Dehradun: Days after Rudraprayag Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Bharat Choudhary expressed his desire to vacate his seat for Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the latter said that he is grateful to Chaudhary for this move."I am grateful to Bharat Singh Chaudhary. He has expressed his desire, in front of the people. I will now keep this matter in front of the party's top leadership. The party high command will decide the future course of action," Dhami said to ANI.Dhami, who was appointed Chief Minister in July last year, lost his seat of Khatima in the Assembly polls -- in keeping with a long-running trend in Uttarakhand, and despite the BJP winning a majority with 47 out of 70 seats overall.Following this, it is expected that a BJP MLA will resign and vacate a seat for Dhami to contest in a by-poll and return to the Assembly.In March this year, CM Dhami who lost elections from the Khatima state Assembly seat was chosen to continue as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand by the central leadership.&nbsp;—ANI

Days after Rudraprayag Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Bharat Choudhary expressed his desire to vacate his seat for Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the latter said that he is grateful to Chaudhary for this move.

CM Dhami Thanks Rudraprayag BJP MLA For Expressing Desire To Vacate Seat For Him

Mumbai: Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday. Shiv Sena workers, who have strongly objected to the politician couple's plan, have been camping outside 'Matoshree' since Friday morning. Taking an aggressive stand, the party leaders and workers have said they will not let the couple go back without 'prasad' "if they dared to turn up"."Around 8.45 am, angry Shiv Sena supporters broke through the barricades placed at a distance of around 50 meters from the apartment where the Ranas own a flat in suburban Khar. They tried to enter the apartment premises. Shiv Sena supporters raised slogans in support of Thackeray and dared the couple to step out of the residence," the police official said.However, the police personnel deployed at the spot brought the situation under control and dissuaded the party workers from indulging in anything that would create a law and order problem, he said.On Friday, Mumbai police had served a notice to Amaravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband, Badnera MLA Ravi Rana, asking them not to disturb the law and order situation in the city.Navneet Rana has been provided Y category security by the central government. Ravi Rana had earlier told reporters in Mumbai that he had demanded the chief minister read Hanuman Chalisa on Hanuman Jayanti "to rid Maharashtra of crises and attain peace for the state," but Thackeray had "refused" to do so.The city police have stepped up security outside 'Matoshree'. Barricades have been placed on the road leading to the Thackeray residence to avoid crowding, the official said."In order to maintain law and order situation, the police have increased security and deployed large number of personnel outside 'Matoshree'," the official said.Early this morning, senior police officers, including zonal DCP Manjunath Singe, visited the place and took stock of security deployment, he said.Besides 'Matoshree', the police have also increased security at 'Varsha', the official residence of CM Thackeray in south Mumbai.A Shiv Sena supporter camping outside 'Matoshree' said, "We have accepted the challenge of the Rana couple. Let them come, we are ready to welcome them and give them 'prasad'."Talking to reporters, Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai said, "'Matoshree' is a temple for Shiv Sainiks. Hindutva is in Shiv Sena's blood, nobody should teach us Hindutva. People are aware of the work done during the pandemic by CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government."—PTI&nbsp;

 Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.  However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday

Hanuman Chalisa Row:  Sena Protest Against MP Rana

 Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.

However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday


 

New Delhi: In an expected volte-face, the agitating independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana on Saturday abruptly called off their agitation to march to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private home in Bandra.MLA Rana claimed that the agitation was being withdrawn in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai tomorrow (Sunday) to avoid any law-and-order situation from cropping up.The duo claimed that they were not under any kind of pressure or scared by the Maha Vikas Aghadi or the Shiv Sena, but were dropping their plans in honour of the PM's trip to Mumbai."This was not an agitation. We just wanted to go to the CM's home and recite Hanuman Chalisa with full faith to remind him of the forgotten ideals of the late Shiv Sena founder the late Balasaheb Thackeray. We were stopped from going there, we were gheraoed, our Amravati home was attacked. But now we have withdrawn our plans," Rana added.He darkly warned that for 'insulting' Hanuman Chalisa, the people of the state and the divine forces will teach the 'egoistic' Thackeray an appropriate lesson at the appropriate time.—IANS

 In an expected volte-face, the agitating independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana on Saturday abruptly called off their agitation to march to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private home in Bandra.  MLA Rana claimed that the agitation was being withdrawn in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai tomorrow (Sunday) to avoid any law-and-order situation from cropping up.

In View Of Modi Visit, Rana Couple Drops Agitation Plan At CM's Home

 In an expected volte-face, the agitating independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana on Saturday abruptly called off their agitation to march to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private home in Bandra.

