Top stories on 8 February in a capsule

Karnataka Polls 2019: BSP, JD(S) declare alliance

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) on Thursday declared the alliance for the upcoming elections in Karnataka. Addressing a press conference together, BSP spokesperson Satish Chandra Mishra and JD(S) spokesperson Danish Ali, said the ‘path breaking’ alliance would continue in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well. “It is an attempt to foil the plan of the two bigger national parties to isolate regional parties,” Ali said. With this move, in the 224 assembly-seater state, the BSP will contest from 8 reserved seats and 12 assembly seats, while the JD(S) will contest the remaining 204 seats.

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Fisher community unhappy with SC judge ‘fish market’ comment

The fisher community on Thursday announced their disappointment with a remark made by Supreme Court Judge DY Chadrachud that allegedly mentioned of the community in bad light. The statement in question refers to the one made during a hearing in Monday in Judge Loya’s death case, where referring to a noisy argument between two advocates Justice CHandrachud said, “ This is turning into worse than a fish market.” Issuing a press statement, the Nation Fisherfolk Forum said, “The fisher communities all over India are bewildered at such a derogatory remark made by the Honourable Supreme Court Judge, so highly respected by all,” further urging him to withdraw the comment.

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PM Modi offers ‘3T’ plan for Tripura: Trade, Tourism, and Training

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited poll-bound Tripura and called for a change in the CPI-M led government. While addressing the rally, the PM called for a 3T plan for the north-eastern state. "We are focusing on 3Ts for Tripura - Trade, Tourism, Training of the youth so that they get opportunities to shine," he said. Prime Minister Modi while raising the slogan 'Cholo Paltai' (lets change) said, "I know when the people stand up seeking revolution, then they uproot anything which comes in the way of development, then may it be a government which has been ruling the state for decades." Attacking the Chief Minister and playing with his name, he said that the people do not need Manik (ruby), they need HIRA (diamond), H- Highway, I- I-way (digital connectivity), R- roadway, A- airways.

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Modi govt spreading fear, damaging democracy: Sonia Gandhi

Former President of Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi on Thursday called for all the opposition parties to come together to defeat the BJP in the upcoming 2019 elections. Hailing the performance in Rajasthan by polls and Gujarat elections as winds of change. She said: “We will work together to ensure the BJP is defeated and India is restored to a democratic, inclusive, secular, tolerant and economically progressive path.” Gandhi went on to say how the Modi government has created an atmosphere of fear and ‘damaging democratic traditions,’ while attending the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting. Talking about her son, and current party President, Gandhi said, “Rahul is my boss too.”

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Jail Chief suspended, hospital staff arrested for letting Pak militant escape

Five people were arrested and a police superintendent was suspended in connection with the escaping of dreaded Pakistani terrorist Naveed Jatt, who terrorized Srinagar on Tuesday. Among the arrested, all six of them are hospital staff who were arrested after a series of raids in the Pulwama district. The Superintendent of Srinagar Central Jail, Hilal Ahmed Rather was suspended from his post and the suspension of the entire medical staff of the prison is also in works, media agencies reported. The Lashkar-e-Taiba militant, who was in SHMS Hospital for a routine medical check-up, along with 6 other detainees escaped after open firing and killing 2 cops.

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Andhra Pradesh observes bandh as protest against Budget letdown

Andhra Pradesh on Thursday observed a bandh to protest against no allocation of funds for the state in the Union Budget 2018. Schools were shut and transport was affected in main cities of Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati. The Left opposition enforced the bandh, calling out the Centre government, while the YSR Congress, the Congress, and the Jana Sena also extended their support. Meanwhile, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) continued its protest outside the Parliament over the budget allocation. CPI state assistance secretary Satyanarayana Murthy said, “There was no support for Andhra Pradesh. The 12 educational institutions promised haven’t seen the light of the day yet.”

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Ex Bangladesh PM Khaleda Jia gets 5 years jail in corruption case

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in jail by Dhaka Court on Thursday. Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Court-5 delivered the judgment to the leader and her son Tarique Salman, along with four who received a 10-year sentence. Zia, who is the main leader of the Bangladesh opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had used funds worth 248,154 takka from her orphanage trust, while she was the Prime Minister from 2001-06. The conviction further means that Zia will not be able to contest the Presidential election next year against current head Sheikh Hasina.

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Cryptocurrencies are like Ponzi schemes: World Bank Chief

The head of the World Bank compared cryptocurrencies to Ponzi schemes, the latest voice to raise the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies such as the Bitcoin. ‘’In terms of using bitcoin or some of the cryptocurrencies, we are also looking at it, but I’m told the vast majority of cryptocurrencies are basically Ponzi schemes’’, World Bank group president said on Wednesday. He also added that it’s still not clear how is it going to work. While cryptocurrency technology has the potential to reshape global finance, concerns have been raised about its volatility and the potential for money laundering or other crimes.
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