politics

‘CHOW-CHOW BATH’ SARKAR CRUMBLES, BUT WHAT NEXT IN KARNATAKA?

NEWS

In exactly 14 months, the coalition government of Karnataka collapsed.

The government failed to secure the trust by a margin of 4 votes. While BJP secured 105 votes, Congress-JDS only had 99 votes. This means 20 MLAs skipped the session bringing down the total to 204.

The magic number was 103 & coalition didn’t have the numbers during the trust vote.

The coalition had tried hard to delay the trust vote. Every tactic in the rule book was tried and after 4 days of intense debate and face off, the trust vote took place.

The session witnessed a Division Vote wherein head count of MLAs took place in the assembly. Following the vote count it was clear Kumaraswamy didn’t have the numbers.

The Chief Minister then submitted his resignation to the Governor.

The Governor then immediately accepted his resignation and requested him to continue as a caretaker CM

What next in Karnataka?

What happens next in the big question on everyone’s mind. BJP President Yeddyurappa is expected to stake claim after meeting the Governor Vajubhai Vala.

Fate of the 15 rebel MLAs remains unknown. As the speaker is yet to accept or reject their resignations.

Scenario 1:

If their resignations are accepted, there could be re-election on their seats, which means the tussle for power could extend

Scenario 2:

If resignations are rejected, then under anti-defection law they could be disqualified as the whip remains. This drama could also escalate in Supreme Court.

BSP in the meanwhile also sacked its lone MLA for defying the party whip. The MLA was asked to cast his vote for the coalition, but he refrained from the proceedings

Situation in Bengaluru

Meanwhile section 144 was imposed in the capital city of Bengaluru. However once the reports of trust vote results emerged, BJP supporters celebrated the win.

CRACKS WITHIN K’TAKA CONGRESS AFTER EXIT POLLS PREDICTIONS?

National News

The exit poll surveys released on Sunday have been causing ripples across the country. Various exit polls have predicted a comfortable win for the NDA with 300+ seats. This seems to have riled up the opposition will opposition leaders across party lines reaching the EC’s door claiming EVM rigging and malfunction , in turn raising questions on the world’s largest democracy.

The same Exit polls seems to have caused ripples in the Karnataka Congress where senior party leader and state minister for Infrastructure, Urban development, Information and Haj, Roshan Baig has come against the party leadership of the state. Baig hit out at the Karnataka Congress calling senior Congress leader KC Venugopal a ‘buffoon’, Former chief minister Siddaramaiah ‘arrogant’ and KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao a ‘flop show’.

There are speculations that the disgruntled leader felt sidelined after he was not given the position of Deputy Chief Minister in the JD(S)-Congress coalition govt which came to power in the state last year.

The minister did not stop at this. In an interview to the Press Trust of India, he appealed to the Muslims of Karnataka ‘to compromise with the situation’ if the NDA led government happens to come back to power at the centre. He added that the muslim voters of the state must go with the BJP as he alleged that the Congress had used them for votes.

The Congress party has served him a notice, asking him to explain his comments.

Further reacting on Roshan Baig’s comments, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G Parameshwara brushed aside his comments, calling it ‘his individual opinion’. JD(S) state president H Vishwanath on the other hand welcomed Roshan Baig’s comments saying ‘This will not affect the coalition government. Top party leaders must sit down and resolve the matter.’

With the exit polls predicting a win for the BJP in Karnataka, speculations are that the coalition government in the state will be in trouble, if these numbers come true.

BJP currently has 104 seats in the state and the majority mark is 113. If the NDA happens to come back to power at the centre, there may be lawmakers willing to jump from the Congress-JD(S) coalition helping the BJP to reach the majority mark, thereby toppling the current state government. Here, senior Congress leader Roshan Baig might play a very significant role, according to political analysts.

But will the NDA government sail back into power like the exit polls have predicted? Will the NDA’s win at the centre topple the state government? One will have to wait for May23rd for the answers to these questions.

BLOG WRITTEN BY APOORVA SHANKAR

Things you must know about Agra-Lucknow Expressway

National News

1) The Agra-Lucknow Expressway has a design speed of up to 120 kms per hour.

2) The six-lane expressway is expandable to 8-lanes.

3) The expressway includes 4 rail over bridges, 13 major bridges, 57 minor bridges, 74 vehicular underpasses, 148 pedestrian underpasses and 9 flyovers.

