Maharashtra's high drama reached Delhi on Monday as a BJP team met union minister Nityanand Rai

HT Daily News Wrap

Maharashtra's high drama reached Delhi as a BJP team met union minister Nityanand Rai, Russian President Vladimir Putin joined several other world leaders to wish French leader Emmanuel Macron for securing a second term as the country’s president,
India and the European Union launched the India-EU Trade and Technology Council and other top news in today's bulletin.
The Tamil Nadu assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution that empowered the MK Stalin-led government to appoint vice-chancellors to various universities in the state, a move aimed at curbing the governor’s say in the matter. Legislators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) walked out of the House after higher education minister K Ponmudy tabled the bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Universities Laws. Maharashtra’s high drama reached Delhi on Monday as a BJP team met union minister Nityanand Rai after party leader Kirit Somaiya on Saturday alleged an attack by over “100 Shiv Sena goons”, claiming that they wanted to kill him. The 68-year-old leader said that the minister of state for home affairs gave the BJP team an assurance. “Nityanand Rai assured us that he’ll talk to home secretary Ajay Bhalla in detail, and take a report on whatever is going on in Maharashtra. He also assured us that a special team of CISF or, if necessary, an officer from the union home ministry will be sent to Maharashtra.” Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday joined several other world leaders to wish French leader Emmanuel Macron for securing a second term as the country’s president. Putin’s congratulatory message comes despite France being a part of several sanctions that the European Union has slapped on Russia for the Ukraine war, which is now in its third month. India and the European Union (EU) on Monday launched the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, a strategic mechanism to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology, and security. This is the first time that India has agreed to set up such a trade and technology council with any of its partners. For the EU, it is only the second such body, following the first one set up with the US. Actor Ram Charan had an interesting reply when he was asked if he is more afraid of his father Chiranjeevi or his wife Upasana Kamineni. Instead of directly answering the question, Ram Charan said that it’s his mom Surekha Konidala who is the boss of the entire family. He also said that he has learnt to be careful around his wife Upasana after watching his father act the same way around his wife Surekha. Mumbai Indians were beaten by 36 runs against Lucknow Super Kings on Sunday to pile further misery onto their IPL season. It was eighth consecutive defeat for Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai, the most successful side in the league’s history with five titles, who remain winless so far. Chasing 169 for the win, a spirited bowling display from Lucknow bowlers restricted Mumbai to 132 for 8 in 20 overs, with Dushmantha Chameera conceding just 14 runs in four overs. Debutant Mohsin Khan returned 1/27 in his four while all-rounder Krunal Pandya plucked three wickets in the final over to finish 3/19.