Poonam Sinha, wife of actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, will be contesting against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from the Lucknow parliamentary constituency.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday asked if former prime minister Indira Gandhi can be credited for dividing Pakistan, why shouldn't Prime Minister Narendra Modi get the credit for the Balakot air strike.

Singh said the Indian government had given a strong message to Pakistan after the Pulwama attack. He also said that Pakistan would have to pay a huge price if it continued to promote terrorism.

The issues discussed in the meeting included the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, intelligence inputs after Tuesday's air strikes and further strategy. 

India on Tuesday rubbished Prime Minister Imran Khan's comments on the ghastly Pulwama attack, saying disclaiming Pakistan's link with terrorist attacks is an oft-repeated excuse by the "nerve centre" of terrorism.

Before addressing the gathering, the home minister observed a minute's silence for the martyred CRPF personnel. 

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought his intervention to ensure safety of Kashmiri students and traders in various parts of the country.

The home minister will brief the representatives of different political parties on the terror attack and the steps that have been taken so far by the government.

In a veiled reference to separatists and hardline Hurriyat Conference leaders, Singh also said the security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI should be reviewed.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid his tribute to the fallen CRPF men and assured the nation of a strong reply to the perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack.

Hitting out at the Opposition for accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of corruption in Rafale deal, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said no one can question Modi's honesty and rival parties should desist from "hoodwinking and misleading" the people.

He said the CBI acted after the Supreme Court had ordered an investigation into the Saradha chit fund case and the agency was forced to take action as the officer was not cooperating and failed to reply to repeated summons.

CBI in its petition says Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will talk to different political parties, including those from the Northeast, on the Citizenship Bill, BJP president Amit Shah said on Sunday, asserting the legislation is "very important" for the country.

She said the BJP leaders were "outsiders" and not from West Bengal and have zero idea about the culture and customs of the state.  

Addressing a rally in Falakata in Alipurduar district, Rajnath Singh alleged that Bangladeshis are illegally entering West Bengal.

Terming the interim Budget "historic", Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said it is aimed at strengthening the economy and will benefit all sections of society.

On a three-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Lucknow, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that he does look upon the Congress as a challenge in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"People of the country are with us", he said.

A Cabinet meeting, chaired by Rio, on Friday asserted that the state is protected under provisions of Article 371 (A) and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, (BEFR) of 1873, a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office said Sunday.