BackPolitical updates: Modi rides high on GDP numbers, takes a dig at economists
In other news, seeking to check the use of black money, the Election Commission has proposed putting a cap on expenditure by candidates in certain legislative council polls
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New Delhi: Mint brings to you your daily dose of political news reported by newsrooms across the country.
Will BJP, Shiv Sena strike a deal in Maharashtra?
Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to maintain a studied silence over its stand on the mayoral election in Mumbai, efforts are underway to strike a deal with the Shiv Sena, and set at rest uncertainty about the future of the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra. Read more.
Monsoon faces fresh El Nino threat
Once again the Indian monsoon is under the shadow of the weather phenomenon known as El Nino. There is a 50% chance of El Nino occurring later this year, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) said. Consequently, once again Indian agriculture, which suffered two back-to-back droughts (2014-15, 2015-16), will be beset by uncertainty.
The good news though is that this time El Nino is expected to kick in only by September, by which time the summer monsoon is in its final leg. And, normally, it also means excessive rains during the north-east monsoon, which commences in winter. Read more.
Hard work more powerful than Harvard, says Narendra Modi
“Hard work is more powerful than Harvard," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an election rally in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, in an apparent dig at economists who have criticized the government’s demonetisation move. Read more.
Manipur elections: Will Ibobi Singh get a fourth term as CM?
When it comes to chief ministers that have served multiple terms, several names spring to mind, beginning with, of course, Jyoti Basu, who served as West Bengal CM from 1977 to 2000. In the current round of assembly elections, there is another long-serving CM seeking people’s mandate yet again—Manipur’s three-time CM Okram Ibobi Singh.
In power since 2002, Singh is among the rare Manipur CMs who have managed to complete a full term. Read more.
EC proposes cap on expenditure by candidates in legislative council polls
Seeking to check the use of black money, the Election Commission (EC) has proposed putting a cap on expenditure by candidates in certain legislative council polls. However, the government has said political parties and the seven states with legislative councils should be consulted before amending laws to put in place a ceiling on expenditure. Read more.
Liquor policy could be reversed in Kerala
With just a month left for announcing the new liquor policy, the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM is thinking of allowing bars in tourist destinations. This reversal in alcohol policy could lead to reopening of some 4-star bars, Deccan Chronicle reported. Read more.
Schools in Kashmir Valley reopen after eight months
Schools reopened in the Kashmir Valley after about eight months on Wednesday, which included the period of unrest last summer triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Despite rainfall, which brought down the temperature, students made their way to schools to resume the learning process which was severely affected during the last academic session. Read more.
Tamil Nadu shops boycott soft drinks of PepsiCo, Coca-Cola
Coke and Pepsi disappeared from most shop shelves in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, as traders in the state began a boycott of the multinational cola giants. An apex body of traders associations in January called for a boycott of soft drinks made by PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd and Coca-Cola India, but some shops have also stopped selling other products made by the two companies. Read more.
Mumbai Congress continues to bleed over BMC debacle
In an indication that faction fights continue to bleed the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) after the party’s worst-ever civic poll performance in the city, senior leader Gurudas Kamat has demanded an open discussion of the party’s campaign strategy. Read more.
From Jain hawala diary to Kalikho Pul’s suicide note, bribery tales come full circle
Barely a month after the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking a probe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top politicians of the country, there comes the news of another diary—this time from Karnataka—allegedly filled with details of kickbacks to Congress leaders. And like other infamous diary cases, this, too, began with an income tax raid last year. Read more: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/iVyQfvjDswks9ViGJm4BqJ/From-Jain-hawala-diary-to-Kalikho-Puls-suicide-note-briber.html
Delhi HC rejects Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking Arun Jaitley’s financial records
The Delhi high court on Wednesday rejected Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition that sought details of bank accounts and financial records of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley. Kejriwal is defending a civil defamation suit that Jaitley filed against him. Read more.
West Bengal BJP unit continues support for Roopa Ganguly
Pressured by the BJP central leadership, which doesn’t want the opposition to rake up the “Bengal unit’s hand in child trafficking“ in the midst of Uttar Pradesh elections, West Bengal party president Dilip Ghosh compromised on his stubborn “innocent-till-proven-guilty“ stand, The Times of India reported. Read more.
Soumonty Kanungo in Kolkata and Nidheesh MK in Bengaluru contributed to the wrap.
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