"I Prevented Nuclear Holocaust As President", Claims Donald Trump

During a fraud lawsuit deposition, former US President Donald Trump claimed he averted a "nuclear holocaust" and saved millions of lives. He repeated this on the stand, while also lashing out at the judge and AG. Months earlier, during questioning about his business practices, Trump stated he was "too busy... saving millions of lives" to focus on his businesses, entrusted to his children. This released deposition footage adds a dramatic layer to the ongoing legal battle against the former president.

"I was very busy. I considered this the most important job in the world, saving millions of lives. I think you would've had a nuclear holocaust if I didn't deal with North Korea. I think you would've had a nuclear war if I weren't elected. And I think you might have a nuclear war now, if you want to know the truth," he said.

According to CBS News, Donald Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization were found liable for fraud before the case went to trial to resolve other allegations, including falsification of business records, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. James' office is seeking $370 million and sanctions, including a lifetime ban, preventing Trump from working in New York real estate. The judge in the case has indicated he will issue his ruling in the coming weeks.

In both the deposition and in courtroom testimony, Trump often focused his ire on New York Attorney General Letitia James and Kevin Wallace, a lawyer for James' office. On the stand in November, he called the case a "shame" and a "disgrace" while implying that he was being punished for his success.

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Opinion: Opinion: Advisers Misled And Alarmed Rajiv Gandhi, Says Zail Singh's Aide

Insights on how advisers misled and alarmed Rajiv Gandhi during five years of his premiership are cited in an interview published in a commemorative book on the life of nonagenarian Tarlochan Singh, who was a confidant of President Gyani Zail Singh.

The former Rashtrapati Bhavan aide, who later became an Independent member of Rajya Sabha and also served as Chairman of National Commission on Minorities during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime, enjoyed a rapport with Rajiv Gandhi as he had worked with him during the 1982 Asian Games. At one point it seemed matters had reached a break point when Rajiv Gandhi called Tarlochan Singh late one night to inquire about reports that the President was about to 'dismiss' the PM. As it turned out, it was a wrong intelligence input, accentuated by rumours which the PM's advisers were inclined to rely on.

The differences between the President of India and the Prime Minister became evident soon after Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in after Indira Gandhi's assassination on October 31, 1984. Zail Singh had foregone the requirement of a formal request from the ruling party while inviting Rajiv Gandhi to be the Prime Minister.

(The President was abroad when Indira Gandhi was assassinated. On reaching Delhi, he invited Rajiv Gandhi for the swearing in. The Congress Parliamentary Board passed a post-facto resolution later that evening electing Rajiv Gandhi as the leader.)

Tarlochan Singh recalls that as Delhi and many other parts of India were engulfed in unprecedented anti-Sikh riots following the assassination, the Head of State was chagrined to find that after being sworn in as the head of the government, Rajiv Gandhi was not even taking phone calls from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The condolence meeting for Indira Gandhi was presided over by Vice President R Venkataraman. This, too, added to Zail Singh's angst as he had administered the oath of office to Rajiv Gandhi by overruling his advisers, saying he was fulfilling Indira Gandhi's desire that her son should succeed her.

Elections were due in December 1984. The practice is that the Union Cabinet recommends the dissolution of Lok Sabha to pave the way for elections. The decision of the Cabinet is conveyed to the President by the Prime Minister, who formally calls on the Head of State. Rajiv Gandhi departed from this rule-only a formal letter was sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Meetings between the President and the PM became a rarity thereafter. The President's goodwill visits abroad were curtailed.

The acrimony worsened over the years and led to a section of Congress leaders and some leading lights of the media suggesting to Zail Singh towards the fag end of his tenure in 1986-87 that he may consider withdrawing the President's 'pleasure' under Article 75 and dismiss the Prime Minister.

Legal eagle Ashok Sen, who had served as law minister under Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi, was part of this dissenters' group, which had been put together by Vidya Charan Shukla. Journalists S. Mulgaonkar, Kuldip Nayar and Arun Shourie also proffered advice to Zail Singh. And so did BJP leader Vijayaraje Scindia.

