Left, Right & Centre

Halfway through the UP election the tide has definitely turned, because now, the language of the campaign has become about kabristans or graveyards and donkeys. Perhaps this indicates this election is a much closer and tougher fight than most parties thought. But is this what the discourse should be? Has it hit an all-time low? We debate on Left, Right and Centre.

There is outrage over the assault of an actress in Kerala. CPI leader says "isolated incident". Is women's safety not a priority?

There's some relief for cardiac patients. Prices of stents used to ensure propoer bloody supply to the heart will now not cost more than Rs 30,000 in India. They were priced anywhere between Rs 20,000 to a few lakhs. But while many have welcomed the move to make healthcare more accessible for more Indians others say the move isn't well thought out.

In an exclusive interview to NDTV, former Home and Finance Minister P Chidambaram spoke about the impact of the ongoing state elections on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political image. "In my assessment, the BJP has already lost Punjab... If BJP loses UP, it will be a huge setback for the PM. Voices will be raised with in his own party," Mr Chidambaram said. On whether PM Modi is a 'messiah-like figure', he said, "No one is unbeatable".

Six Army soldiers have died including a Major in three separate encounters in the Kashmir valley over the last few days. A worrying sign especially since the winter snow hasn't even melted and even more worrying has been the large crowds of people who have come for the funerals of the terrorists and even obstructed the security forces from doing their job. Army Chief Bipin Rawat has now warned locals of harsh measures. Will this help or hurt peace in Jammu and Kashmir?

It was a day of quick developments and high drama. From Chennai's posh Poes Garden, the AIADMK chief VK Sasikala is now in a Bengaluru jail. She surrendered on Wednesday before a trial court, a day after the Supreme Court convicted her in a disproportionate assets case. The 61-year-old, who came by road from Chennai, is being housed in the central jail 28 km from Hosur. One the final acts of Ms Sasikala before going into prison was to have her two nephews appointed in key AIADMK positions. The return of some of her controversial relatives to the party, who were expelled by AIADMK matriarch J Jayalalitha, is raising eyebrows, especially at this critical juncture. Will it backfire?

Though the Supreme Court has convicted AIADMK chief VK Sasikala of corruption and given her a 4-year jail term, the game of thrones in Tamil Nadu is far from over. There is now an internal conflict in the party. Ms Sasikala, who is likely to surrender tomorrow in Bengaluru, has chosen her loyalist E Palanisamy as head of AIADMK legislature party and has expelled Mr Panneerselvam. Is Tamil Nadu headed for instability? Is President's Rule a possibility?

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju sparked off a controversy by saying that the Hindu population is reducing while minorities are flourishing. Mr Rijiju's comments came after the Congress reportedly alleged that the BJP was out to

convert people in Arunachal Pradesh. Was this exchange yet another an attempt by the political class to polarise voters during the UP polls?

The day of reckoning is here for VK Sasikala as the Supreme Court is set to announce its verdict tomorrow in the disproportionate assets case against her. What will be the consequences for her whichever way it goes.

Infosys is considered by many as the gold standard when it comes to corporate governance and management. Which is why when its founders, especially Narayana Murthy, who put India on the world's software and IT map, talk about hush money in the company they set up - it draws attention. The board, who the founders are taking on, denies any irregularities and have out their weight behind Vishal Sikka - the company's first non-founder CEO brought in by Mr Murthy in 2014.