DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 02 May 2026 03:18:35 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/politics/trump-backs-iraq-pm-nominee-ali-al-zaidi-signals-support-for-new-govt-671795.html Washington May 1 US President Donald Trump on Thursday congratulated Ali alZaidi on his nomination as Iraqâs next Prime Minister signalling support for the formation of a new government in Baghdad and expressing hope for closer bilateral ties In a post on his official social media platform Trump said âCongratulations to Ali alZaidi on his nomination to be the next Prime Minister of IraqâHe added that Washington wishes him success as he seeks to form a government capable of addressing security concerns and governance challengesâWe wish him success as he works to form a new government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraqâ Trump saidThe US President also pointed to the prospect of strengthening ties between the two countries under alZaidiâs leadershipâWe look forward to a strong vibrant and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United Statesâ he saidTrump described the development as a potential turning point in bilateral relationsâThis is the beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our nations â prosperity stability and success like never seen beforeâ he saidHe concluded his message with a personal note âAgain Ali congratulationsâThe statement comes as Iraq navigates a sensitive political transitionThe United States maintains a diplomatic mission in Iraq which American officials describe as focused on sustaining a longterm strategic partnership with the Government of Iraq and its peopleIn coordination with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS the United States had supported Iraqâs efforts that led to the December 2017 milestone of liberating the country from ISIS controlAn official statement mentions that following the territorial defeat of ISIS the US increased efforts to stabilise liberated areas as Iraq continues to develop as a sovereign stable and selfreliant countryOfficials describe Iraq as a key partner for the United States in the region and a country playing an increasingly constructive role in the Middle EastIraq has functioning government institutions including an active legislature and the US continues broad engagement with Iraq on diplomatic political economic and security issues under the USIraq Strategic Framework Agreement SFA which forms the basis of bilateral relations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/trump-backs-iraq-pm-nominee-ali-al-zaidi-signals-support-for-new-govt-671795.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kiren-rijiju-hails-warm-welcome-in-north-sikkim-671796.html Gangtok May 1 Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said he was deeply moved by the warm reception accorded to him during his visit to Mangan district in Sikkim praising the hospitality and spirit of the people of the region Sharing his experience in a post on X Rijiju said the residents of Mangan Lachung and Lachen welcomed him with warmth and affectionHe described the picturesque Himalayan region as a land that beautifully represents âstrength and simplicity in its finest formâThe Union Minister was accompanied by Sikkim minister Samdup Lepcha government officials local leaders and noted singer Mohit Chauhan during the visitThe gathering reflected close coordination between the Centre and the state government in promoting development and public outreach in the regionRijiju also appreciated the cultural richness and peaceful environment of North Sikkim stating that such interactions strengthen bonds between communities and leadershipHis visit is being seen as significant amid continued focus on connectivity tourism and infrastructure growth in the strategically important Himalayan state of SikkimNotably PM Modi on his recent visit to the Himalayan state inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth around Rs 4000 crore in Sikkim asserting that the Northeast region is Indiaâs âAshtalakshmiâ and that the Himalayan state is an important part of itAddressing a public gathering at the Paljor Stadium the Prime Minister said the Centre has attached special importance to the development of the Northeast over the past several years and has moved beyond the âAct Eastâ policy to an âAct Fastâ approach IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kiren-rijiju-hails-warm-welcome-in-north-sikkim-671796.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-to-visit-army-training-command-in-shimla-today-671799.html New Delhi May 1 President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the Army Training Command in Shimla on Friday before leaving for Delhi capping a fiveday summer sojourn to her official residence in Mashobra In Mashobra President Murmu took a round of various areas in Rashtrapati Niwas and reviewed the amenities for visitorsShe also planted a Khumani sapling in the lawn of the official residence according to an official statementAhead of the Presidents proposed address at the convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in Palampur on Thursday a security ring was thrown around the city with the local administration restricting aero sports like paragliding for five hoursDuring her visit to Himachal Pradesh which started on April 27 the President made Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra in Shimla as her base before heading out to different events over several daysEarlier on Tuesday President Murmu attended a banquet hosted by the Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan in ShimlaThe Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra opened its doors to the public in April 2023At present the authorities provide a free bus service to tourists to the Presidents summer retreatThe Shimla to Mashobra service was started to celebrate President Murmus two years in office on July 25 2024The complimentary bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates from the lift parking at Mall Road in Shimla on Friday Saturday and SundayA guide at the presidential residence said that visitors can explore the 174yearold Rashtrapati Niwas nature trails and other parts of the building including its lawns and parksConstructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style the Rashtrapati Niwas previously known as the Retreat Building is one of four existing presidential residences in IndiaThe other three are Rashtrapati Ashiana a Presidential retreat in Dehradun Rashtrapati Nilayam in Telangana and Rashtrapati Bhavan the official residence of the President in New Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-to-visit-army-training-command-in-shimla-today-671799.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-amit-shah-to-offer-prayers-at-buddha-relics-in-leh-on-buddha-purnima-671800.html New Delhi May 1 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will join devotees on Friday to pay respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima He arrived in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Thursday on a twoday visitUnion Minister Shah earlier said in a post on X Tomorrow will be a historic day for Ladakh when on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima the sacred relics of Lord Buddha will be available for the people of Ladakh to pay their respectsI consider myself fortunate that I too will have the rare opportunity tomorrow to have darshan of these holy relicsIn order that these sacred relics may be easily accessible for darshan by the people of Ladakh over the next two weeks I held a meeting today with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh and the concerned officials in this regardHe was welcomed on arrival by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena senior government officials elected representatives and local residents many of whom were dressed in traditional attireHe Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be paying respects to the holy relics of Lord Buddha on Friday May 1 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima The Home Ministers visit and his vision for the development of Ladakh shall motivate us to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Saxena saidAfter the arrival of the Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha in Leh people have been gathering in large numbers to pay their respectsThis is Union Home Minister Amit Shahâs first visit to Ladakh since protests over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule in September last year during which four protesters were killed and more than 80 others injuredThe Centre has decided to engage in dialogue with representatives from Ladakh to address their concerns and explore measures to preserve the regions unique environment and cultural heritageUnion Minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to launch major dairy and cooperative sector projects during his visit to Ladakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-amit-shah-to-offer-prayers-at-buddha-relics-in-leh-on-buddha-purnima-671800.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/national-plot-to-shrink-maratha-history-says-shiv-sena-671820.html Mumbai May 1 The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray UBT on the 67th Foundation Day of Maharashtra on Friday claimed that the Marathi people were being cornered by Maharashtrahaters and subservient local rulers It called upon the Marathis to once again raise the cry of Maharashtra Dharma to protect their identity and pride against this perceived national conspiracy The Thackeray camp in the partys mouthpiece Saamana said that even today rickshaw drivers in Mumbai refuse to speak Marathi Instead of enforcing the language rulers are bowing before them and withholding decisions that would make Marathi mandatoryâProgressive Maharashtra is currently trapped in the clutches of superstition and charlatanism The selfrespect of Maharashtra and the Marathi identity Asmita are being suffocated by the confluence of Maharashtrahaters at the Centre and subservient rulers within the state There is a national conspiracy underway to extinguish the torch of Maharashtra and Marathi pride The Marathi people must thwart this for that the clarion call of Maharashtra Dharma must be sounded once againâ the editorial in Saamana saidIt said that while the government prepares for the usual artificial rain of promises regarding the welfare of the Marathi people tehre is a stark contrast between rhetoric and reality âMumbai was won through the blood and sweat of mill workers farmers and labourers Yet today the question remains does Mumbai truly belong to those workers anymore In the very heart of the capital rickshaw drivers reportedly refuse to speak Marathi Rather than enforcing the language the current administration is accused of prostrating before these elements by staying decisions that would make Marathi mandatoryâ said the editorialThe editorial further claimed that the recent changes in NCERT and CBSE curricula such as removing maps of the Maratha Empire or reducing the glorious history of Shivaji Maharaj to a mere 68 words point toward a systematic erasure of the states heritage and Marathi identityThe Thackeray camp said claims will be made that Mumbai belongs only to the Marathi people and leaders will boast about being the protectors of Maharashtra Dharma Yet as the sun sets these rulers forget the day and begin bargaining away the glory of Maharashtra This is the restless reality of Maharashtra today it saidâMay 1st is not only Maharashtra Day but also International Workers Day The Sacred Vessel Mangal Kalash of Maharashtraâs creation was brought forth on this day because mill workers farmers and labourers fought the struggle to ensure Mumbai remained part of the state Does Mumbai truly belong to those labourers anymoreâ the editorial askedThe editorial stated that while Maharashtra has always been on the path of progress it is now caught in the pythonlike grip of superstition and fake godmen It alleged that there is a visible systematic plan to keep people entangled in these delusions to loot the state yet the Marathi people have not yet risen in protest âWhere has the Maratha valour celebrated in folk songs Powadas vanishedâ it askedThe Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena urged people to remember the 106 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the formation of Maharashtra and to reclaim the bravery once sung in the ballads of the Shahirs IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/national-plot-to-shrink-maratha-history-says-shiv-sena-671820.html Fri, 01 May 2026 10:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-telangana-cms-greet-workers-on-may-day-highlight-schemes-671827.html Amaravati May 1 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy greeted workers on the occasion of International Labour Day Chandrababu Naidu took to âXâ to greet âbrothers and sisters in the workforce and the farming communityââRegardless of ones profession it is our duty to accord equal respect to every individual who toils This is a historic day that recognizes the rights of the working class those who labor tirelessly day and night If agriculture the very backbone of our nations economic progress continues to advance it is solely due to the sheer hard work and strength of our farmers and farm laborersâ he said âThe nation can truly move forward on the path of progress only when workers and farmers walk together in unity For this very reason the coalition government is constantly devising strategic plans and taking proactive steps to ensure the welfare of both workers and farmers It is currently implementing numerous welfare and development schemes dedicated to the working communityâ he addedOn the occasion of âMay Dayâ Governor of Andhra Pradesh S Abdul Nazeer extended greetings to all the workers and said the invaluable contribution of workers in building a strong and selfreliant societyTheir hard work and dedication are the foundation of the nationâs growth and prosperity he said Telangana Chief Minister extended heartfelt greetings to all working communities on the occasion of International Workers DayThe Chief Minister said in a message that his government was moving forward in tune with the spirit of the working class and affirmed that the workers would receive due respect and dignity in the governmentThe CM noted that the workers are the true partners in the development of the Telangana State envisioned by his government The new industrial policy being implemented by the state government would contribute significantly to the upliftment and empowerment of the workforce he saidReiterating that the âpeoples governmentâ was giving top priority to the welfare and wellbeing of workers CM Revanth Reddy said that inspired by the spirit of May Day the government was implementing numerous welfare and developmental programmes The Chief Minister said the government already launched the Rs 5 lakh accident insurance scheme for gig workers employed in the unorganised sector and also introduced the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Act The Chief Minister highlighted that the government introduced a slew of initiatives with the sole objective of workers welfare and lakhs of people are securing employment directly and indirectly Longpending appointments on compassionate grounds in various government departments were also made He noted that the government was releasing bonuses ahead of the Dasara and Diwali festivals to the workers of Singareni company which has been playing an important role in the states development and stands as a beacon of pride for the entire nation The CM also said that for the first time in the history of Singareni the government provided a bonus of Rs 5000 to each contract worker With the cooperation of banks the state government was providing insurance coverage worth Rs one crore to the Singareni workers Special measures are also being taken to ensure the welfare of Telangana workers employed in Gulf countries Rs 5 lakh financial assistance will be provided to the kin of the Telangana workers who passed away in the Gulf countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-telangana-cms-greet-workers-on-may-day-highlight-schemes-671827.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/storms-heavy-rain-in-uttar-pradesh-claim-24-lives-in-2-days-up-cm-adityanath-assures-support-671830.html Lucknow May 1 Severe weather conditions including heavy rain strong storms and lightning have caused widespread damage across Uttar Pradesh over the past two days claiming at least 24 lives According to official reports 15 people have been injured while 16 animals have also died in the extreme weather events Several districts in the state have been affected by continuous rainfall gusty winds and frequent lightning strikes significantly disrupting normal life Farmers working in open fields people outdoors and families residing in mud houses have been among the worst hit Reports of fallen trees power outages and waterlogging have emerged from multiple areasChief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives He assured that the state government stands firmly with all affected families during this crisisThe Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure immediate and proper medical treatment for the injured along with the availability of all essential healthcare facilities in hospitals He has also ordered that compensation for the deceased injured and livestock losses be provided within 24 hoursDistrict Magistrates and other authorities concerned have been instructed to expedite relief and rescue operations The Chief Minister warned that any negligence or delay in providing assistance will not be toleratedAdministrative teams are actively engaged in relief efforts across the affected districts Doortodoor damage assessments are underway and assistance is being extended to those in needMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall thunderstorms and lightning in several parts of the state over the next few days indicating that the risk is far from overWeather patterns are also shifting in other parts of northern India Regions including Delhi and the National Capital Region witnessed rainfall and hailstorms on Thursday bringing relief from heatwave conditions The IMD has further predicted light to moderate showers for Uttarakhand Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh on Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/storms-heavy-rain-in-uttar-pradesh-claim-24-lives-in-2-days-up-cm-adityanath-assures-support-671830.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/census-2027-rajasthan-cm-sharma-participates-in-self-enumeration-671837.html Jaipur May 1 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday participated in the selfenumeration process launched under Census 2027 setting an example for citizens across the state Accessing the official portal he filled in his personal details and successfully submitted the required information online appealing to citizens to join the nationbuilding exerciseEncouraging widespread public participation the Chief Minister described Census 2027 as a crucial step towards strengthening governance and planningHe emphasised that accurate and comprehensive data collection would play a vital role in shaping policies and ensuring effective delivery of welfare schemesHighlighting the broader vision Sharma said the exercise aligns with the national goals of Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047He urged citizens to actively take part in this largescale initiative âI appeal to every resident of the state to participate in this important campaign and extend full cooperation to make it successful Census 2027 is not merely a data collection exercise but a significant step in nationbuildingâ he saidOfficials informed that the selfenumeration facility will remain available from May 1 to May 15 allowing citizens to conveniently submit their details onlineThis digital option is expected to enhance accuracy reduce manual effort and streamline the overall census process Following this phase enumerators will begin doortodoor visits across Rajasthan from May 16 as part of the first phase of the Census operationDuring this stage house listing and housing enumeration activities will be carried out to gather detailed information at the household level The state government has made necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth and efficient process combining digital tools with onground verificationCitizens are encouraged to make use of the selfenumeration facility within the stipulated timeframe and contribute to building a reliable national database IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/census-2027-rajasthan-cm-sharma-participates-in-self-enumeration-671837.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajasthan-governor-launches-census-2027-via-self-enumeration-at-lok-bhawan-671844.html Jaipur May 1 Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde formally launched the âCensus 2027â process in the state on Friday at Lok Bhawan by undertaking selfenumeration With this the first phase of census activities has officially commenced across the state On this occasion the Governor appealed to citizens to actively participate in the crucial national exercise and ensure the submission of accurate and complete information through the selfenumeration facilityHe noted that the Census Web Portal developed by the Government of India is simple secure and userfriendly allowing individuals to conveniently fill in their detailsBagde particularly called upon youth and social organisations to extend support to those unfamiliar with digital platforms ensuring that no one is excluded from the process He emphasised that public participation in âCensus 2027â reflects a direct contribution to the nationâs inclusive and holistic developmentThe Governor also urged citizens to cooperate with census enumerators during the forthcoming doortodoor survey provide correct information and make use of helpline services in case of any doubts or queriesHighlighting a key feature officials noted that this will be Indiaâs first fully digital census with data collection being conducted entirely through digital devices In addition citizens have been given the option of selfenumeration through a secure webbased systemCensus Director Vishnu Charan Malik informed that the selfenumeration facility will be available on the official portal from May 1 to May 15 prior to the commencement of field surveys Citizens can log in using their mobile numbers and required credentials to submit details about themselves and their familiesThe Governorâs Secretary Dr Prithvi was also present during the launch ceremonyEarlier Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma participated in the selfenumeration process launched under Census 2027 setting an example for citizens across the state Accessing the official portal he filled in his personal details and successfully submitted the required information online appealing to citizens to join the nationbuilding exerciseEncouraging widespread public participation the Chief Minister described Census 2027 as a crucial step towards strengthening governance and planning IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajasthan-governor-launches-census-2027-via-self-enumeration-at-lok-bhawan-671844.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarats-per-capita-income-crosses-rs-3-lakh-60-pc-above-national-average-671860.html Gandhinagar May 1 Gujaratâs per capita income has crossed Rs 3 lakh for the first time reaching a level around 60 per cent higher than the national average according to official data released on Friday The figure is said to show the stateâs sustained economic expansion with Gujarat contributing 83 per cent to Indiaâs Gross Domestic Product GDP despite accounting for about five per cent of the population and six per cent of the land areaThe state also holds a 19 per cent share in the countryâs total industrial production and contributes 26 per cent to Indiaâs exportsOfficials said the growth reflects âefficient financial management and probusiness policiesâ noting that Gujarat has recorded an average growth rate of 114 per cent over the past decade higher than the national averageThe state has also maintained a real growth rate of 842 per cent in recent years Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the state government between 2001 and 2014 had laid the foundation for Gujaratâs development trajectory which has continued through a positive approach proactive policymaking and public participation the government saidGujaratâs industrial strength is complemented by its role in global tradeAround 40 per cent of Indiaâs cargo is handled through the stateâs ports a figure officials said demonstrates that âGujarat is Indiaâs most important gateway for global tradeâThe state leads the countryâs chemical industry with a 33 per cent share and has expanded into emerging sectors such as semiconductors and financial technologyAuthorities said Gujarat has achieved balanced development from agriculture to fintech contributing to the broader goal of a developed IndiaDigital governance initiatives have also been expanded with programmes such as eGram and Seva Setu aimed at extending technology and public services to remote areas allowing paperless administration and citizen services at the fingertipsMajor infrastructure projects are underway including the AhmedabadMumbai bullet train which is expected to reduce travel time between key cities such as Ahmedabad Vadodara and Surat as well as boost economic activityConstruction is also in progress at Lothal on the National Maritime Heritage Complex intended to revive and showcase Indiaâs maritime legacyTourism and religious infrastructure are being upgraded with developments including the Sagar Darshan Path Promenade near the Somnath temple and a corridor project at Ambaji along with the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama PathMarking the 66th Foundation Day the state government said Gujarat through strong financial discipline transparent governance and entrepreneurial effort is moving towards contributing to the national vision of âViksit Bharat at 2047â The state has emerged as the countryâs growth engine IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarats-per-capita-income-crosses-rs-3-lakh-60-pc-above-national-average-671860.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/with-maoist-problem-almost-over-telangana-police-set-for-a-revamp-671872.html Hyderabad May 1 With the Maoist problem almost eliminated Telangana Police will revamp the department to focus on new areas of crime said new Director General of Police C V Anand on Friday He told a press conference after taking charge as the state police chief that the functioning of the department will be reviewed and some areas will be revampedHe pointed out that in the 1980s and 1990s certain wings like Greyhounds and Special Intelligence Bureau SIB were created to tackle the Naxal problemâNow that the Maoist problem is almost eliminated itâs not correct to continue the personnelâ he saidWhile stating that the chances of revival of the Maoist movement are remote the DGP said they would take all precautions to make sure that the problem does not arise againHe emphasised the need for innovative thinking and redeployment of the personnel to tackle new problemsAnand said some units which are very important but were not given proper attention or sufficient manpower due to a lack of staff in the past would be strengthenedReferring to vacancies the DGP said the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister told the department to focus on revamp by identifying unnecessary attachments and unnecessary deploymentsStating that road safety would be one of the top priorities Anand said the Traffic Management and Road Safety Bureau will be created on the lines of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau TGCSB and Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement EAGLE established in recent yearsHe said the proposed body would work to standardise traffic management practices and ensure uniformity in the implementation of traffic rules across the state to prevent accidents and reduce the number of fatalitiesHe noted that every year 8500 people die in road accidents across the stateHighlighting the magnitude of the traffic problem he said every day 1600 new vehicles are coming on the roads in four commissionerates in Greater HyderabadStating that Telangana Police emerged as the number one police in the country with revolutionary changes and innovation in all sectors in recent years Anand said under his leadership it would continue its journey in the same direction by using the latest technologySaying that while Telangana Police have a good record in maintaining law and order he acknowledged that in a few places the failure of the fieldlevel officials to anticipate communal incidents and other law and order issues was creating problems âMy effort will be to see that all officials improve this qualityâ he saidAppreciating the work being done by TGCSB in tackling cybercrimes he underlined the need for the active participation of fieldlevel officers Superintendents Police and Commissioners of PoliceThe DGP said narcotics control would be one of his top priorities While noting that EAGLE and Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing HNE were doing commendable work he stated that all SPs should also conduct antinarcotics operationsAnand said that to prevent the drug menace in school and college campuses the department would focus on awareness Antidrugs committees in educational institutions will be activated with the involvement of education and other departmentsEarlier senior police officials extended a warm welcome to Anand upon his arrival at the DGP office The newlyappointed DGP received a guard of honour from the police and later assumed charge as the head of the police force IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/with-maoist-problem-almost-over-telangana-police-set-for-a-revamp-671872.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/meghalaya-launches-self-enumeration-9-000-enumerators-supervisors-to-be-deployed-671877.html Shillong May 1 Selfenumeration for Census 2027 commenced across Meghalaya on Friday marking a significant milestone in Indiaâs first fully digital Census officials said Director of Census Operations Meghalaya Biswajit Pegu described Census 2027 as a landmark exercise noting that it will be the 16th Census overall and the 8th since Independence He informed that around 9000 enumerators and supervisors will be deployed across the state supported by a robust multilayered supervision mechanism to ensure accuracy in data collection The administrative boundaries of Meghalaya have been frozen as of December 31 2025 specifically for Census purposes The exercise will be conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners acting as Principal Census Officers with support from Charge Officers Supervisors and Enumerators the official added Census authorities have urged citizens to actively participate in the selfenumeration process and extend full cooperation to field staff to ensure reliable and comprehensive data for inclusive development and evidencebased governance in the state Highlighting a key feature of this Census Pegu said that for the first time the entire process from enumeration to data analysis will be carried out digitally using mobile applications and the Census Management and Monitoring System CMMS portal Citizens can opt for selfenumeration through an online portal from May 1 to May 15 This facility allows individuals to fill in their household details independently which will later be verified by enumerators during housetohouse visits According to officials this initiative is expected to enhance transparency accuracy and public participation Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases Phase I includes SelfEnumeration and House Listing Operations HLO Following the selfenumeration period HLO will be carried out from May 16 to June 14 During this phase enumerators will gather data on housing conditions assets and basic amenities through a structured questionnaire consisting of 33 questions Phase II the Population Enumeration phase is scheduled for February 2027 with the reference date set as March 1 2027 Pegu also highlighted the legal framework governing the exercise stating that the Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act 1948 and the Census Rules 1990 He noted that digital transformation will improve data quality through preloaded questionnaires in mobile applications and enable faster processing for the timely publication of results Elaborating on the methodology the official said that data collection will be conducted using dedicated mobile apps operated by enumerators and supervisors on smartphones The CMMS portal will oversee all activities including training monitoring and the creation of geocoded House Listing Blocks through the HLB Creator HLBC Data submitted through selfenumeration will be verified during field visits before final submission On data security Pegu assured that stringent safeguards have been put in place to maintain confidentiality Individual and householdlevel data will remain undisclosed with only aggregated data released for policy formulation and development planningMobile numbers collected during the process will be used strictly for communication and verification purposes The Census will cover all normal and institutional households However certain categories including foreigners and diplomatic personnel will be excluded during the House Listing Operations phase Subhasish Chatterjee Joint Director Directorate of Census Operations Meghalaya announced that a national tollfree helpline 1855 has been launched to assist citizens ahead of Census 2027 The helpline will address queries related to the census process including house listing and population enumeration while providing guidance and resolving concerns to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination Officials also stressed the importance of public awareness noting that media professionals play a crucial role in spreading accurate information dispelling misconceptions and encouraging citizens to participate confidently and effectively in Census 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/meghalaya-launches-self-enumeration-9-000-enumerators-supervisors-to-be-deployed-671877.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/foreign-delegates-highlight-semiconductor-renewable-energy-opportunities-at-vgrc-in-surat-671882.html Surat May 1 Foreign delegates at the twoday Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC South Gujarat in Surat which commenced on Friday highlighted growing international interest in the states industrial ecosystem Representatives from Russia and Japan pointed to growing opportunities in sectors such as semiconductors and renewable energyAleksandr Fursov Deputy Consul General of Russia in Mumbai said the conference reflects the depth of economic ties between the two countriesâRussia and India have a longstanding tradition of bilateral economic cooperation We always view conferences like Vibrant Gujarat as a great opportunity for business people to meet each other get to know each other better and learn about the opportunities each country has and is ready to offer to its partnersâ he told IANSA delegate from Japan Onio underlined Gujaratâs growing role in emerging industriesâToday I joined this conference as a speaker in the Japan session to introduce our organisation From my understanding the semiconductor industry is a very important and rapidly growing sector here in Gujarat Also Gujarat is known as the state with the highest solar panel installations in Indiaâ he saidEarlier in the day Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated VGRC in SuratThe twoday event being held on May 1 and 2 at Auro University is part of the state governmentâs effort to extend the Vibrant Gujarat model to regional hubs and promote localised investment opportunitiesThe conference is being held alongside the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition VGRE bringing together industries MSMEs startups and government bodies from districts across South Gujarat including Surat Bharuch Navsari Valsad Tapi and DangIt features seminars sectorfocused discussions businesstobusiness and businesstogovernment meetings as well as a reverse buyerseller meet aimed at facilitating partnershipsIndustry representatives also pointed to the evolution of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative over the yearsDinesh Navadiya Chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute told IANS âEspecially when it comes to the concept of Vibrant Gujarat the credit for introducing it in India goes to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat That is when Vibrant Gujarat was started Since then every Chief Minister of Gujarat has carried forward the Vibrant Gujarat programme But this time Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has given it a new directionâRohit Mehta former president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry SGCCI said the initiative continues to create new avenues for industryâVibrant Gujarat is extremely extremely important At the Chamber of Commerce we have been associated with Vibrant Gujarat from the very beginning and we have continuously supported the government New opportunities keep emerging all the time At present Surat has the highest concentration of solar panel manufacturing There are many companies here and now these companies are also focusing more on cell manufacturing So in the field of solar and renewable energy there are tremendous opportunitiesâ he saidSpeaking to IANS Chairman and MD KP Group Faruk Patel said Back in 2012 and 2013 during PM Modiâs tenure we signed an MoU worth Rs 768 crore and later we expanded it nearly 10 times So no one can have greater confidence than us about the fact that this South Gujarat Regional Conference being organised under Vibrant Gujarat is going to benefit many industriesThe South Gujarat conference is one in a series of regional events organised between editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit aimed at sustaining investment momentum and strengthening Gujaratâs position as a preferred destination for domestic and international business collaboration IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/foreign-delegates-highlight-semiconductor-renewable-energy-opportunities-at-vgrc-in-surat-671882.html Fri, 01 May 2026 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-spending-rs-33-000-crore-annually-on-social-security-pensions-671889.html Amaravati May 1 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday that the state government is spending Rs 33000 crore every year on social security pensions and this is unparalleled in the country The state government is providing pensions to 6247 lakh beneficiaries every month It has spent more than Rs 63000 crore on pensions during the last 22 monthsWe ensure that Rs 2700 crore is kept ready every single month I do not view this as a burden rather I regard it as a responsibility This programme provides muchneeded relief and support to the poor the Chief Minister said while addressing a public meeting after distributing pensions among some beneficiaries under NTR Bharosa pension scheme in Krishna districtChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu participated in Pedala Sevalo service to the poor programme in Pamidimukkala in Pamarru constituency of Krishna districtStating that he along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a promise to rebuild Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that they have been working tirelessly for the past 22 months to fulfil this promiseEver since the Telugu Desam Partyled coalition government assumed office it has been working to rebuild shattered systems and restore the glory of Andhra Pradesh the Chief Minister saidChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reiterated that the state government are reducing electricity tariffs as promised during the previous state Assembly elections and made it clear that they would not increase power ratesHe noted that previous administrations had burdened the people with electricity tariff hikes on nine separate occasionsHe affirmed that the peoplecentric government is functioning with great transparency delivering good governance powered primarily by the cooperation extended by the publicThe Chief Minister announced that henceforth at every public meeting he would seek feedback from the people regarding the performance of their respective MLAsHe said he would personally assess the performance of MLAs in the presence of peopleI stand on the side of the people not on the side of the MLAs My commitment lies solely with the people Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu remarkedHe emphasised that as the team leader the state government as a whole would earn a good reputation only if the elected representatives and officials worked together IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-spending-rs-33-000-crore-annually-on-social-security-pensions-671889.html Fri, 01 May 2026 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-govt-notifies-five-e-mobility-cities-671891.html Amaravati May 1 The government of Andhra Pradesh on Friday notified five model EMobility cities across the state marking a major step towards building a sustainable technologydriven and futureready urban mobility ecosystem Five model EMobility cities represent the five administrative regions of the state These cities are Visakhapatnam in North Andhra Rajahmundry in Godavari region Vijayawada in Central Andhra Nellore in South Andhra and Tirupati in RayalaseemaThe government issued orders operationalising the Andhra Pradesh Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 40 2024â29The Municipal Administration amp Urban Development Department approved the Operational Framework and Strategic Roadmap for implementation of the policy in Urban Local Bodies ULBsThe initiative is aimed at transforming Andhra Pradesh into one of Indiaâs leading hubs for electric mobility adoption EV infrastructure development green urban transport systems and sustainable urban planning while aligning with the Stateâs longterm vision of achieving carbon neutrality in the transport sector by 2047 said an official releaseOperational framework envisages development of highdensity EV charging infrastructure green routes green channels battery swapping stations zero emission zones and integrated electric mobility ecosystems in the identified cities The framework also proposes a strategic charging infrastructure network with one EV charging station per 3x3 km grid within EMobility cities and one EV charging station every 30 km along intercity Green ChannelshighwaysThe government has also proposed utilisation of a dedicated Rs 250 crore Corpus Fund under the AP Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 40 with Rs 50 crore earmarked for each Model EMobility City to support infrastructure deployment grid strengthening fleet electrification innovation pilots viability gap funding and consumer adoption initiativesThe framework provides for a phased and integrated implementation approach covering EV charging stations battery swapping infrastructure green freight corridors electric public transport systems renewable energy integration smart urban mobility planning Zero Emission Zones ZEZs and Dedicated City EMobility Cells CEMCsAs part of the implementation strategy cityspecific interventions have also been proposed Green tourism mobility electric BRTS corridors and green freight corridors have been proposed for Visakhapatnam Model Green Routes along BRTS corridors and logisticsfocused EV infrastructure are proposed for Vijayawada Electrification of river transport systems and green goods corridors are proposed for Rajahmundry EV logistics systems for fisheries and coastal transport infrastructure are mooted for Nellore and Full electrification of Tirumala shuttle systems and Zero Emission pilgrim mobility zones for Tirupati IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-govt-notifies-five-e-mobility-cities-671891.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-cm-promises-to-set-up-labour-addas-to-help-workers-671892.html Amaravati May 1 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced that labour âaddasâ will be set up across the state to support workers by upgrading their skills In the first phase 15 such centres will be established in major cities and towns The Chief Minister made the announcement after distributing Shramashakti awards to outstanding workers and employers at Pamidimukkala village in Krishna district on International Workersâ DayChandrababu Naidu stated that these labour addas would be developed into skill development centres where workers can upgrade their skillsNew ESI hospitals will also be set up in places like Achyutapuram Guntur Kurnool Sri City and Amaravati to improve workers healthcareThe Chief Minister emphasised that just as workers work tirelessly the government is equally committed to the development of the state He highlighted that the Telugu Desam Party symbol reflects workers and farmers and reaffirmed commitment to uplift poor families including enabling their children to become entrepreneursNaidu said the welfare measures for workers include Rs 25000 financial assistance for the marriage of construction workers also applicable to their daughters Rs 20000 support for childbirth Rs 60000 assistance in case of natural death and Rs 20000 for funeral expenses In addition four labour courts are also available for dispute resolutionThe Chief Minister said the government derives satisfaction from peopleâs happiness and considers welfare spending a responsibility not a burdenRegarding Machilipatnam Port he said land acquisition was done in 2014 but the previous government cancelled tenders in 2019 causing delays At present breakwater dredging and offshore works are progressing rapidly He stated that the target is to complete the port by December this yearThe Chief Minister stated that major investments are coming into the state including a large data centre investment by Reliance following interest from companies like GoogleHe praised reforms in Panchayati Raj led by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and education reforms by Education Minister Nara Lokesh He said the reforms in the education sector led to improved Class 10 resultsThe Chief Minister criticised the opposition alleging destructive governance in the past and stating that the current government has been rebuilding systems over the last 22 months IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-cm-promises-to-set-up-labour-addas-to-help-workers-671892.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/uae-telecom-giant-etisalat-may-exit-pakistan-671893.html New Delhi May 1 Leading UAE telecom major Etisalat is reviewing its investment in Pakistan which could lead to its exit from Pakistan TelecomÂmuniÂcation Company Ltd PTCL according to a report in the local media Insiders say Etisalat had indicated that the review is driven by a combination of global macroeconomic uncertainty regional geopolitical tensions and evolving capital allocation strategies among sovereignlinked investors the report in the Dawn saidEtisalatâs plans are still at the preliminary assessment stage with no final decision taken as yet the report statedAsked for comment PTCL told Dawn its longterm business plan had recently been approved by its board and shareholders PTCL is not aware about shareholdersâ plan of any change at this stageâ the company said in its statementFor Pakistan PTCL remains a strategically important entity despite its mixed ownership â the government and its entities still hold around 62 per cent stake in it although 26 per cent shares and management control are in the hands of the Gulf telecom giant which recently rebranded and is in the process of corporate restructuring The remaining 12 pc shares are held by private investors through the Pakistan Stock ExchangePTCL has been facing continuous losses over the past couple of years turning a profit only recently following its acquisition of Telenor PakistanJust recently Islamabad repaid about 35bn to the UAE which had been rolling over these deposits for years to shore up Pakistanâs foreign exchange reserve target under multiple IMF programmesConcurrently Saudi Arabia has increased its role in maintaining Pakistanâs reserves by enhancing the volume of its safe deposits in Pakistan by 3bn to 8bn to fill the financing gap under IMF requirements Meanwhile the IMFâs executive board is set to meet on May 8 to clear the disbursement of another 121bn tranche for PakistanA senior Finance Division official told Dawn that in the event of any portfolio rebalancing by UAE stakeholders Pakistan retained credible downside protection through alternative GCC capital flows noting that strategic interest from Saudi and Qatari investors provided a viable alternative pathway to ensure continuity of investment operational stability and longterm sectoral growthSources referred to the UAEâs recent measured rebalancing toward US dollar reserves and domestic market commitments amid global volatility saying that this reflects standard focus on hardcurrency buffers balanceofpayment stability and capital efficiency the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/uae-telecom-giant-etisalat-may-exit-pakistan-671893.