4) The Agra-Lucknow Expressway has been built in a record time of 23 months by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).

5) The Agra-Lucknow Expressway will have development centres, agricultural mandis, schools,  service centres and other public amenities.

 

Timeline of the demonetisation saga on November 18

National News

 

18:02 (IST)

This is a required surgery which is being done in the country, for a better India: Venkaiah Naidu

Aam Aadmi Party naraz ho sakti hai, par aam aadmi naraz nahi hai: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu #demonetization pic.twitter.com/fdhmUKCH7n

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

This is a required surgery which is being done in the country, for a better India: Venkaiah Naidu #demonetization

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

17:59 (IST)

The common man of India is very happy with this move: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu

 “This mandate is to curb corruption. This decision is for the benefit of the people in the long run. Common man is very happy with the move,” Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said.

 Comparing the inconvenience of the public to the labour pains of a pregnant woman, Naidu said, “This is very temporary. Temporary pain for long-term gain – this is how the common man is dealing with this issue.”

 17:48 (IST)

Only 13% of all ATMs re-calibrated till today: CNBC-TV18

17:28 (IST)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to visit banks at Connaught Place to take stock of situation: Times Now

17:08 (IST)

Exchange of old notes likely to be curbed or stopped: News18 quoting sources

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

16:55 (IST)

Step taken by PM Modi is highly appreciable, but demonetisation is implemented without doing any homework: BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha

Step taken by PM Modi is highly appreciable, but #demonetization is implemented without doing any homework: BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha pic.twitter.com/Dr50CoTTr6

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

16:36 (IST)

PM Modi should apologise to the families of the people who died while standing in long queues: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala

PM Modi should apologize to the families of the people who died while standing in long queues, says Randeep Surjewala on #CashCrisis pic.twitter.com/blRTgVXlba

 

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

16:15 (IST)

Delhi: Long queue at mobile ATM installed outside Air Force Headquarter pic.twitter.com/R0fBYjZC3Y

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

16:04 (IST)

PM Modi said MPs should use weekend to sensitise their constituents about demonetisation: BJP sources tell CNN-News18

PM in his meeting with ministers said MPs should use weekend to sensitize their constituents about demonetization: BJP Sources@maryashakil

 

The Delhi Chief Minister and his Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had on Thursday demanded that demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes be rolled back within the next three days.

I am v sad that FM has plainly refused to even review and consider rollback. Modi govt has lost connect wid people n has bcome v insensitive

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 18, 2016

15:48 (IST)

There could be riots: Supreme Court

 

Coming down heavily on the Narendra Modi government for not taking the issue seriously, the Supreme Court on Friday questioned the move to reduce the exchange limit of old notes from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000. The apex court added that the situation was serious and there are possibilities of riots breaking out. 

 

“It is a serious issue which requires consideration,” a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice A R Dave said, while asking the parties to be ready with data and other issues in writing. The apex court also refused Centre’s request to put on hold petitions pending in various high courts challenging the decision to demonetise.

 

 

“Some measures are required. See the kind of problems people are facing. People have to go to the high court. If we shut them from going to the high court, how can we know the magnitude of the problem. People going to different courts indicates the magnitude of the problem,” the bench said.

 

SC made the remarks as Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi submitted that any matter relating to challenge to the demonetisation issue be heard by the apex court only.

15:30 (IST)

Corruption cases involving new currency notes are already making news: Akhilesh

 

Talking to reporters in Lucknow on Friday after presiding over a Cabinet meeting, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The meeting was of the opinion that farmers should get relaxation in use of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes…cooperative banks to which farmers are directly linked should get relaxation as money is not promptly reaching bank branches.”

 

On the Centre’s stand that demonetisation will check corruption, Akhilesh said cases of graft involving new currency notes are already making news in some parts of the country.

 

“We have also come to know that corruption through new notes has already started. Such reports are surfacing in newspapers and especially on the social media,” he said, claiming the goal of unearthing black money and weeding out fake currency notes will not be achieved.

15:29 (IST)

Demonetisation an ill-planned move: Akhilesh Yadav

 

Criticising the Centre for “foisting crisis” on farmers, who have been at the receiving end of nature’s wrath for consecutive years, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the “ill-planned” demonetisation could have an adverse impact on the economy.

