Cong is best to lead alliance against BJP: Tejashwi

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January 20, 2019

The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said that the Congress is India’s oldest and currently the second-biggest political party which has a pan-India presence and is in a very strong position as well as best equipped to lead the opposition’s charge against the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and that the grand old party should handle its leadership role with large-heartedness and accommodate regional parties. Yadav also hailed that the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh and emphasised that his courtesy call meetings with Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati post the tie-up should not be construed as a pressure tactic aimed at the Congress.

I don’t find anything wrong if the Congress plays a pivotal role in forming the alliance or taking the leadership role of the alliance into the elections, but having said that, they have to accept that each state has different ground realities. The Congress, being the party with national acceptance and maximum footprint in the opposition, is “undoubtedly best equipped” to lead the opposition’s charge against the Bharatiya Janata Party or the National Democratic Alliance. However, the Congress will have to handle their leadership role with large-heartedness and play a proactive role by accommodating regional parties with their agenda, the former Bihar deputy chief minister asserted.

In states where Congress doesn’t have a robust base, it must allow regional outfits to occupy the frontal-attack position against the BJP. The concentration is on winnability, hence the coalition must be decided state-wise and seat wise. Every party will have to compromise or lend space to other parties depending on the situation in a particular state for forming a winning alliance, Yadav said while replying to a question on whether the Congress has to be more giving to regional parties to strengthen the opposition coalition.

Asked if leaving out the Congress from the SP-BSP tie-up will impact the opposition’s national level coalition, he said that the people of India feel they have been “duped badly” and have made up their mind to get rid of propagandists for their own well-being.The people are wise enough to understand which fighting block can be their best bet to defeat the BJP. On asking whether the SP and BSP will be a part of the mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar, the RJD leader said that principally all opposition parties are together against the BJP-led alliance.You don’t always need seats to contest to prove that you are part of an alliance. Sometimes lending unconditional support works wonders for sending the message across to the electorate.

It is true that the SP and the BSP aren’t main political parties of Bihar, but we have high regard for them and their politics. We have seen that the SP-BSP alliance has decided not to field their candidates in Amethi and Raebareli, Yadav said.

Once arch-rivals, the SP and the BSP announced this month their tie-up in UP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, sharing 38 seats each and keeping the Congress out of the alliance.Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks come amid hectic efforts by the opposition to forge a strong alliance to take on the BJP in the general election.Leaders from several opposition parties, including Yadav, came together on Saturday, vowing at a mega rally in Kolkata to put up a united fight in the coming polls and oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier hit out at the Mahagatbandhan for the polls, saying that it was an “unholy alliance” of various political parties for personal survival. The BJP has also slammed the SP-BSP tie-up in UP. However, Yadav also hit out at those dubbing his meeting with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati in Lucknow as a pressure tactic aimed at the Congress, saying that his family always had close ties with the two leaders and the meetings were courtesy calls.

“Akhilesh ji is part of our extended family and ‘behen’ Mayawati ji always had cordial relations with us. When she resigned from Rajya Sabha, my father publicly said RJD would always be ready to send her to Rajya Sabha if she agrees. Even last year during RS elections in Bihar, I called her to request her again to enter Rajya Sabha with RJD backing. So my courtesy calls to them shouldn’t be construed as a pressure tactic. As far as Bihar is concerned, irrespective of the number of MLAs in the assembly or being part of the government or opposition, everyone knows RJD is the biggest party,” Tejashwi Yadav said.

On BJP terming the SP-BSP tie-up an opportunistic alliance, Yadav hit out at the saffron party saying that when it has tie-ups, it calls it smart politicking and asked what should its coalition of about 40 parties be called.It is RJD’s fear that has kept the BJP and Janata Dal (United) together. Everyone knows that RJD brings major portion of the electorate support to the table in Bihar and no one denies that.

In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, among the prospective opposition grand alliance parties, the Congress had won 44 seats, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress won 34, the Samajwadi Party won five, while the RJD had bagged four seats.

Indians over 65, under 15 can use Aadhaar to visit Nepal, Bhutan: MHA

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January 20, 2019

(NEW DELHI)

Aadhaar cards are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and over 65 travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. Indians other than those in the two age brackets will not be able to use Aadhaar to travel to the two neighbouring countries for which no visas are needed. Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the government of India or an election ID card issued by the Election Commission, clarified the communique issued recently.

Earlier, persons over 65 and under 15 could show their PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card or ration card, but not the Aadhaar, to prove their identity and visit the two countries. The Aadhaar card has now been added to the list. Now, persons in the age group of over 65 years and below 15 years have been allowed to use Aadhaar as a valid travel document, explained a senior Home Ministry official.

Giving details, the official said that a certificate of registration issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, to Indian nationals is not an acceptable travel document for travelling between India and Nepal. However, the emergency certificate and identity certificate issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal will be valid for single journey for travelling back to India.

