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Sat, 25 October 2014
LIVE: Sena MPs to attend PM Narendra Modi's high tea; Uddhav not going
Timeline Refresh
23:28 Govt to observe Sardar Patel's birth anniv as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas'
Government has decided to observe the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31 as the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day) every year, as a mark of tribute to the efforts of the country's first Home Minister to unite India.
A function to pay floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel would be held at Patel Chowk, Parliament Street, New Delhi, an official release said.
A 'Run for Unity' would be held in all major cities, district towns and other places in rural areas participated by all sections of society, particularly youth from colleges, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS).
In the national capital, 'Run for Unity' will be organised from Vijay Chowk to India Gate on Rajpath.
A pledge taking ceremony will also be organised in all government offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other public institutions to observe the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. The pledge timings will be decided by the concerned organisation.
Also, in the evening, there would be a 'March-Past' by the Police, the Central Armed Police Forces, and the NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, Home Guards, on the streets of major cities and district towns. The personnel will also take pledge.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said this occasion will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.
Singh appealed to the people to participate in the programmes in large number to pay rich tribute to our real national hero, the release said.
23:27 Cop suspended for 'misdirecting' Nitish Kumar's convoy
The Officer In-Charge of a police station in Hajipur was today suspended on the charge of "misdirecting" the route of convoy of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Tirhut range Ajay Kumar Mishra today ordered suspension of OC of Sadar police station Mohammad Amanullah for alleged dereliction of duty, Superintendent of Police (SP) Suresh Prasad Chaudhary said.
The SP himself had suspended an Assistant Sub-Inspector of traffic on the same count earlier.
Mr Kumar's carcade was sent in a wrong direction while he was returning to the state capital after a programme at Samastipur on October 19 last.
During return journey to the state capital from Samastipur, the motorcade of senior Janata Dal(United) leader and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was "misdirected" towards Muzaffarpur in place of Patna.
After realising the mistake, the motorcade was returned to the right direction after travelling some distance, he said.
22:37 Sena MPs to attend PM Narendra Modi's high tea; Uddhav not going
Amid signs of a rapprochement, all Shiv Sena MPs will attend the high tea being hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Sunday for NDA MPs even as RPI leader Ramdas Athawale said Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was "very keen" on forming a government with BJP in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena, however, sought to clear the confusion over Uddhav Thackeray's participation, saying since the event was only for the MPs belonging to the Centre's ruling alliance, their leader will not go.
"I will attend it and so will all Sena MPs," Shiv Sena's lone member in the Narendra Modi government Anant Geete told PTI.
"The event that the PM is hosting is only for the MPs of NDA partners. When Uddhavji is not an MP, where is the question of him being invited? This is not even a question worth asking," a senior Sena leader told PTI on condition of anonymity.
He said it is not as if leaders of other NDA constituents have been invited and Uddhav left out.
22:35 5-phase poll too exhaustive, say Jharkhand parties
Main political parties today welcomed the Election Commission's announcement of assembly polls for Jharkhand, but termed the five-phase election as too exhaustive.
"We expected a three-phase polling, because Lok Sabha elections in May had passed off peacefully. Five-phase election is a long drawn affair, which takes almost two months," BJP spokesman Ajay Maroo said here.
"Last time, Jammu & Kashmir had seven-phase elections, and the EC reduced it to five-phase this time. It could have also reduced Jharkhand's phases," Maroo said.
JMM General Secretary Suprio Bhattacharya said, "We had informed the EC that a regional party can't sustain a long drawn campaign due to limited resources."
"Now that poll dates have been announced, we welcome it. Moreover, security matters are of prime importance," Bhattacharya said, indicating the Maoist problem in the state.
Jharkhand PCC General Secretary Sailesh Sinha echoed Bhattacharya's statement saying the Congress was prepared for it.
Former union minister and senior Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay said, "Jharkhand is a naxal-affected state and movement of security forces requires time."
18:42 Ukraine readies to vote under shadow of war
Ukrainian leaders made final appeals to voters ahead of snap
parliamentary elections on Sunday that are intended to give impetus to
democratic reforms, but are overshadowed by deepening conflict with
"At last we will elect a pro-Ukrainian and not pro-Moscow, an anti-corruption and not pro-bribery, a pro-European parliament," President Petro Poroshenko said late on Friday.
