A look at the headlines today:
1. Lok Sabha to discuss Delhi riots today
The opposition parties have been strongly raising the issue of communal riots in Delhi during the second part of the Budget Session in Parliament, demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over alleged police lapses. The Lok Sabha will discuss Delhi riots today. "The government has miserably failed to maintain law and order. I think there must be some sort of a nexus between the rioters and a section of police officials which resulted in gruesome killings and arson that has tarnished our image across the globe. This is a matter of serious concern for us," Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had told PTI. "We will continue to raise the demand of Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation on the floor of the House," Chowdhury said.
2. BJP to announce Rajya Sabha candidate list today; Scindia could be a name on it
The BJP central election committee had on Tuesday deliberated on the party's candidates for the March 26 Rajya Sabha elections in some states. The committee, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met under the chairmanship of BJP president J.P. Nadda. The party is expected to announce the names of its candidates today. Elections to 55 Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in April will be held on March 26, the Election Commission has announced. March 13 is the last date for filing nominations. The meeting was held on a day Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from the Congress after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi. Scindia, along with his supporters, is expected to join the BJP and may get a Rajya Sabha ticket from Madhya Pradesh, where election will be held on three seats. Fifty-one of these 55 seats from 17 states are falling vacant on different dates in April due to retirement of sitting members, while the rest are already vacant due to resignation of members.
3. US presidential candidate Biden wins Mississippi and Missouri caucuses in early blow to Bernie Sanders
Joe Biden delivered decisive wins in Missouri and Mississippi on Tuesday, dealing an early blow to Bernie Sanders on a night when six states were up for grabs. Both men were focused intensely on Michigan, the night's biggest prize. That's where the Vermont senator scored an upset that lent much-needed credibility to his 2016 primary challenge of Hillary Clinton and where President Donald Trump's victory four years was so narrow that Democrats are desperate to show they have the strength to flip it back. The former vice president made a final push there in recent days, rallying autoworkers and touting a fresh round of high-profile endorsements. Beyond Michigan, Sanders could get a boost in Idaho, North Dakota or Washington state, where polls haven't yet closed. Even as the contours of the race took shape, the campaigns faced new uncertainty amid fears of the spreading coronavirus. Sanders and Biden both abruptly canceled public events in Ohio that were scheduled for Tuesday night. Sanders' campaign said all future events would be decided on a case-by-case basis, while Biden called off a scheduled stop in Florida.
4. UK health minister tests positive for coronavirus
British MP Nadine Dorries, a minister in the health department, has tested positive for coronavirus, she said in a statement on Tuesday. "I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus... and have been self-isolating at home," said the Conservative MP. Health officials are now trying to trace where she contracted the virus and who she has been in contact with, she added. Dorries, who helped craft the legislation to fight the bug, is the first British politician to be diagnosed with COVID-19, raising immediate concern about whether she has spread the infection. The Times reported that she had been in touch with hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She fell unwell on Friday while signing the document that declared coronavirus a notifiable disease, meaning companies could obtain insurance cover, said the paper, adding she was now believed to be on the road to recovery. "I would like to thank... the wonderful NHS staff who have provided me with advice and support," she said, referring to Britain's National Health Service.
5. Mohun Bagan clinch I-League title after beating Aizawl FC 1-0
Indian football heavyweights Mohun Bagan clinched their second I-League title with a 1-0 win over Aizawl FC with four rounds to go in the season. Senegalese striker Baba Diawara scored the all-important goal for Mohun Bagan in the 80th minute to beat former champions Aizawl in their 16th round match and give their supporters a memorable Holi gift. With Tuesday's win, Mohun Bagan have 39 points from 16 matches. They are 16 points ahead of second-placed East Bengal (23 points from 16 matches) who cannot catch up their arch city rivals even if they win all their four remaining matches. Mohun Bagan's first I-League title came in 2014-15 season.
6. Plea in HC against IPL cricket matches in wake of COVID-19
A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the central government not to allow the Board of Control for Cricket in India conduct Indian Premier League T20 cricket matches from March 29-May 24 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The PIL, filed by advocate G. Alex Benziger, is likely to come up before a division bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Krishnan Ramaswamy on March 12. "As on date, as per the website of the World Health Organisation, there was no specific medicine or to prevent or to treat the COVID-19," the petitioner said. According to the petitioner, the coronavirus was spreading all over the world rapidly and creating a huge epidemic disaster. The Italy Federation League, one of the oldest leagues in the world, has been severely affected and the football games were being played behind closed doors with no fans allowed at any football ground until April 3 by the Italian government, the petitioner said. The petitioner said he had sent a representation to authorities not to allow the BCCI conduct IPL T20 cricket matches.
-Inputs from PTI