MLA Rana claimed that the agitation was being withdrawn in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai tomorrow (Sunday) to avoid any law-and-order situation from cropping up.




Nainital: The Nainital High Court has asked the four newly-elected MLAs, including state cabinet minister Premchand Aggarwal, to file their replies on the petitions seeking cancellation of their election.The court has also ordered the defeated candidates from Rishikesh, Manglaur, and Lohaghat to file their answers.A single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari has asked MLA from Rishikesh and cabinet minister in the state government Premchand Aggarwal to file a reply within six weeks in the matter of distributing money from the discretionary fund to the people through demand draft during elections. The next hearing of this case will be on May 25.&nbsp;—ANI

 The Nainital High Court has asked the four newly-elected MLAs, including state cabinet minister Premchand Aggarwal, to file their replies on the petitions seeking cancellation of their election. The court has also ordered the defeated candidates from Rishikesh, Manglaur, and Lohaghat to file their answers.

Nainital HC Seeks 4 Uttarakhand MLAs' Replies On Petitions Seeking Cancellation Of Their Election

The Nainital High Court has asked the four newly-elected MLAs, including state cabinet minister Premchand Aggarwal, to file their replies on the petitions seeking cancellation of their election.
The court has also ordered the defeated candidates from Rishikesh, Manglaur, and Lohaghat to file their answers.

Mumbai : Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi on Monday said they will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise the issue of their alleged ill-treatment by Maharashtra authorities when the couple was in jail recently.Talking to reporters, Navneet Rana said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, “who back-stabbed the BJP”, should not talk and teach the Ranas about principles.The Ranas also dismissed the allegation that they committed contempt of court by speaking to the media.On May 4, a special court here while granting bail to the couple said the duo shall not commit a similar offence while on bail, and not address the press on any subject related to the case.The couple was arrested on April 23 by the Mumbai police after they announced that they would recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' outside Chief Minister Thackeray's private residence 'Matoshree' here, which had angered workers of the Shiv Sena, Thackeray's party, leading to tension.They walked out of jail on May 5 following which Navneet Rana was admitted to a private hospital here. Her lawyer had then said she had complaints of high blood pressure, body-ache and spondylitis.She was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.“We are going to Delhi today and meet all the leaders who respect women. I am going to meet the prime minister, (Union) home minister and Lok Sabha Speaker and tell them how we were ill-treated from a lockup to jail. I am going to complain about it," said Navneet Rana, who was flanked by her husband.Describing Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut as a “parrot”, Navneet Rana alleged that he had talked about "burying the couple".“We had filed a complaint against it here, but no action was taken. So, I am going to Delhi to raise the issue,” she said.The Ranas also categorically denied having committed any contempt of court by speaking to the press.“We did not talk about the offence, how it was registered against us, reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa' and Matoshree. We spoke about how I was ill-treated from the lockup to jail and how my health issues were avoided (ignored),” she said.The Lok Sabha member from Amravati wondered would be the fate of common people if a public representative like her could be treated “in such a manner” in Maharashtra.“So, it was important for me to speak up and the Constitution has given me the right as a public representative. Nobody should snatch my rights from me,” she said.She said CM Thackeray should learn how to run the state from his predecessor and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.“Devendra Fadnavis ji also ran the government for five years, but he was not this shrewd. Thackeray should learn from Devendra sahab how to run Maharashtra (government) and with what sentiments,” she said.She further said that Thackeray, “who back-stabbed the BJP”, should not talk and teach the Ranas about principles.Ravi Rana, the MLA from Badnera in Amravati, also hit out at CM Thackeray over the Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation issuing a notice to the housing society where they live in suburban Khar here following a complaint of illegal construction."Thackeray should inspect our flat online since he worked only through the online platform for the past two-and-half years," he quipped.“You (the CM) can send Raut and (another Shiv Sena leader and state minister) Anil Parab, your right and left (hands), who are sitting idle. You can send them to take the measurements (of the house) if there is any problem. We will welcome them,” the MLA said.To a question, Ravi Rana said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar should take information on how the couple was allegedly ill-treated when they were in the lockup and jail.“We were treated worse than a criminal,” he alleged, while responding to Pawar's reported remark that the duo was served tea when taken to Khar police station before their arrest—PTI

Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi on Monday said they will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise the issue of their alleged ill-treatment by Maharashtra authorities when the couple was in jail recently.