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/lpg-shortage-forces-menu-changes-at-chennais-amma-canteens-671750.html Chennai April 30 A shortage of LPG cylinders has disrupted operations at Amma Canteens across Chennai forcing authorities to scale down food production and trim menus at several outlets The impact has been most visible in the reduction of idli output and the suspension of chapati preparation in many locations Field visits conducted on Wednesday in areas such as Egmore and Triplicane revealed that canteen staff have been instructed to limit cooking due to inadequate gas supply Chapatis which require relatively higher fuel consumption have been dropped entirely at several outlets while idli production has been significantly curtailed to cope with the constraintsThe canteens run by the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC form a crucial part of the cityâs subsidised food network serving thousands of lowincome residents dailyAccording to officials the scale of LPG supply has reduced drastically over the past 10 days affecting normal functioning âEarlier more than 300 cylinders were supplied daily Now it has dropped to around 150â a Corporation official said highlighting the severity of the shortageTo manage the crisis the GCC has introduced a hubbased cooking model in select areas Under this arrangement food is prepared at designated centres and distributed to a cluster of around 15 to 18 nearby canteens ensuring that basic services continue despite the limited fuel availabilityOn the ground the impact has been stark At the Gengu Reddy Subway canteen in Egmore the weekly supply of LPG cylinders has dropped from five to just two leading to a sharp fall in idli production from 350 to 150 per dayIn Chintadripet canteens are now receiving only two to three cylinders a week reducing idli output from 500 to 300 and replacing evening chapatis with idlis Similarly in Triplicane idli production has declined from 600 to 350 per day while chapati numbers have been cut by halfHowever not all centres have been equally affectedThe canteen at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children campus continues to function normally despite broader instructions to suspend chapati preparationOfficials maintain that the situation is temporary and have assured that fullscale operations will resume once LPG supplies stabiliseUntil then authorities are focusing on maintaining essential services while adapting to the constraints IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/lpg-shortage-forces-menu-changes-at-chennais-amma-canteens-671750.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/op-sindoor-demonstrates-transition-from-diplomatic-statements-to-concrete-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671751.html New Delhi April 30 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that decisive action under Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soilAddressing a National Security Summit in New Delhi the Defence Minister said the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through decisive actionRajnath Singh asserted that the government has maintained a firm stance that any act of terrorism under any circumstances will not be toleratedHe described the surgical strikes airstrikes and Operation Sindoor as a manifestation of the governments resolute stance against the menaceOn Pakistans continuous support to terrorism he said Both India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time However today India is recognised globally for IT Information Technology while Pakistan is regarded as the epicentre of a different IT International TerrorismRajnath Singh termed Operation Sindoor as a shining example of jointness and synergy of the Indian Defence ForcesHe stated that the Indian Army Indian Navy and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan demonstrating conclusively that Indias military might no longer operates in silos instead it has emerged as a joint integrated and global powerThe Defence Minister added that India executed Operation Sindoor on its own terms and at a time of its own choosing and halted it strictly on its own termsDuring the course of the operation we targeted with absolute precision only those who had perpetrated the attack against us We did not halt the operation because our capabilities had been exhausted or diminished We halted it entirely on our own terms We were fully prepared to sustain a prolonged conflict We possess the requisite surge capacity and the inherent strength to rapidly scale up our capabilities in moments of sudden crisis he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/op-sindoor-demonstrates-transition-from-diplomatic-statements-to-concrete-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671751.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/op-sindoor-signals-shift-from-words-to-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671763.html New Delhi April 30 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that decisive action under Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soilAddressing a National Security Summit in New Delhi the Defence Minister said the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through decisive actionRajnath Singh asserted that the government has maintained a firm stance that any act of terrorism under any circumstances will not be toleratedHe described the surgical strikes airstrikes and Operation Sindoor as a manifestation of the governments resolute stance against the menaceOn Pakistans continuous support to terrorism he said Both India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time However today India is recognised globally for IT Information Technology while Pakistan is regarded as the epicentre of a different IT International TerrorismRajnath Singh termed Operation Sindoor as a shining example of jointness and synergy of the Indian Defence ForcesHe stated that the Indian Army Indian Navy and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan demonstrating conclusively that Indias military might no longer operates in silos instead it has emerged as a joint integrated and global powerThe Defence Minister added that India executed Operation Sindoor on its own terms and at a time of its own choosing and halted it strictly on its own termsDuring the course of the operation we targeted with absolute precision only those who had perpetrated the attack against us We did not halt the operation because our capabilities had been exhausted or diminished We halted it entirely on our own terms We were fully prepared to sustain a prolonged conflict We possess the requisite surge capacity and the inherent strength to rapidly scale up our capabilities in moments of sudden crisis he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/op-sindoor-signals-shift-from-words-to-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671763.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/over-12-lakh-workers-in-gujarat-get-rs-2-029-crore-bonus-govt-highlights-reforms-671764.html Gandhinagar April 30 The Gujarat government has disbursed more than Rs 2029 crore in bonuses to over 1244 lakh workers during 202425 while expanding digital grievance systems and labour reforms according to official data Marking International Labour Day on May 1 officials said the occasion is ânot just a day but a festival recognising the contribution of crores of labourers devoted to hard workâ and added that âthe progress of any nation is built on the sweat of its workersâUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the government stated it has sought to combine âtechnology with human sensitivityâ to provide workers with economic justice and security positioning Gujarat as taking a leading role in labour empowermentA central feature of the stateâs initiatives is the âShram Setu Portalâ launched by the Labour Skill Development and Employment Department to enable faster and more transparent resolution of workersâ grievancesThe portal includes a case and claim module designed to handle disputes related to gratuity wage increases termination and other demandsIn 2025 a total of 5550 applications were processed online through this systemOfficials said Workersâ lives have become easier through the integration of technology and sensitivity All procedures from inspections to compliance have also been digitised through an inspection moduleIn 2025 the state conducted 13810 inspections online with industrial establishments submitting compliance digitallyTo support workers further a Labour Support Call Centre has been made operational During 2025 the centre received 18402 callsAppropriate guidance and action were provided on all calls contributing to strengthening workersâ trust officials notedThey further said that reforms introduced during the year were aimed at promoting ease of doing business while reducing unnecessary legal complexitiesReferring to amendments linked to the âJan Vishwas Billâ introduced by the Central government they noted Provisions for compounding offences and revised penalties have been incorporated into the Gujarat Industrial Relations Act and the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act making administrative processes more transparentIt is asserted that these reforms are expected to make operations easier for traders and industrial units resulting in new employment opportunities for workersThe government also reported that its mediation efforts led to the payment of more than Rs 1113 crore as wage differences to 7655 workers across 1232 institutions in 2025In addition more than 1244 lakh workers received bonus payments totalling Rs 202917 crore during 202425 with disbursement aligned with the Diwali periodSeparately the eShram portal launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2021 to register unorganised workers recorded more than four lakh registrations in Gujarat between January 1 2025 and December 31 2025The government said these measures demonstrate that workers contributing to the stateâs development are being supported through a combination of welfare initiatives and digital systems adding that âwhen workers prosper India becomes truly selfreliantâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/over-12-lakh-workers-in-gujarat-get-rs-2-029-crore-bonus-govt-highlights-reforms-671764.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-appoints-outgoing-dgp-shivadhar-reddy-as-security-advisor-671765.html Hyderabad April 30 The Telangana government on Thursday appointed outgoing Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy as the State Security Advisor SSA He will advise the government on the issues concerning police law and order internal security crime control narcotics control and road safety for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge said a Government OrderHe will have the status and rank of Chief Secretary to the government According to the GO he will be paid a fixed remuneration of Rs 225 lakh per month Shivadhar Reddy is superannuating from service on Thursday April 30 The government has already appointed CV Anand as the next DGPAccording to the GO Shivadhar Reddy is entitled to office accommodation He is also entitled to rentfree accommodation or HRA of Rs 50000 in lieu of a rented or own house The SSA will be provided with a government vehicle The Home Department shall provide him an OSD a private secretary one personal assistant two drivers and four office subordinatesMeanwhile the state government has also appointed senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao as advisor to the government for Backward Classes BC welfare and developmentHe will enjoy the rank and status of minister of state in the stateChief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao has issued a Government Order in this regard âHe will rank at Article 18 of the Warrant of Precedence as a measure personal to the dignitary for the duration of the term of the office without formal amendment to the State Table of Warrant of Precedenceâ reads the GOHanumantha Rao a former MP and one of the senior leaders of the Congress party was a strong aspirant for the Rajya Sabha seat in the recent elections held for two seats from TelanganaHowever the party picked Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vem Narender Reddy Both were unanimously elected to the Upper House of ParliamentSinghvi was elected for the second term while Narender Reddy a close friend of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy made his debut as the MP IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-appoints-outgoing-dgp-shivadhar-reddy-as-security-advisor-671765.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/justice-anupinder-singh-grewal-appointed-as-new-nclt-president-671767.html New Delhi April 30 The Centre has approved the appointment of Justice Retd Anupinder Singh Grewal former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as President of the National Company Law Tribunal NCLT According to an official notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training DoPT the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared the Ministry of Corporate Affairsâ proposal for Justice Grewalâs appointment to the top post in the NCLTâThe Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for appointment of Justice Retd Anupinder Singh Grewal former Judge of the High Court of Punjab amp Haryana to the post of President National Company Law Tribunal NCLT in the pay scale of Rs 80000 fixed prerevised for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or till attaining the age of 67 years whichever is earlierâ the notification statedJustice Grewal succeeds Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar who had served as NCLT President with effect from November 1 2021 and demitted office earlier this yearThe NCLT functions as a key adjudicatory body for corporate disputes in India dealing with matters related to the Companies Act and insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code IBCBorn on March 10 1964 into an agriculturist family from Punjabâs Ludhiana district Justice Grewal pursued his academic journey at St Stephenâs College Delhi where he completed his BA Honours in History in 1985 and MA in History in 1987 He later obtained his LLB degree from the University of Delhi in 1992He began legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1992 and went on to serve in several significant legal positions for the Punjab government including Assistant Advocate General Deputy Advocate General Senior Deputy Advocate General and Additional Advocate GeneralJustice Grewal was also appointed Senior Panel Counsel for conducting Central government cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in November 2009 and continued in that role till his elevation to the BenchHe was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 25 2014 Later he was transferred to the Rajasthan High Court in December 2014 and was sworn in as a permanent judge there in May 2016Subsequently he was transferred back to the Punjab and Haryana High Court where he assumed charge in October 2016 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/justice-anupinder-singh-grewal-appointed-as-new-nclt-president-671767.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/suspended-bureaucrat-b-ashok-slams-cm-vijayan-calls-action-badge-of-honour-671772.html Thiruvananthapuram April 30 A day after his suspension senior IAS officer Dr B Ashok launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleging political interference misuse of public funds and an erosion of bureaucratic independence under the current regime Addressing the media on Thursday Ashok who has put in 28 years of service and also serves as President of the IAS Association claimed his suspension was linked to the associationâs legal victories against the government since 2023âThe anger of the Chief Minister is understandableâ he said noting that the association had won five cases during this periodDrawing a contrast between the two Left governments Ashok said the first Vijayan administration 2016â2021 respected and acknowledged the role of civil servants particularly senior ministersHowever he alleged that the second term saw a shift in governance style with around a dozen longretired officials wielding significant influenceHe specifically pointed to the appointment of former Chief Secretary KM Abraham to a newly created role in the Chief Ministerâs Office calling it an unprecedented moveAshok made it clear he would not immediately challenge the suspension in court describing it instead as a âbadge of honourâHe argued that the action reflected a broader pattern in how he had been treated by the governmentâLet the suspension order lie on my table I am sure a new government will address it appropriatelyâ he said suggesting that the electoral verdict on April 9 had already gone against the ruling frontHe further alleged that in the past six months a group of officials had been mobilised to secure a third term for the government including the use of public funds for a largescale publicity campaignAccording to him a Mumbaibased PR agency was awarded a Rs 130 crore contract for this purposeCalling the developments âserious irregularitiesâ Ashok warned that a dangerous precedent was being set one that risked turning the civil service into a body subservient to political authority IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/suspended-bureaucrat-b-ashok-slams-cm-vijayan-calls-action-badge-of-honour-671772.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/amit-shah-to-start-two-day-ladakh-visit-today-671681.html Ladakh April 30 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit the Union Territory of Ladakh on a twoday tour starting Thursday during which he will pay his respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on May 1nbspAhead of the visit the Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA also announced that a meeting of the SubCommittee will be held on May 22 for discussions with the Leh Apex Body LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance KDAnbspThe previous round of talks between the stakeholders took place on February 4 in New Delhi and the upcoming meeting will be held after a gap of nearly three and a half monthsAccording to officials Shah is scheduled to arrive in Leh later in the day and will offer prayers to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on May 1 as part of the Buddha Purnima observanceDuring his visit the Home Minister is also expected to review ongoing development projects in Ladakh and hold interactions with prominent citizens of the Union Territory However the administration has not yet released a detailed itinerary of his engagementsThe announcement of Shahs visit was made earlier on April 26 by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar SaxenaIt gives me great pleasure in sharing that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be arriving in Leh on April 30 for a twoday visit On May 1 he will pay his respects to the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima and share his thoughts on the spiritual significance of the sacred exposition being held in Ladakh from May 114 the Lieutenant Governor said in a post on XHe further noted that the visit highlights the Government of Indias continued focus on the development of LadakhShortly after announcing the visit the Lieutenant Governor also informed that the MHA has decided to convene a meeting of the SubCommittee to continue political dialogue with representatives of Ladakhbased groups on May 22I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Home Affairs Govt of India has taken a decision to convene a meeting of the subcommittee for political dialogue on May 22 This will carry forward the process of constructive democratic dialogue with key stakeholders of Ladakh and pave the way for an enduring solution to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh he said in another post on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/amit-shah-to-start-two-day-ladakh-visit-today-671681.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vijay-calls-key-meeting-of-tvk-candidates-ahead-of-tn-election-results-671682.html Chennai April 30 IANS With the results of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections set to be announced soon actorturnedpolitician Joseph Vijay is convening a crucial meeting with candidates of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK on ThursdaynbspnbspThe meeting will take place at 1 pm at the party headquarters in Panaiyur Chennai and is expected to focus on postpoll assessments and preparations ahead of the counting of votesNotably only candidates who contested the election have been permitted to attend the meeting underlining the importance of the discussionsTamil Nadu went to the polls in a single phase on April 23 witnessing a highstakes contest involving major alliances as well as emerging political players This election marked the electoral debut of Vijays TVK which has generated considerable attention across the state particularly among younger votersBarring one setback in the Edappadi constituency where the partys nomination was rejected TVK fielded candidates in 233 out of the 234 Assembly constituencies The partys aggressive expansion and widespread candidate presence have positioned it as a significant new entrant in the states political landscapeIn preparation for the meeting all candidates have been instructed to bring with them the original Form 17C collected from their respective polling stations Form 17C is an official document issued by the Returning Officer that contains detailed data on the number of votes recorded at each polling boothThe directive highlights the partys emphasis on transparency and accuracy in tracking polling data The Form 17C is considered a critical document in the electoral process as it allows candidates to verify the votes polled and crosscheck them during the counting processSources within the party indicated that the meeting may also be used to consolidate boothlevel data and assess voting patterns across constituenciesWith speculation mounting over the role TVK could play in the final outcome the internal review is seen as a strategic move to ensure preparednessAs Tamil Nadu awaits the official verdict on May 4 Vijays initiative signals a methodical approach by his party in navigating its first electoral testIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vijay-calls-key-meeting-of-tvk-candidates-ahead-of-tn-election-results-671682.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ashwini-vaishnaw-to-flag-off-jammu-srinagar-vande-bharat-today-671683.html Jammu April 30 IANS Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off a direct 20coach Vande Bharat train service between Jammu and Srinagar on Thursday while regular services for the public will commence from May 2In addition to giving a fillip to tourism the service will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar while providing allweather connectivity between the two capitals of Jammu and KashmirThe historic rail link between Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu division and Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 2025For nearly 70 years the dream of a rail link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country remained elusive and work on the project began in the late 1990sThe first train operated within the Kashmir Valley in October 2008 while it cost a whopping Rs 28000 crore to establish the rail link between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu divisionConsidered one of the most challenging rail link projects in the world laying tracks across the treacherous Himalayan terrain has been described as a marvel of engineering and human endeavourThis rail link remained an unrealised dream for the people of the Kashmir Valley till 2025 although trains had reached Udhampur town in 2005Railway officials said the modern 20coach Vande Bharat train will commence its maiden journey from Jammu Tawi JAT and travel up to Srinagar connecting the region across difficult geographical terrainSimultaneously a train will depart from Srinagar for Jammu on the same day the service begins from Jammu to Srinagar officials saidBefore the commencement of this service a trial run of the JammuSrinagar Vande Bharat was conducted on Tuesday from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra officials addedThe inaugural Vande Bharat train equipped with stateoftheart amenities and comprising 20 coaches will cover a total distance of 267 kilometres on ThursdayThe train service will operate six days a week between Jammu and Srinagar There will be no service on this route on TuesdaysConstructed using indigenous technology this Vande Bharat Express will offer passengers a worldclass travel experience Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal saidIt features amenities such as the Kavach safety system for passenger security a GPSbased passenger information system and comfortable rotating seatsThis service will not only reduce travel time but also provide a massive boost to the local economy and tourism he addedAn eightcoach train was earlier operating between Katra and Srinagar The introduction of a 20coach train will allow more passengers to travel on the routeIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ashwini-vaishnaw-to-flag-off-jammu-srinagar-vande-bharat-today-671683.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-amit-shah-to-visit-ladakh-attend-first-global-buddha-relics-exhibition-671701.html Srinagar April 30 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will undertake a twoday visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh beginning April 30 Thursday In a post on X he described it as a âmoment of profound good fortuneâ to partake in the firstever international exposition of the holy relics of Lord Buddha which commences on May 1 coinciding with Buddha Purnima Meanwhile the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha Tathagata arrived in Leh on Wednesday for a historic public exposition marking the beginning of a major spiritual celebration in the Union Territory of LadakhHM Amit Shah on Wednesday posted on X âTomorrow will be leaving for Ladakh for a twoday visit It is a moment of profound good fortune for me to be attending on the occasion of Buddha Purnima the first ever international exposition of the holy relics of Lord Buddha commencing on the 1st of MayIn this exposition devotees from different parts of the world will offer veneration to the relics of Lord BuddhaLadakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena along with senior officials and spiritual leaders received the holy relics at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in a ceremonial welcomeThe Ladakh Police accorded a guard of honour while monks performed special prayers amid an atmosphere of deep devotionSpeaking to the media LG Saxena said the relics were being placed in secure custody before being opened for public viewingToday the holy relics of Buddha were brought to Ladakh and they received a grand welcome here They are currently being taken from the technical area of the airport to the living quarters and will be kept in safe custody there he saidHe further added that the exposition will begin on the occasion of Buddha PurnimaThis will be opened to the public on May 1st the day of Buddha Purnima The Home Minister is visiting on that day and this will be a major event in front of him Saxena saidFollowing the reception the relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal the designated venue for public exposition beginning May 1 which also marks the 2569th Buddha PurnimaThousands of devotees participated in the procession with people in traditional attire lining the route to witness the sacred arrival LG Saxena described the occasion as highly auspicious stating that the relics have been brought to India for public exposition after being displayed internationally in several countriesHe also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh for the event noting the regions deep spiritual and cultural connection with BuddhismThe relics will remain open for public veneration at Jivetsal from May 2 to May 10 followed by exposition in Zanskar on May 11 and 12 and then at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14 before being taken back to Delhi on May 15 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-amit-shah-to-visit-ladakh-attend-first-global-buddha-relics-exhibition-671701.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-2nd-phase-recorded-voting-at-9247-pc-till-midnight-average-in-two-phases-at-9285-pc-671729.html Kolkata April 30 The polling percentage in the second phase of elections for 142 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal on April 29 has been recorded at 9247 till midnight thus taking the overall average percentage in the two phases to a record high of 9285 However as clarified by insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal on Thursday morning neither of these figures is final as tabulation will be available later in the dayThe polling percentage figure in the second phase of polls till midnight Wednesday is marginally lower than the figure of 9288 till midnight of April 23 when the first phase of polls for 152 Assembly constituencies took place Nationally the previous record of the highest polling percentage was recorded in Tripura in 2013 when the figure was recorded at 9182 per centThe average polling percentage in the two phases at 9285 is also a record high in West BengalIn West Bengal the previous record of polling percentage was in the 2011 Assembly elections the year which marked the end of the previous 34year Left Front regime in the state and the beginning of the Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress regimeIn the sixphase 2011 West Bengal Assembly polls the average polling percentage was the highest in 15 years at 8433 per cent till it was broken this timeIncidentally the Chief Election Commissioner CEC Gyanesh Kumar has already congratulated the people of West Bengal for participating in the polling process in record numbers in both phases first on April 23 and then on WednesdayâHighest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I amp II since Independence ECI congratulates each voter of West Bengal on this historic feat a statement issued by the Election Commission of India quoting Kumar had readâOne major reason behind the high polling percentage was that the polling was conducted after the deduction of absent missing shifted and duplicate voters from the voters list In simple terms and to put it lightly the polling this time was done with a votersâ list of pure milk minus the dilution by mixing waterâ the CEOâs office insider said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-2nd-phase-recorded-voting-at-9247-pc-till-midnight-average-in-two-phases-at-9285-pc-671729.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-over-failure-to-tackle-water-crisis-alleges-neglect-of-farmers-671597.html Bengaluru April 29 Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Karnataka alleging complete neglect of farmers amid severe heatwave conditions and water scarcity across the state He said that crops are being destroyed due to intense summer heat while drinking water is unavailable in several regions questioning the state governmentâs âprofarmer commitmentâAccording to Ashoka nearly 20 per cent of sugarcane crops in parts of Chikkodi and Nippani in Belagavi district have already been damaged due to extreme heat He also said that people in more than 76 villages in Gadag district are facing a severe drinking water crisisâWhile farmers are struggling for survival the Congress government is busy with internal political disputes over powerâ he allegedListing what he called the failures of the state government Ashoka said farmers are suffering due to power shortages despite the availability of water in reservoirs such as Kabini Krishna and Malaprabha He claimed that farmers are unable to operate pump sets due to irregular electricity supplyHe further stated that the situation has created a paradox where âthere is water but no electricity and electricity but no waterâ calling it an administrative failureAshoka also claimed that sugarcane crops are drying up in the field due to both heat stress and power cuts and questioned what measures the government has taken to address farmersâ distressOn the drinking water crisis he said several districts including Gadag are facing severe shortages forcing people and livestock to struggle for basic water needs He also alleged that the government may be indirectly supporting tanker water supply operatorsAddressing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Ashoka urged him to shift focus from political survival to the plight of farmers in North Karnataka He demanded immediate announcement of crop loss compensation and proper arrangements for drinking water supply in affected villagesâIf the government fails to act the suffering of farmers will turn into strong public anger against this administrationâ he warnedIt can be noted that the Karnataka health department has asked all district and taluk hospitals to set up heatstroke management rooms with dedicated beds to treat patients with Heat Related Illness HRI According to a circular issued last Friday the Community Health Centres should mark two beds the Taluk hospitals should have at least five dedicated beds and the district hospitals should have at least ten such beds The rooms should be operational till July 31 and equipped with thermometers fans and ice cubes the circular said Apart from that the medical and paramedical staff should also be trained to ensure they are prepared to test any HRI IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-over-failure-to-tackle-water-crisis-alleges-neglect-of-farmers-671597.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-2nd-phase-polls-1839-pc-turnout-recorded-in-first-two-hours-of-polling-671602.html New Delhi April 29 As voting for the second phase of West Bengal is underway voter turnout was recorded at 1839 per cent till 9 am Polling began at 7 am for 142 constituencies across six districts in West Bengal including its capital Kolkata in the second phase of the twophase Assembly pollsThe polling process started with mild tension in certain pockets from the very first hourIn the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata which is witnessing a battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari the Chief Ministers brother Kartik Banerjee was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with companions in excess of the permitted numberThe central forces cautioned him not to assemble near a polling station with more than four persons at a timeAt Bhawanipuradjacent Rashbehari constituency also in South Kolkata mild tension broke out following allegations that ruling Trinamool Congress activists were not allowing Congress booth agents to enter a particular polling booth Congress alleged hooliganism in the Rashbehari Assembly constituency by the ruling party activistsPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning issued a social media post in Bengal giving a call for the voters in these 142 Assembly constituencies to vote in large numbersâToday is the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections 2026 I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory In particular it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers to exercise their voting rightsâ the social media post by the Prime Minister readMeanwhile tension prevailed at Singur in Hooghly district since Tuesday night with the outgoing Trinamool Congress legislator Bencharam Manna staging a protest demonstration in front of the local police station alleging excesses by the security forcesThe polling process at a booth in Santipur Assembly constituency in Nadia district started late due to an EVM malfunctionMock polling mandatory before the actual polling process was conducted at all polling booths where the elections are being conductedApart from the state capital Kolkata the six districts where polling is being held in the second phase on Wednesday are North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas Hooghly Howrah Nadia and East BurdwanThe second phase of the Assembly polls is being conducted under unprecedented security cover with the deployment of 2407 companies of central forces including Central Armed Police Forces the India Reserve Battalion and personnel from armed police wings of other states in addition to personnel from West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-2nd-phase-polls-1839-pc-turnout-recorded-in-first-two-hours-of-polling-671602.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/election-observer-ajay-pal-crpf-dg-inspect-polling-booths-to-ensure-fair-bengal-polls-671619.html Diamond Harbour April 29 CRPF Director General GP Singh arrived in Diamond Harbour on Wednesday to coordinate with Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma regarding the second phase of the West Bengal polls As part of a highstakes effort to ensure free and fair elections Sharma has been conducting rigorous inspections across multiple booths The deployment of the hardline IPS officer famously dubbed Uttar Pradeshâs âSinghamâ has ignited fresh controversy in the already volatile South 24 Parganas Tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP escalated after a viral video surfaced showing the encounter specialist warning supporters of Trinamool Congress candidate Jehangir Khan against voter intimidationThe 2011batch officer a Ludhiana native has garnered significant attention for his nononsense policing style This dabang reputation was the catalyst for his appointment to this sensitive region a Trinamool Congress stronghold with a 36 per cent Muslim population Amidst a record deployment of central forces Sharmaâs presence underscores the Election Commissions firm stance on maintaining order in Bengalâs most contested battlegroundsMeanwhile as polling for the second phase of West Bengal is underway voter turnout was recorded at 1839 per cent till 9 amPolling began at 7 am for 142 constituencies across six districts in West Bengal including its capital Kolkata in the second phase of the twophase Assembly pollsThe polling process started with mild tension in certain pockets from the very first hourIn the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata which is witnessing a battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari the Chief Ministers brother Kartik Banerjee was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with companions in excess of the permitted numberThe central forces cautioned him not to assemble near a polling station with more than four persons at a timeAt Bhawanipuradjacent Rashbehari constituency also in South Kolkata mild tension broke out following allegations that ruling Trinamool Congress activists were not allowing Congress booth agents to enter a particular polling booth Congress alleged hooliganism in the Rashbehari Assembly constituency by the ruling party activistsEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a social media post urging voters in West Bengals 142 Assembly constituencies to vote in large numbersâToday is the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections 2026 I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory In particular it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers to exercise their voting rightsâ the social media post by the Prime Minister read IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/election-observer-ajay-pal-crpf-dg-inspect-polling-booths-to-ensure-fair-bengal-polls-671619.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ganga-expressway-new-lifeline-for-ups-development-pm-modi--671625.html Hardoi April 29 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Ganga Expressway during a public event in Hardoi and said that in this era of modern progress this project passing in the vicinity of Maa Ganga will become a new lifeline for the development of Uttar PradeshThe inauguration of this project built for Rs 36230 crore will mark a significant milestone in the development of worldclass infrastructure in the countryThe Ganga Expressway is a 594kilometrelong 6lane expandable to 8 lanes accesscontrolled greenfield highspeed corridor built at a total cost of around Rs 36230 crore according to an official statementThe expressway traverses 12 districts Meerut Bulandshahr Hapur Amroha Sambhal Badaun Shahjahanpur Hardoi Unnao Raebareli Pratapgarh and Prayagrajthereby connecting Western Central and Eastern regions of Uttar Pradesh through a single seamless highspeed corridorAddressing a massive public gathering after inaugurating the Ganga Expressway PM Modi said I bow down to this holy land of Lord Narsingh Just a short distance away Maa Ganga flows showering her blessings which is why this entire region is no less than a pilgrimage I believe that the boon of expressways to UP is also due to Maa Gangas blessings Now you can reach Sangam in just hours and also seek blessings from Baba in KashiThe way Maa Ganga has been a lifeline of UP and this country the same way in this era of modern progress this expressway passing in the vicinity of Maa Ganga will become a new lifeline for the development of UP he saidnbspThe Prime Minister said that it is a remarkable coincidence that over the past few days he has remained in the very presence of Maa Ganga citing his visits to West Bengal for election campaigning and to Varanasi on TuesdaynbspnbspAnd now I have been granted the opportunity to dedicate this expressway named after Maa Ganga to the nation I am delighted that the Uttar Pradesh government has chosen to name this expressway after Maa Ganga This initiative not only reflects our vision for development but also offers a glimpse of our rich heritage he said congratulating the people on the expresswayThe project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from the current 1012 hours to approximately 6 hours enhancing ease of movement and transportation efficiency said the statementA key highlight of the project is the provision of a 35 kmlong Emergency Landing Facility airstrip in Shahjahanpur district This dualuse infrastructure enhances national security preparedness and adds strategic value beyond economic benefits it saidThe Ganga Expressway is envisioned as a major economic corridor with the development of Integrated Manufacturing and Logistics Corridors over approximately 2635 hectares across the 12 districts along its alignmentThe expressway will reduce logistics costs improve supply chain efficiency and boost manufacturing competitiveness the statement saidImproved connectivity will provide farmers with direct access to urban and export markets facilitating better price realisation and strengthening rural incomesThe project is also expected to boost tourism unlock new economic opportunities and generate direct and indirect employment across the region the statement saidThe Ganga Expressway will also serve as a backbone for a broader expressway network in the state with several link corridors either operational or planned including the AgraLucknow Expressway Jewar Link Expressway Farrukhabad Link Expressway and the proposed extension from Meerut to HaridwarThis emerging expressway grid will expand highspeed road connectivity across Uttar Pradesh from East to West and from North to South enabling balanced regional developmentThe Ganga Expressway is not merely a transportation project but a transformative initiative that will reduce logistics costs attract industrial investment boost agricultural and rural incomes generate employment and drive holistic economic growth across the state the statement saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ganga-expressway-new-lifeline-for-ups-development-pm-modi--671625.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/encounter-breaks-out-between-maoists-and-security-forces-in-jharkhands-west-singhbhum-forests-671632.html Chaibasa Jharkhand April 29 An encounter has broken out between Maoists and security forces in the forest areas of Jharkhandâs West Singhbhum district on Wednesday morning officials said The exchange of fire took place in the Tonto police station area when personnel of the CoBRA 209 Battalion were out on a patrol inside the dense forests of RutughutuAccording to information security forces have been conducting an intensive search operation for the past two days in the Boroi and Toonbeda areas under the Goelkera police station limits During the operation Maoists who were lying in wait for an ambush opened fire on the moving patrol team at around 430 am on Wednesday Security personnel retaliated promptly leading to intermittent exchange of fire that has continued since morningFollowing the incident a high alert has been issued in the area Security forces have cordoned off the entire affected area and additional personnel have been kept on alert West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Amit Renu said that extensive search operations are underway in the forested areas and the situation is being closely monitoredOf late concerns had been raised about renewed Maoist activity in the Goelkera region following the recent killing of a former Maoist According to sources a squad led by Maoist commander Misir Besra is attempting to strengthen its presence in the area Security agencies had already received inputs suggesting a possible increase in Maoist activity in the bordering forest regions of Saranda and KolhanFollowing the encounter security arrangements have been intensified across the West Singhbhum district and a high alert has been declared in sensitive forest areas of the Kolhan region Police and paramilitary forces are currently carrying out search operations in the difficult forest terrain for area domination and to flush out Maoists IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/encounter-breaks-out-between-maoists-and-security-forces-in-jharkhands-west-singhbhum-forests-671632.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-voting-picks-up-pace-3997-pc-recorded-in-1st-four-hours-671635.html Kolkata April 29 The polling percentage in the first four hours till 11 am on Wednesday in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections has been recorded at 3997 This is slightly lower than the 411 per cent recorded in the first four hours of April 23 voting in the first phase in 152 Assembly constituenciesDistrictwise till 11 am East Burdwan district recorded the highest polling percentage at 4450 followed by Hooghly district at 4312 Nadia at 4034 Howrah at 3945 North 24 Parganas at 3843 the electoral district of Kolkata Uttar at 3839 South 24 Parganas at 3792 and the electoral district of Kolkata Dakshin at 3678Incidentally this polling percentage is substantially higher than the average percentage of 2810 recorded in the same period in the sevenphase 2024 Lok Sabha pollsOn Wednesday the Union Home Minister called up the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and enquired about the progress of polling in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata which is witnessing a highprofile contest between Adhikari and Chief Minister Mamata BanerjeeMeanwhile sporadic tension continues to prevail in the hypersensitive Bhangar Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district A team of the National Investigation Agency NIA reached the constituency in relation to the agencyâs investigation into two cases it is investigating one related to an explosion and the other related to the recovery of crude bombs there just before the second phase of pollingMeanwhile the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP had demanded repolling at Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district which during the last couple of days witnessed a battle of dialogues between the Election Commission of India ECIappointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma and the Trinamool Congress candidate from Falta Jahangir KhanAt Kanchrapara in North 24 Parganas district the Trinamool Congress councillor from Kanchrapara Municipality Kalyan Kar got into an argument with an Independent candidate for standing within a hundred meters of the polling booth Finally the councillor got into a scuffle with an Independent candidate Later the police arrived and brought the situation under controlA Trinamool Congress polling agent was arrested in Nadias Chapra Assembly constituency by the central forces personnel deployed there The agent of booth 54 of Chapra Assembly constituency was accused of influencing voters IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-voting-picks-up-pace-3997-pc-recorded-in-1st-four-hours-671635.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/lokesh-takes-oath-as-tdps-national-working-president-671639.html Amaravati April 29 Nara Lokesh on Wednesday took oath as the National Working President of the Telugu Desam Party TDP TDP National President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu administered oath to members of the new executive at the party headquarters at MangalagiriChandrababu Naidu administered the oath of office to the Politburo as well as the National and State committeesThe new bodies were announced on April 15 For the first time in the TDPâs history the party has appointed a National Working PresidentLokesh who handled the portfolio of human resources development information technology and electronics is already seen as the heirapparent of Chandrababu Naidu and his appointment as National Working President has sent a clear message that the 43yearold will be the political successor of the 76yearold NaiduHis promotion came nearly two years after the TDPled National Democratic Alliance NDA came to power in the state with a landslide majorityLokeshâs elevation is seen as the reward for the key role he played in the partyâs electoral successThe TDP leadership constituted the committees through a blend of both seasoned veterans and fresh facesFor the first time in the partys history leaders from the Mandal and Cluster levels have been included in the politburoTrue to the partys slogan The cadre is the leader priority in the committees has been given to those who have actively dedicated themselves to the partys workThe TDP said that even after 44 years the leadership has appointed committees designed to give the party a fresh and revitalised imageThe committee appointments were meticulously balanced combining the seasoned guidance of senior leaders with the dynamic energy of their junior counterpartsMangalagiri cluster incharge Guthikonda Dhanunjay and Gantyada Mandal party president Gantyada Sridevi have been included in the politburoSenior leaders Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary continue to hold pivotal responsibilitiesâa distinction they have maintained throughout the tenures of NT Rama Rao NTR and Chandrababu as party presidents and now in the current committee under Lokeshs leadership as National Working PresidentChandrababu Naiduâs brotherinlaw actor and party MLA N Balakrishna has also been retained as politburo member Balakrishna son of late NTR is also the fatherinlaw of LokeshIndividuals who have previously demonstrated active engagement in the partys social media initiatives were accorded positions within the committeesBefore the swearingin Chandrababu Naidu Lokesh and other leaders paid tributes to the partys founding president NTR IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/lokesh-takes-oath-as-tdps-national-working-president-671639.