Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was on Sunday mildly injured after he slipped while boarding a helicopter here to reach Delhi, an organiser said.

"His foot slipped while boarding the chopper. He was mildly injured. But he is fine," Patanjali spokesperson S.K. Tijarawala told a news agency. 

Jaitley was in Haridwar to visit Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth.

He later boarded the chopper to Delhi to attend the Bharatiya Janata Party's Parliamentary Board meeting to chose Chief Ministers for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Sunday said the BJP's landslide electoral wins in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand showed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is the most dominant political leader".

"The victories in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand have re-confirmed that Mr Narendra Modi is the most dominant political leader," said Chidambaram on his official Twitter account.

The BJP, powered by an aggressive campaign spearheaded by Modi, won a whopping 312 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly — an unprecedented showing by any party in the country's most populous state — and 57 seats in the 70-member Uttarakhand assembly.

Mulayam singh Yadav on Sunday said that no one was responsible for Samajwadi Party's (SP) humiliating defeat in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election.

"No one is responsible (for the loss). We failed to convince the voters. Uttar Pradesh voted for BJP because of the promises they made. Let's see if they can fulfil the promises. We have lost earlier too, but then formed a government," Mulayam was quoted as saying to the media.

Led by Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party entered the assembly election fray with Congress. The alliance, however, managed to win just 55 of the 403 seats in the state. On the other hand, BJP managed a whopping 312 seats for the first time in the history of the state. Samajwadi Party's loss has also been widely attributed to the ailing Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi.

However, Yadav maintained that the result did not mean that SP will vanish from the State's politics.

"I will review party's performance and analyse the results. A meeting of all the party candidates and MLAs will be held next week after which we will devise our new strategy," the SP patriarch said.

A whopping 322 of the 403 new lawmakers elected to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly are 'crorepatis' (multi-millionaires) while as many as 143 have criminal cases, including of murder, pending against them.

According to a report by the National Election Watch, the list of multi-millionaires elected members is headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Ajay Pratap Singh elected from Colonelganj constituency in Gonda. 

Singh, who in his poll affidavit declares himself as a farmer, possesses properties worth over Rs.49 crore. That includes 60 kg of gold, seven vehicles and six guns, three each in his name and his wife's. 

As many as 1,455 multi-millionaires contested the Assembly polls, the results of which were declared on Saturday. 

Of the 143 new legislaors who have declared pending criminal cases against them, 107 face serious charges including of murder and crimes against women. 

Mafia-don-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari of the Bahujan Samaj Party leads the pack of new legislators with criminal antecedents. Elected from Mau, Ansari has 16 criminal cases against him, and that includes five charges of murder.

Of the total 4,853 candidates who contested the polls, 860 had declared that criminal cases were pending in courts against them. 

On the gender side, among the newly elected legislators only 40 are female. Of the total 4,853 contestants, only 479 were women — less than 10 per cent. 

Nearly 72 per cent or 290 of the legislators are graduates or more educated.

Late singer George Michael will reportedly be laid to rest alongside his mother Lesley Angold at Highgate Cemetery in North London.

Family members are understood to be considering the possibility of holding a service either on or close to Mother's Day on March 26. Angold, a professional dancer, passed away aged 60 in 1997 following a battle with cancer. 

The Sunday People newspaper claimed his sister Melanie, 55, is organising the "heartfelt and intimate funeral" with flowers and catering already arranged, reports dailymail.co.uk

"Lesley was George's world so it is fitting that they should now be together. George would always make a big deal out of Mother's Day. He loved her so much and he would spend a lot of time talking to her there. The cemetery has a very special place in his heart," said a source. 

According to dailymail.co.uk, Former Spice Girl Geri Horner, 44, one of Michael's closest friends, will reportedly give a reading at the service.

The area is close to Michael's luxurious 10 million pound Highgate mansion. 

Michael was found dead at the age of 53 at his home in Oxfordshire, England, on Christmas Day last year. The pop star's official cause of death was recorded as "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver". 

The Supreme Court on Sunday dismissed a PIL seeking an SIT probe into the role of media in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam case, saying it is an "attack" on media's independence.

"We will not direct any investigation against the media unless there is a direct involvement," a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said, while rejecting the PIL filed by veteran journalist Hari Jaisingh.

It seems there is a disguised attempt to curtail independence and freedom of media, the bench said, adding "this is an attack on media. We will not entertain this." 

"We cannot curtail the right of the media in this manner.

Media has been given an independent status in our democratic polity. Why should we entertain this," said the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Mohan M Shantanagoudar.

The court, however, clarified that if the investigative agencies come across evidence with regard to involvement of certain individuals then they are free to probe.