 

He said the state’s farmers, who hoped that this time round they will make up for the losses of past years, have been forced to face not a natural calamity but a “government-made crisis”.

 

“This has been forced by the government knowingly,” he said, adding, “They (BJP) have the most knowledgeable persons and if such intelligent people force hardships on people what more can be said,” he wondered.

15:24 (IST)

Queues are getting shorter: AG Rohatgi to Supreme Court

 

The Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi in his response, said there is no dispute, but the queues are getting shorter and even suggested that the Chief Justice of India can go out during lunch and himself look at the queue. “Kindly go in the lunch time,” the AG told the bench and took objection to senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for a private party, for allegedly exaggerating the situation.

 

“It’s a political attempt in the court. I have seen your (Sibal’s) press conference also. You are not appearing for a political party, but for an advocate. You are turning the apex court into a political platform,” Rohatgi said.

 

At the outset, the bench questioned the relief measures undertaken by the Centre by saying, “Last time you said there will be relief for people in the coming days but you have squeezed the exchange limit to Rs 2,000 only.”

 

“What is the difficulty? ” the bench asked Rohatgi. The AG explained the situation by stating that after printing, the currency has to be moved to thousands of centres across the country and ATMs have to be re-calibrated. “There is no shortage of funds,” he said.

 

15:20 (IST)

Long queues is a matter of serious concern: Supreme Court tells AG Rohatgi

 

The Supreme Court dubbed the long queues outside banks and post offices as “serious issue” and expressed its reservation on the Centre’s plea seeking a direction that no other court in the country should entertain petitions challenging the November 8 notification demonetising Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.

 

“It is a serious issue which requires consideration,” a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice A R Dave said, while asking the parties to be ready with data and other issues in writing.

 

“Some measures are required. See the kind of problems people are facing. People have to go to the high court. If we shut them from going to the high court, how can we know the magnitude of the problem. People going to different courts indicates the magnitude of the problem,” the bench said.

 

It made the remarks as Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi submitted that any matter relating to challenge to the demonetisation issue be heard by the apex court only. However, the bench said, “People are affected. People are frantic. People have the right to approach the courts,” noting that there are difficulties and “can you (the Centre) dispute”.

15:17 (IST)

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and cabinet ministers at the day-long protest against demonetisation

Keralacm@pinarayi vijayan and cabinet minister’s day long protest# demonitization # co-operative sector @CNNnews18 pic.twitter.com/icakOMGvGk

— Neethu Reghukumar (@Neethureghu) November 18, 2016

15:09 (IST)

Queues are getting longer shorter day by day: Chanda Kochar, ICIC MD and CEO

The queues are not getting longer but are getting shorter day by day: Chanda Kochar,ICIC MD and CEO #demonetization pic.twitter.com/ozuc7E0x6y

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

There is a huge movement towards e transactions, card usage has almost doubled: Chanda Kochar,ICICI MD and CEO #demonetization

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

Queues getting shorter,not longer. Reduction in queues for exchange as ppl are using their accounts for transactions-Chanda Kochhar,ICICI MD pic.twitter.com/owczXMRxoK

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

14:47 (IST)

Was Narendra Modi forced to abort RBI plan to calibrate ATMs?

 

An entire population of 1.25 billion is living in misery, craving something they already have: A strange contradiction of shortage in abundance. The only question that everyone is asking is: Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi send a country into war against black money without planning?

 

And the answer is yes and no.

 

The Opposition parties are not wrong — this could have been planned better and the government is not giving us all the facts. The truth is the government did have a plan. Not for recalibration — for which it has come under severe attack — but for the preemptive calibration of ATMs. If this plan had run its course, it could have considerably smoothened the currency exchange at ATMs. But the plan ground to a halt even before it took off. But more on that later.

 

Read the full article here.

14:40 (IST)

Small deposits in banks won’t be questioned by I-T: Finance ministry

 

Announcing that small deposits made in banks of artisans, workers, housewives will not be questioned by Income Tax Department, the finance ministry said that there are reports that a few people were “using other’s accounts to convert their black money into new denomination notes.”

 

“Such tax evasion activities can be made subject to income tax and penalty,” ANI reported. The ministry added that thos who allow their accounts to be misused will be prosecuted.”However, genuine people having their own household savings in cash and depositing the same will not be questioned,” the ministry was quoted as saying by ANI.