Tarlochan Singh says Zail Singh mandated him to create a 'smokescreen' that he was taking the advice of these people seriously in order to 'scare' Rajiv Gandhi and make him respect the protocol governing the President-PM relationship.

As news of these moves spread, BJP stalwarts Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani called on the President and advised him against creating a dangerous precedent with such adventurism.

Zail Singh, who in any case was not taking Rajiv Gandhi's detractors seriously, decided to sound out Vice President Venkataraman on these developments. The Shukla-Sen group had suggested the possibility of swearing in Venkataraman as PM. The news reached Rajiv Gandhi through intelligence inputs. He immediately announced Venkataraman as the candidate for President of India two months ahead of the end of Zail Singh's tenure. Usually, the successor's candidature is announced at the fag end of an incumbent's tenure.

At the height of this crisis, a letter drafted by S. Mulgaonkar for Zail Singh 'dismissing the Prime Minister' surfaced in a section of the media. Tarlochan Singh says he received a call from Rajiv Gandhi late one night. The Prime Minister wanted to know from his erstwhile Asian Games colleague if indeed such a move was afoot. Tarlochan Singh assured him that he had checked with confidential stenographer Kulwant Singh and no such letter had been typed. (Zail Singh's knowledge of the English language was limited. He had relied upon Kulwant Singh to put into officialese his thoughts since his days as Chief Minister of Punjab in the late 1970s.)

Apart from Mulgaonkar's draft, a draft corrected by an Indian Foreign Service officer who served as deputy secretary to the President apparently had been leaked and intelligence inputs alarmed the Prime Minister. The role of leading media personalities in muddying the waters emerges from Tarlochan Singh's recollections. The sobering effect of two BJP stalwarts at a time when a section of Congressmen were being abrasive to the extreme is noteworthy.

President Zail Singh is remembered for his stance on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1986. The bill, passed by both houses of Parliament, empowered central and state governments to intercept, inspect and detain any items in the post perceived to be a threat to national security. The President sent the legislation back to the Cabinet for reconsideration. When the Council of Ministers again forwarded the legislation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Zail Singh sat over the file. The legislation lapsed when he demitted office.

Tarlochan Singh says that before Zail Singh demitted office he persuaded Rajiv Gandhi to invite the outgoing President for dinner, where the differences were buried. Minister KK Tewari, who had spoken against the President in Parliament, was dropped soon afterwards. As a parting gesture, Rajiv Gandhi created a rule under which retiring Heads of State were provided residential accommodation and staff in the national capital-Zail Singh's predecessors had returned to their native homes after demitting office.

Tarlochan Singh's disclosures throw light on the tumultuous era when the controversial Shah Bano and Ram Janmabhoomi decisions were taken - decisions which left an imprint on the history of India.

During the height of the Zail Singh-Rajiv Gandhi acrimony, this writer once asked the then President why his relations with the person whom he had sworn in by skirting protocol had gone sour. Zail Singh replied in Urdu: "Jab khiza thi toh khoon humney diya; jab bahaar ayi toh poochhtey ho hamara kaam kya hai ?" (Rough translation: 'I nurtured the garden during drought; you question my locus when it attained bloom')

(Shubhabrata Bhattacharya is a retired Editor and a public affairs commentator)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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शोएब से ज्यादा बड़ी स्टार हैं सानिया, फिर भी इतना कम कमाती हैं टेनिस स्टार

Sania Mirza Shoaib Malik Net Worth: पाकिस्तानी क्रिकेटर शोएब मलिक ने एक्ट्रेस सना जावेद संग तीसरी शादी कर ली है. सोशल मीडिया पर लोग सानिया मिर्जा से शोएब मलिक के तलाक पर चर्चाएं कर रहे हैं. बता दें कि सानिया मिर्जा और शोएब मलिक का एक बेटा है, जिनका नाम इजहान है.