Teens between 15 to 18 years will be allowed to travel between India and Nepal on the basis of an identity certificate issued by the principal of their school in a prescribed form. In case of a family (like husband, wife, minor children and parents) travelling together, all persons will not be required to carry relevant documents (such as a passport or an election ID) if one of the adult members has valid travel papers. However, the other family members must have some proof of their identity with a photograph and their relationship as a family, such as a CGHS card, ration card, a driving licence or an ID card issued by school/college, the officer said.

Indian nationals travelling to Bhutan need to have either an Indian passport with minimum validity of six months or a voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India. Bhutan, which shares borders with the Indian states of Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, has about 60,000 Indian nationals, employed mostly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry.

In addition, between 8,000 and 10,000 daily workers enter and exit Bhutan everyday in border towns. About six lakh Indians live in Nepal, according to data by the Ministry of External Affairs. These include businesspersons and traders who have been living in Nepal for a long time, professionals (doctors, engineers, IT personnel) and labourers (including seasonal/migratory) in the construction sector. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it said.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is being made mandatory for using a host of government services

Soon, no e-way bill if GST returns not filed for 6 months

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January 20, 2019

Non-filers of GST returns for 6 consecutive months will soon be barred from generating e-way bills for movement of goods. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) is developing such IT system that businesses who have not filed returns for two straight return filing cycle, which is 6 months, would be barred from generating e-way bills, an official said.

“As soon as the new IT system which will ensure barring of e-way Bill generation if returns are not filed for 6 months is put in place, the new rules will be notified,” an official told agencies.

The move, officials believe, would help check Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion.

Central tax officers have detected 3,626 cases of GST evasion/violations cases, involving Rs 15,278.18 crore in April-December period.

Touted as an anti-evasion measure, e-way bill system was rolled out on April 1, 2018, for moving goods worth over Rs 50,000 from one state to another. The same for intra or within the state movement was rolled out in a phased manner from April 15.

Transporters of goods worth over Rs 50,000 would be required to present e-way bill during transit to a GST inspector, if asked.

Officials feel that to shore up revenue and increase compliance, stringent anti-evasion measures have to be put in place.

To this effect the revenue department is working towards integrating that e-way bill system with NHAI’s FASTag mechanism beginning April to help track movement of goods.

It has come to the investigative officers’ notice that some transporters are doing multiple trips by generating a single e-way bill. Integration of e-way bill with FASTag would help find the location of the vehicle, and when and how many times it has crossed the NHAI’s toll plazas.

No respite for citizens as fuel prices continue to rise

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January 20, 2019

Fuel prices across the country have witnessed yet another revision on Sunday. In Delhi, petrol is being sold 23 paise higher at Rs 70.12 per litre and diesel at Rs 65.45 per litre after a 29 paise hike.

Skyrocketing prices of fuel are also burning holes in the pockets of those residing in Mumbai, where petrol is retailing at Rs 76.58 per litre (increased by 23 paise) and diesel at Rs 68.53 per litre (31 paise increase).

The upwards price revision comes in the backdrop of the recovery in crude oil prices in anticipation of tightening supply.

At present, all the oil marketing companies of the country revise the domestic prices of petrol and diesel on a daily basis, in accordance with the international crude oil and rupee-dollar.

Ariana Grande paid tributes to Mac Miller on his birthday

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January 20, 2019

Ariana Grande has paid an apparent homage to former boyfriend rapper Mac Miller on what could have been his 27th birthday.

Miller, whose real name was Malcolm James McCormick, died due to an accidental drug overdose on September 8, 2018.

Grande on Saturday, January 19, took to Twitter to remember Miller on his birthday.

“Miss u,” she tweeted.

The post was later deleted.

The “God is A Woman” hitmaker has been vocal about struggling to come to terms with the rapper’s death.

She even talks about her time with Miller, among other former flames in her hit single “Thank you, next”, which released a month after his death.

Grande and Miller started dating in 2016, but split in a much publicised break-up early last year.

I played it a little safe in the past, says Nicole Kidman on her film choices

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January 20, 2019

Hollywood star Nicole Kidman says she ”played it safe” with her career in the past but now always looks for roles that will challenge her.

The actor said she is happy to make ”spontaneous and random” decisions now, reported an online portal.

”I think maybe I played it a little safe in the past, and went for the work I thought I was meant to do, which spoke to the idea of what and who an actress is supposed to be. But, for the most part, I’ve followed my spirit, which motivates me to go against the grain.

”I’m completely spontaneous and random in my decisions. Never let it be said that I don’t have diverse taste. I love jumping into the deep end. Why not? That’s my favourite saying, I think it has such potential and choice, why not?” Kidman told Psychologies magazine.

The actor said life experiences have made her a better performer and she is happy to find her footing as a character actor.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 14, more than 35 years working is quite a number to say out loud. It’s gratifying and comforting because I have a deep well of emotion that only comes with life experience and I can call on that, call on those memories I didn’t have when I was in my 20s.

”I am a character actor, which was my goal. I wasn’t educated at drama school with the aim of being a movie star,” she said.

Victoria Beckham rules out Spice Girls reunion again

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January 20, 2019

Victoria Beckham has once again ruled out going on the upcoming Spice Girls reunion tour.

The singer-turned-fashion designer, who last February dismissed the possibility of touring with her former bandmates, said she is engaged in a full-time job now.

