India Decides @ 9

A dramatic U-turn in less than 24 hours. On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had told NDTV that the government should not wait for a day to make the Food Security Bill a legal right. Today, the government said it would make "one more effort" to convince the Opposition. The Prime Minister reportedly conveyed this to his colleagues at a cabinet meeting this morning, thus deferring plans to use an ordinance to provide subsidised food to nearly 70% of India's population. The government will try to convene a special session of Parliament instead to clear the Rs. 1.3 lakh crore welfare reform.

On the show tonight, Mamata Banerjee revives talks of the third front, but is it feasible? We discuss. Also, we debate the controversy after the revelations about the US National Security Agency conducting secret surveillance on Web users around the world.

On India Decides @ 9, exclusive details of why the CBI, probing the coal scam, alleges Congress MP Naveen Jindal paid kickbacks.

Over-ruling a faction of its senior leaders, the BJP is likely to anoint Narendra Modi the head of an election committee on Sunday, the final day of the party's Goa conclave. The promotion of the controversial Chief Minister of Gujarat was listed yesterday as an imperative to party president Rajnath Singh by the BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or RSS, according to sources.

After the arrest of three of its players on charges of spot-fixing, now the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, Raj Kundra, has reportedly admitted to placing bets on IPL games. The BCCI has called for a meeting on Monday to discuss the latest development in the huge scandal. Will it terminate the Jaipur franchise from the IPL?

A meeting of chief ministers in New Delhi to discuss internal security failed to arrive at a consensus on the government's watered down version of its proposed anti-terror body, National Counter Terrorism Centre or NCTC. Instead, the meeting degenerated into a war of words between Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

We can't get basic consensus to run Parliament, but an order by the Chief Information Commission that political parties should come under RTI has seen a remarkable unity. Almost all political parties, barring the BJP, have rejected the order. The order cited a number of reasons why they should come under RTI - from the crores of tax breaks political parties receive to their influence on decision making - but the parties aren't buying it. The Congress even said that political parties are private organisations.

The BJP today denied that one of its most senior leaders, LK Advani, has openly expressed his opposition to the possible selection of Gujarat Chief Minister Narenda Modi as the party's candidate for prime minister. Is the cold war between LK Advani and Narendra Modi out in the open? We discuss on the 9 o'clock news.

Rajeev Shukla on Saturday resigned as the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid the raging spot-fixing controversy that has rocked Indian cricket. His resignation piles up pressure on Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief N Srinivasan to step down.

On India Decides@9, we speak to Jyotiraditya Scindia, the first to break ranks in the BCCI over the growing controversy surrounding its chief N Srinivasan.

Blame game begins over the Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh; Centre says security preparations weren't adequate while BJP says Congress is trying to politicise the issue.

Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of BCCI chief N Srinivasan, is in Mumbai for questioning in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal; India Cements, the owner of Chennai Super Kings, says Mr Meiyappan is not part of the franchise and pressure on Mr Srinivasan but sources say there is no question of his stepping down.

UK's Prime Minister and London Mayor have said the beheading of a soldier in London by two men had nothing to do with Islam even as reports came in of two Mosques being attacked. We discuss the thin line between a barbaric killing by individual murderers and a terrorist attack. (Video courtesy: Sky News)

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, it has. Today the Mumbai police arrested Vindoo Dara Singh, recently the winner of Big Boss, for his links with bookies. This is a huge shocker because Vindoo, a popular TV star, has been seen in many matches and friendly with many players. Also today for the first time emerged the clear evidence of hawala links as well with over Rs 1 crore being recovered from an alleged hawala operator. Then the other surprise, Sahara, the main sponsors of the Indian cricket team is out of the IPL and won't renew their sponsorship of the India cricket team which runs out this year because of a fight with the BCCI over encashment of the bank guarantee.

Can the Indian tiger and the Chinese dragon enter a new relationship, especially given the tension over the China incursion last month? Today, both prime ministers included managing the border issue as key in their joint statement but an unusually forthcoming Premier Li also stressed on the friendship between the countries despite differences.

On the show tonight, we talk to BCCI chief N Srinivasan on the spot-fixing scandal in the IPL and discuss how deep are its roots.

On the money trail, the Delhi Police goes on nationwide searches as a part of the spot-fixing probe. In Mumbai, the police seize Sreesanth's laptop and iPad. The Mumbai Police says, the kingpin among the cricketers was Rajasthan Royals player Ajit Chandila. Is there more trouble in store for Sreesanth and Chandila? We discuss on the 9 o'clock news.

