With the CPI-M preparing for its state conference next month, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is all set to ensure there is no one to challenge him in the state and he has complete control over the party – and will be hoping his clout will give him a larger say in the party’s national affairs.

Ahead of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state conference in Thrissur from February 22 to 25, he has ensured that he is the final word in all the 14 districts.

Gone are the days when the party was deeply divided between Vijayan and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who, even though he led the campaign from the 2016 assembly elections, was upstaged by the former and prevented from occupying for the Chief Minister’s chair a second time.

Since then, it has been Vijayan all the way, with only a small fraction left with the veteran Achuthanandan.

If one looks back over the years, unlike in other parties, the final word in the CPI-M has been that of the party’s State Secretary, to whom the Chief Minister often played second fiddle.

The one reason why Vijayan has been able to have an iron grip on the party is his 17-year uninterrupted reign as the State Secretary from 1998 to 2015, during which he was able to edge out even the hugely-popular Achuthanandan.

On account of his long tenure, he has been able to pick and choose his aides and if Achuthanandan had some sections of the party with him at the time of the 2015 state party conference, Vijayan has had a free run this time around. By the time the 14 district party meetings are over later this month, there will be only one leader at the helm and it would be the 72-year-old Vijayan.

Vijayan managed to do this when he saw to it that Achuthanandan was kept out of the district meetings. Another Politburo member from the state who has been sidelined this time is M.A. Baby.

The present state Secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is close to Vijayan and also a Politburo member, will, in all likelihood, get a second term at the state party conference.

All eyes are now on the constitution of the state committee and state secretariat, besides the selection of the around 175 members to attend the CPI-M’s 22nd Party Congress in Hyderabad in April.

With the party’s West Bengal unit losing its sheen, it’s going to be an added bonus for the Chief Minister, whose relationship with CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri is not all that warm.

Much like senior party leader and former General Secretary Prakash Karat, who is from Kerala, Vijayan is strongly opposed to any truck with the Congress for elections. Yechuri, on the other hand, believes aligning with the Congress is the need of the hour given the rise and rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other right-wing forces.

The question now is: Will Vijayan will be able to consolidate his position and play the kingmaker in Hyderabad?

China on Tuesday told the “outside world” to stop guessing about its reported plans to build a military naval base near Pakistans Gwadar in the Arabian Sea.

Under the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Beijing is developing Gwadar port, the last point of the economic route that begins from Chinese city Kashgar.

A Beijing-based military analyst Zhou Chenming was quoted as saying in a media report that “China needs to set up another base in Gwadar for its warships because Gwadar is now a civilian port.”

“As you know the building of CPEC is an important part of the Belt and Road initiative and China and Pakistan are also making efforts to build the CPEC, which is in the common interest of the countries along the route,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.

“So, I don’t think it is necessary for the outside world to make too many guesses in this regard.”

According to a Pakistani news outlet, officials in Islamabad denied reports that a Chinese naval base was coming up.

Gwadar has strategically located in the Arabian Sea and some 70 km away from Iran’s Chabahar port being developed by India.

China last year opened its first military overseas base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

Jet Airways has terminated the services of two senior pilots who were involved in a mid-air brawl while operating London-Mumbai flight on January 1.

A senior pilot had allegedly slapped a female commander during the flight and following the incident the two were grounded by the airline.

“Consequent to the review of the events on board Flight 9W 119 London-Mumbai of January 1, 2018, Jet Airways has terminated services of both the cockpit crew with immediate effect,” a Jet Airways spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

Aviation regulator DGCA has already suspended the flying licence of the male pilot.

About the incident, the spokesperson last week had said there was a “misunderstanding” between the cockpit crew and the same was “resolved amicably” and “quickly”.

Beverage company Parle Agro has appointed Telugu filmstar Allu Arjun as brand ambassador for its flagship brand, Frooti, for the southern market.

The Rs 2,000-crore brand is one of the leading mango beverages in the country, the company said.

The announcement is a part of the food and beverage company’s expansion strategy to become a Rs 10,000 crore entity by 2022.

Nadia Chauhan, Joint MD and CMO of Parle Agro, said, “With a strong focus on south India, it has been necessary for us to drive aggressive inputs for both marketing and sales & distribution efforts in the region.”

The new campaign featuring Allu Arjun will be rolled out this summer led by a region-specific film in south India and will be conceptualised along with Parle Agro s creative partner, Sagmesiter & Walsh (S&W), the company said in a statement.

