommended to the President the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit. China 'justifies' building infrastructure in Doklam; India says keeping a close vigil China on Friday justified its massive construction activities in the Doklam area, describing it as "legitimate" and aimed at improving the lives of its troops and the people living on its own territory. Supreme Court rejects plea to cancel CBFC certificate to 'Padmaavat' The Supreme Court today rejected a plea seeking an urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board's certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie 'Padmaavat'.

WION Evening News Brief, 19 January 2018

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said Tuesday that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had turned down the government&#39;s proposal to home deliver 40 government services.&nbsp;

The government services included caste, birth, and address certificates, licences, and pensions.&nbsp;

Sisodia said the LG had thought the digitisation of the services was enough.&nbsp;

Sisodia however said on Twitter that most of the services had already been digitised, and yet there were &quot;long queues in offices... most people still have to run around government offices with docs (documents)&quot;.&nbsp;

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LG rejects proposal of doorstep delivery of 40 govt services like caste-birth-address certificates, licences, social welfare schemes, pensions, registrations..etc 
 
LG sends it back for reconsideration. LG says digitalization of services enough. No need for doorstep delivery. 1/N
&mdash; Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) <a href="https://twitter.com/msisodia/status/945640419903205381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Most of these services r already digital. Yet, long queues in offices. Despite digitalization, most people still hv to run around govt offices with docs etc. Under doorstep delivery scheme, a govt rep wud visit ur house on a ph call to collect, certify n upload ur docs.2/N
&mdash; Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) <a href="https://twitter.com/msisodia/status/945641013292318721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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LG has taken decision without knowing field reality. Announcement of doorstep delivery scheme was welcomed by all sections of society. 
 
Huge setback in Del govt&rsquo;s efforts to provide good and corruption free governance.. 3/N
&mdash; Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) <a href="https://twitter.com/msisodia/status/945641203931889664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Should LG have power to express difference of opinion with elected govt on such critical matters of public interest n be able to scuttle such measures? Public hugely suffering because of that... 4/4
&mdash; Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) <a href="https://twitter.com/msisodia/status/945641381145354240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He added that the &quot;LG has taken decision without knowing field reality.&quot;&nbsp;

And that this was a huge setback to the Delhi government&#39;s efforts to &quot;provide good and corruption free governance&quot;.&nbsp;

Sisodia also wondered whether the LG should have the &quot;power to express difference of opinion with elected govt on such critical matters of public interest n be able to scuttle such measures?&quot;

He said that the public was &quot;hugely suffering because of that&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;Today I feel sad for people of Delhi,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

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LG says digitisation enough. 
 
Elected govt says digitisation needs to be coupled wid doorstep delivery 
 
LG does not agree 
 
So, the question is - in a democracy, in such a situation, who shud have final say - LG or elected govt?? <a href="https://t.co/o1iNid6sxa">https://t.co/o1iNid6sxa</a>
&mdash; Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/945845187061858304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The government services included caste, birth, and address certificates, licences, and pensions

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said Tuesday that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had turned down the government's proposal to home deliver 40 government services. The government services included caste, birth, and address certificates, licences, and pensions. Sisodia said the LG had thought the digitisation of the services was enough. Sisodia however said on Twitter that most of the services had already been digitised, and yet there were "long queues in offices... most people still have to run around government offices with docs (documents)". LG rejects proposal of doorstep delivery of 40 govt services like caste-birth-address certificates, licences, social welfare schemes, pensions, registrations..etc LG sends it back for reconsideration. LG says digitalization of services enough. No need for doorstep delivery. 1/N — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) December 26, 2017 × Most of these services r already digital. Yet, long queues in offices. Despite digitalization, most people still hv to run around govt offices with docs etc. Under doorstep delivery scheme, a govt rep wud visit ur house on a ph call to collect, certify n upload ur docs.2/N — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) December 26, 2017 × LG has taken decision without knowing field reality. Announcement of doorstep delivery scheme was welcomed by all sections of society. Huge setback in Del govt’s efforts to provide good and corruption free governance.. 3/N — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) December 26, 2017 × Should LG have power to express difference of opinion with elected govt on such critical matters of public interest n be able to scuttle such measures? Public hugely suffering because of that... 4/4 — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) December 26, 2017 × He added that the "LG has taken decision without knowing field reality." And that this was a huge setback to the Delhi government's efforts to "provide good and corruption free governance". Sisodia also wondered whether the LG should have the "power to express difference of opinion with elected govt on such critical matters of public interest n be able to scuttle such measures?" He said that the public was "hugely suffering because of that". "Today I feel sad for people of Delhi," he added. LG says digitisation enough. Elected govt says digitisation needs to be coupled wid doorstep delivery LG does not agree So, the question is - in a democracy, in such a situation, who shud have final say - LG or elected govt?? https://t.co/o1iNid6sxa — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 27, 2017 ×