Will approach PM against our "Ill-Treatment": Maharashtra MP-MLA couple

Mumbai: Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi on Monday said they will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise the issue of their alleged ill-treatment by Maharashtra authorities when the couple was in jail recently.Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Navneet Rana said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, ”who back-stabbed the Bharatiya Janata Party”, should not talk and teach the Ranas about principles.The Ranas also dismissed the allegation that they committed contempt of court by speaking to the media.On May 4, a special court in Mumbai, while granting bail to the couple, said the duo shall not commit a similar offence while on bail, and not address the press on any subject related to the case.The couple was arrested on April 23 by the Mumbai police after they announced that they would recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Thackeray's private residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai, which had angered workers of the Shiv Sena, Thackeray's party, leading to tension.They walked out of jail on May 5 following which Navneet Rana was admitted to a private hospital in the city. Her lawyer had then said she had complaints of high blood pressure, body-ache and spondylitis.She was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.”We are going to Delhi today and meet all the leaders who respect women. I am going to meet the prime minister, (Union) home minister and Lok Sabha Speaker and tell them how we were ill-treated from lockup to jail. I am going to complain about it," said Navneet Rana, who was accompanied by her husband.Describing Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut as a ”parrot”, Navneet Rana alleged that he had talked about "burying the couple".”We had filed a complaint against it here, but no action was taken. So, I am going to Delhi to raise the issue,” she said.The Ranas also categorically denied having committed any contempt of court by speaking to the press.”We did not talk about the offence, how it was registered against us, reciting Hanuman Chalisa and Matoshree. We spoke about how I was ill-treated from the lockup to jail and how my health issues were avoided (ignored),” she said.The Lok Sabha member from Amravati wondered would be the fate of common people if a public representative like her could be treated ”in such a manner” in Maharashtra.”So, it was important for me to speak up and the Constitution has given me the right as a public representative. Nobody should snatch my rights from me,” she said.She said CM Thackeray should learn how to run the state from his predecessor and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.”Devendra Fadnavis&nbsp;ji&nbsp;also ran the government for five years, but he was not this shrewd. Thackeray should learn from Devendra sahab how to run Maharashtra (government) and with what sentiments,” she said.She further said that Thackeray, ”who back-stabbed the BJP”, should not talk and teach the Ranas about principles.Ravi Rana, the MLA from Badnera in Amravati, also hit out at CM Thackeray over the Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation issuing a notice to the housing society where they live in suburban Khar following a complaint of illegal construction."Thackeray should inspect our flat online since he worked only through the online platform for the past two-and-half years," he quipped.”You (the CM) can send Raut and (Shiv Sena leader and state minister) Anil Parab, your right and left (hands), who are sitting idle. You can send them to take the measurements (of the house) if there is any problem. We will welcome them,” the MLA said.To a question, Ravi Rana said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar should seek information on how the couple was allegedly ill-treated when they were in the lockup and jail.”We were treated worse than a criminal,” he alleged, while responding to Pawar's reported remark that the duo was served tea when taken to Khar police station before their arrest.—PTI

Will brief Modi, Shah on how we were ill-treated in Maharashtra

Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi on Monday said they will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise the issue of their alleged ill-treatment by Maharashtra authorities when the couple was in jail recently.



Mumbai: Shiv Sena MLA from Mumbai, Ramesh Latke, died of a cardiac arrest in Dubai, a party functionary said on Thursday He was 52."Latke died late night on Wednesday in Dubai, where he had gone with his family on a vacation," the functionary said.Latke was a two.-time Sena legislator from Andheri East assembly constituency in Mumbai city. Prior to his becoming an MLA, Latke was also a corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).His mortal remains are likely to be brought back to Mumbai on Thursday."We have informed Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other senior party leaders about initiating the procedure to bring back his body. We hope that the mortal remains would be brought back on Thursday," the Sena functionary added.Expressing grief over Latke's death, party spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi remembered him for his work during the pandemic and his connect with the people from his constituency.'Saddened and shocked to hear about the passing of Shri Ramesh Latke&nbsp;ji. His constant energy, his dedicated work during Covid and his connect with theconstituency was immense. He will be missed&amp; he has gone too soon. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,' she tweeted.Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane said in a tweet, 'Shocked to hear the news of Shiv sena MLA Ramesh Latke's sudden demise! I Remember meeting him on a flight to kokan for angnewadi jatra just few months back. I praised him for losing so much weight because of dieting.. He was a friend beyond party lines. Unbelievable!!'The Shiv Sena currently shares power in Maharashtra with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress—PTI

Shiv Sena MLA from Mumbai, Ramesh Latke, died of a cardiac arrest in Dubai, a party functionary said on Thursday He was 52."Latke died late night on Wednesday in Dubai, where he had gone with his family on a vacation," the functionary said.