It was announced that small deposits made in banks of artisans,workers,housewives etc would not be questioned by IT dept: Finance Ministry

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

There are reports that some ppl are using other person’s accounts to convert their black money into new denomination notes:Finance Ministry

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

Such tax evasion activities can be made subject to income tax&penalty,also who allows his account to be misused will be prosecuted:Fin Min

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

Such tax evasion activities can be made subject to income tax&penalty,also who allows his account to be misused will be prosecuted:Fin Min

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

14:24 (IST)

Blunders lead to more blunders: Mamata Banerjee

 

In a series of tweets on Friday, Mamata Banerjee said that there are ways that the government can restore normalcy and help people.

 

“Government should allow old Rs 500 notes to remain in circulation along with the new notes. Also, Rs 100/50/10 notes must be made easily available. Rs 1,000 notes may be withdrawn when circulation improves by 30 December, or at your discretion. No need for anymore faltu, action-less announcements. Sometimes blunders lead to more more blunders,” says the West Bengal Chief Minister.

We are looking for a solution. I have some concrete suggestions which will help restore normalcy & help all people who are suffering 1/4

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 18, 2016

Govt should allow old Rs 500 notes to remain in circulation along with new notes. Also,Rs 100/50/10 notes must be made easily available 2/4

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 18, 2016

Rs1000 notes may be withdrawn when circulation improves by December 30. Or at your discretion 3/4

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 18, 2016

Rs1000 notes may be withdrawn when circulation improves by December 30. Or at your discretion 3/4

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 18, 2016

13:50 (IST)

Rs 2,000 note is not a good decision, it will increase the black money: Anna

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

13:42 (IST)

Supreme Court to Centre: Find ways to resolve crisis

 

The apex court on Friday refused to stay note ban cases in higher courts. The central government requested the Supreme Court to reject pleas against demonetisation in other courts, and also requested that only Supreme Court should hear those cases.

 

Supreme Court rejected Centre’s plea and said that it is a serious issue and people are inconvenienced.

#BREAKING | SC on Note ban: It’s a serious issue, People are inconvenienced. @ashokbagariya with more on the story. pic.twitter.com/6xgtysUCD8

 

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 18, 2016

13:19 (IST)

SC expresses reservation on Centre’s plea for direction that no court except apex court hears pleas on demonetisation notification

#SC expresses reservation on Centre’s plea for direction that no court except apex court hears pleas on #demonetisation notification.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 18, 2016

13:17 (IST)

Maharashtra stamp duty collection drops 37%

 

Stamp duty collection in Maharashtra has dropped by 37 percent after the Centre demonetised high-value notes, a senior official said today.

 

The Union government’s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was announced 10 days back and stamp duty collection is already down by 37 per cent across the state, Inspector General of Registration (IGR) and Controller of Stamps N Ramaswamy told PTI.

 

The state government’s average daily earning through property registration charges and stamp duty has come down to Rs 42 crore from Rs 65 crore earlier, he said.

 

“Though most of the transactions such as calculation of ready reckoner, its stamp duty and payment are done digitally as well as through demand drafts, still the collection has gone down.

 

“The IGR offices across the state generally handle 7,300 documents daily, which has now plunged to 4,000 documents,” he said.

 

The IGR office registers all types of property deals, including sale and purchase of land, properties, rent and lease agreements. It is the second largest revenue generating department of the state government, after excise.

13:15 (IST)

Govt making efforts but there is anger among people and party is with the people: Anant Geete, Shiv Sena MP

Govt making efforts but there is anger among people and party is with the ppl: Anant Geete,Shiv Sena MP and Union Minister #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/tfHQY9nqig

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

13:06 (IST)

Centre has not applied its mind properly: Kolkata HC raps Centre

#DeMonetisation: Kolkata HC says Centre has not applied its mind properly, everyday they are changing procedures,means there was no homework

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

12:59 (IST)

Opposition is not ready to accept the popularity of PM Modi and the wonderful demonetisation move: M Venkaiah Naidu tells CNN-News18

#EXCLUSIVE Opposition are not ready to accept the popularity of PM & the wonderful #Demonetisation move: @MVenkaiahNaidu to @maryashakil pic.twitter.com/sGqdY89BVG

 

12:31 (IST)

Congress issue ko divert karne ka prayaas kar rahe hain , aur mujhe lagta hai ki vo charcha se bhaag rahe hain: Venkaiah Naidu