Delhi plans home delivery of 40 government services, LG says no

The Aam Aadmi Party today alleged that supporters of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari today &quot;scuttled&quot; a programme being held in the memory of Nirbhaya and also hooted at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was speaking.

The AAP also accused the BJP of politicising the event held at the Constitution Club here.

&quot;Extremely shameful of BJP and its officials including PA to @ManojTiwariMP and spokesperson @RaviBabbarbjp for scuttling a programme being held in the memory of late Nirbhaya! Delhi will never forgive @BJP4India for this,&quot; the party&#39;s twitter handle said.

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?????? ???????.. 
 
??????? ?? ??????????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ??? ????? ?? ????? <a href="https://twitter.com/ManojTiwariMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManojTiwariMP</a> ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ? ????? ??? ??? ????????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??, <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ! <a href="https://t.co/jNd8lNpeoC">pic.twitter.com/jNd8lNpeoC</a>
&mdash; AAP (@AamAadmiParty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AamAadmiParty/status/942026373153116160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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On December 12, 2012, Nirbhaya, a physiotherapy student was gang-raped in a moving bus, and dumped on the streets under the cover of darkness in south Delhi, sparking outrage, with many citizens taking to streets. She succumbed to her injuries on December 16, 2012.

Rejecting the charge, Tiwari said he had been asked by the organisers not to bring politics into his speech and he adhered to it.

&quot;When I learnt about the hooting, I condemned the incident. But if people are hooting at Kejriwal then this is worrisome. I am sad that Kejriwal did not take the Nirbhaya Day seriously,&quot; the BJP MP said.

Earlier in the day, BJP workers showed black flags to Kejriwal at event in Mukundpur where he had gone to inaugurate a flyover.

The BJP alleged that Kejriwal politicised the event and local MP Manoj Tiwari was not even informed about it.

The Aam Aadmi Party today alleged that supporters of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari today "scuttled" a programme being held in the memory of Nirbhaya and also hooted at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was speaking

The Aam Aadmi Party today alleged that supporters of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari today "scuttled" a programme being held in the memory of Nirbhaya and also hooted at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was speaking. The AAP also accused the BJP of politicising the event held at the Constitution Club here. "Extremely shameful of BJP and its officials including PA to @ManojTiwariMP and spokesperson @RaviBabbarbjp for scuttling a programme being held in the memory of late Nirbhaya! Delhi will never forgive @BJP4India for this," the party's twitter handle said. ?????? ???????.. ??????? ?? ??????????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ??? ????? ?? ????? @ManojTiwariMP ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ? ????? ??? ??? ????????? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??, @BJP4India ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ! pic.twitter.com/jNd8lNpeoC — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 16, 2017 × On December 12, 2012, Nirbhaya, a physiotherapy student was gang-raped in a moving bus, and dumped on the streets under the cover of darkness in south Delhi, sparking outrage, with many citizens taking to streets. She succumbed to her injuries on December 16, 2012. Rejecting the charge, Tiwari said he had been asked by the organisers not to bring politics into his speech and he adhered to it. "When I learnt about the hooting, I condemned the incident. But if people are hooting at Kejriwal then this is worrisome. I am sad that Kejriwal did not take the Nirbhaya Day seriously," the BJP MP said. Earlier in the day, BJP workers showed black flags to Kejriwal at event in Mukundpur where he had gone to inaugurate a flyover. The BJP alleged that Kejriwal politicised the event and local MP Manoj Tiwari was not even informed about it.

