"Nothing Wrong With It": Congress Backs Kerala Ally Over Lunch With PM Modi

A day after he was criticised by the ruling CPI(M) for having lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UDF MP NK Premachandran on Sunday received support from the Congress leadership in Kerala who made it clear that there was nothing wrong in accepting the invitation extended by the Prime Minister.

Whole-heartedly backing the Kollam MP, KPCC chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition in the assembly VD Satheesan said the Marxist party was deliberately creating controversies as they had nothing else to say.

Mr Premachandran is a leader of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), an ally of the Congress-led UDF Opposition in the southern state.

While jointly addressing a press conference, the leaders said Mr Premachandran is one of the best parliamentarians in the country and a popular MP.

What was the controversy about him having lunch with the Prime Minister at the Parliament's canteen, Mr Satheesan asked.

"Even when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is politically opposed, the Opposition leader and (UDF) MLAs attend the meeting called by him. Similarly, Premachandran also received an invitation from the Prime Minister's Office," he said.

While answering a question, the LoP also said the Congress party didn't criticise Mr Vijayan when receiving PM Modi and saw him off during his recent visit to the state.

Like the BJP, CPI(M) was also playing the trick of creating communal polarisation in the society to get votes, Mr Satheesan further charged.

Mr Sudhakaran also criticised the ruling party for creating a row over the incident and asked whether Chief Minister Vijayan hadn't gone to meet PM Modi.

"There is nothing wrong with Premachandran accepting the Prime Minister's invitation," he added.

In Thiruvananthapuram, senior Congress Leader and MP K Muraleedharan also extended support to the Kollam MP and said if he received a similar invitation from the PMO, he would also have accepted it.

Mr Premachandran's lunch with the Prime Minister triggered a political row in Kerala on Saturday, with the ruling CPI(M) taking a dig at him pointing out his "closeness" with PM Modi.

The Kollam MP was among the parliamentarians, selected from different parties, with whom PM Modi had lunch at the Parliament canteen on Friday.

While Mr Premachandran justified his accepting the invitation from the PMO saying it was a friendly meeting beyond politics, senior CPI(M) leader and Finance Minister KN Balagopal made fun of him, saying that he might have gone as he was so close to the Prime Minister.

Senior Marxist party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem and LDF Convenor EP Jayarajan also slammed Mr Premachandran's gesture.

However, Mr Premachandran told the media that it was a sheer "friendly meeting" and a "new and happy experience in life." "It was an unexpected invitation from the PMO. It was just a friendly and casual talk...No political matter ever came up for discussion," he said.

Praising PM Modi's friendly behaviour during the meeting, the UDF MP said he spoke in a way that did not give the impression that it was the PM who was speaking.

During the meeting, PM Modi shared his life experiences, about his daily routine, the days during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and so on, he said.

"Beyond politics, it was a personal meeting...and a new experience in life," he added.

When reporters sought his reaction over the matter, Mr Balagopal said in a lighter vein that Mr Premachandran was invited by the PM for lunch as he has confidence in him.

Certain people were invited and things were discussed, the state finance minister said, pointing out to the invitation extended to select MPs.

"What should I say about the meeting for lunch? It was because of the trust (between them)," he said with a smile.

Balagopal also accused the UDF MPs, including Mr Premachandran, of raising questions in Parliament in a way that strengthened the arguments by the Centre against the state government.

BJD leader Sasmit Patra, RSP leader NK Premachandran, TDP's K Ram Mohan Naidu, BSP's Ritesh Pandey and some BJP leaders, including Union Minister L Murugan and Heena Gavit, were with PM Modi as they had lunch together.

PM Modi later posted pictures of their meal together and said, "Enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, made even better thanks to the company of parliamentary colleagues from various parties and different parts of India."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Asked About "Won't Flip" Remark, Jayant Chaudhary's "Expiry Date" Counter

To compare the legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh with a "small election" of 2024 is belittling him, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary said, refusing to spill beans over the said "deal" between his party and the BJP.

He was asked about speculations of the RLD joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and switching over from the INDIA bloc after Bharat Ratna was announced for his grandfather.

"If you compare a small election of 2024 with the great legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh, you are belittling him and insulting his supporters. It is an insult to an honour like Bharat Ratna," Chaudhary said.

Asked about the allegations of a "deal" between RLD and BJP, he said, "The process of deciding on Bharat Ratna is a pious process. The government takes decisions in the interest of the nation, keeping in mind people's sentiment... 37 years after his death, a government thought of honouring him. If they are seeing something wrong with this and if they think there is a transaction, it shows their ideological decline."

