LIVE: BJP meeting underway in Bihar as political uncertainty continues

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Leaders of the BJP in Bihar gathered here on Saturday to discuss the political situation in the state, amid indications that former ally, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was planning yet another volte face. We have come here to deliberate on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The current situation in Bihar will also be taken up for discussion, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary told reporters ahead of the party meeting at its Veerchand Patel Marg office. The meeting is also being attended by the party's MPs. The BJP has the largest number of 17 MPs in Bihar, where the total number of Lok Sabha members is 40. The JD(U), headed by Kumar, has 16 while another NDA ally LJP, now split up between the uncle-nephew duo of Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, has six. Earlier, the party's state in-charge Vinod Tawde had slammed the Congress for driving Kumar, the JD(U) president, towards a break up with the INDIA coalition of which he was widely regarded as the architect. Party leaders have so far refrained from making categorical statements about extending support to Kumar, who is expected to resign as the chief minister before returning to the NDA.

India has registered a single-day rise of 159 new Covid-19 infections and the count of active cases of the disease stands at 1,623 in the country, the Union health ministry said on Saturday.One fatality due to the infection was reported in Kerala in a span of 24 hours, according to the data updated by the ministry at 8 am.The number of daily cases of Covid-19 in the country had dropped to double-digits by December 5, but it began to climb after the emergence of a new variant and the cold weather conditions.

The BJP will begin its preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Telangana with Union Homer Minister Amit Shah holding meetings with key leaders in the state in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Mahbubnagar on Sunday. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed that the BJP has offered Rs 25 crore each to seven of its MLAs in Delhi to quit the party while also threatening to topple the Kejriwal government. Responding to the allegation, the Delhi BJP rubbished it and challenged AAP to name the MLAs and the people who contacted them with the offer.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange announced to call off his protest over the reservation issue, saying the Maharashtra government has accepted all the demands. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Jarange garlanded a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Navi Mumbai.

Reaffirming their commitment towards strengthened cooperation between India and France, PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron said that the India-France Strategic Partnership can help build prosperity and resilience in their economies. Furthermore the partnership can push advance their countries' security, and create a more sustainable and healthier future for the planet. During President Macron's visit, India and France also talked about setting up a defence industrial agreement. Under this arrangement, Tata Group and French aircraft maker Airbus sigend an agreement. 

9:03 PM

Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2030: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "... We aim to take the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2030, the indicators in this direction are very positive after the implementation of the new education policy...Looking at all this, we can say that in the coming days, our education system is moving towards what Prime Minister Modi has talked about, women's leadership development."

9:02 PM

TN CM Stalin to embark on an 8-day visit to Spain

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin says, "I am going for an 8-day visit to Spain. Large numbers of MoUs have been signed already at the Global Investor Conference which was held recently in Chennai. I am going to participate in the investor's conference in Spain. I will have direct meetings with the major companies in Spain to invest in Tamil Nadu."

7:49 PM

Crew extinguish fire on tanker hit by Houthi missile off Yemen after US targets rebels in airstrike

The crew aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker hit by a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels extinguished an hourslong fire onboard the stricken vessel Saturday sparked by the strike, authorities said.

 

The attack on the Marlin Luanda further complicated the Red Sea crisis caused by the Iranian-backed rebels' attacks over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The tanker carried Russian-produced naphtha, a flammable oil, drawing Moscow further into a conflict that so far it had blamed on the US.

 

Early Saturday, US forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed at the Red Sea and prepared to launch, the US military's Central Command said. That attack came after the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, had to shoot down a Houthi missile targeting it.

7:48 PM

TMC very much part of opposition bloc INDIA at national level: TMC leader

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday asserted that its leader, Mamata Banerjee, has never indicated a departure from the opposition bloc INDIA at the national level, despite recent announcements of the party's decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal alone.

 

On the ongoing speculation surrounding TMC's stance within the opposition front, spokesperson Kunal Ghosh emphasised that Banerjee only advocated the party's solo participation in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal owing to "unreasonable demands" from the Congress.

