News Highlights: PM Modi on two-day Gujarat visit, to inaugurate major projects

At least 40 people are missing after a boat capsizes in Nigeria, authorities say, reports AP

"Atal Vichar Manch is a political party based on the ideologies of (former PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee which is needed in the country today. As it is a political party, it is obvious that we will contest all elections," said former External Affairs and Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha as he launched a new political party, 'Atal Vichar Manch' in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh earlier today.

"After memorable programs in Jharkhand, landed in Ahmedabad a short while ago. I will be attending various programmes in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad tomorrow, 16th September. In the morning, will interact with beneficiaries of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and thereafter take part in the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet and Expo at Mahatma Mandir. In the afternoon, will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a series of development works worth over Rs. 8000 crore. These projects cover energy, roads, housing and more," posts PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Ahmedabad airport for his two-day visit to Gujarat.

During his visit, PM will inaugurate:

- 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar

- Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project and take a Metro ride from Section 1 Metro Station to GIFT City Metro station

- Lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 8,000 crore

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar says, "The Chief Minister of West Bengal does not want a solution to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital incident and that's why she is trying to divert the issue. Junior doctors have submitted five demands to the CM and she should take action on these demands. She should fulfil at least one of those demands."

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on the arrest of former principal of RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh and Tala Police Station In-charge Abhijit Mandal by CBI, he says, "This a very big arrest. We all have been demanding the arrest of those who tampered with the evidence. An ASI can't take such a big decision. The role of senior police officers should also be investigated."

Delhi Assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel says, "I met Arvind Kejriwal and we had a discussion on his proposal to resign as Delhi CM. Arvind Kejriwal is not greedy for the Chief Minister's chair. If the public trusts and believes that he(Arvind Kejriwal) is not dishonest, then the public will elect him again. This is a very good decision. The Vidhan Sabha session will possibly be called in September."

Germany’s minister for economic cooperation and development Svenja Schulze Minister Schulze arrived in India. "The Indo-German cooperation on the energy transition is a success story for all sides, benefitting India, Germany, and ultimately the entire world," read the release.

A 32-year-old woman was gang-raped at knifepoint in Santosh Bhavan in Nalasopara area of ​​Palghar district. Based on the woman's statement, Tulinj police registered a case against two accused, Jitendra Yadav and Avi Jaiswal under sections 70(1) and 351(2) of the BNS and started looking for the accused: Tulinj Police

On International Democracy Day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla says, "Wishing everyone a very Happy Democracy Day. India's democracy is the strongest, most powerful and most accountable in the world. India is the only country in the world where we have become aware of the democratic process from a small unit of the village to the Parliament of the country and all societies have a huge contribution in this democratic process. All societies should carry forward progressive and good ideas in their respective societies and contribute to taking the country forward."

Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "The aura of Lalbaugcha Raja is something else. I am enjoying it a lot. Seeing the devotion of all the people, my devotion increases even more. Lord Ganesh teaches us a lot of things. Ganesh Utsav not only brings the society together, gives new learning to the society but also connects our young generation with the culture and also makes them recognize our heritage."

Kerala Health Minister Veena George says "One death due to Nipah infection has been confirmed in Malappuram. A 24-year-old man who died in a private hospital has been confirmed Nipah virus infection. This was suspected in the death investigation conducted by a local medical officer after the youth died. Samples were collected from the private hospital and sent for testing at Kozhikode Medical College. The results were positive. That time itself, a meeting was held and 16 committees were formed as per state protocol. Contact tracing has been started. The deceased was a student in Bengaluru. We are trying to identify the friends, family members and the places he visited. As of now, 151 persons are on the primary contact list and 5 persons have symptoms of fever."

BJP incharge of J&K and Party National General Secretary Tarun Chugh says, "After 5th August 2019, the incidents of stone pelting in J&K reduced. We have reduced terrorism and today there is development and peace in J&K. If your family is going to eat in a restaurant, it is because of PM Modi's schemes and efforts. The public of J&K has regained trust in democracy. Farooq Abdullah is trying to create confusion among the public of J&K. Article 370 and 35A are history. The three families Abdullah, Mufti and Gandhi-Nehru made J&K the terrorism capital of India. PM Modi made J&K the tourism capital of India."

India dispatches aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos which are affected by cyclone Typhoon Yagi. EAM Dr S Jaishankar tweeted "10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard Indian Navy INS Satpura today. Indian Air Force is carrying 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam and 10 tons of aid comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags for Laos."

India lose Davis Cup World Group I tie to Sweden after conceding an unassailable 0-3 lead following 3-6, 4-6 defeat of Ramkumar Ramanathan and N Sriram Balaji in do-or-die doubles against Andre Goranasson and Filip Bergevi.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, he says, "Mehbooba Mufti has brought nothing but destruction and ruin to Jammu and Kashmir. If anyone has played the biggest role in bringing BJP (in J&K) then it is PDP and its leadership. First of all, she should give an account of 2016. She has not apologized for bringing the BJP here. She has not apologised for pushing Jammu and Kashmir towards this destruction. Why is she targeting me? What was the compulsion to form an alliance with the BJP in 2016? We were ready to give them the government at that time. The National Conference and the Congress first sent their support to Mufti Sahab and after his death, to Mehbooba Mufti. Why did they reject it? What was their weakness that they had to go with the BJP."