S&W has previously been associated with Parle Agro for its brand campaigns on Frooti, Appy Fizz, Appy and most recently Frooti Fizz, it added.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday said that playing of national anthem inside cinema halls across India is not mandatory, a day after the Centre asked the apex court to reconsider it’s November order.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said this while modifying its November 2016 order by which the apex court had made the playing of national anthem in cinemas mandatory.

Earlier on Monday, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that it had set up an inter-ministerial committee to decide on the issue of playing the national anthem in movie theatres and public places, and frame rules for the same.

Centre had requested a period of six months to come up with the said rules, while asking SC to reconsider it’s November 2016 order.

Attorney General KK Venugopal had urged the court to modify its 2016 order substituting “may” with “shall” for the playing of national anthem in cinema halls.

In it’s  November 2016 order, the SC had directed all cinema halls across India to play the national anthem before the beginning of any film and everyone present must “stand up in respect” till its end. The practice was to “in-still patriotism and nationalism” and had sparked a furore.

The court’s order came on a public interest litigation (PIL) by Shayam Narayan Chouksey seeking framing of guidelines on the playing of the national anthem.

(with agency inputs)

Birthday boy Farhan Akhtar turns 43 on 9 January. The director-turned-actor has added many feathers to his cap and done a commendable job in each talent he explored of himself.

There’s a sense of #freedom in chasing your ambitions and pursuing what you like. Thankful to all the freedom fighters whose efforts got us this right, and all the jawans who safeguard it relentlessly. #HappyIndependenceDay #JaiHind #India

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Aug 14, 2015 at 10:01pm PDT

Be it acting, directing, screenplay, dialogue writer and as a fitness freak, Farhan has done it all and was applauded for the same.

#6YearsOfDon2 #shahrukhkhan #srk #priyankachopra #don2 #don #kingkhan #kingisback #action #thriller #gangstermovie #donandroma

A post shared by SRK Universe Canada (@srkuniversecan) on Dec 23, 2017 at 6:49am PST

Farhan made his debut in Bollywood with Dil Chahta Hai in 2001.  He directed the film at the age of 27 and gained recognition in a direction through this film. It was a big success, especially popular among the younger generation. The film won many awards, including National Film Award for Best Feature Film, Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay. Then he directed Lakshya in 2004 with Hrithik Roshan. Though the movie did not hit the box office but was looked upon very favorably by the critics. The script of the movie was written by his father Javed Akhtar. And then came the Don series, and proved himself again with this. He ventured into production with Don under the banner of Excel Entertainment and this project set the box office ringing.

#DilChahtaHai turns a sweet 16 today. Thankful for the love you continue to show it. Ya toh aapka lagav gehra hai, ya film 3D thi.. big hug

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) August 10, 2017

Farhan has time and again proved that he has the skills and hard work to be a successful lead star of Bollywood. His acting skills have been well recognized. His most talked about movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, was an inspirational story of love, loss, and achievement. Farhan had stepped into the role with the same focused determination that Milkha Singh had demonstrated by studying the athlete’s personality. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is one of the best road trip films. The film offers a great story, lots of laughs and heart-warming moments. The film has great cinematography. Throughout the film, Farhan recites poetry and plays the comic role. For this film he won the Filmfare award for the best supporting actor.

#zindaginamilegidobara #hrithikroshan #katrinakaif #znmd @katrinakaif @hrithikroshan

A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaiffankulubu) on Jan 7, 2018 at 9:46am PST

The musical drama film Rock On is the story that tells about the importance of following one’s dreams. Farhan acted convincingly and received Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for this film.

On the eve of release, thank u Shujaat, thank u amazing crew, thank u co-actors. Been memorable for all the right reasons. Big hug… #Nov11 #RockOn2 #1daytogo

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Nov 9, 2016 at 9:56pm PST

Farhan added to his size as an actor with his character of an ATS officer in Wazir. He did total justice to the role of a tough cop inclusive of mannerisms and behavior. He successfully managed to deliver numerous shades required by the storyline and was adjudged as a real character actor.

A big shout out to all our #AtrangiFans for making Wazir rock ..

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Jan 12, 2016 at 4:52am PST

Farhan also tried his hand at singing with Rock On in 2008. Over the years he’s given voice to songs on multiple occasions.

#HappyDiwali to you and your loved ones… #RockOn2

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Oct 29, 2016 at 8:41pm PDT

He’s a regular with the rock concert, tours scene, college fests but when he takes to the mike to sing in his films, the moments are memorable. The fans never got enough of the Rock On anthem, so Farhan and Shraddha Kapoor have added a new spin to the old track in Rock On 2.

