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Archives for May 2016

Movie Review: ‘Traffic’ is a must watch film for one & all to encourage good cinema

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Traffic

Producer: Deepak Dhar, Sameer Gogate & Sameer Rajendran
Director: Late Rajesh Pillai
Star Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Amol Parashar, Vishal Singh, Parambrata Chatterjee, Divya Dutta & Sachin Khedekar

Traffic is a must watch film for one & all to encourage good cinema and also for the producer’s efforts to recreate such true stories. Traffic also seems to be loosely inspired by a Mexican film Amores Pores, besides it is also a remake of the late director Rajesh Pillai’s earlier Tamil & Malyalam film of the same name.

A freak bike & car accident in which a surgeon’s (Sachin Khedekar) son Rehan Ali (Vishal Singh) & his friend Rajeev (Amol Parashar) besides a superstar’s (Prosenjit Chatterjee) daughter are involved upsets many lives around them which include a traffic cop (Manoj Bajpayee) & a surgeon (Parambrata Chatterjee).

The late director Rajesh Pillai’s superb direction, the gripping script by Sanjay & Bobby and above all, the entire coterie of actor’s heart warming performances literally keeps you hooked as well as speechless.

Minuses: Traffic is based on a true story which flawlessly tells the story of how a person’s heart was transported from one city to another by road in just 150 minutes, so that it can be transplanted into a dying little girl.

Rahul Gandhi receives death threat, Congress asks to beef up security

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Rahul-Gandhi

Puducherry: An anonymous letter threatening to kill Rahul Gandhi at an election meeting in Puducherry has been received by a senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy.

The Congress Vice President is scheduled to address an election rally of the Congress-DMK alliance tomorrow at Karaikal in Puducherry.

After the death threat letter surfaced, a delegation of top Congress leaders met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today and urged him to beef up Rahul’s security. Singh assured the delegation there will be prompt action and security enhancement.

Narayanasamy, an AICC General Secretary and a former Union Minister, told PTI from Karaikal over phone that he had received an ‘unsigned letter’ at his Puducherry residence on May 5, threatening him and Rahul Gandhi.

He said the letter written in Tamil stated that “your party is responsible for closure of industries in Puducherry. We will attack you and your former Prime Minister’s son and be blasted while attending a meeting.”

Narayanasamy said he had filed a complaint with police and had also informed the party high command.

The Congress delegation including Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi; treasurer Motilal Vohra and Congress Deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma met Singh and apprised him about the threat to Rahul’s life.

“The Home Minister has assured prompt action and security enhancement. He has also assured us that the agencies of Centre and and states and SPG will be alerted to the threat that has been received,” Sharma told reporters after the 20- minute meeting with the Home Minister.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) guards the Prime Minister, the former prime ministers and their immediate family. Sonia Gandhi and her two children–Rahul and Priyanka –are SPG protectees.

Rahul’s father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur near Chennai in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991 shortly before he was to address a Lok Sabha poll rally.

(PTI)

Shah, Jaitley produced ‘forged’ degrees of PM: AAP

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aap

New Delhi: Sticking to its charges despite BJP going public with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degrees and marksheets, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today alleged that the documents produced by Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley were “forged”, saying there were “glaring discrepancies” in them.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP leader Ashutosh said Modi’s name does not match in the BA marksheet and that of the MA degree and even claimed that there were discrepancies in the year of passing as well.

“Nakal ke liye bhi akal ki jarurat hai (One needs brains even to copy). The BA marksheet is dated 1978 while the degree is of the year 1979. His name in the BA marksheet is Narendra Kumar Damodardas Modi while in Masters degree, it is Narendra Damoderdas Modi,” said the AAP leader.

He said there were discrepancies in the PM’s name even at the BA level with it being recorded as ‘Narendra Kumar Damodardas Modi’ in one of the marksheets while it was spelt as ‘Narendra Damoderdas Modi’ in the degree certificate.

Even in BA marksheets, another AAP leader Dilip Pandey said, surname is spelt “Modi” in one case while it changes to “Mody” in another.

Ashutosh said striking off the part of one’s name was not possible without an affidavit and asked Jaitley and Shah to produce copy of the affidavit.

“His MA degree says he had done his post-graduation in ‘enture political science’. Is that even possible. There are lot of glaring discrepancies in his degrees and masters’ degree,” said Ashutosh.

The AAP leader also said Modi had failed once while doing the BA degree.

