'No talks with anyone', says Amarinder on questions about joining BJP

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New Delhi: The political crisis in Punjab took a new turn when Chief Minister Amarinder Singh purportedly expressed his desire to vacate the seat. As per sources, Singh will put in his papers on Saturday evening ahead of the crucial CLP meeting in Chandigarh. The Punjab CM will address the media outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan. The chief minister will meet the Punjab governor around 4.30 pm and resign from the post. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 18, 2021) interacted with healthcare workers and beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Goa via video conferencing. The interaction comes after the coastal state completed 100 percent first dose coverage for its adult population. PM Modi will also hold a review meeting with the secretaries of various ministries and departments. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken a toll on lives and the economy.

Additionally, Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh today to take part in various organisational programmes. 

In other developments, the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand will begin form today after its prolonged suspension due to COVID-19. The Uttarakhand government issued a detailed SOP a day after Nainital High Court lifted the ban and allowed only fully COVID vaccinated people with a mandatory COVID-19 negative report for the annual pilgrimage. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) is also going to sail its first cruise near the serene waters of South and Western India today. 

18 September 2021

21:21 IST

"No talks with anyone, just submitted my resignation to Governor today" says Congress leader and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh as he repsonds to questions on his future plans and if he is in talks with BJP.

21:21 IST

"Fail to understand Congress' decision. We have won all polls in Punjab since 2017. People were clearly happy with my govt. But party leaders have cut their nose to spite their face & ended up from winning to a losing position,"Capt Amarinder Singh, as quoted by his media advisor. 

17:07 IST

I am in the Congress party, will consult with my supporters and decide the future course of action: Amarinder Singh after resigning as Punjab CM. (ANI)

16:42 IST

Amarinder Singh's son Raninder Singh shared a picture of his father submitting his papers to the Governor of Punjab.

My father submitting his resignation to HE the Governor Sahib of Punjab. pic.twitter.com/RyINJSUeh5

— Raninder Singh (@RaninderSingh) September 18, 2021

16:34 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh submits his resignation.

16:34 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh reaches Raj Bhavan, Chandigarh. (ANI)

16:08 IST

CM Amrinder Singh has decided to put in his papers ahead of the crucial CLP meeting in Chandigarh on Saturday evening, sources close to him said. The chief minister will meet the Punjab governor around 4.30 pm and resign from the post, they added. In a tweet, the media adviser said, "Punjab Chief Minister @capt_amarinder will address a press conference at Punjab Raj Bhawan Gate at 4:30 pm."

16:08 IST

CM Amrinder Singh has decided to put in his papers ahead of the crucial CLP meeting in Chandigarh on Saturday evening, sources close to him said. The chief minister will meet the Punjab governor around 4.30 pm and resign from the post, they added. In a tweet, the media adviser said, "Punjab Chief Minister @capt_amarinder will address a press conference at Punjab Raj Bhawan Gate at 4:30 pm."

16:06 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will address a press conference at Punjab Raj Bhawan Gate at 4:30 pm: Raveen Thukral, Media Advisor to Punjab CM.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will address a press conference at Punjab Raj Bhawan Gate at 4:30 pm: Raveen Thukral, Media Advisor to Punjab CM pic.twitter.com/xkznr6AtHg

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

16:03 IST

Congress observer for Punjab Ajay Maken arrives in Chandigarh. State Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu receives him. A CLP meeting for Punjab is scheduled for this evening.

16:02 IST

The meeting between Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh and party MLAs who are loyal to him is underway at his official residence in Chandigarh amid rumours that the Congress leader may resign. (ANI)

14:49 IST

Jharkhand: Seven girls drown in Jharkhand pond during 'Karma Puja' immersion, says officials. (PTI)

14:40 IST

New Delhi: Delhi University officials will be holding a series of meetings with college principals to finalise the cut-off schedule that is likely to be released by next week, officials said on Saturday. The university plans to release its first cut-off on October 1 to accommodate students who are appearing for improvement or compartment exams, they added.

