GEHLOT SAYS SORRY TO SONIA, BOWS OUT; MALLIKARJUN KHARGE IS NEW FACE

The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has emerged as a frontrunner to be the famuli backed candidate for Congress presidency after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot declared that he will not contest for the post.

Before announcing his decision to pull out “given the situation”, Gehlot met Congress president Sonia Gandhi for about 90 minutes Thursday. He apologised to Sonia for the unprecedented defiance shown by his camp Sunday.

While a final decision has not been taken, Kharge is said to have emerged as the new face in the race. Kharge had earlier indicated that he was not averse to contesting but would proceed only on Sonia Gandhi’s directions.

The day, however, was dominated by Gehlot’s statement in public that he had apologised to the party chief — a rare such admission by a Chief Minister.

Party sources pointed out that the authority of the high command and supremacy of the Gandhi family was at stake after the virtual revolt in Jaipur Sunday. By getting Gehlot to come to Delhi, publicly apologise to Sonia Gandhi and leave the choice of his successor in Rajasthan to her, the high command has re-established its authority.

According to sources, it was clear that Gehlot was told to say what he said, and it was also conveyed to him that a decision on Rajasthan will be taken by Sonia Gandhi.

As Gehlot bowed out, veteran Digvijaya Singh collected a set of nomination forms and declared his intention to file his papers Friday, the last day for doing so. Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor will also file his nomination papers today.

Waiting at his Delhi home, watching the developments unfold, was Sachin Pilot. “We discussed the events in Rajasthan in detail,” Pilot said after his hour-long meeting with Sonia. “I have conveyed my sentiments, given my feedback to Sonia Gandhi. Our priority is to win the 2023 assembly polls in Rajasthan for which we will have to work together,” he said.

Asked about the leadership’s plan for Rajasthan, he said, “Whatever positive decisions have to be taken with respect to Rajasthan, the Congress president will take.”

PFI HAD TIES WITH QAIDA-LINKED TURKISH GROUP: INTEL TO MHA

The Popular Front of India (PFI) has been maintaining close ties with a radical Turkish group accused of supplying arms to Al-Qaida-affiliated jihadists in Syria, states a dossier presented to the MHA by intelligence agencies. Two top leaders of the now-banned outfit were hosted by the group, officials said today.

The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (Insan Hak ve Hurriyetleri ve Insani Yardim Vakfi, commonly known as IHH) projects itself as a Turkish human rights organisation involved in constructive work benefitting the society. However, intelligence agencies found that it is an Al-Qaida-linked Turkish charity organisation, which was accused of smuggling arms to Al-Qaida-affiliated jihadists in Syria in January 2014, the officials said, adding that the IHH has also been identified as an organisation that closely works with Turkish intelligence service MIT.

The officials said that according to reports, EM Abdul Rahiman and Prof P Koya, members of PFI’s national executive council, were privately hosted in Istanbul by the IHH. The officials said the PFI appeared to be a perfect match for the IHH as both organisations have been advocating the jihadist ideology.

Meanwhile, the NIA in the report to the MHA informed that one of the PFI modules had even prepared to attack foreigners, especially Jews visiting Vattakkanal, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, the officials said. The module — Ansar-ul-Khilafa Kerala — also indulged in a secret campaign of recruiting, motivating and radicalising Muslim youths to join ISIS/ISIL, they said.

SC MOVES THE NEEDLE ON MARITAL RAPE DEBATE: FOR MTP PURPOSES, IT IS RAPE

By including marital rape survivors under the definition of sexual assault survivors who are eligible to terminate pregnancies beyond the 20-week deadline in law, the Supreme Court has moved the needle on the marital rape debate.

“Married women may also form part of the class of survivors of sexual assault or rape… A woman may become pregnant as a result of non-consensual sexual intercourse performed upon her by her husband. We would be remiss in not recognising that intimate partner violence is a reality and can take the form of rape,” the bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, A S Bopanna and J B Pardiwala said.

The ruling clarified that its interpretation only applies to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and would not have any effect on the challenge to the marital rape exception under the Indian Penal Code that is pending before the Supreme Court. However, experts see this as a step in the direction of eventually removing the marital rape immunity in law.

“In the evolution of law, nothing really happens in one go and is inevitably a struggle – this is what we saw with Section 377 as well. You take a tiny step forward, and are then pushed back. But the SC judgement today was definitely a tiny step forward,’’ said senior advocate Rebecca John.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Sep 29

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Wednesday 4,256

Active Cases 40,750(-229)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,28,611 (11)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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PUTIN TO HOST KREMLIN CEREMONY ANNEXING PARTS OF UKRAINE

Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to host a Kremlin ceremony on Friday annexing four regions of Ukraine, while his Ukrainian counterpart said Putin would have to be stopped for Russia to avoid the most damaging consequences of the war.

There was a warning too from United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, who said the planned annexations were a "dangerous escalation" and jeopardise prospects for peace.

Putin has doubled down on the invasion he ordered in February despite suffering a major reversal on the battlefield this month and discontent in Russia over a widely criticised "partial mobilisation" of thousands more men to fight in Ukraine. Russia calls the war in Ukraine a "special operation."