#AIIMS #NewDelhi #Pulse #India #FarhanAkhtar #FarhanLive

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Sep 20, 2015 at 8:11am PDT

Some of his famous songs include Atrangi Yaari (Wazir), Socha Hai (Rock On), Phir Bhi Yeh Zindagi (Dil Dhadakne Do) and Senorita (Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara).

#farhanlive #Gurgaon

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Dec 26, 2015 at 10:51pm PST

A dedicated cyclist, Farhan Akhtar and his group of friends often go on tours. His volleyball skills show his sporty side.

Super ride to NCPA & back this morning with fellow Cycos (hehehe .. yes, thats the group) Zubin & Sohrab. Missed you @rocstah #funtimes #fitnessgoals #pedaljayenge

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Jun 19, 2017 at 10:21pm PDT

Alone time.. Sunset.. Black coffee.. a slice of @healthy_treatss dark chocolate & orange cake .. #tensionkyonletehoyaar

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Dec 27, 2016 at 4:18am PST

Apart from being a fitness freak, he is a foodie and is a fan of coffee and cookies.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he lives by two life lessons.

Shah Rukh opened up about it to his TED Talks India Nayi Soch audience, a statement said.

“I have two life lessons which I swear by. The first and foremost is that you should do unto other as you want others to do unto you and the second one which makes me who I am today is that ‘Sorry and thank you are very important’,” he said.

The episode will air on Sunday on Star Plus.

Scores of people gathered around the barricaded Parliament Street in the heart of Delhi on Tuesday for a protest march planned by Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani even as police denied permission for the event.

“No permission has been given to anyone (to hold a rally),” Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary told reporters here.

Chaudhary cited an order of the National Green Tribunal banning protests at Janatar Mantar in central Delhi. “We have asked the organisers to hold the protest at any alternate site like Ramlila Maidan.”

Also read: Jignesh Mevani’s request for Delhi rally not granted so far: Delhi Police

Mevani on Thursday said he and his supporters would march from Jantar Mantar to the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.

The Gujarat lawmaker slammed the police and the central government for denying permission to the protest.

“An elected representative is not allowed to speak… This is extremely unfortunate. We were just going to demonstrate democratically and peacefully. But the government is targeting us,” Mevani told reporters before arriving at the venue.

According to officials, 1,500 security personnel in riot gear, with tear gas launchers and water cannons, have been deployed on Parliament Street, which connects Connaught Place with the Parliament House.

Assam RTI and farmers’ rights activist Akhil Gogoi is also expected to address the rally, called to highlight issues like educational rights, unemployment as well as gender and social justice.

Boom Boom In New York, an ensemble cast 3D comedy starring Karan Johar, Diljit Dosanjh, Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani and more, will hit the screens on February 23.

Producer Vashu Bhagnani announced the release date on Tuesday, read a statement.

Boom Boom In New York will be a new entertaining experience for theatre audiences. I am pretty sure our audiences have not seen so many big stars together in one film,” Bhagnani said in a statement.

The movie is being described as a “heartfelt, rib-tickling comedy that tells the story of two unlikely youngsters living in India in search of a better life for themselves”. It is about how an unexpected trip to New York City sets them off on a life-changing comic adventure.

Produced by Pooja Films and Wiz Films, it is directed by Chakri Toleti.

Unruffled by yet another injury breakdown, South African pacer Dale Steyn says he is hoping to be up and running in the next six weeks after recovering from the muscle tear in his left heel which has ruled him out of the ongoing Test series against India.

“I’m on the crutches because I’ve got a no bearing weight on the leg for a while, at least two weeks, which makes it seem worse than it actually is,” Steyn told ‘Sony ESPN’, the official broadcaster of the series.

“But it’s right underneath the heel, so it’s extremely sore to stand on or step on. And as you know, as fast bowlers we land on that front foot pretty often. So I’m going to have to give it time to recover – six weeks, and I’ll be up and running again,” he said.

The 34-year-old was, ironically, making a comeback from an injury-forced sabbatical in the ongoing series but it was cut short on the second day of the opening Test when he landed awkwardly while bowling. South Africa won the match by 72 runs yesterday.

Speaking of his injury, Steyn said he isn’t too bogged down by it given that he has gone through worse in his career.

The pacer said he is hoping to be fit for the home Test series against Australia in March-April.

“Yeah, that (getting ready for the Australia series) is the plan. Next two weeks, nothing on my feet. Stay off my feet. After that, I’ll start walking around, and in about four weeks, I’ll start running and then look to start practicing again in six weeks.

“That’s a long time. I spent a whole year out, so when someone says to me six weeks, it doesn’t sound too bad,” he said with a laugh,” he said.

Steyn said a shoulder injury would have been a bigger blow to him.