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Meet Chandrakant Sompura, Man Who Designed The Ayodhya Ram Temple

Just three days are left for the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram temple, which has been constructed on an area of 2.7 acres in Uttar Pradesh Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be taking part in the inauguration ceremony as the 'yajman' or main host. Along with him, thousands of high-profile guests will attend the ceremony that will be broadcast live to millions around the world. The Ram temple will open for the devotees a day after the "Pran Pratishtha" ceremony (January 23). The temple has been constructed in the traditional Nagar style has a length (east-west) of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161 feet.

Also Read | Interesting Facts About Ram Temple In Ayodhya

The architect behind the grand temple, Chandrakant Sompura, spoke to NDTV about his vision and how he designed the temple more than 30 years ago.

"Mr Ashok Singhal (former VHP leader) decided in 1988 that the temple should be constructed here and he reached out to GD Birla. Our family had been working with Mr Birla for decades. So I got a call from Mr Birla and he asked me to come to Delhi, visit Ayodhya with him and prepare the design for the temple," Mr Sompura said.

He said designing the Ram temple was an uphill task 30 years back, as he had to prepare drawings using his footsteps as the unit of measurement.

"At that time, we were not allowed to take measuring tapes. I was told just have a look around alone. It was very difficult for me to envision a temple without proper measurement. So, I used my feet and counted the steps. I remembered all the steps - from left to right, across, and replicated the design inside a big hall where I could take proper measurement," he added.

Also Read | Where To Watch Live Telecast Of Ram Temple Ceremony And Timings

The 80-year-old further said that he presented a few plans according to the vision of a grand temple. The final plan was approved and the temple is being constructed according to that, he added.

Mr Sompura comes from a family of temple architects that have designed over 200 such structures.

According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the temple is three-storied, with each floor being 20 feet tall. It has a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. There are five Mandaps or halls, and their names are Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna and Kirtan Mandaps.

The entry is from the east, and devotees will have to climb 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar. The trust also said that there are provision of ramps and lifts for the convenience of the differently-abled and elderly.

Interestingly, no iron is used anywhere in the temple, claimed the trust.

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PAK vs NZ: मोहम्मद रिजवान का बवाली बयान, कहा- मुझे हार नहीं पसंद

पाकिस्तान को न्यूजीलैंड से टी20 सीरीज में करारी हार का सामना करना पड़ा है. चौथे टी20 में लगातार कीवी टीम ने पाकिस्तान को रौंदा. सीरीज में हार के बाद मोहम्मद रिजवान का एक बयान सोशल मीडिया पर तेजी से वायरल हो रहा है.

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Meta's Sheryl Sandberg To Step Down From Board After 12 Years

Meta's former chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, announced that she is leaving the company's board after more than a decade.

One of the most influential women in Silicon Valley, Sheryl Sandberg, 54, will depart the board as the tech juggernaut behind Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram faces increased regulatory scrutiny.

Sheryl Sandberg said on Wednesday that she would not stand for re-election once her term ends in May, but would serve as an advisor to the company thereafter.

"With a heart filled with gratitude and a mind filled with memories, I let the Meta board know that I will not stand for reelection this May," Sheryl Sandberg posted on Facebook.

"Serving as Facebook's - and then Meta's - COO for 14 and a half years and a board member for 12 years has been the opportunity of a lifetime," she wrote.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, thanked Sheryl Sandberg for her work at the social media giant.

"Your dedication and guidance have been instrumental in driving our success and I am grateful for your unwavering commitment to me and Meta over the years. I look forward to this next chapter together!" Zuckerberg commented on her Facebook post.

Sheryl Sandberg resigned as Meta COO in June 2022 after a tenure that included helping steer Facebook to advertising dominance.

A Harvard-educated executive, Sheryl Sandberg joined Facebook when it was still a startup, playing a formative and often public-facing role in its development into a multi-billion dollar advertising empire that acquired Instagram and WhatsApp.

In 2021, the company rebranded as Meta in an effort to focus on its virtual reality vision for the future and move past its reputation as a scandal-plagued social network faced with scrutiny over how it handles privacy and data, as well as accusations that its products may cause harm to teens, public discourse and democracy.