His Petro Poroshenko Bloc was forecast to emerge as the biggest party in the 450 seat legislature, although without an absolute majority, meaning he will have to form a coalition, probably with harder-line nationalists.
The elections were called to cement the pro-Western course launched in a February street revolt that overthrew the corruption-tainted, Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych.
For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Communist Party is not expected to enter parliament, symbolising what Poroshenko, elected president in May with 55 per cent of the vote, hopes is an irreversible political shift.
Polls show a majority of Ukrainians support economic and democratic reforms -- especially a crackdown on corruption -- leading eventually to European Union membership.
18:30 Cong slams BJP over controversial piece, asks Modi to clarify
Congress slammed RSS and BJP for their alleged "distasteful, malicious distortion of history" and demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over an article in an RSS mouthpiece which suggests that Nathuram Godse should have targeted Jawaharlal Nehru instead of Mahatma Gandhi.
Terming the article, which has appeared in the Malayalam edition of RSS mouthpiece 'Kesari', "barbaric and illegal", Congress general secretary Ajay Maken asked Modi and BJP to immediately make their stand clear in this regard.
"Silence on their part would only point towards their complicity. The argument by the BJP leader that Godse should have killed Nehru instead of Mahatma Gandhi reaffirms that the basic tenets of their ideology are hatred and violence.
"It is difficult to find this kind of perverse discourse anywhere except the darkest corner of a bankrupt mind that the RSS and BJP thrive upon," said Maken.
18:26 Uddhav not scheduled to meet Modi, says Shiv Sena
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai as apolitical, Shiv Sena said that party president Uddhav Thackeray was not scheduled to meet him in Mumbai or even in the national capital later, and talks for
government formation would start only on Monday.
16:26 J&K, Jharkhand poll dates announced
The Election Commission on Saturday announced 5 phase election dates for Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir:
Jammu and Kashmir
Phase 1
Date of filing nomination: October 28
Last date of filing nomination: October 6
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 7
Last date of withdrawing nomination:
Polling dates: November 25
Phase 2
Date of filing nomination: November 7
Last date of filing nomination: November 14
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 15
Last date of withdrawing nomination: November 17
Polling Day: December 2
Phase 3
Date of filing nomination: November 7
Last date of filing nomination: November 21
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 22
Last date of withdrawing nomination: November 24
Polling Day: December 9
Phase 4
Date of filing nomination: November 19
Last date of filing nomination: November 26
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 27
Last date of withdrawing nomination: November 29
Polling Day: December 14
Phase 5
Date of filing nomination: November 26
Last date of filing nomination: December 3
Date of scrutiny of nominations: December 4
Last date of withdrawing nomination: December 6
Polling Day: December 20
Jharkhand
Phase 1
Date of filing nomination: October 29
Last date of filing nomination: October 6
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 7
Last date of withdrawing nomination:
Polling dates: November 25
Phase 2
Date of filing nomination: November 7
Last date of filing nomination: November 14
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 15
Last date of withdrawing nomination: November 17
Polling Day: December 2
Phase 3
Date of filing nomination: November 7
Last date of filing nomination: November 21
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 22
Last date of withdrawing nomination: November 24
Polling Day: December 9
Phase 4
Date of filing nomination: November 19
Last date of filing nomination: November 26
Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 27
Last date of withdrawing nomination: November 29
Polling Day: December 14
Phase 5
Date of filing nomination: November 26
Last date of filing nomination: December 3
Date of scrutiny of nominations: December 4
Last date of withdrawing nomination: December 6
Polling Day: December 20
Counting of votes in both states: December 23
Elections will also be held in three seats in Delhi -- Merwali, Tughlakabad, Krishnanagar -- along with Phase 1 of Jammu and Kashmir polls on November 25.
While the term of the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly ends on January 19, the term of 81-member Jharkhand assembly expires on January 3.
14:45 J&K, Jharkhand polls dates likely today
The Election Commission is likely to announce the dates for elections to Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand assemblies on Saturday.
The EC is scheduled to hold a press conference at 4 pm today.