Tala Police Station incharge Abhijit Mondal brought to the CBI Office in Kolkata.

Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar says, "There is serialised periodic anti-India rant on foreign soil by one holding a Constitutional position. It is a matter of concern, a matter of contemplation, a matter of deliberation. Today a person holding a constitutional position goes abroad and says Reservation must end. Look at the pattern of prejudice against reservations that have been handed over. Keeping in mind my Constitutional position, let me assure you Reservation is the conscience of the Constitution. Reservation is in our constitution with positivity, with great meaning, to bring about social equality and to cut into inequalities."

"The Indian economy is on the move, doing well, continuing to grow, we will soon be world's third largest economy...the optimism for India, is evident. It is reflective of not just in the demographic dividend we have, with our GenZ and our youth population, but also around the increased momentum with the private sector, the growth in innovative products being offered. Last month was another three unicorns, we seeing the markets in terms of IPO revival as well for startups. I feel it points to the larger trend of India rising to the economic superpower status that it has deserved for so long," Meta India Vice President Sandhya Devanathan tells PTI on Meta's optimistic outlook for the Indian market.

Meta India VP Sandhya Devanathan’s statement on Reels:

-Reels is a major driver of Meta's growth in India, contributing to nearly 50% of global watch hours on Instagram.

-India is a leading country for Reels watch time, underscoring its importance to Meta’s strategy in the region.

-There has been a notable increase in brand adoption of Reels, with brands integrating it into their early campaign planning rather than as an afterthought.

-The “Made on Reels” initiative, launched last year, successfully helped brands understand and leverage the potential of creators and Reels.

-Brands are now organically building Reels into their campaign strategies, reflecting a shift towards early consideration in their marketing plans.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai says, "The people of Delhi made Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister because of his honesty. but the way BJP ran a mega campaign for the last 2 years to prove Arvind Kejriwal corrupt, they failed to do so. All the leaders came out of jail. For the first time in the history of the world, a leader has openly declared that if he (Arvind Kejriwal) is honest then vote for him, if not then don't vote. Arvind Kejriwal has handed himself over to the people. Now the people will decide whether he is honest or dishonest."

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "From the past two years, BJP has been levelling allegations against all the leaders of AAP that they are dishonest, corrupt. Even after two years, ED and CBI don't dare to start a trial against Arvind Kejriwal. Supreme Court has given bail to Arvind Kejriwal but he wants to go among the public to give agni-pariksha and will sit on the Chief Minister's chair only after giving the agni-pariksha. He(Arvind Kejriwal) is the only Chief Minister who after resigning from his post is saying only vote for me if I am honest otherwise don't vote for me."

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'I am going to resign from the CM position after 2 days' statement, Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva says, "What does he want to do in these two days? The public of Delhi wants to get rid of the AAP government. The cabinet should be dissolved and elections should be called. There is not even a single department in the AAP government where corruption does not take place."

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin speaks to Parashakti, a person from Tamil Nadu trapped in the landslides in Uttarakhand.

"We are taking all measures to rescue the Tamils ​​trapped in landslides in Uttarakhand. We are doing all the help for the affected people to return to their hometowns safely." tweets CM MK Stalin

"This 48-hour time which he (Arvind Kejriwal) has sought is enshrined in mystery that for which he is trying to find a replacement or trying to do some placements. It is ridiculous for a CM who is having overwhelming majority in the Assembly. If he is having an iota of truth in his intentions and in what he is saying, then he should call the meeting of the Cabinet, resign as CM and recommend the dissolution of the Assembly," says BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Arvind Kejriwal's decision to 'resign as CM after two days'.

“He (Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) should have resigned when he was in jail. Why is he resigning now? It’s because the election is near,” says BJP leader Shazia Ilmi reacting to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal declaring to resign after two days, seeking a 'certificate of honesty' from people.

"He should have resigned long back. AAP has done injustice to people of Delhi. Not only Arvind Kejriwal, but half a dozen other top leaders of the party were behind bars. People were anguished, but the AAP was busy for getting bail. Lastly, he took this decision, the people of Delhi were waiting for this for a long time. I believe he (Arvind Kejriwal) has done justice to the people of Delhi," says JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad reacting to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal declaring to resign after two days, seeking a 'certificate of honesty' from people.

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'I am going to resign from the CM position after 2 days' statement, Delhi Minister Atishi says "For the last two years, BJP has left no stone unturned to harass AAP. Thousands of raids were conducted but they could not present any proof of corruption. BJP is afraid of elections. BJP knows that the people of Delhi are angry about the way false allegations were made against Arvind Kejriwal. That is why the BJP does not want elections because they know that the people of Delhi will express this anger in their votes. If elections are held today, the people of Delhi will not give a single seat to the BJP. 70 out of 70 seats will go to the Aam Aadmi Party."

