DNA Morning Must Reads: Tale of SP-Congress alliance; MS Dhoni, PV Sindhu among Padma Awards frontrunners; and more

1. UP Elections 2017 | A Tale of Two Women: How the SP-Congress deal was sealed

Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders engaged in thrashing out the contours of their alliance by exchanging lists of seats and candidates last week were in for a rude shock to find Muawiyah Ali, who had won Deoband by-poll elections last year, in both parties’ lists. Read more here

2. EC gives nod to Union Budget, but bars from announcing schemes for poll-bound states

The Election Commission on Monday night gave its nod to the Centre to present the Union Budget on February 1 ahead of the Assembly polls, but said no schemes related to these poll-bound states can be announced and the Finance Minister's speech should not refer to the government's achievements in these states. Read more here

3. Donald Trump makes early move on restricting abortions around the world

US President Donald Trump on Monday reinstated a global gag rule that bans US-funded groups around the world from discussing abortion, a move that was widely expected but nonetheless dismayed women's rights advocates. Read more here

4. Padma Awards: MS Dhoni, Sakshi Malik & PV Sindhu among front runners

Sports sensations — Sakshi Malik, who won India her first medal in women wrestling at Rio Olympics, Badminton star PV Sindhu, who won a silver at Rio and cricket wizard former Indian captain MS Dhoni are among the front runners for 120 Padma Awards for the year 2016 that will be conferred on this Republic Day. Read more here

5. I am not in a relationship: Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan on singlehood, being full of love and why he harbours no grudges against a certain actress. Read more here