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-chandrababu-naidu-urges-tdp-cadres-to-increase-vote-share-in-next-polls-671644.html Amaravati April 29 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday urged party leaders and cadres to strengthen the TDP more at every polling booth level to increase its vote share in the next elections âIn the next elections we must secure a higher number of votes than we did in the 2024 electionsâ he said while addressing the party leaders after administering an oath to the new politburo national and state committees of the TDP at the party headquarters at MangalagiriHe urged the party leaders to highlight the development works undertaken by the government in the upcoming local body electionsHe exuded confidence of a landslide victory in the local body polls âRemember that the next general elections will be held in just three years The people voted for our alliance with the specific mandate to rebuild and transform the state We must secure a higher vote count in the next election than we did in 2024 only then can it be truly said that we have performed our duties effectivelyâHe also emphasised the coordination with alliance partners Jana Sena and BJP at the grassroots level and advised TDP cadres to give no room for any controversiesCM Naidu said that he and Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan share an excellent rapport and are maintaining a very good relationshipParty workers at the grassroots level should conduct themselves in the same manner We must also maintain coordination with the BJP There is no rift between the state and the Centre nor should there ever be oneâChandrababu Naidu claimed that TDP is the only party with a strong cadre and is known for discipline Stating that the TDPâs flag always flew high he said in its history of 44 years the party faced many challenges but its valour never diminished He remarked that TDP will remain as long as the Telugu people existChandrababu Naidu told the party leaders that he had been involved in the exercise of constituting party committees for four decades but never undertook such an extensive exercise on this scale beforeâWe have formed these new committees after a rigorous process of sifting and through careful strategic planning We have constituted these committees by honouring seniors providing opportunities to newcomers and ensuring a place for those who have worked hardâ he saidHe mentioned that individuals such as the Mandal Party President and a Cluster InCharge have been included in the PolitburoStating that discipline is the very essence of the TDP he said working with discipline from the grassroots worker all the way up to the Party President is the fundamental principle of the TDPâYou must interact with the public gently and remain accessible to them You must serve as a bridge between the people and the government If leaders or party workers commit errors it brings disrepute to both the party and the governmentâCM Naidu praised his son Nara Lokesh who took oath as the partyâs national working president He said Lokesh played a pivotal role while TDP was in the opposition From conducting training sessions to overseeing the welfare of party activists he discharged his responsibilities with great efficiencyLokesh is working tirelessly to fulfil our promise of providing 20 lakh jobs If global companies have chosen to invest in Andhra Pradesh it is largely due to Lokesh he saidâIt was in recognition of Lokeshs competence that we entrusted him with the responsibilities of the working president Itâs not merely a post Itâs a huge responsibilityâCM Naidu claimed that with the assistance of the Central government the state government is steering the economy which was on life support back to recoveryâWe are taking steady steps and bringing our systems back on track We have revived stalled Central schemes and are in the process of rescheduling debts We have fulfilled our Super Six guarantees and are delivering welfare benefits to the peopleâHe claimed that the government successfully restored the brand image and public trust that the state had lost during the previous administrationAccusing the YSR Congress Party of false propaganda against the government he urged the cadres to counter the same by placing facts before people âA party driven by a killing mentality has no concern for public welfare and harbours an aversion to development While the state government strives to secure funds its adversaries are actively attempting to obstruct these efforts Despite their obstruction investments are flowing into the state on a massive scale driven by the confidence placed in usâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-chandrababu-naidu-urges-tdp-cadres-to-increase-vote-share-in-next-polls-671644.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-home-minister-supports-ahinda-convention-says-kharge-aware-of-situation-671654.html Bengaluru April 29 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Wednesday that the proposed AHINDA convention in Hubballi was aimed at addressing the socioeconomic backwardness of marginalised communities and bringing them into the mainstream The event is being held amid speculation that the convention was a show of strength for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amid the row over the change of guard in the stateIt can be noted that AHINDA stands for Alpasankhyataru Hindulidavaru and Dalitaru and refers to Minorities Backward Classes and DalitsSpeaking to reporters in Bengaluru he said the AHINDA movement was initiated to uplift communities that are educationally socially and economically backwardHe further added that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is well aware of the prevailing political situation in the state within the ruling Congress party Further supporting the AHINDA convention he said âSuch a convention should be held Their issues must be discussed and addressed It is important that these communities are encouraged to come into the mainstreamResponding to questions on why a separate Dalit convention had not been held Parameshwara said the concerns of Dalits would also be addressed within the AHINDA frameworkOn the ongoing speculation over a possible change in the Chief Minister the Home Minister said he did not have much information and it would not be appropriate for him to comment He said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge was well aware of the political situation in the state âIt is a matter of pride that Kharge is the AICC president He has vast experience and a deep understanding of state politics If he becomes Chief Minister it would be a matter of great happinessâ he saidHe also clarified recent visits by senior leaders to New Delhi stating that Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar had gone to discuss issues related to protection while leaders such as Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Minister KH Muniyappa had visited to meet the SC Commission regarding internal reservation mattersOn criticism over the Speakerâs office remaining silent in the Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni case Parameshwara said the matter was part of a process that could not be stopped âThere may be a delay of a day or two but the process will be completedâ he saidRegarding the issuance of a notification on internal reservation he said it had been released in line with the governmentâs decision and would pave the way for recruitment to around 56000 posts âAll departments including ours will proceed with recruitment The Finance Department has already given its approvalâ he addedIt can be noted that amid the leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar intensifying following the conclusion of voting in Tamil Nadu Kerala and Assam the ruling Congress party is witnessing hectic political activities Following a meeting of Shivakumar with the partys high command recently cabinet ministers and staunch supporters of CM Siddaramaiah have gone to Delhi These leaders have issued a public statement urging the high command to end the confusion over leadership in the state Congress insiders state that along with this the cabinet ministers hailing from oppressed classes are pressuring the high command to consent to the AHINDA convention Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar had earlier scuttled the plans of holding the AHINDA convention in the state Sources further state that the AHINDA convention will be used to send a strong message that CM Siddaramaiah is an unquestionable leader of the oppressed classes and minorities The organisation of the convention also has the objective of compelling the high command to continue Siddaramaiah in the CMs position for the full term IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-home-minister-supports-ahinda-convention-says-kharge-aware-of-situation-671654.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-brisk-voting-underway-6111-pc-recorded-in-first-six-hours-671661.html Kolkata April 29 The polling percentage in the first six hours till 1 pm on Wednesday in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections for 142 constituencies has been recorded at 6111 This is slightly lower than the 6218 per cent recorded in the first six hours of April 23 voting in the first phase in 152 Assembly constituenciesIn districtwise voting till 1 pm East Burdwan district recorded the highest polling percentage at 6680 followed by Hooghly district at 6457 Nadia at 6141 Howrah at 6068 the electoral district of Kolkata Uttar at 6018 North 24 Parganas at 5920 South 24 Parganas at 5858 and the electoral district of Kolkata Dakshin at 5773Incidentally this polling percentage is substantially higher than the average percentage of 4510 recorded in the same period in the sevenphase 2024 Lok Sabha pollsAlthough there have been reports of pollrelated violence and disruption from certain pockets since morning no reports of casualties or major injuries or largescale voter intimidation have been reported This is being largely attributed to the alert monitoring by the central forces under the strict surveillance of 142 general observers and 95 police observers up from 84 in the first phase of polls this timeIn the last two hours allegations were made against Trinamool Congress for threatening villagers in Dakshin Basulnath village under Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district The villagers allege that they were threatened by the ruling party activists either to vote in favour of the ruling party or not to vote at allA huge contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF under the command of an Inspector Generalrank officer reached the spot and escorted the voters to the polling boothFalta already came into the limelight on Wednesday after it was noticed that in a booth the EVM button beside the name of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP candidate was covered with white tape The Election Commission of India ECI has already ordered a probe into the matter IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-brisk-voting-underway-6111-pc-recorded-in-first-six-hours-671661.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/state-of-war-in-bengal-says-trinamool-mp-saayoni-ghosh-over-crpf-deployment-during-polls-671666.html Kolkata April 29 Trinamool Congress MP Saayoni Ghosh on Wednesday termed the deployment of CRPF personnel for Assembly polls in West Bengal as state of war Taking a jibe at the central forces who have been deployed by the Election Commission for peaceful conduct of elections in the state she said that only the Navy and Air Force were left to enter Bengal Speaking to IANS amid the second phase of polling Ghosh asserted that her party is in favour of free and fair election and that they dont need to cause violence as she believes that the people of Bengal are with Chief Minister Mamata BanerjeeOver CRPFs deployment the Trinamool Congress MP said Theres just the Air Force and Navy who are left to enter the state There are tanks around it is like a state of war in BengalIt shows the desperation of the BJP and how they can see that the ground is slipping away from their feet she addedAgreeing to Mamata Banerjees allegations that poll observers from outside have been deployed in the state Ghosh said They BJP are going lock stock and barrel It is their motto to take over Bengal by hook or crookSharpening her attack on the BJP the Trinamool Congress MP said They are doing everything possible from exploiting agencies to conducting a Special Intensive Revision SIR just two months before the election deleting the names of legitimate voters to intimidating votersOur officers have also been transferred and observers have been brought from Uttar Pradesh Gujarat Madhya Pradesh who dont know our language and who have no connect with the people she allegedGhosh also alleged that all kind of efforts are being made by the BJP to intimidate people so that they dont vote in favour of Chief Minister Banerjee and to tamper with the polling percentage as wellSounding confident of the partys victory the Trinamool MP said The BJP may keep doing all these things but Mamata Banerjee is standing firm with Bengal and its peopleShe also added When the results come out theres going to be a clear reflection of the peoples mandate IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/state-of-war-in-bengal-says-trinamool-mp-saayoni-ghosh-over-crpf-deployment-during-polls-671666.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ysrcp-leader-srihari-arrested-again-for-abusive-social-media-post-671669.html Amaravati April 29 YSR Congress Party YSRCP General Secretary Media Pudi Srihari has been arrested once again for an allegedly abusive social media post targeting Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Police from Kuppam town arrested him in Bengaluru on Wednesday He was being brought to KuppamThe arrest came a day after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in Andhra Pradesh High Courtâs order suspending the remand rejection order of the trial courtSrihari who served as Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO to then Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had approached the Supreme Court apprehending arrest after the High Court suspended the remand rejection order given by the trial court in KuppamSrihari was arrested on April 15 in Vijayawada in the case registered against him over making objectionable social media posts with morphed images of Chief Minister Chandrababu NaiduHe was subsequently shifted to Kuppam where the case was registered against him and another YSRCP functionary Girish Kumar ReddySrihari was produced before the trial court on April 16 He was released after the court rejected the petition by the police to send him to judicial remandLater the High Court suspended the order of the trial court The matter was scheduled for further hearing in the High Court on Wednesday However apprehending his arrested Srihari approached the Supreme Court which declined to intervene in the High Court orderArguing the case on behalf of Srihari senior counsel S Niranjan Reddy had stated that the police created false evidence against him He also submitted to the Supreme Court that the High Court did not consider discrepancies pointed out by them during the hearingSenior counsel Mukul Rohatgi who appeared for the state government argued that there is no need for any interim order as the High Court is scheduled to hear the caseSrihari had denied creating posting or forwarding the content in question He said he had worked as a senior journalist for over 25 years and had always functioned within the limits of the lawHe maintained that even as a political leader he continued to follow the ethics of journalism and respected the law IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ysrcp-leader-srihari-arrested-again-for-abusive-social-media-post-671669.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/punjab-police-install-2-291-cctv-cameras-along-pakistan-border-671676.html Chandigarh April 29 Punjab Police have installed 2291 CCTV cameras at 585 locations along the international border with Pakistan as part of this second line of defence creating a dense surveillance net across vulnerable villages and transit routes Under Gangstran Te Vaar the police are strengthening the technologydriven security grid designed to choke the very lifelines of organised crime networks operating with crossborder linkagesWhile the Border Security Force BSF continues to guard the international boundary the police are ensuring that even if contraband slips through it doesnât travel farAnd increasingly the numbers reflect that intentIn addition to installing CCTVs 41 police stations in border districts have been brought under CCTV coverage feeding into a broader ecosystem of monitoring and responseBut this is not just about expanding surveillance it is about making it countOn the ground checkpoints nakas have become sharper and less predictable backed by realtime intelligence Vehicle checks are no longer routine but targeted a police statement said on WednesdayAntidrone vigilance has been intensified especially in districts that have seen repeated drops of arms and narcoticsThe second line of defence is where the chain is effectively broken While border sealing remains the first layer any breach that occurs is swiftly intercepted within our jurisdiction Our nakas are no longer routine checkpoints they are intelligenceled positioned and operated on the basis of verified inputsâ said Senior Superintendent of Police Amritsar Rural Suhail Qasim MirSimultaneously villagelevel defence committees and local networks are closely integrated into the security framework ensuring that groundlevel movement does not go unnoticed We are also continuously strengthening critical infrastructure surveillance systems mobility and rapid response mechanisms so that this layer functions both as a deterrent and a disruption point for any criminal activity he addedUnderlining the shift Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the strengthening of the second line is central to the stateâs antigangster strategyWe are building depth in our policing The focus is on dismantling the entire ecosystem from crossborder supply to lastmile delivery The second line of defence ensures that even if an attempt is made it is detected early and neutralised swiftly he addedFor observers of the stateâs policing landscape this marks a clear shift The focus is shifting from reacting to crimes to disrupting the logistics that enable them Because every drone drop intercepted every suspicious vehicle flagged every movement tracked through the CCTV grid directly weakens the ecosystem that sustains gangsters many of whom operate remotely often from abroad IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/punjab-police-install-2-291-cctv-cameras-along-pakistan-border-671676.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-releases-rs-1-000-crore-towards-pending-dues-for-employees-671679.html Hyderabad April 29 Taking another significant step towards resolving longpending issues of the government employees in Telangana the state government has released Rs 1000 crore towards pending dues Acting on the directions of the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka the funds were released on Wednesday Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Sandeep Kumar Sultania issued the orders for the release With this the Deputy CM has fulfilled the assurance given in the Assembly said an official releaseLast year during discussions with employee unions the government had promised to release Rs 700 crore per month Accordingly the government honored its commitment and made monthly payments up to March 2026However after personally observing the financial needs and difficulties faced by employees Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka decided to increase the monthly allocation to Rs 1000 crore from the current financial year As part of this Rs 1000 crore for the month of April has been released on a war footingThe government has responded very positively towards retired employees All pending GPF General Provident Fund dues up to October 2025 have been completely cleared with these funds According to the official release this brings great relief to thousands of senior citizens who were waiting for their retirement benefitsRegarding employeesâ health needs the government has directed officials to ensure that medical bills are cleared without even a single dayâs delay and on a priority basis At present medical bill payments are being processed at a very fast pace Along with medical bills scholarship payments are also being clearedThe government has emphasised that there should be no compromise on employees health security Steps have been taken to ensure that medical bills are processed regularly without any delayWith the slogan âEmployees are partners in governance addressing their issues is our responsibilityâ the government is moving forward Senior officials stated that the increased allocation and clearance of GPF dues reflect the governmentâs commitment and sincerityThis latest decision demonstrates the governmentâs dedication to the welfare of employees Officials stated that the government will always stay one step ahead in recognising and resolving employeesâ problems Employee unions have expressed happiness over the largescale release of funds initiated by the Deputy CM IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-releases-rs-1-000-crore-towards-pending-dues-for-employees-671679.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/chandrababu-naidu-ashwini-vaishnaw-lay-foundation-for-google-cloud-ai-hub-in-vizag-671492.html Visakhapatnam April 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu along with Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw laid the foundation stone for the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam marking the beginning of a new era in the stateâs technological journey Google is going to invest 15 billion in the project making it one of the largest foreign direct investments FDIs in Indiaâs historyThe data centre with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt will be developed across nearly 600 acres in Tharluwada Adavivaram and Rambilli regionsSpeaking at the groundbreaking ceremony Chandrababu Naidu urged Google and its partners in the project AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtra to complete the project for inauguration by September 2028 He assured all the help from the state government for the early completion of the projectHe termed Googles arrival as a gamechanger not just for Visakhapatnam but for the entire state of Andhra PradeshHe recalled that 30 years ago when he laid the foundation for Cyberabad as an IT City it evolved into a hub for wealth creationStating that this will be the largest data centre in Asia the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh will emerge as the AI data gateway for the nationGoogle which began as a search engine is now transforming into a growth engine for India While everyone typically searches on Google in this instance Google searched and chose Andhra Pradesh he saidNaidu stated that Visakhapatnam has all the advantages and termed it the best destination for the mega project Assuring that there is no shortage of water he promised to bring water from the Godavari River to the city within 60 daysHe said the government would leverage the Google AI Data Centre to enhance the Speed of Governance that the government is committed to deliveringIn addition to the four secretaries at the CMO a new AI assistant will now assist me personally in ensuring effective and good governance he saidHe exuded confidence that with the arrival of Google the youth of Visakhapatnam will gain access to largescale employment opportunitiesChandrababu Naidu also announced that Bhogapuram International Airport will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in JulyThe ceremony was attended by Union Ministers Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Bhoopati Raju Srinivasa Varma state ministers Nara Lokesh Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy MP M Bharat US Consul General Laura E Williams Google Global Infrastructure and Google Cloud Vice President Vikas Kohli Adani Group Director Jeet Adani Adani Ports amp SEZ Ltd Managing Director Karan Adani Bharti Enterprises Vice Chairman Rakesh Mittal and othersUnion Minister Vaishnaw noted that as a country India missed out on many technology cycles and that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that India should take a lead in the new cycle of technologiesHe said while India became the IT services leader thanks to the initiatives in the 1990s and early 2000s it missed out on manufacturing of semiconductors servers laptops and mobile phones but the situation has changed over the last one decade with the launch of the Make in India initiativeFrom negligible electronic manufacturing today the mobile phone has become the single most exported commodity in the country overtaking gems and jewellery textiles and diesel he saidVaishnaw said that the Prime Minister has the vision to make India a major electronic manufacturing hub in the entire world In todayâs world of geopolitical uncertainties the world is looking for a trusted partner where IT rights will be protected and security concerns will be met This is possible only in India he saidAll global users of electronics were looking at India as a major sourcing design development and manufacturing hub for components modules submodules and finished products he said urging Google to focus on manufacturing their servers in India These data centres require a large number of servers We have the capability of manufacturing servers At least five companies are manufacturing highquality servers in IndiaHe urged the industry to collaborate in the AI Mission in improving power efficiency and also the efficiency in water consumptionThe central minister thanked Google for three subsea cables which will land in VizagHe noted that one cable will go to Australia via the Pacific Ocean to the West Coast of the US the second to the Middle East Europe and the US while the third will go to Cape of Good Hope and from there straight to the USGoogle Global infrastructure and Google Cloud Vice President Kohli stated that this is Googleâs largest commitment to Indiaâs digital future He termed it a foundation step towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047This project represents a 15 billion blueprint to deliver a fullstack AI ecosystem he said adding that they were proud to bring Googleâs bestinclass AI stack to India to help accelerate Indiaâs digital transformationHe noted that this hub includes the AmericaIndia connect initiative to deliver highcapacity subsea connectivity that India needs to lead the global AI economyBy establishing Visakhapatnam as an international subsea gateway we will add vital diversity to the existing landings in Mumbai and Chennai increasing the resilience of Indiaâs digital backbone and improving economic security he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/chandrababu-naidu-ashwini-vaishnaw-lay-foundation-for-google-cloud-ai-hub-in-vizag-671492.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-gets-grand-welcome-in-varanasi-women-power-in-spotlight-671502.html Varanasi April 28 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Tuesday for a twoday visit receiving a grand welcome at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior BJP leadersnbspThe visit is marked by a massive show of womens participation at the JanAakrosh Mahila Sammelan at BLW Ground where the Prime Minister is set to address thousands and roll out 163 development projects aimed at accelerating growth in the regionAfter landing the Prime Minister travelled by helicopter to the Bareka helipad and proceeded to the guest house He is scheduled to address the gathering at around 5 pm Notably the entire event is being managed by women from stage anchoring to security arrangements underscoring the focus on womenled leadershipA large turnout of women and female students is expected with 44 women representatives set to share the stage raising issues related to empowerment safety selfreliance and equal opportunities The event is being described as one of the largest womencentric political gatherings in KashiEarlier in the day PM Modi accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Along with the Prime Minister BJPs National President Nitin Naveen the Deputy CM and several other senior leaders have also arrived in KashiDuring the visit the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 163 projects worth Rs 633208 crore Of these 50 projects worth Rs 105469 crore will be inaugurated while foundation stones will be laid for 113 projects valued at Rs 527739 crore He will also transfer a bonus of Rs 105 crore to lakhs of milk producers linked with AmulThe projects span key sectors including road infrastructure railway overbridges flyovers healthcare and education facilities drinking water supply sewerage systems sanitation sports infrastructure pond rejuvenation green energy initiatives and urban development These measures are expected to significantly strengthen infrastructure in Purvanchal and boost regional developmentIn a push to rail connectivity the Prime Minister will also flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains one between Banaras and Pune Hadapsar and another connecting Ayodhya with Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak TerminusThis is PM Modis 54th visit to Varanasi over the past 11 years and his first in 2026 His previous visit to the city was in November 2025 The visit is being seen as significant for its dual emphasis on women empowerment and a major developmental push in eastern Uttar PradeshIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-gets-grand-welcome-in-varanasi-women-power-in-spotlight-671502.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/karachi-residents-hold-protest-against-prolonged-power-outages-671504.html Islamabad April 28 Residents in Karachi held a protest against prolonged unannounced power outages lasting up to 16 hours daily resulting in severe traffic congestion in the cityâs business district for hours local media reported on Tuesday The protests on Monday impacted vehicular movement on the II Chundrigar Road Ziauddin Ahmed Road and nearby areas for over two hours with roads in nearby areas including Saddar and Pakistan Chowk clogged and commuters facing difficulty under extreme heat as queues of traffic stretched for kilometres daily Dawn reportedFrustrated with prolonged power outages residents of Railway Colony gathered at the Shaheen Complex intersection blocked traffic and shouted slogans against KElectric for resorting to unannounced loadshedding for long hoursThe protesters demanded immediate restoration of power supply complaining that unannounced loadshedding of up to 16 hours in the area made life of residents very difficult during the summerA resident said that they had not received the proper power supply for the past several weeks Our children canât sleep patients are suffering and thereâs no water because the pumps donât work without electricityAnother resident Muhammad Aslam said that they were forced to live without electricity for 16 hours despite paying their bills regularly How long can we stay silent he askedAnother protester Shazia Bibi said that unannounced loadshedding for long hours was torture for residents Our food is rotting we canât charge our phones and the heat is killing usOfficegoers students and patients faced problems due to traffic congestion under scorching heat due to the protestsA woman who was taking her father to a hospital said that they were stranded in the traffic for 90 minutes with no way out Dawn reportedPolice reached the protest site and negotiated with the demonstrators The protest was dispersed after nearly 30 minutes but the traffic jam took over two hours to clearPeople were facing problems from earlier this month as the power outages increased up to eight hours in urban areas and 1216 hours in rural areas in the service areas of Lahore Electric Supply Company Lesco and other districts of Pakistans Punjab provinceThe situation worsened after the power distribution in Lahore and cities and towns in other districts started observing unannounced or forced loadshedding on an hourly basis resulting in people spending most of their time without electricity Dawn reportedSeveral divisions and districts of Punjab including Faisalabad Gujranwala Sialkot Toba Tek Singh Sahiwal Kasur Sheikhupura Multan Khanewal Bahawalpur Rahim Yar Khan Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan also witnessed power outages The Lesco spokesperson said that there was an increase in complaints about loadshedding IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/karachi-residents-hold-protest-against-prolonged-power-outages-671504.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-offers-prayers-at-tirumala-temple-671505.html Tirupati April 28 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Tuesday offered prayers at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple atop Tirumala near here He was accorded a warm welcome by Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy along with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD Chairman BR Naidu Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra and other TTD officials A team of temple priests extended a traditional ceremonial welcome âIstikaphalâ to himSubsequently he paid his obeisance to the Dwajasthambham temple flagpole and offered prayers Thereafter he visited and offered prayers at the shrines of Goddess Vakulamata Lord Vimana Venkateswara the Bhashyakara Sannidhi shrine of the Acharyas and Lord Yoga Narasimha SwamyLater at the Ranganayakula Mandapam Vedic scholars rendered âVedasirvachanamâ Vedic blessings The TTD Chairman and the EO presented the Vice President with a portrait of the presiding deity along with âTeertha Prasadamâ sacred water and consecrated foodThe Vice President also visited and offered prayers at the shrine of Bedi Anjaneya Swamy located directly opposite the main templeTTD Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary and TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy were among those who welcomed the Vice President and facilitated the arrangements for the darshanMeanwhile according to a post on the Vice Presidentâs official âXâ account he prayed for peace prosperity and the wellbeing of allThe Vice President on Monday addressed the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam He later arrived in TirupatiThis is the second time that Radhakrishnan has offered prayers at the Tirumala temple after assuming office as Vice PresidentHe earlier visited Andhra Pradesh on September 2425 2025 engaging in a series of cultural and spiritual programmes in Vijayawada and TirumalaOn September 25 he visited the Tirumala temple and had darshan praying for the wellbeing of all citizens He had also inaugurated the newly constructed Pilgrim Amenities Centre PAC âVenkatadri Nilayamâ at TTD in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ministers and senior officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-offers-prayers-at-tirumala-temple-671505.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-meets-padma-awardees-distinguished-personalities-in-gangtok-671402.html New Delhi April 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he interacted with Padma awardees and several distinguished personalities during his visit to Gangtok describing the exchange as engaging and wideranging Taking to X the Prime Minister wrote âIn Gangtok earlier this evening interacted with Padma awardees and people who have distinguished themselves in different fields It was wonderful discussing a wide range of issuesâHe also shared a photograph from the interactionEarlier on Monday Gangtok witnessed a large public turnout during PM Modis roadshow in Sikkim for the closing ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the stateâs statehood Thousands of people from across Sikkim gathered to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister and take part in the occasionThe streets of the capital city were packed from early morning reflecting the public response to the Prime Ministerâs visit Residents from remote and farflung areas travelled long distances to be part of the event turning the roadshow into a large public gathering with visible participation across the cityBikash Basnet Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sikkim told IANS the turnout was unprecedented âEveryone here in Gangtok was so excited People started gathering since morning Itâs been almost a year since we have been waiting for his presence People from farflung areas of Sikkim gathered here in Gangtok Every corner of the city was filled with people We could see the excitement on peopleâs faces It was historic and a proud moment for every Sikkimeseâ he saidThe Prime Ministerâs visit coincided with celebrations linked to the stateâs golden jubilee year adding to the significance of the eventKunzang Gyatso an Everest climber and President of the Sikkim Sports Climbing Association said the visit had inspired the younger generation âWe are very delighted to see the Prime Minister especially our young generation I would like to thank Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for inviting him for the golden jubilee celebrationsâ he saidResidents described the visit as a moment of pride for the stateSubedar Ranjit Khaling a former Army personnel said âWe were so excited to see the Prime Minister here that we cannot describe it in words Such a big leader coming to our small state in the Northeast is a very proud moment for usâAfter the roadshow concluded celebrations continued across Gangtok with people seen gathering in groups singing and moving through the streets reflecting the festive atmosphere in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-meets-padma-awardees-distinguished-personalities-in-gangtok-671402.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-local-poll-results-today-counting-to-commence-at-designated-centres-671417.html Gandhinagar April 28 The counting of votes for Gujaratâs extensive local body elections is scheduled on Tuesday with results expected later in the day according to officials from the State Election Commission The counting process will determine the outcome across 15 Municipal Corporations 84 Municipalities 34 District Panchayats and 260 Taluka Panchayats where polling was held on April 26Officials said counting will begin at designated centres with security and administrative arrangements put in place across districtsMore than 9000 seats are at stake in the elections making it one of the largest grassroots electoral exercises in the stateA total of 32748 nominations had been filed with over 26000 candidates remaining in the fray after withdrawals while several seats were declared elected unopposed ahead of pollingThe elections were contested by major political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Congress and Aam Aadmi Party AAP along with independents and smaller partiesCampaigning had concluded following a mandated silence period before polling which was conducted using electronic voting machines EVMs across thousands of polling stationsVoter turnout in the local body elections varied across tiers according to data released by the State Election CommissionParticipation stood at 4902 per cent in Municipal Corporations reflecting relatively lower engagement in urban centres while Municipalities recorded a turnout of 5950 per centIn rural bodies turnout was higher with 6169 per cent in District Panchayats and 6238 per cent in Taluka PanchayatsMeanwhile byelections to 13 seats in 11 municipalities saw a turnout of 5538 per centIn Ahmedabad counting will take place at centres including LD Engineering College and Gujarat College with traffic restrictions imposed in surrounding areas from midnight to facilitate the process and ensure securityThe polls conducted after delimitation and implementation of a 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in local bodies are being closely watched as an indicator of political strength at the grassroots level ahead of future elections in the stateOfficials said results will be declared after completion of counting procedures across all centres IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-local-poll-results-today-counting-to-commence-at-designated-centres-671417.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/trinamool-worker-shot-at-by-bike-borne-men-in-bengals-halisahar-probe-on-671452.html Kolkata April 28 A Trinamool Congress worker in Halisahar in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district was shot at by bikeborne masked miscreants said the police on Tuesday Trinamool has directly accused the BJP of attacking its worker Prosenjit Maulik alias Raja was seriously injured in the shootout on the last day of campaigningHe has been admitted to the Kalyani JNM Hospital in a critical condition There has been intense tension over this incident before the second phase of voting on WednesdayA large police force has rushed to the spot after receiving the news The reason for this incident is still not clear An investigation into the incident has already started A vigorous search has been started to find the miscreants who were responsible for the shootingAccording to the police Trinamool worker Raja a resident of Khasbati North Road was standing on the roadside on Misri Pukur Road in Ward No 9 of Halishahar on Monday night when some masked miscreants on a bike opened fire at him A total of three rounds of shots were fired at himIt is learnt that one bullet hit Raja in the stomach and the other two bullets hit the mobile phone in his pocket After that the Trinamool worker fell and the locals rescued him and took him to Kalyani JNM HospitalThe political tension in the area intensified after the incidentBijpur Trinamool candidate Subodh Adhikari claimed This is the culture of the BJP This attack was carried out by miscreants out of fear of their impending defeatHowever BJP candidate Sudipta Das dismissed the allegations and said The miscreants in the area are Trinamool supporters It is not known why the incident happened It could also be due to the Trinamools own conflictThe police said that an investigation into the incident has been launched A search is underway to find the attackersAs many as 142 constituencies will go to the polls on Wednesday in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal Counting of votes will be held on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/trinamool-worker-shot-at-by-bike-borne-men-in-bengals-halisahar-probe-on-671452.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pmks-anbumani-ramadoss-blames-dmk-govt-for-rise-in-illicit-liquor-trade-in-tn-671478.html Chennai April 28 Anbumani Ramadoss criticised the ruling MK Stalinled DMK government alleging that its inaction has led to a surge in illicit liquor sales across Tamil Nadu forcing local communities to take matters into their own hands In a statement on Tuesday the PMK leader referred to a recent incident in Podur village near Bennenagaram in Dharmapuri district where a group of women allegedly ransacked four illegal liquor outlets operating in the area The main accused in the illicit trade identified as Govindan reportedly escaped during the incidentWhile asserting that taking the law into oneâs own hands is not an acceptable solution Ramadoss said the prevailing situation was a direct consequence of administrative failureHe alleged that the DMK government which has been in power for the past five years has created an environment where villagers felt compelled to act due to the unchecked proliferation of illegal liquor shopsAccording to him the four outlets in Podur were not newly established but had been functioning for several years Despite repeated protests by local residents demanding their closure no effective action was taken by the authoritiesHe further claimed that similar illegal roadside liquor outlets operate round the clock across the Dharmapuri districtRamadoss also pointed out that the PMK had organised multiple protests seeking the removal of such outlets and that Dharmapuri MLA SP Venkateshwaran had raised the issue in the Assembly However he alleged that the state government failed to act and instead indulged in âpetty politicsâ by mobilising certain groups to demand the opening of governmentrun liquor outlets in other villagesHighlighting the scale of the issue Ramadoss claimed that while 4787 TASMAC shops function legally across Tamil Nadu more than 20000 illegal liquor outlets are operating in parallelHe alleged that this has not only devastated poor and middleclass families but also resulted in massive revenue losses and corruption estimated at over Rs 50000 crore annually due to evasion of excise duties and taxesDescribing the Podur incident as a reflection of public anger against illicit liquor Ramadoss urged authorities not to take action against the women involved Instead he called upon the government and police to intensify efforts to shut down illegal liquor operations across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pmks-anbumani-ramadoss-blames-dmk-govt-for-rise-in-illicit-liquor-trade-in-tn-671478.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/siddaramaiah-ready-to-step-down-if-rahul-gandhi-asks-says-ex-ktaka-minister-rajanna-671480.html Bengaluru April 28 Amid the ongoing leadership tussle former Karnataka Minister and Congress MLA KN Rajanna has made a startling statement suggesting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is ready to step down from his post if Rahul Gandhi says so The statement has assumed significance as Rajanna is a close associate of CM SiddaramaiahIt can also be noted that CM Siddaramaiahs close associates Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and HC Mahadevappa both hailing from the Dalit community have reached Delhi and are demanding an end to the confusion over the leadership issue in the state Speaking in Bengaluru Rajanna said on Tuesday that there is growing confusion within the party over the issue of leadership change He added that while Siddaramaiah is prepared to continue in office he is also willing to relinquish power if directed by the party high commandRajanna who had earlier claimed that Siddaramaiahâs recent silence might be due to external influences now said the Chief Minister has conveyed an openminded stance on the matter According to him Siddaramaiah has indicated that he would abide by any decision taken by Rahul Gandhi and expects cooperation from party membersHe stressed that resolving the ongoing uncertainty would benefit the state and urged the party leadership not to allow the confusion to persist Rajanna noted that this is not a decision to be taken in haste as it involves both the future of the party and the people of KarnatakaExpressing confidence in the high command Rajanna said Siddaramaiah has already made it clear that he will act in accordance with Rahul Gandhiâs direction âPower is not permanent Those who lose it can regain itâ he said describing the Chief Ministerâs mindset as one of compliance with the party leadershipAt the same time Rajanna stated that many leaders including himself have conveyed to the high command that Siddaramaiah should continue as Chief MinisterHe also reiterated his stand in favour of a Dalit Chief Minister saying the AHINDA minorities backward classes and Dalits communities are not fully satisfied He remarked that there is a significant difference between Siddaramaiahâs leadership during 201318 and the current term from 202326With nearly two years remaining for the next election Rajanna said it is too early to predict future developments adding that much can change in politics over time IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/siddaramaiah-ready-to-step-down-if-rahul-gandhi-asks-says-ex-ktaka-minister-rajanna-671480.