Sena MLA from Mumbai dies in Dubai during holiday

Tripura: In a surprise move, Bharatiya Janata Party made Rajya Sabha MP Manik Saha the new chief minister of Tripura, succeeding Biplab Kumar Deb who resigned earlier on Saturday.Saha, the BJP's state president, was elected the legislature party leader at a meeting at the chief minister's official residence soon after a crestfallen Deb tendered his resignation to Governor SN Arya.As Deb proposed the 69-year-old Saha's name in the meeting, minister Ram Prasad Paul protested, which led to a scuffle among MLAs. Paul also broke a few chairs before the situation was calmed, sources said.Paul wanted deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma, a member of the erstwhile Tripura royal family, as the next chief minister of the state, they said.Senior BJP leaders Bhupender Yadav and Vinod Tawde were observers for the election of the legislature party leader."I was a common worker of the party and will continue to be so," Saha told reporters after being named the next chief minister.Deb, 50, resigned a day after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda in New Delhi."Party is above all. I am a loyal worker of the BJP. I hope I have done justice to the responsibilities that were given to me -- whether it was as BJP state president or as Tripura chief minister. I have worked for the overall development of Tripura, and to ensure peace for the people of the state," Deb said after resigning."The 2023 election is coming, and the party wants a responsible organiser to take charge of the affairs here. Because, a government can only be formed if the organisation is strong," he said, explaining the party's decision to give him organisational responsibilities.Deb was appointed the chief minister after the BJP stormed to power in 2018, ending 25 years of Left Front rule in the Northeastern state.—PTI

In a surprise move, Bharatiya Janata Party made Rajya Sabha MP Manik Saha the new chief minister of Tripura, succeeding Biplab Kumar Deb who resigned earlier on Saturday.

Manik Saha named new Tripura CM; MLA breaks chairs in protest

Agartala:&nbsp;Altogether eleven MLAs - nine from the BJP and two from the IPFT - will take oath as cabinet ministers of Tripura on Monday.All the ministers of the Biplab Kumar Deb cabinet, barring Mevar Kumar Jamatia of IPFT, have been given a place in the new cabinet, an official said.Governor SN Arya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the cabinet ministers at a programme in Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha, former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb and other dignitaries.Jishnu Dev Varma, NC Debbarma (IPFT), Ratan Lal Nath, Pranajit Singha Roy, Manoj Kanti Deb, Santana Chakma, Ram Prasad Paul, Bhagaban Das, Sushanta Chowdhury, Rampada Jamatia and Prem Kumar Reang (IPFT) will take oath as the cabinet ministers of the state tomorrow," said the new CM in a letter to the governor on Sunday night.Saha was sworn in as the chief minister of Tripura during on Sunday.Former chief minister Biplab Deb, whose sudden resignation a day earlier got Saha the top job, was present at the ceremony along with BJP MLAs and state ministers.Rampada Jamatia, a veteran tribal leader of the BJP, was included in the list of cabinet ministers.IPFT MLA Prem Kumar Reang has also been inducted into the new cabinet.—PTI

Altogether eleven MLAs - nine from the BJP and two from the IPFT - will take oath as cabinet ministers of Tripura on Monday.

Tripura: Eleven MLAs to take oath as ministers

Gandhinagar: At least 12 labourers were killed when a wall collapsed at a salt packaging factory in Gujarat's Morbi district on Wednesday, officials said. The incident took place at Sagar Salt factory situated inside the Halvad industrial area, said state Labour and Employment Minister and local MLA Brijesh Merja. "At least 12 workers have died due to the wall collapse. Efforts to rescue others who might have been trapped under the debris are still on," Merja said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased. "The tragedy in Morbi caused by a wall collapse is heart-rending. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the affected," Modi tweeted. The PMO also informed on Twitter that a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each, it added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to Twitter to express grief over the tragedy. He spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over phone about the ongoing rescue work, he said.Chief minister Patel announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the victims and gave instructions to the district administration about the rescue and relief work, said a statement by his office.—PTI

At least 12 labourers were killed when a wall collapsed at a salt packaging factory in Gujarat's Morbi district on Wednesday, officials said.