“But this is a cricket injury, it’s like a batter getting hit on the hand and breaking a finger. So I’m okay with that, just got to put it away and get on with the job,” he said.

Police have recorded former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s statement based on BJP leader K. Surendran’s complaint on the former’s remark that he was blackmailed in the solar scam.

The multi-crore solar energy investment fraud that rocked then Chandy government in 2013 was led by Saritha Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan. It also came to light that a section of the Chief Minister’s Office had links with the couple.

Police had spend an hour with Chandy at his residence here on Monday, officials said on Tuesday.

Chandy, at the height of then Left Opposition onslaught against him, had announced a judicial probe.

The probe report was submitted last year, which was accepted by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who announced registering cases against Chandy and a dozen senior Congress politicians, besides placing the report in the assembly at a special one-day session.

Soon after the report was placed, Chandy at a press conference claimed he has done no wrong. He also blurted out that he was subjected to ‘blackmail’ in the case.

When this comment made big headlines, Chandy clarified it was not done by a politician. Soon after this statement, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K. Surendran filed a complaint with the state police chief.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Surendran said he filed the complaint because the statement came from a former Chief Minister.

“A Chief Minister is not an ordinary person and if someone is blackmailing him, it is a very serious crime,” said Surendran.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden on Tuesday came out in support of the The Tribune newspaper and its reporter Rachna Khaira after an FIR was registered against them for their news report on Aadhaar data breach.

Former United States government contractor, in a tweet wrote: “The journalists exposing the #Aadhaar breach deserve an award, not an investigation. If the government were truly concerned for justice, they would be reforming the policies that destroyed the privacy of a billion Indians. Want to arrest those responsible? They are called @UIDAI.”

The journalists exposing the #Aadhaar breach deserve an award, not an investigation. If the government were truly concerned for justice, they would be reforming the policies that destroyed the privacy of a billion Indians. Want to arrest those responsible? They are called @UIDAI. https://t.co/xyewbK2WO2

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 8, 2018

The Deputy Director of the UIDAI has lodged an FIR with the Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch under IPC sections 419 (cheating under impersonation), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), 471 (using a forged document) and also under sections of the IT Act and the Aadhar Act.

Also read | Aadhaar data breach: Tribune FIR attack on free speech, says Broadcasters’ body

Former CIA employee, Edward Snowden also shared a post by Editor-in-Chief  of the The Tribune newspaper, Harish Khare.

The #Tribune Editor-in-Chief’s statement on #Aadhaar #FIR pic.x.com/Mjmr5HK8Mb

— The Tribune (@thetribunechd) January 7, 2018

Snowden, a CIA employee who leaked classified information from the National Security Agency in 2013 on global surveillance, has been advocating privacy rights since then.

Earlier on Monday, Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said the Central government is fully committed to media freedom.

“The government is fully committed to freedom of the press as well as to maintaining security and sanctity of Aadhaar for India’s development,” Prasad tweeted a day after various press bodies condemned the lodging of an FIR against a Tribune reporter who exposed Aadhaar data’s vulnerability.

“The FIR is against unknown (people). I’ve suggested UIDAI to request The Tribune and its journalist to give all assistance to police in investigating the real offenders.”

(With agency inputs)

Manchester United on Monday jetted off for a five-day warm weather training camp and Red Devils midfielder Juan Mata has expressed delight at the breather that they have been afforded as he feels the jaunt will strengthen team morale.

“Today I’m writing to you after packing my bag for Dubai, where we will spend a few different days of training. We’re taking a short break after the intense Christmas period and it’s going to be good for the team,” Mata penned on his blog on Monday.

United, like the rest of the Premier League, have been involved in a hectic winter schedule, playing games non-stop and Mata was quick to remind everyone of the exact number of games they have played since the start of December.

Must read: Philippe Coutinho posts message for Liverpool fans on Instagram after Barcelona move

“We have played nine games in December and two more at the beginning of 2018, and now we have a whole week with no fixtures on schedule, just until next Monday.”

“It’s kind of weird, after a long time with games every three or four days,” Mata admitted as he continued, “and it comes in good timing for the whole team to spend time together and work in that area of the world with such a good climate, especially in a month like January”.

While the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are playing mid-week due to their EFL Cup semi-final ties, United (who were knocked out by Bristol City in the quarters) had over a week’s breather with their next game scheduled for Monday, January 15.

Don’t miss: Complete FA Cup 4th round draw revealed

“This five-day training camp is going to be very positive for us to recharge the batteries, in order to get ready for the five thrilling months of the competition that lie ahead. Besides, I think spending time with the team-mates apart from the usual daily training can be very good.