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mangaluru-blast-case-conviction-ktaka-bjp-chief-demands-apology-from-cong-leaders-671484.html Bengaluru April 28 BJPs Karnataka President and MLA BY Vijayendra on Tuesday welcomed the verdict of an NIA special court sentencing Mohammed Shariq the prime accused in the Mangaluru cooker blast case to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment stating that the ruling reinforces the countryâs firm stance against terrorism He also demanded apologies from Congress leaders for issuing statements in favour of the accused after the incident In a statement Vijayendra claimed that certain leaders had referred to the accused as âbrotherâ and described the blast as an âaccidentâ thereby attempting to justify acts of terrorVijayendra demanded that if those leaders have any moral responsibility they should apologise to the people of the state He said the judgment in the Mangaluru cooker blast case demonstrates that forces threatening national security have no place in the system He added that the efficiency of central investigative agencies and the judiciaryâs strict approach should instil confidence among the publicHowever he also launched a sharp attack on leaders of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee KPCC alleging that at the initial stage of the case some had indulged in appeasement politics by supporting antinational elements The BJP leader further warned that such attitudes which he described as standing with antinational elements for political gain pose a serious threat to internal securityReiterating his partyâs position Vijayendra asserted that terrorism has no religion and that there can be no forgiveness for acts of terror or those who support themIt can be recalled that in December 2022 Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar had stirred significant controversy by questioning the official labelling of the Mangaluru cooker blast as a terror actShivakumar alleged that the thenruling BJP government was using the cooker blast which occurred in an autorickshaw to divert attention from a voter data theft scandal in Bengaluru He questioned how the police could declare the suspect a terrorist without a full investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mangaluru-blast-case-conviction-ktaka-bjp-chief-demands-apology-from-cong-leaders-671484.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-chief-nitin-nabin-to-visit-rajasthan-today-671285.html New Delhi April 27 BJP President Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit Rajasthan on Monday to discuss strengthening the party structure and shaping future strategies In a display of political grandeur and traditional Rajasthani hospitality the BJP is preparing an elaborate welcome for its National President who is visiting Rajasthan for the first time after assuming officeEchoing the spirit of âPadharo Mhare Deshâ the party has planned a redcarpet reception stretching from the airport to the state headquarters in Jaipur with welcome ceremonies scheduled at 11 key locations across the city party workers saidAccording to the proposed schedule Nitin Nabin will arrive in Jaipur in the morning and proceed directly to TonkIn Tonk he will inaugurate seven newly constructed district BJP offices and lay the foundation stones for two more The programme will also see him addressing party workers and the general public with participation expected from workers across seven districts said Rajasthan BJP President Madan RathoreBJP leaders have indicated that partys district offices in Bundi Pratapgarh Dungarpur Barmer Pali and Churu will also be inaugurated during the eventFoundation stones for two additional BJP district offices are expected to be laid party sources addedFollowing these programmes Nitin Nabin will return to Jaipur where he will chair a meeting of the State BJP Core Committee at the partys state headquartersThe visit comes shortly after Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma met the BJP President in New DelhiThe two leaders discussed several issues related to both governance and party organisation in Rajasthan party sources saidKey topics included pending appointments in the state party unit preparations for upcoming Panchayati Raj elections and other crucial issuesSources indicate that Chief Minister Sharma personally requested Nitin Nabin to visit Rajasthan adding to the significance of this tripRajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore emphasised that the party aims to go beyond routine political activity and focus on strengthening and modernising its organisational frameworkAs part of this effort new BJP offices are being established across all districts in Rajasthan IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-chief-nitin-nabin-to-visit-rajasthan-today-671285.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-responds-to-karnataka-mans-wedding-invitation-extends-warm-wishes-671304.html Bengaluru April 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to a wedding invitation sent by a man from Karnataka extending his warm wishes through an official letter The development came to light on Monday after Rajesh Nayak shared a video about it with many people appreciating the Prime Ministerâs responsiveness to an invitation from a common citizen Rajesh Nayak a resident of Kanihala village in Raichur district got married to Savitha on April 13 Out of a personal wish he decided to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his wedding and sent the invitation card by postIn a letter dated April 16 PM Modi wrote âShri Ramesh Nayak Ji I thank you heartily for inviting me to your wedding As you enter this auspicious phase of life may you and Savitha be blessed with a wonderful life ahead I express my heartfelt gratitude for inviting me to the ceremonyââMay the coupleâs hearts minds and actions be in harmony Stand by each other at all times hold each otherâs hands in pursuit of your dreams and aspirations and take on responsibilities with care and affection May you and Savitha be ideal partners in the journey of life by accepting each otherâs imperfections and learning from each otherâs strengthsâ the letter further statedâI once again extend my greetings and best wishes to both of you for a long happy and beautiful life togetherâ the Prime Minister addedSpeaking about the letter Rajesh said on Monday âI shared this video to convey a special moment Our wedding took place on April 13 I had sent the wedding invitation a few weeks earlier While sending it I hoped for a response but I did not have high expectations Now I have received a letter from the Prime Minister conveying his greetings It is remarkable that despite holding the highest office he considered a letter from a common man I am grateful to himâHe added âI never thought he would read my wedding invitation Receiving this letter shows how considerate the Prime Minister is I convey my heartfelt regards on behalf of myself my wife my parents and the people of Kanihala village It is a matter of pride for meâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-responds-to-karnataka-mans-wedding-invitation-extends-warm-wishes-671304.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/nia-registers-case-over-recovery-of-79-crude-bombs-in-bengal-671315.html New DelhiKolkata April 27 IANS The National Investigation Agency NIA has taken over the investigation into a case involving the recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials in West Bengal where the second and final phase of the Assembly polls is scheduled for April 29 officials saidnbspAccording to an official statement the agency has reregistered FIR No 622026 dated April 25 2026 of Uttar Kashi Police Station under Bhangar Division in Kolkata as RC252026NIADLI dated April 26 2026 and has formally begun its probeIn pursuance of the MHA order the NIA has registered FIR No 622026 dated 25042026 of PS Uttar Kashi Bhangar Division Kolkata as RC252026NIADLI dated 26042026 and taken up the investigation The case pertains to the recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata Police which were being stored at a spot thereby endangering human life and property the statement saidNotably the first phase of the twophase polling in West Bengal was held on April 23The case relates to the recovery of a large number of crude bombs by the Kolkata Police which were allegedly being stored at a particular location posing a serious threat to human life and propertyOfficials said the materials were seized during a police operation in the Bhangar area following inputs about suspicious storage of explosive substancesThe NIA which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs has now taken over the caseAccording to sources the agency will examine the circumstances under which the crude bombs were stored and will look into all aspects of the case including the possible intent behind stockpiling such materialsSources indicated that the focus of the investigation will be on identifying those responsible for storing the explosives and ascertaining whether there was any larger conspiracy linked to the recoveryMeanwhile the NIA on Sunday arrested a prime accused in a separate West Bengal bomb explosion case in which one person was killed and three others were seriously injured earlier this year officials saidAhidul Islam Molla of Bijoyganj Bazar in South 24 Parganas district was arrested following a detailed examination of his role in the explosion which took place in March at Dakshin Bamunia villageAnother accused had been arrested earlier in the case by the state police an NIA statement saidThe NIA said its investigation revealed that Ahidul Islam was a coconspirator in the crime involving the preparation of bombs and the destruction of evidenceThe bombs had exploded while being prepared as part of the conspiracy killing one of the accused involved in the crime the agency said adding that efforts were on to identify other coaccusedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/nia-registers-case-over-recovery-of-79-crude-bombs-in-bengal-671315.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-govt-declares-seminary-in-shopian-district-as-unlawful-671316.html Srinagar April 27 The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared a seminary running in Shopian district as unlawful after citing its links with a banned organisation said officials on Monday The officials said the union territory government has declared the seminary an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPA 1967 citing alleged links with a banned organisation financial irregularities and concerns over radicalisationThe order was issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg under Section 81 of the Act The action follows a dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Shopian on March 24 Based on this the authorities concluded that the institution was involved in âserious legal administrative and financial irregularitiesâ including a lack of mandatory registration and alleged evasion of statutory oversightOfficials said there was credible evidence of covert links between the seminary and JamaateIslami JeI a banned outfit with individuals affiliated with it allegedly occupying key administrative and academic positions The order also cited financial opacity and suspected diversion of funds besides inputs suggesting that the institution fostered an environment conducive to radicalisation with some former students allegedly linked to militancyA showcause notice was issued to the chairman of the institution on March 31 seeking an explanation The reply was examined after seeking comments from the SSP Shopian who termed the objections âfactually untenable and devoid of legal meritâ officials saidThe administration said the proceedings were preventive in nature and aimed at curbing misuse of the premises for unlawful activitiesFollowing the notification authorities are empowered to take further action including sealing of the premises and freezing of financial assets they added The Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA has already declared some organisations like the JamaateIslami and the Awami Action Committee AAC as unlawful organisations The ministry extended the ban on JeI JampK for five years on February 27 2024 It was initially declared an unlawful association in February 2019 The AAC led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was banned on March 11 2025 for five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-govt-declares-seminary-in-shopian-district-as-unlawful-671316.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/true-strength-of-nation-lies-in-selfless-spirit-of-service-of-its-citizens-says-pm-modi-671317.html New Delhi April 27 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stressed the importance of selfless service saying it forms the foundation of a strong and compassionate society while urging citizens to inspire one another through acts of goodwillnbspIn a post on X the Prime Minister wrote The true strength of the nation lies in the selfless spirit of service of its citizens This inspires people to motivate one another while also enriching our society furtherPM Modi also shared a Sanskrit verse meaning Trees bear the harsh sunlight themselves yet they give shade to others Their fruits are also meant for others Trees are like selfless and noble people who always provide comfort and help to others loosely translated from SanskritEarlier on Sunday PM Modi visited the Matua Thakur Mandir in Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal ahead of his election rally where he recalled his meeting with Matua community matriarch Binapani Devi Sharing a photograph from his 2019 visit the Prime Minister said he was reminded of receiving the blessings of Boro Ma during his earlier trip to the templeAddressing a rally in Thakurnagar PM Modi also spoke about his visit to Orakandi describing it as a deeply emotional experience He recalled performing puja at the temple there and meeting members of the Matua community adding that the compassion shown by Binapani Devi left a lasting impression on himThe Prime Minister further highlighted the Centres implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 stating that it was aimed at providing citizenship to communities such as the Matuas He invoked Syama Prasad Mookerjee noting his role in advocating for refugees from East Bengal and asserted that ensuring their rights remains a historical responsibility of IndiaSyama Prasad Mookerjee won from Kolkata At that time Jana Sangh got a lot of support from 24 Parganas and Nadia He stood by the refugees from East Bengal He spoke for them Syama Prasad is considered the spokesperson for the refugees From Partition till today all the refugees are our responsibility It is Indias historical responsibility to think about them That is why Modi brought the CAA Why was this not done before I will tell the Matuas and Namasudras that you will be given citizenship a permanent address papers and all the rights that all citizens of India get This is Modis guarantee said the PMIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/true-strength-of-nation-lies-in-selfless-spirit-of-service-of-its-citizens-says-pm-modi-671317.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-meets-new-niti-aayog-member-gobardhan-das-says-his-rich-work-will-enrich-policy-making-671322.html New Delhi April 27 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Prof Gobardhan Das and said that his personal life journey is very inspiring He further said that his rich work and scholarship will enrich policymaking architecturenbspPM Modi took to social media X and said Met Prof Gobardhan Das Ji this morning His personal life journey is very inspiring Every struggle he faced only strengthened his commitment to serve society and make it free from suffering This has been reflected in his contribution to public health and immunology His rich work and scholarship will enrich our policymaking architectureOn April 25 Gobardhan Das the newly appointed member of NITI Aayog had outlined an ambitious roadmap for national development and regional revitalisation emphasising his commitment to realising PM Modis vision of a developed India by 2047Speaking to IANS following his appointment Das had expressed gratitude to PM Modi for entrusting him with a role at the countrys premier policy think tank He said the appointment was not just an honour for him but for the entire Bengali community and pledged to work tirelessly to propel the nation forward across sectorsA significant portion of Das remarks focused on his home state West BengalInvoking the legacies of iconic figures such as Sri Aurobindo Rabindranath Tagore Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Syama Prasad Mookerjee and renowned scientist Meghnad Saha he said West Bengal is a land of great thinkers and visionaries often referred to as Sonar BanglaHe said his primary objective is to restore the state to its former glory as Sonar BanglaHe noted with concern that the current state of education and healthcare in West Bengal requires urgent intervention to check migration with many citizens forced to seek basic services and employment outside the stateDas said the mandate of NITI Aayog would be utilised to bridge these developmental gapsHe emphasised that for India to become a truly selfreliant and capable global power the principle of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas must remain the bedrock of policymakingHighlighting the countrys response during the Covid19 pandemic he cited the indigenous development of vaccines as a testament to Indias leadership and scientific capability when focused on a common national goalAs a member of NITI Aayog Das said he would focus on revitalising the industrial and manufacturing sectors to generate local employment and ensure that no citizen is left behind in the journey towards prosperityHe reiterated that the goal is not just economic growth but a comprehensive transformation that ensures the welfare and security of every IndianBy fostering collective effort and inclusive policies Das said the vision of a developed selfreliant India is within reach with regional strengths contributing to a stronger national identityIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-meets-new-niti-aayog-member-gobardhan-das-says-his-rich-work-will-enrich-policy-making-671322.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/is-the-bjp-breaching-sachin-pilots-fortress-nitin-nabins-tonk-gambit-decoded-671329.html Jaipur April 27 IANS The BJP appears to be setting the stage for an aggressive political push in Rajasthan choosing Tonk long regarded as the political stronghold of Congress leader Sachin Pilot as the starting point of its National President Nitin Nabins maiden tour of the state on MondaynbspParty workers say the choice of Tonk is deliberate signalling the BJPs intent to challenge the Congress in regions where it has traditionally enjoyed influencenbspIn politics geography is strategy By choosing Tonk the BJP is stepping straight into Congress territory signalling that it is ready to challenge the opposition where it feels most secure This isnt optics its intent they addedTonk is not just another assembly seat it represents Pilots influence and Congresss emotional connect in Eastern Rajasthan A BJP show of strength here is being read as a direct political provocation and a calculated one The timing sharpens the intrigue With Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena also rooted in the region Tonk suddenly becomes more than symbolic it becomes a testing groundWhispers of leaders switching sides ahead of the rally have only heightened the political temperatureBehind the headlinegrabbing politics lies a methodical organisational push Nabin will inaugurate the Tonk district BJP office while simultaneously launching offices across multiple districts Bundi Pratapgarh Dungarpur Churu Pali and Barmer and laying the foundation stone in Jalore This is not just expansion its infrastructure politics Booth by booth district by district the BJP is tightening its gripWith Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and senior leadership in attendance the event is both a show of strength and an organisational reboot The BJPs confidence is quite highIn the 2023 Assembly elections it outperformed Congress in key eastern districts winning 13 seats against Congresss 8 Compared to 2018 the BJP has clearly gained ground here The BJP won 13 seats across the five key districts of Bharatpur Karauli Sawai Madhopur Dholpur and Dausa In contrast the Congress was confined to eight seats with one seat being claimed by an independent candidateNow the focus shifts can the BJP flip the remaining Congressheld seatsThe partys programme includes strengthen the network stay mobilised and prepare for the next electoral cycleNabins visit is as much about energising the cadre as it is about unsettling the opposition The Tonk move reveals a threelayered strategy enter opposition strongholds deepen grassroots structure and synchronise government and organisationThe grand Jaipur welcome complete with Yuva Morcha bike rallies and Mahila Morchas traditional Kalash procession adds momentum but the real action will be behind closed doors in the Core Committee meeting where electoral strategy will be finetunedCall it a soft launch of the BJPs next campaign or a psychological push into Congress territory Either way starting from Tonk is a statement the BJP is no longer playing defensive politics in Rajasthan By stepping into Sachin Pilots backyard the party is attempting something bigger reshaping the contest on its own termsThe question now is not whether this move is strategic The question is Will it work and how will it work and what will be its impact on Sachin Pilot who is presently leading the Congress show in Kerala as an observer of the Assembly elections in the stateIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/is-the-bjp-breaching-sachin-pilots-fortress-nitin-nabins-tonk-gambit-decoded-671329.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-supporters-hail-pm-modi-ahead-of-poll-rally-in-bengals-barrackpore-671333.html New Delhi April 27 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Barrackpore West Bengal on the final day of campaigning for the second phase of the assembly elections on MondaynbspThe rally venue is teeming with surge of supporters as well as common people wanting to have a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Many of them visibly excited and exhilarated over PM Modis rally voiced confidence in his leadership and shared what they expect from the new government after the ongoing Assembly electionsSpeaking ahead of the rally a BJP karyakarta highlighted the enthusiasm among party workers and their connection with the Prime MinisterWe work closely with the Prime Minister We are BJP karyakarta We have met him many times Meeting him makes us proud and energised The BJP is important here because many factories and industries are shut down Earlier Bengal was the capital from where it all started and then we had to face TMC in power for 15 years Now its time for the BJP a worker told IANSAnother supporter echoed similar sentiments expressing faith in PM Modis leadership and vision We are here to see PM Modi and indeed Modi hai to mumkin hai To support this principle we are here We want a Modi government for our betterment in West Bengal We want a doubleengine government the supporter saidThe Prime Ministers visit to Barrackpore on April 27 2026 is a key part of the Bharatiya Janata Partys BJP campaign strategy as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the state ahead of pollingMeanwhile political activity in West Bengal has intensified with parties making their last efforts to connect with voters The BJP has been raising issues such as industrial decline development and governance while also targeting the ruling Trinamool Congress over its long tenure in the stateEarlier on Sunday while addressing a Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Bangaon PM Modi invoked Subhas Chandra Bose and said Bengal has everything The people of Bengal have abundant capability so Bengal can once again become the number one state in the country We just need to remember Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses call Netaji had said Give me blood and I will give you freedom In response to Netajis call the countrymen sacrificed everything they had Today Bengal needs just one vote from you Give us your blessings give us your vote and we will free you from TMCIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-supporters-hail-pm-modi-ahead-of-poll-rally-in-bengals-barrackpore-671333.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/azharuddin-kodandaram-take-oath-as-telangana-mlcs-671339.html Hyderabad April 27 Telangana Minister for Minority Welfare Mohammad Azharuddin and Professor M Kodandaram Reddy on Monday took oath as members of the states Legislative Council Council Chairman G Sukhender Reddy administered the oath to them at an event held in the Assembly buildingChief Minister A Revanth Reddy his Cabinet colleagues state Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud and other leaders of the ruling Congress party attended the eventGovernor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday nominated Azharuddin and Kodandaram as members of the Legislative Council under the Governorâs quotaHowever the nominations will be subject to the final outcome of all the appeals pending in this regard reads the notification issued by the state governmentAccording to the notification Azharuddin and Kodandaram have been nominated in place of D Rajeshwar Rao and Farooq Hussain whose term expired on May 27 2023Azharuddinâs nomination as MLC came as a huge relief for the former Indian cricket captain and the ruling Congress partySworn in as the minister on October 31 2025 Azharuddin was constitutionally required to get elected to either the Assembly or the Council by April 30 to continue in the CabinetKodandaram a key figure in the movement for statehood to Telangana is the leader of Telangana Jana Samithi TJS which had supported the Congress party in the 2023 electionsThe nominations ended a long period of uncertainty The Telangana Cabinet had recommended the names of Azharuddin and Kodandaram for nomination to the Council under the Governorâs quota on August 30 2025 However the Governor has not cleared the nominations due to a case pending in the Supreme CourtChief Minister A Revanth Reddy had met the Governor on April 19 to request him to approve the pending nominationsLast month the Chief Minister had cited the Supreme Courtâs observation that it had no objection in the matter and that the state government was free to pursue the issue with the Governor for clearanceThe Cabinetâs decision to nominate them as MLCs in August last year came two weeks after the Supreme Court stayed the appointment of Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan as MLCs under the Governorâs quotaBoth Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan were sworn in as MLCs in 2024 The apex court gave a stay on a petition filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS leaders Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana challenging the nominations made by the state governmentKodandaram and Amer Ali Khan were nominated as MLCs in January 2024 but the High Court set aside the nomination in March on petitions by Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana whose nomination as MLCs was recommended by the previous government of BRS in July 2023 The same was rejected by thenGovernor Tamilisai Soundararajan on the grounds that the two were âpolitically aligned personsâThe High Court had quashed the Governorâs decision holding that the Governor can only return the governmentâs recommendation for reconsiderationFollowing the High Court order the BRS leaders had requested the Governor to nominate them as MLCs However as the BRS had lost power to Congress the Governor rejected the requestSravan and Satyanarayana had challenged the Governorâs refusal in the Supreme Court IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/azharuddin-kodandaram-take-oath-as-telangana-mlcs-671339.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mangaluru-blast-verdict-likely-today-will-act-based-on-outcome-ktaka-home-minister-671345.html Bengaluru April 27 Ahead of the verdict by the Special NIA court in the Mangaluru cooker bomb blast case Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said he expects a fair judgment and that the government will take further action based on the outcome Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru the Minister said the court is expected to pronounce its verdict in the case today âThe police department has done everything required under the law They have collected the necessary evidence and submitted it I expect a just verdict Let us wait and watchâ he saidResponding to allegations made by the BJP regarding the case Parameshwara said two aspects must be kept in mind âOne is the political narrative where statements are made as part of public discourse We have observed the opposition making such remarksâ he notedHowever he stressed that the legal process remains paramount âWhat is important is what needs to be done legally The court will announce its verdict today and we will decide on further action based on the outcomeâ he addedThe Special NIA court for terrorism cases in Bengaluru has accepted a guilty plea filed by Mohammed Shariq the main accused in the Mangaluru cooker bomb blast case The blast occurred inside an autorickshaw in the coastal city on November 19 2022The accused No 1 Mohammed Shariq is known as Shariq aka Mohammed Sharik Premraj Hutagi aka Premraj aka Gowli Arun Kumar Shariq 27 who hails from Shivamogga admitted to the charges nearly three years after the explosion inside an autorickshaw on November 19 2022 He initially pleaded not guilty when the court framed charges on April 20 2024 but reversed his stand in December 2025 by submitting a fresh plea under Section 229 Conviction on plea of guilty of the Code of Criminal Procedure CrPCShariq suffered severe burns when the pressure cooker bomb he was allegedly transporting to be planted in Mangaluru detonated prematurely on his lap due to a faulty timer setting The NIA arrested him soon after he was discharged from a Mangaluru hospitalAccording to the NIA Shariq is part of an Islamic Stateinspired Shivamogga module connected to multiple terrorlinked incidents since 2020 At the time of the blast he was already wanted in a September 2022 Shivamogga case involving IED testing by the same module He was arrested in 2020 for writing antinational graffiti in MangaluruThe module is also accused of the March 1 2024 Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru where investigators believe an IED similar to the one allegedly carried by Shariq was planted by founding member Mussavir Hussain along with the nowarrested Abdul Matheen Taha IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mangaluru-blast-verdict-likely-today-will-act-based-on-outcome-ktaka-home-minister-671345.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktr-urges-brs-cadres-to-pledge-to-protect-telangana-671354.html Hyderabad April 27 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president K T Rama Rao on Monday called upon party cadres to take a pledge on the partyâs Foundation Day to protect Telangana alleging that the state is facing destruction under the Congress regime âOn the Partys foundation day let us pledge once again To protect Telangana let us rise once more and stand united in millionsâ KTR posted on âXâThe former minister urged the party cadres to rededicate themselves to the reconstruction of Telangana on the occasion of its 26th Foundation DayKTR stated that as the party was born out of a movement BRS forced Delhi to achieve the goal of a separate state He also claimed that as the ruling party for a decade it steered Telangana on the path of progress âToday as the main opposition party we are standing firm for the cause of millions of people sounding the war trumpet against the inept government and standing tall as the voice of Telanganaâ he wroteKTR termed BRS a symbol of its unbreakable bond with the people and described the pink flag as representing Telanganaâs selfrespecting political identityKTR said that the journey of the party for twoandahalf decades under K Chandrasekhar Rao was marked by historic struggles and achievementsEarlier in the day he hoisted the party flag at the BRS headquarters Telangana Bhavan to mark the Foundation Day with several party leaders participating in the celebrationsHe declined to comment on certain remarks made by his sister K Kavitha who floated a new political party called Telangana Rashtra Sena TRS on April 25 Kavitha who had quit BRS last year after being suspended by his father and the party president K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR had criticised both KCR and KTRKavitha had called KCR a changed man and also remarked that KTR knows nothingBRS organised the formation day celebrations across the state KTR had called upon the party cadres to hoist party flags in every village town constituency and district headquarters to mark the dayKTR during a teleconference with party leaders on Sunday explained that in light of the massive public meeting recently held in Jagtial and keeping the current intense summer heat in mind the plenary session has been limited to a State Executive Committee meeting this timeThe invitations for this meeting have been extended exclusively to State Executive Committee members MPs MLAs MLCs district presidents former public representatives and former chairpersons of various corporations KCR had floated Telangana Rashtra Samithi TRS in 2001 to revive the Telangana movement The separate state became a reality on June 2 2014 In 2022 TRS changed its name to BRS with KCR planning to expand the party to other statesHowever after ruling Telangana for nearly a decade the BRS lost power to Congress in Telangana in 2023 The party suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well drawing a blank its worstever performance IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktr-urges-brs-cadres-to-pledge-to-protect-telangana-671354.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hopeful-and-happy-enthusiastic-crowds-throng-gangtok-streets-for-pm-modis-roadshow-671360.html Gangtok April 27 Large crowds gathered in Gangtok as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived for the closing ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkims statehood Enthusiastic residents lined both sides of the roads for the Prime Ministers roadshow waving the tricolour and dressed in traditional attire Elaborate security arrangements were put in place across the city for the highprofile visitGangtok was adorned with national flags along the route stretching from Biralu Dwar to MG Marg creating a festive atmosphere as people eagerly awaited the Prime Ministers arrivalLocals expressed excitement and hope ahead of the visit Speaking to reporters entrepreneur Deewakar Basnet said I think one of the first things I would like to say is that we are very thankful to the Prime Minister for visiting Sikkim on the occasion of the 50th year of statehood celebration One of the biggest expectations is that the Prime Minister will provide justice and work to lift up Sikkims deprived communities and this is something that everyone here is hopeful for Apart from that I believe he will certainly talk about the future of Sikkim and what expectations India has from us during his visits today and tomorrowLast year the Prime Minister was unable to make it to the celebrations due to the weather but this time we are hopeful and happy that he will grace us on the occasion of the closing ceremony he added Following his arrival a twokilometrelong cultural roadshow has been planned to welcome the Prime Minister as he travels to Lok Bhawan where he will stay overnightThe visit is part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Sikkims statehood Notably this marks his second attempt to attend the commemorative event within a year after adverse weather conditions last year prevented him from reaching GangtokOn April 28 he is scheduled to visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok developed as a worldclass Orchid Experience Centre to showcase the states rich ecological and floral heritageLater at around 10 am PM Modi will attend the concluding ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebrations at Paljor Stadium where he will inaugurate launch and lay the foundation stone of projects spanning sectors such as infrastructure connectivity healthcare education power urban development environment tourism and agriculture He will also address the gatheringIn the healthcare sector the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a 100bedded Ayurveda hospital at Yangang in Namchi district and inaugurate a 30bedded Integrated Sowa Rigpa Hospital at NIT DeoraliIn education he will inaugurate the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang the administrative block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence at Chakung Helen Lepcha Medical College at Socheygang and Dentam Professional College in the Gyalshing districtModel residential schools at Hee Gyathang a new Model Degree College at Mangshila and a monastic hostelcumclassroom at Boomtar Gumpa will also be inauguratedAdditionally ITenabled infrastructure projects across 160 schools will be launchedTo boost connectivity PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for two doublelane steel arch bridges over the Teesta river at Sirwani and Lower Samdong and inaugurate the upgraded road from Birdhang to Namchi via KitchudumraIn the power sector he will inaugurate the revamping of the transmission and distribution network in GangtokUnder urban development projects to be inaugurated include the Jan Seva Sachivalaya at Lumsey the Civil Service Officers Institute in Gangtok housing initiatives under the Sikkim Urban Garib Awas Yojana and quarters for police personnelThe foundation stone for a Sadhbhav Mandap at MG Marg will also be laidEnvironmental initiatives include laying the foundation stone for a sewerage system rehabilitation project at Singtam and inaugurating the River Rani Chu pollution abatement schemeIn tourism the Prime Minister will inaugurate the redevelopment of the Ridge Precinct in Gangtok ecotourism and pilgrimage infrastructure at Dodak facilities related to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and a Yatri Niwas at Krishna Pranami MangaldhamThe foundation stone for an EcoPilgrimage Complex at Silnon will also be laidHe will also inaugurate the Sikkim IFFCO Processing Plant aimed at boosting agroprocessing and farmer incomes along with indoor cricket facilities at Mining in Pakyong district IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hopeful-and-happy-enthusiastic-crowds-throng-gangtok-streets-for-pm-modis-roadshow-671360.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/dy-cm-shivakumars-talks-with-high-command-routine-karnataka-hm-671364.html Bengaluru April 27 Regarding the meeting of the DK brothers Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and former MP DK Suresh with the party high command in New Delhi Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara said such developments are part of politics Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Monday he remarked that this is what defines politics and such situations are naturalOn his meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah he said it is also part of political activityHe added that the state Congress President Shivakumar had gone to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss issues related to the state and matters concerning the Defence sectorResponding to DK Shivakumarâs statement that whatever discussions took place would eventually come out Parameshwara said it was a political statement and does not require further interpretation He said they simply held a meeting and returned after having a mealOn Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholiâs remark that the government is facing hurdles from AHINDA communities in fulfilling its promises Parameshwara said it was Jarkiholiâs personal statement and he has no comments to offer on itOn the discussion that there is no timebound deadline for the caste census report HM Parameshwara said it could be delayed due to various reasonsHe noted that factors such as elections political developments and Assembly sessions may influence the timeline and it may take some more timeHe added that he does not have detailed information on the matter and it would not be appropriate for him to comment furtherOn the issue of black marketing of IPL tickets and the filing of an FIR he said that if an FIR has been registered the police will take action against those involvedHe stressed that there is no permission for black ticket sales and if anyone is found selling tickets illegally action will be takenHe said the police will verify the allegations He clarified that ticket sales are conducted online and the government has no direct role in the process as it has been left to the authorities concerned The details mentioned in the FIR will be examined IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/dy-cm-shivakumars-talks-with-high-command-routine-karnataka-hm-671364.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jharkhand-hc-pulls-up-govt-over-coal-mine-safety-asks-chief-inspector-of-factories-to-appear-671373.html Ranchi April 27 The Jharkhand High Court on Monday took a strict stance on the safety health and rights of coal mine workers Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue a division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad directed the stateâs Chief Inspector of Factories to appear in person at the next date of hearingThe Supreme Court in recent years has issued stringent directions concerning the safety of mine workers and their right to life The apex court had clearly stated that the life and health of those working in mines are of paramount importance and that negligence at any level would not be toleratedIn this context the Supreme Court had asked all High Courts across the country to monitor the issue following which the Jharkhand High Court initiated these proceedingsDuring the hearing on Monday the state government submitted a review report on inspections of major coal mines and factories along with an assessment of compliance with safety standards to the High CourtHowever the bench expressed deep dissatisfaction with the report observing that there remained a significant gap between conditions on the ground and compliance with prescribed safety normsIt sought details from the government on concrete steps taken so far to ensure workersâ safety during hazardous operations and to safeguard their healthThe court categorically directed that safety rules must be strictly enforced in mines adequate medical facilities must be ensured for workers and illegal mining must be completely curbedThe High Court further asked the state to provide comprehensive information on progress made towards the regularisation of contract workers payment of minimum wages and implementation of welfare schemes for mine workersTaking note of the seriousness of the matter the court directed the Chief Inspector of Factories to remain personally present on the next date of hearing and explain what measures have been taken so far to implement the courtâs directions IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jharkhand-hc-pulls-up-govt-over-coal-mine-safety-asks-chief-inspector-of-factories-to-appear-671373.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/making-rg-kar-victims-mother-candidate-proves-bjps-commitment-towards-womens-safety-says-pm-modi-671234.html Kolkata April 26 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that standing with and nominating the mother of the RG Kar rapemurder victim as a party candidate in the West Bengal Assembly elections has proved the Bharatiya Janata Partys commitment towards womens safety in the statenbspSwapna Debnath the mother of the woman doctor of staterun RG Kar Medical College ampamp Hospital in Kolkata who was raped and murdered within the hospital premises in August 2024 is the BJP candidate from Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district which houses the ancestral residence of the victimMother and sisters have been victims of jungle rule in the Trinamool Congress regime The anger in their eyes is visible the most the reflections of which were felt in the huge polling percentage in the first phase of the Assembly polls on April 23 PM Modi saidGoons tortured sisters in Sandeshkhali and they got the backing of the Trinamool Congress Mothers and sisters are constantly abused in West Bengal by the ruling partys goons Do not forget this Girls have been going missing every day since the current regime in West Bengal came into power Trinamool Congress does care about women But the BJP is committed to womens safety he saidIn the 2024 Lok Sabha polls we nominated one sister from Sandeshkhali who protested the atrocities against women there One sister became a victim at a hospital in Kolkata Giving nomination to her mother as a party candidate this time proves BJPs commitment towards womens safety in West Bengal the Prime Minister said at a campaign rally at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district in the afternoonSpeaking on the occasion the Prime Minister also said that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal this time the focus will not just be on ensuring womens safety but also enabling overall womens empowermentThe new government will ensure that all women coming from financially backward sections are able to earn at least a lakh a year If they want to get bank loans at affordable interest rates to start a new business like eateries at affordable interest rates your brother Modi will give the guarantee for that Apart from that the women in West Bengal will be provided with a monthly allowance of Rs 3000 which will amount to Rs 36000 a year At the same time 33 per cent of the state government jobs will be reserved for women the Prime Minister saidPM Modi also took a caustic remark at the Trinamool Congress over his jhalmuri break in the middle of the BJPs poll campaign saying that this has given shock to some people a remark addressed to the ruling party leaders mocking him over snacking on a local street foodThe reels and videos of Bengali youth are being praised on social media nationally I have also seen some of this creative content Those who are so annoyed by my jhalmuri break do not like the creativity of the youth of Bengal BJP will make content creation the strength of Bengal he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/making-rg-kar-victims-mother-candidate-proves-bjps-commitment-towards-womens-safety-says-pm-modi-671234.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/piyush-goyal-new-zealand-trade-minister-hold-discussions-with-exporters-in-agra-671238.html New Delhi April 26 IANS Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealands Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay met with leaders from the leather and footwear AYUSH pharma medical devices light engineering and sports goods sectors in Agra on SundaynbspHad an enriching engagement with the business leaders and was also joined by my friend Mr Todd McClay MP Minister for Trade ampamp Investment New Zealand Goyal wrote on XAlso launched the Agra World Capital of Footwear brand campaign celebrating the skills of our artisans and women entrepreneurs and positioning Agra as a global sourcing destination employment engine and export powerhouse the minister saidGoyal further stated that the IndiaNew Zealand FTA marks a defining milestone unlocking new opportunities for our farmers women artisans MSMEs businesses and skilled professionalsIn line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision this agreement is a gateway to a deeper more enduring and peoplecentred partnership between our two nations he addedMcClay reaffirmed that India is a strategic priority for New Zealand and urged businesses to actively pursue joint ventures and investment in IndiaIndia and New Zealand will sign the Free Trade Agreement FTA on Monday which will remove tariffs on 100 per cent of Indias exports to New Zealand and either sharply reduce or remove tariffs on 95 per cent of the countrys imports from New ZealandThe deal will provide India with immediate dutyfree access on 100 per cent of tariff lines This is down from the 10 per cent tariff New Zealand currently levies on about 450 tariff lines that India exports including textiles and apparel products leather and headgear ceramics carpets and automobiles and auto componentsIndia has also managed to keep several items out of the FTA including all dairy products such as milk cream whey yoghurt and cheese as well as farm productsThe FTA also includes a provision wherein New Zealand will invest 20 billion in India over 15 years This is in the same vein as the 100 billion investment commitment the European Free Trade Association made in their FTA with IndiaBesides the FTA also includes several provisions relating to the mobility of working professionals and students New Zealand has signed an annex on student mobility and poststudy work visas for the first time with any country Under this Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying in New Zealand with extended poststudy work visasFurther the agreement includes a quota of 5000 visas for skilled Indians for a stay of up to three years in the sectors of interest to India which include AYUSH practitioners yoga instructors chefs and music teachers as well as other key sectors such as IT engineering healthcare education and constructionUnder the Working Holiday Visa programme included in the agreement 1000 young Indians annually can avail multiple entries in New Zealand for a period of 12 monthsIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/piyush-goyal-new-zealand-trade-minister-hold-discussions-with-exporters-in-agra-671238.