12 workers dead in wall collapse at factory in Guj

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an anti-money-laundering investigation into an alleged pornographic films case in which businessman Raj Kundra and others were arrested by the Mumbai Police crime branch in 2021, officials said on Thursday.The federal agency has filed a complaint under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after studying at least two police first information reports (FIRs) and subsequent charge sheets before a court.Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, and his associate Ryan Thorpe were arrested and later granted bail in the case. A few others were arrested too.Kundra,46, was arrested by the Mumbai police crime branch last year after being booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The businessman had told a local Mumbai court last year that there was not even an iota of evidence with the prosecution that would connect the app 'Hotshots', used in the alleged porn films racket, with an offence under the law. According to the probe agency, the 'Hotshots' app was being used by the accused for uploading and streaming obscene content. Kundra had claimed there was no evidence of him being 'actively' involved in the creation of alleged questionable porn content.He had said he was falsely implicated and was not even named in the FIR and was dragged by the respondent (police) in the case. The businessman claimed in the plea that he is being made a 'scapegoat' for reasons best known to investigators. The police had filed FIRs on the basis of complaints received from two women. During the investigation it came to light that some small-time artistes were lured by giving them breaks in some web series or short stories, police had said.These actors were called for auditions and were asked to give 'bold' scenes, which later turned out to be semi-nude or nude scenes, that were against the wishes of the actors, the official had said.During the police investigation, it also came to light that there were many porn-like apps (applications) that were operating in cyberspace. The police had told the court that its probe found that Kundra allegedly set up Armsprime Media Pvt Ltd, which, through London-based Kenrin Pvt Ltd, bought the Hot Shots app to upload 'objectionable videos' on social media. Kundra's phone contained WhatsApp chats regarding Kenrin and its economic transactions. These conversations also revealed that he had allegedly discussed selling 119 adult films to a person for $1.2 million, police had said.—PTI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an anti-money-laundering investigation into an alleged pornographic films case in which businessman Raj Kundra and others were arrested by the Mumbai Police crime branch in 2021, officials said on Thursday.

ED begins probe against Raj Kundra in porn films case

Lucknow:&nbsp;Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav on Sunday skipped the party MLAs meeting called by party Chief Akhilesh Yadav ahead of the assembly session. Khan, who was recently released from Sitapur Jail, is in Rampur and could not attend the meeting due to health reasons, SP leaders said. Besides Khan, his son Abdullah Azam and Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL) chief, who is SP MLA from Jaswant Nagar (Etawah), also did not turn up for the meeting at SP headquarter here. "Both Azam Khan and his son Abdullah will be attending the session tomorrow. Azam will sit on left of Akhilesh Yadav and will raise issues regarding the BJP government," SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra said, adding that Khan could not attend the meeting due to health reasons.He said Khan will first take oath and then attend the assembly session on Monday. About absence of Shivpal Yadav, Mehrotra said, "Though he won on the SP election symbol (bicycle), he is head of a party. Earlier also he had not attended a meeting." At the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav gave tips to the party legislators and asked them to raise issues of public interest.—PTI

Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav on Sunday skipped the party MLAs meeting called by party Chief Akhilesh Yadav ahead of the assembly session.

Azam Khan, Shivpal skip SP MLAs meet

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh police registered a murder case against ruling YSR Congress MLC Ananta Satya Uday Bhaskar, for allegedly being involved in his former driver's death, but the victim's wife demanded that a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation be ordered to render her justice. Over the last two days, Dalit organisations and the opposition Telugu Desam Party put in sustained pressure calling for the police to arrest the ruling party legislator. The victim's wife Aparna alleged that the police tried to silence her. "I was beaten up by women police to give a statement that my husband died in an accident. They also offered me inducements but I did not budge," Aparna, who is pregnant, said. Expressing doubts over the Kakinada police, she demanded that a CBI investigation be ordered into the case to render justice, even as she asserted that the MLC was responsible for the murder of her husband.Kakinada superintendent of police M Ravindranath Babu did not respond to calls for any clarification. Kakinada sub-divisional police officer V Bhima Rao said he was "busy in a meeting" and did not give any details about the case. After midnight on Thursday, the MLC brought the body of his former driver V Subrahmanyam in his car and handed it over to the victim's family, claiming it was a case of accidental death. The legislator fled the scene when the driver's family members raised a protest and demanded an explanation. The Sarpavaram police initially booked only a case of suspicious death under Section 174 of CrPC, though the victim's family members alleged it was a clear case of murder and pointed fingers at the MLC. The deceased, V Subrahmanyam, had worked as the MLC's car driver for the past five years. On Thursday night, Bhaskar came to Subrahmanyam's residence and took him away. Later, around 2 am he returned to Subrahmanyam's house with the latter's body and handed it over to the family. The legislator claimed the driver died in a road accident but when the family members protested, he fled the scene leaving the car behind. The Sarpavaram police confirmed that there was no trace of any road accident at the spot (Nagamalli Thota Junction) as the MLC had claimed. The victim's kin allowed a post-mortem to be done only after midnight on Saturday when the police finally agreed to add murder charges. Accordingly, a case under Section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code and also under various provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered against Uday Bhaskar alias Babu. State director general of police KV Rajendranath Reddy said they would conduct a thorough investigation into the case once the post-mortem report was submitted. Meanwhile, former MP G V Harsha Kumar alleged that every effort was being made to save the MLC as he was a "benami" of several YSRC top leaders. "The high court should take suo motu cognisance of the case and conduct a detailed inquiry and bring the culprits to book," Harsha Kumar said. TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to the driver's wife over phone and assured her that his party would stand by her and ensure justice. He wondered why the police so far did not arrest the ruling party legislator."The police actions are giving rise to a lot of suspicions. The MLC has to be arrested forthwith,” the former chief minister demanded.—PTI

