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It is a season of plastic credit and debit cards, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetization of high value currency notes in the country. Cashing in on the situation, India’s domestic airlines and prominent banks have teamed up to issue co-branded credit cards for the convenience of passengers.

LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has emerged as most powerful person in the party with the blessings of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. All the major decisions being taken by Mulayam Singh Yadav these days have the approval of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

It has not quite been celebration time for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal even as the party reasserted its dominance, winning all three seats (two in Lok Sabha, one in the Assembly) in the recent by-elections. Much to the chagrin of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) played the party spoiler by increasing its outreach in east India and not yielding ground in the states it rules.

After the November 8 demonetisation move, which has shaken the hoarders and black marketers not to mention corrupt politicians, what next? Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed the BJP parliamentary party this week that his fight against the black money will continue as this was not the end but the beginning. “Next year will be a ‘Nayasaal, naya Bharat’”, assured the prime minister on Tuesday.

A disturbing trend of ethnic violence targeting minorities in Myanmar and Bangladesh in recent times is causing deep international concern.

BHOPAL: The Congress suffered yet another blow when despite all out efforts it failed to snatch Shahdol Lok Sabha seat from the Bharatiya Janata Party in the by-election, results of which were announced on November 22. The Congress was hopeful that as it had won the Jhabua Lok Sabha seat some months back in an by-election it may also win the Shahdol Lok Sabha seat. Both Jhabua and Shahdol are reserved for the tribals. The Congress hoped that because of the unprecedented difficulties faced by the people after the ban on Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes, people would turn against the BJP.

LUCKNOW: Priyanka Gandhi’s decision to campaign for party candidates in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls beyond Rae Bareilly and Amethi, has boosted the moral of party leaders in the state.

The winning of Mr Trump as the US President has been the talking point in international media. His win proved that at times how popular perceptions can go wrong. However, if one were to look into economic factors leading to his win, the result was all but certain. Mr Trump won because his protectionist strategies were more convincing for the average American.

Assembly elections in Manipur are due early next year. The term of the present Assembly ends on March 18, 2017. The Election Commission has announced that polls in Manipur will be held shortly after the Union budget is presented on February 1.

Priyanka Gandhi is taking her time to decide on the Congress’ latest decision to ask her to play a major role in the UP elections and not confine herself to Amethi and Rae Bareli as before.