Highlights: 4th round of talks between ministers, farmer leaders concludes

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11:38 PM

Chandigarh municipal politics live: Three AAP councillors quit, join BJP

11:23 PM

Political update: Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar resigns amid allegations that recent mayoral polls were rigged

Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar resigns amid allegations that recent mayoral polls were rigged

9:45 PM

Kamal Nath told me he is not going anywhere, claims Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari

Around half a dozen Madhya Pradesh MLAs loyal to senior Congress leader Kamal Nath reached Delhi on Sunday, accentuating the speculation that he and his MP son Nakul Nath are set to join the ruling BJP. In MP capital Bhopal, Nath's Congress colleague Digvijaya Singh expressed confidence that his “old friend” won't forsake the party from where he began his political journey, even as a picture of a flag, with ‘Jai Shri Ram' written on it, purportedly flying at Nath's Delhi home provided enough fodder to social media users. According to party insiders, MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari remained busy through Saturday establishing contact with his MLAs and telling them that Nath and his son won't cross over to the BJP. Of those MLAs who have followed Nath to Delhi, three are from Chhindwara, while another three from the region are set to leave for Delhi, sources close to the veteran leader said earlier.

9:08 PM

Farmers protest Live: Fourth round of talks between Union ministers, farmer leaders begins in Chandigarh

A panel of Union ministers began the fourth round of talks with farmer leaders here on Sunday evening over their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai reached the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 for the talks. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also joined the meeting. The Union ministers and farmer leaders had met earlier on February 8, 12 and 15 but the talks remained inconclusive. The meeting comes amid thousands of farmers from Punjab staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of the state's border with Haryana after their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police personnel. The call for the march was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press their demands.

8:54 PM

Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj attains samadhi in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon

8:24 PM

Farmers' protest: Punjab CM reaches Chandigarh venue to join a meeting between Union ministers, farmer leaders

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reaches Chandigarh venue to join a meeting between Union ministers and farmer leaders. Both parties are going to hold 4th round of discussions today.

7:10 PM

Kamal Nath has not thought about leaving Congress party: Sajjan Singh Verma

After meeting former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, Congress leader Sajjan Singh Verma said, "I had a discussion with him (Kamal Nath). He said that right now his focus is on how the caste equations will be on 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. He said that he has not thought about anything like that (of leaving the party)..."

7:06 PM

Pakistan electoral body delays notifying results of majority of PTI-backed independents: Report

Even as Pakistan political parties are deliberating to form their government, the Pakistan electoral body is yet to notify the victory of most of the independent candidates who won the National Assembly (NA) seats in general elections, Dawn reported on Sunday. According to the report, more than 101 independent candidates have won the NA seats, most of them backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to unofficial results. The delay on the part of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to officially notify the results of a majority of the independent candidates has raised concerns among their voters and stakeholders amid political wrangling over the numbers game for the formation of government in the Centre.

5:43 PM

PM Modi to inaugurate the Okha-Bet Dwarka signature bridge in Gujarat on February 25

5:23 PM

RBI's action against Paytm Payments Bank hasn't rattled fintech industry: MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar

"This notion that the RBI regulator's action against Paytm Payments Bank has rattled fintech is, I don't think, a correct characterisation. I think it has drawn the attention of fintech entrepreneurs to the fact that you also have to know how to comply with the law. Regulatory compliance is not an optional thing for any country in the world, certainly not in India, and it is something that they should pay more attention to," Union MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar tells in an interview to PTI. 

5:00 PM

Cricket updates: India defeat England by 434 runs in Rajkot Test; lead series by 2-1

India beat England by 434 runs in the Rajkot Test on Sunday and take lead in the series by 2-1. The 434-run win is India's biggest ever in terms of run-margin. Next Test to be played in Ranchi from Feb 23. 

4:26 PM

Politics Live: Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' enters UP's Prayagraj

4:23 PM

Samajwadi Party leader Saleem Sherwani resigns as general secy after being snubbed of Rajya Sabha ticket

On resigning from the post of Samajwadi Party's General Secretary, Saleem Sherwani says, "This (my separation from the party) did not happen today. This happened when the member's name for the Rajya Sabha election was announced...I thought that the topic, the issue on which we are fighting elections, our party is not at all following that motto, so why should we remain in the party...No one is serious about the INDIA alliance... The motive with which the INDIA alliance was formed is not being fulfilled..."

4:16 PM

Cricket news live: Legendary South African cricketer Mike Procter dies at 77

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Sunday mourned the death of one of country's finest all-rounders Mike Procter. He was 77. Procter's career as a fast bowler, capable off-spinner, hard-hitting middle-order batter, and astute captain is etched in the annals of South African cricket history. Beyond his playing days, he served the game in every conceivable role - as a national captain and coach, administrator, selector, commentator, elite ICC match referee, and then dedicated his final years to coaching underprivileged children. Procter was South Africa's coach in the post apartheid era. He played as many as 401 first class games but could only feature in seven Tests due to South Africa's isolation in 1970s and 1980s.

