1. Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan Hint at Forming Another Party
Outlining their options in the wake of their bitter conflict with the CM and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Yadav and Bhushan strongly hinted that they may well form another party.
That the rebel duo was toying with the idea of forming another political formation was apparent when Bhushan said that a legal battle for the title of AAP was “distasteful” to him, while Yadav said this course of action was not worth their time. Facing ouster from AAP, Yadav said he would not go back to academics; instead he will continue to be in politics.
Read the full story in The Times of India here.
2. Dialogue Salman’s Dad Salim Never got to Pen: ‘ Mere paas driver hai’
The Telegraph gives you the fascinating script of Salman Khan’s driver Ashok Singh’s confession in court. Singh said it was he, not Salman who was driving the car when a person was run over in 2002.
The name of Singh, 42, has not figured either during arguments or in evidence put forward by the defence or the prosecution in the last 12 years since the alleged hit-and-run. But last week, Salman, who has been charged by police with culpable homicide that carries a punishment of up to 10 years in jail, disclosed in court that his driver was at the wheel.
Read the full story here.
3. Nurses Reluctant to Return from War-Torn Yemen as India Mobilises Rescue Plan
Even as PM Modi does his best to get back Indian citizens from Yemen, nurses from Kerala are keen to stay back in the conflict ridden country.
The context of their reluctance was akin to what Indian nurses had mentioned during similar efforts in the past in Libya, Iraq and Kuwait: they wouldn’t forego their dues because they have huge educational loans to repay and had coughed up a hefty amount for travel papers to work abroad, especially in West Asia, sources said.
Read the full Hindustan Times article here.
4. In Ruined Rubber Dream, a Death with a Message
The Indian Express looks at the death of rubber farmer Krishnakutty Nair’s suicide and how his predicament is shared by many in Kerala. Scores of farmers had taken to rubber plantations when prices for the commodity were soaring. Now, they are caught in a cycle of debt that’s ruining many lives.
Nair’s suicide reflects the predicament of 12 lakh marginal growers who are going through a difficult phase since rubber prices plummeted. From a record high of Rs 240 per kg three years ago, prices are currently in the range of Rs 100-110 a kg.
Read the full story here.
5. Rally Against Land Bill to be Rahul’s Comeback Show
Even as rumours are floating that Rahul Gandhi will return to attend a rally against PM Modi’s Land Acquisition, Congressmen are wary of confirming them. Probably because of their Vice-President’s unreliable behaviour so far. There are also worries that Rahul will not be able to fill the role of Opposition leader as well as his mother.
During his absence, party president Sonia Gandhi mobilised public opinion and united the opposition against changes made by the Modi government to the 2013 land acquisition law, particularly the dilution of the provision that mandated farmers’ consent ahead of land takeover.
Read the full article in The Hindu here.
6. What the States got Right
Dhanmanjiri Sathe examines successful policies for Land Acquisition in various states and points out what the centre can learn from them.
The problems with the 2013 law are clear when we compare with the acts of Gujarat and Maharashtra — both successful industrialisers. In fact, according to an Accenture report on best practices across Indian states, Gujarat has the best land policy in the country. Just to focus on a few issues, in both Gujarat and Maharashtra, the acquiring agency (the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, respectively) has the flexibility to negotiate with farmers, unlike in the 2013 act.
Read the full Opinion piece in the Indian Express here.
7. The AAP as Only it’s Leaders Voice
Gopalkrishna Gandhi looks at how the AAP’s ideology has become just Arvind Kejriwal’s views and the need for the Delhi CM to “hear the other party”.
The people of Delhi voted for Arvind Kejriwal, giving him another chance. A leader, especially a very popular one, needs a House of the People in terms of popular backing. He has gatekeepers, he needs conscience-keepers.
Read the full article from The Hindu here.
8. China Offers Families More Money to Bury Their Dead at Sea
China is running out of land for its dead. So as an incentive, it is now offering double the money to families to bury their loved ones at sea.
State media reported that Beijing recently announced that it was doubling the grant for sea burial from 2,000 Yuan (about ` 20,000) to 4,000 Yuan (about ` 40,000). It will also allow up to six members of every family to accompany the dead to the nearest shore for the final rites at the sea. Earlier, only two were allowed. According to Chinese tradition, the dead are supposed to be buried at cemeteries next to their ancestors
Read the full Hindustan Times story here.