In an emotional speech before stepping down as Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa today accused the Congress-JDS combine of forming an "opportunistic" alliance and said the popular mandate had been subverted due to their "conspiracy".

Yeddyurappa admitted he had expected opposition MLAs to cross-vote. To realise the public mandate and with development in mind, he said he asked members for a vote of conscience.

"It is true that I had spoken to a few of them (in the opposition)," Yeddyurappa said.

Stating that BJP believes in the democratic system, he said he had expected MLAs "on the other side" would understand that in today's political situation, things would change if his government came to power, when the Narendra&nbsp;Modi government is at the Centre. "Some people had agreed to cooperate," he said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hd-kumaraswamy-to-take-oath-as-karnataka-chief-minister-on-monday-138283">HD Kumaraswamy to take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23</a>&nbsp;

He however added, "Who am I to question in politics? Expectation is different, there may be differences." Assuring people that "till his last breath", he will travel across Karnataka, he said he would explain the developments and ensure that the party wins all 28 seats of the state in the Lok Sabha elections next year and "give it as a gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Yeddyurappa, who announced his decision without facing the trust vote after not being able to rustle up the numbers, charged that the JDS-combine had kept the MLAs in captivity.

"You kept MLAs in captivity. The situation of those MLAs was so pitiable that they could not speak to their families on phone," he said in his speech after moving the motion of confidence to face the trial of strength.Taunting Congress and JDS, a glum-looking Yeddyurappa said, "Today the family members may be a bit happy as they are seeing them (MLAs)."

Governor Vajubhai Vala had given a 15-day window to Yeddyurappa, but it was truncated by the Supreme Court, which ordered that the floor test be held within a day itself. Yeddyurappa said the Congress did not get people's mandate, nor did the JDS.

He said those who traded charges and counter-charges, after being defeated at the hustings, were indulging in "opportunistic politics"&nbsp;against the people's mandate and had come to an understanding.

The Governor had invited the BJP as it had emerged as the single largest party, Yeddyurappa said.

"I feel today it is like agni pareekshe (trial by fire).

It is not the first time. All my life it has been agni pareekshe," he said, tracing the journey of the BJP when it had only two members and the present state it had reached.

"If people of the state had thought for a second and had given us 113 seats, the picture of this state would have changed, and the picture of development would have changed.But God's will was different" he said on a philosophical note.

To Kumaraswamy, he said "I have come through struggle. Someone said if you don't give me power I will end my life...I won't say that. Whether I get power or not, I will give my life for the people."

Yeddyurappa said he is indebted to people who have shown him love. "Due to our Congress' friends conspiracy, the public mandate and democratic system has been subverted," he said.

"In the wake of this, I'm not pressing this motion of confidence, and I will resign. I will go to people against this politics of anti democracy and seek justice. I will directly go to the Governor and submit my resignation as Chief Minister," he said.&nbsp;

To realise the public mandate and with development in mind, Yeddyurappa said he asked opposition MLAs for a vote of conscience