"The cost of one person in Russia wanting to continue this war is that Russian society will be left without a normal economy, a worthwhile life, or any respect for humanitarian values," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Thursday evening address.

"It can still be stopped. But to stop it we have to stop that person in Russia who wants war more than life. Your lives, citizens of Russia," said Mr. Zelensky, who earlier spoke of Ukraine delivering a "very harsh" reaction to Russian recognition of so-called referendum results.

ANOTHER LEAK IN NORD STREAM, ‘ACT OF SABOTAGE,’ SAYS NATO

NATO said on Thursday it would retaliate for any attacks on the critical infrastructure of the 30-membercountries organisation as it suggested that damage to two gas pipelines off Denmark and Sweden in the Baltic Sea is the result of sabotage. “Any deliberate attack against allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response,” Nato ambassadors said in a statement. They said the damage to the pipelines between Russia and Germany “is of deep concern. ”

The alliance said that “all currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage”.

Energy Ministers will gather in Brussels to consider an emergency European Commission proposal that includes cutting power use in the bloc, imposing windfall levies on energy companies and discussing a price cap on wholesale gas supplies.

IRAN TARGETS CELEBS, MEDIA FOR UNREST OVER HIJAB DEATH

Iran stepped up pressure on celebrities and journalists on Thursday over the wave of women-led protests sparked by outrage over the death of Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by the Islamic republic’s morality police.

Filmmakers, athletes, musicians and actors have backed the demonstrations, and many saw it as a signal when the national football team remained in their black tracksuits when the anthems were played before a match in Vienna against Senegal. “We’ll take action against the celebrities who have fanned the flames of the riots,” Tehran provincial governor Mohsen Mansouri said, ISNA news agency.

Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei similarly charged that “those who became famous thanks to support from the system have joined the enemy when times are difficult”.

THE REST

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MIG-21 SQUADRON THAT HIT PAK IN '19 RETIRES TODAY

The Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter squadron at Srinagar that participated in the Kargil operation and was also locked in a duel with Pakistani forces in February 2019 will retire its MiG-21 jets tomorrow.

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was hit during the duel over Nowshera in J&K and landed inside Pakistan, was part of the 51 Squadron, known as ‘Swordarms’.

After the retirement of MiG-21 jets from Srinagar, the IAF will be left with three MiG-21 squadrons, which are anyway flying on extended life. During its nearly 38 years of existence, the 51 Squadron has had a proud history. Operation Brasstacks in 1987 tested its preparedness as pilots carried out an intensive valley flying from both Srinagar and Awantipora.

PM HALTED UKRAINE WAR, BROUGHT HOME 22,000 INDIANS SAFELY: NADDA

Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, brought the fighting to a halt, and worked to evacuate 22,000 Indians safely within two weeks, BJP national president J P Nadda said on Thursday.

Addressing BJP workers in Bhubaneswar, Nadda said, “It was our Prime Minister who talked to Putin and spoke to Zelenskyy, brought the fighting to a halt and worked to bring back 22,000 Indians home safely within two weeks.”

During his speech, Nadda targeted the Opposition and said that the base of other national parties, including Congress, is shrinking. He called the Congress as a “brother-sister” party.

“Whom are we fighting today? Indian National Congress. Neither is it a national [party] nor it has remained Indian…. This party has now become brother-sister’s party,” he said.

Nadda said that the BJP’s fight is with the “family [parivarik]” parties. “Other parties have become family parties. It is only the BJP that is following the ideology,” he said.

KHALISTAN ON LIPS, BHINDRANWALE FOLLOWER TAKES CHARGE OF DEEP SIDHU’S OUTFIT, ACTOR’S KIN SAY NO LINK

Seven months after actor and activist Sandeep Singh alias Deep Sidhu died in a road accident, the ‘Waris Panjab De’ — an organisation that he had formed “to protect rights of Punjab and raise social issues” — landed in a controversy Thursday with a 29-year-old Sikh man taking charge as its president, while calling on the youth from the community to “wake up” and “fight for the freedom” of panth and Punjab.

While launching ‘Waris Punjab de’ at Chandigarh in September last year ahead of Punjab polls, Deep Sidhu had said that it “was a pressure group to protect rights and culture of Punjab, raise social issues such as health, education and raise voice against dictatorship of Delhi.”

Sidhu was booked by Delhi Police for alleged role in violence and hoisting Sikh flag at Red Fort during farmers protest march on Republic Day last year.

The actor’s family, meanwhile, denied any links with Amritpal Singh (29), who claims to be follower of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and said that he was “misusing Sidhu’s name” and “befooling youth in the name of Khalistan.”

INTEREST RATES ON SOME SMALL SAVINGS SCHEMES INCREASED FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER

After keeping small savings rates unchanged for nine consecutive quarters, the Finance Ministry Thursday hiked interest rates on some of the small savings schemes for October-December.

The recent retail inflation print for August came in at 7 per cent, marking the eighth month above the upper threshold of the RBI’s target of 4 +/- 2 per cent, and almost three years (35 months) of staying above 4 per cent.