BJP supporters scuttle programme in memory of Nirbhaya: AAP

Social activist Anna Hazare today said he hoped that no Arvind Kejriwal emerged from his movement again.

&quot;I hope no Kejriwal comes out of my movement again&quot;, he told reporters here after addressing a public meeting.&nbsp;Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal had taken part in Hazare&#39;s anti-corruption movement in 2011. Subsequently, he had parted ways with the social activist and launched his own political outfit.

Speaking at the public meeting at the Shahid Smarak here, Hazare said a big rally would be organised at the national capital on March 23 and urged the farmers to join it in huge numbers.&nbsp;He accused the erstwhile UPA government at the Centre of failing to act on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

&quot;The (Narendra) Modi government later diluted the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Both the Congress and the BJP are guilty (in this regard)&quot;, the 80-year-old social activist said.

Lamenting that even after 70 years of achieving independence, democracy, in its true sense, was yet to come to India, Hazare said, &quot;We do not want a government of capitalists. No Modi, no Rahul (Gandhi). We want a government which works for farmers&#39; interests&quot;.

A big rally will be organized by Anna Hazare team for farmers on March 23 in Delhi. Anna also accused UPA government of failing to act on Jan Lokpal

Social activist Anna Hazare today said he hoped that no Arvind Kejriwal emerged from his movement again. "I hope no Kejriwal comes out of my movement again", he told reporters here after addressing a public meeting. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal had taken part in Hazare's anti-corruption movement in 2011. Subsequently, he had parted ways with the social activist and launched his own political outfit. Speaking at the public meeting at the Shahid Smarak here, Hazare said a big rally would be organised at the national capital on March 23 and urged the farmers to join it in huge numbers. He accused the erstwhile UPA government at the Centre of failing to act on the Jan Lokpal Bill. "The (Narendra) Modi government later diluted the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Both the Congress and the BJP are guilty (in this regard)", the 80-year-old social activist said. Lamenting that even after 70 years of achieving independence, democracy, in its true sense, was yet to come to India, Hazare said, "We do not want a government of capitalists. No Modi, no Rahul (Gandhi). We want a government which works for farmers' interests".

Hope no Kejriwal will emerge from my movement again: Anna Hazare

Dismissing media reports that the AAP was holding talks with them for their return to the party absurd, Swaraj India founders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav on Monday said there was no such possibility.

Bhushan retweeted a media report that quoted Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas as saying so and dubbed it as &quot;absurd&quot;.

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An absurd report. There are no talks or possibility of our returning to AAP which has betrayed all the ideals of the Anti Corruption movement <a href="https://t.co/dFWxdAYU7v">https://t.co/dFWxdAYU7v</a>
&mdash; Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/pbhushan1/status/937574939313369089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Kumar Vishwas on Sunday expressed displeasure over the AAP&#39;s functioning and said the party needed to go back to the basics.

He said the party workers were in talks with many of their colleagues who had since left the AAP, including Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, and apologised for any wrongs done by the party.

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Really? 
Must be very secret, since both of us have not heard about it! 
 
<a href="https://t.co/Nbdb6oNN3q">https://t.co/Nbdb6oNN3q</a>
&mdash; Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) <a href="https://twitter.com/_YogendraYadav/status/937571807061667840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;There are no talks or possibility of our returning to AAP, which has betrayed all the ideals of the anti-corruption movement,&quot; Bhushan tweeted.

Yadav took to Twitter and said he was &quot;surprised&quot; on reading what Vishwas had said a day before.