In an emotional speech before stepping down as Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa today accused the Congress-JDS combine of forming an "opportunistic" alliance and said the popular mandate had been subverted due to their "conspiracy". Yeddyurappa admitted he had expected opposition MLAs to cross-vote. To realise the public mandate and with development in mind, he said he asked members for a vote of conscience. "It is true that I had spoken to a few of them (in the opposition)," Yeddyurappa said. Stating that BJP believes in the democratic system, he said he had expected MLAs "on the other side" would understand that in today's political situation, things would change if his government came to power, when the Narendra Modi government is at the Centre. "Some people had agreed to cooperate," he said. Also read: HD Kumaraswamy to take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23 He however added, "Who am I to question in politics? Expectation is different, there may be differences." Assuring people that "till his last breath", he will travel across Karnataka, he said he would explain the developments and ensure that the party wins all 28 seats of the state in the Lok Sabha elections next year and "give it as a gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi". Yeddyurappa, who announced his decision without facing the trust vote after not being able to rustle up the numbers, charged that the JDS-combine had kept the MLAs in captivity. "You kept MLAs in captivity. The situation of those MLAs was so pitiable that they could not speak to their families on phone," he said in his speech after moving the motion of confidence to face the trial of strength.Taunting Congress and JDS, a glum-looking Yeddyurappa said, "Today the family members may be a bit happy as they are seeing them (MLAs)." Governor Vajubhai Vala had given a 15-day window to Yeddyurappa, but it was truncated by the Supreme Court, which ordered that the floor test be held within a day itself. Yeddyurappa said the Congress did not get people's mandate, nor did the JDS. He said those who traded charges and counter-charges, after being defeated at the hustings, were indulging in "opportunistic politics" against the people's mandate and had come to an understanding. The Governor had invited the BJP as it had emerged as the single largest party, Yeddyurappa said. "I feel today it is like agni pareekshe (trial by fire). It is not the first time. All my life it has been agni pareekshe," he said, tracing the journey of the BJP when it had only two members and the present state it had reached. "If people of the state had thought for a second and had given us 113 seats, the picture of this state would have changed, and the picture of development would have changed.But God's will was different" he said on a philosophical note. To Kumaraswamy, he said "I have come through struggle. Someone said if you don't give me power I will end my life...I won't say that. Whether I get power or not, I will give my life for the people." Yeddyurappa said he is indebted to people who have shown him love. "Due to our Congress' friends conspiracy, the public mandate and democratic system has been subverted," he said. "In the wake of this, I'm not pressing this motion of confidence, and I will resign. I will go to people against this politics of anti democracy and seek justice. I will directly go to the Governor and submit my resignation as Chief Minister," he said.

Yeddyurappa admits he asked opposition MLAs to cross-vote

BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa was on Tuesday elected to the Karnataka Assembly from Shikaripura by 35,397 votes, the Election Commission announced.

Yeddyurappa, 75, defeated Congress nominee Goni Malatesha and seven others in his home constituency.

Yeddyurappa, who had dealt a body blow to the BJP in 2013 by quitting the party to form his own KJP, returned to mother party before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

In 2016 he became BJP state chief and a year later he was officially made the CM candidate.

(With inputs from Karnataka)

In 2016 he became BJP state chief and a year later he was officially made the CM candidate.

BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa was on Tuesday elected to the Karnataka Assembly from Shikaripura by 35,397 votes, the Election Commission announced. Yeddyurappa, 75, defeated Congress nominee Goni Malatesha and seven others in his home constituency. Yeddyurappa, who had dealt a body blow to the BJP in 2013 by quitting the party to form his own KJP, returned to mother party before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In 2016 he became BJP state chief and a year later he was officially made the CM candidate. (With inputs from Karnataka)

BJP's CM face BS Yeddyurappa wins from Shikaripura

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was again on Monday seen dozing off at a party rally in Kalaburagi.&nbsp;

In the picture, the Karnataka CM can be seen dozing away as the rally progresses. In the past, there have been several instances of minister dozing off during party meets or gatherings.&nbsp;

It appears to be a chronic problem for the 69-year-old, who has been seen struggling to stay awake even during heated debates inside the assembly.

In 2016, he had a sleep attack at an Indian Science Congress function addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mysuru University.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seen dozing off during a rally in Kalaburagi earlier today. <a href="https://t.co/PjlNVKovlP">pic.twitter.com/PjlNVKovlP</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/990916223809605632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

According to reports in regional media, the Chief Minister has admitted to a sleep disorder and has tried to cure it with yoga.

It appears to be a chronic problem for the 69-year-old, who has been seen struggling to stay awake even during heated debates inside the assembly.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was again on Monday seen dozing off at a party rally in Kalaburagi. In the picture, the Karnataka CM can be seen dozing away as the rally progresses. In the past, there have been several instances of minister dozing off during party meets or gatherings. It appears to be a chronic problem for the 69-year-old, who has been seen struggling to stay awake even during heated debates inside the assembly. In 2016, he had a sleep attack at an Indian Science Congress function addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mysuru University. #WATCH Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seen dozing off during a rally in Kalaburagi earlier today. pic.twitter.com/PjlNVKovlP — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2018 × According to reports in regional media, the Chief Minister has admitted to a sleep disorder and has tried to cure it with yoga.