 

"Mamata Banerjee has never said that we are not part of the opposition bloc in India. The name 'INDIA' for the opposition front was coined by our party supremo herself. We have only stated our intention to contest alone in Bengal due to unjustified demands from the Congress and utterances of its state president Adhir Chowdhury," Ghosh stated.

7:48 PM

Padma awardees are 'jewels in rags': Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday described the Padma awardees as "jewels in rags" whose talent has been recognised by the government.

 

He also said that meritocracy has replaced autocracy and nepotism in the country, adding the youngsters today have more opportunities to achieve their goals.

 

Interacting with distinguished artists who participated in the Republic Day here, he referred to the recently-announced Padma awards.Jagdeep Dhankhar

 

Dhankhar said the people, who have been selected for these awards had never expected to receive it.

 

"But they were discovered, their talent was recognised and everyone appreciated it," he said while referring to them as "Gudri ke Lal" (jewels in rags).

6:38 PM

You are architect of developed India: PM Modi to youth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted a host of measures taken by his government to assert that it has empowered the youth and women and that a developed India will fulfil their dreams.

 

"You are the architect of a developed India," he told youngsters at the annual NCC-PM rally here.

 

Women were earlier confined to cultural programmes but his government has opened up various sectors, including all the three services, to them and they are making a mark everywhere, he said, noting that the Republic Day parade this year was dedicated to them.

 

The number of women in central security forces has doubled in the last 10 years, Prime Minister Modi said and added that states are also being encouraged to follow a similar path.

 

A digital revolution has been taking place and it benefits the creativity of the youth the most, he said.

6:16 PM

25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav to begin from Feb 1 with over 150 plays

The 25th edition of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) will witness over 150 performances, along with workshops, discussions and master classes across 15 Indian cities, starting from February 1, the National School of Drama announced here on Saturday.

 

Touted to be the "world's largest theatre festival", 'Bharangam' will offer theatre-goers and cultural enthusiasts a rich tapestry of Indian and global theatre traditions.

 

This year's theatre festival will commence from Mumbai's National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) with the opening play "Humare Ram", featuring actor and NSD alumnus Ashutosh Rana.

 

"Over the past quarter-century, this festival has served as a guiding light, illuminating the rich tapestry of global theatre traditions. The upcoming edition promises to be a grand celebration, showcasing not only the extraordinary creativity within the theatrical realm but also emphasising the beauty of collaboration," NSD director Chittaranjan Tripathy said.

6:14 PM

Maratha quota: OBCs need not fear, says Fadnavis; corrects Bhujbal over Kunbi certificates

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said OBCs need not have any apprehension about the state government's notification in connection with activist Manoj Jarange's Maratha quota stir and also schooled his cabinet colleague Chhagan Bhujbal on issuance of Kunbi certificates.

 

Jarange called of his fast earlier in the day after the state government said it had accepted all his demands, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announcing that till Marathas get reservation, the community will be given benefits enjoyed by Other Backward Classes.

 

The Shinde government also issued a notification to recognise as Kunbis all blood relatives of the Maratha community whose Kunbi caste records have been found.

 

Kunbis, an agrarian community, are part of the OBC segment in the state.

6:13 PM

Airstrike kills 3 Palestinians in southern Gaza as Israel presses on with its war against Hamas

Two women and a man were killed early on Saturday in what witnesses said was an Israeli airstrike on a home in the southernmost part of Gaza, as Israel pursued its military offensive against the Palestinian enclave.

 

The strike came less than a day after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. As part of its binding ruling, the top United Nations court asked Israel for a compliance report in a month, meaning the military's conduct will be under increasing scrutiny.

6:01 PM

Election Commission collaborates with Rajkumar Hirani for short film on voter awareness

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has collaborated with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani for a short film to spread awareness about voting.

 

Titled "My Vote My Duty", the short is compiled from video messages by cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar as well as actors Rajkummar Rao, Amitabh Bachchan, R Madhavan, Raveena Tandon, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi, Bhumi Pednekar and Mona Singh.