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/amit-shah-jeet-adani-cm-bhupendra-patel-cast-votes-as-gujarat-local-body-polls-underway-671239.html Ahmedabad April 26 IANS Voting for local body elections in Gujarat began on Sunday with prominent political leaders and public figures stepping out early to cast their ballots underscoring the importance of grassroots democracy in the statenbspAmong those who voted were Adani Airport Holdings Ltd Director Jeet Adani and his wife Diva Shah who exercised their franchise at a polling station in Ahmedabad amid ongoing voting across the stateUnion Home Minister Amit Shah also cast his vote along with his family at a polling booth in GandhinagarHe was accompanied by his wife Sonal Shah son Jay Shah and daughterinlaw Rishita PatelAfter voting Shah visited a temple and offered prayers and the family was seen displaying their inked fingersGujarat Chief Minister Patel cast his vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad soon after polling commenced at 7 amCalling the elections a festival of democracy Patel urged citizens to participate actively describing voting as an important civic dutyLocal body elections are being held in Gujarat today This is a celebration of democracy and every citizen should take part and fulfil their responsibility he saidChief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also voted in Surat and expressed confidence in strong public participationHe said that people across Gujarat were turning out in large numbers to strengthen what he described as the politics of development championed by Prime Minister Narendra ModiSanghavi added that citizens were enthusiastic and ready to contribute to the states development journeyToday along with my family people from the city and across the state have cast their votes The citizens of Gujarat have stepped forward to further reinforce Prime Minister Modis developmentdriven politics he saidPolling is being held for 15 municipal corporations including Ahmedabad Surat Vadodara and Rajkot along with 84 municipalities 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on April 28IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/amit-shah-jeet-adani-cm-bhupendra-patel-cast-votes-as-gujarat-local-body-polls-underway-671239.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vice-prez-radhakrishnan-to-lead-centenary-celebrations-of-andhra-university-tomorrow-671250.html New Delhi April 26 IANS VicePresident VP CP Radhakrishnan will address students faculty and alumni at the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam on Monday the first day of his twoday visit to Andhra Pradesh an official said on SundaynbspApart from the VicePresident cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and other dignitaries are expected to attend the celebrations on MondaynbspEarlier addressing the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur on Saturday VicePresident Radhakrishnan urged youth to become job creators and nationbuildersHe said the university continues to shape generations of thinkers leaders and changemakers committed to knowledge integrity and servicenbspCongratulating the graduating students he noted that a convocation marks both an end and a beginning urging them to use education as a tool for societal progressnbspHe emphasised that the true value of education lies in its application for innovation ethical conduct and the betterment of societynbspAndhra University ViceChancellor VC GP Raja Sekhar called upon alumni members to share your memories achievements and goodwill messages that will form part of the Centenary SouvenirHe asked them to send short video clips of nearly 60 seconds duration or halfpage writeups capturing their cherished memories of and association with Andhra University to be featured as part of the centenary documentationnbspVC Sekhar said the centenary year will culminate in a Grand Finale the grandest celebration in the universitys hundredyear historynbspThis will bring together alumni faculty distinguished guests students and wellwishers from across India and abroad for a historic occasion that marks the close of one century and the beginning of the next he noted in a statementAs part of the centenary year the university instituted Vaarotsavam the Centenary Celebrations Week which is being held from April 18 at the Andhra University campusnbspThe Vaarotsavam is a standing open invitation to every alumnus of every batch every department and every era to return to the campus reconnect with friends and mentors relive cherished memories and participate in the vibrant life of the University No formal registration is necessary to feel welcome Andhra University is and will always be your home the Vice Chancellor said in an invitation to the alumninbspThe universitys centenary events began on March 26 with the International Students Cultural Festival at the Andhra University Convention CentreIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vice-prez-radhakrishnan-to-lead-centenary-celebrations-of-andhra-university-tomorrow-671250.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/de-addiction-possible-with-awareness-law-enforcement-sameer-wankhede-671176.html Mumbai April 26 Indian Railway Service officer Sameer Wankhede who attended a Hindu conference in Mumbai told the news agency IANS that the programme is very commendableâ He said that his primary focus has always been on initiatives aimed at deaddiction and that when society unites on such critical issues collective efforts combined with effective law enforcement can bring about meaningful changeâSameer Wankhede stated that he has also made an appeal to the Hindu communityâHe said that he has requested all those present including attendees and religious leaders to educate the public through religious scriptures as the principles of deaddiction are enshrined in both Buddhism and HinduismâHe added that he has come to stand in support of the Hindu community and that if people come together they can put a stop to this menaceâHe said that if 100 per cent implementation of the law and public awareness go hand in hand they can successfully fight against drug abuseâHe further remarked that the Hindu community constitutes a vast segment of the nationâs population and that if awareness regarding the fight against drugs takes root within this community drug peddlers will be unable to thrive within societyâHe noted that he has encountered such cases even during his tenure at the Narcotics Control BureauâHe added that those who supply narcotics to children must face severe punishmentIt is pertinent to mention that the Bombay High Court recently heard a petition seeking to quash cancel a First Information Report filed against Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer WankhedeâThis case stems from allegations that Wankhede demanded a bribe from superstar Shah Rukh KhanâDuring the hearing Sameer Wankhede categorically denied all these allegationsâHe asserted that he had not demanded a bribe from Shah Rukh Khan or anyone else in connection with the Cordelia cruise drug caseâIt was in this very case that Shah Rukh Khans son Aryan Khan was arrestedâSenior Counsel Abad Ponda represented Wankhede in courtâHe presented brief arguments before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman ShyamâPonda informed the court that his client neither demanded money from anyone nor accepted any sum as alleged in the Central Bureau of Investigations First Information ReportâHe stated that no concrete evidence has been presented thus far in this case which has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Actâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/de-addiction-possible-with-awareness-law-enforcement-sameer-wankhede-671176.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-local-body-elections-to-be-held-today-across-393-civic-bodies-671179.html New Delhi April 26 Voting for Gujaratâs extensive local body elections is set to take place on Sunday covering 393 selfgovernment institutions across the state The elections include 15 municipal corporations 84 municipalities 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats making it a major democratic exercisePolling is scheduled to begin at 700 AM and will conclude at 600 PM If necessary repolling will be conducted the following day The counting of votes will take place on April 28These elections are particularly significant as they are being viewed as a key barometer of public sentiment ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections scheduled for the end of next year as well as the general elections expected within the next two years More than 418 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes with turnout expected to be high across nearly 50000 polling stationsA total of 9992 local representatives are being elected After withdrawals more than 20000 candidates remain in the fray while several candidates have already been elected unopposedThe contest is multicornered with the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Congress Aam Aadmi Party AAP and independent candidates competing across the state The BJP currently holds control over the municipal corporations of Ahmedabad Surat Vadodara and Rajkot all of which are politically significant and expected to influence the broader electoral landscapeThis election cycle is also notable as it is being conducted under revised reservation norms for Other Backward Classes OBCs providing 27 percent reservation The changes required extensive delimitation and ward restructuring in several districts Along with existing reservations for Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes and women these reforms are expected to reshape local governance bodies across Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-local-body-elections-to-be-held-today-across-393-civic-bodies-671179.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/this-is-opportunism-ts-singh-deo-on-7-aap-mps-joining-bjp-671199.html New Delhi April 26 Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Sunday strongly criticised Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha and six other MPs who left the Aam Aadmi Party AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP calling it a case of political opportunism and a decline in political values Speaking to IANS he said âThis is opportunism The focus has become how to remain in power and how to gain benefits from it and examples of this are emerging one after another The political character of the country has declined rapidly and deeply which is unfortunate Otherwise people come and go and the public observes themThey earlier used to call the Bharatiya Janata Party a group of goons this is on record and openly spoke against them on policy matters Now they are saying that the Aam Aadmi Party has deviated from its principles which is why they have joined another partyâ he addedEarlier Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also reacted to the developments saying âBoth Arvind Kejriwalâs Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party are claimed to be offshoots of the RSS Both are said to be part of the same larger system It does not make much difference whether someone moves from one side to the other Our allegation is that Arvind Kejriwal has shifted people according to his convenience so that there is no problem in securing a twothirds majority on the impeachment motion being brought against Gyanesh KumarâEarlier on Friday Raghav Chadha effectively announced a major political shift stating that he along with rebel MPs had submitted documents showing the support of seven lawmakers for their move to the Rajya Sabha Chairman He said the AAPâs Rajya Sabha legislature party was splitting with the group of seven MPs joining the ruling BJPHe made the announcement during a press conference alongside fellow lawmakers Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal He later posted on X âToday exercising the provisions of the Constitution of India more than twothirds of the AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha have merged with the BJP Seven MPs have signed the document which was submitted to the Honâble Chairman of the Rajya SabhaâChadha also personally submitted the signed documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman The MPs involved in the move include Swati Maliwal Harbhajan Singh Sandeep Pathak Ashok Mittal Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahni With the reported split AAPâs strength in the Rajya Sabha is likely to reduce significantly from 10 members to just three IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/this-is-opportunism-ts-singh-deo-on-7-aap-mps-joining-bjp-671199.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-houses-of-two-kolkata-businessmen-in-sona-pappu-syndicate-case-671205.html Kolkata April 26 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Sunday was conducting searches at three places including the houses of two businessmen in Anandapur and Alipore areas in Kolkata According to ED officials this search was linked to its investigation into a criminallinked syndicate of Sona Pappu alias Biswajit PoddarThe ED has already arrested Joy Kamdar a businessman close to Sona Pappu Kamdar is currently in the EDs custody It is reported that these businessmen whose premises are being searched were traced after questioning Joy KamdarSeveral ED teams accompanied by central forces left the CGO complex in Salt Lake in the morningA search is underway at a businessmans house in a wellknown area in Anandapur A team has also gone to Alipore Sources said that the ED teams are investigating whether the businessmen have any connection with Joys investmentsThe raid was conducted to investigate a money laundering case against Sona Pappu who is booked in multiple cases including attempted murder and extortion said an ED officialMore details are awaitedSona Pappu allegedly runs syndicates in the South Kolkata areas of Kasba and Ballygunge and has several FIRs against him over various allegations He is also a prime accused in the Golpark clashes that took place in February He is at present absconding but from time to time he comes online on social media to target the central investigation agency for harassing his family membersIt is alleged that Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas was also involved in financial transactions with Joy ED conducted a search at Biswas house earlier this monthThe ED raids come amid the ongoing Assembly elections in the state The first phase of voting has been completed in 152 Assembly constituencies and the second phase of voting will be held in the remaining 142 constituencies on April 29The political parties have been campaigning vigorously Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to the state again on Sunday He will hold a roadshow in North KolkataThe ruling party Trinamool Congress has questioned the central agencys excessive activity in the runup to the elections The party has alleged that the ruling BJP at the Centre is using agencies for political gain IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-houses-of-two-kolkata-businessmen-in-sona-pappu-syndicate-case-671205.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/centre-sanctions-over-rs-947-crore-for-relief-rehabilitation-of-manipur-violence-victims-671226.html Imphal April 26 The Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA has approved Rs 42436 crore for the operation of relief camps set up by the Manipur government to provide shelter to people affected by the ethnic violence in the state officials said According to the state Home Department the MHA has also sanctioned Rs 523 crore for the rehabilitation of violenceaffected Internally Displaced Persons IDPs These details were shared in response to an RTI query filed by senior Manipur Congress leader Hareshwar GoshwamiThe Home Department reported that 58881 people have been displaced from their homes in villages due to the ethnic violence in the state from May 3 2023 until March 30 2026As per the RTI reply 174 relief camps were operational as of March 10 2026 Additionally 3000 prefabricated houses have been constructed by the Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd to provide temporary accommodation for displaced personsRegarding casualties the department stated that 217 deaths have been recorded in connection with the violence based on ex gratia payments made to the next of kin NoKThe violence has also caused widespread destruction of private and government properties with 7894 permanent houses completely destroyed and 2646 houses partially damaged since May 3 2023The ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei and KukiZo communities on May 3 2023 following a âTribal Solidarity Marchâ organised in the hill districts The march was held to protest the Meitei communityâs demand for Scheduled Tribe statusMeiteis constitute about 53 per cent of Manipurâs population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley which comprises five to six districts Tribal communities including Nagas and Kukis make up around 40 per cent of the population and largely inhabit the stateâs eleven hill districtsIn response to the crisis the state government had initially set up more than 300 relief camps across the Imphal Valley and hill regions providing shelter to nearly 60000 displaced men women and childrenWith the gradual improvement in the situation many individuals have since returned to their homes and villagesMeanwhile Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has stated that expediting the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs remains a top priority for the governmentHe noted that the Centre has extended substantial support for constructing permanent housing compensating losses of personal belongings and movable assets and assisting in the repair of partially damaged homesFurthermore an allocation of Rs 734 crore has been made in the 202627 Budget to accelerate the rehabilitation and resettlement efforts for those affected by the violence IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/centre-sanctions-over-rs-947-crore-for-relief-rehabilitation-of-manipur-violence-victims-671226.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/speaker-khaders-letter-seeking-withdrawal-of-dargah-riot-cases-sparks-controversy-in-karnataka-671103.html Bengaluru April 25 A fresh controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Assembly Speaker UT Khader wrote to Home Minister G Parameshwara seeking a review and possible withdrawal of cases against alleged âinnocent Muslim youthâ in connection with the 2022 Ladle Mashak Dargah violence case The letter has also reignited the Ladle Mashak Dargah dispute in Aland town of Kalaburagi district which had triggered widespread unrest in 2022 Khader in his letter has urged the government to review the case and drop charges against those he claims were falsely implicatedThe Speakerâs move has drawn strong opposition from Hindu organisations including Shiv Sena which have condemned the request and warned the government against withdrawing the cases They have stated that the incident involved serious violence and that any attempt to drop charges would lead to largescale protestsHindu groups have also alleged that the move could send a wrong message and undermine justice for those affected in the incident They have demanded that the government ensure a fair investigation and proceed strictly according to the lawThe case pertains to an incident at the Ladle Mashak Dargah where the Sri Raghav Chaitanya Shivalinga is located Tensions had escalated after allegations that the Shivalinga was desecrated by miscreants In response members of Hindu organisations had visited the site to perform purification ritualsDuring the event largescale violence broke out with stonepelting reported against vehicles and individuals including a Union Minister district officials such as the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police and leaders of Hindu organisations Several people were injured in the incidentFollowing the violence Aland police registered cases against hundreds of persons including an alleged key accused identified as Ansari However Khader has now contended that several innocent Muslim youths were also named in the case and charges against them should be droppedThe development has once again brought the Ladle Mashak Dargah case into focus with the issue threatening to trigger renewed political and communal tensions in the stateIt can be noted that the Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland Kalaburagi district is a 14thcentury Sufi shrine dedicated to Hazrat Sheikh Alauddin Ansari popularly known as Ladle Mashaikh Historically significant for promoting communal harmony the shrine has traditionally hosted both Sufi Urs celebrations and Hindu rituals dedicated to the Raghava Chaitanya Shivling which is located inside the complex The shrine was mentioned by the 15thcentury Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin as a major trading hub and pilgrimage site Urs where horses and various goods were traded referring to it as the best fair in IndiaFor centuries it has been a centre of blended culture where both Muslims and Hindus offered prayers IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/speaker-khaders-letter-seeking-withdrawal-of-dargah-riot-cases-sparks-controversy-in-karnataka-671103.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-arrives-in-jaipur-to-attend-rajasthan-university-convocation-671104.html New Delhi April 25 IANS VicePresident CP Radhakrishnan arrived in Jaipur on Saturday to attend key programmes including the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors Day event marking a visit focussed on education healthcare and public welfare engagementsnbspnbspHis visit underscores continued highlevel participation in academic and social initiatives aimed at promoting serviceoriented developmentAccording to an official post shared by the VicePresidents social media handle VicePresident Shri CP Radhakrishnan was warmly welcomed at Jaipur International Airport upon his arrival by the Governor of Rajasthan Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Dr Prem Chand Bairwa and other dignitaries The VicePresident will attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and the 23rd Cancer Survivors Day of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre todayThe VicePresident will also participate in the 23rd Cancer Survivors Day organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre reflecting the emphasis on patient care awareness and support systems for survivorsThe event is expected to highlight advancements in cancer treatment and the importance of communitydriven healthcare initiativesEarlier VP Radhakrishnan chaired the sixth convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand on Thursday where he addressed graduating medical students and said that convocation marks not just the end of academic training but the beginning of a greater responsibility towards society and the nation He urged young doctors to serve with dedication compassion and a strong sense of purposeHe emphasised that healthcare is a public trust and a crucial pillar of nationbuilding encouraging graduates to focus on preventive care rural outreach research and innovation He also highlighted the spiritual and cultural importance of Rishikesh as a global centre of healing and reflection which adds deeper significance to such academic milestonesReferring to Indias response during the COVID19 pandemic the VicePresident praised the countrys resilience under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi He noted the success of the nationwide vaccination drive that reached more than 140 crore citizens and highlighted Indias global contribution through Vaccine Maitri under which vaccines were supplied to over 100 countries reinforcing Indias role in global health cooperationIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-arrives-in-jaipur-to-attend-rajasthan-university-convocation-671104.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-looks-to-replace-flagged-ogws-in-jampk-moves-to-reboot-student-outreach-plan-671113.html New Delhi April 25 In a bid to rebuild and revive its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan has been trying to set up a group of completely new overground workers OGWs The OGW network crucial for terror operations in the Valley has largely fallen following an intense crackdown by the Indian security agenciesAn official said that the new OGW network is being set up because most of them part of the old or existing guard have police records against themThe ones with police records are easy to track and this information has been used several times by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to nab these OGWs the official addedWhile attempts are being made to send in foreign fighters to Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan realises that they cannot operate without a strong OGW networkThis is the network that facilitates the movement of terrorists their shelter food and logisticsThe presence of a strong OGW network is key to a successful terrorist strike by terrorists Hence Pakistan is shunning many within the existing guard and looking for newer ones the official saidSome of the men who are on the target list include shopkeepers tour guides and unemployed youthAnother official said that Pakistan would not entirely dismantle its OGW networkIt would have a couple of them from the old guard to be part of the network These persons have experience and would be needed to train the newer lot the official addedThe ISI is also attempting to get the youth of Jammu and Kashmir onboard It is attempting to restart its earlier programme through which the ISI would sponsor the education of the youthThe education would be imparted in top universities and colleges abroad They would pick countries such as the US UK and Australia for the education of the youth Like in the past they would avoid taking the students to Pakistan and imparting education This would become too obvious and Pakistan would want to avoid thatOnce abroad the Pakistani agents would get in touch with these students and radicalise them The ISI will push money for the education of the youth discreetly so that the funding trail is not traced Once their education and radicalisation programme is completed they would return to Jammu and Kashmir where they would be expected to further the ISIs narrative and rope in more youth an official saidThese developments make it clear that Pakistan is desperate to reset its Kashmir plansA lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 The Indian government has been getting the youth into the mainstream and telling them to shun supporting terror and move away from the separatist mindsetPakistan on the other hand is facing heat from its terror groups and hardliners regarding the Kashmir issueThe establishment is being questioned about the lack of action in Jammu and Kashmir and why things have quietened downA majority of Pakistans policy is shaped around Kashmir and in the context of local politics raking up this issue is important for the ISI and ArmyOff late the infiltrations have been hard owing to heavy security Hence Pakistan is trying to take baby steps and trying to reshape the narrativeFor this it has decided to start from the ground level by rebuilding its OGW networkAt the same time it wants to recapture the minds of the youth in Kashmir This explains why it wants to restart its education funding programme This program in reality is not an educational programme but one that is aimed at radicalisation an official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-looks-to-replace-flagged-ogws-in-jampk-moves-to-reboot-student-outreach-plan-671113.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-alleges-historic-betrayal-of-scs-over-karnataka-govts-internal-reservation-move-671119.html Bengaluru April 25 Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party BJP President and MLA BY Vijayendra on Saturday criticised the Congressled state governments decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes alleging that it amounts to a historic betrayal of the community In a statement released Vijayendra said the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had backstabbed Scheduled Castes by delaying the implementation of reservation distribution as per Supreme Court directions for nearly twoandahalf yearsHe said the state government has now categorised Scheduled Castes into A B and C groups through a Cabinet decisionHe added that the previous BJP government under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommais leadership had increased reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15 to 17 per centHowever the State BJP President alleged that the present Congress government has reduced allocations within categoriesAccording to Vijayendra the quota for Category A has been reduced from 6 to 525 per cent while Category B has been cut from 55 per cent to 525 per cent resulting in injustice to multiple communities in the stateHe also alleged that the earlier allocation of 45 per cent for Banjara Bhovi Koracha and Korama communities along with a separate one per cent reservation for nomadic groups has been scrappedHe said these groups have now been merged into a single Category C and instead of a justified 55 per cent share they have been given only 45 per cent which he termed as another act of injusticeThe State BJP President also claimed that despite there being no stay order from the court the state government itself filed an affidavit agreeing to reduce the overall Scheduled Caste reservation from 17 to 15 per cent which led to the reductionCriticising the state governments handling of employment Vijayendra said lakhs of government posts remain vacant and have not been filledHe accused the Congress government of wasting nearly twoandahalf years in the name of internal reservation and now with only about two years left in its tenure announcing recruitment as a means to mislead the public including the Scheduled CastesHe also warned that senior Congress leaders including party President Mallikarjun Kharge Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar would have to pay a political price in the future for the alleged injustice done to Scheduled Castes in KarnatakaVijayendra said that if the Congress is truly committed to Scheduled Castes even now the state government should undertake an appropriate legal battle to retain the 17 per cent reservation implemented under the previous BJP governmentOtherwise the State BJP President cautioned the Congress may face a significant political decline in South IndiaIn a move aimed at ensuring justice to all communities within the Scheduled Castes the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday took a historic decision unanimously approving internal reservation in the ratio of 52552545 for left right and other communitiesSiddaramaiah announced that for communities categorised as left 525 per cent for Right 525 per cent and for other communities 45 per cent reservationAs announced in the Budget the state government will fill 56432 posts this year Notifications will be issued shortly and recruitment will be expedited Until the court gives a final judgment the 50 per cent reservation cap will be followed though the state government remains committed to implementing 56 per cent reservation in the future the Chief Minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-alleges-historic-betrayal-of-scs-over-karnataka-govts-internal-reservation-move-671119.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/v-p-radhakrishnan-urges-students-to-become-job-creators-nation-builders-671125.html Jaipur April 25 The VicePresident of India CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday urged youth to become job creators and nationbuilders while addressing the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur Gracing the programme as the chief guest the VicePresident described Rajasthan as a land of rich heritage bravery and cultural depth noting that Jaipur stands as a symbol of both tradition and progress He said the university continues to shape generations of thinkers leaders and changemakers committed to knowledge integrity and serviceCongratulating graduating students he said a convocation marks both an end and a beginning urging them to use education as a tool for societal progress He emphasised that the true value of education lies in its application for innovation ethical conduct and the betterment of societyReferring to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat he encouraged students to become innovators and employment generatorsHe also appreciated the efforts of the Rajasthan government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in promoting opportunities for the youthHighlighting womenâs empowerment the VicePresident expressed pride in the achievements of women graduates noting that a majority of gold medal winners in recent years have been women He stressed that a truly developed nation cannot exist without equal opportunity dignity and leadership roles for women and expressed hope that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would enhance womenâs representation in legislative bodiesAddressing the challenges of a rapidly changing world he urged students to think critically act ethically and embrace lifelong learningâExcellence without empathy and achievement without humility are incompleteâ he said calling on graduates to remain resilient and grounded in valuesHe also advised students to contribute meaningfully to society respect diversity avoid drugs and use social media constructivelyAmong those present on the occasion were Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal and ViceChancellor of the university Alpana Kateja IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/v-p-radhakrishnan-urges-students-to-become-job-creators-nation-builders-671125.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/once-a-judge-always-a-judge-says-cji-surya-kant-in-jaipur-671126.html Jaipur April 25 Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant on Saturday emphasised the continued importance of retired judges in strengthening the judiciary likening them to Rajasthans traditional bawris stepwells that serve as vital reservoirs during times of drought Addressing a oneday seminar titled The Bench Beyond Retirement in Jaipur the CJI said former judges act as a dependable resource during institutional stress much like stepwells that sustain communities in arid regionsDrawing from his roots in Churu he noted how people rely on bawris where rainwater accumulates over time and is used during droughtsOur former judges are like those bawris the CJI said noting that their wisdom and experience are often sought in courts Lok Adalats mediation and arbitration during crisisA judge never truly retires Once a judge always a judge he remarked underscoring that their experience cannot be replicated through committees or training programmesWe organise a farewell garland them speak warmly of their service and then quietly assume that the system will move on just fine without them Their chambers are vacated files are handed over and we move ahead But this assumption in my view is not just incorrect it is a wasteful tradition Because a judge never truly retires Once a judge always a judge The experience a judge carries cannot be replicated by any committee nor compressed into any training programmeThey do not carry merely the knowledge of law they carry the knowledge of people They have seen the struggles of a rural farmer whose life savings are at stake the anxieties of a firstgeneration entrepreneur the silent battles of families and individuals at their most vulnerable moments CJI Surya Kant said highlighting that retired judges bring not just legal expertise but also deep understanding of human issues having witnessed a wide range of societal challenges from rural distress to entrepreneurial struggles and personal disputesHe stressed that the trust earned by judges over decades is a national resource and warned that leaving it underutilised amounts to a public lossSuggesting a more structured role for former judges the CJI outlined four key areas where they could contribute significantly as mediators and arbitrators legal educators prelitigation counsellors and institution builders mentoring the next generation of legal professionalsLet me suggest four key roles where former judges can transform our justice system First as mediators and arbitrators where their stature and impartiality can resolve disputes efficiently Second as legal educators reaching schools colleges and even gram panchayats explaining rights in simple language to those who may not even know they possess them Third as prelitigation counsellors helping resolve conflicts before they turn into long exhausting legal battles And fourth as institution builders mentoring young mediators training legal aid lawyers and preserving institutional memory for future generationsWhile noting progress through initiatives like Lok Adalats and emerging arbitration centres the CJI called for a formal framework to engage retired judges with dignity and accountability instead of adhoc arrangementsReferring to poet Dushyant Kumar CJI Surya Kant underlined the enduring faith of common citizens in the judiciary and stressed the responsibility of strengthening that trustWoh aadmi nahin mukammal bayan hai Mathe pe uske chot ka gehra nishaan hai Fatehaal hai par jhole mein ek Samvidhaan haiQuoting lines about resilience in the face of adversity the CJI said that a robust system built on experience and wisdom can withstand even the toughest challengesLet us not allow our bawris to dry up in neglect he added urging preservation and meaningful engagement of retired judges to ensure accessible and enduring justiceHe concluded his address by saying Jisko toofanon se uljhne ki aadat ho Aisi kashti ko samandar bhi dua deta hai IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/once-a-judge-always-a-judge-says-cji-surya-kant-in-jaipur-671126.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-to-challenge-gauhati-hc-order-denying-relief-to-pawan-khera-in-supreme-court-671127.html New Delhi April 25 The Congress said on Saturday that it will challenge the Gauhati High Court order rejecting anticipatory bail to party leader Pawan Khera before the Supreme Court Congress General Secretary Communications Jairam Ramesh said that the party stands solidly in solidarity with Khera and expressed confidence that relief would be granted and justice would prevail over the politics of threat intimidation and harassmentThe entire Indian National Congress stands solidly in solidarity with Pawan Khera the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Department The verdict of the Guwahati High Court is in the process of being challenged in the Supreme Court We are confident that justice will prevail over the politics of threat intimidation and harassment Ramesh said in a post on social media platform XThe reaction comes a day after the Gauhati High Court rejected Kheras plea for anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR lodged in Assam over his alleged remarks against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas wife Riniki Bhuyan SharmaA singlejudge bench of Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia held that Khera does not deserve to be given the privilege of anticipatory bail and said the case could not be treated as one of defamation simpliciterThe case cannot be termed as a case of defamation simpliciter There are materials for a prima facie case under Section 339 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS 2023 Justice Saikia said while rejecting Kheras anticipatory bail pleaThe case stems from statements made by Khera during a press conference in Guwahati earlier this month where he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma held multiple foreign passports and had financial dealings abroadFollowing the remarks Riniki Bhuyan Sharma filed an FIR denying the allegations and asserting that she is solely an Indian citizenAppearing for Khera senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the statements were part of political rhetoric made in the context of electoral discourse and at best could amount to defamationHe also alleged political vendetta and apprehended harassment in the event of arrestHowever opposing the plea Assam Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia said that the allegations were based on documents later found to be false attracting serious offences beyond mere defamation under the Bharatiya Nyaya SanhitaIn its order the Guwahati High Court underlined the need for custodial interrogation to ascertain the source and authenticity of the documents relied upon by KheraThis Court is of the opinion that custodial interrogation is necessary to find out who are the associates of Mr Khera who had collected those documents for him and how and from where they had collected those documents the High Court order saidRejecting the argument of political motivation Gauhati High Court said that the accusations appeared to stem from a motive of furthering the ends of justice and found no material to suggest that the proceedings were intended to injure and humiliate the petitionerEarlier the Supreme Court had refused to grant Khera protection from arrest and declined to extend his transit anticipatory bail directing him to approach the competent court in Assam IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-to-challenge-gauhati-hc-order-denying-relief-to-pawan-khera-in-supreme-court-671127.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-cm-samrat-choudhary-meets-nitish-kumar-post-trust-vote-in-patna-671135.html Patna April 25 IANS After securing the vote of confidence in the Bihar Assembly Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reached 1 Anee Marg his official residence on Saturday to pay a courtesy visit to former Chief Minister Nitish KumarUnion Minister and JDU Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh was also present during the meeting which lasted for about 20 minutesWhile the exact details of the discussion have not been disclosed it is widely speculated that the talks revolved around the muchanticipated Cabinet expansion in BiharChief Minister Samrat Choudhary had proved his majority in the Bihar Assembly on FridayDuring the debate preceding the floor test Samrat Choudhary praised Nitish Kumar saying that the veteran JDU leader could neither be removed from his seat of power nor from their heartsHe credited Nitish Kumar with establishing good governance in the state and expressed confidence that Bihar would continue progressing under his guidanceHighlighting the former Chief Ministers contributions Samrat Choudhary said that over the past two decades Nitish Kumar has given Bihar a new identity by bringing farmers labourers and the underprivileged into the mainstreamHe also mentioned initiatives such as increased government employment opportunities the implementation of liquor ban and steps toward womens empowermentChief Minister Choudhary also clarified that the Bharatiya Janata Party has entrusted him with key responsibilities adding that positions of power are not personal property but a matter of public trustIt is worth noting that even after the formation of the new government the Cabinet in Bihar is yet to be expandedAt present all departments are being handled by the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad YadavAs a result political circles are closely watching for the Cabinet expansion which is expected in the coming daysEarlier on Saturday former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had also met Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav to deliberate on various issuesIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-cm-samrat-choudhary-meets-nitish-kumar-post-trust-vote-in-patna-671135.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/felt-disappointed-disgusted-raghav-chadha-on-aap-exit-says-party-fell-into-corrupt-hands--671142.html New Delhi April 25 IANS Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha said on Saturday that he and six other Members of Parliament chose to leave the Aam Aadmi Party AAP as the party had fallen into corrupt and compromised hands leaving them disappointed disenchanted and disgustedChadha triggered a major political development on Friday by announcing his resignation from AAP along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs Swati Maliwal Harbhajan Singh Sandeep Pathak Ashok Mittal Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahni all of whom are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPHe said that this group representing a twothirds faction of AAPs Rajya Sabha MPs will formally merge with the BJP in the coming daysSpeaking to the reporters Chadha said Every true patriot every individual who nurtured the Aam Aadmi Party with their very blood and sweat and who had joined the party with immense hope has either already left the AAP or is in the process of leaving it This is because every honest and hardworking person now feels that there is nothing left in this party The AAP is now going down the wrong path where no one wishes to maintain any association with it Hence one by one numerous leaders have left the Aam Aadmi PartyHe also added that the Constitution empowers elected MPs to take such decisions if they believe their party has deviated from its principlesIf they elected MPs feel that their party has fallen into corrupt and compromised hands or that the party is heading down the wrong path then they have the right to leave their party provided a sufficient number of MPs wish to do so To facilitate this a threshold requiring the support of twothirds or more of the elected members was established he saidReferring to the scale of the exit of large number of lawmakers from AAP Chadha added It is not just 23 but seven MPs who are collectively leaving the Aam Aadmi PartyThey are doing so because they believe that the Aam Aadmi Party has indeed fallen into corrupt and compromised hands And to those who claim specifically the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party that we left out of fear let us be clear we did not leave the Aam Aadmi Party out of fear we left because we felt disappointed disenchanted and disgusted he saidChadha also raised the longstanding Sheesh Mahal controversy calling it a decisive factor behind the partys defeat in the Delhi Assembly electionsAnd another significant issue is the Sheesh Mahal controversy currently unfolding in Delhi Indeed if there was one single overriding reason for the defeat in the Delhi elections the primary cause behind the Aam Aadmi Partys electoral loss it was precisely that Sheesh Mahal episode he saidThe development comes amid a sharp political attack by the BJP on Arvind Kejriwal following the exit of the seven MPs from AAPThe BJP described Kejriwal as the Rahman Dakait of Delhi and released fresh images of what it termed Sheesh Mahal 2Reacting to this Chadha said Yet even today less than a year after the conclusion of the Delhi elections the pictures of Sheesh Mahal 2 have emerged The Aam Aadmi Party should engage in deep introspection regarding all these issuesOne wonders how the dedicated party workers who remain with the Aam Aadmi Party will manage to answer the people when they are inevitably confronted with questions regarding the Sheesh Mahal controversy The Aam Aadmi Party should engage in selfreflection regarding this and give it careful consideration he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/felt-disappointed-disgusted-raghav-chadha-on-aap-exit-says-party-fell-into-corrupt-hands--671142.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-mlc-arrested-for-threatening-witnesses-in-drivers-murder-case-671000.html Amaravati April 24 Anantha Babu a member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council belonging to YSR Congress Party was arrested on Friday in the case of the murder of Dalit youth and driver Veedhi Subrahmanyam The Member of Legislative Council MLC was arrested by police in Rajamahendravaram amid high drama when he came out of a court after hearing on a petition for cancellation of his bailPolice personnel were deployed in large numbers outside the court to arrest the MLC who was accompanied by his wife Lakshmi Durga also an accused in the murder casePolice are likely to shift the MLC to Kakinada where he is likely to be produced before a court later in the dayPolice were on the lookout for Anantha Babu who had reportedly gone into hiding after being accused of violating bail conditions and intimidating key witnesses in the case Police had formed five special teams comprising five Circle Inspectors and 10 SubInspectors to nab the MLC A fresh case was registered at the Sarpavaram Police Station in Kakinada on April 20 following complaints by four key witnesses in the murder caseThey alleged that Anantha Babu had offered them substantial sums of money to change their statements They also alleged that when they refused the bribe they were met with death threats Three of them claimed that they were forcibly detained in an apartment by the MLCâs followers and were pressured to retract their previous statements and provide false testimony during the trial The MLC was booked for witness tampering and criminal intimidation Special Public Prosecutor Muppalla Subbarao had also filed a petition in the Rajahmundry Special Court seeking the immediate cancellation of Anantha Babuâs bail The petition argued that by attempting to influence witnesses and using threats the accused had breached the conditions set forth by the Supreme Court when he was granted bailThe Special Court had adjourned the hearing to FridayAnantha Babu whose real name is Anantha Uday Bhaskar is accused of killing his former driver Subrahmanyam and later delivering the body to the victimâs houseSubrahmanyam 34 was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Kakinada on May 19 2022 The MLC of the thenruling YSR Congress Party had personally transported the body to the victimâs parentsâ residence around 2 am in his own car claiming it was a road accidentThe family however suspected foul play and refused to accept the body The murder had sparked protests by the victimâs relatives and Dalit organisationsThe MLC was subsequently arrested and the YSRCP suspended him from the partyWith the investigating officer unable to submit the charge sheet within 90 days Anantha Babu was released on default bail in December 2022After coming to power in June 2024 the TDPled coalition government decided to reinvestigate the case In July 2025 the SCST Special Court ordered a reinvestigation into the case IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-mlc-arrested-for-threatening-witnesses-in-drivers-murder-case-671000.