SP-BSP announce alliance for 48 Maharashtra Lok Sabha seats

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March 19, 2019

The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party Tuesday announced they would contest all 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in alliance.

Announcing the alliance, SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi said the two parties together represent about “85-90 per cent” of the society and provided a third front for people let down by the BJP and Congress.

“Secularism is about to end in the country. Those who call themselves chowkidars can go to any length, and peddle lies, to cling on to power,” he alleged.

He claimed only the SP-BSP alliance was strong enough to stop the BJP from winning over 5-7 seats in Maharashtra.

Attacking the Congress, Azmi said the main opposition party had made Muslims, Dalits and the backward classes “helpless”, as there was no third alternative available for people.

“However, after our decision to contest all 48 seats, a third front will be available. We represent 85-90 per cent of society,” he claimed.

Azmi said discussions on the seat-sharing formula was yet to begin between the two parties and a committee had been formed to take it forward.

The formula would be announced in two to three days, he asserted.

He added that no other party had approached them as yet to be part of the alliance.

BSP MP Ashok Siddharth alleged the Congress’ policies for Muslims, Dalits and backward classes remained on paper and could not penetrate to the ground level, adding that the SP-BSP will ensure these policies reach the common man.

Siddharth said BSP chief Mayawati will address a public rally in Nagpur on April 5 and the party would also request SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to be part of it.

Cong won’t get majority, but will form govt at Centre: Chavan

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March 19, 2019

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said his party will not get a simple majority in the Lok Sabha polls, but a new government will be formed under its leadership at the Centre, dislodging the BJP-led NDA.

The former Maharashtra chief minister also said that the decision of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), led by Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, not to align with the opposition parties will eventually prove beneficial for the NDA.

The Congress and NCP had been wooing the VBA to join forces with them in Maharashtra.

However, the VBA, a social coalition of Dalits and Muslims jointly formed by Ambedkar and Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), recently decided to field its own candidates for the Lok Sabha polls.

“We are not going to get a clear majority. No party got 270 seats in 30 years (before 2014). Is (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi claiming so (that BJP will get majority) now?” Chavan asked.

“Some of their (the BJP’s) people are saying so…I won’t say how many seats the Congress will get, but the next government will be formed under the leadership of Congress. We are not claiming to get 270 seats, but the Congress-led government will be formed,” Chavan said during an interaction with BBC News Marathi.

He also claimed that the BJP would suffer in the “cow belt”, comprising mainly Hindi heartland states, and get 100 seats less vis–vis the 2014 polls.

Chavan said the opposition parties initially planned to form a grand alliance at the national-level, but later opted for state-level tie-ups to prevent the BJP from retaining power at the Centre.

The former Union minister also noted that not taking the VBA along will affect prospects of the Congress-led opposition in Maharashtra.

“It will definitely have a bearing on the Congress’ prospects. But why they are not coming together needs to be seen,” he said, adding that the BJP won the last general election due to division of votes among opposition parties.

Chavan claimed it was the BJP’s effort to see as many opposition parties field their candidates against its contenders to ensure division of votes.

“The VBA contesting separately will 100 per cent help the BJP (in the polls),” he added.

Chavan refrained from commenting on his party colleague Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil’s son Sujay Vikhe Patil joining the BJP, after the NCP refused to give the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat to the Congress under the alliance pact.

“There are several seats where we (the Congress) can win if we were to contest those. The NCP knows it well, so do we. But it is not happening due to certain reasons,” he said.

Chavan also claimed that the Congress could have won the Ahmednagar seat if it contested.

Liquor worth Rs 2.3 lakh seized in Osmanabad, 1 held

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March 19, 2019

Liquor worth Rs 2.30 lakh was seized from a house in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra by the excise department ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, an official said.

Acting on a tip-off, the excise sleuths raided a house in Shelgaon village on Monday and seized liquor of various brands collectively worth Rs 2.30 lakh from there, he said.

The house owner, Laxman Deorao Kondane, who allegedly brought the stock from neighbouring Goa, was arrested, the excise official said in a release.

Lok Sabha polls to 48 seats in Maharashtra will be held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

The election in Osmanabad Lok Sabha seat in Marathwada region of central Maharashtra will be held on April 18.

