NEWS

Madhya Pradesh's representation in the Narendra Modi cabinet has steadily increased to six ministers after the reshuffle carried out on Wednesday.

After the rejig, Gwalior-Chambal and Bundelkhand regions have emerged as the strongest with two union ministers each.

After Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia took oath as a cabinet minister, Gwalior has emerged as a power centre with supporters of Scindia and union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar flexing muscles.

However, BJP leaders from Malwa, Vindhya and Mahakaushal regions are upset at being left out in the recent reshuffle.

The Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments have once again locked horns over the Rs 9,000-crore Mekedatu project.

Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa Saturday wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart M.K. Stalin, urging him not to oppose the reservoir project. 

“We have been fighting for Karnataka’s rights in the Cauvery basin and have been successful. This matter is also before the Supreme Court, we are putting forward our case,” Yediyurappa wrote. “We will continue our legal battle for our rights. We are confident of winning it and completing the Mekedatu project.”

The Congress brass appears miffed with the freewheeling tweeting of Navjot Singh Sidhu, party star and leading dissident against CM Amarinder Singh, as it gears to settle the formula for the reorganisation of state organisation and government ahead of 2022 elections.

Sources said CM Singh’s meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi was positive as it was capped by Singh making a public statement that he would abide by and implement any decision of the leadership. “Singh has shown the trait of a leader of stature as well as discipline that was expected of him, despite the testing circumstances,” said a senior Congress manager.

Union food processing minister Pashupati Kumar Paras on Thursday escalated the face-off within the family to claim the legacy of his brother and LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan while claiming that he is the “real political successor” of Paswan and Chirag can be the “heir" of his brother’s wealth as per Hindu Succession law.

Paras took charge of the ministry amid the ongoing controversy of Chirag challenging his uncle’s claim of leading the party in Lok Sabha. The Chirag led party has moved the Delhi High Court against the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to recognise Paras as the leader of LJP in the Lower House. Paras said it was not “legally correct” and asserted that in democracy the majority prevails.