&quot;Really? Must be very secret, since both of us have not heard about it! In my knowledge, there is no possibility of this happening,&quot; he said in a series of tweets.

 
Yadav and Bhushan were sacked from the AAP in March 2015 for alleged anti-party activities. They had hit out at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over his &quot;supremo style of functioning&quot; and lack of transparency in the party.

In October 2016, the two launched a new political outfit Swaraj India.

Bhushan retweeted a media report that quoted Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas as saying so and dubbed it as "absurd".

Dismissing media reports that the AAP was holding talks with them for their return to the party absurd, Swaraj India founders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav on Monday said there was no such possibility. Bhushan retweeted a media report that quoted Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas as saying so and dubbed it as "absurd". An absurd report. There are no talks or possibility of our returning to AAP which has betrayed all the ideals of the Anti Corruption movement https://t.co/dFWxdAYU7v — Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) December 4, 2017 × Kumar Vishwas on Sunday expressed displeasure over the AAP's functioning and said the party needed to go back to the basics. He said the party workers were in talks with many of their colleagues who had since left the AAP, including Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, and apologised for any wrongs done by the party. Really? Must be very secret, since both of us have not heard about it! https://t.co/Nbdb6oNN3q — Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) December 4, 2017 × "There are no talks or possibility of our returning to AAP, which has betrayed all the ideals of the anti-corruption movement," Bhushan tweeted. Yadav took to Twitter and said he was "surprised" on reading what Vishwas had said a day before. "Really? Must be very secret, since both of us have not heard about it! In my knowledge, there is no possibility of this happening," he said in a series of tweets. Yadav and Bhushan were sacked from the AAP in March 2015 for alleged anti-party activities. They had hit out at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over his "supremo style of functioning" and lack of transparency in the party. In October 2016, the two launched a new political outfit Swaraj India.

Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav rule out AAP return

The ruling BJP established early leads in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls as counting of votes was in progress for all the 652 urban local bodies.

Out of 16 mayor seats, the BJP has won 14 mayoral seats while the BSP has won two seats. BJP&#39;s mayor candidates have won in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad, Bareilly, Agra, Firozabad, Ayodhya, Mathura, Lucknow, Kanpur, Saharanpur Jhansi and Bareilly, and Moradabad. The BSP has won in Aligarh and Meerut.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and said development has triumphed once again in the country.&nbsp;

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Development has triumphed once again in the country. Thank people of the state for this grand victory. Many congratulations to CM Yogi Adityanath &amp; all party workers. This win motivates us to work even harder for people&#39;s betterment, tweets PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPCivicPolls2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPCivicPolls2017</a> (File Pic) <a href="https://t.co/7g6T3THlNq">pic.twitter.com/7g6T3THlNq</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936545768277622785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPCivicPolls2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPCivicPolls2017</a> Out of 16 mayor seats, BJP ahead in 14 and BSP in 2 <a href="https://t.co/Yf9kOpYvJN">pic.twitter.com/Yf9kOpYvJN</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/936517480603729920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Uttar Pradesh: Celebration outside BJP office in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lucknow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lucknow</a> following <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPCivicPolls2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPCivicPolls2017</a> results <a href="https://t.co/Nn1tUjMESw">pic.twitter.com/Nn1tUjMESw</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/936535444489093121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In a major blow to Congress, the BJP has won the Amethi Nagar Panchayat elections. Amethi is the constituency of Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi and is considered a bastion of the party.

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Bharatiya Janta Party wins Nagar Panchayat in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amethi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amethi</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/936514673695846400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The final results are expected by this evening. Results will be communicated to the candidates through SMS on their registered mobile numbers.

Official sources said no procession would be allowed during the counting process and following the announcement of the results.

