LIVE! RLSP chief Kushwaha meets Rahul after exiting NDA

12:58  RLSP chief Kushwaha meets Rahul after exiting NDA :  
RLSP president Upendra Kushwaha has quits both from the party and as union minister today, just a day ahead of the start of the Winter Session of Parliament. This has triggered a realignment of political equations in Bihar. Kushwaha met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and is likely to attend the opposition gathbandhan meeting in New Delhi today.

The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief has been targeting the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the ruling party, for weeks.  He has been upset with the BJP after it asserted that the RLSP would not be given more than two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, even as it went out of way to accommodate Kumar by agreeing that the saffron party and the JD(U)  would fight equal number of seats. 

The RLSP may join hands with the opposition, which includes Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Congress. Bihar sends 40 MPs to Lok Sabha. — PTI

12:40  Separatists-backed strike hits normal life in Kashmir:  Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Monday because of a strike called by separatists to highlight the alleged human rights violations in the Valley. Most shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, in support of the strike which is being observed on Human Rights Day.

While public transport was hit, private cars and auto-rickshaws were plying in a few areas of the city. Similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the Valley.

Officials said there were no restrictions imposed but security forces were deployed in sensitive areas across the Valley to avoid any law and order problem. Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership, have called the strike, asking people to observe it as a “black day”. — PTI

12:26  Former Jamia VC Mushirul Hasan dies after prolonged illness:  Noted historian and former Jamia Millia Islamia vice chancellor Mushirul Hasan passed away early Monday after prolonged illness at a private hospital in New Delhi, the university said.

Hasan, who was admitted to the hospital last night, breathed his last at 4 am. He was nearing 70.

 “He met with a road accident about two years ago and was mostly bed-ridden after that. He was also undergoing dialysis for kidney problems,” former secretary to Jamia Vice chancellor, Zafar Nawaz Hashmi, told PTI. He added, “Some health complications emerged and he was taken to hospital post midnight. He passed away there this morning.” — PTI

11:58   I’m totally fine: Shahid Kapoor debunks reports of stomach cancer:  Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor Monday quashed reports claiming that he is suffering from stomach cancer. The 37-year-old actor took to Twitter to give a health updated to his followers.

“Guys I’m totally fine please don’t believe random stuff,” Shahid tweeted. Reports stating that Shahid was suffering from stomach cancer started doing the rounds on the web last week. On the work front, the actor was last seen in the “Batti Gul Meter Chalu”.

The film, which also starred Shraddha Kapoor, did not perform well at the box-office. Shahid is currently busy shooting for the Hindi remake of “Arjun Reddy”, titled “Kabir Singh”. The film is being helmed by Sandeep Vanga, who also directed the original 2017 Telugu blockbuster. “Kabir Singh” will hit the screens on June 21, 2019. PTI

11:53  HC seeks Centre’s reply on PIL seeking entry of women into Nizamuddin shrine:  The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre, the AAP government and police on a PIL seeking entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in New Delhi.

Apart from the Centre, the Delhi government and police, a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao also issued notice to the trust managing the ‘dargah’ (shrine) and sought their stand on the plea by April 11, 2019.

The court was hearing a plea by three women law students, who have claimed that the dargah here does not permit entry of women into the shrine.

The petition, filed though advocate Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, has claimed that there is a notice put up outside the ‘dargah’ — a shrine built over the grave of a religious figure — clearly stating in English and Hindi that women are not allowed inside.

The law students, in their petition, have contended that they made several representations to authorities, including the Delhi Police, but no response was received and therefore, they moved the high court. The plea has sought directions to the Centre, the Delhi government, police and the trust managing the shrine, to frame guidelines for ensuring entry of women into the dargah and declare the bar on entry of women as “unconstitutional”.
— PTI

11:29  Vanakam, Mr Pawar:  DMK President MK Stalin and party MP Kanimozhi met NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Delhi today and held discussions over multiple issues. The DMK President also invited him for the inauguration ceremony of the statue of M Karunanidhi in Chennai.

11:28  Meet and greet :  Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI leader D Raja arrive for the all party meeting called by the Central govt ahead of winter session of Parliament.

11:27  Who will be at Naidu’s meeting? :  Opposition leaders expected at the meeting called by Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, all of whom he has met, include: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal over the last few weeks.

Opposition leaders like West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief (TMC) Mamata Banerjee, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, DMK’s MK Stalin, Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and others are likely to attend the meeting.

11:23  As the Opposition parties are all set to hold a crucial meeting on the eve of Parliament’s Winter Session and counting of votes for Assembly elections in five states, the BJP has claimed to remain unaffected.

The BJP has maintained confidence by saying that despite the Opposition meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is again going to retain the post with a clear majority in the upcoming 2019 General Elections.

Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, “No matter how much the Opposition unites and makes Mahagathbandhan but the fact will remain intact that in 2019, Narendra Modiji is going to retain the post of Prime Minister again with a clear majority. The BJP will regain power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan with their own strength.”

Echoing the sentiments, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that it would be great if the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) also announces their Prime Minister candidate for the 2019 General Elections.