14:39 IST

World: Floods inundated hundreds of houses in Indonesia`s Gorontalo province, affecting 929 people in three villages. "The floods occurred due to heavy rainfalls that caused Paguyuman river located in the area to overflow," an official at the national disaster management agency BNPB, Abdul Muhari, said.

The BNPB`s Gorontalo office has so far reported no casualties and injuries in the flooding, reports Xinhua news agency. (IANS)

14:39 IST

India: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday announced that the 15th edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) in CBT (Computer Based Test) mode will be held from December 16, 2021 to January 13, 2022.

As per a statement released by CBSE, the test will be conducted in 20 languages and the exact date for the test will be intimated on the admit card of the candidate.

14:38 IST

India: Asserting the need to open the tourism sector of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Centre has given priority to the states with potential tourism sector in its vaccination campaign.

"It has not come up for discussion but India has given a lot of priority to the states with potential tourism sector in its vaccination campaign. Initially, we did not say this because politics would have started on this as well. But it was very important that our tourism destinations reopen. Himachal Pradesh, Goa are some examples of the same. Everyone eligible has received their first dose already. We are now working on Uttarakhand to achieve the same," said PM Modi. 

14:03 IST

Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday inaugurated the first prototype train of the Kanpur and Agra Metro projects on Saturday via video conferencing.

"It is a matter of pride to be invited for the inauguration of the first-ever prototype train of Kanpur and Agra Metro. Congratulations to the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) and Alstom Transport India Limited for this. This is a matter of pride for us," said Yogi Adityanath while addressing.

14:01 IST

Afghanistan: Taliban rulers have replaced the women's ministry with an all-male "vice and virtue ministry" tasked with enforcing the group's rigid interpretation of Islam. The move Saturday was the latest to harken back to the group's harsh 1990s rule that imposed deep restrictions on women.

The Taliban inside the new ministry said they had not been informed about where or if a new women's ministry was being planned. (PTI)

14:00 IST

Rajasthan: Regular classes for Classes 6 to 8 in Rajasthan will resume from September 20 while routine classes for classes 1 to 5 will recommence from September 27 with a 50 per cent capacity, state government announced.

14:00 IST

New Delhi: Nearly 740 km of metro lines are at present operational in various cities in India and the network span is steadily scheduled to rise to about 900 km by 2022, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday. (PTI)

13:56 IST

Madhya Pradesh: "We will always be inspired by the sacrifices of Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah and will be committed to the development of India. We are breathing the air of 75th year of independence because of their sacrifices," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. 

We will always be inspired by the sacrifices of Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah and will be committed to the development of India. We are breathing the air of 75th year of independence because of their sacrifices: Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh pic.twitter.com/2P2PePCxno

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

12:00 IST

World: "Eyewitnesses said an IED explosion occurred in Kabul’s PD13 this morning and two people have been injured," reports Afghanistan's TOLOnews. (ANI)

11:32 IST

New Delhi: "Goa is playing important role in the success of the world's largest and fastest vaccination drive - Sabko vaccine, muft vaccine. In past few months, Goa fought bravely against heavy rainfall, cyclone & flood, under the leadership of CM Pramod Sawant," said PM Narendra Modi. 

"I would like to appreciate all doctors, medical staff, people in admn in the country. With your efforts, India made a record of vaccinating 2.5 crore people in a single day. Even countries that are considered prosperous & powerful could not do it," PM Modi added. 

Goa is playing important role in the success of the world's largest and fastest vaccination drive - Sabko vaccine, muft vaccine. In past few months, Goa fought bravely against heavy rainfall, cyclone & flood, under the leadership of CM Pramod Sawant: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/6iJc4AZAnL

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

11:22 IST

India: BJP names Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and L Murugan its Rajya Sabha candidates from Assam and Madhya Pradesh respectively. (PTI)

11:15 IST

New Delhi: PM Modi interacts with a doctor, during his address to healthcare workers & vaccine beneficiaries of Goa. They discuss possible side effects of vaccines as PM says "...after 2.5 cr vaccinations y'day, a political party reacted after 12 am that they're experiencing fever."