The Andhra Pradesh police registered a murder case against ruling YSR Congress MLC Ananta Satya Uday Bhaskar, for allegedly being involved in his former driver's death, but the victim's wife demanded that a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation be ordered to render her justice.

YSRC MLA booked for ex-driver's murder, victim's wife demands CBI probe

Shimla: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow in Shimla and address a rally on May 31 to mark the eighth anniversary of his government, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Himachal Pradesh said on Friday. State BJP general secretary Trilok Jamwal said the prime minister's roadshow will cover the half-a-kilometre distance from CTO to Rani Jhansi Park. After the roadshow, Modi will address a rally at the historic Ridge Maidan to mark the eighth anniversary of his government at the Centre, said Jamwal who is also the political advisor of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The prime minister will also interact virtually with the beneficiaries of 17 government schemes from across the country, he added.After reviewing the preparations for Modi's rally, Jamwal said, "It is a matter of pride for Himachal Pradesh that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen Shimla for the rally on the occasion of completion of eight years of his government at the Centre."Himachal Pradesh is the second home of our prime minister and he is always excited to visit the state, he added.The BJP leader said, "We are monitoring the traffic movement of Shimla... We will soon discuss and share the traffic plan."The preparation for the prime minister's roadshow was also reviewed by Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi, SP Monica Bhutunguru, MC Commissioner Ashish Kohli and public relations director Harbans Brascon.Modi is also scheduled to visit Dharamshala in June where he will address chief secretaries of various states.The assembly election in Himachal Pradesh are scheduled to be held later this year.Modi last visited Himachal Pradesh on December 27 to address a rally at the Paddal ground in Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur's home district Mandi to mark the fourth anniversary of the BJP government in the state.—PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow in Shimla and address a rally on May 31 to mark the eighth anniversary of his government, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Himachal Pradesh said on Friday.

Modi to hold roadshow in Shimla to mark 8th anniversary of NDA-2

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that the Local Area Development Fund for Uttar Pradesh MLAs will be increased to Rs 5 crore from Rs 3 crore.Adityanath"s announcement in the state assembly was met with the thumping of desks by MLAs of both ruling and opposition parties.The MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) Fund is used by legislators to undertake development work in their constituencies.Leader of Opposition Akhilesh Yadav said all the members wanted the MLALAD Fund to be increased and the Leader of the House accepted it. He expressed his gratitude to everyone.During the previous tenure of the Adityanath-led BJP government (2017-2022), the MLALAD Fund was increased from Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore in February 2020.In 2019, the fund was increased from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore.On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly was adjourned sine die after passing the state budget.&nbsp;—PTI&nbsp;

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that the Local Area Development Fund for Uttar Pradesh MLAs will be increased to Rs 5 crore from Rs 3 crore.Adityanath"s announcement in the state assembly was met with the thumping of desks by MLAs of both ruling and opposition parties