4:05 PM

Congress' biggest sin is that it has not shied away from demoralising even our armed forces: PM Modi

Congress' biggest sin is that it has not shied away from demoralising even our armed forces, said PM Modi at BJP convention in New Delhi. 

3:57 PM

Meghalaya's concerns over CAA addressed, ILP should be extended: Conrad Sangma

Concerns of Meghalaya over the Citizenship Amendment Act have been addressed as most areas of the state come under Schedule 6, which is exempted from the citizenship law, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, even as he added that the Inner Line Permit should be extended to the state.

In an interview to PTI, Sangma, who also heads the National People's Party (NPP), expressed concern over 'spillover effect' in the state if the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is implemented, and stressed on the requirement for Inner Line Permit (ILP), which will restrict the entry of outsiders.

Asked about the CAA, which has faced opposition in the state that shares more than 400-km-long border with Bangladesh, Sangma said their concerns have been addressed as it excludes Schedule 6 areas.

3:56 PM

UPA govt took several steps to protect farmers' interest: Congress leader Kumari Selja

The Congress-led UPA dispensation at the Centre took several steps to protect the interest of farmers, including implementing 175 recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, senior party leader Kumari Selja said on Sunday. She also lashed out at the BJP-led Centre, alleging that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government did not waive a single rupee of farmers' loans in 10 years. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had waived loans worth Rs 72,000 crore, Selja said in a statement. The statement comes hours before three Union ministers and farm leaders are scheduled to meet in Chandigarh to discuss their demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and farm debt waiver.

3:42 PM

We have to connect with everyone, including those who have still not connected with BJP, says PM Modi

We have to connect with everyone, including those who for some reason have still not connected with BJP, says PM Modi

3:28 PM

PM Modi speech Live: We rid country of mega scams, terror attacks, says PM Modi at BJP National Convention

We rid country of mega scams, terror attacks; made efforts to improve living standards of poor, middle class, says PM Modi at BJP meet

3:26 PM

BJP convention meeting live: Dreams of crores of women, poor, youth are Modi's dream, says PM Modi

Dreams of crores of women, poor, youth are Modi's dream, said PM Modi at BJP convention.

3:24 PM

BJP National Convention 2024 LIVE: Country has to take big leap to develop in next 5 years, says PM Modi

Country has to take big leap to develop in next 5 years, BJP's return to power strongly first condition for achieving all goals: PM Modi

3:23 PM

BJP members have to work with new energy, enthusiasm, belief for next 100 days for Lok Sabha campaign: PM Modi

BJP members have to work with new energy, enthusiasm, belief for next 100 days for Lok Sabha campaign, PM Modi said.

3:22 PM

We have to reach out to every section of society during campaign; we have to earn trust of everyone: PM Modi

We have to reach out to every section of society during campaign; we have to earn trust of everyone, says PM Modi at BJP National Convention 2024

3:02 PM

Not asking for third term to enjoy power: PM Modi

2:28 PM

Badminton Asia Team Championships: Indian women beat Thailand 3-2 in final, clinch historic gold

Anmol Kharb has again made a star victory, winning the decisive fifth rubber to lead Indian women to a historic Badminton Asia Team Championships title with a tight 3-2 victory over a depleted Thailand. The young sprightly group of Indian women's team, led by seasoned PV Sindhu, defied all expectations to come up trumps against two-time bronze medallists Thailand. The win provides a big boost to the team ahead of the Uber Cup, which is set to be held in Chengdu, China from April 28 to May 5.

1:52 PM

BJP resolution: Ram temple construction heralds establishment of 'Ram Rajya' for next 1,000 years

The BJP's national convention today passed a resolution on the Ram temple in Ayodhya, asserting that its construction heralds the establishment of "Ram Rajya" in India for the next 1,000 years. "The construction of a grand and divine temple of Lord Shri Ram at his birthplace in the ancient holy city of Ayodhya is a historic and glorious achievement for the country," the resolution stated.

1:35 PM

Govt should find solution to our demands before election code of conduct comes into force: Dallewal

The government should not dilly-dally and accept the demands of farmers before the model code of conduct comes into force, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said ahead of a meeting scheduled with a panel of Union ministers today. The Lok Sabha elections will be announced next month. Three Union ministers and farmer leaders are set to meet at 6 pm to discuss their demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP for crops and farm debt waiver.

1:02 PM

Chhattisgarh to observe half-day state mourning on demise of Jain muni Acharya Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj

Chhattisgarh government has declared a half-day state mourning today on the demise of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj

12:59 PM

CM Champai Soren gives go-ahead for caste-based survey in Jharkhand

In a statement posted on X, the CM indicated the significance of the survey, saying, "Jiski Jitni Sankhya Bhari, Uski Utni Hissedari (Bigger the population, bigger the share). Jharkhand is ready." 

11:54 AM

PM Modi called for liberating the country from the symbols of slavery: Amit Shah

Speaking at the national convention of Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah recounted the accomplishments of his government and said that the work of overall development, development of every sector and development of every individual has been done only in the 10 years of PM Narendra Modi. Shah also stated 'I want to tell the people of the country that in Modi 3, this country will free itself from terrorism, extremism and Naxalism and move towards becoming a peaceful and prosperous India.'