Facebook was about four years old in 2008 when Sheryl Sandberg came on board as a mature, guiding hand at a tech firm with the motto "move fast and break things."

Her job made her not only a recognizable face in tech but also a household name, particularly thanks to her 2013 book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead."

The best seller encouraged women to "lean in" to their careers to reach their full potential and overcome workforce obstacles.

It drew applause from admirers, who credited her with articulating a modern feminist vision, and sharp criticism from detractors who said her lofty position made her out of touch with the grueling personal costs of combining career and family.

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AAP Approaches High Court After Chandigarh Mayor Polls Deferred To Feb 6

The AAP Thursday moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court after the Chandigarh mayoral polls were abruptly postponed with councillors being told that the presiding officer had fallen ill. The administration told the court the elections have been deferred to February 6.

The Congress and the AAP, which have joined hands for the mayoral polls, slammed the BJP, accusing it of not allowing to hold the elections in the wake of its "imminent defeat".

The petition was filed by AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar, who is the candidate for mayor post. The petitioner sought from the court for holding the mayoral polls and appointment of a new presiding officer in place of Anil Masih after he fell sick.

The court refused to grant any immediate relief to the AAP and fixed January 23 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

The matter was listed before the division bench of Justices Sudhir Singh and Harsh Bunger, said Chetan Mittal, the counsel for the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

During the hearing Thursday evening, the counsel for the Chandigarh administration informed the high court that February 6 has been fixed as the next date for the mayoral polls after assessing the prevailing law and order situation.

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal also claimed that they have been informed that elections will not take place on Thursday as the presiding officer has fallen sick.

"It has been informed that elections will not take place today as the presiding officer has fallen sick," claimed Bansal as he accused the BJP of not allowing the polls to take place as the saffron party was to face defeat in the elections.

The polling for the post of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor through secret ballot was to take place at 11 am in the assembly hall of the municipal corporation.

In the 35-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, the BJP has 14 councillors. It also has an ex-officio member MP (Kirron Kher) who has voting rights.

The AAP has 13 councillors and the Congress seven. The Shiromani Akali Dal has one councillor in the House.

Elections for the three posts are held every year during the five-year term of the House. This year, the mayor's seat has been reserved for the Scheduled Caste category. This time the mayor will be elected for the third term.

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Delhi Man Chased, Shot At After Car Touches Bike While Parking

A minor collision while parking a car led to a fight, a chase and shots being fired in broad daylight in Delhi today. The incident of road rage happened this morning when Jatin Jain, a resident of Haryana's Sonipat, had come to meet his friend in West Delhi's Janakpuri area. While parking his car, he accidentally touched a bike. This led to a fight between the two parties, said the police.

After the fight was over and Jatin Jain was crossing the road, he was chased and shot at by the accused. He is now hospitalised and is being treated.

The police patrolling the spot acted swiftly and arrested one of the attackers. However, the man on the bike managed to escape. The police also recovered the pistol from the spot.

Road rage incidents are commonly reported in Delhi. Yesterday, two men allegedly hit a woman and her brother following a minor argument over a scooter brushing another in Delhi.

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VIDEO: टीम इंडिया के 2 बल्लेबाजों ने 1 ओवर में ठोक दिए 36 रन

रिंकू सिंह ने टी20 इंटरनेशनल क्रिकेट करियर की बेस्ट पारी खेली. अफगानिस्तान के खिलाफ सीरीज के तीसरे और आखिरी टी20 मैच में रिंकू सिंह ने रोहित शर्मा के साथ मिलकर पांचवें विकेट के लिए रिकॉर्ड 190 रन की अटूट साझेदारी की.

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10 Manipur MLAs Ask Centre To Cancel Suspension Of 3 Education Officers In CBSE Affiliation Case

Ten MLAs of the Kuki tribes in Manipur have asked Home Minister Amit Shah to cancel the suspension of three education officers, who face disciplinary action over alleged fraud in clearing requests by 26 schools for CBSE affiliation.