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-faces-deepening-debt-crisis-671019.html New Delhi April 24 In the five fiscal years from 2026 to 2030 Bangladesh will need to spend a staggering 26 billion to repay external debt which is expected to create a huge economic burden on the country according to an article in the local media The debt burden is considered âenormousâ as in the 54 years since independence Bangladesh has spent a total of 40 billion on external debt repayment In contrast in just the next five years it will have to spend nearly twothirds of that amount the Dhaka Tribune article saidAs of last June Bangladeshâs total external debt stood at 77 billion which is 19 per cent of national income and this ratio has been rising over timeCurrently Bangladeshâs debt servicing to government revenue ratio is 165 per cent Although this is slightly below the International Monetary Fundâs risk threshold of 18 per cent the overall picture is far from reassuring the article observedIt further stated that during the 10 fiscal years from 2026 to 2035 Bangladeshâs external debt repayments will total 51 billion double the amount of the next five years By 2030 annual repayments will peak at around 55 billionFrom 2021 to 2025 Bangladesh earned about 2 billion from remittances per month Thus the peak annual repayment could be covered by roughly three months of remittance income If current trends continue it will take Bangladesh 37 years until 2063 to fully free itself from the current debt burden the article pointed outRegarding the factors leading to the piling up of this massive debt the article states that some causes are global such as the Ukraine war the Covid19 pandemic and now the Middle East conflict The global turmoil has negatively affected exports foreign direct investment and remittance inflows of Bangladesh which has weakened the countryâs capacity to repay its debtDomestic factors include Bangladeshâs largescale infrastructure projects largely financed through foreign loans which have contributed heavily to the debt burden These include the 11 billion Ruppur Nuclear Power Project the Karnaphuli Tunnel the Padma Rail Link and the third terminal of the Shahjalal International AirportDelays in the implementation of these projects have increased project costs and consequently debt repayment obligations of BangladeshSecond Bangladesh has failed to adequately expand its tax base Tax revenue especially direct taxes has not reached desired levelsThirdly many bilateral and multilateral lenders have changed their interest structures shortened repayment periods and reduced grace periods Altogether these changes have intensified the pressure on Bangladeshâs debt servicing situation the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-faces-deepening-debt-crisis-671019.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/panchayati-raj-institutions-a-gift-of-rajiv-gandhi-congress-671022.html New Delhi April 24 The Congress party marked the National Panchayati Raj Day on Friday by recalling some landmark laws enacted by governments headed by Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to boost grassroots democracy in villages Crediting Rajiv Gandhi for the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution on this day in 1993 Congress MP and Communications Incharge Jairam Ramesh said âThis truly transformational initiative was due wholly to the insistence and persistence of Rajiv GandhiââIt was he who ensured that onethird of the elected seats in Panchayati Raj institutions would be reserved for women including for women belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communitiesâ said the former Union MinisterâIt was entirely his contribution that today there are around 32 lakh elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions of whom about 15 lakh are women This amendment 64th had originally been introduced in mid1989 but after passage in the Lok Sabha it could not pass in the Rajya Sabha because of the opposition of the BJPâ said RameshHighlighting the role of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in promoting Panchayati Raj institutions Ramesh wrote on X âIt was the Dr Manmohan Singh government that had created the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in May 2004 and launched the historic MGNREGA in Feb 2006 that gave gram panchayats a pivotal role in planning and executionââRamesh said the 73rd Amendment brought by the Rajiv Gandhi government introduced the extraordinarily detailed Articles 243A to 243O in the Constitution to vastly empower panchayats and make them the foundations of our polityToday there are about 26 lakh gram panchayats over 6700 intermediate panchayats and 673 zilla parishadsâ he saidIn a veiled reference to the recent defeat of the amendment bill on womenâs quota Ramesh said âThe further revival of panchayats and nagarpalikas that form Articles 243P to 243ZG is far more urgent than simply increasing the strength of the Lok Sabhaââ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/panchayati-raj-institutions-a-gift-of-rajiv-gandhi-congress-671022.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/v-p-radhakrishnan-to-attend-35th-convocation-of-rajasthan-university-tomorrow-671029.html Jaipur April 24 VicePresident CP Radhakrishnan will visit Jaipur on Saturday to attend the 35th Convocation of the University of Rajasthan and other events an official said on Friday Apart from attending the Convocation the VicePresident will also attend the 23rd Cancer Survivors Day organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jaipur said the official in a statementEarlier on Thursday VicePresident Radhakrishnan chaired the sixth convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and reminded them that convocation marks not only the culmination of years of disciplined effort and sacrifice but also the beginning of a greater responsibility towards society and the nationHe urged the graduates to embrace their professional duties with dedication and a sense of purposeThe VicePresident emphasised that healthcare is a public trust and that medical professionals play a vital role in nationbuildingHe urged the young graduates to contribute through preventive care rural outreach research and innovation and to remain guided by the values of empathy integrity and serviceHighlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of Rishikesh as a global centre of reflection and healing and a gateway to the Himalayas VicePresident Radhakrishnan noted that such a setting adds deeper meaning to the solemnity of the convocation ceremonyReflecting on the challenges posed by the pandemic the VicePresident added that India demonstrated resilience innovation and commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe highlighted Indias largescale vaccination drive noting that more than 140 crore citizens received free vaccines ensuring equitable access to healthcare especially in underserved regionsHe emphasised that Indian scientists developed vaccines not for profit but for the welfare of humanityThe VicePresident also underlined Indias global responsibility through its Vaccine Maitri initiative under which vaccines were supplied to more than 100 countriesHe said this initiative reflected the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam The World is One Family and reinforced Indias role as a compassionate and responsible global partner IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/v-p-radhakrishnan-to-attend-35th-convocation-of-rajasthan-university-tomorrow-671029.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/excess-explosives-angle-looked-into-as-search-continues-in-thrissur-pooram-tragedy-671030.html Thrissur Kerala April 24 Amid mounting concern over the scale of the Mundathikode fireworks tragedy associated with the famed Thrissur Pooram Kerala Dewaswoms Minister V N Vasavan on Friday said an investigation would examine whether excessive quantities of explosive materials were stored at the site even as recovery operations continued to yield human remains from surrounding areas The minister said the government would initiate detailed discussions to prevent such disasters in the future including a shift in fireworks practicesHe stressed that displays should prioritise visual appeal over noise drawing parallels with international events such as the OlympicsIn this context he noted that this yearâs Thrissur Pooram fireworks have already been cancelledProviding an update on casualties Vasavan said 10 victims were initially identified with one more confirmed laterIn all 14 people lost their lives So far 29 sets of human remains have been recovered with DNA testing underwayFour individuals remain unaccounted for even as the condition of four injured persons continues to be criticalThose with minor injuries have been dischargedA total of 38 persons were present at the time of the incident though official records confirming the exact number were lost in the explosionMeanwhile search teams have recovered additional body parts from areas far beyond the immediate accident site underlining the intensity of the blastPortions of a head were found in a field about 400 metres away while parts of a hand were recovered nearly a kilometre from the siteAuthorities suspect that stray animals may have carried some of the remainsFurther fragments have been located in nearby paddy fields as search operations continue with the assistance of cadaver dogsPolice teams working in groups are also combing nearby residential areas with the help of local residentsOfficials said the results of DNA analysis are expected to begin arriving from Saturday which will be crucial in identifying victimsTo expedite the process a mobile DNA testing unit has been deployed at Thrissur Medical College where samples from all recovered remains including unidentified bodies have been sent for examinationAuthorities said the findings would be key to bringing clarity to the full extent of the tragedy IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/excess-explosives-angle-looked-into-as-search-continues-in-thrissur-pooram-tragedy-671030.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cet-janeu-row-karnataka-minister-promises-probe-says-no-report-received-yet-671035.html Bengaluru April 24 Minister for Higher Education MC Sudhakar responding to the alleged janeu row stated that the incident has not come to the notice of the Karnataka Examination Authority KEA as yet He said that if any such incident had taken place a report would be sought and strict action would be initiated It may be noted that at a CET examination centre in Koramangala Bengaluru a student was allegedly forced to remove his sacred thread before being allowed to write the examSpeaking to the media in Bengaluru on Friday MC Sudhakar said âThe infrastructure of both government and private colleges is utilised while conducting the Common Entrance Test CET The services of staff from various institutions are also used on a large scale If any staff member of any institution has acted in an extreme or inappropriate manner action will be takenâHe added that no report regarding the incident has reached the authorities so far âWe do not have any information at present It is also unclear whether the issue was resolved at the centre level If we receive any information in this regard strict action will definitely be takenâ he saidâThere are 745 examination centres across the state Just as the traffic police continuously create awareness about wearing helmets to save lives yet violations still occur similar issues arise during examinations as well I do not know how to describe such behaviourâwhether it is due to a particular mindset done deliberately to create controversy or an attempt to bring disrepute We come across various possibilitiesâ he statedâSome incidents may even be staged We will not allow such practices If anything of this sort has happened we will take strict action within the legal frameworkâ Sudhakar addedIt can be noted that the janeu row has resurfaced in Karnataka following reports that a student appearing for the CET was allegedly denied entry into the examination hall unless he removed his âjaneuâThe âjaneuâ is a sacred thread worn by Hindu males especially Brahmins across the left shoulder and under the right arm symbolising initiation into education and spiritual life IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cet-janeu-row-karnataka-minister-promises-probe-says-no-report-received-yet-671035.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/swati-maliwal-harbhajan-singh-ashok-mittal-among-aap-rs-mps-switching-sides-to-bjp-claims-raghav-671039.html New Delhi April 24 IANS Raghav Chadha the senior Aam Aadmi Party AAP Rajya Sabha MP dropped a political bombshell on Friday by announcing his exit from the party along with six other party lawmakers all headed to the Bhartiya Janata Party BJPnbspHe said that the twothirds faction of the AAP Rajya Sabha MPs comprising a breakaway faction will merge with the BJP in the coming daysnbspChadha made the announcement in a press conference accompanied by another party Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep PathakAccording to multiple reports citing Chadha those others who have decided to join ranks and take the plunge are Swati Maliwal Harbhajan Singh Sandeep Pathak Ashok Mittal Rajinder Gupta and Vikram SahninbspThe development comes as a body blow for the fledgling party and its convenor as well as former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind KejriwalnbspRaghav one of the youngest parliamentarians also announced that along with him twothirds of AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to switch their political loyalties a stance that will help them bypass the antidefection law and shield them from any action by the parent partyThe development comes days after Raghav Chadhas demotion in the House from the post of Deputy Leader of the party for allegedly not raising key issues against the governmentnbspInterestingly Ashok Mittal who replaced Chadha as the new party Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha has also joined him in the merger with the BJPnbsp nbspCurrently the AAP has 10 members in the Upper House with broad representation from Punjab the only state where it remains in powernbspOut of 10 MPs seven are from Punjab namely Raghav Chadha Rajinder Gupta Ashok Kumar Mittal Sandeep Kumar Pathak Vikramjit Singh Sahney Harbhajan Singh and Sant Balbir SinghnbspThe lawmakers from Delhi are Swati Maliwal Narain Dass Gupta and Sanjay Singh https://dailyworld.in/politics/swati-maliwal-harbhajan-singh-ashok-mittal-among-aap-rs-mps-switching-sides-to-bjp-claims-raghav-671039.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-surat-to-realise-metro-dream-soon-trial-run-on-key-corridor-makes-residents-rejoice-671040.html Ahmedabad April 24 After Ahmedabad the Diamond City of Surat in Gujarat is now ready for its tryst with Metro rail services A trial run for the Metro train recently commenced in Surat on an 85kilometrelong route connecting Dream City and Althan Tenament which will speed up connectivity and ease congestion between the two commercial centres The construction work on the Surat Metro network is going at a brisk pace and will be dedicated to the public soonAnand Singh Bisht Project Director of the Surat Metro Rail Project stated that Corridor I also known as the Diamond Corridor connects Dream City to Sarthana It spans a total length of 216 kilometres of which 15 kilometres is elevated and 65 kilometres is underground This corridor comprises 14 elevated and 6 underground stations Corridor II also referred to as the Textile Corridor connects Bhesan to Saroli It has a total length of 187 kilometres and is entirely elevated featuring 18 elevated stationsAn intensive examination of the Metro trains speed braking system and technical aspects is currently underway during a 500hour trial run between Dream City and Althan TenamentFurthermore construction work on seven Metro stations along this route is also in its final stages It is anticipated that following the safety inspections and testing procedures the Surat Metro train service will soon be dedicated to the publicThe commencement of Metro operations will provide direct connectivity to the Surat Diamond Bourse thereby giving a significant boost to the pace of the diamond industry This will facilitate fast and comfortable transportation for the 40000 to 45000 artisans and traders who commute daily from areas such as Varachha Katargam and SarthanaJayanti Savaliya Regional Chairman of the Gujarat Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council stated that the traffic problem would be alleviated to a great extent with the launch of the Metro to the Diamond Bourse 45000 people will be able to commute to and from the facility The Metro system designed to connect the entire city has been exceptionally wellplannedThe launch of the Metro service will not only provide the people of Surat relief from traffic congestion but will also offer them a superior alternative for fast safe and ecofriendly travelRaj Patel a resident of Surat remarked that the arrival of the Metro in the city will bring ease to the daily lives of those who rely on public transport from morning till evening enabling people to travel from one place to another on timeAs a resident of Surat I am delighted After years of waiting we are finally getting the Metro and the heart of every Surati is filled with joy he saidRoshan Chimna a local resident observed The construction work for this project in Surat has been completed remarkably fast What could be a greater source of pride than this IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-surat-to-realise-metro-dream-soon-trial-run-on-key-corridor-makes-residents-rejoice-671040.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-raises-concern-over-height-restrictions-near-defence-airports-in-bengaluru-671043.html New DelhiBengaluru April 24 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar who is also Bengaluru Development Minister met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and discussed the height restrictions being imposed around defence airports in Bengaluru Raising concerns about the impact of these restrictions on development in several parts of the city Shivakumar urged the Defence Minister to consider a balanced approach that ensures aviation safety while supporting Bengaluruâs growth the Deputy Chief Ministers office said in a statement Submitting a letter with the demand to Rajnath Singh during the meeting Shivakumar also brought to his attention the letters previously written by the Karnataka government to the Central government on the same issueIn his letter the Deputy Chief Minister cited the excessive restrictions imposed by the authorities of the defence airports in Bengaluru while granting NOC for construction within the 20km range of the airports as per the prevailing RulesBengaluru is one of the fastestgrowing cities in the world and HAL airport is located in the core area of Bengaluru where there is a huge demand for development and the additional restrictions being imposed are hampering the development in the areas around the airport Letters have been written in this regard to the Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation the Secretary Department of Defence Production Ministry of Defence and the Defence Secretary Ministry of Defence copies attached I request you to kindly look into the issue and direct the concerned to take necessary action to resolve the same in the interest of both the flight safety and development demands of the city he saidPresently there are four airports functioning in Bengaluru including the IAFs Yelahanka airbase Authorities concerned need to seek NOC from these airport authorities as per the rules before granting permissions for construction The Greater Bengaluru Authority has brought to the notice of the state government the more stringent restrictions that are being imposed by the defence authorities while granting NOCs In order to sort out the issues and expedite the noobjection certificate clearance process meetings were conducted with the representatives of the airports in Bengaluru The authorities representing the defence airports informed that under rule 52 of the GSR 751E the authorised officer of the defence airports are allowed to impose additional restrictions and hence they are restricting the height based on their calculations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-raises-concern-over-height-restrictions-near-defence-airports-in-bengaluru-671043.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-could-face-lanka-like-situation-guarantees-have-derailed-economy-kumaraswamy-671048.html Mysuru Karnataka April 24 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy claimed that the guarantee schemes of the Congress have severely weakened the stateâs economy pushing Karnataka and other states towards financial distress He was speaking after participating in templerelated programmes Kumaraswamy said that while providing Rs 2000 to women may appear beneficial people must examine how the government is funding itReferring to Sri Lankaâs economic crisis Kumaraswamy alleged that mismanagement of the economy could push Karnataka towards a similar fateâThe government is borrowing heavily to fund these guarantees Already this government has accumulated a debt of Rs 726 lakh crore This has placed a burden of at least Rs 1 lakh on each of the stateâs 63 crore peopleâ he allegedHe added that he is ready to debate this claim on any platform and challenged the state government to come forward for a discussion if it has the courageâThe impact of these guarantee schemes has emptied the state treasury The government is struggling to pay salaries to its employees on time Similarly the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh which came to power on the promise of guarantees has financially weakened that state as wellThere are media reports that salaries of officials including the Chief Secretary have been cutâ he claimed expressing concern that Karnataka could face a similar situationQuestioning the effectiveness of cash assistance he said âCan a family be run with Rs 2000 given to womenWhile the government provides money under schemes like Gruha Laxmi rising prices and increased taxes are reducing household incomes At the same time the government is taking on excessive debt burdening future generationsâ he allegedDuring his visit Kumaraswamy participated in the inauguration of the Sri Melanakatte Ganapati Temple in Basavanapura Geradada and Kenchanahalli villages and the inauguration of the gopuram and consecration ceremonies at Sri Basaveshwara Swamy Temple in Hosahagrahara He also offered special prayers at the templesSpeaking at the Ganapati Temple inauguration he said it was his privilege to inaugurate the temple and that the programme attended along with former minister SR Mahesh was spiritually fulfilling He noted that the temple located amidst nature provides a sense of peace and devotionLater he visited the Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple in Saligrama where he offered prayers and spent some time in the presence of the deity along with local leaders IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-could-face-lanka-like-situation-guarantees-have-derailed-economy-kumaraswamy-671048.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-to-set-up-23-additional-air-quality-monitoring-stations-in-ncr-671056.html Chandigarh April 24 The Haryana government will set up 23 additional air quality monitoring stations in the National Capital Region NCR increasing the total to 52 by July The state will also soon introduce an aggregator policy to regulate transport services while legacy solid waste is targeted for complete elimination within 11 months This information came to light at a comprehensive review meeting on air quality management in the NCR chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi hereThe Chief Secretary directed all departments to strictly adhere to timelines stressing that sustained coordination across sectors is essential for longterm improvement in air qualityRastogi directed Commissioners of Municipal Corporations in the NCR areas as well as the Gurugram Faridabad and Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authorities to identify key roads at least five in each jurisdiction for development or redevelopment as model dustfree stretchesHe asked them to prepare comprehensive plans with clear timelines for all milestones from detailed project report DPR preparation to final completion for this year He emphasised that emissions from transport construction and demolition activities and industries must be tackled through precise planning and timebound action on the groundAdditional Chief Secretary Environment Sudhir Raj Pal stressed the need for checking vehicular pollution across the region He said enforcement of pollution norms must be strengthened and checking drives intensified particularly on heavily trafficked corridors to identify and penalise grossly polluting vehiclesPal also highlighted the need to adopt cuttingedge technology to monitor emissions from moving vehicles and issue challans accordinglyChief Secretary Rastogi directed the Transport Department to collate data from Pollution Under Control PUC centres including the number of cases where certificates were refused and instances where vehicles exceeded prescribed emission normsPrincipal Secretary Transport Raja Shekhar Vundru said the department would soon introduce an aggregator policy to regulate cab and ridesharing services in the stateThe policy aims to bring a large fleet of privately operated vehicles under a structured regulatory framework ensuring compliance with emission standards and contributing to the reduction of transportrelated pollutionHe said that in compliance with directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management diesel autorickshaws have nearly been phased out from major NCR districts as per timelines In the remaining NCR areas they will be phased out by December 31He also briefed the meeting on the Naya Safar Yojana under which nearly 19 lakh old trucks and 16000 buses will be phased out and replaced with cleaner BSVI CNG and electric vehicles through financial incentives IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-to-set-up-23-additional-air-quality-monitoring-stations-in-ncr-671056.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/normal-lpg-supply-over-1783-lakh-small-cylinders-sold-in-april--671057.html New Delhi April 24 The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Friday that more than 81000 small 5 kg LPG cylinders were sold across the country bringing the total to 1783 lakh during Aprilâ âSo far the supply of domestic LPG continues to be normal with no dryouts being reported at retail distributorshipsâ the ministry informedâThe 5 kg LPG cylinders are used by migrant workers in urban areas for cookingâBesides 527 lakh PNG connections have been gasified and infrastructure has been created for an additional 260 lakh connections taking the total to 787 lakh connectionsAbout 597 lakh customers have also been registered for new connections More than 42000 PNG consumers have also surrendered their LPG connections via the MYPNGDin website the statement saidâMeanwhile online domestic LPG cylinder bookings have increased to 98 per cent while authentication codebased deliveries to the registered mobile number of the consumer have increased to around 94 per cent to prevent diversion at the distributor levelâThe supply of cooking gas to domestic households has been prioritised even as overall LPG supply remains affected by the prevailing geopolitical situationâOver 8483 metric tonnes MT of commercial LPG equivalent to more than 446 lakh 19 kg LPG cylinders was sold on Wednesday taking the total sold this month to 140362 MT equivalent to more than 7387 lakh 19 kg LPG cylindersâMeanwhile enforcement actions continue across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG Cumulatively to date more than 15 lakh raids have been conducted and more than 66000 cylinders have been seized across the countryFurther more than 1100 First Information Reports have been registered and 255 persons have been arrestedâPublic sector oil companies have strengthened and continued surprise inspections imposed penalties on 298 LPG distributorships and suspended 70 LPG distributorships so farâThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas further stated that it is taking steps to ensure the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country in the context of the closure of the Strait of HormuzâCitizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol diesel and LPG and to beware of rumours relying on official sources for correct information LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributorsâAll refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories while sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained Local LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption the statement addedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/normal-lpg-supply-over-1783-lakh-small-cylinders-sold-in-april--671057.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jaipal-poonia-murder-case-9-including-ex-mlas-brother-convicted-2-acquitted-671063.html Jaipur April 24 In a major development in the highprofile Jaipal Poonia murder case a local court on Friday convicted nine of the eleven accused while acquitting two due to lack of evidence The verdict was delivered by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Sundarlal Kharol amid tight security arrangements The court premises in Kuchaman City were heavily guarded resembling a police cantonment with a large deployment of personnel to maintain law and order during the proceedingsThe court found nine accused guilty based on the evidence presented by the prosecution Those convicted include Moti Singh Chaudhary Ranjit Firoz Khan Sandeep Tejpal Rajesh Krishna Kumar Haroon and RajeshAmong them Moti Singh Chaudhary is the elder brother of former MLA Mahendra Singh Chaudhary who had served as Deputy Chief Whip in the Congress governmentMeanwhile the court acquitted Kuldeep and Hanuman Saini granting them the benefit of the doubt due to insufficient evidence While delivering the verdict the court reserved its decision on sentencingThe quantum of punishment and the specific legal provisions under which the convicts will be sentenced are scheduled to be announced on SaturdayLegal experts and observers are closely watching the case as the sentencing phase is expected to take into account multiple factors including the gravity of the offence the role of each accused and the broader impact of the crime on public orderThe case has remained under sustained public and political scrutiny and the sentencing is likely to be seen as a decisive moment in determining the extent of accountability fixed on those found guiltyThe murder dates back to May 14 2022 when Jaipal Poonia a local leader associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party Kisan Morcha in Nawa tehsil was shot dead in broad daylight by assailants who arrived in an SUV The brazen nature of the attack carried out in a public setting had sent shockwaves across the region and raised serious concerns over law and order Eyewitness accounts at the time had indicated that the attackers executed the crime swiftly before fleeing leaving behind a trail of panic and confusion among local residentsThe attackers fled the scene immediately after carrying out the shooting and the incident triggered widespread outrage across Rajasthan drawing attention at both the state and national levels Political leaders community groups and civil society organisations had demanded swift and transparent action to bring those responsible to justice Fridayâs verdict is being seen as a significant milestone in the protracted legal process marking progress after nearly two years of investigation and trialHowever with the sentencing still pending attention now remains firmly fixed on the final outcome which will ultimately determine the full course of justice in this highprofile case IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jaipal-poonia-murder-case-9-including-ex-mlas-brother-convicted-2-acquitted-671063.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/75-lakh-marginalised-students-given-over-rs-7-900-crore-educational-aid-virendra-kumar-671065.html New Delhi April 24 Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said that as part of educational empowerment of marginalised students Rs 798147 crore were disbursed to more than 75 lakh SC beneficiaries in 202526 an official said The Ministry said in a statement that the expenditure under SC welfare schemes has shown a consistent positive growth with an upward trend with a 21 per cent increase under the Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and OthersThere has been an 1123 per cent increase under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs an increase of 135 per cent under the Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students and a 16 per cent increase under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas SHRESHTA Scheme for SCs as compared to the financial year 2024â25 said the statementVirendra Kumar said that the government remains committed to ensuring inclusive development and social justice for all sections of society through targeted interventions and welfare initiativesHe said the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is focused on the implementation of various Acts and welfare schemes aimed at the upliftment of diverse sections of society including Scheduled Castes SCs Other Backward Classes OBCs senior citizens victims of alcoholism and substance abuse transgender persons persons engaged in begging Denotified and Nomadic Tribes DNTs manual scavengers sanitation workers including waste pickers and Economically Weaker Sections EWSIn another statement the Ministry said that 26plus crore people including 95plus crore youth 647plus crore women and 28000plus master volunteers have been sensitised on substance use through more than 83 lakh activities conducted under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan NMBA at various levels including in educational institutionsThe NMBA was launched on August 15 2020 by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts and now it has been extended to all districts of the country with effect from August 15 2023The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance useThe NMBA App currently accessible to authorised users supports States Districts spiritual organisations and other stakeholders in uploading and tracking activities under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan through a consolidated dashboard with near realtime visibility said the statementIt also serves as a resource platform by providing Information Education and Communication IEC materials along with basic communication support for Nasha Mukti Mitras to facilitate awareness effortsIn a step towards strengthening the monitoring and implementation framework of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction NAPDDR the Ministry plans to launch the upgraded Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan NMBA App 20 said the statementThe enhanced application is designed as a centralised digital tool for StatesDistricts and other stakeholders to facilitate realtime reporting monitoring and coordination among implementing agencies at the National State District and institutional levelsThe upgraded version builds upon existing capabilities while introducing new features aimed at enhancing transparency accountability and datadriven governance said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/75-lakh-marginalised-students-given-over-rs-7-900-crore-educational-aid-virendra-kumar-671065.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-us-ties-face-trust-deficit-need-reset-670874.html Washington April 24 A deepening âlack of mutual trustâ has emerged as the biggest challenge in IndiaUS ties even as both sides continue to engage across strategic and economic fronts speakers said at the Hudson Instituteâs New India Conference âThere is a big lack of mutual trust today We need to build that trust once againâ Ram Madhav said pointing to a sharp shift in perceptions compared to earlier phases of close political alignmentThe panel said the relationship while resilient is undergoing a difficult phase marked by misaligned expectations policy uncertainty and slower momentumElizabeth Threlkeld of the Stimson Centre said both sides often misread each otherâs constraints âEach side has a tendency to see the othersâ limits as choices but their own limits as necessitiesâ she said calling for a candid reassessment of shared interestsShe said rebuilding trust would require focusing on âgenuine mutual interestsâ and delivering practical outcomes that reduce friction in cooperationKurt Campbell former US Deputy Secretary of State said the strain runs deeper than policy disagreements âThis has caused a deep hurtâ a deep profound hurt among Indian friendsâ he said adding that emotional and political factors are shaping perceptions on both sidesCampbell said the relationship had advanced significantly over the past two decades with an expectation it would become the âdominant relationshipâ of the century making the current phase more consequentialThe discussion also highlighted persistent friction in areas such as trade defence cooperation and policy coordination often slowed by bureaucratic processes and differing political systemsAt the same time speakers stressed that engagement continues and opportunities remain particularly in economic cooperationMadhav said India has shown flexibility on key issues including tariffs and energy imports and is moving ahead with a potential trade agreement despite domestic political pressures âThat wouldnât discourage usâ the government will go aheadâ he saidHe also emphasised the importance of reengaging on initiatives such as the IndiaMiddle EastEurope corridor and I2U2 which have seen uncertainty in recent monthsSpeakers broadly agreed that the relationship requires sustained political attention and renewed alignment on priorities even as global crises add pressureThe New India Conference held on April 23 brought together policymakers and experts to examine Indiaâs global trajectory and the future of USIndia relationsOver the past two decades the partnership has expanded across defence trade and technology supported by strong diaspora ties However recent geopolitical shifts and policy divergences have exposed structural gaps making trustbuilding a central task going forward IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-us-ties-face-trust-deficit-need-reset-670874.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-assembly-to-hold-special-session-today-as-cm-seeks-vote-of-confidenc-670880.html New Delhi April 24 IANS The National Democratic Alliance NDA government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will seek a vote of confidence in a special session of the Bihar Assembly on FridaynbspAn official notification regarding the session was issued by Assembly Principal Secretary Poonam SinhaAhead of the session Speaker Prem Kumar chaired an allparty meeting earlier urging leaders to ensure smooth functioning of the HouseRepresentatives from various political parties assured full cooperationAmong those present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav Deputy Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav and several MLAs including Vijay Kumar Sinha Vinod Narayan Jha Alok Kumar Mehta Manohar Prasad Singh Madhav Anand Raju Tiwari Indrajit Prasad Gupta Satish Kumar Singh Yadav Kumar Sarvajeet and Prafulla ManjhiSpeaking on the upcoming session Deputy Chief Minister and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the House will deliberate and vote on the confidence motion to be moved by the new Bihar governmentHe assured full cooperation from the state government to ensure smooth proceedings in the AssemblyThis will be the second session of the 18th Bihar Legislative AssemblyThe Assembly Secretariat has formally informed all legislators including the Chief Minister and members of the Council of MinistersSamrat Choudhary assumed office on April 15 following a political transition in the state after Nitish Kumar moved to the Rajya SabhaAs per constitutional provisions the new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary must prove a majority in the Assembly to validate the state governmentIn the November 2025 Bihar Assembly elections the NDA secured a majority with 202 MLAs placing the government in a strong position ahead of the trust voteFollowing the formation of the new government portfolios have been allocated among MinistersChief Minister Samrat Choudhary currently holds charge of 29 departments including General Administration Home Cabinet Secretariat Vigilance and ElectionDeputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary has been assigned 10 departments including Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs while Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav is in charge of eight departments including Energy and Planning and DevelopmentThe Bihar Cabinet expansion is yet to take placeIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-assembly-to-hold-special-session-today-as-cm-seeks-vote-of-confidenc-670880.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-hails-panchayati-raj-day-calls-public-service-a-path-to-nation-building-670881.html New Delhi April 24 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended greetings on National Panchayati Raj Day praising elected representatives across the country for their dedication to public service and nationbuildingnbspIn a post on X PM Modi said Heartiest greetings to public representatives across the country on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day Your dedication to public service as well as nationbuilding is truly inspiring for everyoneHe also shared a Sanskrit verse highlighting the essence of public office and peoplecentric governance The happiness of the peoples representative lies in the happiness of the people his welfare lies in the welfare of the people A peoples representative has no personal favourites whatever is dear to the people is what is dear to him loosely translated from SanskritExtending greetings on the occasion Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Heartiest greetings to the fellow citizens on National Panchayati Raj Day The Panchayat system one of the oldest democratic traditions of India is a strong pillar of our democracy Panchayats which play a vital role in rural development governanceadministration social justice disaster management and cultural preservation are becoming even more empowered and selfreliant in the Modi government contributing to the creation of Viksit BharatUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari also conveyed his wishes stating Heartfelt greetings on National Panchayati Raj Day Panchayats must be empowered and developed to fulfill the dream of Aatmanirbhar Bharat The Panchayati Raj system plays a vital role in rural development and the nations upliftment Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji our government is making every possible effort to strengthen the Panchayati Raj systemUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on National Panchayati Raj DayThe Panchayati Raj system is a means to strengthen Indias democratic tradition Let us all together resolve to further strengthen the spirit of Gram Swaraj and to build prosperous and selfreliant villages only then will the dream of Developed IndiaDeveloped Uttar Pradesh be realised CM Yogi saidThe Panchayati Raj Day celebrated annually by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates the 73rd Amendment Act 1992 of the Constitution which came into effect in 1993 This day celebrates the national local selfgovernance and democratic decentralisationIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-hails-panchayati-raj-day-calls-public-service-a-path-to-nation-building-670881.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/marks-beginning-of-new-era-of-good-governance-hm-shah-hails-bengal-voters-for-historic-turnout-670882.html New Delhi April 24 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday congratulated the voters of West Bengal for breaking all records of participation by casting a historic vote in the first phase saying this marked the beginning of a new era of good governance in the statenbspAmit Shah took to social media X and said I congratulate the voters of West Bengal for breaking all records of participation in the grand festival of democracy by casting a historic vote in the first phaseI also congratulate the Honorable Election Commission the brave soldiers of all Central Armed Police Forces CAPFs and our West Bengal Police for the most peaceful and safe voting in Bengals history he saidThis marks the beginning of a new era of good governance in Bengal he saidMeanwhile the state on Thursday witnessed the first phase of its Assembly elections with polling held across several districts in northern and southern parts The phase recorded a voter turnout of 926 per cent the highest ever for a first phase in a state which may change after final tabulationThe elections have turned into a highstakes contest between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party amid intense political debate over voter list revisionIn the 2021 Assembly election which was conducted amid the Covid19 pandemic and a fiercely polarised battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP turnout was recorded at 8230 per centWith 929 per cent of the 36 crore registered voters recorded on Thursday this means more people have voted in Bengal in this election than in 2021 This is also the highest turnout ever recorded in the state since independenceGyanesh Kumar Chief Election Commissioner of India was quoted as saying Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil NaduThe second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29 and the counting of votes will take place on May 4IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/marks-beginning-of-new-era-of-good-governance-hm-shah-hails-bengal-voters-for-historic-turnout-670882.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/didnt-come-to-delhi-just-for-fresh-air-met-high-command-leaders-ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-670925.html New DelhiBengaluru April 24 Amid the continued unease in the ruling party in Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DKShivakumar met Congress leaders in the national capital Adding to speculation he refused to share the details of the meetings saying that he would not reveal them âI have met party leaders I will continue doing my work but I will not reveal who I have met I have not come to Delhi just to enjoy the airâ said Dy CM ShivakumarSpeaking in New Delhi on Thursday night Shivakumar said when asked whether he would submit an election report to party leaders âI toured Tamil Nadu Kerala and Assam for election campaigns I need to brief our leaders about the developments in these states The party had entrusted me with the responsibility of campaigning there Conducting elections in Karnataka is my duty as KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister and I will do thatâResponding to questions about possible changes in the state he said âBeing in a responsible position can I discuss such matters in front of the media I will not speak about this Please do not try to extract such information from meâWhen asked about the heat he remarked âItâs very hot When I went to Tamil Nadu and Periyapatna in Karnataka the heat was intense Kerala is comparatively betterâOn reports that MLAs and ministers met the Chief Minister over discontent among the Muslim community he said âWe have received some inputs at the party level We must all work togetherâReacting to reports that ministers close to the Chief Minister held a meeting he said âI have no information about it I donât know who is close to whom I donât bother about such meetingsâWhen asked about senior MLAs planning another Delhi visit to press for a cabinet reshuffle he said âLetâs wait and watchâOn elections in various states he said âAssembly elections in Tamil Nadu Kerala and Assam along with bypolls in Karnataka have concluded We even held a Zoom meeting on the Assam elections on Wednesday I will be visiting Assam again We will form the government in alliance in Tamil Nadu and Kerala Our leaders and workers have worked very hard in Assam and the response to our alliance has been positiveâOn his Delhi visit he said âI had gone to Hyderabad with my family and came to Delhi from there I have not come to Delhi just for the fresh air I need to discuss Bengalururelated issues with Union ministers I had sought an appointment and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given me time at 1145 am on FridayâOn discontent among minority leaders he said âThey have expressed their feelings and opinions which is not wrong Sometimes what we say may not be right sometimes what they say may not be right We will sit together and discussâResponding to demands for revocation of suspension of Muslim leaders he said âWhom have we suspended They themselves have resigned from their positions Please examine what is written in the resignation letter IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/didnt-come-to-delhi-just-for-fresh-air-met-high-command-leaders-ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-670925.