However, there cannot be an investigation into the role of media as a whole, it said.

Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for Singh, alleged that some members of the media were bribed by the offshore chopper firm to influence the decision making authority in favour of the VVIP helicopter deal.

"I am seeking a direction to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to also investigate the role of media persons in the case," she said.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, sought dimissal of the plea at the threshold saying how can there be an investigation into the role of media when there is an allegation that two persons entered into the "media management agreement".

Considering the arguments, the bench asked, "Is this agreement registered. What is the admissibility of the agreement as evidence." 

"Freedom of media is going to be curtailed and smothered…. We will not entertain this." 

The journalist in his PIL alleged that some media persons were bribed and extended unwarranted benefits in exchange for favouring the VVIP chopper deal.

It was also alleged that certain journalist were sent to Italy along with their families by the company in question.

Pakistan has inducted an advanced Chinese-made LY-80 (Lomads) surface-to-air missile defence system to secure its airspace from any sort of misadventure, an army statement said on Sunday.

Army chief General Qamar Bajwa said the defence system would enhance our capabilities to defend Pakistan, The News International reported, citing an Inter Service Public Relations release.

The mobile air defence system is capable of tracking and destroying a variety of aerial targets at longer ranges flying at low and medium altitude.

The army chief said the LY-80 LOMADS increases Pakistan's response capability to current and emerging air defence threats.

After suffering a crushing defeat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and party partron Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday met party workers and leaders and asked them to reach out to the people and strengthen the outfit.

During the meet, Akhilesh told partymen that Samajwadi Party was not only a party, but an ideology, and that "our struggle will continue." 

"You all should reach out to people and strengthen the party again. I will review party's performance and analyse the results. A meeting of all the party candidates and MLAs will be held next week after which we will devise our new strategy," he said.

The Samajwadi Party, which got an absolute majority in the 2012 state polls by winning 224 seats, could only win 47 seats this time despite the party's aggressive campaign against its rival BJP.

Driven by the Modi wave, the BJP stormed to power in Uttar Pradesh after 14 years, securing three-fourths majority and demolishing rivals SP-Congress and BSP in the keenly-contested Assembly polls.

Showing an astonishing performance, the saffron party got 312 seats in the 403-member Assembly.

Senior Lawyer, Ram Jethmalani blasted Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan on Sunday, calling the latter's behavior to be that of a 'lunatic '. In an open letter published in his website, Jethmalini reprimanded Karnan for calling the Judiciary corrupt and claiming that the recent bailable warrant against him was issued because he was a dalit.

“I am sorry to tell you that I am convinced you have lost your mind. Your behaviour is that of a lunatic and some day that may be the only defence available to you though with no bright change of success,” Jethmalani said in the open letter to Justice Karnan.

In January, Justice CS Karnan had called 20 judges in the Judiciary corrupt and sought probe against them to curb "high corruption". The court later took suo moto action on his statement and issued a notice to appear before it.

However, Justice Karnan refused to appear before the Supreme Court on March 10, following which a seven-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar issued a warrant.  

With the Congress emerging as the single largest party though short of a majority in Goa, senior leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said the Goans have given them a last chance to either perform or perish.

The Congress won 17 seats, surpassing the BJP which bagged 13, while the others, including Goa Forward, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Independents, got the remaining 10 seats in the 40-member House.

"Congress should also understand that the people of Goa have given us last chance to perform or else perish. May God help us (sic)," Singh posted on Twitter this morning.

Apparently referring to the party's debacle in the 2012 Goa elections, the senior Congress leader said, "We have learnt our lesson corruption shall not be tolerated. We shall sincerely work for Goa and Goans." 

"We have learnt our lesson and mistakes made in 2007-2012 wont be repeated. We shall deliver the promises made in a time frame (sic)," he said.

In another tweet, Singh thanked the Goans to have reposed their faith in the Congress.

"As we have a fractured mandate we are seeking support from all non BJP MLAs without compromising on core promises made in our manifesto," he said.

In an indirect reference to claim of BJP leader Manohar Parrikar that they are in the race to form the government, he said, "My sympathies for Manohar Parrikar. But give him credit for his never say die spirit." 

The Congress is likely to stake claim to form the government today after holding the meeting of its new MLAs, who will elect their leader.

Former President Park Geun-hye left the presidential complex of Cheong Wa Dae on Sunday, two days after the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment.

Ending some four years' stay in the presidential mansion, Park headed back to her private residence in Samseong neighbourhood, southern Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported.

Hundreds of supporters were waiting for her arrival at home, chanting "Park Geu-hye, the President!" and "Cancel the impeachment!"

The Constitutional Court upheld on Friday Park's impeachment over a corruption scandal.