In a letter to Mr Shah, the 10 MLAs said the three officers issued no-objection certificates (NOCs) to the schools that applied for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliation after May 3, the day ethnic violence broke out between the hill-majority Kuki tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis.

The 26 schools are in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, both hill districts.

The CBSE's bylaws make it a legal requirement for state board schools to get NOCs from the state government before applying for central board affiliation. The Manipur government, before informing the central board about the alleged fraud, had announced that it had not given NOCs to any school since May 2020.

The district-level zonal officers do not have the authority to issue NOCs to schools without the knowledge of the Education Department, the state government had said, and formed a committee to investigate the alleged paperwork fraud.

The 10 MLAs, who have also been demanding what they call a "separate administration" carved out of Manipur, in the letter to the Home Minister said the three education officers acted in the best interests of students and schools amid the violence in the past eight months. The students lost precious months of the academic year, the MLAs said, adding the CBSE should re-affiliate the 26 schools and the three suspended officers should be called back to duty.

The attempt by the 10 MLAs to rescue the three officers who are under investigation is "absurd", an education department officer told NDTV on phone from Imphal today. "They should let the investigation complete. There is a process; there is documentary evidence. No one can short-circuit due process, and later claim innocence before investigation is complete," said the officer, requesting anonymity.   

The three suspended officers are Churachandpur ZEO Jangkhohao Haokip, Kangpokpi ZEO Lhingtinneng, and L Taithui, Deputy Inspector of Schools in the Samulamlan block of Churachandpur ZEO.

The change of the education board from state to central in the two "hill districts" was seen as a soft attempt at formalising a new arrangement, since the clashes began in May 2023.

A Kuki student group in Sadar Hills has sealed the offices of the Kangpokpi ZEO, and the deputy inspector of schools of Saitu and Saikul in protest against the government action. The group wrote "Office sealed by KSO-SH until suspension order is revoked" on sheets of paper and pasted them at the gates of the three government offices.

The student body in a statement appealed for a "swift and impartial investigation into the allegation against Lhingtinnneg Singsit", and the officer who replaced Singsit won't be allowed to work till their demand is met.

In Churachandpur, none of the four newly affiliated schools - before they lost affiliation - had working phone numbers. One had only '0000' as the contact number. Not having working phones and having inconsistent details such as the phone number or address of the principal turning out to be of a relative are violations of the CBSE's bylaws for affiliation.

The Kangpokpi school principals had in December 2023 criticised what they called the authorities' "obtuse focus" on procedures when all that the students needed amid the ethnic clashes and other cataclysmic disruptions was academic continuity, whether CBSE or state board.

At least seven school principals in Kangpokpi district told NDTV on December 20 that their ZEO, who worked under the education department, gave the NOCs.

"The situation in Manipur after May 3 was such that functioning under the state board was becoming impossible. We have to go to Imphal for exam coordination and other state board work. How would that be possible?" one of the principals of a Kangpokpi school freshly affiliated with the CBSE - which was unaffiliated later - had told NDTV on phone in December. The other principals declined to be named.

They repeatedly cited difficulty in coordinating with the education department at a time when battle lines have been clearly drawn on the basis of ethnicity and deep mistrust.

The state government was clear, however, that action would be taken against schools including withdrawing their affiliation if any of them was again found not following due process.

"The principals are not thinking right. What are they implying? Short-circuit administrative processes amid the unfortunate outbreak of violence? No one said NOC won't be given. All of us work for students. Questionable and unethical decisions by some school administrations can't be allowed to harm the future of students," a senior officer in the education department who was among a small team that looked into the initial investigation in the CBSE affiliation matter told NDTV on December 20, requesting anonymity.

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IND vs AFG: रोहित शर्मा वर्ल्ड रिकॉर्ड से 2 कदम दूर, धोनी हो जाएंगे पीछे

IND vs AFG: टीम इंडिया के कप्तान रोहित शर्मा ने बतौर कप्तान टी20 में शानदार वापसी की है. टीम इंडिया ने रोहित शर्मा की कप्तानी में अफगानिस्तान के खिलाप टी20 सीरीज में 2-0 से अजेय बढ़त बना रखी है. अब रोहित शर्मा वर्ल्ड रिकॉर्ड बनाने से महज 2 कदम दूर हैं.