IPL is rocked by spot-fixing allegations as three Rajasthan Royals players and 11 bookies are arrested by the Delhi Police.

On the 9 o'clock news, a debate on whether the ambitious food bill can remove hunger. Also, a discussion with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son Tejasvi about his transition from an IPL to a political innings.

The government has launched a Rs 180 crore ad blitz which showcases policies for all sections and regions - with the message that the UPA government has worked. Whether the government is gearing up for an early election is unclear, but it is clearly making a pitch to be re-elected.

Nawaz Sharif, who is set for a third term as Pakistan's PM, has said he that has invited Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan.

As counting for the historic Pakistan polls begins, we debate whether Imran Khan or Nawaz Sharif will form the next government.

Pawan Kumar Bansal and Ashwani Kumar resign as Union ministers; Congress says won't spare anybody mired in corruption

On the show tonight, we discuss if it's just a matter of time before Railway Minister Pawan Bansal resigns; we also speak to Jagan Mohan Reddy's wife on a day the Andhra Pradesh leader's bail plea was rejected by the Supreme Court.

On the show tonight, we discuss the Food Security Bill which the government is now desperate to pass as the BJP stalls the house.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its affidavit to the Supreme Court, said changes were made in its coal investigation report by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar as also other officials in the Prime Minister's Office. Will this affidavit lead to the government being eventually cornered or will it find an exit route - the top court will have the last word.

Law Minister Ashwani Kumar proposed changes to the CBI's coal report, say sources; and Railways Minister offers his defence to the party in the railway bribery scam.

Sarabjit Singh's wife and two young daughters clung to the coffin that held his body and wept. His sister, Dalbir Kaur, who fought hard for years to secure his release from a Pakistani jail, kissed the coffin. Several Punjab policemen in uniform then carried away Mr Singh's body, draped in the Tricolour, for the final rites.

On the show tonight, after Sarabjit Singh's death, India is outraged; we also discuss the protests in Delhi a day after former MP Sajjan Kumar is acquitted in an anti-sikh riots case.

On the show tonight, has the PM taken up the govt's defence a day before the Supreme Court decides on govt's alleged interference in the CBI's coal scam report. Also, we discuss if the Kudankulam nuclear plant is really safe?

Sarabjit Singh, an Indian man who is on death row in Pakistan, continues to be in critical condition in a hospital in Lahore where he was admitted after he was brutally attacked by a group of prisoners at a jail yesterday. On the 9 o'clock news, we discuss whether his family will ever be able to see him in India.

On the show tonight, Indian prisoner in Pakistan Sarabjit Singh is attacked and is critical. Also on the show, we discuss the major embarrassment for the government caused by the CBI affidavit on the coal allocation scam.

On the show tonight, Mamata Banerjee announces Rs 500 crores for a relief fund for investors of the Saradha group as the arrested chief of the organisation Sudipta Sen writes a letter to the CBI alleging several high-profile politicians were involved in the scam.

On the show tonight, the political scene in West Bengal is dominated by the chit fund scam; we also talk to BJP leader Arun Jaitley on the opposition's demand of the PM's resignation.

Defence Minister AK Antony says India will protect its interests after reports of Chinese incursion in Ladakh; sources say CBI likely to admit Law Minister altered report for 'language' on its report on the coal scam and anti-rape protests rock Delhi.

Furious protests in Delhi over five-year-old's rape; Sonia Gandhi says "time for action, not words", visits rape victim in hospital and Sushma Swaraj says there is need to amend laws. All this and more...

On the show tonight, shocking video of a cop thrashing parents of a girl, who was raped and killed; also we discuss the escalating tension within the NDA between Nitish Kumar and the BJP; and General Musharraf's bail is cancelled.

On Wednesday, terror struck Bangalore again as a bomb went off near the BJP office in the city. 16 people were injured including 11 cops. This happened on the last day for candidates to file their nomination papers for the state elections scheduled to be held on May 5.

America is grappling with grief a day after shrapnel-loaded explosives went off at the hugely popular Boston Marathon, killing three people. Many more are critical. The big worry is that many of them will lose an arm or a leg because of the shrapnel in the explosives. There is still no clarity on whether this was a domestic terror operation or involving a group like the Al-Qaeda. We report live from the blast site.