#WATCH | PM Modi interacts with a doctor, during his address to healthcare workers & vaccine beneficiaries of Goa. They discuss possible side effects of vaccines as PM says "...after 2.5 cr vaccinations y'day, a political party reacted after 12 am that they're experiencing fever" pic.twitter.com/Nt8UCaM2Pt

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

11:14 IST

New Delhi: The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have designed a device that can generate electricity from water drops, raindrops, water streams, and even from ocean waves using the `triboelectric effect` and `electrostatic induction`.The electricity generated by the device called `Liquid-solid Interface Triboelectric Nanogenerator` can be stored in batteries for further use.

"Triboelectric effect is a known phenomenon for a long time, and in this effect, charges are generated when two surfaces are in friction. The best example we see is sparkling lights when we move the blankets or jackets. It is only lately that it has been extensively investigated as a practical alternative for energy harvesting," said Professor Neeraj Khare from the Department of Physics in IIT Delhi. (ANI)

11:13 IST

Rajasthan: A Jaipur-based startup is making 70 environment-friendly articles like paper, idols, rakhis, and puja items from cow dung. Speaking to ANI, the founder of `Gaukriti`, Bhim Raj Sharma said, "We started making cow dung paper in 2017 and have its patent. The paper is made of cow dung and urine and cotton wastage."

"We also attach seeds to our products so that after its usage, we can plant them," he added."This way, we can save our trees and preserve nature. We are making 70 items by using cow dung. We have received lots of appreciation from the government and people," he added.  (ANI)

11:12 IST

World: Sri Lanka`s Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the nationwide quarantine curfew came into effect late August, has been extended till October 1 in an effort to curb the furtherspread of Covid-19.

Following a meeting between the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday, Rambukwella said the latter had decided to extend the quarantine curfew till 4 a.m. on October 1, reports Xinhua news agency. (IANS)

11:12 IST

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with and addresses the healthcare workers and vaccine beneficiaries of Goa, via video conferencing. CM Pramod Sawant also participating in the interaction.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with and addresses the healthcare workers and vaccine beneficiaries of Goa, via video conferencing. CM Pramod Sawant also participating in the interaction. pic.twitter.com/Weu5HBQgyC

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

10:05 IST

Odisha: Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri district reopens for devotees on Saturdays from today. The temple was earlier open for 5 days every week.

#WATCH | Odisha: Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri district reopens for devotees on Saturdays from today. The temple was earlier open for 5 days every week.

(Video Source: Shree Jagannath Temple) pic.twitter.com/qdeaD3qp73

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

10:05 IST

Jammu and Kashmir: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inspected the #COVID19 testing arrangements at Srinagar airport.

J&K: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inspected the #COVID19 testing arrangements at Srinagar airport. pic.twitter.com/y5eVM9Rf51

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

10:03 IST

India: "A total of 55,07,80,273 samples tested for #COVID19 up to 17th September 2021. Of this, 14,48,833 samples were tested yesterday," said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). 

A total of 55,07,80,273 samples tested for #COVID19 up to 17th September 2021. Of this, 14,48,833 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) pic.twitter.com/O117C7OIYa

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

10:03 IST

New Delhi: To offer an enhanced travel experience with taste, the Indian Railway Catering And Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) offered a new food plaza for the passengers at New Delhi Railway Station on Friday.

This plaza was first inaugurated by a woman passenger and Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw also paid a visit to the railway station. He also inaugurated the Food Plaza set up by IRCTC on the Ajmeri Gate side of the station. The Minister also inspected the food stalls and kiosks on the platforms and advised them to install digital methods for payment of services. (ANI)

10:02 IST

Ladakh: "All schools, incl residential hostels in Leh dist shall remain closed for in-person classes with immediate effect for 15 days - from 18th Sept to 2nd Oct, thereafter, the situation will be reviewed again. However, online classes shall be encouraged with COVID SOPs," said Admn of Ladakh.