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BJP&#39;s Maya Tripathi loses ward no 68 in Gorakhpur. Independent candidate Nadira wins. Gorakhnath Temple is situated in this ward <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPCivicPolls2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPCivicPolls2017</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/936525203118612481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Polling was held for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats with an average turnout of all the three phases estimated at 52.5 per cent of the 3.32 crore voters. 
&nbsp;

Aam Aadmi Party has won one civic body seat in Rae Bareli

The ruling BJP established early leads in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls as counting of votes was in progress for all the 652 urban local bodies. Out of 16 mayor seats, the BJP has won 14 mayoral seats while the BSP has won two seats. BJP's mayor candidates have won in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad, Bareilly, Agra, Firozabad, Ayodhya, Mathura, Lucknow, Kanpur, Saharanpur Jhansi and Bareilly, and Moradabad. The BSP has won in Aligarh and Meerut. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and said development has triumphed once again in the country. Development has triumphed once again in the country. Thank people of the state for this grand victory. Many congratulations to CM Yogi Adityanath & all party workers. This win motivates us to work even harder for people's betterment, tweets PM Modi #UPCivicPolls2017 (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/7g6T3THlNq — ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 × #UPCivicPolls2017 Out of 16 mayor seats, BJP ahead in 14 and BSP in 2 pic.twitter.com/Yf9kOpYvJN — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 1, 2017 × Uttar Pradesh: Celebration outside BJP office in #Lucknow following #UPCivicPolls2017 results pic.twitter.com/Nn1tUjMESw — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 1, 2017 × In a major blow to Congress, the BJP has won the Amethi Nagar Panchayat elections. Amethi is the constituency of Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi and is considered a bastion of the party. Bharatiya Janta Party wins Nagar Panchayat in #Amethi — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 1, 2017 × The final results are expected by this evening. Results will be communicated to the candidates through SMS on their registered mobile numbers. Official sources said no procession would be allowed during the counting process and following the announcement of the results. BJP's Maya Tripathi loses ward no 68 in Gorakhpur. Independent candidate Nadira wins. Gorakhnath Temple is situated in this ward #UPCivicPolls2017 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 1, 2017 × Polling was held for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats with an average turnout of all the three phases estimated at 52.5 per cent of the 3.32 crore voters.

UP civic polls: BJP wins 14 mayor seats, BSP 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress today while addressing a rally in Rajkot, over the scams that allegedly happened under UPA&#39;s tenure.

&nbsp;Modi said he might have sold tea to earn living but never sold his nation.

&quot;The Congress dislikes me because of my poor origin. Can a party stoop so low? Yes, a person belonging to a poor family has become the prime minister. They do not fail to hide their contempt for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation,&quot; said Modi.

Recently, Yuva Desh, the Indian Youth Congress online magazine tweeted a derogatory meme taking a jibe at Narendra Modi&#39;s English speaking skills, leading to widespread outrage and condemnation.

In 2014 also Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that Modi would never become prime minister but he is always welcome to serve tea to Congress.

Modi also dragged Aam Aadmi Party indirectly saying &quot;While a new party came up in Delhi, whose style is to keep abusing and running away, I thought the Congress, being an older party would not indulge in such politics. But they have also taken this shortcut in the past two months and only hurled abuses and lies.&quot;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-i-am-grateful-for-all-the-kichad-being-thrown-at-me-says-pm-modi-25234">I am grateful for all the &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-i-am-grateful-for-all-the-kichad-being-thrown-at-me-says-pm-modi-25234">kichad</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-i-am-grateful-for-all-the-kichad-being-thrown-at-me-says-pm-modi-25234">&#39; being thrown at me, says PM Modi</a>