We will have time to train, chat… To strengthen the group. It’s like a break in the routine of the day-to-day activity and that is always positive. I hope we come back full of energy for the game against Stoke at Old Trafford.”

United were in a bit of a rut towards the end of 2017 as they failed to win their final four games of the year, with the aforementioned loss to Bristol City, in particular, sparking fears of a mid-season collapse.

The Red Devils, however, began 2018 on a winning note, beating Everton away in the Premier League before seeing off Derby County in their FA Cup third round fixture on Saturday to lift spirits for the United faithful and Mata conveyed his delight at the club’s recent run.

Also read: Manchester United custodian David de Gea reveals priorities for 2018

“We have started 2018 with two consecutive wins by 2-0, so we feel very optimistic for the following games. Starting the year with a victory at Goodison Park was very important to confirm that, despite the amount of games that we have played, the team is ambitious and we are capable of beating every opponent,” the articulate Spaniard stated.

“A few days later, the win against Derby County gave us a place in the next round of the FA Cup. As I always say, this competition is particularly nice. There’s something special about it,” Mata added.

Monday night’s FA Cup fourth round draw saw United pitted against League Two side Yeovil Town (the match takes place on January 27) and fans are hopeful that Jose Mourinho’s men will win at least one trophy this season.

United are currently in second place in the Premier League and are expected to make a deep run in the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup both.

Ricky Ponting will be an assistant coach during Australia’s Twenty20 international series against England and New Zealand next month, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.

The former Australia captain will work under head coach Darren Lehmann, while Troy Cooley and Matthew Mott will help out during the series.

They have been brought on board while regular support staff Graeme Hick, David Saker and Brad Haddin are in South Africa to assist in preparations for Australia’s four-Test tour from March.

Lehmann has previously said he will not seek to renew his contract when his current deal expires at the end of 2019, with Ponting seen as a potential successor.

Ponting undertook the T20 role last year when he worked with the Australia squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka.

He has extensive experience of the shortest form of the game, captaining his country in the first ever T20 international against New Zealand in 2005, and then leading the side in the first two editions of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 and 2009.

“I loved working with the squad last year against Sri Lanka and I can’t wait to be working alongside Darren, Troy and Matthew this time around,” Ponting said.

“Watching the Big Bash League in my role as a commentator has shown me we have a wealth of talent available to us in this format and a tri-series like this will give us a great chance to establish a pattern of play that works best for the players.”

The T20 series will involve matches against New Zealand in Sydney (February 3) and Auckland (February 16) and England in Hobart (February 7) and Melbourne (February 10).

The last year has been extremely eventful for veteran actress Mala Sinha, who has been missing from Mumbai for a major part of the year. She says she misses being in front of the camera, but has no regrets.

The actress who regaled audiences in a slew of superhits in the 1960s and early 1970s , says she was honoured for her contribution to Nepali and Indian cinema at a function in Kathmandu in August 2017.

“It was basically an event to honour the people associated with ‘Maati Ghar’, the first Nepali film that was released 51 years ago. The film starred me and my future husband C P Lohani. We met and fell in love during the making of this film,” she said.

Ever since the making of ‘Maati Ghar’, Mala and her husband have shared a long-distance marriage.

“He stays in Kathmandu. I visit him and sometimes he visits me. Because of this function honouring Maati Ghar I got a chance to be in Nepal with my husband for four months. I even celebrated my birthday (on November 11, 2017) in Nepal this time.”

On a more somber note, Mala lost her mother in April 2017.

“She was ailing for the last 11 years. She was constantly in and out of hospitals. I looked after her as best as I could. But she was very old and she had to go. We all have to go one day. But I miss her,” said the actress, who has been too busy looking after her mother to keep up with her contemporaries like Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala and Asha Parekh.

“Some of them like Nanda and Sadhna are gone. I regret not meeting them more often when they were alive. Now it is too late. Sometimes while being a good wife, a good daughter and a good mother, a woman forgets to be good to herself.”

Mala has fond memories of her contemporaries and co-stars like Biswajeet, with whom she did more than a dozen films.

“We don’t meet much. But when we do, we meet with a lot of warmth. I miss being in front of the camera. For 20 years, I did nothing but work work work. Then it stopped. I got married, my daughter was born. My life changed. But no complaints,” said the actress, whose performances in Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa, B R Chopra’s Gumrah and Yash Chopra’s Dhool Ka Phool are remembered to this day.

Her daughter Pratibha tried her hand at acting. But failed.

“Pratibha now loves animals. She has begun looking after stray animals. If you come to our home, you will see dogs and cats everywhere. It’s a house filled with action. I like that.”