“We have proved that the degrees are forged. Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley and Modi should apologise for this forgery which is a crime,” Ashutosh added.

He said he has filed RTI seeking copies of enrolment register and convocation register for PM’s degree from Delhi University.

He also asked the BJP leaders to come with the AAP leaders to Delhi University and jointly check out the facts about Modi’s educational documents there.

Earlier in the day, BJP chief Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley displayed Modi’s degrees during a press conference and demanded an apology from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing him of defaming the Prime Minister.

(Agencies)

IPL: Gujarat suffer hat-trick of losses, lose to Hyderabad

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David-Warner-Sunrisers-Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad inflicted the third consecutive loss on Gujarat Lions with a five-wicket victory to jump to the fourth spot of the IPL at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

Riding on some brilliant medium pace bowling from Mustafizur Rahman (2/17) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28), Hyderabad restricted the struggling Gujarat to a paltry 126 for 6 in the league game.

While chasing, Hyderabad opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan remained not out on 47 runs in 40 deliveries and saw the side home with five wickets and an over to spare.

With this win, Hyderabad now have five victories from eight games, whereas second-placed Gujarat have now lost four games in 10 matches. Kolkata Knight Riders lead the standings with 12 points – ahead on net run rate, while Delhi Daredevils have occupied the fourth spot with 10 points from eight matches.

After being asked to bat, Gujarat, coming off two successive defeats, faced some immaculate bowling from Bhuvneshwar and Ashish Nehra. Gujarat were off to a poor start losing the key wicket of West Indian power-hitter Dwayne Smith.

Both Bhuvneshwar and Nehra started with maiden overs from either end to stifle Gujarat’s opening duo of Smith and Brendon McCullum (7).

Feeling the heat in the third over, Smith’s attempt of a flash outside off only resulted in an outside edge to Mustafizur Rahman at short third man.

Coming at No 3, skipper Suresh Raina played some exquisite strokes off Kumar, including a six and a four off consecutive deliveries but succumbed on the last ball of the same over giving the pacer his second wicket. The left-hander’s 10-ball 20 was laced with one four and two sixes.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik looked vulnerable from the start and Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur did not lose any time to sent him back for a golden duck.

Finding no support from the other end, McCullum perished after facing 19 balls to leave the visitors reeling at 34 for 4 in the eighth over.

Australian Aaron Finch and West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (20) then rescued the innings with a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket. But just when things started falling in line for the visitors, left-arm seamer Barinder Sran struck by removing Bravo.

Ravindra Jadeja (18) then joined Finch, who after being dropped on 31 by Warner at long off, went on to make an unbeaten 51. The left-right combo managed to take the Lions past the 100-run mark by the 18th over before Mustafizur broke the 27-run sixth wicket stand.

With the visitors tottering at 106 for 6 in the 19th over, Praveen Kumar (6) and Finch took the Lions to 126 for 6 in their stipulated 20 overs. Finch’s 42-ball knock was laced with three four and a six.

All the home bowlers maintained a tight line to restrict the flow of runs and pick wickets at regular intervals. Mustafizur and Bhuvneshwar were the pick of the bowlers taking two wickets each while Sran and Henriques chipped in with one wicket apiece.

In reply, David Warner scored a 17-ball 24 run cameo up front to get his team off to a positive start. After right-arm pacer Dhawal Kulkarni dismissed the home captain, Gujarat exerted pressure on the Hyderabad batting line-up with another couple of quick wickets.

New Zealander Kane Williamson (6)’s wicket was picked up by Praveen Kumar, while Dwayne Bravo removed Australian Moises Henriques (16) as they reduced the hosts to 55/3 in 9.2 overs.

Dhawan, who was batting on eighth in 14 deliveries, played a proactive role in driving Hyderabad towards the chase. The left-hander picked majority of his fours towards the square of the wicket and ticked ones and twos.

Meanwhile Yuvraj Singh, making his debut for the Hyderabad franchise, faltered as he was caught by Sangwan of Kulkarni. The stand between Dhawan and Yuvraj lasted for 26 runs as the hosts reached 81/4 in 14 overs.

Deepak Hooda played a useful cameo of 18 runs in 12 deliveries and when he got out – to Bravo.

Dhawan and Naman Ojha crossed their team over the line with ease as they won by five wickets.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Lions 126 for 6 (Aaron Finch 51, Suresh Raina 20, Ravindra Jadeja 18, Mustafizur 2 for 17, Bhuvneshwar 2 for 28). Sunrisers Hyderabad: 129/5 in 19 overs (Shikhar dhawan not out 47, David Warner 24; Dwayne Bravo 2/14, Dhawal Kulkarni (2/17).