UP MLAs' Local Area Development Fund Hiked To Rs 5 Cr

Lucknow: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will contest the Azamgarh parliamentary constituency bye-election and has picked former MLA Shah Alam alias Guddu Jamali as its candidate.Meanwhile, the party has decided to stay away from contesting the Rampur parliamentary constituency bye-election. "Bahujan Samaj Party has decided to contest the Azamgarh with full strength. But, BSP will not contest the bypoll on the Rampur seat because we need to make the party stronger in the seat. The party will certainly contest there in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Mayawati said in a statement issued by the party.By fielding Jamali, BSP eying more Muslim votes. Seats fell vacant in Azamgarh and Rampur after Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan resigned as MPs from the seats after winning in the 2022 Assembly elections. Akhilesh was elected as an MLA from the Karhal assembly seat while Azam was elected from the Rampur Sadar constituency. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party had contested the polls in alliance with the BSP and Azam had won from Rampur. The two Lok Sabha seats would go to poll on June 23.&nbsp;—ANI

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will contest the Azamgarh parliamentary constituency bye-election and has picked former MLA Shah Alam alias Guddu Jamali as its candidate.

BSP Not To Contest Rampur Bypolls, Fields Guddu Jamali For Azamgarh

Patna: A BJP MLA sustained critical injuries after his Innova car rammed into a bus in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district on Wednesday, police said. The BJP MLA Mithilesh Kumar, including his two bodyguards and two other persons have also been reportedly injured in the accident as the BJP MLA was returning from Katihar after attending a state BJP executive committee meeting, the police added.All the four persons have been admitted in Ram Sheela hospital at Sakri Bazar block and Sadar hospital in Madhubani, respectively. The condition of the injured BJP MLA is stable now but he sustained a fracture in one hand, said the Madhubani Civil Surgeon. Two bodyguards Wakil Ram and Jay Prakash sustained serious injuries and were taken to Sadar hospital after which the doctors referred them to Patna Medical College Hospital in Patna. The MLA’s driver Mohamad Asadullah and personal assistant Mohamad Ramjani were also injured in this accident.As the car reached Nawada Mod under Sakri police station in Madhubani district on a four lane NH-57, the MLA’s driver lost control over the vehicle and crossed the divider and ended up colliding with a bus on other side of the road.After the accident, a large number of supporters of Mithilesh Kumar along with Bihar Panchayati Raj Minister Samrat Choudhary, BJP MLA Sanjay Saraogi and BJP MLC Arjun Sahani also visited the hospital in Madhubani’s Sakri Bazar. The victim is currently admitted in the ICU.—IANS

A BJP MLA sustained critical injuries after his Innova car rammed into a bus in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district on Wednesday, police said.

BJP MLA, 4 Others Injured In Road Mishap In Bihar’s Sitamarhi

Jaipur: Around 40 Rajasthan Congress MLAs and some Independents left for a hotel in Udaipur as the party tries to keep its flock together before the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections. The MLAs boarded a luxury bus from the chief minister's residence in the Civil Lines and left for Udaipur around 5 pm, party sources said.The bus was escorted by a police team.The legislators and other leaders, who attended a state Congress workshop at a hotel in Jaipur, were called at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence for lunch.After the lunch, the MLAs left for Udaipur in the bus, the sources added. The party has decided to shift the MLAs to Udaipur fearing poaching by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which apart from fielding one official candidate is backing media baron Subhash Chandra, who has filed nomination as an Independent.The Congress has fielded Mukul Wasnik, Pramod Tiwari and Randeep Singh Surjewala for the elections.This is not the first time when the ruling Congress in the state has shifted its legislators to a hotel.The Congress decision reminds of two instances in 2020 when the party shifted its MLAs to a hotel ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls and during a political crisis triggered by the rebellion of party leader Sachin Pilot and 18 MLAs close to him.The fresh move came after media baron Subhash Chandra, who is backed by the BJP, filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.Chandra is currently a member of the Upper House of Parliament from Haryana and his term is going to expire on August 1.The filing of papers by him as an Independent candidate had prompted Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to allege that the BJP wants to indulge in horse trading.Gehlot made the statement as the ruling Congress with its 108 MLAs in the state Assembly is set to win two of the four seats.After winning two seats, the Congress will have 26 surplus votes, 15 short of the required 41 to win the third seat, which makes the support of Independent MLAs crucial.On the other hand, the BJP has 71 MLAs in the state Assembly and set to win one seat, after which it will be left with 30 surplus votes.Gehlot and the Congress candidates on Tuesday held a meeting with 10 of 13 independent MLAs in Rajasthan.Earlier on Wednesday, BJP leader Rajendra Rathore targeted CM Gehlot, saying the Congress leader himself is an expert in "elephant trading", referring to the election symbol of the Bahujan Samaj Party, whose six MLAs had defected to the Congress in 2019.The Bahujan Samaj Party also wrote to Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Assembly Speaker C P Joshi demanding that the six party MLAs who had defected to the Congress be barred from voting in the Rajya Sabha polls.State BSP president Bhagwan Singh Baba in the letter said a case under the Anti-Defection Law is going on against the MLAs in the Supreme Court.Reacting to this, state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra had said the six MLAs had merged with the Congress and now they are party legislators.—PTI

Around 40 Rajasthan Congress MLAs and some Independents left for a hotel in Udaipur as the party tries to keep its flock together before the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections.

