New Delhi, Mar 13 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday announced candidates for 46 more Lok Sabha seats from the states of Kerala, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Sikkim.

The BJP announced names of seven Lok Sabha candidates from Orissa. The party will field M. A. Kharavel Swain (Balasore), Sangita Singhdeo (Bolangir), Anant Nayak (Keonjhar), Jual Oram (Sundergarh), Draupadi Murmu (Mayurbhanj), Bikram Keshari Deo
(Kalahandi) and Parshuram Majhi (Nabrangpur).

New Delhi, Mar 13 : The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said a Maharashtrian should also be given an opportunity to occupy the Prime Minister's chair.

"There is a feeling among Maharashtrian people that a number of states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka have got a chance to occupy the Prime Minister's office. So Maharashtra should get an opportunity as well," Pawar told a local TV news channel.

New Delhi, Mar 13 : The Union Home Ministry on Friday cleared the hosting of the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 20-20 competition, but with a few changes in the schedule.

The Home Ministry took a decision to hold the event after consultations of seven states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal, where security is said to be a major concern.

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta held a video conference with senior officials of these states where the IPL is scheduled to be played in April-May.

New Delhi, Mar 13 : The Satyam board on Friday met to discuss the expressions of interest (EoIs) submitted by bidders, which includes one of its shareholders Larsen & Toubro, Tech Mahindra and Spice Corp.

On Thursday Satyam had closed registrations for potential bidders as it began a process to sell 51 per cent stake.

The board will make the financial and legal data available to those shortlisted companies who will qualify in the EoI criteria.

New Delhi, Mar 13 : Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta held video conference with senior officials of the states where Indian Premier League (IPL) matches are scheduled to be played in April-May following their demand for central forces to host the cricketing tournament.

Gupta held consultations with seven states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

During the 90-minute video conference, the states have again told the Home Ministry that it was not possible to hold the matches without additional security personnel from the central grid.

New Delhi - India's benchmark Sensex index rose by 4 per cent during trade Friday, mirroring strong gains on the US and Asian bourses.

The 30-share sensitive Sensex index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, which rose 2.25 per cent on Thursday, moved up further by 3.95 per cent to 8,671.36 points by 1:25 pm (0755 GMT).

All the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were in positive terrain with the indices for banking and realty gaining the most.