Watch: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah caught sleeping on stage, again

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long fast here on Friday to demand Special Category Status (SCS) to the state.&nbsp;

Incidentally, April 20 also happens to be the Telugu Desam Party chief’s birthday.

Naidu's hunger strike at Vijayawada's Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium started at 7 am and will end at 7 pm to pressurise the Centre to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh.

The strategy for the hunger strike was finalised by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Naidu, on Monday.

Thirteen ministers of Naidu’s cabinet will also organise simultaneous hunger strikes in the districts for which they are in-charge ministers. Remaining ministers will take part in the hunger strike along with the Chief Minister.

The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding SCS to Andhra Pradesh.

The Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget.

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Vijayawada: CM Chandrababu Naidu on a one-day hunger strike against 'Centre's non-cooperation with the state' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpecialStatus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpecialStatus</a> <a href="https://t.co/xMKIP4y8bP">pic.twitter.com/xMKIP4y8bP</a>
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The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of ‘Special Category Status’ to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges.

Naidu has been calling for the special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Asserting his demand, the TDP had quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month.

The TDP’s departure came after two of its ministers resigned from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Cabinet on March 8.

The Centre pays 90 per cent of the funds required in a centrally-sponsored scheme to special category status category states as against 60 per cent in case of normal category states, while the remaining funds are provided by the state governments.

The SCS was first accorded in 1969 to Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland. Over the years, eight more states were added to the list – Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and, finally, in 2010, Uttarakhand.

Chandrababu Naidu has also reportedly asked his Cabinet colleagues, party cadres and legislators to join him in the day long hunger strike to protest the ‘injustice’ meted out to by the Centre over its failure to grant the special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long fast here on Friday to demand Special Category Status (SCS) to the state. Incidentally, April 20 also happens to be the Telugu Desam Party chief’s birthday. Naidu's hunger strike at Vijayawada's Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium started at 7 am and will end at 7 pm to pressurise the Centre to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh. The strategy for the hunger strike was finalised by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Naidu, on Monday. Thirteen ministers of Naidu’s cabinet will also organise simultaneous hunger strikes in the districts for which they are in-charge ministers. Remaining ministers will take part in the hunger strike along with the Chief Minister. The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding SCS to Andhra Pradesh. The Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget. Vijayawada: CM Chandrababu Naidu on a one-day hunger strike against 'Centre's non-cooperation with the state' #AndhraPradesh #SpecialStatus pic.twitter.com/xMKIP4y8bP — ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2018 × The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of ‘Special Category Status’ to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges. Naidu has been calling for the special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Asserting his demand, the TDP had quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month. The TDP’s departure came after two of its ministers resigned from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Cabinet on March 8. The Centre pays 90 per cent of the funds required in a centrally-sponsored scheme to special category status category states as against 60 per cent in case of normal category states, while the remaining funds are provided by the state governments. The SCS was first accorded in 1969 to Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland. Over the years, eight more states were added to the list – Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and, finally, in 2010, Uttarakhand.

Andhra Pradesh special status: CM N Chandrababu Naidu on day-long hunger strike

<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Andhra%20Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</a>&nbsp;Chief Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=N.%20Chandrababu%20Naidu">N&nbsp;Chandrababu Naidu</a>&nbsp;on Friday will launch a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Hero%20Motors">Hero Motors</a>&nbsp;plant project in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Chittoor">Chittoor</a>&nbsp;district, giving a major boost to employment in AP.

According to District Collector PS&nbsp;Pradyumna, the chief minister after participating in the ground-breaking ceremony at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Madannapalem">Madannapalem</a>&nbsp;village where the project will be coming up, will also address a meeting at the village.

The collector said about 15,000 people would get employment with the project, which he said would go a long way in making Rayalaseema as automobile hub with Apollo Tyres also setting up their unit in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Andhra%20Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</a>.

Pradyumna said the major automobile industry will be coming up in an area of 636 acres in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Madannapalem">Madannapalem</a>&nbsp;village.

Hero motors will be established for the production of 5 lakh motor cycles by 2019 December.

Hero motors production will be doubled after the completion of the second unit in 2020.

Production of motor vehicles will be further up to 18 lakh motor cycles by the year 2025.

