Andhra Pradesh

Soon after the Prime Minister landed in the port city on a two-day visit and drove to Eastern Naval Command headquarters, Pawan Kalyan reached there and called on him. Talking to reporters after a nearly half-an-hour long meeting, Pawan Kalyan, an ally of BJP, hoped that this meeting will bring good days for Andhra Pradesh in future.

BJP workers and supporters lined up on either side of the road from INS Dega to Naval Dockyard to welcome the Prime Minister. Sitting in his vehicle, Modi waved at the crowd amid cheers by the BJP supporters, who were carrying BJP flags and placards. The road show was held for 1.5 km amid tight security by the police and other security agencies.

Ippatam, a nondescript village in Guntur district, is the setting for the latest episode of demolition politics. On Friday, the authorities got down to demolish the front portions of several houses and shops, for a road widening project. Incidentally, the Jana Sena Party had organised its foundation day event here on March 14 this year after it failed to get any other venue allegedly at the state government's behest.

Commission chairperson Vasireddy Padma said that by making the remarks Pawan Kalyan has given a message that a man can divorce his wife by giving her the alimony. She said he should apologise to the womenfolk for making those insulting comments.

On the fourth and final day of the Yatra in the state, Rahul Gandhi along with party leaders and scores of party workers resumed the Yatra Friday morning from Mantralayam in Kurnool district. After a four-hour walk, the Yatra re-entered neighbouring Karnataka. It halted at Gillesugur in Raichur district. It will resume in the evening from Kerebudur village.

An announcement in this regard was made on the second and final day of the party plenary here on Saturday. YSRCP general secretary V. Vijaysai Reddy, who was the returning officer for the election of the party president, announced the unanimous election of Jagan Mohan Reddy as the lifetime president of the party.

Amjad Basha and Narayana Swamy are the only ministers who retained the posts of Deputy Chief Ministers in the new Cabinet. Amjad Basha will look after the minority welfare department while Narayana Swamy will handle the excise portfolio. Other deputy CMs are Muthyala Naidu (Panchayat Raj and Rural Development), Kittu Satyanarayana (Endowments) and Rajanna Dora (Tribal Welfare).

The two-time MLA and firebrand leader of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) took oath as a member of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's revamped Cabinet on Monday. Shouldering a new responsibility in her career, the 49-year-old was quick to announce her decision to bid adieu to shootings. A member of Andhra Pradesh Assembly from Nagari in Chittoor district, Roja announced that she will stop shooting for films and television programmes.

All arrangements have been made for the meeting at Ippatam village near Mangalagiri in Amaravati capital region. Inviting all party workers and well-wishers of Andhra Pradesh for the meeting, Pawan Kalyan said on Sunday that it will not be like another formation day celebration but will set the direction of the future of Andhra Pradesh and state politics.