The current term of the two assemblies expires in January 2015.
14:29 Cuttack to host India-Sri Lanka ODI series opener
Cuttack will host the opening match of the hastily-arranged ODI series between India and Sri Lanka on November 2 after the West Indies' stunning pullout over a pay dispute.
According to 'ESPNCricinfo', the schedule of the series has been released by Sri Lanka Cricket and Ranchi will host the fifth and final ODI on November 16.
"Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Kolkata will host the second, third and fourth ODIs on November 6, 9 and 13. The Sri Lanka team will begin the tour in Mumbai on October 30 with a practice game against India A at Brabourne Stadium. They will be back in Colombo on November 18," the website reported.
Sri Lanka are filling in for the West Indies after the Caribbeans pulled out owing to a pay dispute with their Board. The visitors, who left the series after the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, were supposed to play a one off Twenty20 and a three-match Test series.
13:50 Best Halloween ever! J K Rowling to release new Harry Potter story :)
Author J K Rowling has announced that she will release a tale about Dolores Umbridge, who served as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher known for her abusive punishments against students in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
The new story is scheduled to be published online on the author's official blog on Halloween Day, October 31. It will unveil the villain's back story and offer "revealing first-person" thoughts about the former Hogwarts professor, reported Ace Showbiz.
The new story is scheduled to be published online on the author's official blog on Halloween Day, October 31. It will unveil the villain's back story and offer "revealing first-person" thoughts about the former Hogwarts professor, reported Ace Showbiz.
13:42 Tharoor picks up the broom for Modi's 'Clean India' campaign
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor today decided to take up PM's Clean India challenge
and took part in the campaign at a beach in Thiruvananthapuram.
"I thank the PM for making 'Clean India' top national agenda," he said.
On Twitter, offering a clarification of sorts for backing the rival BJP's initiative, Tharoor wrote, "Before my actions today are distorted: a clean India requires no label. Why cede Gandhiji's sanitation drive to any party? A national cause."
He was recently removed as the Congress spokesperson for praising Modi.
Will his move today spell more trouble?
Tharoor was among the nine people nominated by Modi for the 'Clean India' campaign.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
"I thank the PM for making 'Clean India' top national agenda," he said.
On Twitter, offering a clarification of sorts for backing the rival BJP's initiative, Tharoor wrote, "Before my actions today are distorted: a clean India requires no label. Why cede Gandhiji's sanitation drive to any party? A national cause."
He was recently removed as the Congress spokesperson for praising Modi.
Will his move today spell more trouble?
Tharoor was among the nine people nominated by Modi for the 'Clean India' campaign.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
12:48 Mali's first Ebola patient dies
The first Ebola patient in Mali has died, according to state TV reports.
The victim, a 2-year-old girl, had travelled to the country with her grandmother from Guinea -- one of the three countries hardest hit during the recent Ebola outbreak.
The World Health Organisation said that the girl had multiple opportunities to expose others to the virus.
The victim, a 2-year-old girl, had travelled to the country with her grandmother from Guinea -- one of the three countries hardest hit during the recent Ebola outbreak.
The World Health Organisation said that the girl had multiple opportunities to expose others to the virus.
12:24 'PM holding the broom will not help clean India'
Lauding the media for backing his 'Clean India' campaign, PM Modi said, "We get both information and vision from the media. The media does only report facts but also provides a vision."
"Writing about the campaign is a service to the nation. Only the PM holding a broom will not help clean India. Aapne apni kalam ko hi jhaadu mei badal diya hai, main sochta hoon yeh bahut bada kaam hai (You have converted your pen into a broom, I think this is a big step)," he said.
"Writing about the campaign is a service to the nation. Only the PM holding a broom will not help clean India. Aapne apni kalam ko hi jhaadu mei badal diya hai, main sochta hoon yeh bahut bada kaam hai (You have converted your pen into a broom, I think this is a big step)," he said.
12:18 Modi says he is looking at ways to improve his ties with media
In his first media outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I'm trying to find ways to improve my connection with the media."
Talking about the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan, Modi said that over the past one month he has seen a lot of columns on cleanliness, a lot is being discussed on social media as well. "I want to thank the media for support on Clean India campaign," he said.
