Shares of retailers fell sharply on Monday after a key ally of the ruling Congress party voiced fresh opposition to government efforts to open India's $450 billion retail sector to foreign supermarkets like Wal-Mart stores.

At a high-level meeting of the NCP presided over by its chief Sharad Pawar on Monday it was decided the party will remain with the UPA-II till 2014 elections.

The Sensex on Monday dropped by 281 points to nearly one-month low of 16,877.35 as global markets roiled in debt problems resurfacing in Spain over the weekend.

Taking the voice samples of LeT operative Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal will be among the top priorities of Mumbai Crime Branch, which has secured his ten-day custody in the 2008 terror attack case.

NCP on Saturday said it would remain a partner in the ruling UPA coalition but flagged displeasure over its views not being considered in the government and 'lack of coordination' with the Congress both at the Centre and in Maharashtra where they share power.

Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki's Indian flagship, is beset by labour unrest. Problems at its Manesar plant also echo squabbles at Tata Motors in West Bengal.

Arrested 26/11 key handler Abu Jundal was brought to Mumbai in the wee hours on Saturday after a Delhi court handed over his custody to Mumbai ATS, which wanted him in connection with a series of terror attacks in Maharashtra.

NCP, which pulled out of the UPA government in protest against the way the party was treated by Congress, on Saturday said it will remain an ally of the ruling coalition.

If there’s one post that is as, if not more, powerful than that of chief minister, it’s that of the state party chief.

The Telugu Desam on Friday took the drastic step of suspending four MLAs for indulging in anti-party activities and defying a directive to stay away from the presidential polls.