Asked what went wrong with the Samajwadi Party, he said it is an "internal matter", adding that he will explain later why he changed his stand.

"Those are internal matters, based on trust. Whatever discussions took place between me and Akhilesh ji, I will not discuss it outside... When our alliance is decided and announced, I will be able to tell why I changed my stand and the way ahead," he said.

On his earlier remarks that he will not "flip like a coin", Singh said there should be an "expiry date" to remarks.

"This used to happen earlier as well, but earlier the records were not available all the time. In the times of internet, you can also see my statements from 20 years ago when I fought with the support of the BJP and became an MP from Mathura. There is an expiry date to statements, something was said during poll campaign... Amit Shah had said something about me, I said something to keep my people together. I did not intend to insult him, nor did he take it personally. Otherwise, would Chaudhary sahab get a Bharat Ratna?" he said.

"I am responsible for Lok Dal. My responsibility is to see how I can do better for my people and how I can help farmers. I will take a decision based on that," he added.

The remarks come amid speculations of the RLD joining BJP-led NDA ahead of the general elections. Singh on Saturday praised the Modi government for honouring his grandfather and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna.

On Friday, after the announcement that Bharat Ratna will be conferred on Singh, Chaudhary had said "Dil jeet liya (They have won my heart)".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ischemic Stroke: The Disease Mithun Chakraborty Has Been Diagnosed With

Veteran actor and politician Mithun Chakraborty was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday morning after experiencing weakness in his right arm and leg. He has been diagnosed with an Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), according to an official statement released by the hospital.

The 73-year-old actor is currently receiving treatment and remains under the observation of a team of doctors. The statement did not disclose the severity of the stroke or provide further details about his prognosis.

Also Read | Mithun Chakraborty Diagnosed With Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident Stroke

Mr Chakraborty, known for his iconic roles in films like "Disco Dancer" and "Agneepath," has been active in both cinema and politics in recent years. He is a current member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

News of his hospitalization has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, with fans and fellow actors expressing their concern and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Let's explore the medical emergency that has resulted in the hospitalisation of the renowned actor.

What is an Ischemic Stroke?

According to the US government's MedlinePlus, there are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is the more common type. It accounts for about 87% of all strokes. It is usually caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. This keeps blood from flowing to the brain. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. Another cause is stenosis, or narrowing of the artery. This can happen because of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted briefly. Having a TIA can mean you are at risk of having a more serious stroke. 

Symptoms of stroke are:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

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Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga: When And Where To Watch Live For Free?

Real Madrid will look to go five points clear at the top of La Liga as they take on high-flyers Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday. Girona sit two points behind Madrid in what has been a dream season for the Catalan outfit. Michel's men were beaten 0-3 in the reverse fixture at the tiny 14,000-seater Montilivi stadium in September., but could go one-point clear of Carlo Ancelotti's side with a win in the Spanish captital on Saturday. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Girona's Artem Dobvyk sit top of the La Liga scoring charts, alongwith Getafe's Borja Mayoral, with 14 strikes so far.

Real Madrid have the best defence, conceding just 15 goals in 23 league games, while Girona boast the best attack, with 52 goals.

When will the Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match be played?

The Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match will be played on Saturday, February 10.

Where will the Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match be played?

The Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.

What time will the Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match start?

The Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match will start at 11 PM IST.

Where to follow the live telecast of the Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match?

The Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match will be telecasted on the Sports 18 Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match?

The Real Madrid vs Girona, La Liga match will be streamed live for free on Jio Cinema.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

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Karnataka Doctor Dismissed For Pre-Wedding Shoot Inside Operation Theatre

A doctor lost his job after he had a pre-wedding shoot with his fiancee inside an operation theatre at a hospital in Karnataka. The incident happened in Chitradurga district on Wednesday.

The video of the shoot shows the doctor, who was working on a contractual basis at the hospital in Chitradurga district, and her fiancee performing a fake surgery. The couple was armed with medical equipment and a full-fledged lighting setup in the background.

Camerapersons and other technicians can be heard laughing as they recorded the act.

Towards the end, a man who pretended to be the patient for the act is seen sitting up, bursting into laughter.

The district administration terminated the doctor from the service after the video went viral on social media.

"We had appointed him through the National Health Mission (NHM) on a contract basis a month ago as a medical officer.  The operation theatre in question is currently unused and is undergoing repairs. It has not been in operation since September," District Health Officer of Chitradurga Renu Prasad said.

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said he "cannot tolerate such indiscipline from doctors".