Talking about the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan, Modi said that over the past one month he has seen a lot of columns on cleanliness, a lot is being discussed on social media as well. "I want to thank the media for support on Clean India campaign," he said.
12:12 I have had a close relationship with you: PM tells media
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his address to the media at the BJP headquarters. "This year, I have had a close relationship with the media."
He wished all journalists on the occasion of Diwali and Bhai Dooj.
The PM talks about his old ties with journalists.
He wished all journalists on the occasion of Diwali and Bhai Dooj.
The PM talks about his old ties with journalists.
12:06
BJP chief Amit Shah begins the interaction where he wished journalists a Happy Diwali.
12:04
Narendra Modi arrives at the BJP headquarters for his first formal interaction with the media since he took over as the prime minister.
The PM shares the stage with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP chief Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Modi to address top journalists invited for the meet, dubbed by the BJP as 'Deepawali Milan', shortly.
The PM shares the stage with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP chief Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Modi to address top journalists invited for the meet, dubbed by the BJP as 'Deepawali Milan', shortly.
11:53 Amit Shah, Rajnath arrive for PM's media outreach initiative
BJP President Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrive at the party headquarters for Deepawali Milan, the PM's first formal interaction with the media.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Prakash Javdekar and Piyush Goyal is also seen at the venue.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Prakash Javdekar and Piyush Goyal is also seen at the venue.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
11:47 EC likely to announce J&K, Jharkhand poll dates today
Just in: The Election Commission likely to announce the dates for Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand polls today.
11:44 Who will be Maharashtra's next CM?
Even as speculations continue on who will be Maharashtra's next chief minister, the two main contenders for the chair met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the RSS headquarters this morning on a scooter (sans a helmet).
Devendra Fadnavis also visited Bhagwat late last night.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the RSS headquarters this morning on a scooter (sans a helmet).
Devendra Fadnavis also visited Bhagwat late last night.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
11:29 J&K minister, who faced flak for floods, resigns
Ahead of announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress minister Sham Lal Sharma, who has been facing criticism over handling of recent floods, has tendered his resignation from the Omar Abdullah ministry.
Citing alleged sabotage of regularisation of daily wagers as a reason for tendering his resignation, Sharma, who is minister for public health engineering and flood control, met Jammu and Kashmir's Congress Chief Saif-ud-din Soz last night and handed over his resignation.
"I have submitted my resignation to the Prof Saifuddin Soz as the Chief Minister is out of station," Sharma told PTI today.
Citing alleged sabotage of regularisation of daily wagers as a reason for tendering his resignation, Sharma, who is minister for public health engineering and flood control, met Jammu and Kashmir's Congress Chief Saif-ud-din Soz last night and handed over his resignation.
"I have submitted my resignation to the Prof Saifuddin Soz as the Chief Minister is out of station," Sharma told PTI today.
11:07
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah to meet mediapersons at the BJP headquarters shortly.
10:52 Modi congartulates TV channels for showing dirty streets after Diwali celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday congratulated TV channels for showing dirty streets after Diwali celebrations, saying telecasting such visuals would create awareness among people about the importance of cleanliness.
The prime minister, who launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2, also congratulated the people who participated in the cleanliness drive after bursting fire crackers during Diwali.
"I saw several TV channels showing dirt left behind after crackers. I congratulate them for spreading awareness on importance of cleanliness," PM Modi wrote on micro-blogging website after news channels aired visuals of filthy condition on streets after Diwali celebrations.
The prime minister, who launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2, also congratulated the people who participated in the cleanliness drive after bursting fire crackers during Diwali.
"I saw several TV channels showing dirt left behind after crackers. I congratulate them for spreading awareness on importance of cleanliness," PM Modi wrote on micro-blogging website after news channels aired visuals of filthy condition on streets after Diwali celebrations.
10:23 Modi to meet journalists over tea today
NDTV reports: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host journalists over tea today in Delhi in what will be his first formal outreach to the media.
The 'Deepawali Milan', as the event is being called, will take place around 11 am at 9, Ashoka Road, adjoining the BJP headquarters.
