Jay Panda joins BJP after ‘9 months of introspection’

New Delhi: Ending months of speculation, former Biju Janata Dal leader and industrialist Baijayant Jay Panda on Monday joined the BJP. Panda said he was joining the saffron party after “nine months of introspection and widespread consultations with colleagues and public”. “I have decided to join the BJP and work under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah to serve Odisha and India to the best of my ability,” he said, joining in presence of union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. TNS

JD(U) seeks varsity faculty roster system from Centre

Patna: The JD (U) on Monday sought an ordinance from the Centre to resume an old 200-point reservation roster system that used to facilitate for the faculty recruitment mechanism in Indian universities earlier. In its state executive meet held in Patna, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar-led JD-U passed four resolutions, including its demand for an ordinance for the resumption of 200-point reservation roster instead of 13-point roster for the faculty recruitment mechanism in Indian universities. JD-U reiterated its stands on Article 370 and 35A that it opposed to any interference with them. TNS

‘Data theft’: Naidu’s son tweets ‘victory of justice’ 

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh CM’s son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has tweeted the “victory of justice” in a data theft case. He tweeted “Justice prevails! The High Court has reprimanded the Telangana Police for unlawfully arresting the four employees (of an IT Company working for TDP) when the complaint was filed against the company.” Attacking YSR Congress, he wrote: “By using police and embracing extrajudicial tactics, TDP data has been stolen and handed over to the YSR Congress Party. But can they steal the respect people have for N Chandrababu Naidu?” TNS