Politics

Indications of a tumultuous beginning of the session emerged at the all-party meetings convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu with the Opposition accusing the government of "setting the agenda for...

Counting of votes for Gujarat municipality poll results will be conducted on February 23.

"A situation has come in the country where attempts are being made to suppress all voices of dissent," he added.

"Centre's new IPC- it's not a crime to murder, rape or beat anyone if u r from BJP. Being opposed to BJP n RSS is biggest crime now (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.

"Dalits have always been looking upto the Congress and we are committed to changing their pitiable condition in Uttar Pradesh," he assured the gathering.

Victory processions, including celebratory firing, have been banned to avoid any untoward incident even as prohibitory orders were in place for peaceful counting of votes.

There are no big surprises from the states except Uttar Pradesh, which will elect a new Assembly in 2017.

Amit Shah demanded apology from Rahul Gandhi for his stand on the JNU issue.

Manmohan Singh had said there is a crisis of confidence in the government and Modi must give "every Indian" the confidence that he cares for people's well-being.

This comes after Delhi police registered a case of sedition in connection with an event at JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The CM was asked to comment on some media reports suggesting that the state government was mulling issuing beef licences or special permits to foreigners. "There is neither such thing in pipeline, nor has anyone said so," he added.

The Congress vice president's remarks came when his reaction was sought over Modi pinning the blame on the Gandhi family for Parliament not functioning and the charge that they are taking revenge for defeat in LS polls.

For Congress, the Maihar bypoll, slated for February 13, is a prestige issue as it won the seat in 2013 despite BJP getting over two-thirds majority in the state Assembly.

Sushma Swaraj condemned the incident and expressed "pain" over the assault after Tanzanian authorities raised the matter with the Indian government.