Boney Kapoor to remake ‘Badhaai Ho’ in South

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March 19, 2019

Producer Boney Kapoor has acquired the rights of 2018’s surprise hit “Badhaai Ho” and will be remaking the film in all the south Indian languages.

Directed by Amit Sharma, “Badhaai Ho” featured Surekha Sikri, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya Malhotra.

“I have acquired the rights to all the South languages. It’s a film that resonates with both the masses and classes so I was keen on on remaking it. The Hindi version has done extremely well in the heartland, in fact, across the country and I am confident the reception down South will be as overwhelming.

“I am yet to decide whether the Tamil or the Telugu version go on the floors first as it’s work in progress,” Kapoor said in a statement.

Produced by Junglee pictures and Chrome pictures, the film had a dream run at the box office earning over 200 crores worldwide.

Alia Bhatt to star opposite Salman Khan in Bhansali’s ‘Inshallah’

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March 19, 2019

Alia Bhatt is set to star as female lead opposite Salman Khan in filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next, which is titled, “Inshallah”, the makers announced Tuesday.

The film be co-produced by Khan and Bhansali’s production banners.

Bhansali is re-teaming with Khan after two decades as a lead in the film, which is described as a “love story”.

Salman took to Twitter to share the news.

“It’s been 20 years but I am glad Sanjay and I are finally back in his next film, ‘Inshallah’. Looking forward to work with Alia and inshallah we will all be blessed on this journey. #Inshallah #SLB @aliaa08 @bhansali_produc @SKFilmsOfficial,” the actor wrote.

It’s been 20 years but I am glad Sanjay and I are finally back in his next film, Inshallah. Looking forward to work with Alia and inshallah we will all be blessed on this journey.#Inshallah #SLB @aliaa08 @bhansali_produc @SKFilmsOfficial

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) 19 March 2019

Bhansali Productions also confirmed the announcement.

“Finally all speculations and wait end as 2019 brings together #SLB, @BeingSalmanKhan and @aliaa08 in his next film, #Inshallah. Wishing that this entire journey be filled with a lot of love and Inshallah, the team is blessed with hope and faith @SKFilmsOfficial @prerna982,” the tweet from their official handle read.

The film also marks Bhatt’s first collaboration with both Khan and Bhansali.

She said working with the actor-director duo is a dream come true for her.

“I was nine when I first walked into Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s office, all nervous and hoping and praying that I would be in his next film. It’s been a long wait.

“Dream with your eyes wide open they say and I did. Sanjay Sir and Salman Khan are magical together and I can’t wait to join them on this beautiful journey called ‘Inshallah’#SLB @BeingSalmanKhan @bhansali_produc @SKFilmsOfficial @prerna982,” Bhatt tweeted.

Dream with your eyes wide open they say & I did. Sanjay Sir and Salman Khan are magical together & I can’t wait to join them on this beautiful journey called “Inshallah” ❤#Inshallah #SLB @BeingSalmanKhan @bhansali_produc @SKFilmsOfficial @prerna982

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) 19 March 2019

The development came almost a month after Prerna Singh, CEO of Bhansali Productions, revealed Khan will star in Bhansali’s next venture.

The filmmaker made his directorial debut with 1996’s “Khamoshi – The Musical”, which starred Khan. The actor went on to feature in the director-producer’s classic “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” in 1999 opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.

Khan also made a cameo in Bhansali’s “Saawariya”, which launched Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor.

Tendulkar has some advice for son Arjun ahead of his T20 Mumbai debut

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March 19, 2019

Arjun Tendulkar already knows the pressures of having a famous surname but Sachin Tendulkar wants his budding cricketer son to find “reasons to wake up every morning and chase his dreams” irrespective of the circumstances.

Arjun, a left-arm fast bowler, played two U-19 Tests for India last year and has been followed closely since the time he made his Mumbai U-19 debut.

With the second edition of ‘T20 Mumbai’ set to be his first senior appearance, the legendary father knows very well that his son’s performance would be watched.

Asked if T20s are a good way to start at the senior level compared to the traditional days format, Tendulkar said it’s an opportunity that Arjun needs to grab.