But she had stayed on in the presidential complex while keeping silent on the ruling, prompting rivals to criticise her for behaving as if she won't accept the result.

As rumours of Park's possible early return spread in the afternoon, hundreds of her supporters gathered in front of her private house, where she lived from 1990 to 2013 before moving into the presidential office.

A some 1,000-strong police force was deployed around the house to prevent possible violence.

Park's aides said the repair work of her house began immediately after the court ruling on Friday.

The residential boiler at her home was fixed and other home furnishings, such as wallpaper, were being prepared on Sunday.

A space where her security guards can stay is being created inside the residence, according to other sources.

The Brexit Secretary has warned members of Parliament to leave the bill for exiting the European Union unchanged when it is debated again in the House of Commons on Monday.

David Davis issued a last-minute warning to Tory rebels not to sabotage the Article 50 Bill amid fears that any change could see Brexit end up in the courts, reported The Telegraph on Sunday.

Davis said that putting promises over leaving the EU into law creates a "greater risk of legal action".

Davis warned that Prime Minister Theresa May would be negotiating with "one hand tied behind her back" if MPs approve two changes to the law proposed by Lords.

He also said that protecting the rights of EU citizens in Britain without reciprocal promises would plunge more than a million Britons abroad into "uncertainty".

"There will be many opportunities for Parliament to debate the ins and outs of our negotiation of a new partnership with the EU, and influence the outcome," Davis said.

"But attaching conditions to a bill that simply allows the Prime Minister to start the process of implementing the referendum result is emphatically not the way to do it."

The shot across the bows comes ahead of a historic week in the Parliament that is expected to see Britain's withdrawal from the EU approved by MPs and peers, reported the newspaper.

May is preparing to formally start negotiations as early as Tuesday in a landmark moment in Britain's modern history, dubbed "independence day" by supporters.

However, before that can begin, MPs must vote on Monday on whether to make two amendments to the legislation giving the Prime Minister the power to start Brexit.

The first would demand proposals are published within three months to protect the rights of all EU citizens currently in Britain.

The second would give MPs and peers a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal — effectively a veto, as Britain's departure could not happen without a parliamentary vote.

Both are being opposed by the government, but pro-EU Tories are rallying support privately behind both changes. Only about 30 Tory MPs are needed to back the changes for them to pass, given opposition parties support them and the Conservatives have such a slim majority, said the report.

May has indicated the Parliament will get a say, but has said she would rather "walk away" from the EU than accept a "bad deal", and would not return to negotiations if MPs and peers reject the Brexit package.

The bill could complete its final stages on Monday if the Lords accepts the decisions made by MPs.
 

Punjab governor V P Singh Badnore on Sunday dissolved the state Assembly after outgoing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal submitted his resignation to him.

"In pursuance of powers conferred upon me by sub clause (b) of clause (2) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, V P Singh Badnore, Governor of the state of Punjab, hereby dissolve the 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha with effect from the afternoon of 12th March 2017," he said in the order.

Earlier, Badal met the Governor and submitted his resignation after his party suffered a loss in the Assembly polls.

Prior to it, Badal held a meeting of the Cabinet which took a decision to dissolve the Assembly.

SAD-BJP alliance faired poorly in the recently concluded polls by bagging total 18 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly. SAD won 15 seats and its ally BJP only three.

Congress ended the SAD-BJP combine's 10-year regime by registering a thumping win by bagging 77 seats, one short of two-third majority.

Rookie Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to get 20 seats, while two seats went into the kitty of its ally Lok Insaf Party (LIP).

Meanwhile, a meeting of Congress Legislature Party is underway in which Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, who is also the party's Chief ministerial candidate, is all set to be elected as its leader and after which he will stake claim to form the next government.

Later, Amarinder will be meeting the Governor and then rush to Delhi to hold discussions with the Congress High command.

In the wake of BJP's landslide victory in UP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took off a victory roadshow in Delhi on Sunday.  The rally started at Le Meridien and ended at the BJP headquaters in the capital. At 6.40 pm, Amit Shah started addressing party workers. He was followed by PM Modi. The prime minister started his speech by congratulating party workers and greeting them on holi. He also said that the BJP has the potential to become the largest party in the world through its membership drive. 

BJP's performance in the Assembly election 2017, has been largely credited to a Modi wave spreading across the country. The Party crossed the 300 mark in UP for the first time in history, and also rose victorious in Uttarakhand with 57 seats. Goa, which is currently facing a hung assembly, saw BJP clinch 13 seats.

Here are the updates from the modi rally:

7.20 pm:  The prime ministers speech ends. 

