India News

Mulayam echoes Modi on Akhilesh: ‘Jo baap ka nahi, woh kisi ka nahi’

Published

9 years ago

September 25, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]SP patriarch stopped shy of announcing new party but reiterated that he doesn’t endorse decisions taken by his son

A formal split within the Samajwadi Party (SP) looks imminent. Although contrary to expectations, the party’s patriarch – Mulayam Singh Yadav – did not announce a new political outfit while interacting with the media in Lucknow, on Monday, he gave ample indications that walking out of the party he founded was now a matter of “when” and not “if”.

Echoing sentiments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi about SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam said: “the man who occupies the highest political office of the country had said in Kannauj – jo baap ka nahi, woh kisi ka nahi (one who isn’t loyal to his father, can’t be loyal to anyone else) – need I say anything else now”.

Mulayam – the SP founder – was replying to a volley of questions on whether there was any possibility of a rapprochement between him and his son Akhilesh.

Though in the run up to his interaction with the media on Monday it was largely speculated that Netaji (as Mulayam is usually referred to) would formally announce a split in his party and possibly take over the Lok Dal as its national president – a rumour that was only strengthened further by Lok Dal chief Sunil Singh’s assertion to this effect – the political warhorse refrained from doing so.

“I am not forming a new party as of now”, Mulayam told reporters who pointedly asked him if he was finally moving away from the SP due to continuing differences with his son. Journalists even asked the SP founder why he was staying put in the party when he clearly didn’t approve of Akhilesh’s leadership and had been “betrayed” by his son who had earlier this year claimed that Mulayam would take over the party as its president after the UP assembly elections.

“I have been betrayed and everyone knows that,” Mulayam said. Asserting that as Akhilesh’s father, he will always “wish him well”, Mulayam said, “I don’t endorse the decisions being taken by him (as SP chief). The former three-term UP chief minister also said that he will “soon come before you all (the media) and give details” of the decision taken by Akhilesh that he doesn’t support.

Interestingly, Mulayam younger brother, Shivpal Yadav – the man because of whom differences between the father and son are said to have reached a point of no return – was conspicuous by his absence from Monday’s interaction. Mulayam said that Shivpal was “away on some important work in Etawah and Mainpuri (the political bastion of the SP clan)”.

Differences between Mulayam and Akhilesh came out in the open in the run up to the UP Assembly elections that were held earlier. Sources in the party had claimed then that while Akhilesh wanted the party to shed its image of an outfit that functioned purely as a family enterprise and particularly hoped to check Shivpal’s growing influence and alleged bullying tactics, Mulayam was favourably inclined towards Shivpal, the man who holds significant clout over the party’s grassroots cadre.

The differences between the father-son duo have split the party down the middle – though formalization of this split has been deferred for reasons best known to the Yadav clan. While a large chunk of the party’s old guard and a significant cadre base remains loyal to Mulayam and Shivpal, the more aspirational new guard along with some veterans like Mulayam’s cousin Ramgopal Yadav and former minister Azam Khan have stuck with Akhilesh Yadav.

Sources said that while Mulayam is set to launch his breakaway faction – though on Monday he continued to insist that Akhilesh was out of the Samajwadi Party as “his decisions don’t adhere to the party’s wishes” – he wants to first comprehensively gauge the political repercussions of such a move. There is already a buzz that Shivpal is in talks with the BJP for an alliance between Mulayam’s faction and the ruling party.

However, sources close to Akhilesh claim that the SP chief is himself contemplating ways to pip his father in this race and could announce his own outfit – a remodelled version of the current party – in the next few weeks.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India News

Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

4 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

9 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

14 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.