The view within the ministry for hiking rates is to “balance the interests of senior citizens, persons saving in instruments without tax benefits along with keeping the interest rate for small savings in check”, which essentially translates into a higher interest cost for the govt when it borrows against the National Small Saving Fund. Interest rates on small saving schemes are reset on a quarterly basis, in line with the movement in benchmark govt bonds of similar maturity. Typically, small saving rates are linked to yields on benchmark govt bonds but despite the movement in G-sec yields, the govt had not reduced the interest rates over the last two years.

Among the most popular fixed income products, the Public Provident Fund (PPF) will fetch 7.1 per cent, while the National Savings Certificate yields 6.8 per cent. Rates on the girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana are 7.6 per cent.

The interest rate on savings deposits will continue to be 4 per cent per annum. EPF continues to have a higher interest rate for its subscribers despite the rate being reduced to 8.1 per cent for FY22 – the lowest in four decades.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER BOBBY KATARIA ARRESTED FOR SMOKING INSIDE SPICEJET PLANE

The Delhi Police arrested social media influencer and bodybuilder Bobby alias Balwant Kataria for allegedly smoking inside a SpiceJet plane. Police said Bobby was arrested on Tuesday and he was released on bail the next day.

In August, an FIR was lodged seven months after he recorded a video in which he is seen lighting a cigarette inside a SpiceJet aircraft. In the video, Kataria is seen lying down on the aircraft seat and lighting a cigarette and taking a couple of puffs, posing a safety risk.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Jasbir Chaudhary, manager (legal and company affairs) of SpiceJet and Bobby has been booked under sections of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act. He was accused of ostensibly encouraging his fans to emulate illegal acts and follow hazardous behaviour on planes.

A lookout circular was issued against Bobby after Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had ordered an investigation into the matter. He had applied for anticipatory bail as well.

MUKESH AMBANI'S SECURITY COVER UPGRADED TO Z+

The govt has upgraded the security cover of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani to the top category of 'Z+' after a review of perceived threat perception to him by central intelligence and security agencies, official sources said on Thursday.

The 65-year-old Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, was first accorded the 'Z' category cover of CRPF commandos in 2013 on a payment basis. His wife Nita Ambani too has a similar armed cover but a lower category of 'Y+' which entails lesser number of commandos.

The recommendation was formalised by the Union home ministry after receiving inputs, on the perceived threat perception to the businessman, by central intelligence and security agencies, they said.

MOVIETIME: ALL EYES ON 'VIKRAM VEDHA' AND 'PS1' TODAY

Hrithik Roshan is back on the big screen this Friday after a hiatus of three-and-a-half years with ‘Vikram Vedha’, the remake of a 2017 Tamil film of the same name. And locking horns with it for theatre space will be Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan 1’ (‘PS1’), a Tamil historical extravaganza on the Cholas, which has been also dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

But industry experts say that it might not actually be a battle royale between the north and the south for wooing the Hindi speaking audience. The films’ producers feel that while ‘PS1’ will dominate screens in the south, (it has not been promoted much in the Hindi heartland), ‘Vikram Vedha’, which will be shown only in Hindi, will hold sway in the north. The two movies together might have been made at a cost of over Rs 450 crore.

The two films could spell big gains for theatre chains, which have been buoyed by the success of ‘Brahmastra’. “This will surely be the biggest first weekend in terms of box-office collections this year, if the two movies are looked at collectively,” says Kamal Gianchandani, chief business, planning and strategy of PVR Ltd, the largest multiplex chain in the country.

6 AIRBAGS IN CARS NOW MANDATORY FROM NEXT YEAR

The govt has deferred the implementation of the proposal to make six airbags mandatory in passenger cars by one year to October 1, 2023, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

The govt had earlier planned to make six airbags mandatory in eight-seater vehicles for enhanced safety of occupants from October 1, 2022.

“Considering the global supply chain constraints being faced by the auto industry and its impact on the macroeconomic scenario, it has been decided to implement the proposal mandating a minimum of six airbags in passenger cars (M-1 category) w.e.f. October 1, 2023,” Gadkari said in a tweet.

BIG BLOW! INJURED BUMRAH OUT OF T20 WORLD CUP

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was on Thursday ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a back stress fracture, dealing a massive blow to team's chances at the ICC mega-event starting next month in Australia.

A BCCI official said that Bumrah will be forced out of action for nearly six months due to the back injury.

It is understood that either Deepak Chahar or Mohammed Shami could replace Bumrah in the main squad. Both were named as stand-by players for the T20 World Cup.

Bumrah, who played the second and third T20 against Australia, was ruled out of the opening T20I against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday after he complained of back pain ahead of the match.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You can shoot the tiger, or stay out of his way, but you cannot pronounce him a vegetarian. - Richard Mitchell

OFF TRACK

Yesterday, our friend was driving merrily, on his way to meet his Grandma in Bandra. Suddenly his cellphone rang.

Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, "Hey, I just heard on the FM that there's a car going the wrong way on the Western Express Highway. Please be careful!"

"Don’t you worry, darling. And it's not just one car," he said, "It's hundreds of them!"