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

PM jab bhi zaroorat padti hai intervene karte rahe hain, lekin is issue ko lekar disrupt karna theek nahi hai:Venkaiah Naidu

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

12:30 (IST)

Govt ready for discussion: Venkaiah Naidu

We have said we are ready for discussion, don’t know why opposition is creating uproar in the house: Venkaiah Naidu #DeMonetisation

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

12:29 (IST)

Jumping into well or committing suicide is also radical: Former Union Minister Arun Shourie

 

Former Union Minister Arun Shourie on mocked the claim of demonetisation of high-value currencies being a radical measure, stating that jumping into well or committing suicide is also radical.

 

Everybody will say it is a wonderful move going by its stated objective which is to strike at black money but it was not a “thought-through” exercise, said the former BJP leader who has often flayed the Modi government’s policies.

 

“This is a strike not on black money but on legal tender of India, its currency. This is a strike on cash transactions,” he told NDTV in an interview.

 

Shourie said the demonetisation move showed lack of domain expertise on part of the government.

 

He said to kill a mosquito, an axe should not be wielded.

 

He claimed that the move has been carried out in the “cycle of surgical strikes” and it may lead to smaller parties joining hands to take on the BJP in the future.

 

The senior journalist said the government has been “carried away” by the big idea to combat black money.

12:16 (IST)

The farmers have been worst hit: Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav

 

 

Addressing the media, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav said that the farmers are worst hit. This is not a natural disaster but one created by the Central government.

 

 

 

Farmers are in crisis, this is not a natural disaster but one created by the Central Govt: CM Akhilesh Yadav #DeMonetisation pic.twitter.com/lMhrcHDqkk

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 18, 2016

Jab ATM Machines naye note sweekar nahi kar rahi hain toh insaan kahan se kar lega: CM Akhilesh Yadav #DeMonetisation

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 18, 2016

12:09 (IST)

All MPs from Kerala meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley seeking PACs’ exemption from cash withdrawal limit

#DeMonetisation : All MPs from Kerala meet Finance minister Arun Jaitley seeking PACs’ exemption from cash withdrawal limit. pic.twitter.com/zwqPzB4IFg

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

11:51 (IST)

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his Cabinet colleagues stage a protest in front of RBI over demonetisation

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his Cabinet colleagues stage a protest in front of RBI over #DeMonetisation. pic.twitter.com/GQhmVGE2Wn

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

11:49 (IST)

TMC workers protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament premises over demonetisation move

Delhi: TMC protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament premises over Govt’s demonetisation move pic.twitter.com/KyTkB5QNXA

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

11:41 (IST)

Election Commission against indelible ink use by banks, puts govt in a spot

 

 

The Election Commission (EC) has written to the finance ministry not to use indelible ink in banks for marking people who have exchanged the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes once, according to a report by news agency ANI.

 

 

In the letter, the EC has raised concerns that several states will be going to the polls in the near future and this is one of the major points to mark citizens who have already voted, the report said.

 

 

The EC seems to be worried that the use of the ink by banks will create confusion during the elections and will render is easy for unscrupulous elements to cash in on this to indulge in malpractices during the elections.

11:35 (IST)

School kids in Madhya Pradesh trick milk vendor with photocopied note of Rs 2,000

 

 

In Madhya Pradesh, four school children on Thursday tricked a milk parlour operator in Shajapur by purchasing products with a photocopied new note of Rs 2,000, reported The Times of India.

 

 

The report states that the children bought milk and confectioneries worth Rs 200 and walked away with the change of Rs 1,800 returned by the vendor.

11:19 (IST)

CM P Vijayan, ministers protest outside RBI office in Thiruvananthapuram, seek steps to protect Cooperative sector

CM P Vijayan,ministers protest outside #RBI office in Thiruvananthapuram,seek steps to protect Cooperative sector after demonetisation.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 18, 2016

11:17 (IST)

Why Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu is the only non-BJP CM to hail move

 

 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo Chandrababu Naidu, an important ally for the BJP in the south, is known for his penchant to look for ways to maximise his political clout, says Firstpost writer GS Radhakrishna.

 

 

Following PM Modi’s demonetisation announcement, Naidu has been on a gloat mission — he had written to Modi barely a week earlier demanding a ban on these denominations in an effort to curb black money.