“In sports, nothing is guaranteed so whatever opportunities you are provided, you need to go out there and give your best and make the most of it,” Tendulkar Senior, who has refrained from commenting on his son’s journey, said in an interview.

“This is one platform that I feel people will be following you, your performances and if you are doing well, you will be on top of the world,” he added.

However, if he doesn’t get success, there is always a tomorrow and Arjun can comeback stronger, feels Tendulkar.

“As long as he continues to be passionate about cricket and in love with the game, that’s what matters to me. There are going to be highs and lows and he should find reasons to wake up in the morning and chase his dreams. His dream is to play cricket and do something special,” Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar’s father, famous Marathi poet and Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, had a huge impact on the legendary batsman’s thought process. “My father once told me:’You know as long as you don’t find shortcuts and prepare yourself before any match, then results will follow’. I will ask him (Arjun) to do that. Don’t worry about anything else.

“Just go out there and do what you are good at. If he is a good team man and good human being above all, that will be much more important to me,” said the veteran of 200 Tests.

According to Tendulkar, T20 Mumbai will not only give youngsters a platform to knock on IPL doors but recognise all those unnamed club cricketers, who have remained dedicated to the sport without ever being in the spotlight.

But won’t the T20 lure drive away youngsters from the traditional Ranji Trophy? Tendulkar said that there are no short cuts to the top.

Wrestler Ritu Phogat dropped from TOPS

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March 19, 2019

Wrestler Ritu Phogat, youngest of the celebrated “Phogat Sisters”, was on Tuesday dropped from the government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) after she decided to shift her loyalty to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) decided to axe Ritu from the TOPS programme after the young wrestler made herself unavailable for 2020 Tokyo Olympics and decided to try her luck in MMA in Singapore.

“Wrestler Ritu Phogat who had earlier been inducted into the TOPS scheme, has been excluded from the scheme since she will not be participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, on account of her shifting to Singapore to train for Mixed Martial Arts,” the SAI said in a statement.

Ritu, who has a gold in Commonwealth Wrestling besides a bronze in Asian Championships, is the youngest sister of Geeta and Babita Phogat, on whom the Aamir Khan-starrer Bollywood movie ‘Dangal’ was made.

Among other decisions taken at a meeting, which was also attended by SAI Director General Neelam Kapur and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra among others, the SAI’s Mission Olympic Cell has selected five para-badminton players for inclusion in the TOPS for Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Manoj Sarkar and Pramod Bhagat (Men’s Singles-SL3), Sukant Kadam, Tarun and Suhas Yathiraj (Men’s Singles-SL4) are the five strongest men’s singles para shuttlers who have been identified for inclusion in TOPS.

Parul Parmar and Manasi Joshi are the two female para shuttlers who have been kept on the watchlist.

Six swimmers have also been selected in the developmental group for 2024 Olympics.

The swimmers selected in the development group are Srihari Nataraj (100m and 200m backstroke), Advait Page (800m and 1500m freestyle), Kushagra Rawat (400m and 800m freestyle), Aryan Nehra (1500m freestyle), Kenisha Gupta (50m and 100m freestyle), Aryan Makhija (800m and 1500m freestyle).

Sajan Prakash and Virdhawal Khade have been included in the watchlist and their performances will be reviewed at the World Championships to be held in September, 2019.

In addition, young swimmers Maana Patel, Neel Roy, Likhit SP, Khushi Dinesh and Lohith M, have also been included in the watchlist.

Among other decisions, the SAI also cleared financial proposals related to training, competition and equipment for the Indian athletes who are part of the TOPS scheme in five sports — wrestling, shooting, athletics, tennis and weightlifting.

Very challenging to bowl in IPL: Basil Thampi

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March 19, 2019

Young Kerala pacer Basil Thampi feels the IPL has given him the confidence to bowl at just about any batsman in the world as the tournament is more challenging for the bowlers.

The 25-year-old uncapped pacer will be turning up for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this year after two seasons with the now dissolved Gujarat Lions.

“It is very challenging to bowl in the IPL because it is a batsmen’s game and we all know that. We should have confidence to bowl, that is the key. So, in the last three years I got the confidence to bowl at everyone. Whenever I get the ball, I want to deliver my best,” Thampi told PTI in an interaction.