Report says CBI's coal report was vetted by Law Minister and the Prime Minister's Office; Nitish Kumar to meet BJP chief tonight amid talk of impending split and United Nations Assistant Secretary General speaks exclusively to NDTV on the five Indian solders killed in Sudan.

The Supreme Court has ruled that Punjab militant Devender Pal Singh Bhullar will be executed for killing nine people with a car bomb in 2009 in Delhi.

Does the attack on Kolkata's Presidency University culminate a cycle of mindless violence caused by the sharp political divides in West Bengal? We debate on the 9 o'clock news.

A Delhi court has reopened a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who is accused of inciting a mob that killed three men during the riots that broke out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

In Kolkata today, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Centre and the Left and praised the Mamata Banerjee government. Do his remarks carry political subtext. We debate on the 9 o'clock news.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaks about the war over PM candidate in the BJP; Narendra Modi addresses women entrepreneurs in Delhi and Ajit Pawar apologises again for his crass remarks. All this and more on the 9 o'clock news.

After a 7-storey building collapsed, killing more than 50 people, Thane Deputy Municipal Commissioner has been suspended. A resident had shared photos of the illegal building with officials, who did nothing.

Soon after Rahul Gandhi's speech at CII ended, the predictable comparisons began between the Congress prince and the BJP's man, who would or woud not be King, Narendra Modi.

Thousands pay tribute to 22-year-old student activist Sudipto Gupta in Kolkata who allegedly who died in police custody. The Left has demanded a judicial probe.

As the Supreme Court turned down Novartis getting a patent for a modified version of its anti-leukemia drug Glivec, we debate its implications.

On the 9 o'clock news, we debate whether the Congress and the BJP are battle ready for 2014 general elections. Also, a discussion on whether the BJP's demand for no IPL matches in drought-hit Maharashtra is justified or just politics.

BJP opposes the govt's decision to nominate National Investigation Agency chief S C Sinha to the National Human Rights panel; Beni Prasad Verma-Samajwadi Party war of words intensifies and more on the 9 o'clock news.

An assertive Prime Minister upon his return from Durban not only rejected any suggestions of general elections earlier than those scheduled March 2014, but also, under fire over a sluggish pace of economic recovery and a reform process often held hostage to coalition politics, said the government - now minus the DMK - would have to take into account a lack of a majority in Parliament to push through some proposals and focus on those which enjoy a broad consensus. But, given the latest noises from the Samajwadi Party chief in Uttar Pradesh and the government's urgent attempt to mend fences, as seen today with the visit of Finance Minister P Chidambaram to Lucknow, is the confidence in goodwill from allies justified? Can the government's damage control plan work for 2014? We discuss on the 9 o'clock news.

On the show tonight, Sanjay Dutt today told the media that he is ready to surrender before the courts. In an emotional statement, during which he broke down more than once, the actor said he was not going to appeal against the Supreme Court verdict.

The Sri Lanka row continues in India with Lankan government saying they will send their players to play the IPL only if security is guaranteed. In Tamil Nadu, the state adopts a resolution, asking the Centre to stop treating Sri Lanka as a friendly country.

The IPL buckled today under Tami Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's threat to Lankan players in the IPL. No Sri Lankan player would now participate in any IPL match to be played in Chennai. Is this a mockery of the rule of law? We debate.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has floated the third-front option again, as an alternative to the UPA and the NDA. On a day when both he and his son Akhilesh took tough stances against the governing UPA alliance, which the SP supports from the outside, India Decides discusses the UPA's coalition blues.

Pervez Musharraf returns to Pakistan, promises to save his country; Kerala Chief Minister says there is no politics or emotions with marines; and lots more on the 9 o'clock news.

The return of the Italian marines to India is a diplomatic win but has justice been compromised? We debate on the 9 O'clock news. Also, exclusive details of how arms dealer Abhishek Verma and his associates systematically penetrated the Defence Ministry and the Indian Armed forces to ensure that the rifles, carbines and pistols manufactured by the firm Sig Sauer were favoured to win contracts worth billions of dollars.

On the show tonight, we take a close look at the 1993 Bombay blasts case on which the Supreme Court delivered its final verdict today.

Mulayam Singh Yadav's party has not accepted an apology from Union minister Beni Prasad Verma who had over the weekend accused Mr Yadav of "links with terrorists." Mr Verma expressed his remorse after a meeting with the Prime Minister. "I am sorry if my remarks have hurt anybody's sentiments," he said. Mr Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) has made its fury clear by disrupting Parliament repeatedly demanding an apology from the minister and his removal from the cabinet.