(IANS)

An interview with Tanuj Virwani, of ‘One Night Stand’ Fame

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Photo: Mazale

Photo: Mazale

Tanuj Virwani, the son of Veteran actress Rati Agnihotri, a chip of the old block has had a very shaky start to his filmic career. As both his two releases Purani Jeans and Love U Soniye did not create any wonders on the Box Office turnstiles. And now his hat trick film namely One Night Stand is on the verge of release. And Tanuj Virwani is keeping his fingers and toes crossed.

What went wrong with Purani Jeans and Love U Soniye?

Actually, no one can predict as to what will go wrong with a particular film that you are acting in. I guess a lot can go wrong. Sometimes the idea, the concept that has been narrated to you initially does not translate well by the time it appears on the big screen.

How did you bag your hat trick film One Night Stand?

You see after the dismal performance of two of my earlier films I was very cautious in picking my roles. In fact I had even signed up with an agency. And I had done quite a few auditions for them which they obviously liked it and a couple of days later I got a call from them saying that there is this film offer for you with Sunny Leone called One Night Stand. And I thought they were just pulling my leg. But nevertheless when I auditioned for it, I knew that this was the film I would love to do it.

But it seems Sunny Leone has a meatier role in it.

Obviously she has. But my role is equally on par with her role. If she has shot for 50 days then I have shot at least 45 days. Besides I have just done three films and Sunny Leone is already a star in her own right. And to be very honest I was never in awe of her nor intimidated by her throughout the shoot.

Out of the 3 films you have acted in till this date two have been directed by woman directors. How come?

Search me I wouldn’t know but it was lovely working with them and who knows my next three films may be directed only by male directors.

So what is One Night Stand all about?

It’s all about Generation X and the varied issues of today’s youth. They meet and they interact on totally different levels. One such couple is me and Sunny and one day after downing a couple of drinks something happens which is termed as One Night Stand but the truth is something else and that forms the crux of the story of One Night Stand.

But the title One Night Stand seems like it may be an erotica oriented film. Right?

No sir its nothing like that. Of course keeping in mind the subject of the film there are some scenes but they are very aesthetically shot and do not at all border on vulgarity.

How was it working with a woman director Jasmine?

Jasmine’s husband Anthony D’Souza is already a well – known director in his own right. And Jasmine too is a very sensitive director. She even gave us a lot of leeway to improvise. And it was a great learning experience to work with Jasmine as well as Sunny.

So what’s next in the pipeline?

Actually nothing as yet. I hope my hat trick film is liked by one and all. Besides I want to choose the right kind of project in future.

Modi running a one-man ‘Presidential government’: Arun Shourie

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arun shourie

New Delhi: Former Union minister Arun Shourie on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of “narcissism” and of running a one-man “Presidential government” the direction of which was “dangerous” for India.

Shourie, a Cabinet minister in the Vajpayee government who has drifted away from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in recent years, called the Modi government “a Presidential government without checks and balances” and said that the direction of the government under his supervision “is not good for India”.

In a 40-minute interview to Karan Thapar for India Today TV’s “To The Point” programme, he analysed the two years of Modi government and warned that over the next three years he expected “a more systematic attempt to curb civil liberties” and an increase in “decentralised intimidation” besides “choking” of “inconvenient voices”.

Bracketing Modi with leaders like Indira Gandhi and Jayalalithaa, Shourie accused the prime minister of indulging in narcissism, which he described as both “self-love to an exaggerated extent and insecurity”, and Machiavellism, which meant that he “exploits events to his benefit”, according to a press release issued by the channel.

The former minister, who has criticised Modi in the past also, said that the prime minister’s “attitude to people is to use and throw them”. He treats people “like paper napkins” and was “remorseless”, he alleged.

Shourie also referred to the raging controversy over the AugustaWestland helicopter deal and criticised the Modi government for not appealing against the acquittal by the Italian trial court of the company’s two former chiefs Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini.

According to him the reference by the Italian appeals court judge to the Indian government being unhelpful in the matter was specific to the Modi government.

Commenting on Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s speech in Rajya Sabha on the helicopter deal, Shourie used a Hindi metaphor to say it was like digging a mountain to find not a mouse, but an “invisible chouha (mouse)”.