Rajasthan Cong shifts MLAs to hotel ahead of RS polls

Around 40 Rajasthan Congress MLAs and some Independents left for a hotel in Udaipur as the party tries to keep its flock together before the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections.



Chandigrah: Wary of the possibility of cross-voting during the polling for two Rajya Sabha seats, the Congress is likely to take its Haryana MLAs to the party-ruled Chhattisgarh to protect them from poaching.The Congress summoned all its 31 Haryana legislators to Delhi for a meeting on Thursday and they are likely to be taken to Chhattisgarh, said party sources.The party legislators arrived at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda in Delhi Thursday. However, Adampur legislator Kuldeep Bishnoi did not reach the national capital, the sources said. With the entry of a third candidate -- Kartikeya Sharma -- as an Independent, the main opposition party in Haryana does not want to leave anything to chance in order to secure one Rajya Sabha seat. Congress party leader Ajay Maken has filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha seat from Haryana.BJP candidate Krishan Lal Panwar is all set to be elected as Rajya Sabha member from Haryana.Kartikeya Sharma, the son of former Congress leader Venod Sharma, owns a media firm.BJP ally Jannayak Janta Party has already said that its 10 MLAs will support Sharma. The JJP had also expressed hope that Sharma would be able to get the necessary support for his victory.The Rajya Sabha poll is also being linked to the prestige of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda as it will be his first challenge after the party appointed his loyalist Udai Bhan as the state unit chief in place of Kumari Selja.Though the Congress is confident that its candidate Ajay Maken will not face any problem in his victory, party sources said that cross-voting on polling day could not be ruled out.For the first seat, the BJP candidate the needs support of 31 candidates and for the second seat, the candidate needs 30 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Congress has 31 MLAs, which is enough for ensuring victory to its candidate.But as Kuldeep Bishnoi has been sulking over not being considered for a party post during the revamp of state unit, it is going to be a task for the party to keep the flock together. Bishnnoi could not be contacted.In the 90-member Haryana assembly, the BJP has 40 MLAs while the Congress has 31. The JJP, which is an ally of the BJP, has 10 legislators while the Indian National Lok Dal and Haryana Lokhit Party one each. There seven Independents.Two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana will fall vacant in August with the terms of media baron Subhash Chandra, who was elected as an independent with the BJP's support, and BJP leader Dushyant Gautam expiring.Polling for two Rajya Sabha seats will be held on June 10.—PTI

Wary of the possibility of cross-voting during the polling for two Rajya Sabha seats, the Congress is likely to take its Haryana MLAs to the party-ruled Chhattisgarh to protect them from poaching.

Congress's Haryana MLAs bundled out to Chhattisgarh over cross-voting fears

Wary of the possibility of cross-voting during the polling for two Rajya Sabha seats, the Congress is likely to take its Haryana MLAs to the party-ruled Chhattisgarh to protect them from poaching.



Mumbai: Ahead of the June 10 Rajya Sabha polls, the Shiv Sena has decided to call its MLAs to Mumbai and lodge them in a hotel to avoid any chances of poaching, a party source said on Friday evening.Seven candidates are in the fray for six Upper House seats from Maharashtra that will go to polls.Friday was the last day for withdrawing nomination, but no candidate has retreated, making the contest imminent. This (calling MLAs before the polls) is a normal practice, Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai said, without elaborating. The BJP has fielded three candidates - Union minister Piyush Goyal, Anil Bonde and Dhananjay Mahadik. The NCP has renominated Praful Patel. The Sena has fielded Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Pawar. Congress has given candidature to Imran Pratapgarhi.—PTI

Ahead of the June 10 Rajya Sabha polls, the Shiv Sena has decided to call its MLAs to Mumbai and lodge them in a hotel to avoid any chances of poaching, a party source said on Friday evening.

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Pushkar Raj Kapoor

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CM Dhami Thanks Rudraprayag BJP MLA For Expressing Desire To Vacate Seat For Him

Pushkar Raj Kapoor

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