7.10 pm: Our intentions are never wrong although we can make mistakes: PM Modi

7 pm: The BJP can become the most prominent party in the world through the membership drive, says PM Modi.

6 45 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his address to party members. He greets people on the occasion of Holi. "I congratulate party workers for the BJP win in UP. Elections are integral to strengthening democracy."

6.40 pm: Amit Shah starts his speech amid Modi chants. "We have repeated 2014 magic in UP," says Amit Shah, "It is a historic win for the party." On Demonetisation he says," Notebandi has brought people closer to the Modi government."

6.20 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his victory rally from Windsor place. He is gheroed by supporters as he kickstarts the victory march. He will address party workers shortly.Amit Shah too will address the workers.

6.15 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at Windsor place from where he is expected to start his victory rally.  

6.12 pm: BJP party leaders have started reaching the BJP headquaters in the capital. Shiv Raj Singh and Amit Shah are among the ones to are said to have reached. 

6 pm: Excitement reach fever pitch as supporter chant " Modi Modi". Multi-layer security is expected to reach anytime. " I am from Jaipur. I am here to support Modiji," a supporter at the BJP rally was quoted as saying to a news channel.

5.42 pm: BJP chief Amit Shah also expected to address party workers on assembly elections victory. 

4.55 pm: Celebrations are on in the BJP headquaters. PM Modi is expected to address party workers in the headquater.

Sevilla lost the chance to close the gap at the top of the La Liga football championship as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Leganes, while Antoine Griezmann scored late to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Granada.

The Saturday draw leaves Sevilla on two points behind Real Madrid with two more games played, and three behind Barcelona, who have played a game less, reports Xinhua news agency.

Leganes took advantage of squad rotations by Sevilla ahead of their Champions League clash away against Leicester City to produce a well-organised and hard-working display and if either of the two deserved to win it was the visitors.

Leganes opened the scoring in the second minute with a Gabriel Pires back-heel and had chances to double their lead before Stefan Jovetic levelled shortly before halftime.

The second half saw Sevilla make changes in search of the win, but they failed to trouble the visitors, who could have taken all three points after a shot from Luciano drifted inches wide.

After the match, Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaolli warned his side that they need to put up a much better show against Leicester. "With this performance it's going to be very difficult for us to go through in the @ChampionsLeague," he said, as posted on Twitter by his club.

Atletico also looked to be on the verge of losing ground as their game away against Granada looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw. But French forward Griezmann's 13th goal of the season from a diving header in the 84th minute ensured Atletico stay fourth, while keeping Granada that bit deeper in the relegation mire.

"It was a very difficult match. The first half was complicated and we had two chances that the assistant referee read as offside but were not and we could have been more comfortable in the game," Atletico head coach Diego Simeone said in a statement.

The second half was an exchange of blows in which either Granada or ourselves could have won, because we both had chances. We take with us an important and hard-fought outcome."

Valencia and Sporting Gijon drew 1-1 at the former's Mestalla stadium in a result which probably helps the home side more than the visitors, who remain second from bottom of the table.

Sporting keeper Pichu Cuellar saved his second penalty in two weeks before Duje Cop opened put the visitors ahead on the hour and Munir equalised with six minutes left to play.

Michel Gonzalez made his debut as Malaga coach as his side entertained Alaves, but saw how they fell behind to a Zou Feddal goal at the end of the first half.

Malaga reacted well after the break and got a deserved equaliser through Juan Carlos and looked to be on track for a win when Zou Feddal's second yellow side left his side with 10 men. But Edgar Mendez scored a second goal for Alaves against the run of play to seal an unlikely win in injury time.

Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India on Sunday said it would accept applications of ticket aspirants for the upcoming Delhi municipal elections till March 14.

The outfit has so far declared names of 96 candidates for the civic bodies polls that are scheduled to be held next month.

In a statement, the party said, "The process of accepting applications will be closed on March 14 at 5 PM. Swaraj India is contesting all 272 seats in Delhi."

The statement claimed that the party, through these elections, was laying special emphasis on increasing participation of youth and women in politics.

Meanwhile, commenting on the election results of Punjab, Swaraj India Chief National Spokesperson Anupam said, "The state of Punjab which had welcomed the Aam Aadmi Party despite a strong Modi wave in 2014 has given a befitting reply to it for abandoning it's principles…."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said a new India which stands for development is emerging.

"A new India is emerging, which is being powered by the strength and skills of 125 crore Indians. This India stands for development," he tweeted.

Modi's tweet came after the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday registered landslide victory in assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The BJP is also trying to take power in Goa and Manipur.

"When we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022, we should have made an India that will make Gandhiji, Sardar Patel and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar proud," the Prime Minister said.