The big news: Ram Gopal tells EC 90% of SP members support Akhilesh, and 9 other top stories
In other headlines: The Budget Session is likely to begin on January 31, and Centre condemned G Parameshwara's comments on Bengaluru's molestation case.
A look at the headlines right now:
- Akhilesh leads the real Samajwadi Party, 90% of members support him, Ram Gopal Yadav tells EC: The chief minister’s uncle was seeking to stake a claim on the party’s symbol, the cycle.
- Budget Session likely to begin from January 31: The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs is believed to have decided the dates at a meeting chaired by Rajnath Singh.
- Parameshwara’s remarks irresponsible, crimes can’t go unpunished, says Centre: Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said Karnataka’s capital was a ‘vibrant city and women must be safe in a civilised society’.
- Customers can eat elsewhere if they don’t want to pay service charge, says restaurants’ body: Information on the levy should be provided clearly so patrons can use their discretion and go elsewhere, the NRAI’s statement said.
- Digital payments app ‘Bhim’ has crossed 3 million downloads, 5 lakh transactions, says Niti Aayog CEO: The UPI-based payment system will be made available for iPhones in ten days, said Amitabh Kant.
- Re-promulgation of ordinances without legislative approval violates Constitution, says Supreme Court: A seven-judge bench held that Parliament and state legislatures were the ‘primary law-givers’, and sidestepping them was a ‘constitutional infraction’.
- Pope Francis calls for zero tolerance towards child sex abuse: In a letter to the Catholic priests, the pontiff said measures were needed to protect minors from such crimes.
- Raipur farmers give away 1 lakh kilos of vegetables for free in protest against demonetisation: The Kisan Sangh demanded that the government waive the interest on their farm loans for the current season.
- Centre returns 13 names recommended by Supreme Court collegium for Allahabad HC: Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi told a bench that the government had found ‘certain inconsistencies’ in the suggested candidates.
- BJP wants action against Asaduddin Owaisi for demanding budget allocation for Muslims: It filed a complaint, saying the AIMIM chief’s remarks violated the Supreme Court’s ruling that prohibits parties from seeking votes based on religion.