PM Modi says, "In Santhal Pargana, the Adivasi population is decreasing rapidly. The lands are being grabbed. Infiltrators are taking over positions in Panchayats. The incidents of crime against daughters are increasing. Every Jharkhandi is feeling unsafe because of the infiltrators. The JMM is standing with Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. These infiltrators and extremists are taking over the JMM. This has happened because the ghost of Congress has entered the JMM. When the ghost of Congress enters any party, then appeasement becomes the only agenda of that party. These parties want to form their vote bank based on religion."

PM Modi says, "Was Champai Soren not an Adivasi? Did he not come from a poor family? But the way he was insulted to snatch the CM's chair, every poor and Adivasi of Jharkhand is hurt because of it. Sita Soren was insulted and evicted from her own family. The people of Jharkhand will give a reply to this. There is only one most corrupt party in this country and that is Congress. There is only one most corrupt family and that is the Congress family. The JMM is also getting training from the same school and the name of that school is Congress School of Corruption."

"The CM said that he will resign after two days, there would be a meeting, we will let you know. The person who is honest can only get hurt over false allegations. Nothing was found, bail was given, the matter will be in court for long. We will go to the people, there is such a CM who relinquished a govt job which could give him a lot of money, he then lived in slums, and got the love of people, he wants a decision from the court of people," says AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar reacting to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal declaring to resign after two days, seeking a 'certificate of honesty' from people.

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'I am going to resign from the CM position after 2 days' statement, Congress Delhi chief Devender Yadav says, "Why is he waiting for two days? If Arvind Kejriwal had tendered his resignation six months ago, the public of Delhi would not have gone through a lot of crisis. This looks like a political drama as the Supreme Court has already imposed restrictions on him...A new Chief Minister should be appointed as soon as possible. The public of Delhi is aware and they will surely give an answer in the Delhi assembly elections."

On the flag-off of Varanasi Deogarh Vande Bharat train, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, "Baidyanath (Baidyanathdham) is being connected to Vishwanath (Varanasi) via Gaya. Hindus from all over the country visit Gaya, where it was inconvenient to travel. It is a big gift from the PM."

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'I am going to resign from the CM position after 2 days' statement, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says "The Court removed Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister. So this is just a new drama, it is a show-off. What should have happened was that the day he was going to jail, he should have resigned. In the history of this country, whenever the Chief Minister goes to jail, he resigns so that the state could run. Now when he is resigning, he is taking two days' time. One can imagine what will happen in two days. He has to find his successor. He does not trust the people, he does not trust his MLAs. Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see."

Cong-JMM indulging in vote bank politics in Jharkhand. JMM govt trained by Congress' school of corruption. It is time to bid farewell to JMM that looted mines, minerals, Army land: PM Modi at Jamshedpur rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "This morning when I reached Ranchi airport, a sister welcomed me with a 'jahwa' on the occasion of Karma festival. On this festival, sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers. I congratulate the people of Jharkhand on the Karma festival."

On Kishtwar encounter, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy says, "We are a government that fights against terrorism. We have crushed terrorist activities in the whole country. Now you don't get news of any terrorist activities from anywhere in the country. They are trying to create trouble during the times of elections in J&K. But our security forces are fighting against them. The government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism."

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'I am going to resign from the CM position after 2 days' statement, AAP MP Sandeep Pathak says, "Arvind Kejriwal resigned from his first government in just 49 days, owing to his principles. His only aim is to work for the country. Today the kind of accusations being put on Arvind Kejriwal by the BJP can't be tolerated by any self-respecting person. Ever since Arvind Kejriwal formed government in Delhi, he has had no power. At every step, he has been stopped from performing his duties. The court has buried Arvind Kejriwal. It was the people who put their trust in Arvind Kejriwal and elected him as their CM. So now it will be the people who will decide if he should continue to be the CM of Delhi. He did not resign from prison because he wanted to set a trend that if you are being dominated by a dictator, you have to stand up to your morals, democratic values and the constitution."

PM Modi says, "The previous governments only extorted the mineral-rich Jharkhand. We made the district mineral foundation. The BJP is working at the centre for the development of Jharkhand."

PM Modi says, "There are three enemies of Jharkhand, JMM, RJD and Congress. The RJD still seeks revenge from Jharkhand for its formation. And the Congress hates Jharkhand. Congress ruled the country from Delhi for so many decades but they did not let backwards, Adivasi and Dalits come forward. The JMM came ahead in politics using Adivasi votes. But today they are standing with those who took over the jungles of the Adivasis."

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'I am going to resign from the CM position after 2 days' statement, AAP MP Sanjay Singh says "Arvind Kejriwal was arrested with the aim of ending the AAP and to do horse-trading here but they (BJP) failed. Now Arvind Kejriwal is leaving, we will get a certificate from the public. The people of Delhi will decide whether he is honest or guilty. I am sure that Arvind Kejriwal will bring a certificate from the public with a huge majority. Arvind Kejriwal served the people of Delhi honestly. Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are held in Delhi in different ways. Earlier also BJP has won the Lok Sabha elections and has been badly defeated in the assembly elections."