The IPL season 12 commences on March 23.

Thampi is part of an impressive bowling line-up that also includes experienced swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Siddharth Kaul and left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed.

“This coming season I want to do well. The most important thing is if I get a chance, I want to do well for the team. From the last experience, I learnt a lot for this team,” Thampi said.

The youngster said he will mostly stick to his stock delivery, which is the yorker.

“Because I have good yorkers, I guess, and I want to stick to it and, with that, some variations,” the right-arm medium pacer said.

According to Thampi, the most important thing which he learnt from the senior pacers was how to prepare his body.

Thampi said he shares a good rapport with his co-pacers.

“We know each other. Khaleel, Sandeep and Siddharth Kaul, we have played together in India A matches. We are (always) sharing our thoughts on and off the field,” he said.

Sunrisers will begin their IPL campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 24 at the Eden Gardens.

Mayawati gets facial daily, colours her hair at 60 to look young: BJP MLA attacks BSP chief

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March 19, 2019

Lucknow: Passing a misogynistic remark against the BSP supremo Mayawati, BJP MLA Surendra Narayan Singh on Tuesday said that the former chief minister is a hedonist who ‘takes facial everyday’ and ‘colours her hair” to look young.

“She takes facial every day. The person who herself takes facial daily is telling our leader that he is ‘shaukeen’. Wearing clothes is not being ‘shaukeen’. Colouring hair at the age of 60 to look young is ‘shaukeen’. Her hair have turned grey but she colours it black,” said Singh who represents the Rohaniya constituency of Uttar Pradesh.

The MLA’s comment came following Mayawati’s tweet in which she targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he lives a ‘royal’ life.

“The person who lives life in a royal manner, against the principle of simple living and high thinking, advertised himself as a ‘chaiwallah’ in the last Lok Sabha elections for the sake of the vote. Now he is declaring himself as chowkidar with pomp and show for votes in the elections. The country is really changing?” Mayawati tweeted earlier in the day.

‘MainBhiChowkidar’ campaign was launched on Saturday to further the narrative of the Prime Minister on graft. A day after the launch of the campaign, Prime Minister Modi and top BJP leaders such as Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan and JP Nadda added the prefix ‘chowkidar’ to their Twitter handles.

Prashant Kishor lashes out at Chandrababu Naidu for “Bihari

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March 19, 2019

Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor Tuesday lashed out at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for reportedly calling him a “Bihari dacoit”.

He charged the TDP chief with having displayed “prejudice and malice” against the eastern state fearing an “imminent defeat” at the hustings.

Kishor, who is also the national vice-president of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U), was reacting to a news report wherein Naidu had also blamed him for deletion of lakhs of voters in Andhra Pradesh besides giving “criminal advice” to his main rival the YSR Congress.

“An imminent defeat can rattle even the most seasoned politicians. So I am not surprised with the baseless utterances of @ncbn (Naidu’s twitter handle). Sirji, rather than using derogatory language that shows your prejudice and malice against Bihar, just focus on why the people of AP should vote for you again,” Kishor tweeted while sharing the link to the news item.

Assembly polls are being held in Andhra Pradesh alongside the parliamentary elections. Naidu had last year pulled out of the BJP-led NDA of which the JD(U) is a part.

Although now formally associated with the JD(U), Kishor is earlier known to have worked closely with many political figures cutting across ideological affiliations.

He achieved fame after having handled Narendra Modi’s election campaign in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, which was followed by his association with the Grand Alliance in Bihar, which saw arch-rivals Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad joining hands to inflict a crushing defeat on the NDA in the assembly polls next year.

He thereafter worked with the Congress during assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab which, achieved mixed results. In September last year, he was inducted into the JD(U) and elevated to the number two post within a few weeks, leading to speculations that he was being seen as a successor to Nitish Kumar.

The speculations were laid to rest when Kumar made it clear that his party was “not a monarchy” and hence there were no successors.

Kishor, nevertheless, has helped the party’s students wing to achieve unexpected victories in some university polls and is working on transforming the JD(U) into a platform for youths with an aptitude for politics.