The total investment by the Hero motors company will be Rs 3,200 crore for the motor cycle&nbsp;manufacturing unit in AP.&nbsp;

The collector said about 15,000 people would get employment with the project

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday will launch a Hero Motors plant project in Chittoor district, giving a major boost to employment in AP. According to District Collector PS Pradyumna, the chief minister after participating in the ground-breaking ceremony at Madannapalem village where the project will be coming up, will also address a meeting at the village. The collector said about 15,000 people would get employment with the project, which he said would go a long way in making Rayalaseema as automobile hub with Apollo Tyres also setting up their unit in Andhra Pradesh. Pradyumna said the major automobile industry will be coming up in an area of 636 acres in Madannapalem village. Hero motors will be established for the production of 5 lakh motor cycles by 2019 December. Hero motors production will be doubled after the completion of the second unit in 2020. Production of motor vehicles will be further up to 18 lakh motor cycles by the year 2025. The total investment by the Hero motors company will be Rs 3,200 crore for the motor cycle manufacturing unit in AP.

Chandrababu Naidu to launch Hero Motors plant project today

After shock defeats in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath cancelled all&nbsp;meetings&nbsp;scheduled for today&nbsp;to chair a meeting&nbsp;to dissect&nbsp;reasons for the massive beating the BJP faced on Wednesday.

Both seats were previously held by the BJP but in a major turnaround, Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s SP defeated the BJP candidates handsomely setting the stage for a probable BSP-SP alliance in the state for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls due to take place next year.&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister is likely to attend a&nbsp;meeting to conduct a post-mortem of the bypoll results and set the course for further action as the Lok Sabha elections loom next year.

After the defeat CM Yogi said: &ldquo;We accept the verdict of the people, this result is unexpected, we will review the shortcomings. I congratulate the winning candidates.&rdquo;

45-year-old Yogi Adityanath was the Gorakhpur MP since 1998 for five terms till he resigned after being picked to be Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;chief minister.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeh BSP-SP ka jo rajnitik saudebaazi, desh ke vikas ko baadhit karne ke liye bani hai, iske baare mein hum apni rann neeti tayaar karenge (This SP-BSP political alliance has been formed to hamper the development of the country. We will prepare our strategy for this),&rdquo; he said after the party&#39;s defeat yesterday.

Meanwhile, Ram Govind Chaudhary, the leader of the Opposition (&nbsp;<a data-original-name="Samajwadi Party" data-ved="0ahUKEwi5-4-B0-3ZAhXDLo8KHV0JCPQQmxMIvgEoATAX" href="https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Samajwadi+Party&amp;stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOPgE-LSz9U3iC_MSkkqUOIEsY1MCouKtOSzk6300_PLUovyclPzSvQL8nMySzKTMxPzrAoSi0oqARxVbrk6AAAA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi5-4-B0-3ZAhXDLo8KHV0JCPQQmxMIvgEoATAX">Samajwadi Party</a>) in Uttar Pradesh, congratulated the winning SP candidates.

He said: &#39;&#39;I will like to congratulate Mayawati ji&nbsp;and give my&nbsp;greetings to her. According to my view, there should be an alliance in future and it will definitely happen,&quot; via his Twitter handle.

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I will like to congratulate Mayawati ji and give my greetings to her. According to my view, there should be an alliance in future and it will definitely happen: Ram Govind Chaudhary, SP on SP-BSP alliance <a href="https://t.co/S8tlbyvrJO">pic.twitter.com/S8tlbyvrJO</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/974156810134392832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet data-lang=en&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;I will like to congratulate Mayawati ji and give my greetings to her. According to my view, there should be an alliance in future and it will definitely happen: Ram Govind Chaudhary, SP on SP-BSP alliance &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://t.co/S8tlbyvrJO href=https://t.co/S8tlbyvrJO&gt;pic.twitter.com/S8tlbyvrJO&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/974156810134392832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/974156810134392832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;March 15, 2018&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
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&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister is likely to attend a meeting to conduct a post-mortem of the bypoll results and set the course for further action as the Lok Sabha elections loom next year