He compared Modi’s two years as prime minister “as a boxing match with everybody” and said that he had not “had the focus we expected of him”. This was a “great opportunity completely missed”, he added.

The press release quoted the former minister as saying that one of the problems was that Modi “is getting inputs from very few people and they are, additionally, the people he has chosen”.

Shourie saw “a clear line of logic” that linked ghar- wapsi, love-jihad, beef ban, the return of awards, the campaign against anti-nationalism, the focus on ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ and student protests. This was “deliberately orchestrated by the government”.

Shourie said the intention was to create “confrontation and polarisation” as he accused Modi of deliberately dividing India, calling it a policy of “divide and rule”.

While accepting that under Modi corruption at the Centre had diminished or disappeared, he said that nothing was deliberately done in the states, citing Vyapam scandal in Madhya Pradesh, Lalit Modi episode and Saradha scam.

The former minister described as “unconstitutional” the imposition of President’s rule in two Congress-ruled states of Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The “deliberate” BJP policy of attracting and inviting defectors would “undermine” the party, he said.

Shourie was sharply critical of Modi’s handling of relations with Pakistan, saying, “we have made fools of ourselves in the eyes of Pakistan”.

Shourie said there was no consistency or logic to Modi’s Pakistan policy which had “confused” India. He was sharply critical of “U-turns” in handling Pakistan.

Attacking the prime minister’s policy towards China also, he said that it was comparable to Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy towards the big neighbour.

Both believed that “they could charm the dragon” and both turned out to be wrong, he said, adding that Modi’s policy could encourage China to claim that Kashmir is not a bilateral but a trilateral matter with Beijing being the third party because of its presence in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Speaking about the economy, the former World Bank economist said he believed that the claim of 7.6 per cent GDP growth was similar to the “exaggerated claims” of investments made during the Gujarat investment summits.

According to him the government had failed to be radical in its policies and had failed to handle tax issues, including retrospect taxation and the banking crisis.

Shourie accused the government of “gross negligence” and of being “irresponsible” in handling the banking crisis.

(PTI)

JNU hunger strike enters 10th day, Kanhaiya withdraws

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Kanhaiya-Kumar

New Delhi: The indefinite hunger strike by JNU students entered the 10th day today even as students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar withdrew his fast due to medical reasons.

So far, six students have withdrawn their fast against the punishment by the university in connection with the February 9 event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, while 14 others are continuing with the hunger strike.

Kanhaiya, who is out on bail after his arrest in a sedition case, was yesterday discharged from AIIMS after treatment for mild dehydration and ketosis.

“Kanhaiya was back on campus last night and due to his health condition doctors advised him to discontinue with the fast. He has been advised bed rest for few days and also has to undergo some medical tests. While he has withdrawn the fast, he will continue with the agitation,” a statement from the JNU Students Union said.

The health reports of other fasting students mentioned high ketone levels, low BP and weight loss.

JNU Teachers Association has today called for a relay hunger strike in protest against the administration. Alumni of the varsity will also join the protesting students and form a human chain today evening.

The JNU administration had yesterday appealed the students and teachers to not invite outsiders saying it might vitiate the academic atmosphere and peace on campus. The administration also asked the students to refrain from using “direct or indirect coercive measures and come forward for dialogue and discussion”.

Terming the hunger strike to be an “unlawful activity” JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar had earlier this week appealed to students to put forward their demands using “constitutional” means and asked them to come for a “dialogue” to resolve the matter.

Five members of ABVP, who had also gone on hunger strike last week, called off their stir on Wednesday claiming they have got an assurance from the JNU administration that their demands will be considered.

Two other students –Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya — were arrested along with Kanhaiya in the sedition case.

While Kanhaiya has been slapped with a penalty of Rs 10,000, Umar, Anirban and a Kashmiri student, Mujeeb Gatoo have been rusticated for varying durations.

Saurabh, who is the lone ABVP member in JNU Students Union, has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 for blocking traffic.

(PTI)

Singer Mika Singh gets bail in assault case

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Mika Singh

A sigh of relief for all Mika Singh’s fans! Current singing sensation of the country Mika Singh who was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly slapping a doctor at a concert in south-west Delhi in Apr, has finally got bail “Truth always triumphs. I knew I was innocent and I would get bail. Stars however seem easy targets but not always we are wrong. I am glad that people finally know the truth behind the matter”

As soon as the news of Mika Singh’s bail poured in, fans started celebrating & dancing and surrounded him to wish him. A huge crowd including curious onlookers & admirers had gathered to get a glimpse of the star.