 

 

As the Opposition gears up for a strident battle over the issue, Naidu too is gearing up — not to fight, but to defend the idea. Naidu has geared his administration to face the challenge posed by the cash crunch, particularly in Andhra, a state that serves as a junction to three states with the Bay of Bengal on one side.

11:08 (IST)

ATMs in Parliament House too running dry

 

The ripple effects of demonetisation have not spared the high-security Parliament House complex too. On Thursday, the second day of the Winter Session, ATMs went dry at Parliament House, causing intense disappointment among those lined up in the queue.

 

 

Hoping to get hold of much-needed cash, many people, mostly Parliament staff, security officials and some journalists, queued up at the two ATMs in Parliament House in the afternoon. But their wait turned futile as the cash vending machines were not refilled during the day.

 

 

Hoping the ATMs would be replenished in the evening, people again queued up but yet again they were left dejected.

 

 

“The RBI and the office of the Prime Minister are situated just a few yards from here, but even then they couldn’t provide cash. Imagine the situation in ATMs outside Parliament,” said a man frustrated over his wait going in vain.

 

Later at the Central Hall, a union minister talking to reporters, quipped “Only when the government has money will it fill the ATMs.”

11:04 (IST)

Rs 91.5 lakh cash seized allegedly from state cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh’s vehicle

 

Opposition Congress and NCP on Friday demanded the sacking of Maharashtra Cooperative Minister Subhash Deshmukh amid reports of seizure of Rs 91 lakh and sought an enquiry by Income Tax department into bank transactions of state BJP leaders to “unearth black money”.

 

 

“(Recovery of cash) proves that BJP leaders are in the possession of black money. Since the government has launched a campaign against black money and corruption, properties of the BJP leaders should be searched to unearth black money.

Osmanabad (Maha): Rs 91.5 lakh in cash seized from a vehicle that allegedly belongs to Subhash Deshmukh; Opposition demands his resignation. pic.twitter.com/JnZlbcSHt3

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

10:24 (IST)

EC raised the concern as several states will be going to polls and this is one of major points to mark citizens who have already voted

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

10:22 (IST)

#FLASH: Election Commission writes to Finance ministry not to use indelible ink in banks. #demonetization

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

10:19 (IST)

#Demonetisation: People queue up outside bank for currency exchange and withdrawal in Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/FaNyqct8RL

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

08:51 (IST)

Mumbai: People gather in the night outside Bank Of India, Zaveri Bazar to exchange/withdraw old notes waiting for it to open in the morning. pic.twitter.com/m6r0SAYzHD

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

Delhi: People stand in a queue outside ATM in RK Puram sector 8 pic.twitter.com/HHNBa2bqjP

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2016

08:37 (IST)

2,500 petrol pumps to dispense cash

 

In a bid to ease cash crunch, the government on Thursday allowed dispensing cash of up to Rs 2,000 through debit card swipe at select petrol pumps.

The facility will be available at 2,500 petrol pumps.

“It has been decided that an amount up to Rs 2000 per day per person in cash can be dispensed against swiping of debit card from select petrol pumps where POS machines of SBI are already available,” an official said.

#DeMonetisation

Cash Dispensation to be started from select PetrolPumps of IOCL/BPCL/HPCL@dpradhanbjp @AshutoshJindalS pic.twitter.com/N36Ow8PGVH

Mamata Banarjee and Arvind Kejriwal take on NDA

National News

In a massive show of strength, chief ministers of Delhi and West Bengal took on prime minister Narendra Modi over his move to demonetise 500 and 1000 rupees. Here is an excerpt of their speech.

Aage toh chhodo, desh ko peecha kar diya. Earlier it was Rs 4500, now they have reduce the withdrawal limit to Rs 2000.They want to sell this country.They are trying to break the constitution. We cannot allow that. If you have courage, send us to jail or shoot us. But we will continue fighting. We will not allow the poor to go hungry. We will continue to fight for this country.

MAMATA BANARJEE

 

I had raised the name of Robert Vadra at a time when people were scared to take his name.I will be at the forefront of every fight against black money. By withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and introducing higher Rs 2000 notes, how are you removing black money.PM Modi helped Vijay Mallya escape the country. Mallya is now sitting and enjoying in London. Common people are standing in queues. People’s marriages are being broken and there are others killing themselves. Who is responsible for their deaths

ARVIND KEJRIWAL