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/every-single-person-linked-to-rg-kar-rape-murder-conspiracy-will-be-brought-to-justice-says-pm-modi-670926.html Kolkata April 24 IANS Every individual regardless of their influence who is connected to the larger conspiracy surrounding the RG Kar rape and murder case will be identified and held accountable after the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP government in West Bengal next month Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated during a campaign rally at the Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district on FridaynbspIncidentally the ancestral residence of the woman doctor who was murdered on the premises of the staterun RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August 2024 is located in Panihati and the BJP candidate from that constituency this time is the victims mother Swapna DebnathIn this Assembly election the women of Bengal will rewrite history and teach the antiwoman ruling party in the state a lesson The Trinamool Congress associates had conducted so many atrocities on women for so long They will all be accounted for after May 4 the day of the results the Prime Minister saidHe said the BJP candidate from Panihati has struggled throughout her life to make her daughter a doctor to serve the nation Her daughter is lost in this jungle of misrule of the Trinamool Congress I promise that not a single person behind that larger conspiracy will be spared PM Modi saidThe Prime Minister also said that the Trinamool Congress leadership has been scared by the polling pattern and voting percentage in the first phase of the Assembly polls for 152 constituencies on ThursdayThey have become desperate now So they have started instigating the criminal elements again They are desperate to fuel the fire once before it gets extinguished the Prime Minister saidHe said that the unemployed youths in the Trinamool Congress regime will never get jobs in the state as long as the corrupt Trinamool Congress regime continues There will be no new investment and even the existing industrial units will also shift their bases Trinamool Congress has vitiated the investment ambience in the state in the last 15 years the Prime Minister saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/every-single-person-linked-to-rg-kar-rape-murder-conspiracy-will-be-brought-to-justice-says-pm-modi-670926.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-cm-chatter-rattles-udf-camp-supporters-ahead-of-kerala-verdict-670934.html Thiruvananthapuram April 24 Even before the counting begins Keralaâs familiar electoral suspense has given way to a more predictable drama one within the Indian National Congress Polling concluded on April 9 with results due only on May 4 The Congressled United Democratic Front UDF buoyed by expectations of returning to power after a decade finds itself grappling with a resurfacing ailment leadership jockeyingThe unusual break in Keralaâs longstanding pattern of alternating governments when the CPIMled Left Front retained power in 2021 had already raised the stakesNow the prospect of a comeback appears to have intensified internal fault linesSupporters of senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala VD Satheesan and KC Venugopal have begun projecting their respective choices for the Chief Ministerâs post in the public domainThe premature contest has not only embarrassed the party but also drawn sharp criticism from within and outsideVeteran media critic MN Karassery was unsparing calling the public posturing âshamelessâ and warning that such open displays of ambition risk eroding voter patienceThe unease is now spilling into alliance ranks P Abdul Hameed Malappuram district general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League and an MLA has come down heavily on the Congress party cautioning that such discussions should never have been allowed to surfaceHe said the ongoing debate over the Chief Ministerâs post is disappointing to those who voted for the UDF and risks demoralising grassroots workers who have endured a difficult decade in the oppositionAbdul Hameed pointedly observed that those who ought to have curbed the chatter are themselves making public statements aggravating the situationâLeaders at the national level are engaging in such discussions and when they arise it is the responsibility of senior leaders to contain them not amplify themâ he said adding that the League would abide by whatever decision the high command takes with Rahul Gandhi fully aware of Keralaâs political realitiesThe contrast with the CPIM is starkThe Left has maintained a studied silence on leadership questions projecting cohesionIn Congress however factional currents long a defining feature of its Kerala unit have resurfaced with renewed vigour unsettling cadres and allies alikeWith days to go before counting the UDF faces a paradox the closer it appears to power the more its internal discord threatens to cloud the momentSharing the spoils of power has always been done and no one will forget when the spat between K Karunakaran and AK Antony reached a high soon after a stupendous win by the Congress party in 2001 when Antony became the Chief Minister Karunakaranâs son K Muraleedharan was made the state party president by ejecting the then president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-cm-chatter-rattles-udf-camp-supporters-ahead-of-kerala-verdict-670934.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sc-orders-reinstatement-of-gujarat-judicial-officer-with-full-benefits-670973.html New Delhi April 24 IANS The Supreme Court has directed the reinstatement of a Gujarat judicial officer with all consequential benefits after setting aside a disciplinary action that sought to subject her to a de novo inquirynbspnbspA bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe held that the order initiating a fresh inquiry against Chandni Prateek Sharma was contrary to the governing service rules and consequently quashed the Gujarat High Courts judgment which had upheld the actionnbspThe respondents are directed to reinstate the appellant and to grant her all consequential benefits the apex court ordered while allowing the appealnbspSharma who joined the Gujarat State Judicial Service in 2012 and was promoted to Senior Civil Judge in 2018 had been placed under suspension in February 2020 following complaints alleging misconduct including habitual absenteeism and procedural irregularitiesnbspAn inquiry officer after examining 21 witnesses had found only one charge proved while exonerating her of the remaining allegationsnbspHowever the disciplinary authority disagreed with the findings and ordered a de novo inquiry after issuing a show cause noticenbspThe Gujarat High Court in its September 26 2024 judgment had upheld the decision observing that the disciplinary authority had recorded reasons for ordering a fresh inquirynbspSetting aside this view the Supreme Court clarified that Rule 10 of the Gujarat Civil Services Discipline and Appeal Rules 1971 permits only a further inquiry and not a fresh or de novo inquirynbspThe expression further inquiry does not mean a fresh or a de novo inquiry but only a further inquiry the Justice Narasimhaled Bench observednbspHolding that the initiation of a de novo inquiry was legally unsustainable the top court said the Gujarat High Court failed to appreciate the settled legal position on the issue Quashing the impugned judgment the Supreme Court restored Sharmas service directing that she be reinstated with full consequential benefits flowing from such reinstatementnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sc-orders-reinstatement-of-gujarat-judicial-officer-with-full-benefits-670973.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-voting-begins-for-152-assembly-constituencies-in-16-districts-670765.html Kolkata April 23 Polling has begun for 152 assembly constituencies scattered over 16 districts from 7 am on Thursday in the first phase of the twophase crucial West Bengal assembly polls The votersâ enthusiasm over the elections seemed to be quite high this time with the queues of voters being witnessed in front of some polling stations in several assembly constituencies much before the beginning of the polling process at 7 am officiallyThis time the voters are required to go through a twostage verification process the first being by the central armed police CAPF personnel before entering the polling station premises and the second by the boothlevel officer BLO concerned before entering the polling roomThe polling process had been peaceful so far at the time the report was filed However there had been reports of some malfunctioning of electronic voting machines EVMs at certain polling booths at the time of the beginning of the polling processMock polling mandatory before the actual polling process could not start in time at a polling station at the industrial township of Durgapur in West Burdwan district because of the inactive battery of the EVM thereSimilarly mock polling could not be conducted at a polling booth at Siliguri in Darjeeling district in North Bengal and Baharampur in the minoritydominated Murshidabad districtThe 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda in North Bengal and Murshidabad East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Bankura West Burdwan and Birbhum in South BengalSeven of these 16 districts are under the Election Commission of Indiaâs special scanner due to security concerns on the polling dayThe first phase of the Assembly polls is being conducted under unprecedented security cover with the deployment of 2407 companies of central forces including Central Armed Police Forces the India Reserve Battalion and personnel from armed police wings of other states in addition to personnel from West Bengal Police and Kolkata PoliceWebcasting is being conducted in all polling stationsPrime Minister Narendra Modi posted a social media message in Bengal addressing the people of West Bengal âThe first phase of voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is today I call upon all citizens to participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy I especially urge my young friends and the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbersâ the message from the Prime Minister readThe Chief Election Officer CEO West Bengal Manoj Kumar Agarwal the Election Commission of India ECIappointed special observer Subrata Gupta and the ECIappointed police observer NK Mishra stayed back at the CEOâs office in central observer overnight on Wednesday conducting lastminute supervisions to ensure free amp fair and violencefree polls in the first phase on ThursdayThe second phase of polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies will be on April 29 âThe results will be declared on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-voting-begins-for-152-assembly-constituencies-in-16-districts-670765.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/continue-to-be-bold-in-pursuit-of-unsc-reform-macky-sall-candidate-for-un-chief-670770.html United Nations April 23 âWe have to continue to be boldâ in pursuing the reform of the Security Council said Macky Sall who is a candidate for secretarygeneral The debate over reforming the Council has been going on for over 30 years but the âone thing that we can all agree on is that today the Security Council is not representative of todays world he said on Wednesday at a candidateâs forum hereThere are many different proposals for reforming the Council and some even say that it cannot take place now within the time of tension that more time is needed for reformââWhat I can try to do is push the agenda forwardâ he pledged while replying to a question on behalf of the G4 India Germany Japan and Brazil which pursue reforms togetherHe said âWe need to ensure inclusion whilst also bearing in mind the need to maintain the credibility and above all the effectiveness of the council because with five vetoes thats already a hard taskâAll options are on the table and I will push as hard as I canâ he saidBut he added âObviously the decision is not that of the secretarygeneral It is the decision of member states if this reform is to go forwardâSall a former president of Senegal is one of the four candidates who want to succeed Antonio Guterres when his second term ends this yearHe is the only one from Africa the other three are from Latin AmericaHe was nominated by Burundi whose President Evariste Ndayishimiye is the president of the African UnionBut Sall does not have the backing of his countryWhile he faced a gauntlet of questions from diplomats and civil society representatives during a threehour session his supporters and his opponents held demonstrations outside the UN buildingSall was the president of the African Union AU during 202223 when the organisation became a member of G20 at the New Delhi summit while it was led by Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe recalled his efforts on behalf of the AU for joining the G20 the group of industrialised and emerging nations as an example of how he would lead the UN if he got the jobAU becoming a full member of the G20 âwas not an obvious thing at the time but it was through discussion through dialogueâ and by talking to all leaders that he managed it he saidI think that this capacity to talk to anyone everyone without any barriers this is what I want to and can put at the disposal of the organisationâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/continue-to-be-bold-in-pursuit-of-unsc-reform-macky-sall-candidate-for-un-chief-670770.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/early-voter-turnout-in-bengal-stands-at-1876-pc-tn-records-over-17-pc-670779.html KolkataChennai April 23 The voter turnout in the West Bengal Assembly elections was recorded at 1876 per cent and in Tamil Nadu at 1769 per cent as of 9 am on Thursday according to data shared by the Election Commission of India ECI Polling began for 152 assembly constituencies scattered over 16 districts of West Bengal from 7 am on Thursday in the first phase of the twophase crucial Assembly polls Voter enthusiasm for the elections appeared to be quite high this time as long lines were seen in front of several polling stationsThe 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda in North Bengal and Murshidabad East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Bankura West Burdwan and Birbhum in South BengalThe second phase of polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies will be on April 29 âThe results will be declared on May 4Meanwhile polling for the highstakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections across all 234 constituencies also began at 7 am with over 573 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 4023 candidates in a fiercely contested fourcornered battle The electoral contest primarily features the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance the AIADMKled National Democratic Alliance Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK making this one of the most competitive elections in recent yearsVoting commenced early in the morning with voters seen queuing up in large numbers at polling booths reflecting strong public enthusiasm to participate in the democratic processWith voter turnout expected to play a decisive role political parties are closely monitoring polling trends across constituenciesThe counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 when the electoral verdict will determine the next government in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/early-voter-turnout-in-bengal-stands-at-1876-pc-tn-records-over-17-pc-670779.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jai-badri-vishal-resonates-as-portals-of-badrinath-dham-open-cm-dhami-offers-prayers-670781.html Chamoli April 23 With the resounding chants of Jai Badri Vishal the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham opened early on Thursday imbuing the entire atmosphere with devotion and faith This marks the official start to the Char Dham Yatra The portals of one of the most sacred shrines of Hinduism opened at 615 am amid Vedic chants and rituals The temple priests performed worship and rituals for Lord Badri Vishal accompanied by Vedic mantras following which the temple was opened for devotees to offer their prayers and seek darshan Thousands of devotees were present at the site to witness this special occasion Many had even queued up since the previous night eager to be among the very first to catch a glimpse of the LordAs the temple gates opened joy and reverence were clearly visible in the eyes of the devotees Some stood with folded hands in prayer others prayed with deep emotion while some attempted to capture this momentous occasion on their mobile phones A distinct sense of peace and contentment was evident on every faceDuring the event the temple complex was beautifully adorned with flowers further enhancing its grandeur The Army band also added to the sanctity of this auspicious occasion with their melodious tunes A palpable sense of positive energy permeated the entire atmosphereChief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also arrived in Badrinath to offer prayers On this occasion he performed the first puja of Lord Badri Vishal in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi praying for the happiness prosperity and wellbeing of the people of the stateIn a post on X CM Dhami wrote With the opening of the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham the sacred Char Dham Yatra has officially commenced Providing a safe wellorganised and hasslefree travel experience to all devotees arriving from across the country and abroad in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is our governments top priorityIn another post CM Dhami stated I had the privilege of being present on the auspicious occasion of the opening of the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham the holy abode of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas this divine shrine stands as a living symbol of the unwavering faith Sanatan traditions and spiritual consciousness of millions of devotees On this sacred occasion the transcendental devotion divine energy and profound spiritual experience left my heart overwhelmed with emotionPrior to this the gates of Shri Kedarnath Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams had already been opened Now devotees arriving from across the country and abroad will be able to participate in this sacred pilgrimageEvery year hundreds of thousands of devotees undertake this journey considering their lives blessed after having the darshan of Lord Badri Vishal It is believed that offering prayers here brings peace to the mind and alleviates all suffering This is precisely why despite the arduous nature of the journey the devotees faith remains unwavering IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jai-badri-vishal-resonates-as-portals-of-badrinath-dham-open-cm-dhami-offers-prayers-670781.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/stalin-vijay-rajnikanth-among-early-voters-in-tamil-nadu-elections-670782.html Chennai April 23 Chief Minister MK Stalin actorpolitician Vijay and superstar Rajinikanth were among the prominent early voters as polling began across Tamil Naduâs 234 Assembly constituencies on Thursday Stalin cast his vote at a polling station in Teynampet Chennai accompanied by his wife Durga StalinDeputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also exercised his franchise along with his wife Krithika reflecting the ruling DMK leadershipâs early participation in the democratic processVijay the leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK voted at a government middle school polling station in Neelankarai His arrival drew large crowds of fans leading to brief congestion at the venue Police personnel stepped in to manage the situation and escorted him safely into the booth amid tight securityRajinikanth cast his vote at the Stella Maris polling booth in Chennai accompanied by his daughter SoundaryaSpeaking to reporters he urged all eligible voters to come out and vote in large numbers emphasising the importance of participating in the democratic processVoting is being held in a single phase across all 234 constituencies in what is seen as a highstakes electoral battleA total of 4023 candidates are in the fray while over 573 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise according to the Election CommissionThe contest features a fourcornered fight involving the DMKled alliance the AIADMKled front Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and Vijayâs TVK adding a new dimension to the stateâs political landscapeSenior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan cast her vote at a polling station in Saligramam while Union Minister L Murugan contesting from Avinashi voted in KoyambeduMeanwhile polling was briefly delayed at a booth in Thillai Nagar Tiruchy due to technical issues in two Electronic Voting Machines EVMsMinister K N Nehru contesting from Tiruchy West was among those waiting in queues as officials worked to resolve the malfunction Authorities have deployed extensive security arrangements and urged voters to turn out in large numbers to ensure a peaceful and participatory election IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/stalin-vijay-rajnikanth-among-early-voters-in-tamil-nadu-elections-670782.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-bypoll-voting-underway-in-umreth-amid-extensive-arrangements-670783.html Anand April 23 Polling is underway for the Umreth Assembly byelection in Gujaratâs Anand district with voters turning out across urban and rural polling stations since 7 am on Thursday amid tight administrative and security arrangements The byelection covers the Umreth constituency where a total of 245623 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots across 306 polling stations set up by the district election machineryOf these 68 polling stations are in urban areas and 238 in rural locations spanning 46 villages of Umreth taluka and the surrounding Anand rural region along with the municipalities of Ode Umreth and BoriaviVoting is being conducted between 7 am and 6 pm as scheduled by the Election Commission of India Counting of votes will take place on May 4Six candidates are contesting the seat Officials said special arrangements have been made to facilitate inclusive participation including 4174 firsttime voters aged 1819 years and 1556 voters aged above 85 yearsIn addition 1546 voters with disabilities are registered in the constituency According to election officials 88 senior citizens above 85 years of age and 13 voters with disabilities have already exercised their franchise through home voting arrangementsTo ensure smooth conduct of polling around 1348 polling personnel supported by 22 micro observers and 19 districtlevel nodal officers have been deployed taking the total field workforce to nearly 1500 officialsAll staff members were trained in multiple phases prior to polling daySecurity arrangements have been strengthened across the constituency with deployment of two Deputy Superintendents of Police four Police Inspectors around 500 police and home guard personnel and three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force to maintain law and order and ensure a peaceful voting environmentSpecial facilities have been put in place to improve accessibility for voters including 218 wheelchairs assistance from 361 volunteers and six dedicated vehicles for senior citizens above 85 years of age and persons with disabilities to reach polling stationsVoter assistance booths have also been set up at all centres to help citizens with information and support servicesElection authorities have confirmed that voters may use any one of 12 approved identity documents including Aadhaar card driving licence passport PAN card MGNREGA job card pension documents with photographs and other governmentissued identity proofs in addition to voter ID cardsNonresident Indian electors are required to produce their original passports for identification at polling stationsIn a parallel arrangement ahead of polling day 212 officials and staff engaged in election duty cast their votes through postal ballot at a designated centre between April 15 and 17The district administration has also made medical arrangements signing agreements with multiple hospitals in Anand and Karamsad to provide cashless emergency treatment to election personnelOral rehydration solution packets have been distributed at polling stations as a precaution against heatrelated health issuesOfficials said that the polling process is being monitored through webcasting at all stations to ensure transparency and realtime oversight throughout the dayThe Umreth Assembly constituency fell vacant following the death of sitting MLA Govind Parmar a twoterm legislator of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP who died last month after a brief illness leading to the Election Commission announcing a byelection for the seat IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-bypoll-voting-underway-in-umreth-amid-extensive-arrangements-670783.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-polling-process-overall-peaceful-1876-pc-voting-in-first-two-hours-670787.html Kolkata April 23 Barring stray incidents of tension in certain pockets the polling process in 152 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts of West Bengal has been overall peaceful in the first two hours on Thursday with 1876 per cent voting recorded till 9 am Districtwise the highest polling percentage till 9 am has been recorded in West Midnapore at 2051 per cent and the lowest in Malda at 1676 per cent as per the statistics provided by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West BengalAt a polling booth under Raninagar Assembly constituency in minoritydominated Murshidabad district which had already been earmarked by the Election Commission of India ECI as the most sensitive district tension flared up in the morning following Congressâ allegations of their polling agent being forcefully evicted from the booth by the ruling Trinamool Congress activistsThe Congress candidate from Raninagar Zulfikar Ali alleged that Trinamool Congress backed hooligans were hiding in a forested area with crude bombs and firearms and intimidating voters going to the polling booths âThey have forcefully evicted one of our agents from that boothâ Ali allegedAt the two Assembly constituencies of Nandigram and its adjacent Haldia in East Midnapore district which is the native district of the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari the Trinamool Congress leadership accused the police officers in charge of the polling duties of deliberately harassing the ruling party supporters following the instructions of AdhikariThere were scattered protests by the Trinamool Congress workers in both these constituenciesAdhikari denied the allegations and said that the polling process has been more or less peaceful both in East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts âThey are raising these baseless allegations sensing their inevitable defeat Except in Pingla in West Midnapore there are some tensions because of the role played by the local inspectorincharge Chinmoy Pramanik I have demanded his suspensionâ Adhikari said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-polling-process-overall-peaceful-1876-pc-voting-in-first-two-hours-670787.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/alliance-will-form-govt-in-tn-dmk-delivered-on-key-issues-says-chidambaram-670793.html Karaikudi April 23 Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram cast his vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Thursday and expressed confidence that the Secular Progressive Alliance will return to power in the state Polling for the highstakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections across all 234 constituencies began at 7 am with over 573 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 4023 candidates in a fiercely contested fourcornered battleThe electoral contest primarily features the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance the AIADMKled National Democratic Alliance Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK making this one of the most competitive elections in recent yearsAfter casting his ballot at Chittal Aachi Memorial High School near Karaikudi senior Congress leader Chidambaram told reporters that voters across the state are focused on three key priorities Across Tamil Nadu the expectations that are resonating are threefold the need for a stable government growth and welfare schemes for the people I am confident that the DMK government which has delivered on these three will be formed and that the Secular Progressive Alliance will be in power for another five years he saidHe also voiced confidence that a stable government led by the alliance would be capable of managing the states finances and addressing its rising debt burden During the Budget Session Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu had stated that as per the Interim Budget Estimates for 2026â27 the states outstanding debt is projected to reach Rs 1071 lakh croreResponding to concerns over the debt Chidambaram maintained that it can be handled with proper financial planning There wont be any problem There are ministers There are capable officials When preparing the budget both the states own revenue and the Central governments revenue should be taken into account and the necessary budget should be drawn up This applies to the Central government as well as the state government he saidHe further stressed that borrowing is a normal economic practice and should not be viewed negatively if managed prudently A stable strong government will definitely manage the budget properly How much debt does the Central government have There is nothing wrong with borrowing all countries borrow Its not just Tamil Nadu that borrows The key is whether the debt can be serviced meaning whether we can pay the interest on the loan thats the calculation he addedChidambaram also took issue with the use of the term freebie in political discourse arguing that welfare measures should be seen differently I reject the term âfreebieâ It is not a freebie I have said this many times Universal Basic Income they are repeatedly providing it so that everyone across Tamil Nadu has a basic income UBI we should see it as ensuring that everyone receives a minimum income It should not be viewed as a freebie he saidThe counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 when the electoral verdict will determine the next government in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/alliance-will-form-govt-in-tn-dmk-delivered-on-key-issues-says-chidambaram-670793.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-urges-bengal-voters-to-participate-in-festival-of-democracy-as-voting-begins-across-152-seats-670805.html New Delhi April 23 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on voters to take part in large numbers as West Bengal entered the first phase of its Assembly elections on Thursday with polling underway across 152 constituenciesnbspPM Modi posted on X Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections takes place today I urge all citizens to participate in this festival of democracy with full strength I especially appeal to my young friends and to the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbersVoting began at 700 am as West Bengal kicked off the first phase of its Assembly elections across 152 constituencies spread over 16 districts marking the opening of a crucial and closely watched electoral contest in the statenbspLong queues of voters were seen outside polling stations early in the morning with citizens actively participating in the democratic exercise At Primary Health Centre No 1 voters were seen standing in line to cast their votes while at Booth No 12176 polling also got underway with steady turnout reported in the initial hoursAround 36 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase which will decide the fate of 1478 candidates The constituencies are evenly distributed across north and south Bengal reflecting the wide geographical and political spread of this highstakes electoral battleThe Election Commission of India has deployed a record 2407 companies of Central Armed Police Forces for this phase making it one of the most heavily secured elections in the states history Officials said the deployment reflects the Commissions focus on ensuring peaceful and fair polling across sensitive regionsWhile the number of phases has been reduced compared to earlier elections security arrangements have been significantly strengthened The state is witnessing an unprecedented presence of central forces supported by new Election Commission protocols aimed at the strict enforcement of electoral rulesThe current twophase election schedule marks a sharp reduction from eight phases in 2021 and six phases in 2016 when polling itself was spread across multiple daysOn the political front the contest is primarily between the ruling Trinamool Congress TMC led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP which is the main opposition in the state The TMC is aiming for a fourth consecutive term while the BJP which won 77 seats in the previous Assembly elections is making a renewed attempt to form the governmentPolling in the remaining 142 constituencies will be held on April 29 while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-urges-bengal-voters-to-participate-in-festival-of-democracy-as-voting-begins-across-152-seats-670805.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-bypoll-early-turnout-stands-at-2565-pc-as-voting-continues-across-306-booths-670816.html Anand April 23 Polling for the Umreth Assembly byeelection in Gujaratâs Anand district is continuing steadily with 2565 per cent voter turnout recorded by 11 AM according to data released by the Election Commission of India Voting began at 7 AM on Thursday across 306 polling stations spread over urban and rural parts of the constituency which includes 46 villages of Umreth taluka and surrounding Anand rural areas along with the municipalities of Ode Umreth and BoriaviThe constituency has a total electorate of 245623 voters who are deciding the outcome among six candidates in the frayThe Election Commission has scheduled polling to continue until 6 PM while counting of votes will be held on May 4Officials said arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of voting with a workforce of around 1348 polling personnel deployed on duty supported by 22 micro observers and 19 districtlevel nodal officers taking the total field deployment to nearly 1500 staff membersWebcasting facilities have been installed at all polling stations for realtime monitoring of the processSecurity has been tightened across the constituency with the deployment of two Deputy Superintendents of Police four Police Inspectors around 500 police and home guard personnel along with three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force to maintain law and orderTo facilitate voter participation authorities have arranged 218 wheelchairs for elderly and differentlyabled voters along with 361 volunteers stationed across polling centresSix vehicles have also been deployed to assist senior citizens aged 85 and above as well as Persons with Disabilities PwD in reaching polling stationsVoter Assistance Booths have been set up at all locations to help citizens with information and supportThe electorate includes 4174 firsttime voters aged 18â19 years while 1556 voters above the age of 85 and 1546 PwDs are also registered in the constituencyOfficials confirmed that some of these voters have already exercised their franchise through home voting arrangementsAuthorities have also ensured medical preparedness during polling with arrangements made in coordination with hospitals in Anand Bhalej and Karamsad for emergency care of election personnelORS packets have been distributed at polling stations as a precaution against heatrelated issuesVoters are allowed to use any one of 12 approved identity documents for identification including Aadhaar passport driving licence PAN card and voter ID while nonresident Indian electors must produce their original passport at polling stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-bypoll-early-turnout-stands-at-2565-pc-as-voting-continues-across-306-booths-670816.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/brisk-polling-in-tn-assembly-elections-3756-pc-turnout-recorded-so-far-670820.html Chennai April 23 Voting is underway across all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu on Thursday with a voter turnout of 3756 per cent being recorded till 11 am The key battle is between the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance and the AIADMKled National Democratic Alliance while Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and actor Vijayâs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK have added further intensity to the raceAccording to the Election Commission a total of 4023 candidates are in the fray with over 573 crore eligible voters expected to decide the electoral fate of the statePolling began early in the morning under tight security arrangements and officials reported a steady voter turnout across districts By 11 am Tamil Nadu has recorded a voter turnout of 3756 per cent indicating a brisk polling trend in several regionsElection authorities are closely monitoring the process to ensure smooth and peaceful voting throughout the daySeveral prominent political leaders and public figures exercised their franchise during the morning hours Thol Thirumavalavan leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK cast his vote at a government school polling booth in Anganur located in the Kunnam Assembly constituency of Ariyalur districtV K Sasikala former AIADMK general secretary voted at Stella Maris College in Chennai Speaking to reporters after casting her vote she described the election as a âfestival of democracyâ and urged citizens across Tamil Nadu to fulfil their democratic duty by voting in large numbersGK Vasan president of the Tamil Maanila Congress stood in line and cast his vote at a Corporation School polling booth in Alwarpet Chennai reflecting the enthusiasm among voters and leaders alikeIn Vanur constituency VCK MP D Ravikumar exercised his franchise at a polling booth in MorattandiAmong celebrities actor Trisha Krishnan cast her vote at a polling station in Alwarpet Chennai accompanied by her mother When asked about expectations from the election she refrained from political commentary and simply appealed to citizens to vote stating that participation in the democratic process was most importantWith steady turnout figures and active participation from voters and prominent personalities Tamil Nadu is witnessing a vibrant democratic exercise Polling will continue until the evening with officials expecting turnout percentages to rise further as the day progresses IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/brisk-polling-in-tn-assembly-elections-3756-pc-turnout-recorded-so-far-670820.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/think-about-your-future-then-vote-says-dmks-kanimozhi-after-casting-ballot-in-chennai-670822.html New Delhi April 23 DMK Deputy General Secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi cast her vote at CSI St Ebbaâs Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai on Thursday and urged citizens to vote thoughtfully emphasising the importance of the election for the stateâs future and identity Speaking after voting she said âThink about your future think about the future of the state think about who will fight for the rights of the state and for the language we stand for and then voteâReacting to claims against DMK she said They will keep raising issues Any government will ensure that there are enough facilities for voters to come and vote If the DMK is confident that people will vote them back to power why would any government do something like this If you want to make accusations then its your politicsPolling for the highstakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections began at 7 AM across all 234 constituencies with voters turning up in large numbers at polling booths early in the day Long queues were seen at several locations reflecting strong public enthusiasm to participate in the democratic exerciseAccording to data shared by the Election Commission of India voter turnout stood at 3756 per cent as of 11 AM indicating steady participation in the initial hours of polling Officials expect turnout to increase further as the day progressesA total of over 573 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in this election which will determine the fate of 4023 candidates The contest is shaping up as a fiercely competitive fourcornered battle making it one of the most closely watched elections in recent yearsThe electoral fray primarily features the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance the AIADMKled National Democratic Alliance Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK along with several other parties and independent candidatesLeaders from various parties have also appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchiseSecurity arrangements have been tightened across the state to ensure smooth and peaceful polling with election officials monitoring the process closelyThe counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 when the results will determine the next government in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/think-about-your-future-then-vote-says-dmks-kanimozhi-after-casting-ballot-in-chennai-670822.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-635-complaints-registered-with-eci-in-first-four-hours-of-voting-670835.html Kolkata April 23 A total of 635 complaints were registered with the Election Commission of India ECI till 11 am on Thursday regarding the polling in the first phase of West Bengal Assembly polls covering 152 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts Of the 635 complaints registered with the ECI 260 have been submitted physically to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO while another 375 have been submitted through the CVigil appThe complaints were mostly regarding violence election malpractices etc said sourcesIn the first four hours of polling the average polling rate in the 152 constituencies was recorded at 4111 per cent Districtwise till that period the maximum polling percentage was reported from Jhargram at 4371 per cent with the figure being lowest in the case of Cooch Behar at 3867 per centA tragic incident took place at a polling booth under the Keshpur Assembly constituency in West Midnapore district when a voter died within the booth while she came to cast her vote The deceased was identified as Isratan Biwi She felt uneasy after reaching the polling booth and died on the spotTension broke out in front of a polling booth in Barwan Assembly constituency in minoritydominated Murshidabad district after the Trinamool Congress leadership alleged that the EVM button was pressed in favour of the ruling party candidates but the vote was getting registered in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP candidateThe polling was stopped for some time However later the polling resumed following the intervention of the ECIappointed general observer for Barwan Ujjwal Singh and the security personnelSingh while describing the allegation as impossible said that since an allegation has been floated the matter would be investigatedMeanwhile fresh tension broke out in the Naoda Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district where Humayun Kabir the former Trinamool Congress legislator who recently floated his own political party is contesting As his convoy reached the Shibnagar area in Naoda it was attacked allegedly by the Trinamool Congress activists However because of the intervention by the Central Armed Police Forces CAPF tension subsided soonAmid such stray incidents former state Congress president in West Bengal and fourtime Congress Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who is the party candidate this time from Berhampur Assembly constituency also in Murshidabad district expressed satisfaction with the ECI in ensuring overall peaceful polls so farThe incidents of voter intimidation and harassment eviction of the opposition polling agents and largescale violence which became a regular election feature in the last few years are not evident much this time till noon âThe role of ECI this time is really commendableâ he saidThe Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said that of the 152 constituencies where polling is being conducted in the first phase on Thursday the BJP might be able to bag up to 125 constituencies IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-635-complaints-registered-with-eci-in-first-four-hours-of-voting-670835.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/records-will-be-broken-this-time-pm-modi-on-bengal-voting-lauds-eci-for-largely-peaceful-polls-670838.html Kolkata April 23 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday gave full credit to the Election Commission of India ECI for ensuring overall peaceful and violencefree polls in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election being held in 152 constituenciesnbspToday the first phase of voting in West Bengal is underway I congratulate all the voters Everyone should celebrate the festival of democracy There has been less violence this time so far Earlier people were hanged and the ruling party claimed it was suicide I congratulate the Election Commission of India the Prime Minister said while addressing a campaign rally at Krishnanagar in Nadia district which is going to polls in the second phase on April 29The Prime Minister also expressed confidence in the high polling percentage recorded till afternoon and the enthusiasm with which voters were waiting in long queues in front of the polling booths ignoring the scorching heat to cast their votesThe manner in which the polling is going on and the enthusiasm with which the voters are voting it seems all records will be broken this time The state government employees are working responsibly to make the polling process peaceful I congratulate all of them the Prime Minister saidSpeaking on the occasion he also indirectly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee without taking her name over the latters jibes about PM Modis unexpected stop in Jhargram for a quick bite of the popular Bengali street snack the jhalmuri during his last campaign rally in the state on April 19I heard that my jhalmuri matter jolted some people here The funny thing is that I consumed Jhalmuri and the Trinamool Congress felt the heat After the results are declared on May 4 the BJP will celebrate victory in West Bengal At that time both sweets and jhalmuri will be distributed the Prime Minister saidAccording to him in West Bengal elections this time the battle is more between Trinamool Congress and common people rather than between the BJP and Trinamool CongressThis time the state government employees are voting after coming out of fear Doctors are voting for better medical systems Lawyers are voting to ensure justice Teachers are voting for a fearfree educational system The police are voting to serve the public the Prime Minister saidHe also said that during his recent tours he had realised how the people of West Bengal are frustrated with the misrule of Trinamool Congress I have realised how sick people are of corruption extortion and hooliganism There are many districts where Trinamool Congress will not be able to open their accounts this time the Prime Minister saidKrishnanagar is voicing strong discontent against TMCs misgovernance and lack of accountability People are tired of its corruption and inefficiency the PM saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/records-will-be-broken-this-time-pm-modi-on-bengal-voting-lauds-eci-for-largely-peaceful-polls-670838.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-records-6118-pc-voter-turnout-tn-touches-56-pc-mark-670845.html KolkataChennai April 23 West Bengal had a voter turnout of 6118 per cent while Tamil Nadu had 5681 per cent by 1 pm as polling for the Assembly elections was ongoing according to data from the Election Commission of India ECI Polling began for 152 assembly constituencies scattered over 16 districts of West Bengal from 7 am on Thursday in the first phase of the twophase crucial Assembly polls Voter enthusiasm for the elections appeared to be quite high this time as long lines were seen in front of several polling stationsThe 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda in North Bengal and Murshidabad East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Bankura West Burdwan and Birbhum in South BengalThe second phase of polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies will be on April 29 âA total of 635 complaints were registered with the ECI till 11 am regarding the polling in the first phase of elections covering 152 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts Of the 635 complaints registered with the ECI 260 have been submitted physically to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO while another 375 have been submitted through the CVigil appMeanwhile polling for the highstakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections across all 234 constituencies also began at 7 am with over 573 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 4023 candidates in a fiercely contested fourcornered battle The electoral contest primarily features the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance the AIADMKled National Democratic Alliance Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK making this one of the most competitive elections in recent yearsVoting commenced early in the morning with voters seen queuing up in large numbers at polling booths reflecting strong public enthusiasm to participate in the democratic processWith voter turnout expected to play a decisive role political parties are closely monitoring polling trends across constituenciesThe counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 when the electoral verdict will determine the next governments in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-records-6118-pc-voter-turnout-tn-touches-56-pc-mark-670845.