Meanwhile, dressed in casuals with his sun glasses, Mika met each of his fans and thanked them for their support & prayers “I thank my fans who stood by me and laid their trust in me. It’s because of their support & prayers that I am standing here amongst them with my head up with pride”

VVIP chopper scam: Kejriwal says Modi is scared of arresting Sonia

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arvind-kejriwal

New Delhi: Launching an attack on the Narendra Modi government and the Congress on the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the Prime Minister does not have “enough courage” to arrest Sonia Gandhi and that the two parties have an “alliance in corruption“.

Questioning the Congress on the issue of PM’s alleged “fake” degree, Mr. Kejriwal said the two parties had a “setting” that the BJP government will not arrest Ms. Gandhi in the chopper scam and the Congress will not raise the matter of Mr. Modi’s educational qualification.

“The Italian court order also has names of Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, certain officers and Congressmen, but Modi is not able to gather enough courage to arrest Sonia Gandhi, to ask her even two questions, to interrogate her…

“Modiji you have been made PM to take action not to leave the task for Italy court…Our chest would also be of 56 inch if you would have sent her to jail…when my PM says that Italy’s court is taking Gandhi’s name and not him….I want to ask Modiji why are you scared of her?” Mr. Kejriwal said, addressing a rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Questioning the progress of the investigation in the chopper deal, Mr. Kejriwal alleged that there hasn’t been an “inch” of movement on the probe, despite the Modi government coming to power on the assurances that the corrupt will be taken to task.

“What investigation did they do in AgustaWestland case in two years? The Italian government completed investigation, filed the cases in court, judgment came and those who were involved in paying bribe were sent to jail.”

“When Anna agitation started, people wanted to change the government… they knew that both Congress and BJP are two sides of the same coin, but Modiji gave such wonderful speeches before Lok Sabha polls that people’s hopes were build that corruption will end,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

Noting that during the poll campaigns, Mr. Modi said that he will take action against Congress president’s son-in-law Robert Vadra for alleged irregularities in the land deal, but despite being in power for two years, and having state governments in Haryana and Rajasthan, he (Mr. Vadra) hasn’t been interrogated even once.

“Modi had said that the corrupt will be sent to jail. It has been two years and not a single person has been sent to jail…the country has been cheated and hence we had to again gather against their ‘alliance’ four years after we had gathered at the same place to protest the corruption of these two parties,” he said.

Mr. Kejriwal said while the CBI raided his office, it could not even interrogate Mr. Vadra.

“They got a CBI raid conducted on me but could not get anything beyond four mufflers in a day long raid. But there is no raid on Sonia Gandhi. Why is Modi scared of her? Before elections he used to say Vadra is Congress’ son-in-law, now it looks like even Modi has adopted him.

“The papers of his (Mr. Vadra’s) land scam are lying in Rajasthan. They have government in Haryana, Rajasthan and Centre. What are they waiting for? Why is there no action against him? CBI hasn’t called him even once because Modi doesn’t have courage.

“You arrest her, interrogate her for two days, the truth will come out automatically.

“Amit Shah says Soniaji please you tell us who who all took bribe. Manohar Parrikar says Soniaji you please tell who all have taken bribe. Is any interrogation conducted like this? If you would have told earlier that you both (Congress and BJP) were hand in glove nobody would have voted for you,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

He said that both parties possessed “secrets” of each other and claimed that the details of Mr. Modi’s degrees were given to them by Congress leaders from Gujarat, who were not “permitted” to raise the issue earlier by the Gandhi family.

“There is a very good setting. Modi has assured Congress that he will just abuse them but not arrest Gandhi in Agusta issue and Sonia Gandhi has assured him that his degree’s issue will not be raised by Congress.

“UPA was in power for 10 years and during those years they have kept secrets of Modi’s all scams. Modi knows that if Gandhi is arrested, Vadra is arrested, his secrets will also be in public domain,” he said.

Raising the degree issue once again, Mr. Kejriwal said the country will continue to respect him if he accepted that his degree was “fake”, but people will not tolerate fraud and forged degrees.

He said his party MLAs were arrested over trivial issues and demanded that Mr. Modi should also be treated like former Delhi Law Minister Jitendra Singh Tomar, who was arrested in an alleged fake degree row.