While addressing a rally in Rajkot, Modi said 'Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress today while addressing a rally in Rajkot, over the scams that allegedly happened under UPA's tenure. Modi said he might have sold tea to earn living but never sold his nation. "The Congress dislikes me because of my poor origin. Can a party stoop so low? Yes, a person belonging to a poor family has become the prime minister. They do not fail to hide their contempt for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation," said Modi. Recently, Yuva Desh, the Indian Youth Congress online magazine tweeted a derogatory meme taking a jibe at Narendra Modi's English speaking skills, leading to widespread outrage and condemnation. In 2014 also Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that Modi would never become prime minister but he is always welcome to serve tea to Congress. Modi also dragged Aam Aadmi Party indirectly saying "While a new party came up in Delhi, whose style is to keep abusing and running away, I thought the Congress, being an older party would not indulge in such politics. But they have also taken this shortcut in the past two months and only hurled abuses and lies." Also read: I am grateful for all the 'kichad' being thrown at me, says PM Modi

I sold tea, not the nation: Prime Minister Modi attacks Congress

Badly bruised by dissident attacks, the beleaguered Aam Aadmi Party is offering an olive branch to party rebels to mend relations and strengthen its position in the national capital.

The party has reached out to rebel MLAs Pankaj Puskhar and Devinder Sehrawat, a senior AAP leader said on the condition of anonymity.

&quot;Yes, there is a positive development,&quot; Sehrawat said, confirming that there was a thaw in the hostility between the Bijwasan MLA and the party leadership. He, however, did not elaborate on the moves.

Sources close to Pushkar, who represents Timarpur, said his equation with AAP had improved and he had started attending the party and government events in his constituency.

&quot;We are basically fighting the same force, the BJP. So it makes more sense to cooperate,&quot; Pushkar told.

Informal talks are being held with several dissidents, who are being persuaded not to take up positions against the party, the senior AAP leader said.

Talks were on with sacked ministers Sandeep Kumar and Asim Ahmed Khan who, AAP sources said, had turned &quot;neutral&quot; in comparison to their earlier hostile stands on party matters.

The sources said the efforts were bearing fruit, with Sehrawat and Pushkar backing motions mooted by the government.

In a special session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly in October, Pushkar came out in support of safeguarding the house panels of the Assembly when the Lt Governor sought to withdraw the powers of department-related standing committees.

Sehrawat, an ex-colonel, had been at odds with the leadership ever since it removed founder-members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from top party committees.

Known to be close to Yadav and Bhushan, Sehrawat was suspended last year when he accused some party leaders of &quot;exploiting women&quot; in Punjab, a charge put down by the party.

Khan was sacked by Kejriwal as the Environment Minister in October 2015 over bribery charges while Kumar was suspended after the surfacing of an alleged sex tape.

It was after a series of defeats in March and April that efforts at mending relations began, the sources said.

AAP was battered in the Punjab and Goa assembly polls, and later in the Rajouri Garden by-poll and MCD election.

After the electoral defeats, the party has been taking several steps to regain lost strength on the home turf. Among other moves, Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey, who was at the helm of affairs during the elections, was replaced by Labour Minister Gopal Rai.

AAP also strengthened its frontal outfits such as its women&#39;s wing.

There was trouble brewing on another front, too. Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra launched an all-out assault against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with bribery charges, which though denied by the party, severely dented its image.

There were even whispers in the party that Mishra and his associates could engineer a coup&nbsp;against the leadership.

To top it, Office of Profit proceedings were on against 20 out of the 66 AAP MLAs.

It was against this backdrop that the party decided it had to build bridges with those who were turning away from it. Informally, leaders started holding talks with the rebels.

In such a scenario, every MLA counts,&nbsp;a source said.

Sources close to Sehrawat said a senior party leader approached him when Mishra&#39;s attack on the AAP was at its peak, requesting him not to say anything that would further harm the outfit. 
But the party top brass was unlikely to extend an olive branch to Mishra.

Kejriwal&#39;s former protege, who went on a hunger strike against the party leadership in May, had crossed the line, another AAP leader said.

&quot;He made personal attacks against Chief Minister Kejriwal and even his family members. The attacks were below the belt and unacceptable,&quot; the leader said.

It&#39;s&nbsp;clear that Kejriwal is corrupt... Either he should resign, or I will drag him by his collar to Tihar jail,&nbsp;Mishra told reporters after he called off his hunger strike.

