LIVE news updates: Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit passes away; last rites on Sunday at 2:30 pm

Sheila Dikshit’s last rites will be conducted at Nigambodh Ghat on Sunday, July 21, at 2.30 pm. Her body will reach her residence in Nizamuddin at 6 pm.

Reiterating her demand for use of the ballot paper instead of the electronic voting machines (EVMs), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Saturday electoral reforms were must for ensuring transparency and preventing black money in polls.

Stating that she has been rooting for electoral reforms since 1995, Banerjee said, "For preventing black money (in polls), restoring democracy, ensuring transparency on the part of political parties, the reforms are must. It should include state funding. Why should a party collect funds? Why should black money be there?".

Stating that EVMs have been discarded by many countries, like England, France and Germany, the Chief Minister said, "Those who introduced EVMs are not using it. When there are so many complaints, ballot papers should be revived. We are saying no to EVM, and asking for return of ballot papers."

Two students suffered injuries in an explosion at the Magura Upper Primary School in the Aska block of the Ganjam district in Odisha on Saturday.

The injured have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur.

"According to initial reports, the students were tinkering with some explosive material with a battery, which exploded. We will ask the students where they found the explosive," said Ganjam district collector Bijay Amrut Kulange.

At least 15 people have been killed and 15 others severely injured after an explosion ripped through a gas plant in China's Henan province, authorities said on Saturday.

A device in the gas factory owned by the Henan Coal Gas (Group) Co. Ltd., located in the city of Yima, exploded on Friday evening, according to the government of Sanmenxia City, which administers Yima.

The injured were sent to hospital for treatment. Rescuers were searching for the missing people, authorities were cited as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to senior Congress leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit (81), who passed away following a cardiac arrest at a private hospital here on Saturday.

Accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the Prime Minister spent around five minutes at the residence of Sheila Dikshit.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday visited two temples in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency of Varanasi after meeting the victims' families of the Sonebhadra caste carnage at the Chunar guest house in Mirzapur.

After leaving Mirzapur, the Congress leader arrived in Varanasi and went to the Kal Bhairav temple and offered prayers there.

She also offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

She was accompanied by senior party leaders, former MP Sushmita Deb, party's Varanasi Lok Sabha election candidate Ajay Rai and party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, mourned the untimely demise of Sheila Dikshit

The Congress Saturday appealed to flat owners "cheated" by BJP MLA and builder Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who was recently appointed as the Mumbai unit chief, to approach the party for resolution.

Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant said those who are "cheated" by the developer can submit their complaints to an email id or via post at his party's office in Dadar.

Lodha could not be reached for comments.

Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Saturday condoled the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had also served as the state Governor.

In a condolence message, the Governor said: "I am deeply grieved by the sad demise of Smt Sheila Dikshit, who had won people's hearts with her endearing personality and strong administrative capability, during her tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi and as Governor of Kerala.

I convey my heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.

A TMC delegation was detained at the airport here on Saturday when it was going to meet families of the Sonbhadra clash victims, party MP Derek O'Brien said. After being denied permission to proceed, the delegation sat on a dharna at the airport here.

Ten people were gunned down and 28 injured in the clash between supporters of a village head and Gond tribals this week over a land dispute. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) team of MPs comprises O'Brien, leader of the delegation, along with Sunil Mondal and Abir Ranjan Biswas.

UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi to pay her condolences at the residence of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit

I think her mortal remains will be taken to their home in 1-1:30 hours, then it will be decided tomorrow morning when to take it to Congress headquarters, then it will be taken to Nigam Bodh Ghat, says Ahmed Patel, Congress

“I am sorry to know about the sudden demise of Sheila Dixit ji. We were opponents in politics but friends in personal life. She was a fine human being,” tweeted Sheila Dikshit

“Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. She loved me, whatever she did for Delhi and the country, people will remember it. She was a big leader of party,her contribution towards party, politics of nation & especially to Delhi, is immense”, says Priyanka Gandhi

