Highlights of the day: Investments are inclined towards India, says FM

From Bihar govt launching a probe into Tejashwi Yadav's dept to Intel discussing financial support with US govt, catch all the latest updates from around the world

10:44 PM

PM to visit Jammu on Feb 20

Drones, other aerial devices temporary banned in Jammu ahead of PM's visit on February 20: Official order.

10:11 PM

India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Zambia in the wake of the cholera outbreak: EAM

EAM Dr S Jaishankar tweets, "India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Zambia in the wake of the cholera outbreak. The aid weighing approx 3.5 tons comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets and ORS sachets. Was handed over today by our High Commissioner to the Government of Zambia. India stands with Zambia at this trying time."

10:11 PM

Kharge addresses the Congress' state-level workers convention in Mangaluru

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the party's state-level workers convention in Mangaluru. He said, "PM Modi will become a dictator if you vote him back to power. They are trying hard to bring their govt back by hook or crook, they are controlling independent bodies like media, ED, Income Tax, CBI, and judiciary. Don't make him powerful, don't make him a dictator. He will become a dictator and there will be no elections in the future"

8:38 PM

Kamal Nath ‘unhappy’ with Congress leadership

According to a report, Kamal Nath conveyed his “unhappiness to the Congress leadership". "He feels that Rahul Gandhi is busy with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the party is now being run by the likes of senior leaders Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala," sources told NDTV.

8:36 PM

West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on the Sandeshkhali incident

On the Sandeshkhali incident, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar says "State police 10-member committee led by 2 DIG rank lady officers investigated the entire area of Sandeshkhali and listened to the issues faced by the people. A total of 17 arrests have been made in the Sandeshkhali case. Police are not trying to hide anything and we have said that necessary action will be taken. If anyone has such complaints(rape complaints), register written complaints and we will investigate..."

8:36 PM

Shibu Hazra has been arrested in Sandeshkhali: TMC member Kunal Ghosh

TMC member Kunal Ghosh says, "Shibu Hazra (TMC leader) has been arrested in Sandeshkhali. Police, administration and the government are fulfilling their duties. This arrest does not prove that the allegations are correct... But whatever the opposition is saying is not true. So everything will be clear...Police are looking after the allegations in the Sandeshkhali. Whatever the opposition is portraying and campaigning in mass is fake and incorrect...Police is trying to find the truth..."

8:02 PM

Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar speaks on the 4th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games

Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar speaks on the 4th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games scheduled to be held in Gulmarg and extends warm wishes to the players. He says, "The 4th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games is starting here soon and will continue till 25. Many athletes will compete. I just want to say, enjoy sports. Be yourself. I know it's a competition, everyone wants to win; try to play it in the fairest way possible."

7:58 PM

Investments are inclined towards India: FM at BJP's two-day national council meeting at Bharat Mandapam

"As economies around the world undergo recession, the global gaze shifts towards thriving economies, and who better than India, which is currently growing at the fastest pace. Now, investments are inclined towards India, a significant achievement over the past decade. Taking the economy from the 'fragile five' to the top five, PM Modi has steered India's growth," says FM addressing the BJP's two-day national council meeting at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam.

7:57 PM

Farmers to stage dharnas in four states on Feb 21, says Rakesh Tikait

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday announced that farmers will stage dharnas in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Uttarakhand on February 21 to press their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP. Speaking to reporters after attending a panchayat in Sisauli here, Tikait said a resolution was passed during the meeting asking the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to launch a tractor march to Delhi in the last week of February if the government does not accept farmers' demands.

 

The panchayat was held as farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, to press the government to accept their demands entered the fifth day on Saturday.

7:35 PM

Focus on development agenda, winning 370 seats will be true tribute to Mookerjee: PM Modi at BJP meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked BJP members to build the party's Lok Sabha poll campaign around the government's development and pro-poor welfare initiatives besides the measures to enhance the country's global standing, asserting that winning 370 seats will be a true tribute to its key ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

 

Addressing a meeting of the BJP's national office-bearers before the start of its convention, he said every party worker should focus on polling booths in the next 100 days, the period by which the upcoming Lok Sabha polls are likely to be over, and ensure at least 370 more votes for the party at every polling station than in 2019.

 

Briefing reporters on Modi's speech, BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde said the prime minister told the meeting that the opposition will engage in "tu tu-main main" (petty squabbling), unwarranted and divisive issues but they must not be distracted and remain focussed on its development agenda.

 

PM Modi said, "370 is not merely a number for the BJP. It symbolises a profound sentiment. Mookerjee made the ultimate sacrifice for the abrogation of Article 370 to preserve our nation's unity and integrity. As a true tribute to him, the BJP should secure victory in 370 seats."

7:00 PM

Startups in 2014 were around 300-500, now more than 1,20,000: Rajnath Singh

At the BJP National Convention, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "The number of startups in 2014 was around 300-500. However,  the current number is more than 1,20,000."

6:59 PM

I am very happy to announce successful accomplishment of the mission, says Isro Chairman S Somanath

On the launch of Isro's INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite onboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14), Isro Chairman S Somanath says "I am very happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the mission GSLV-F14 INSAT-3DS. The spacecraft has been injected into a very good orbit. We also noted that the vehicle has performed very well. Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of the team..."