After shock defeats in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath cancelled all meetings scheduled for today to chair a meeting to dissect reasons for the massive beating the BJP faced on Wednesday. Both seats were previously held by the BJP but in a major turnaround, Akhilesh Yadav's SP defeated the BJP candidates handsomely setting the stage for a probable BSP-SP alliance in the state for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls due to take place next year. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister is likely to attend a meeting to conduct a post-mortem of the bypoll results and set the course for further action as the Lok Sabha elections loom next year. After the defeat CM Yogi said: “We accept the verdict of the people, this result is unexpected, we will review the shortcomings. I congratulate the winning candidates.” 45-year-old Yogi Adityanath was the Gorakhpur MP since 1998 for five terms till he resigned after being picked to be Uttar Pradesh chief minister. “Yeh BSP-SP ka jo rajnitik saudebaazi, desh ke vikas ko baadhit karne ke liye bani hai, iske baare mein hum apni rann neeti tayaar karenge (This SP-BSP political alliance has been formed to hamper the development of the country. We will prepare our strategy for this),” he said after the party's defeat yesterday. Meanwhile, Ram Govind Chaudhary, the leader of the Opposition ( Samajwadi Party) in Uttar Pradesh, congratulated the winning SP candidates. He said: ''I will like to congratulate Mayawati ji and give my greetings to her. According to my view, there should be an alliance in future and it will definitely happen," via his Twitter handle. I will like to congratulate Mayawati ji and give my greetings to her. According to my view, there should be an alliance in future and it will definitely happen: Ram Govind Chaudhary, SP on SP-BSP alliance pic.twitter.com/S8tlbyvrJO — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2018 ×

After Gorakhpur, Phulpur poll debacle, chief minister Adityanath cancels meetings to dissect defeat

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has appointed Class IX girl Ambula Vaishnavi an ambassador to Amaravati.&nbsp;

The girl adopted two government schools and is making efforts to develop them. She has spent Rs. 4 lakh so far on those schools. She also donated Rs. 1 lakh for construction of Capital city Amaravati.

Recently Vaishnavi met the Chief Minister to explain her efforts in developing the school in her village Mudinepalli.

Impressed by her zeal to serve the society and her contribution to the gigantic project of Capital City, CM not only appreciated her contribution but also made her Amaravati Ambassador.&nbsp;

Ambula Vaishnavi donated ₹1 lakh for construction of Capital city Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has appointed Class IX girl Ambula Vaishnavi an ambassador to Amaravati. The girl adopted two government schools and is making efforts to develop them. She has spent Rs. 4 lakh so far on those schools. She also donated Rs. 1 lakh for construction of Capital city Amaravati. Recently Vaishnavi met the Chief Minister to explain her efforts in developing the school in her village Mudinepalli. Impressed by her zeal to serve the society and her contribution to the gigantic project of Capital City, CM not only appreciated her contribution but also made her Amaravati Ambassador.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu appoints school girl as ambassador to Amaravati

Afroz Shah, spearheading the now-suspended Versova beach clean-up met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis&nbsp;Thursday to discuss the drive&#39;s future.&nbsp;

As reported by ANI, Shah said Fadnavis will join his efforts to clean the beach.

Shah said, &quot;CM will initiate long-term planning and combing operations to stop heckling of volunteers while showing interest in joining the campaign&quot;.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> Afroz Shah, spearhead of the Versova beach clean-up movement met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, says, CM said combing operations will be done to stop heckling of volunteers, long-term planning required and expressed interest in joining the campaign. <a href="https://t.co/lq00PyOKhn">pic.twitter.com/lq00PyOKhn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/933633114911281152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Afroz Shah, who was spearheading the cleaning up of Mumbai&#39;s Versova Beach, had suspended the drive after alleging that he was thrashed by goons. He had started the drive in October 2015.&nbsp;

Afroz said that he decided to drop the drive since &quot;despite working hard at the ground level, I realised that people&#39;s mindsets were not changing.&quot;

Earlier, he told ANI,&nbsp;&quot;Was working very hard at ground-level but I realised people&#39;s mindsets were not changing, must face it truthfully. Drew a balance sheet to see where I was after 109 weeks when my volunteers were told off the beach.&quot;

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Was working very hard at ground-level but I realized people&#39;s mindsets were not changing,must face it truthfully. Drew a balance sheet to see where I was aftr 109 weeks when my volunteers where told off the beach: Afroz Shah,spearhead of Versova beach clean-up movement <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/sESqrxvfv4">pic.twitter.com/sESqrxvfv4</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/933366789303496704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Week 109 cleanup.Volunteers abused by goons for picking up garbage.Administrative lethargy,non clearance of picked up garbage and abuses is what we are <a href="https://t.co/ydEzp638C6">https://t.co/ydEzp638C6</a> largest beach cleanup is suspended.Tried my best and I failed.Forgive me my ocean and my country. <a href="https://t.co/XdFJMfZNeV">pic.twitter.com/XdFJMfZNeV</a>
&mdash; Afroz Shah (@AfrozShah1) <a href="https://twitter.com/AfrozShah1/status/932148147328921600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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'CM will initiate long-term planning and combing operations to stop heckling of volunteers while showing interest in joining the campaign,' Afroz Shah said?

Afroz Shah, spearheading the now-suspended Versova beach clean-up met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Thursday to discuss the drive's future. As reported by ANI, Shah said Fadnavis will join his efforts to clean the beach. Shah said, "CM will initiate long-term planning and combing operations to stop heckling of volunteers while showing interest in joining the campaign". #Mumbai Afroz Shah, spearhead of the Versova beach clean-up movement met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, says, CM said combing operations will be done to stop heckling of volunteers, long-term planning required and expressed interest in joining the campaign. pic.twitter.com/lq00PyOKhn — ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2017 × Afroz Shah, who was spearheading the cleaning up of Mumbai's Versova Beach, had suspended the drive after alleging that he was thrashed by goons. He had started the drive in October 2015. Afroz said that he decided to drop the drive since "despite working hard at the ground level, I realised that people's mindsets were not changing." Earlier, he told ANI, "Was working very hard at ground-level but I realised people's mindsets were not changing, must face it truthfully. Drew a balance sheet to see where I was after 109 weeks when my volunteers were told off the beach." Was working very hard at ground-level but I realized people's mindsets were not changing,must face it truthfully. Drew a balance sheet to see where I was aftr 109 weeks when my volunteers where told off the beach: Afroz Shah,spearhead of Versova beach clean-up movement #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/sESqrxvfv4 — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2017 × Week 109 cleanup.Volunteers abused by goons for picking up garbage.Administrative lethargy,non clearance of picked up garbage and abuses is what we are https://t.co/ydEzp638C6 largest beach cleanup is suspended.Tried my best and I failed.Forgive me my ocean and my country. pic.twitter.com/XdFJMfZNeV — Afroz Shah (@AfrozShah1) November 19, 2017 ×

Maharashtra CM 'interested in joining campaign', says don't stop Versova beach clean-up

The AIADMK, at its general body meeting&nbsp;Thursday, elected Sasikala Natarajan party general secretary.&nbsp;

It also adopted the resolution to work &quot;under the leadership of Sasikala Natarajan&quot;.

Sasikala used to be former party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s aide and confidante.

She held no official position within the party. &nbsp;

The post of general secretary was formerly held by Jayalalithaa.

ANI reported that 14 resolutions were passed at the general body meeting.&nbsp;

They included a resolution demanding Jayalalithaa&#39;s birthday be celebrated as &quot;National Farmers&#39; Day&quot;, and the resolutions that she be conferred with the Magsaysay award and the Nobel peace prize.&nbsp;

(WION)

The post was formerly held by ex-Tamil Nadu chief minister and party supremo Jayalalithaa

The AIADMK, at its general body meeting Thursday, elected Sasikala Natarajan party general secretary. It also adopted the resolution to work "under the leadership of Sasikala Natarajan". Sasikala used to be former party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's aide and confidante. She held no official position within the party. The post of general secretary was formerly held by Jayalalithaa. ANI reported that 14 resolutions were passed at the general body meeting. They included a resolution demanding Jayalalithaa's birthday be celebrated as "National Farmers' Day", and the resolutions that she be conferred with the Magsaysay award and the Nobel peace prize. (WION)

AIADMK elects Sasikala as party general secretary

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal washed dishes today at Golden Temple in north India&#39;s Punjab state as a mark of &#39;repentance&#39; after his party received flak for depicting the image of the reverred Sikh shrine with the party symbol, a broom, in their election manifesto. 
 
