New Delhi, October 29
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung today said that he would discuss the political uncertainty with all the parties in order to explore possibility of government formation in Delhi.

He also met the Union Home Minister to explain to him the political uncertainty following consent given by President Pranab Mukherjee to the proposal submitted by him for inviting the single largest party to form the government.

The LG's statement came after the Supreme Court knocked him and the Centre over the delay saying that in a democracy, the President's Rule cannot go on forever and questioned why the authorities failed to act expeditiously.

Being the single largest party, the LG may invite the BJP for discussion but it does not have adequate number to prove its majority on floor of the House. The AAP had already run the government with support of the Congress Party and resigned after 49 days of rule. In such a situation, the chances are of election only, sources said.

A top government functionary said the Home Ministry will wait for a report from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on his efforts on exploring the possibility of government in Delhi.

"If no government formation takes place, we will have no option than to hold elections. We will take a quick decision according to the suggestion of the Lt-Governor," he said.

Delhi BJP's announcement of a new team also gives an idea that the saffron party may ask the Centre for assembly elections. The list was announced late last night after a hectic meeting.

South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri has retained the post of general secretary while two councillors -- Ashish Sood and Rekha Gupta-- have also been appointed to the post.

Satish Upadhyay, Delhi BJP president has also appointed eight new vice-presidents--Tilak Raj Katari, Rajni Abby, Vishakha Sailani, Jai Prakash, Shikha Rai, Abhay Verma, Kiran Chaddha and Kuljeet Chahal.

Besides, eight new secretaries have been appointed and Kamaljeet Sherawat has been named the new women's wing president.

Nakul Bhardwaj has been appointed youth wing president. Aman Sinha, Poonam Jha Azad, Harish Khurana, Rajeev Babbar and Dipika Sharma have been appointed spokespersons while Praveen Shankar Kapoor is the media convenor in the Upadhyay's team.

New Delhi, October 29
Women inmates lodged in Tihar Jail here today celebrated 'Chhath' and performed rituals amid special arrangements made by prison authorities for the festival.

Inmates lodged in jail number six--the all women's prison-- performed 'puja' in the Tihar premises and other inmates participated in the celebrations.

"Special arrangements have been made for the day. The requirements of the devotees are being fulfilled by the jail authorities for them to be able to perform their rituals at best," DIG Delhi Prisons, Mukesh Prasad said.

"Festive celebrations are important to maintain a good environment inside the jail. It also helps inmates to connect with one another and helps drain negativity out," Prasad said.

'Chhath' is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the sun god.

New Delhi, October 29
Delhi University's Faculty of Management Studies is inviting applications for admission to its MBA and doctoral programmes for the 2015 session, for which CAT scores will be accepted for the first time.

"The Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) has started the online registration for MBA, MBA (Executive), MBA Executive (Health Care Administration) and the PhD programmes for the academic session 2015-16," DU Registrar said in an official notification today.

The last date for online registration for the four programmes is November 10, 2014.

While the students in final year of their Bachelor degree can apply for the MBA programme, candidates seeking admission to MBA Executive and MBA Executive(Health Care Administration) programmes should have at least five years of experience after passing the bachelor's degree examination.

Modifying its selection pattern this year, DU will no longer conduct entrance examination for the applicants as FMS will be using Common Admission Test (CAT) 2014 scores to shortlist candidates for its MBA 2015-17 programme. — PTI

New Delhi, October 29
Roads leading to Rajpath will remain closed for general traffic on Friday morning when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off 'Run for Unity' on the occasion of Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

"To facilitate smooth conduct of the function, Rajpath and Rafi Marg shall be closed for movement of traffic from 5:00 am to 9:30 am while Janpath and Man Singh Road shall be closed between 7:00 am to 9:30 am," said Special Commissioner (Traffic) Muktesh Chander.

According to police, approximately 10,000 participants will take part in the event. Besides, the programme will be attended by MPs, MLAs, government officers among others.

"Motorists are requested to avoid the New Delhi area and follow the routes, as suggested by us, for uninterrupted movement. General public and motorists are advised to plan their journeys in view of the events and advance their journeys so that possible delays can be taken into account," said Chander.

Motorists are advised to follow the directions of the traffic policemen to avoid inconvenience, he said.

The 'Run for Unity' will start from the crossing of Rajpath and Rafi Marg and terminate at Rajpath before 'C' Hexagon, India Gate, police said.

Motorists taking Vinay Marg, Shanti Path and going to New Delhi and beyond may take Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, RML Rotary, Baba Kharak Singh Marg or Park Street, Mandir Marg and proceed to New Delhi and beyond.

New Delhi, October 29
Set against the backdrop of a splendidly lit Purana Qila, with Vedic hymns reverberating in the air adding a nip to a pleasant October evening, the 8th edition of the Delhi International Arts Festival kicked off here.

Performances by troupes from Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Turkey, which cuts across physical boundaries, styles and genres opened the festival late last evening.

Kazakhstan's "Gakku" Group, a well-known folk dance troupe was the first to take the stage and showcased a traditional dance native to the northern province of the country.

They were followed by a Bharatnatyam performance by Malaysia's Asvara dance company.

The final performance of the evening came from dancers and musicians from Turkey who with their lively music and energetic steps had the audience clapping to their beats.

Two plays - "A Woman Alone" and "Untold Stories" - were also performed on the opening night at the National School of Drama.

The DIAF which is spread out over the next fortnight will see performances by groups from over 14 countries alongside over 2,000 Indian artistes. — PTI

New Delhi, October 29
Delhi Chief Secretary DM Spolia said that women entrepreneurs will be given an opportunity to set up their stalls at Delhi Pavilion in the International Trade Fair (IITF).

The Delhi government will organize an exhibition on "Women Entrepreneurship" the fair from November 14 to 27, wherein various departments will showcase the programmes, activities and achievements.

He said that this year's theme of IITF is "Women Entrepreneurship" and accordingly, the departments have been asked to showcase their activities, policies and programmes leading to women empowerment in a befitting manner suiting the theme of the fair.

Spolia said that as a partner state, Delhi has to play a pivotal role in conceptualizing and giving the shape to Delhi Pavilion befitting this year's theme.

He informed that the government has approved the November 19 as the date for 'Delhi Day' celebration. A cultural programme will be organized by the Art and Culture department and Sahitya Kala Parishad in consultation with Industries Department for 'Delhi Day', apart from installing a grand exhibition of rare photographs of women entrepreneurs right from 1947 to date by the Directorate of Information Publicity.

He asked the principal secretaries, head of departments, chief managing directors of corporations and local bodies to designate nodal officers for better coordination and forward their names and contact numbers to DSIIDC for timely action in this regard.

"The departments have been asked to start preparations for participating at Delhi Pavilion according to the theme," he said. They have been asked to compartmentalize the floors of the pavilion by specifying the exhibits subject-wise.

"Setting up of a pavilion in IITF is a matter of prestige for the Delhi State, so all departments will organize their stalls in a manner, showcasing their programmes and projects in line with the theme of the IITF 2014," he said.