BJP topples...

The BJP’S strategy of switching from Nagaland’s dominant regional party, Naga People’s Front, and allying with former CM Neiphiu Rio-led new formation, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), seemed to have paid off. Madhav tweeted on Saturday evening, “NDPP BJP Alliance has secured 30 seats. With the support of one independent, we are comfortably placed to form the government.”

The game however remained widely open in Meghalaya. Congress, led by Mukul Sangma, emerged as the single-largest party with 21 seats. But while they fought polls separately, National People’s Party, along with BJP, too have 21 MLAS. The key is now in the hands of smaller regional forces. The Congress deployed a high-powered team, of Ahmed Patel, Kamal Nath, and Mukul Wasnik, to ensure that the party is able to form the government. Nath said that they would stake claim to form the next government.

But BJP has let its ambition known too. Party president Shah said in Delhi, “It is a hung assembly. Congress has not got a majority. The mandate is against them.” In a statement after a parliamentary board meeting, the party claimed it had, along with allies and friendly forces, got an ‘absolute majority’ in the state. Shah, however, rejected any suggestion the party would engage in horse-trading. It has deployed the Assam strongman and a key Northeast strategist, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to stitch up alliances. for money laundering, in connection with the PNB fraud.

Meanwhile, a special CBI court on Saturday sent six accused, arrested in connection with the fraud case, to 14 days’ judicial custody. The six include Gokulnath Shetty, the retired deputy manager of the bank’s foreign exchange department at the Brady House branch; another bank employee Manoj Kharat; Hemant Bhatt; Bechchu Tiwari; Yashwant Joshi and Praful Sawant. cally located at the junction of the casualty building and ward block,” said a doctor from AIIMS, who wished not to be named.

Police said an FIR would be registered shortly.

“The PWD that was in charge of the maintenance of the lift will ascertain what caused the collapse. Once they give us their findings, we will register an FIR,” said Romil Baaniya, deputy commissioner of police (south).