Headlines from today's papers.
Modi fights back tears in Parliament induction speech
The Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary party officially inducted Narendra Modi and elected him as their leader on Tuesday, after getting the consent of all 335 Lok Sabha members of the National Democratic Alliance. The Prime Minister-designate then made an emotional first speech in Parliament, fighting back tears while speaking about ailing party veteran and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi then called on President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan to inform him of his election. Mukherjee accepted Modi's claim to form the next government and invited him to take oath as the 15th prime minister of the country on May 26.
Aam Aadmi Party moves to re-form Delhi government
Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal reportedly met Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Tuesday in a bid to stall the dissolution of the Delhi assembly. The party had won the state assembly elections in December, naming Kejriwal chief minister, before he resigned within 49 days. Reports suggested that Kejriwal has now changed his mind and is planning to hold a referendum in the capital by asking AAP supporters what they think should be done. According to certain reports, the move is being made to prevent a Bharatiya Janata Party government from coming to power in Delhi, fuelled by the popularity of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.
Salman Khan did not smell of alcohol after accident: witness
A witness of the 2002 accident where Bollywood actor Salman Khan allegedly ran over a group of pavement dwellers in Mumbai, killing one, testified on Tuesday that Khan did not show any signs of inebriation following the accident. The witness, a labourer, said that he knew Khan personally and that the actor did not smell of alcohol when he spoke to him after the accident. He added that Khan was able to walk properly and was behaving normally. The witness also said that the road around the area in which the accident occurred was dug up and incomplete, suggesting Khan may have lost control of his vehicle.
Yakub Memon mercy petition rejected by President: report
President Pranab Mukherjee has reportedly rejected the mercy petition of Yakub Abdul Razzak Memon, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. The Indian Express reported that Mukherjee took the decision last week, before conveying it to the Maharashtra government, which will decide on the execution date. Memon is the brother of the absconding Ibrahim Memon, aka Tiger Memon, the alleged mastermind and main accused in the case. Yakub Memon is currently lodged in the high-security ward of Nagpur jail. He had surrendered to the authorities with the intention of clearing his name.
Anandiben Patel frontrunner to be next Gujarat CM
Gujarat revenue minister Anandiben Patel is expected to be named the state's new chief minister on Wednesday. If Patel gets the nod, she will become the first woman chief minister of Gujarat. The current CM, Narendra Modi, is expected to tender his resignation on Wednesday at a state farewell function in Gandhinagar. According to reports, Patel will be sworn in as the new CM at the same function.
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Modi fights back tears in Parliament induction speech
The Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary party officially inducted Narendra Modi and elected him as their leader on Tuesday, after getting the consent of all 335 Lok Sabha members of the National Democratic Alliance. The Prime Minister-designate then made an emotional first speech in Parliament, fighting back tears while speaking about ailing party veteran and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi then called on President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan to inform him of his election. Mukherjee accepted Modi's claim to form the next government and invited him to take oath as the 15th prime minister of the country on May 26.
Aam Aadmi Party moves to re-form Delhi government
Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal reportedly met Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Tuesday in a bid to stall the dissolution of the Delhi assembly. The party had won the state assembly elections in December, naming Kejriwal chief minister, before he resigned within 49 days. Reports suggested that Kejriwal has now changed his mind and is planning to hold a referendum in the capital by asking AAP supporters what they think should be done. According to certain reports, the move is being made to prevent a Bharatiya Janata Party government from coming to power in Delhi, fuelled by the popularity of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.
Salman Khan did not smell of alcohol after accident: witness
A witness of the 2002 accident where Bollywood actor Salman Khan allegedly ran over a group of pavement dwellers in Mumbai, killing one, testified on Tuesday that Khan did not show any signs of inebriation following the accident. The witness, a labourer, said that he knew Khan personally and that the actor did not smell of alcohol when he spoke to him after the accident. He added that Khan was able to walk properly and was behaving normally. The witness also said that the road around the area in which the accident occurred was dug up and incomplete, suggesting Khan may have lost control of his vehicle.
Yakub Memon mercy petition rejected by President: report
President Pranab Mukherjee has reportedly rejected the mercy petition of Yakub Abdul Razzak Memon, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. The Indian Express reported that Mukherjee took the decision last week, before conveying it to the Maharashtra government, which will decide on the execution date. Memon is the brother of the absconding Ibrahim Memon, aka Tiger Memon, the alleged mastermind and main accused in the case. Yakub Memon is currently lodged in the high-security ward of Nagpur jail. He had surrendered to the authorities with the intention of clearing his name.
Anandiben Patel frontrunner to be next Gujarat CM
Gujarat revenue minister Anandiben Patel is expected to be named the state's new chief minister on Wednesday. If Patel gets the nod, she will become the first woman chief minister of Gujarat. The current CM, Narendra Modi, is expected to tender his resignation on Wednesday at a state farewell function in Gandhinagar. According to reports, Patel will be sworn in as the new CM at the same function.