Nearly 400 invites have been sent out for the event which will also see BJP President Amit Shah and senior party leaders in attendance.
The 'Deepawali Milan', as the event is being called, will take place around 11 am at 9, Ashoka Road, adjoining the BJP headquarters.
Nearly 400 invites have been sent out for the event which will also see BJP President Amit Shah and senior party leaders in attendance.
10:14 Flash floods hit Tamil Nadu
Two people have been killed in flash floods in Erode, Tamil Nadu. One person is feared trapped.
The incident happened when the men were crossing the bridge on a bike.
Heavy rains in the Sathyamangalam have increased the water flow.
More details are awaited.
The incident happened when the men were crossing the bridge on a bike.
Heavy rains in the Sathyamangalam have increased the water flow.
More details are awaited.
09:16 Student gunman among 2 killed in US school shooting
BBC reports: One person was shot dead and four students wounded in a school cafeteria by a student who then took his own life, police Washington have said.
The shooting occurred at Marysville Pilchuck High School near Seattle. The four students, including two cousins of the gunman, were shot in the head, with three severely wounded.
Officials said the gunman, identified by local media as Jaylen Fryberg, died at the scene.
The shooting occurred at Marysville Pilchuck High School near Seattle. The four students, including two cousins of the gunman, were shot in the head, with three severely wounded.
Officials said the gunman, identified by local media as Jaylen Fryberg, died at the scene.
09:13 NSA Ajit Doval to visit Burdwan
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will visit West Bengal's Burdwan town on Monday, where a blast had taken place on October 2 bringing to light the role of terror group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh.
Doval is expected to assess the progress in the probe into the incident, official sources said tonight. Ahead of his visit, Doval is expected to be briefed by NIA chief Sharad Kumar who visited Burdwan and Murshidabad in West Bengal yesterday.
Doval is expected to assess the progress in the probe into the incident, official sources said tonight. Ahead of his visit, Doval is expected to be briefed by NIA chief Sharad Kumar who visited Burdwan and Murshidabad in West Bengal yesterday.
09:11 Burdwan blast accused were preparing IEDs to transport to Bangladesh
The National Investigation Agency said the accused persons arrested in the Burdwan blast case and their associates were members of terror group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh, who were preparing IEDs for transporting them to that country for possible terror attacks.
In a statement issued last night, the NIA said it had completed initial phase of probe in the case pertaining to bomb blast in a house at Khagragarh village in Burdawan district of West Bengal which indicates the involvement of JMB cadre.
Two persons -- Shakil Ahmed and Suvon Mandal alias Subhan -- both allegedly residents of Bangladesh, were killed while manufacturing IEDs. One person Abdul Hakim alias Hassan was injured and arrested besides three others including two women.
"Investigation so far has revealed that the accused persons and their associates were the members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh, a terrorist organisation proscribed in Bangladesh and they were preparing IEDs which were being transported to Bangladesh," the NIA said in the statement.
In a statement issued last night, the NIA said it had completed initial phase of probe in the case pertaining to bomb blast in a house at Khagragarh village in Burdawan district of West Bengal which indicates the involvement of JMB cadre.
Two persons -- Shakil Ahmed and Suvon Mandal alias Subhan -- both allegedly residents of Bangladesh, were killed while manufacturing IEDs. One person Abdul Hakim alias Hassan was injured and arrested besides three others including two women.
"Investigation so far has revealed that the accused persons and their associates were the members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh, a terrorist organisation proscribed in Bangladesh and they were preparing IEDs which were being transported to Bangladesh," the NIA said in the statement.
09:08 Top headlines in the last 24 hours
Truce soon? Shiv Sena MPs to attend PM's high tea
'Cong won't be embarrassed if any ex-minister on black money list'
In a first, Australian doctors transplant dead heart
'Uddhav keen on coalition govt with BJP'
Major airports on high alert after threat of terror attack on flight
Yesterday's live commentary
Truce soon? Shiv Sena MPs to attend PM's high tea
'Cong won't be embarrassed if any ex-minister on black money list'
In a first, Australian doctors transplant dead heart
'Uddhav keen on coalition govt with BJP'
Major airports on high alert after threat of terror attack on flight
Yesterday's live commentary
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