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Rao said, "A doctor who conducted a pre-wedding shoot in the operation theater of Bharamasagar Government Hospital in Chitradurga has been dismissed from service.

"Government hospitals exist for the health care of people and not for personal work. I cannot tolerate such indiscipline from doctors".

The minister said, "All contract employees, including doctors and staff performing duties in the health department, should perform their duties as per the government service rules".

"I have already instructed the concerned doctors and all the staff to be careful so that such abuses do not happen in government hospitals.

Everyone should focus on performing the duty knowing that the facilities provided by the government to the government hospitals are for the health care of the common people," he added.
 

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Usha Uthup Stuns Diners With Soulful Rendition Of Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers'

Veteran singer Usha Uthup, renowned for her powerful voice, surprised and delighted audiences at iconic Kolkata restaurant Trincas with her performance of Miley Cyrus' Grammy-winning hit "Flowers."

The performance, which took place on February 8th, was captured on video and has since gone viral online. Trincas, where Uthup has been a regular performer since the late 1960s, even after rising to fame as a playback singer, witnessed her deliver a captivating rendition of the contemporary pop song.

The video posted on Instagram by Meghdut Roy Chowdhury quickly gained traction, with comments applauding Uthup's unique interpretation of the popular track.

"She wears flowers in her hair and sings flowers by Miley Cyrus. I never thought I'd get to witness this. And yes, this is an Usha Uthup fan page now! Deal with it," wrote Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, who posted the video on Instagram.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meghdut Roy Chowdhury | মেঘদূত রায় চৌধুরী (@meghdutroychowdhury)

The internet erupted in praise for Uthup's captivating performance, with netizens hailing her version of "Flowers" as a masterpiece.

This unexpected cover, which has gotten around three lakh likes, has not only showcased Usha Uthup's continued artistic journey and ability to connect with audiences across generations.

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"Chose Rashtraneeti Over Rajneeti": PM On Why White Paper Was Brought Now

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his government could have brought a white paper on economy in 2014 itself when it came to power but he chose 'rashtraneeti' over 'rajneeti' as he did not want to shake the country's confidence.

The document has been introduced in the last Parliament session before the general elections.

Prime Minister Modi-led government on Thursday brought a white paper tearing into Congress-led UPA rule and saying that it had turned the Indian economy into a non-performing one through indiscriminate revenue expenditure, off budget borrowings and pile of bad debts at banks.

Addressing the Times Groups' ET NOW Global Business Summit, PM Modi said that in the decade before 2014, the policies on which the country was running was taking the country on the path of bankruptcy. "On this, we have tabled a white paper on the economy in Parliament," he said.

"The discussion on it is ongoing. Since there is such a big audience, I would like to state my 'Mann ki Baat' also that the white paper that I have brought now, I could have brought in 2014. If my aim had been to derive political gain, then I would have kept those figures before the people 10 years ago," PM Modi said.

"When things came before me in 2014, I was stunned. The economy was in a critical situation. Due to scams and policy paralysis, there was widespread pessimism among global investors. If I would have brought these things to light, if a wrong signal would have gone, probably the country would have lost its confidence in the country like when a patient gets to know that he has a serious disease, he panics, and the country would have felt like that," the prime minister said.

PM Modi said that bringing the white paper in 2014 would have suited him politically.

"'Rajniti' tells me to do that but 'Rashtraneeti' does not allow me to do that and, therefore, I chose 'rashtraneeti' over 'rajneeti'. And when the situation has become strong in 10 years and we can sustain any assault, then I thought I should tell the truth to the people and that is why I released white paper in Parliament," he said.

"When you look at it, you will know where we were and from what situation we have risen and reached here. Now you are seeing the new height of development," PM Modi said.

PM Modi said it is his guarantee that in his third term, India will become the world's third largest economy.

Speaking at the summit, Times Group MD Vineet Jain said the last ten years have been transformative for India with its economy undergoing significant structural reforms, boosting its macroeconomic foundations.

"As we embark on 'Amritkaal', I want us all to envision a futuristic, inclusive, and prosperous society rooted in a human-centric approach. This will be our India.

The next two decades belong to India, where initiatives like Make in India, Create in India, Serve from India, and Start up India converge into a majestic narrative, transforming the nation into a knowledge, innovation, and manufacturing hub," Mr Jain said.

"This vision aligns perfectly with the theme of this year's ET Now Global Business Summit - Disruption, Development, Diversification - an intricate tale echoing your vision to craft India as the Vishwaguru. During this time of change, there is no better guide than you, prime minister, to set the course," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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