“His one such secret is his degree. He said in his affidavit that he did BA from DU and MA from Gujarat. I am not saying you need to be educated to be PM, people without degrees can also be talented….If he is 12th pass, we have no issues…if he says that the country would still respect him…but if he does cheating and fraud, forged degrees, country will not tolerate,” he said.

Over 300 AAP supporters detained

Over 300 AAP supporters and some party leaders were on Saturday detained as they on Saturday took out a protest march towards the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging a BJP-Congress alliance in corruption.

Following a rally at Jantar Mantar, where Mr. Kejriwal and its top brass attacked Mr. Modi and his government, groups led by Sanjay Singh and Kumar Vishwas went to gherao residences of the Prime Minister and the Congress president.

Mr. Kejriwal left the venue before the protest march began.

Several AAP MLAs, including Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Bandana Kumar, participated in it.

Police, which had made extensive preparations by putting up three layers of barricades, detained senior AAP leaders Ashutosh, Mr. Sanjay Singh, Dilip Pandey along with party volunteers, and took them to Parliament Street police station.

“Over 300 people were detained from the first layer of barricade in Parliament Street as they started their march from Jantar Mantar. And over 100 were detained in the morning. They were a separate group who had reached near Tughlaq Road police station, which is near the PM’s residence, to protest.

“The protesters were detained under Section 144 of CrPC. They have all been taken to Parliament Street police station,” DCP, New Delhi, Jatin Narwal said.

(Agencies)

Donald Trump becomes presumptive Republican nominee

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Path clear for controversial billionaire as main rivals Cruz and Kasich bow out of race for US presidential nomination.

[Reuters]

[Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Donald Trump has gone from long-shot contender to the Republican party’s presumptive nominee for president with a crushing win in Indiana that forced his main rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich out of the race.

Addressing jubilant supporters at Trump Tower in New York after romping to his seventh straight state-wide victory, the real estate mogul promised them: “We’re going to win in November, and we’re going to win big, and it’s going to be America first.”

Kasich announced he dropped out of the Republican presidential race on Wednesday evening.

Trump won at least 51 of 57 possible delegates awarded in Indiana, according to the Associated Press news agency delegate tracker. His victory in the state pushed him to 1,047 delegates of the 1,237 needed to clinch the nomination, compared with 153 for Kasich.

Cruz had 565 delegates before suspending his campaign.

“This phenomenon is just amazing,” Peter Mathews, a political analyst, told Al Jazeera. “Trump seems to have got free television time. He got an estimated $1bn of free time during the election.”

Trump’s immediate challenge is to unite deep fissures within the Republican Party as many party loyalists are appalled at his bullying style, his treatment of women and his signature proposals to build a wall on the border with Mexico and deport 11 million illegal immigrants.

 

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called Trump the party’s presumptive nominee in a tweet and said, “We all need to unite and focus” on defeating Clinton.

The former reality TV star himself called for unity in a speech at a victory rally that was free of his usual bombast and flamboyance.

Calling Indiana a “tremendous victory”, he immediately directed fire at Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

“We’re going after Hillary Clinton,” he said. “She will not be a great president, she will not be a good president, she will be a poor president. She doesn’t understand trade.”

Clinton upset

Clinton on Tuesday suffered an upset in Indiana as her rival Bernie Sanders mounted a come-from-behind victory, denying the former secretary of state a feather in her cap as she seeks their party’s presidential nomination.

Sanders, a self-declared socialist, beat Clinton by 53.2 percent to 46.8 percent with about three quarters of precincts reporting – although Clinton remained well ahead in the overall delegate battle for the nomination.

“Bernie Sanders was behind several points just a few weeks ago. Thousands were turning up to his rallies even in thunderstorms to hear what he had to say,” Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from Indianapolis, said.

“A narrow victory in Indiana is enough to re-inject his campaign with momentum and for him to say that he is going to take it all the way to Democratic convention in Philadelphia in the summer.”

As the race was called overwhelmingly in Trump’s favour, Cruz conceded to supporters in Indianapolis that he no longer had a viable path forwards.

“We left it all on the field in Indiana,” Cruz said. “We gave it everything we’ve got, but the voters chose another path.

“And so with a heavy heart, but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign.”

Al Jazeera’s Fisher said that Indiana had become a pivotal point in the race.

“On the Republican side, Cruz lost the primary by a significant margin. His appeal to voters simply did not work,” he said.

Trump, who has never held public office, is likely to formally wrap up the nomination on June 7 when California votes, although Ohio Governor John Kasich had vowed to stay in the race as his last challenger.

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