6:33 PM

Nadda hails Modi's leadership for BJP's big rise, says will score hat trick

BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday underlined the party's meteoric rise since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office and lauded his leadership in the past decade that has been full of new achievements for the organisation. The Modi government will score a hat-trick and retain power for a third straight term after the Lok Sabha polls, expected in April-May, he told nearly 11,500 party delegates who have assembled at Bharat Mandapam here for the two-day national convention.

6:32 PM

PM Modi to inaugurate the All India Institute of Medical Science in Rajkot on February 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the All India Institute of Medical Science (Aiims) in Rajkot on February 25. Executive Director, Aiims, Rajkot, Prof. Dr. (Colonel) CDS Katoch says, "Our OPD services have been functional since December 2021. Now, IPD services in Aiims will be commenced soon. It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the IPD services in Aiims Rajkot on 25th February. However, we do not have the complete information about the program yet."

6:31 PM

Digvijaya Singh dismisses Kamal Nath joining BJP reports

"...I had a conversation with Kamal Nath ji last night. He is in Chhindwara. He is the person who started his political career with the Nehru-Gandhi family...You cannot expect that person to leave Sonia Gandhi and Indira Gandhi's families..." Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said. 

6:23 PM

3,380 third-gender voters to enroll: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. "The (Election) Commission has tried to make electoral rolls more inclusive. We made special efforts for 3,380 third-gender voters to enroll them," he said.

5:56 PM

Kamal Nath says joining BJP under consideration, say reports

Amid a strong buzz of him quitting the Congress and joining the BJP, sources close to Kamal Nath have told NDTV that while he has not resigned from the party yet, he is unhappy with what is happening there and feels that it isn't the same organisation that he had joined over four decades ago.

5:05 PM

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to pay a State visit to India from Feb 21-22

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will pay a State visit to India from 21-22 February. He will be accompanied by senior officials and a high powered business delegation. PM Mitsotakis will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 9th Raisina Dialogue, 2024 in Delhi. He will also visit Mumbai before returning to Athens.

4:49 PM

BJP has become the largest political party in the world: Nadda

At the BJP National Convention 2024, party National President JP Nadda says, "Today BJP has become the largest political party in the world.  Before 2014, we had governments in only 5 states and for a long time, we were stuck in 5-6. After 2014, today there are NDA governments in 17 states and pure BJP governments in 12 states."

4:25 PM

Kamal Nath to meet senior BJP leaders in Delhi, amid buzz on switch

Congress veteran Kamal Nath to meet senior BJP leadership in Delhi, amid huge buzz on switch, according to media reports.

4:24 PM

PM Modi, JP Nadda unfurl BJP flag at Bharat Mandapam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda unfurl the party flag during the two-day National Council meeting of BJP at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi.

4:16 PM

Lok Sabha polls: Cong hopeful of winning in coastal Karnataka region, says Shivakumar

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar expressed optimism on Saturday about his party's chances of winning in the coastal belt during the upcoming Parliamentary elections. Speaking to reporters during his visit to participate in the state-level party convention of workers ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Shivakumar highlighted the potential for political change, noting noticeable shifts in the attitudes of people in the coastal areas.

3:50 PM

Will inform you all if there is something like that: Kamal Nath on speculation over switch to BJP

3:45 PM

Nakul Nath removes 'INC' from his bio

Nakul Nath, son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, has removed reference to the Congress party from his social media bio. This comes just a day after the Madhya Pradesh BJP chief publicly stated that some Congress leaders are unhappy with the party's decisions.

3:40 PM

AAP MLA, four others injured in road accident in Punjab

AAP MLA Karambir Singh Ghuman and four others sustained injuries on Saturday when their car collided with a pole near Ghogra village, approximately 50 km from their location, as confirmed by the police. Ghuman represents the Dasuya constituency in Hoshiarpur district. The incident occurred while he was en route to Talwara town to participate in various events.

3:27 PM

Raebareli LS seat will remain with Gandhi family: UP Congress chief Ajay Rai

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai asserted on Saturday that the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat "will remain with the Gandhi family." Rai, during a media interaction, emphasized the enduring connection between the people of Raebareli and the Gandhi family across generations, stating that the seat belongs to the Gandhi family and will continue to do so.

3:15 PM

Delhi Assembly passes confidence motion through voice vote; 54 of 62 AAP MLAs present during voting

In a display of strength, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a trust vote in the Delhi Assembly today amid allegations by his party that the BJP was attempting to "poach" AAP MLAs.

 

3:12 PM

BJP's biggest challenger is AAP: Kejriwal

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said "...The biggest challenger of BJP is Aam Aadmi Party. Today if BJP is scared of anyone, it is AAP...With utmost responsibility, I want to say that if BJP does not lose Lok Sabha elections in 2024, then AAP will make India free from BJP in 2029..."

2:59 PM

Govt increases authorised capital of FCI from Rs 10K cr to Rs 21K cr

Central government has increased the authorised capital of state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) from Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore. The government has taken the decision to enhance the operational capabilities and fulfill its mandate effectively, the Food Ministry said on Saturday.

 

2:42 PM

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announces hike in MSP for milk

HP Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on presented the annual state Budget of Rs 58,444 crore for 2024-25 with focus on the agriculture sector. He announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk.