The big story in the newspapers highlighted today is of Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party and Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party joining hands for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. ”The Asian Age headline reads” SP, BSP agree to Lok Sabha tie-up in Uttar Pradesh, Congress likely to go alone”. Speculation is rife that they may both fight on 37 seats each.
”CBI to examine Akhilesh mining case; SP cries Vendetta”, headlines The Indian Express. The CBI will examine the alleged roles of Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and his former colleague Gayatri Prajapati in a case of illegal mining.
Another top story is former liquor baron Vijay Mallya, accused of defaulting on loans of over Rs. 9,000 crore, receiving yet another blow from a Mumbai Court. DNA, in its top headline, writes ”Mallya’s new first: Tagged as Fugitive Economic Offender”. This order empowers agencies to seize his properties and assets world over.
”Sabrimala violence continues over women’s temple entry” headlines The Statesman – with homes and shops of rivals BJP and CPI (M) leaders being attacked and vandalized over the entry of women below 50 into the Ayyapa temple sanctum. The Sunday Times quoting Police sources writes ”10 women, including 3 Malaysian have, so far, visited Sabarimala”.
Papers like DNA, Hindustan Times, Pioneer and Indian Express carry beautiful pictures of a snow blanket across the Kashmir Valley, that has had from up to 10 to 24 inches of snow yesterday.
Times of India in a report advises to supercharge our body defenses as the mercury drops, by eating antioxidant packed mixed berries with a large bowl of warming porridge and a spoonful of honey – as eating big and early boosts anti viral properties, whereas going hungry actually causes a 17 per cent decrease.