Asked if it was a difficult decision to make, Beckham told The Guardian, “Not at all. What I do now is my passion and a full-time job.

“I’m excited to see it, though. And I’m sure when I’m there and they are on stage, there will be a part of me that feels a bit left out.”

The former singer, also known as Posh Spice, said that “a part of me will always be a Spice Girl”.

Other members – Emma Bunton, Geri Horner, Mel Brown and Melanie Chisholm – are set to hit the road for a 2019 UK tour, more than two decades after the band first burst onto the music scene.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg minifigure joins ‘The LEGO Movie 2’

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January 20, 2019

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a prominent US Supreme Court Justice, is set to enter the universe of “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” – as a minifigure.

USA Today released a photo which shows the figurine of the 85-year-old Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court as part of the movie.

Director of the movie Mike Mitchell said the bizarreness of Ginsburg being part of the LEGO world was the very reason why they thought she should be included.

“These movies are so full of surprises. And we were thinking, ‘Who’s the last person you would think to see in a Lego film as a minifig?’ Ruth Bader Ginsburg!

“And we’re all huge fans. It made us laugh to think of having her enter this world,” Mitchell told the publication.

Ginsburg also gave her blessing to the move but she would apparently not voice star in the film.

The director said the team reached out to her office to ask permission to use her image.

“She said, ‘Of course, I’d love to be a Lego figure. That would be cool’,” Mitchell said.

“The LEGO Movie 2” has two siblings playing with their LEGO play sets, prompting a battle between Bricksburg and aliens from the Systar System, which is ruled by Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (played by Tiffany Haddish).

Ginsburg’s figure is said to make an appearance within the little sister’s realm.

When Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) is abducted, Master Builder Emmett (Chris Pratt) and his brick buds set out on a mission to confront the enemies.

The film is slated to hit the screens February 8.

Ginsburg’s life and struggles at the Supreme Court were immortalised on celluloid through her biopic “On the Basis of Sex”, which released last year.

Felicity Jones played Ginsburg in the Mimi Leder-directed legal drama.

Its a Wrap! Alia, Aditya & Abhishek’s hugging selfie as ‘Kalank’ shoot ends

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January 20, 2019

Alia Bhatt took to her Instagram page and shared a picture of Abhishek Varman and Aditya Roy Kapur following the wrap up of her period drama ‘Kalank’.

This is the second time that Alia Bhatt is teaming up with director Abhishek Varman after working with him in 2 States in 2014.

In the photo, Alia, Abhishek, and Aditya can be seen all smiles for the camera as they hug each other.

Taking to Instagram, a Bhatt captioned the photo, “KALANK has wrapped but the heart is still wide open!! For those who understand it and for those who don’t.. when you wrap a film it feels like a part of you just combusts.. especially when you’ve worked with your friends and family.. Crossing our fingers and toes for the journey ahead.. Cant wait for you guys to see the visuals.. ”

The ‘Brahmastra’ star had earlier taken to Instagram to post a heartfelt message for Varun following the wrap-up of ‘Kalank’ as well.

She wrote, “& it’s a film wrap for Varun on KALANK.. Our 4th film completed together and he still manages to surprise me with his hard work and crazy energy everyday.. Also manages to make me laugh like a crazy person by just being himself.. I can’t can’t can’t wait for you guys to see the stuff he’s done with his character in the film!!!!”

Apart from Alia and Aditya Roy Kapur, ‘Kalank’ also stars Varun Dhawan, Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha and is slated for release on April 19, this year.

Star system will never fade away, says Ajay Devgn

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January 20, 2019

At a time when the older brigade of Bollywood superstars has failed to entertain the audience, Ajay Devgn believes come what may the star system will never fade away.

In the era of content driven cinema, Ajay says today audiences taste has evolved and they have become choosy about the kind of films they want to watch in a theatre.

“I don’t think the star system will fade away. The audience has become choosy and they will go for the product only if it is a good thing. And that keeps us on our toes.

“Earlier we used to do films left, right and centre, whatever we want to do we did that and they used to work also. But this is not (happening) in today’s time. In today’s time rest of the actors especially after our generation have to be more careful and they are careful. It is all about the product,” Ajay told an agency.

Ajay feels blessed to be in the industry for close to 28 years.

“I have been very lucky as I did not had to struggle much. But I have always worked hard. I feel hard work and struggle both are different things.”

Ajay is busy working on his next film “Tanaji: The Unsung Warrior”, in which he will be reuniting with wife Kajol after a gap of nine years.

Ajay thinks 90s stars including Kajol and his actor friend Tabu, with whom he has shared screen space in quite a few films, are relevant today as they are good performers.

“They are relevant because they are good performers. Good performers will work all their life. If you are there only because of your looks you will fade away. Performers never fade out, they rather grow,” he added.

The “Singham” star is tight-lipped about his most ambitious home production film at the moment and said, the team is concentrating on giving their best.

Speculation have been rife about Ajay’s daughter Nysa entering Bollywood and the 49-year-old superstar dismisses such rumours.

He said, “She is not in the country, she is studying right now. As of yet she has no intentions. But she can change her mind.