He said, “It’s good that they are trying hard for Mahagathbandhan. It will be better if they decide that who will be the next Prime Minister from this grand alliance.”

Today’s meeting in Delhi has been called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, aimed at bringing all Opposition parties under a single umbrella to take on the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Chandrababu Naidu has recently ended his decades-long rivalry with the Congress.

Ahead of the decisive meeting of the Opposition parties with an aim to build an anti-BJP front, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Tamil Nadu leader of Opposition, MK Stalin, yesterday met and wished United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on her 72nd birthday. Stalin also discussed a range of issues including poll strategies for 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Mekadatu project of Congress-JD(S)-ruled Karnataka government, which is drawing flak from Tamil Nadu.

Last month, the farmers’ protest in the national capital brought Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the same stage for the very first time. — ANI

Image: PM Narendra Modi/File pic

10:55  AgustaWestland case: Michel to be produced before Delhi court today :  Extradited alleged middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, Christian Michel, will be produced before a Delhi Court on Monday after the end of his five-day CBI custody.

Michel was sent to five days CBI custody on December 5. He arrived in the national capital in the wee hours of the same day after being extradited from Dubai, was produced before a special CBI court here.Special Public Prosecutor Advocate DP Singh appeared for the CBI in the special court.

The CBI counsel had asked for 14 days custody of Michel stating that they needed his custody to confront him with some important documents. Michel’s counsel Aljo K Joseph, however, opposed it.Michel had moved a bail plea. The court, however, kept it pending.

The Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VIP helicopter deal, finalised during the previous government of Manmohan Singh, had got mired in allegations of kickbacks.

The 54-year-old Michel is an accused in the case along with some others including former Air Chief SP Tyagi.

According to the Enforcement Directorate chargesheet filed in a court in New Delhi two years back, Michel had received kickbacks to the tune of 30 million Euros from AgustaWestland for the deal involving a purchase of 12 VIP helicopters. The deal, signed in 2007, was scrapped in 2013 following the bribery allegations. — ANI

10:42  Rupee falls 59 paise to 71.40 against US dollar in early trade:  The rupee depreciated 59 paise to 71.40 against the US dollar in early trade Monday at the interbank foreign exchange amid strengthening US dollar against some currencies overseas. Forex traders said besides increased demand of the US currency from importers, the dollar’s strength against some currencies overseas weighed on the rupee.

The rupee opened lower at 71.28 against the dollar and dropped further to 71.41, 59 paise down over its previous close. On Friday, the domestic currency recuperated by 8 paise to close at 70.82 against the US dollar.

Traders said a lower opening in domestic equity market, rising crude prices and foreign fund outflows put additional pressure on the local unit. The 30-share BSE Sensex plummeted 551.74 points, or 1.55 per cent, to 35,121.51 in opening session. — PTI

10:36  Taj ticket increased by Rs 200:  Those wanting to see the main mausoleum at the Taj Mahal will need to buy an additional ticket of Rs 200 from Monday. Vasant Swarnakar, Archaeological Survey of India’s chief archaeologist in Agra, said domestic visitors will have to pay Rs 250 and foreign visitors Rs 1,300 to see the main mausoleum at the 17th-century monument.

The visitors from SAARC countries will have to pay Rs 740 instead of Rs 540. The new ticketing system will help reduce the human load on the main structure.

Visitors who buy the Rs 50 ticket would not be allowed to enter the main mausoleum, but would be able to move around the Taj and see the rear side, the Yamuna river front at the back.

The Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest specimen of the Mughal architecture. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.” — PTI

10:33  United they stand? Key oppn meet today :  A day before the results of the polls in the five states are declared, the opposition will be holding a meeting to discuss a grand alliance for next year’s general elections.

The meeting, to be held in Delhi, has been called by Chandrababu Naidu, who has taken on the task of bringing the disparate opposition parties under a single umbrella to take on the BJP in 2019.

Mayawati, who has a large following among the Scheduled Castes — especially in Uttar Pradesh — is likely to give the meeting a miss, NDTV reported.  Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, an absentee in all such gatherings, has however, agreed to attend, sources said.

Both parties have been unhappy with the Congress — Mayawati after seat-sharing talks for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh failed and the Aam Aadmi Party after the Congress failed to respond to its feelers for a tie-up for 2019.

Talks of a broad opposition alliance have been on since the oath ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy in May. With the new chief minister of Karnataka inviting all leaders, the occasion had doubled up as the first unofficial meet for Grand Alliance. The huge reverses of the BJP in a string of by-elections in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in March had given weight to the idea.

Meanwhile, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, who may quit the NDA told ANI that he will not participate in the meeting of NDA allies, which is also scheduled today.

09:45  RLSP chief Kushwaha may quit NDA today:  

RLSP president Upendra Kushwaha may quit the BJP-led NDA Monday,  a day ahead of the start of the Winter Session and triggering a realignment of political equations in Bihar.

  

The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief has been targeting the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the ruling party, for weeks. 

He has been upset with the BJP after it asserted that the RLSP would not be given more than two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, even as it went out of way to accommodate Kumar by agreeing that the saffron party and the JD-U  would fight equal number of seats. 

