President Kovind disqualifies 20 MLAs of AAP, party cries foul President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday approved the disqualification of 20 MLAs of the Aam Aadmi party for holding ‘office of profit’. Acting on the Election Commission’s recommendation, dated January 19, the President issued a statement through the Law Ministry disqualifying the legislators reliable for holding offices for financial benefit. Amongst the oust ministers includes Kejriwal’s close aide Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. Calling it an ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘undemocratic’ move AAP leader Gopal Rai said: "the party will knock on the doors of HC and even SC if required". With this move, the Delhi assembly will have to hold by-polls for the now vacant seats. _____________________________ OP Rawat appointed new Chief Election Commissioner Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat was promoted to the post of Chief Election Commissioner of India, succeed from Achal Kumar Joti on Sunday. ...

INDIA Delhi smog: Kejriwal meets Haryana CM  Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday to discuss the issue of stubble burning and air pollution. Haryana has pledged its assistance to Delhi in fighting the toxic smog that has covered the city for over a week, leading doctors to declare a public health crisis. Punjab, the other state whose actions impact the filthy air, has so far ignored Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's entreaty for a meeting to discuss possible solutions. The levels of poisonous airborne particles, known as PM 2.5, have been off the charts in Delhi, often crossing 500, whereas the ‘upper limit’ of good air quality is 50. ______________________ Kerala Transport minister resigns after land encroachment allegations Kerala’s Transport Minister Thomas Chandy submitted his resignation on Wednesday, 15 November, after facing land encroachment allegations. The NCP executive meet held on 14 ...

International court of Justice stays execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav The international court of justice on Tuesday stayed the execution of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who is lodged in Pakistan custody on charges of spying for which he was awarded a death sentence last month. A war of words erupted between India and Pakistan following Jadhav's execution order after which India accused Pakistan of denying consular access inspite of repeated requests. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed the latest development on Twitter and said that she has already shared the news with Jadhav's mother. ______________________________ AAP demonstrates EVM hacking inside Delhi Assembly The Arvind Kejriwal government on Tuesday gave a live demonstration of EVM hacking inside the Delhi assembly using a dummy machine in an attempt to prove that final tally of votes can be manipulated in favour of a particular party. AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed during the de...