Top Congress ministers fail to convince DMK chief M Karunanidhi on the Lankan Tamils issue; the cabinet clears a new anti-rape bill that will be placed in Parliament.

Nitish Kumar eyes 2014, says give Bihar special status now or after the elections you will be forced to do so; ahead of the Lanka vote, Karunanidhi ups the ante - writes to the PM, Sonia Gandhi for amendments to the resolution. Sources tell NDTV the government is likely to agree to vote against Lanka; and lots more on the 9 O'clock news.

On the 9 O'clock news, Sunil Gavaskar and Dean Jones discuss one of the most remarkable innings one will see in quite some time in international cricket - Shikhar Dhawan's 185 not out against Australia - the fastest century by a debutant in the history of test cricket.

BJP attacks government over the Italian marines row, says India is getting 'kicked around' internationally; students upset over changes in the UPSC exam pattern; and Samsung launches the Galaxy S4.

'Sting' claims to out money-laundering by top banks, angry CRPF jawans protest Omar Abdullah's absence at the funeral of their collegues who were killed in a militant attack, and a special report from the Vatican on moments of cheer and joy after the new Pope was elected.

On the show tonight, we discuss the controversy surrounding the two Italians marines with the PM issuing a strong warning to Italy as the BJP ups the ante.

Outrage has spread over Italy's refusal to send back the two marines charged with the murder of two Kerala fishermen. India summoned the Italian Ambassador to lodge a strong protest against the Italian snub, but what can it do beyond that? We discuss.

On the 9 O'clock news, we debate whether the death of Ram Singh, the alleged mastermind behind the gang-rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in Delhi in December last year, in his cell in Tihar Jail will hamper the trial.

Olympic medallist Vijender Singh is facing charges of using heroin a few times after a close friend of the boxer's said both of them had done drugs. The names of the boxers had surfaced after a Rs 130 crore drug haul in Punjab, but Vijender has denied any involvement saying he doesn't do drugs and neither does he know the drug lord, in whose home the heroine was found. On the 9 O'clock news, we focus on the shadow of drugs on Indian boxers.

It is a sight that irritates any number of citizens - VVIPs accompanied by their gun-toting posse of bodyguards and escorts. Even though the Supreme Court wants the government to get rid of this VVIP culture, 12 additional leaders will now get the much coveted Z+ security, including Steel Minister Beni Prasad, whose request for extra security had been turned down twice in the past. On India Decides tonight, we discuss if this is all about image, status and power and less about citizen security?

On International Women's Day, cricketer Gautam Gambhir and ICICI CEO Chanda Kochchar talk about the need of respecting and protecting women in India.

DMK walks out of Lok Sabha, says India must vote against Sri Lanka in Geneva; student raped after taking auto from mall in Ghaziabad; CBI registers case against Raja Bhaiya in UP cop's murder; and more on the 9'o clock news.

Dr Manmohan Singh, unusually aggressive, made a focused attack on the BJP in Parliament today, beginning with economics and data as he is wont to do, and then shifting gears midway to politics.The Prime Minister referred to the BJP's Delhi meet last weekend where leaders like Narendra Modi had attacked him, saying that they had hurled the "choicest abuses" against the Congress leadership, but that he would not use "the language that the BJP uses to attack us", defending his government's economic policies and asserting that the UPA's performance in the last decade would compel people to vote them back.

Home Ministry moves new note on anti-rape law; Omar Abdullah breaks down in state Assembly; Varun Gandhi acquitted in hate-speech case and more on the 9'o clock news.

Raja Bhaiya resigns, CBI inquiry for senior policeman's murder; four Punjab cops suspended after woman beaten on camera; over 80 people killed in Bangladesh clashes and more on the 9'o clock news.

Narendra Modi targets UPA govt, calls PM 'night watchman'; Khaleda Zia cancels meeting with Pranab; Delhi siblings strangled, crushed with a rock, says police; Irom Sharmila in Delhi to appear before court and more on 9'o clock news.

Diesel prices hiked for bulk consumers; controversy breaks out in Wharton Business School over inviting Narendra Modi as key note speaker and Delhi businessman behind snooping of politicians and VIPs, according to fresh details.

Petrol made costlier by Rs 1.40; proposal on marital rape rejected by Parliament and CBI to question former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi in the VVIP chopper scam next week.

