The Centre has decided to prepare standard operating procedures for the safety and security of journalists in the wake of three assailants posing as media persons killing gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, sources said.

Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa on Sunday strongly criticised former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar for his decision to quit the party after being denied ticket to contest the May 10 Assembly elections, saying the people would not pardon him.

Sudan's military and a powerful paramilitary force battled fiercely Saturday in the capital and other areas, dealing a new blow to hopes for a transition to democracy and raising fears of a wider conflict. Doctors' groups reported at least 27 dead and 180 wounded, with the toll expected to rise.

Asserting that "winds of change" are blowing in Karnataka, senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Sunday claimed that his party will win at least 130 seats in the upcoming assembly polls and the gateway to South India for the BJP will be "totally closed".

National General Secretary of the BJP CT Ravi was admitted to a private hospital here after he developed severe stomach ache.

Hubballi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said dropping the name of Jagadish Shettar from the candidate list was a call taken by the party’s high command. He also added that his name was recommended by state and district-level committees.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday attacked the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh over the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incident as well as urged for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.

Criminals should be given the harshest punishment but it should be under the law of the land and subverting the rule of law for any political purpose is dangerous for democracy, the Congress said on Sunday after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh.