Govt trying to character-assassinate P. Chidambaram: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the government of using the ED, the CBI and sections of the media to “character-assassinate” former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram.

The Delhi High Court had on Tuesday refused to grant any protection from arrest to Chidambaram in the INX Media case, following which the CBI issued a notice to him asking him to appear before the investigation officer “within two hours” after failing to find him at his residence. – PTI

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet expanded to include two new faces

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath expanded his Cabinet, inducted two new faces as Cabinet Ministers and elevated four Ministers of State to Cabinet rank.

This is the first Cabinet reshuffle after Mr. Adityanath took over the reins of the State in March 2017, heading a 47-member Ministry including himself. – PTI

Chidambaram being hunted down for speaking the truth: Priyanka Vadra

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram was being hunted down for speaking the truth, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a series of tweets on Wednesday morning.

“He unhesitatingly speaks truth to power and exposes the failures of this government, but the truth is inconvenient to cowards so he is being shamefully hunted down,” Ms. Vadra said in a tweet.

Kashmir move undemocratic, says Sitaram Yechury

Hitting out at the Modi government for an ‘Israeli-model military occupation’ in Jammu and Kashmir, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury called on Indian patriots to join the battle for the soul and character of the country.

Speaking at a seminar at the AKG hall here on Tuesday on the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and convert the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, he said the manner in which the changes were implemented was undemocratic, unconstitutional and anti-federal.

Former Madhya Pradesh CM Babulal Gaur passes away

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Babulal Gaur, who represented the same Vidhan Sabha seat 10 times, passed away on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 89.

Gaur died at a private hospital here, where he was admitted for the past two weeks as he suffered from respiratory problems.