I had met her recently, it is a big shock. I remember how she welcomed me like a mother. Delhi will miss her. May God give her family and her closed ones the strength to bear this loss, said BJP MP & BJP Delhi President, Manoj Tiwari

“Extremely sad to know about the passing away of Sheila Dixit ji...she effectively changed the face of Delhi during her tenure. Heartfelt condolences to her family,” tweeted Akshay Kumar

“I’m devastated to hear about the passing away of Shiela Dikshit Ji, a beloved daughter of the Congress Party, with whom I shared a close personal bond. My condolences to her family & the citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM, in this time of great grief,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi

“Sad to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit, former Chief Minister of Delhi and a senior political figure. Her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered. Condolences to her family and associates,” tweeted President of India Ram Nath Kovind

“Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti,” tweeted PM Modi

“Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace,” tweeted Arvind Kejriwal

Former Delhi Chief Minister & Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, passes away in Delhi at the age of 81 years.

Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit was on Friday admitted to Fortis Escorts heart institute in a critical state.

Three-time Delhi chief minister from Congress, Dikshit had cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) and had to be immediately put on ventilator, two people aware of the matter confirmed. Sheila Dikshit underwent a heart surgery in France last year.

“Finally met the families of the Ubbha massacre. What they have been through is unimaginably brutal and unjust. Every single Indian should stand with them in the name of humanity,” tweeted Priyanka Gandhi

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, will be visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple & Kaal Bhairav temple, in Varanasi to offer prayers, on Saturday

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,Congress, says My objective has been served as I have met them (victim of Sonbhadra firing).I am still under detention, let's see what the administration says. Congress party will give a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the person who died in the incident.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,Congress, says, “My objective has been served as I have met them (victim of Sonbhadra firing).I am still under detention, let's see what the administration says. Congress party will give a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the kin of the person who died in the incident.”

Family member of a victim of Sonbhadra firing incident, says We got to know that Priyanka didi has come to meet us, but administration has arrested her & taken her to a place where no one can meet her. So, we decided to come & meet her in Chunar.

We were detained in the airport soon after we arrived. Now they have allowed us to go to Chunar, says Rajiv Shukla

Congress leaders Deepender Singh Hooda, Mukul Wasnik, Raj Babbar, Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh, Jitin Prasada and Rajeev Shukla have been stopped at Varanasi airport by police. They were on their way to Sonbhadra to meet the victims of firing case.

Congress delegation led by Pramod Tiwari meets Governor Ram Naik over Sonbhadra firing incident that claimed lives of 10 people.

“Two relatives of victims have come here to meet me, 15 others are not being allowed to meet me. Even I am not being allowed to meet them. Bhagwan jane inki mansikta kya hai? Aap thoda dawab banayiya, unhe aana dijiye. Mere pichhe pade hain,” says Priyanka

15 people, all relatives of the victims have come here to meet me, but they are being stopped at the gate, says Priyanka

Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation sit on a dharna at Varanasi airport, after they were stopped by police at the airport. They were on their way to meet the victims of Sonbhadra's firing case.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & party workers continue to sit on dharna at Chunar Guest House. She says, "It has been 24 hours. I am not going to leave until & unless I am allowed to meet the victims of Sonbhadra's firing case."

TMC delegation on way to meet Sonbhadra victims' families detained at Varanasi airport, says party leader Derek O'Brien on Twitter

Four-member Parliamentary delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been stopped by Varanasi police at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur, ahead of their visit to Sonbhadra where 10 people were killed in a land dispute incident on 17 July

Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Mendhar sector of Poonch. Indian army retaliates.

9 people, in a car, died in a collision with a truck on Pune-Solapur highway near Kadamwak Wasti village in Pune, late last night. All the deceased were residents of Yavat village of Pune.

Allahabad HC on Friday issued notice to PM Modi in connection with a petition challenging his election from Varanasi constituency in 2019 LS elections.The petition was filed by Tej Bahadur, ex-BSF jawan&SP candidate whose nomination was later cancelled. Next date of hearing 21 August