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Court Asks Bengal Cops To Produce Case Diary In Probe Team Attack FIR

The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal police on Monday to produce the case diary in the FIR filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a mob attack on its officials when they went to search the premises of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh at Sandeshkhali on January 5.

A lawyer, claiming to represent Mr Shajahan, prayed for permission to be added as a party in the matter.

Justice Jay Sengupta directed that the case diary be produced on Tuesday when the matter will be taken up for hearing again.

The Enforcement Directorate raided Mr Sheikh's house on January 5 in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal.

Justice Sengupta noted that a counsel approached the court claiming to represent the accused Sajahan Sheikh, but was yet to have the necessary vakalatnama, a written document which authorises a lawyer to represent a person in a legal proceeding.

"He prayed that his client ought to have an audience here. But, he is not having the vakalatnama at present," the court said.

Justice Sengupta directed that in the event the counsel is able to procure a vakalatnama, he will be at liberty to file an application for addition of party for his client.

The Enforcement Directorate has issued a look out circular against Shajahan Sheikh.

Enforcement Directorate's counsel submitted before the court that the agency found links to Shankar Addhya, who has been arrested by the agency, and Mr Shajahan during its investigation into the alleged ration distribution scam.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested state's Forest Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, who held the Food and Supplies portfolio from 2011 to 2021, and is at present in judicial remand in the case.

The state's counsel submitted that four people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials.

Justice Sengupta asked how only four people were arrested when it has been alleged that hundreds were involved in the attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials.

The Enforcement Directorate's counsel also submitted that despite a murderous attack on the officials, milder sections of IPC were given in the FIR filed by the officials of Najat police station, within the area of which Ms Shajahan's house is located, on the complaint by the agency.

The Enforcement Directorate  has stated that three of its officers were injured and their belongings were snatched in an attack on them at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5.

It was stated that vehicles of Enforcement Directorate officials and the CRPF personnel were also damaged by the mob.

Another single bench of the high court had on January 11 ordered an interim stay on proceedings in an FIR against Enforcement Directorate officials who went to search the premises of Mr Shajahan.

The Enforcement Directorate had moved the court praying for quashing of the FIR lodged at the Nazat police station in North 24 Parganas district against its officials, claiming that false allegations were foisted against them.

In the FIR, one Didar Baksh Molla, stated to be a caretaker of Sheikh's residence, accused the Enforcement Directorate officials of theft, outraging modesty and beating women and children when they went to raid Shajahan's house on January 5.

Three FIRs were registered on that day in connection with the incident.

The first FIR was lodged by Didar Baksh Molla, at 10.30 am, a second FIR was filed suo motu by the Nazat police on the incident on the basis of a general diary by a sub-inspector of the police station at 1.30 pm and the third was by the ED at around 8.10 pm.

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Nitish Kumar Attends Lalu Yadav's Makar Sankranti Feast Amid Rift Rumours

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday treated himself to a Makar Sankranti feast hosted by RJD president Lalu Prasad, belying recent speculations that the alliance between the two had hit a rough patch.

Mr Prasad's younger son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the state's deputy Chief Minister, expressed delight over the visit of the chief minister and made light of the speculations of a rift in the ruling Mahagathbandhan.

"We were pleased to have at our place the honourable chief minister on a day we have been, since long, treating people to 'dahi chuda' (flattened rice with curd), items made of 'til' (sesame) and 'konhre ki sabzi' (pumpkin stew). Other colleagues in the cabinet have been dropping in as well. We welcome them all," said Yadav, who briefly interacted with the posse of journalists.

The young RJD leader blamed the opposition BJP in the state and a section of the press for speculations of a trust deficit which grew strong ever since Mr Kumar took over as the JD(U) national president, replacing Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan" who gave up the post-mid-term.