“Kushwaha is likely to announce his parting of ways with the BJP today. He will also quit as a Union minister,” a senior RLSP leader said. 

The RLSP may join hands with the opposition, which includes Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Congress.

Bihar sends 40 MPs to Lok Sabha. 

— PTI

09:28  Mamata a lady of great courage, can lead anti-BJP coalition: Yashwant Sinha:  

Praising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Union Finance Minister Yashant Sinha said she has all the qualities to be the face of a coalition that can be formed at the Centre if the incumbent Narendra Modi-led dispensation is defeated in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

“She has all the qualities to be the face of that coalition,” Sinha told mediapersons in Kolkata on the sidelines of a talk show “Idea of Bengal”, organised by Banerjee`s Trinamool Congress.

Sinha, who held important portfolios including Finance and External Affairs in the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee — the first Prime Minister to complete a full term as the head of a coalition — said such governments can run well if the Prime Minister has the ability to carry all coalition partners.

“I have experience of coalition government. I think it can run beautifully if the Prime Minister has the personality to carry all the coalition partners,” he said.

Sinha also lauded Banerjee for her courage and said she has a big role to play in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

“She is a lady of great courage, and that reflects all the time in her actions. We have just talked about electing a new government when Lok Sabha elections take place. My view is that the Chief Minister of West Bengal has a very major role to play in achieving that,” he said.

08:47  Macron to break silence, address French nation amid protests:  

Pressure mounted on French President Emmanuel Macron to announce concrete measures to calm protests marked by violence when he addresses the nation on Monday evening, and breaks a long silence widely seen as aggravating a crisis that has shaken the government and the whole country.

 

The president will consult in the morning with an array of national and local officials as he tries to get a handle on the ballooning and radicalising protest movement triggered by anger at his policies, and a growing sense that they favour the rich.

Macron will speak from the presidential Elysee Palace at 8 pm (1900 GMT), an Elysee official said. The official wasn’t authorised to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said earlier on LCI TV station he was “sure (Macron) will know how to find the path to the hearts of the French, speak to their hearts.”

But, he added, a “magic wand” won’t solve all the problems of the protesters, known as “yellow vests” for the fluorescent safety vests they often wear.

Last week, Macron withdrew a fuel tax hike the issue that kicked off protests in mid-November in an effort to appease the protesters, but the move was seen as too little too late.

For many protesters, Macron himself, widely seen as arrogant and disconnected from rank-and-file French, has become the problem. Calls for him to resign were rampant on Saturday, the fourth weekend of large-scale protests.

08:31  Will Vijay Mallya be extradited to India? London court may deliver verdict today:  

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore, is scheduled to return to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday when his extradition trial is listed for a judgment hand-down.

The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.

He has contested his extradition on the grounds that the case against him is “politically motivated” and the loans he has been accused of defrauding on were sought to keep his now-defunct airline afloat.

“I did not borrow a single rupee. The borrower was Kingfisher Airlines. Money was lost due to a genuine and sad business failure. Being held as guarantor is not fraud,” he said in his recent tweet.

“I have offered to repay 100 per cent of the principal amount to them. Please take it,” the flamboyant businessman tweeted earlier.

While dismissing that his intervention has anything to do with the extradition case, it came just days before Judge Emma Arbuthnot was expected to present her ruling in the case.

The trial, which opened at the Magistrates’ Court on December 4 last year, has gone through a series of hearings beyond the initial seven days earmarked for it.

If the judgment goes ahead as scheduled on Monday, it would mark a significant point in this high-profile extradition trial that has lasted over a year.

07:56  India’s growth ‘very solid’: IMF Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld:  

India’s growth has been “very solid” over the past four years, IMF’s Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld said, praising the fundamental economic reforms like the GST and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code carried out by the government.

Obstfeld — who is set to retire this month-end — will be succeeded by Gita Gopinath, the second Indian to be appointed to the position. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had served as Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund.

“India under the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carried out some really fundamental reforms. These include the Goods and Services Tax, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code…A lot of what they have done on financial inclusion has been really important,” Obstfeld told a group of journalists here. 

Summing up his impression of India’s economy in the last four-and-a-half years of the Modi government, the top IMF economist said the country’s “growth performance has been very solid”.

“I mean, not so much in the third quarter of this year, but generally it has been quite solid,” he said.

“There are important vulnerabilities, so it is important for the reform momentum to be maintained even as an election comes up and for the path of fiscal adjustment to be maintained,” Obstfeld added. 

He said one risk that has become much more evident in the last few years has been non-bank finance, usually called shadow banking. 

“There is a big challenge of stricter, oversight,” the economist said.

Noting that there has long been a legacy of corporate debt associated with bad infrastructure projects in India, Obstfeld said it has been very concentrated in banking system. 

“But as the government is trying to better oversee the banking system, these loans have migrated to shadow banking and that is an area where more needs to be done to contain financial pressures, which we are beginning to see in India,” he said.

However, with an upcoming election in the country, there is a reluctance to do anything that would slow the economy, Obstfeld said, observing, “But the lesson of experiences is that financial vulnerabilities can go south very quickly”. 

— PTI