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or the common man party, created controversy when they superimposed a broom&#39;s image on the cover of their youth manifesto for 2017 local elections alongside a picture of Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Golden Temple. 
 
AAP spokesperson Ashish Khetan added fuel to the fire when he compared the party manifesto to the Guru Granth Sahib, the prime Sikh religious scripture. 
 
Party chief Arvind Kejriwal offered voluntary service at the holy shrine to make up for the mistake. 
 
&quot;We made some mistakes while drafting our youth manifesto due to our ignorance. I have come here to apologise for them. We offered sewa (voluntary service offered by devotees in Gurudwaras) which gave us immense pleasure. Then we prayed before God,&quot; he said in Amritsar city. 
 
In its youth manifesto, AAP promised to free the region of corruption and end the widespread drug menace in Punjab. 
 
A three-way political contest is shaping up between the AAP, the ruling Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance, which has ruled Punjab since 2007, and opposition Congress party. 
 
(Reuters)

His party had created controversy by printing a broom's image with a photo of Golden Temple, the most revered Sikh shrine

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal washed dishes today at Golden Temple in north India's Punjab state as a mark of 'repentance' after his party received flak for depicting the image of the reverred Sikh shrine with the party symbol, a broom, in their election manifesto. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or the common man party, created controversy when they superimposed a broom's image on the cover of their youth manifesto for 2017 local elections alongside a picture of Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Golden Temple. AAP spokesperson Ashish Khetan added fuel to the fire when he compared the party manifesto to the Guru Granth Sahib, the prime Sikh religious scripture. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal offered voluntary service at the holy shrine to make up for the mistake. "We made some mistakes while drafting our youth manifesto due to our ignorance. I have come here to apologise for them. We offered sewa (voluntary service offered by devotees in Gurudwaras) which gave us immense pleasure. Then we prayed before God," he said in Amritsar city. In its youth manifesto, AAP promised to free the region of corruption and end the widespread drug menace in Punjab. A three-way political contest is shaping up between the AAP, the ruling Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance, which has ruled Punjab since 2007, and opposition Congress party. (Reuters)

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal washes utensils in Golden Temple

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed &quot;great sadness and sorrow&quot; over the deaths and promised a &quot;healing touch&quot;. 
Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. 
In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. 
As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. 
In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. 
They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. 
Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. 
A police spokesman said barring &quot;some incidents&quot; of stone pelting at various places, the situation &quot;remained under control&quot; in the valley. 
The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. 
Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their &quot;support in pulling J&amp;K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed.&quot; 
She said she needs people&#39;s support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. 
&quot;The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction,&quot; she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. 
Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, &quot;My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir.&quot; 
Asserting that &quot;I won&#39;t let the people down, despite facing a challenging task&quot;, she said, &quot;While my government&#39;s immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&amp;K, with youth being the focus of the government&#39;s welfare initiatives.&quot;&nbsp; 
Urging people not to &quot;play with peace&quot;, the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. 
&quot;I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here,&quot; said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. 
According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). 
Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. 
Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. 
Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. 
Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir&#39;s four districts. 
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. 
Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. 
Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. 
Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. 
 
(PTI)

Total toll reaches 35. Another youth is injured after security forces open fire to disperse a mob pelting stones at an air force base

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed "great sadness and sorrow" over the deaths and promised a "healing touch". Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. A police spokesman said barring "some incidents" of stone pelting at various places, the situation "remained under control" in the valley. The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their "support in pulling J&K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed." She said she needs people's support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. "The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction," she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, "My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir." Asserting that "I won't let the people down, despite facing a challenging task", she said, "While my government's immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&K, with youth being the focus of the government's welfare initiatives." Urging people not to "play with peace", the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. "I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here," said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir's four districts. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. (PTI)

While CM talks of 'healing touch', one more youth killed in Kashmir

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