"Ever since Lalu-ji and Nitish-ji joined hands, the BJP has been scared. Also, we are running a government that has delivered on its promise of job creation on a large scale. As such, there is no need for any explanation on the various theories that have been doing the rounds," asserted Mr Yadav.

Notably, a section of the press had claimed that Lalan ran afoul of Nitish Kumar after he allegedly hatched a conspiracy to dethrone the latter so that Mr Yadav could take over as the CM.

Lalan has reacted by slapping legal notices on the outlets concerned and claimed that he relinquished the top party post to focus more on his Lok Sabha constituency and that it was upon his request that Kumar, the JD(U)'s de facto leader, agreed to take over as the party chief.

Interestingly, Lalan also walked beside Kumar when the two leaders emerged from the CM's residence and walked down to 10, Circular Road, the government bungalow allotted to Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, in her capacity as a former chief minister.

The elderly couple flashed a broad smile at Mr Kumar, who caused a flutter with his optics, but chose not to take any questions from journalists while sauntering back from the RJD leaders' place.

A host of other senior leaders from the JD(U) also turned up at the feast, including ministers Ashok Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Sanjay Kumar Jha besides state unit chief Umesh Kushwaha.

Mr Yadav, who held fort engaging with the media contingent, was asked about the perception that the JD(U) was running out of patience by the "delay" in finalisation of a seat-sharing formula because Mahagathbandhan partners were coming up with competing claims.

"How do you know that such a formula has not been arrived at in Bihar? Who knows, it may have been finalised," cryptically said the RJD leader, whose party has been entrusted with negotiating, on behalf of junior partners Congress and Left, with the JD(U).

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Why Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Is Talking Tough: Explainer

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's demand that India withdraw its troops stationed in the country by mid-March is the newest in the anti-India rhetoric in the island nation that has started over the last few years. The number of troops -- 88 -- is too few to be a threat, which is what their presence is being portrayed as.

The troops have been stationed in Maldives since 2010 as part of a bilateral ties that involve training of Maldivian troops in combat and reconnaissance. They also provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents of the remote islands.

Domestic politics of Maldives

President Muizzu is widely seen as a pro-China leader, a departure from his predecessors who pursued a pro-India policy. One of the key slogans for his campaign was "India Out'. The coalition government of the People's National Congress & the Progressive Party of Maldives party is currently following the pro-China policy to remove what they call the Indian influence.

Ahead of the Presidential election held in Maldives at the end of September, supporters of the People's National Congress of President Muizzu had pushed a narrative that the Ibrahim Mohamed Solih-led Maldivian Democratic Party was influenced by India.

The formal demand for troop removal was first made around two months ago -- shortly after the Muizzu government came to power in September, riding on an anti-India agenda.

Anti-India build-up

India's gift of two military Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters helicopters to Maldives for rescue ops have been portrayed as creation of military presence.

An agreement for the UTF Harbour Project agreement, signed in February 2021 -- under which India was to develop and maintain a harbour and dockyard at Uthuru Thilafalhu near Maldives capital Malé -- has been a subject of intense speculation. A section of local media claimed that the project would eventually lead to the building of an Indian naval base there.

Fuelled by social media, a diplomatic row with India started as Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's widely circulated post about his visit to the Lakshadweep islands. Three ministers who made harsh comments, were, however, removed.

China factor

President Muizzu's demand for the removal of Indian troops was also made days after his visit to China, when the two nations upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

China is interested in expanding its influence in Maldives owing to its strategic position in the Indian Ocean. The islands are located on the one of the busiest maritime trade highways through which nearly 80 per cent of China's oil imports pass.

Maldives and China have signed 20 important agreements during President Muizzu's visit. China has given Male an aid of 130 million dollars which will be spent on the development projects.

Should India be concerned

The foreign ministry is yet to comment on Male's demand for troop withdrawal.

Former foreign minister Shashi Tharoor has warned about the increasing proximity between China and Maldives.

"There is no doubt about the fact that China has been attempting to expand its influence throughout our periphery. They have been increasingly influential in everyone of our neighbouring countries, everyone, without exception," he said.

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