Several people die in a fire in a crowded market in Kolkata; a parliamentary panel will probe the VVIP chopper scam but BJP stays away; BJP leader Varun Gandhi is acquitted by a UP court in one of two hate speech case.

Is the Railway Budget 2013 an election budget? We debate on the 9 O'clock news. Also, shocking CCTV footage of a speeding BMW ramming into a motorcycle in Ahmedabad, flinging both bikers 20 feet into the air. One of the bikers died, the other one is critical.

The regional body of the Central Board of Film Certification has refused to pass Kangal Malsat, a Bengali film by filmmaker Suman Mukhopadhyay, because of how it depicted a swearing-in ceremony of chief minister Mamata Banerjee amongst other reasons. On the 9 O'clock news, we debate whether the board is bending over backwards for Ms Banerjee?

PM meets victims of the Hyderabad blasts; Army officer caught with drugs worth Rs 15 crore in Imphal; Indian skipper MS Dhoni strikes maiden double ton against Australia.

16 people have died and more than a 100 injured in the bomb blasts at Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad despite the Delhi Police's warning of a terror attack in the area last year and intelligence alerts that came two days before the blasts.

On the first day of Bharat bandh or all-India strike, factories and cars are vandalised in Greater Noida near Delhi; Sushil Kumar Shinde expresses regret over 'Hindu terror' remarks; British Prime Minister David Cameron expresses his regret for Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919- all this and more on 9'o clock news.

Supreme Court stays execution of four Veerappan aides; British PM David Cameron tells NDTV he's ready to discuss chopper deal with India; Italy prosecution sources say they have enough evidence against former air chief SP Tyagi.

NDTV has exclusive details about how a middleman was paid huge money by AgustaWestland to buy junk helicopters from India; Arun Jaitley and Justice Katju in an all-out war of words and we show you the last letter written by Afzal Guru to his wife before his hanging.

On the show tonight, the latest from our investigation into the VVIP chopper scam; Supreme Court refuses to hear plea of Veerappan's aides; police charge-sheet says Namdhari killed Ponty Chadha's brother.

On the show tonight, diesel and petrol prices hiked again; the main convict in the Suryanelli gang-rape case is arrested; a 6-year-old is raped and left to die in Delhi and we discuss the raging controversy over the VVIP chopper scam.

India asks UK company AgustaWestland to explain if it paid bribes to land a Rs. 4,000-crore deal for 12 VVIP helicopters; President Pranab gets seven more mercy petitions; Vyalar Ravi apologises after sexist remark and more on 9'o clock news.

The Centre is red-faced as head of an Italian company is arrested for bribes in India for a chopper deal; ten people been shot dead during panchayat elections in Assam and Narendra Modi wins civic polls in Muslim-dominated area.

Many people are dead in a stampede that broke out at the Allahabad Railway station. Lakhs of people were on their way back from Allahabad after taking a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela; today being an auspicious day.

Convicted of the 2001 Parliament attack, Afzal Guru was hanged in a Delhi jail today. As soon as the news spread, the J&K Chief Minister appealed for calm. Families of the victims of the attack say they had been fighting for this day since 2004 when Guru was convicted.

VHP backs Modi as PM candidate, RSS says it's 'upto the BJP'; Congress workers go on a rampage in union minister's presence in West Bengal; Supreme Court questions security to VIPs and India's growth in the financial year is projected to be the lowest in a decade.

Narendra Modi visits Delhi, addresses students; at Kumbh, Rajnath Singh says BJP committed to Ram temple and former West bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee says Mamata Banerjee's honesty is doubtful.

The friend of 'Amanat' testifies against the accused in a Delhi court, FIR registered against those behind online abuse for Kashmir's all-girls rock band and a Bangalore art gallery removes paintings after complaint by a BJP leader.

A girl band interrupted, three young 16-year-olds who formed Kashmir's first rock band go silent after a fatwa by a priest in Srinagar. We speak to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti.

On India Decides tonight the controversy over the anti rape ordinance. Is it a betrayal or a breakthrough in the fight against sexual violence?

On the show tonight, a Korean woman allegedly drugged and raped in a resort in Madhya Pradesh; Vishwaroopam talks put off till tomorrow and after poor rainfall, onion prices shoot up.

On the 9 O'clock news, Cabinet clears revised Lokpal Bill and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa hints that Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam could release soon.