Morning digest: U.K. MPs vote to take control of Brexit process, Ashwin courts controversy in IPL, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day

Right or wrong? R. Ashwin running out Jos Buttler has sparked a debate. Courtesy IPL

Liquor, cash, freebies swing votes: ADR survey

A nationwide survey involving more than 2.7 lakh people revealed that for 41.34% respondents, distribution of liquor, cash and freebies was an important factor behind voting a particular candidate in an election, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms.

Citizenship Bill binds rivals in 3 NE States

Rivals in the battle of the ballot across Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram seem to be bound by a common cause — opposition to the  Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 . They include candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has vowed to get the Bill passed, if voted back to power.

The road to Delhi runs through Awadh

For centuries, Awadh was the most prosperous part of northern India. Situated at the heart of the Indo-Gangetic plain, the Doabs of the Ganga and the Yamuna, its alluvial soil nursed crops through the year. The region was viewed as the granary of India. Not surprisingly, for the British, reigning in Awadh was essential to gain access to its munificent coffers. In 2019, both symbolically and substantially, its 14 Lok Sabha seats are an important step to win Delhi.

Cong-RJD ties hang on one seat

Notwithstanding threats from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to pull out of their alliance, the Congress has decided against conceding one more seat in Jharkhand. In January, the Opposition alliance in Jharkhand was stitched together between the Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha, RJD and the CPI. But the seat distribution among the allies is yet to be announced.

U.K. MPs vote to take control of Brexit process

The British government suffered a further political defeat on Monday night, as MPs voted to wrest control of the Brexit timetable from the government on Wednesday, to hold a series of indicative votes to attempt to determine what course of action could command a majority in Parliament.

BUSINESS | Fears of global recession trigger equity sell-off

Concerns of a global economic slowdown with renewed fears of a recession led to a sell-off in global equity markets with the Indian benchmarks mirroring the weak global trend to shed nearly 1% on Monday.

CRICKET | Buttler’s controversial dismissal

Kings XI Punjab  captain R. Ashwin ran Jos Buttler out at a time the latter was threatening to chase the challenging total down. The seasoned off-spinner from Chennai had won several admirers for the shrewdness he had shown as captain last year, but he could very well have to face a few critical comments for his action on Monday night.

Analysis: Brahminism, the thread that unites across parties?

Brahminism has gone viral again after Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, a revered figure of the U.S. Hindutva outfits, declared himself as an outcast from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘ Mein bhi chowkidar ’ campaign. “I cannot become a chowkidar because I am Brahmin. Brahmins can’t be chowkidars. It’s a fact. I will give orders that the chowkidars have to execute. That’s what everyone expects from the appointed chowkidars. So, I cannot be one,” Mr. Swamy said in an interview, conducted in Tamil this week.

EDITORIAL | Delaying bad news: on proposed banking reforms

On Friday, the Reserve Bank of India postponed the  implementation of the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS)  norms for banks indefinitely, citing the need for amendments to be made by the government to the relevant banking laws. The RBI had initially planned to implement the norms starting April 1, 2018 in order to bring Indian accounting standards in line with international standards, but the Centre’s delay in enacting the necessary amendments had given breathing space for banks for another year.