The rapprochement exercise only seems to be confined to Delhi. The party is yet to reach out to its two rebel MPs in Punjab---Dharamvira Gandhi and H S Khalsa.

Gandhi, one of the two suspended MPs from Punjab, termed the reconciliation effort a &quot;trick&quot;, and said he had not been approached by the party in the last two and half years.&nbsp;

Sources close to Pushkar, who represents Timarpur, said his equation with AAP had improved and he had started attending the party and government events in his constituency.

Badly bruised by dissident attacks, the beleaguered Aam Aadmi Party is offering an olive branch to party rebels to mend relations and strengthen its position in the national capital. The party has reached out to rebel MLAs Pankaj Puskhar and Devinder Sehrawat, a senior AAP leader said on the condition of anonymity. "Yes, there is a positive development," Sehrawat said, confirming that there was a thaw in the hostility between the Bijwasan MLA and the party leadership. He, however, did not elaborate on the moves. Sources close to Pushkar, who represents Timarpur, said his equation with AAP had improved and he had started attending the party and government events in his constituency. "We are basically fighting the same force, the BJP. So it makes more sense to cooperate," Pushkar told. Informal talks are being held with several dissidents, who are being persuaded not to take up positions against the party, the senior AAP leader said. Talks were on with sacked ministers Sandeep Kumar and Asim Ahmed Khan who, AAP sources said, had turned "neutral" in comparison to their earlier hostile stands on party matters. The sources said the efforts were bearing fruit, with Sehrawat and Pushkar backing motions mooted by the government. In a special session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly in October, Pushkar came out in support of safeguarding the house panels of the Assembly when the Lt Governor sought to withdraw the powers of department-related standing committees. Sehrawat, an ex-colonel, had been at odds with the leadership ever since it removed founder-members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from top party committees. Known to be close to Yadav and Bhushan, Sehrawat was suspended last year when he accused some party leaders of "exploiting women" in Punjab, a charge put down by the party. Khan was sacked by Kejriwal as the Environment Minister in October 2015 over bribery charges while Kumar was suspended after the surfacing of an alleged sex tape. It was after a series of defeats in March and April that efforts at mending relations began, the sources said. AAP was battered in the Punjab and Goa assembly polls, and later in the Rajouri Garden by-poll and MCD election. After the electoral defeats, the party has been taking several steps to regain lost strength on the home turf. Among other moves, Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey, who was at the helm of affairs during the elections, was replaced by Labour Minister Gopal Rai. AAP also strengthened its frontal outfits such as its women's wing. There was trouble brewing on another front, too. Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra launched an all-out assault against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with bribery charges, which though denied by the party, severely dented its image. There were even whispers in the party that Mishra and his associates could engineer a coup against the leadership. To top it, Office of Profit proceedings were on against 20 out of the 66 AAP MLAs. It was against this backdrop that the party decided it had to build bridges with those who were turning away from it. Informally, leaders started holding talks with the rebels. In such a scenario, every MLA counts, a source said. Sources close to Sehrawat said a senior party leader approached him when Mishra's attack on the AAP was at its peak, requesting him not to say anything that would further harm the outfit. But the party top brass was unlikely to extend an olive branch to Mishra. Kejriwal's former protege, who went on a hunger strike against the party leadership in May, had crossed the line, another AAP leader said. "He made personal attacks against Chief Minister Kejriwal and even his family members. The attacks were below the belt and unacceptable," the leader said. It's clear that Kejriwal is corrupt... Either he should resign, or I will drag him by his collar to Tihar jail, Mishra told reporters after he called off his hunger strike. The rapprochement exercise only seems to be confined to Delhi. The party is yet to reach out to its two rebel MPs in Punjab---Dharamvira Gandhi and H S Khalsa. Gandhi, one of the two suspended MPs from Punjab, termed the reconciliation effort a "trick", and said he had not been approached by the party in the last two and half years.

Thaw in the air as AAP extends olive branch to rebels

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