 

Hirani, who most recently directed Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Dunki", has produced the short film, which was shared by the ECI on its official handle on microblogging site X on National Voters' Day on Thursday. It is directed by Sanjiv Kishinchandani.

5:44 PM

Nitish to resign by Sunday morning: Source

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who heads the Mahagathbandhan' government, is likely to tender his resignation by Sunday morning, a source close to the CM said on Saturday.

 

Talking to PTI, the source, who requested anonymity, said though the possibility of resignation by late Saturday evening could not be ruled out, "it would definitely take place by Sunday morning".

 

He also said prior to putting in his papers, Kumar, the JD(U) president, will hold a customary meeting of the legislature party.

 

The source said government offices like the secretariat have been asked to remain open on Sunday "in view of hectic activity expected during the day", which may see a new government with the BJP's support.

 

Meanwhile, at a party meeting, state BJP leaders stopped short of making a formal announcement of support to the JD(U) chief in the event of his pulling out of the Mahagathbandhan'.

 

Requesting anonymity, BJP sources said instructions have been received from the top leadership to put on hold "any formal announcement" till Kumar, who had dumped the NDA less than three years ago, resigns.

4:56 PM

BJP meeting underway in Bihar as political uncertainty continues

Leaders of the BJP in Bihar gathered here on Saturday to discuss the political situation in the state, amid indications that former ally, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was planning yet another volte face.

 

We have come here to deliberate on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The current situation in Bihar will also be taken up for discussion, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary told reporters ahead of the party meeting at its Veerchand Patel Marg office.

 

The meeting is also being attended by the party's MPs. The BJP has the largest number of 17 MPs in Bihar, where the total number of Lok Sabha members is 40. The JD(U), headed by Kumar, has 16 while another NDA ally LJP, now split up between the uncle-nephew duo of Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, has six.

 

Earlier, the party's state in-charge Vinod Tawde had slammed the Congress for driving Kumar, the JD(U) president, towards a break up with the INDIA coalition of which he was widely regarded as the architect.

 

Party leaders have so far refrained from making categorical statements about extending support to Kumar, who is expected to resign as the chief minister before returning to the NDA.

4:55 PM

Film industry often held responsible for 'changing morals' of country: Amitabh Bachchan

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Saturday said that the film industry is often held responsible for change in nation's morality, arguing instead that society has always served as an inspiration for cinema.

 

During his address to the students at the Symbiosis Film Festival here, the 81-year-old screen icon spoke about the criticism the film industry receives as well as the advantages and disadvantages of technological advancement in cinema.

 

He attended the inauguration ceremony of the festival, organised by Symbiosis International, along with wife Jaya Bachchan.

 

"Many times the film industry comes under a lot of criticism and all kinds of accusations that you are responsible for changing the morals of the country and changing the attitude of the people.

 

"I'm sure that you know Jaya, who has studied formally at the Institute (FTII), would endorse the fact that stories and films are made from experiences that we noticed in nature, in the world, in everyday life, and that is what becomes our inspiration, the actor said.

4:52 PM

Indian Diaspora celebrates 75th Republic Day in Texas with pride

Showcasing cultural diversity and pride, dressed in their best vibrant ethnic outfits, Indian Americans on Friday celebrated India's achievements and aspirations at the 75th Republic Day here at various events.

 

Despite heavy rains, they flaunted their heritage and commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous India with their enthusiasm and patriotic fervour.

 

Consul General of India, D C Manjunath, at a Facebook live event Friday morning, unfurled the national flag and addressed the community to convey the speech of Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

 

In another well-attended event at the India House early noon, he unfurled the Indian flag amongst a huge gathering of Indian Americans and interacted with them.

4:52 PM

Fire in wagon factory stockyard

A fire broke out in a wagon plant stockyard in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Saturday afternoon, fire brigade officials said.

 

There is no reports of any casualty.

 

The blaze broke out in an open space where a pile of items such as wheels were kept inside the factory premises at Titagarh.

 

Three fire tenders have reached the spot.

 

Titagarh police have also arrived at the spot.