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/row-erupts-over-bihars-satellite-township-plan-rohini-acharya-questions-land-transaction-ban-670846.html Patna April 23 A political controversy has erupted in Bihar following the state governmentâs decision to develop satellite townships in 11 cities including Patna As part of the plan the NDA government has imposed a temporary ban on the purchase and sale of land in the identified areas triggering sharp reactions from Opposition leaders Rohini Acharya daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav strongly criticised the move calling it shocking and difficult to understandIn a post on X Acharya alleged that the decision could adversely impact Biharâs already fragile economyâThe ban on land transactions in 11 major cities is shocking Given Biharâs current economic condition such a decision raises serious questions about intentâ she saidShe further argued that land transactions form a significant source of revenue and livelihood for manyâThis impractical decision will worsen the stateâs financial condition For common people land transactions are often a means to fulfil social and economic responsibilities as well as a source of financial securityâ she addedAcharya also raised concerns over the implementation of the proposed township projects alleging that the development work could be handed over to corporate entitiesShe claimed that valuable land might be allocated at low rates only to be later sold at high prices within these townshipsThe Bihar government however maintains that the move is aimed at planned urban expansion and the development of modern infrastructure across key cities in the stateThe issue is expected to intensify political debate in the coming days as the Opposition continues to question the intent and potential impact of the policyThe Samrat Choudhary government on Wednesday approved 22 proposals in the Cabinet meeting held in Patna and one of the most important decisions taken during the meeting was the imposition of an immediate moratorium on purchase sale transfer of land development of land and constructionIt is applied to designated township areas across several cities and townsIt is applicable to townships in Patna Sonepur Gaya Darbhanga Saharsa Purnea and Munger till March 27 2027 and in Muzaffarpur Chhapra Bhagalpur and Sitamarhi till June 30 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/row-erupts-over-bihars-satellite-township-plan-rohini-acharya-questions-land-transaction-ban-670846.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tamil-nadu-5681-pc-voter-turnout-till-1-pm-670854.html Chennai April 23 Tamil Nadu recorded a voter turnout of 5681 per cent till 1 pm on Thursday as polling progressed steadily across all 234 Assembly constituencies in a single phase election marked by a fourcornered contest The battle features the DMKled alliance the AIADMKled front Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and actor Vijayâs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKA total of 4023 candidates are in the fray with over 573 crore voters eligible to cast their ballotsAmong districts Tiruppur registered the highest turnout at 6297 per cent followed by Namakkal 6251 per cent Erode 6179 per cent and Salem 6142 per cent The Nilgiris recorded the lowest turnout at 5042 per cent with Kanyakumari 5035 per cent and Tirunelveli 5073 per cent also witnessing relatively lower participationFormer Chief Minister O Panneerselvam cast his vote in Periyakulam in Theni district Speaking to reporters he said the political impact of Vijay would be known only after the results are declaredFilm personalities also joined voters in exercising their franchise and appealed for greater participation Director K Bhagyaraj voted in Chennaiâs Thousand Lights constituency along with his family and urged voters especially the youth to think about the next five years while casting their voteActor Yogi Babu cast his vote in the Maduravoyal constituency after standing in a queue and called upon citizens to recognise the importance of voting and ensure they take part in the democratic processMeanwhile election authorities acted against violations of poll rules In Tirupattur a TVK functionary was arrested for allegedly recording a video inside a polling booth while casting his vote which is prohibited under Election Commission normsPolling is being conducted under tight security arrangements across the State with officials closely monitoring the process to ensure free and fair elections The counting of votes will take place on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tamil-nadu-5681-pc-voter-turnout-till-1-pm-670854.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-voter-turnout-reaches-70-per-cent-bengal-at-7877-per-cent-670861.html KolkataChennai April 23 The voter turnout for the West Bengal Assembly elections was recorded at 7877 per cent while that for Tamil Nadu stood at 70 per cent as of 3 pm according to data from the Election Commission of India ECI Polling began for 152 assembly constituencies scattered over 16 districts of West Bengal from 7 am on Thursday in the first phase of the twophase crucial Assembly pollsVoter enthusiasm for the elections appeared to be quite high this time as long lines were seen in front of several polling stationsThe 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda in North Bengal and Murshidabad East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Bankura West Burdwan and Birbhum in South BengalThe second phase of polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies will be on April 29 âA total of 635 complaints were registered with the ECI till 11 am regarding the polling in the first phase of elections covering 152 Assembly constituencies in 16 districtsOf the 635 complaints registered with the ECI 260 have been submitted physically to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO while another 375 have been submitted through the CVigil appMeanwhile polling for the highstakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections across all 234 constituencies also began at 7 am with over 573 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 4023 candidates in a fiercely contested fourcornered battleThe electoral contest primarily features the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance the AIADMKled National Democratic Alliance the Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK making this one of the most competitive elections in recent yearsVoting commenced early in the morning with voters seen queuing up in large numbers at polling booths reflecting strong public enthusiasm to participate in the democratic processWith voter turnout expected to play a decisive role political parties are closely monitoring polling trends across constituenciesThe counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 when the electoral verdict will determine the next governments in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-voter-turnout-reaches-70-per-cent-bengal-at-7877-per-cent-670861.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-3714-pc-turnout-recorded-by-1-pm-in-umreth-assembly-bypoll-as-voting-continues-670862.html Anand April 23 Polling for the Umreth Assembly byelection in Gujarats Anand district continued through Thursday with 3714 per cent voter turnout recorded by 1 pm according to data released by the Election Commission of India Voting began at 7 am on Thursday across 306 polling stations in the Assembly constituency which covers 46 villages of Umreth taluka and parts of Anands rural area along with the municipalities of Ode Umreth and BoriaviA total of 245623 voters are eligible to decide the outcome in the poll contest involving six candidatesThe Election Commission has scheduled polling to continue until 6 pm while counting of votes will be held on May 4Officials said voting has been proceeding in a structured manner under tight administrative supervision with around 1348 polling personnel deployed on duty assisted by 22 micro observers and 19 nodal officersNearly 1500 officials in total are engaged in the polling processWebcasting has been enabled at all polling stations to ensure continuous monitoringSecurity arrangements remain in place with the deployment of two Deputy Superintendents of Police four Police Inspectors around 500 police and home guard personnel and three companies of the Central Reserve Police ForceTo ensure accessibility election authorities have arranged 218 wheelchairs for elderly and differentlyabled voters supported by 361 volunteers across polling stationsSix dedicated vehicles have also been provided for voters aged 85 years and above and persons with disabilities to assist them in reaching polling centresVoter Assistance Booths have been set up at all stations to provide guidance and informationThe electorate includes 4174 firsttime voters aged between 18 to 19 years along with 1556 voters aged above 85 years and 1546 differentlyabled personsOfficials said some voters from these categories have already cast their votes through home voting arrangements conducted ahead of the polling dayEarlier 212 electionduty staff members exercised their vote through postal ballots between April 15 to 17Authorities have also put in place medical arrangements in coordination with hospitals in Anand Bhalej and Karamsad to provide emergency care to election personnelORS packets have been made available at polling stations as a precaution against heatrelated conditionsVoters are permitted to use any one of 12 approved identity documents including Aadhaar card passport driving licence and voter ID while nonresident Indian voters must produce their original passport for identification at polling stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-3714-pc-turnout-recorded-by-1-pm-in-umreth-assembly-bypoll-as-voting-continues-670862.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/calcutta-hc-reprimands-ec-over-imposing-restrictions-on-bike-movement-before-bengal-polls-670867.html Kolkata April 23 The Calcutta High Court on Thursday strongly criticised the Election Commission over imposing restrictions on the use of motorbikes two days before the Assembly polls in Bengal On Thursday Justice Krishna Rao told the Election Commission that it was abusing its power and citizens were being harassed in this way After the judgeâs observation the Election Commission will submit an affidavit to the court on Friday In the affidavit the Election Commission will explain why the restrictions were imposed two days before the election The poll panel can also tell the court about past bad incidents regarding bikesOn Thursday Justice Rao also told the Election Commission that the rights of ordinary citizens cannot be taken away in this wayThe judge commented that it could stop the cars too Even then people can carry bombs and guns and create chaos said the judgeThe judge further asked the Election Commission to show the court how many cases in the last five years were examples of bike gangs creating chaosThe court was of the view that this was a step that had been taken to halt everything two days before the election The judge further said that this was being done to cover up the failure of the authoritiesThe Election Commission issued a notification on Tuesday stating that no bike processions will be allowed two days before the pollsThe commissions notification stated that bikes can be ridden only from 6 AM to 6 PM two days before the election However no passenger will be allowed to sit on the back of the bike during this time Bikes can be ridden from 6 AM to 6 PM on the day of the electionHowever this exemption will be available only if the bike is used for voting or for any urgent workThe Commission stated that these restrictions will not be effective for urgent needs like medical emergency family work or taking children to and from school Those who ride bikes to go to social events have also been exemptedAccording to the Commission this rule will not be effective for other Appbased cab and food delivery services Apart from this if anyone wants to get exemption from the restrictions he will have to take written permission from the local police station the poll panel saidChallenging this order of the Election Commission the attention of the Calcutta High Court was drawn to the directives on WednesdayJustice Rao allowed the case to be filed and the hearing of that case was held on Thursday Tomorrow the Election Commission will submit an affidavit in this regard IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/calcutta-hc-reprimands-ec-over-imposing-restrictions-on-bike-movement-before-bengal-polls-670867.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/such-disgraceful-conduct-cant-be-normalised-bjp-to-eci-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-670721.html New Delhi April 22 IANS A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP met the Election Commission of India ECI on Wednesday to lodge a strong protest against Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharges terrorist remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to demand exemplary action to serve as a deterrent for others who try to breach political red linesnbspThe highlevel BJP delegation comprised Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju Nirmala Sitharaman and Arjun Ram Meghwal and BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh who all urged the Election Commission to intervene and take action against venomous remarks by the Congress chiefParliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju while speaking to the media said the BJP delegation conveyed the partys deep sorrow and anger over the abominable language used by Congress president against the Prime Minister and called for taking immediate cognisanceRijiju further said For Kharge to call PM Modi a terrorist is not just a remark but a grave insult to the entire nation Such disgraceful conduct cannot be normalisedAccording to him the poll panel has taken note of their concerns and assured them of adequate action over namecalling in the midst of electionsRijiju further informed that they have demanded that the Congress party and Kharge apologise before the nation and exemplary action should follow so that a clear message goes down in the political discourse so that no one dares to cross the limitsNirmala Sitharaman too in scathing criticism of the Congress party called out its pattern and history of abusing the Prime MinisterToday we appeared before the polling commission to bring to their notice that the President of Congress and the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha have spoken in such condemnable words The Congress has shown a pattern of repeatedly using abusive language against the Prime Minister Sitharaman saidTheres no change or correction in their course They have not changed their approach she addedTerming the conduct outrageous she said that this was driven by the Congress partys deep hatred for the Prime Minister and this calls for a firm and stern action against the guiltyBJPs anger and outrage over Kharge follows the latters obnoxious remarks made against the Prime Minister during a presser in Tamil Nadu on the last day of the poll campaignThough Kharge later claimed that this was not what he meant it has failed to convince the BJP which smells a motive and pattern by the Congress leader just ahead of electionsKharges remarks that created a political firestorm read How can these AIADMK people join hands with Modi when their party itself was founded by Annadurai He is a terrorist His party does not believe in equality and justice These people are joining with them it means they are weakening democracyIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/such-disgraceful-conduct-cant-be-normalised-bjp-to-eci-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-670721.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/atal-pension-yojana-surpasses-historic-9-crore-gross-enrolments-670733.html New Delhi April 22 The Union government said on Wednesday that the Atal Pension Yojana APY has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing total gross enrolments of nine crore subscribers Gross enrolments during the Financial Year 2025â26 crossed 135 crore subscribers marking the highestever enrolments recorded in a single financial year since the inception of the scheme according to a Finance Ministry statementLaunched on May 9 2015 with the vision of establishing a universal social security system for all Indians APY is a flagship social security scheme of the Union government administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority PFRDAAccording to the Ministry APY is designed to provide a Sampurna Suraksha Kavach Complete Security Shield by ensuring benefits like a guaranteed monthly pension ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 for subscribers after attaining 60 years of ageAlso same pension continues to the spouse after the subscribers demise and the return of the corpus accumulated till the age of 60 to the nominee after the death of bothThe pension scheme is open to all Indian citizens between the age of 18 and 40 years except those who are or have been income taxpayersAPY is a voluntary contributory pension scheme primarily focused on the poor the underprivileged and workers in the unorganised sectorOver the past decade the scheme has witnessed remarkable growth driven by sustained efforts of banks Public Sector BanksRegional Rural BanksPrivate BanksSmall Finance BanksCooperative banks State Level Bankers CommitteeUnion Territory Level Bankers CommitteesLead District Managers the Department of Posts and continuous support from the Union government the official statement saidAccording to the Ministry PFRDA has played a proactive role in expanding the schemes footprint across all states and districts in the country through extensive outreach initiatives capacitybuilding programmes multilingual awareness materials media campaigns and regular performance reviews IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/atal-pension-yojana-surpasses-historic-9-crore-gross-enrolments-670733.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/farm-tourism-homestays-to-create-new-jobs-for-youth-in-haryana-670616.html Chandigarh April 21 The Haryana government aims to take tourism in the state to new heights through farm tourism and homestays which will create new employment opportunities for the youth officials said To achieve this issues faced by farm tourism and homestay operators will be resolved on a priority basis Amit Kumar Agrawal Haryana Commissioner and State Tourism Department Secretary said on Tuesday At a meeting here with farm tourism and homestay operators Agrawal said the state government is making efforts to promote tourism activities in the state Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is personally taking keen interest in the development of farm tourism and homestays in the state the Haryana Commissioner and State Tourism Department Secretary was quoted as saying During the meeting farm tourism and homestay operators apprised the department of issues related to various departments and requested their resolution They said that the global annual market for farm tourism and homestays is Rs 5000 crore and is continuously growing If the Haryana government addresses the challenges faced by this sector the state can achieve significant progress in this field they added The operators also highlighted difficulties related to necessary facilities and approvals required from different departments in detail Agrawal directed operators to submit their issues in writing within the next five days Based on these inputs a comprehensive farm tourism and homestay policy will be formulated in coordination with all departments and will be presented for Cabinet approval Once implemented it will ensure smooth functioning of these services Additionally services related to this sector will be notified under the Right to Service Act to ensure timely delivery within a stipulated period Agrawal said the state government is also studying policies implemented by other states related to agrotourism and homestays to make Haryanas policy more effective He added that as per the directions of the Chief Minister tourism and hospitality will be promoted on a par with other industries in the state to generate maximum employment opportunitiesHe also told that the Central government has included farm tourism and homestays under the ease of doing business framework IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/farm-tourism-homestays-to-create-new-jobs-for-youth-in-haryana-670616.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-elections-eci-focuses-on-robust-poll-day-arrangements-670631.html Chennai April 22 With polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled on Thursday the Election Commission ECI has put in place extensive arrangements across the state to ensure smooth peaceful and voterfriendly polling Officials said preparations are in full swing with a strong focus on infrastructure accessibility and realtime monitoring at polling stations A total of 75064 polling booths have been set up each equipped with essential facilities and supported by trained personnel The Commission has directed Chief Electoral Officers to ensure that every polling station is fully prepared to handle voters efficiently and without disruption To maintain law and order and ensure peaceful polling microobservers have been deployed at every polling station These officials will closely monitor the voting process and report any irregularities in real time strengthening transparency The distribution of Voter Information Slips VIS has also commenced to help voters easily identify their polling stations and verify their details in advance Minimum facilities at polling stations will include drinking water shaded waiting areas toilets with water supply adequate lighting ramps for persons with disabilities proper signage and wellmaintained booths Seating arrangements will also be made at regular intervals in queues to support voters particularly the elderly and differentlyabled As part of voter awareness efforts four standardised voter information posters will be prominently displayed at all polling stations These will provide details such as polling station information candidate lists voting procedures accepted identity documents and key dos and donâts for voters Voter Assistance Booths will be established at each polling station to help voters locate their polling station number and serial number in the electoral roll Clearly marked guide posters will also be placed along routes leading to polling centres to ensure easy navigation Additionally mobile phone deposit facilities will be provided outside polling stations Voters will be required to switch off their phones and hand them over to designated volunteers before entering the polling booth and can collect them after casting their vote Campaigning for the elections has concluded and the state has now entered the mandatory silence period ahead of voting The Election Commission has reiterated that all arrangements will be strictly monitored with field staff instructed to complete preparations well in advance to ensure a seamless and voterfriendly polling experience IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-elections-eci-focuses-on-robust-poll-day-arrangements-670631.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/nadda-bashes-kharges-terrorist-remark-says-cong-gone-berserk-out-of-fear-of-defeat-in-elections-670651.html New Delhi April 22 Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday hit out at Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge over the terrorist remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the people of the country will give a befitting response to the party He said that the Congress chiefs derogatory remarks were a grave insult to the mandate of the countrys 140 crore peopleKharge triggered a major political controversy on Tuesday while attacking AIADMKs alliance with the BJP ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections referring to PM Modi as a terrorist during a press conference He later clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was terrorising people and political parties and not that he was a terroristReacting to this Nadda took to X and said The use of the word terrorist by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a grave insult to the mandate of 140 crore countrymenThe issueless and visionless Congress has gone berserk out of fear of the impending defeat in the upcoming elections in five states In its attempt to snatch away womens rights it is facing the wrath of the public across the country irked by its eroding mass base Congress leaders are unable to digest the continuously rising popularity of Prime Minister Modi Ji he saidCondemning Kharges remarks the Union Minister said The shameful and derogatory language used by the Congress President against Prime Minister Modi Ji cannot be condemned enough no matter how strongly it is denouncedThe people of the country will surely give a befitting response to the Congress for its derogatory remark against the Prime Minister he addedEarlier on Tuesday Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X slammed Kharge and accused Congress of repeatedly lowering the standards of public discourse âHe wrote that Kharge had breached every standard of public conduct and brought shame to the nation by calling the elected Prime Minister a terrorist âShah emphasised that PM Modi had curbed terrorism over the past twelve years and described the remark as highly condemnable âHe added that every time Congress hurls abuses at PM Modi the people of India respond and this time too the public will give its answer â IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/nadda-bashes-kharges-terrorist-remark-says-cong-gone-berserk-out-of-fear-of-defeat-in-elections-670651.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rtc-buses-go-off-the-roads-in-telangana-as-employees-begin-strike-670654.html Hyderabad April 22 Public road transport services in Telangana came to a grinding halt on Wednesday as employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC began their indefinite strike in support of their demands TGSRTC buses went off the roads across the state since midnight as the Joint Action Committee JAC of employeesâ unions decided to go ahead with the strike following the failure of talks with the state governmentWith the RTC buses remaining confined to all 90 depots commuters faced severe hardships across the state including the capital Hyderabad At many places commuters were seen hiring private vehicles to reach their destinations Striking employees staged a protest outside the depots demanding that the government resolve their longpending demands Police tightened security at the depots to prevent any untoward incidentAt a few places TGSRTC was operating electric buses with the help of contract employeesTGSRTC operates about 9500 buses including 2500 hired buses and over 1000 electric buses About 25 lakh people travel by RTC buses across the state every dayMahatma Gandhi Bus Station MGBS in Hyderabad the biggest bus station in the state wore a deserted look A similar situation prevailed at Jubilee Bus Station JBS in Secunderabad and other bus stations in the state capital and all other districts TGSRTC Managing Director Nagi Reddy has appealed to the employees to return to work He stated that the government is ready to resolve its demands in a phased mannerHe alleged that a few unions were misleading the employees The MD said the government constituted a committee of IAS officers to address the demandsThe talks held Tuesday night between the JAC and the committee failed to resolve the deadlockThe committee sought four weeks to resolve the demands JAC leaders said their demands are not new They made it clear that they will continue the strike till their 32 demands are resolved JAC chairman Eeduru Venkanna told media persons that all unions have extended their support to the strike call Merging TGSRTC with the government is the main demand of the JAC The RTC JAC Chairman asserted that the government ignored the issue of merger even after explicitly including it in its election manifestoHe said that the government constituted a committee as a delaying tactic He recalled that the JAC served the strike notice 41 days agoVenkanna stated that they are compelled to resort to a strike due to unavoidable circumstances He alleged that under the pretext of introducing electric buses attempts are being made to transfer employees currently stationed at Hyderabad depots to the districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rtc-buses-go-off-the-roads-in-telangana-as-employees-begin-strike-670654.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kaleshwaram-commission-telangana-hc-bars-govt-from-taking-action-against-kcr-670661.html Hyderabad April 22 In a huge relief to former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former Minister T Harish Rao the Telangana High Court barred the state government from taking any action against them and two other petitioners on the basis of the report of the Justice PC Ghose Commission which enquired into alleged irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme The High Court observed that the Ghose Commission did not follow the procedure under the Commission of Inquiry ActA Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin on Wednesday pronounced the orders on the batch of writ petitions filed separately by Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR Harish Rao retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary SK Joshi and serving IAS officer Smitha Sabharwal challenging the reportThe petitioners had sought a direction to set aside and quash the report of the CommissionThe petitioners had also challenged the constitution of the Commission but the court held that the government has the power to constitute the Commission However the court found that the findings of the Commission canât be a basis for action against any of the petitioners a lawyer saidDuring the hearing counsels for the four petitioners rebutted the findings of the Commission and contended that their clients were not served the mandatory notices under Section 8B and 8C of the Commission of Inquiry ActAfter hearing the arguments on the petitions the court had reserved its orders last month The orders were to be pronounced on April 8 but the same were postponed to April 22The Bench directed the government not to initiate any coercive action against all four petitioners based on the findings of the Ghose Commission reportSupreme Court senior counsel Dama Sheshadri Naidu had argued for KCR while Advocate General A Sudershan Reddy and senior counsel S Niranjan Reddy had appeared for the state government and the Ghose Commission respectivelyThe Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme KLIS said to be the worldâs largest multistage lift irrigation project was started by the then BRS government in May 2016 Its main component was inaugurated by the then CM KCR in 2019In March 2024 the Congress government constituted a commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose to probe alleged irregularities in planning design construction quality control operation and maintenance of Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram projectThe commission submitted its report to the Telangana government on July 31 2025The Commission held KCR directly and vicariously accountable for irregularities in planning execution completion operation and maintenance of the Kaleshwaram project It also indicted Harish Rao then Chief Secretary Joshi and then Secretary to Chief Minister Smitha Sabharwal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kaleshwaram-commission-telangana-hc-bars-govt-from-taking-action-against-kcr-670661.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sc-to-hear-ed-plea-against-mamata-banerjee-in-i-pac-raid-case-today-670665.html New Delhi April 22 IANS The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate ED against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday in connection with the Indian Political Action Committee IPAC raid casenbspThe hearing forms part of an ongoing legal dispute over allegations that the Chief Minister interfered in an ED search operation conducted at the premises of the Indian Political Action CommitteeThe matter traces back to raids carried out by the ED on January 8 as part of a multicrore money laundering investigation linked to an alleged coal smuggling scamAccording to the agency Mamata Banerjee accompanied by more than 100 police personnel and senior officials entered the IPAC office as well as the residence of its founder Pratik Jain while the searches were underwayThe ED has alleged that she unauthoritatively removed key evidence during the operation including laptops mobile phones and documents containing electoral dataDuring earlier proceedings the Supreme Court had described the alleged confrontation as very unusual and termed it an unhappy situation raising concerns about the absence of clear legal remedies in cases where a highranking state functionary is accused of obstructing a central investigationAppearing for the ED Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged interference along with appropriate action against the Chief Minister and the states Director General of Police The agency has argued that central investigative bodies cannot be left remediless if their operations are physically obstructedOn the other hand the West Bengal government represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi has contested the maintainability of the plea The state has argued that the ED being a government department cannot claim fundamental rights or invoke Article 32 to directly approach the Supreme CourtThe state has also alleged that the raids are politically motivated and aimed at undermining the All India Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly electionsMeanwhile in a related development IPAC cofounder Vinesh Kumar Chandel was arrested on April 13 after which the organisation is reported to have scaled down or paused its operations in West BengalA court at Patiala House Court subsequently remanded Chandel to 10 days of ED custody in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the alleged coal pilferage case He is expected to remain in custody until April 23 for further interrogationIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sc-to-hear-ed-plea-against-mamata-banerjee-in-i-pac-raid-case-today-670665.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/un-secretary-general-candidate-bacheletto-push-as-much-as-possible-for-unsc-reforms-670666.html United Nations April 22 Michelle Bachelet Jeria who is running to be the next secretarygeneral has declared she would âpush as much as possibleâ to have the member states reform the Security Council âTheres a huge movement that they UN members understand that the Security Council needs to be reformed but in which way will depend on how members decideâ she said on Tuesday at a news conference following a candidatesâ forumThe Council needs to have representation of those who are underrepresented as permanent members or nonpermanent members she saidIf it is not reformed there is not much hope for the multilateral system she added emphasising the need for changeBachelet said that while the secretarygeneral doesnât have the mandate to reform the Council she will do her best to convince member nations to act on reforming itA pediatric doctor by profession Bachelet is a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and was the president of Chile which nominated her along with Mexico and BrazilDuring the candidateâs forum on behalf of G4 Germanyâs Permanent Representative Thomas Hans Ossowski asked her what role she would see for the SecretaryGeneral in reforming the Security Council that âdoes not reflect todays geopolitical realitiesâ and its relevance and effectiveness are questionedG4 a group of India Germany Japan and Brazil lobbies for Council reform and they mutually support each other for permanent seats on a reformed CouncilBachelet said that there is a need for making the Council reflect the world as it is today so it can be more efficient and effective with better geographic representation with permanent members from certain regions and the secretarygeneral can play a role in bringing this aboutIndiaâs External Ministry Secretary Shibi George asked her about her approach to achieving the developmental goals of the Global SouthBachelet said the member states should make achieving the development goals a political priority and ensure finances are available for itIt will also have to be ensured that the Global South is well represented in the different decisionmaking positions at the UN agencies and the Secretariat she saidThis is to make sure their voices are really heard not only in particular group meetings like those on the situation of the least developed countries but on a daily basis she saidThere are three other candidates competing to succeed Antonio Guterres whose second term ends this year The Security Council will select the winner and recommend its choice to the General Assembly for approval IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/un-secretary-general-candidate-bacheletto-push-as-much-as-possible-for-unsc-reforms-670666.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-stands-united-will-never-bow-to-terror-pm-modi-remembers-pahalgam-victims-670670.html New Delhi April 22 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on the first anniversary of the dastardly massacre and said that India will never bow to any form of terrornbspHe extended condolences to bereaved families while affirming national unity in grief and a firm resolve that India will never yield to terrorism or allow terrorist designs to succeedIndia on Wednesday is observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistanbacked terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent yearsIn a post on X PM Modi said Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year They will never be forgotten My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this lossAs a nation we stand united in grief and resolve India will never bow to any form of terror The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed the Prime Minister addedEarlier in the day the Indian Army took to social media and warned that any misdeeds against the nation will be met by a responseIn a post on X the Army said For acts against India the response is assured Justice will be served AlwaysIt also shared a photo showcasing Operation Mahadev with the tagline It was only a matter of time in red colour This refers to the intense manhunt and neutralisation of the terrorists involved in the attackOperation Mahadev was launched immediately after the April 22 attack It involved extensive searches in difficult Himalayan terrain near DachigamMahadev Ridge culminating in the elimination of the three main perpetratorsThe Indian armed forces scanned over 300 sq kilometres of treacherous terrain for 93 days and eventually neutralised the terroristsA day ahead of the anniversary the Indian Army reiterated its firm commitment to justice and issued a strong warning that any breach of the boundaries of humanity would invite a decisive responseIn a stronglyworded post on its X handle the Indian Army said When boundaries of humanity are crossed the response is decisive Justice is served India stands unitedThe post was accompanied by a visual message stating Some boundaries should never be crossed featuring a map of India marked with red sindoor powder symbolising the Armys decisive action against terrorists under Operation SindoorThe image also carried the message India does not forget underlining the countrys resolve and unityThe Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 2025 when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaibaThe attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsSeveral victims were newly married and many were shot at close range in front of their familiesIn response to the attack Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7 carrying out what officials described as a focused measured and nonescalatory military action targeting highvalue terror bases in Pakistan and PakistanoccupiedKashmirFollowing the operation Pakistan responded with drone activity and shelling over the next week targeting civilian and religious sites and schoolsIndia subsequently carried out retaliatory strikes including on radar installations in Lahore and facilities near GujranwalaAfter sustaining significant damage Pakistans Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart urging a stop to military action This led to a ceasefire understanding between the two sides on May 10 2025Despite the ceasefire there were continued attempts involving waves of UAVs and small drones entering Indian civilian and military areas These intrusions were intercepted and the Indian armed forces responded firmly with field commanders authorised to take appropriate action in case of any violationsOperation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability combining both military and nonmilitary measuresThe operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zerotolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraintIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-stands-united-will-never-bow-to-terror-pm-modi-remembers-pahalgam-victims-670670.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-remains-firm-in-its-commitment-to-fight-terrorism-eam-jaishankar-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary-670671.html New Delhi April 22 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday remembered the victims of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent people were killed by Pakistanbased terrorists and reaffirmed Indias resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsnbspEAM Jaishankar took to X and said Join the nation in remembering the victims of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack which took place this day last year India stands steadfast in its resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary and expressed solidarity with their familiesIn a post on X PM Modi said the victims will never be forgotten describing the April 22 2025 attack as a tragedy that continues to weigh on the nations conscience and asserted that the country will not bow to any form of terrorRemembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year They will never be forgotten My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss he said in a post on XAs a nation we stand united in grief and resolve India will never bow to any form of terror The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed the Prime Minister addedThe Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 2025 when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaibaThe attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsSeveral victims were newly married and many were shot at close range in front of their familiesIn response to the attack Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7 carrying out what officials described as a focused measured and nonescalatory military action targeting highvalue terror bases in Pakistan and PakistanoccupiedKashmirOperation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability combining both military and nonmilitary measuresThe operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zerotolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraintMeanwhile the Jammu and Kashmir administration has also stepped up security in Pahalgam deploying additional forces and increasing surveillance to ensure a peaceful commemoration which is expected to be attended by political leaders civil society members and families of the victimsIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-remains-firm-in-its-commitment-to-fight-terrorism-eam-jaishankar-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary-670671.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-transport-minister-appeals-to-rtc-employees-to-end-strike-670675.html Hyderabad April 22 Telanganaâs Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday urged employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC to call off the strike to protect the public organisation Stating that a strike is not a solution the minister said a highlevel committee formed by the government is looking into their demands and a report is expected in four weeksThe minister appealed to RTC employees and their families to call off the strike in the interest of protecting the organisation and ensuring public welfare He said in a statement that the government has already constituted a fourmember committee of senior officials to address the issues The committee has been instructed to submit its report within four weeks He clarified that this is not a delay tactic Ponnam Prabhakar said that of the 32 issues raised by RTC employees the government has no objection to 29 issues and they can be resolved immediately The remaining issues of the RTC merger and recognition of unions involve technical aspects and require detailed examination These will be discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister he saidThe minister highlighted key steps taken by the government for the welfare of employees He said salaries were being paid on the first of every month despite delays in the RTC merger The longpending 2017 PRC has been cleared along with pending DA dues while the 2013 pending bonds have been settled He stated that PF dues have been reduced from Rs 1205 crore to Rs 600 crore while CCS dues have been reduced from Rs 690 crore to Rs 300 crore Monthly payments of Rs 75 crore are being made towards PF and CCS He promised that the recruitment of 4538 employees would be completed soon to reduce the workload The government has made 1134 compassionate appointments Around 250 employees previously removed from service have been reinstated The minister emphasised that RTC is gradually recovering and disruptions at this stage would harm both the institution and the public RTC serves as a lifeline for rural and economically weaker sections with around 65 lakh daily passengers including 45 lakh women Many depend on RTC for education employment and healthcare He urged employees to use democratic means of protest through their leadership without disrupting public transport He stressed that poor people cannot afford alternative travel options He assured that the government is committed to resolving all issues and stands firmly with RTC employees while urging them to resume duties and avoid inconvenience to the public IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-transport-minister-appeals-to-rtc-employees-to-end-strike-670675.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-hc-judge-recuses-from-pil-against-kejriwal-aap-over-court-proceedings-leak-670677.html New Delhi April 22 IANS A judge of the Delhi High Court on Wednesday recused himself from hearing a Public Interest Litigation PIL against leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party AAP and members of other political parties for allegedly recording and disseminating audio and video clips of court proceedings during the hearing of a recusal plea moved by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy casenbspnbspAfter Justice Tejas Karia withdrew himself from hearing the matter a Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya directed that the PIL filed by advocate Vaibhav Singh be placed before a different Bench on Thursday for hearingList tomorrow before another Bench of which one of us J Karia is not a member the CJ Upadhyayaled Bench orderedThe petitioner alleged that audio and video clips of the court proceedings conducted on April 13 before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma were made and circulated intentionally and deliberately and with the wilful intention to malign the image of this Court and to mislead the general publicAccording to the plea Kejriwal who appeared in person after being permitted by the Delhi High Court argued his recusal application for around 4550 minutes following which the recordings of the proceedings were widely circulated across social media platformsThe circumstances in which the audiovideo recording of the Court Proceedings was done and shared retweeted and posted by various political leaders and the way it went viral smells of a deep conspiracy by Arvind Kejriwal and various leaders of Aam Aadmi Party to malign the image of this noble institution and to mislead the common people of this nation the petition saidIt also alleged that several political leaders amplified the content online with comments supporting Kejriwal and casting aspersions on Justice SharmaThe plea specifically referred to posts by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh who termed Kejriwals arguments as very courageous and suggested recusal a social media post that was reposted by KejriwalThe petition also referred to posts by AAP leaders including Saurabh Bharadwaj Manish Sisodia Sanjay Singh and others alleging that the court proceedings were shared with misleading remarks to influence public perceptionContending that such acts violate the High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2021 and the Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules 2025 the petitioner said quoting the rules Unless expressly permitted by the Court no person shall record or publish the proceedings There shall be no unauthorised recording of the proceedings by any person or entityThe petitioner also claimed that complaints were sent to the Delhi High Court registry and social media platforms seeking removal of the content but no effective measures have been taken till now necessitating the filing of the PILThe development comes amid ongoing proceedings in the Delhi High Court on a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI which has challenged a trial court order discharging all 23 accused including Kejriwal and Sisodia in the corruption case linked to the nowscrapped Delhi excise policyOn March 9 a singlejudge Bench of Justice Sharma had issued notice to the accused on the CBIs plea and stayed certain directions passed by the trial court including adverse remarks against the probe agencySubsequently Justice Sharma had rejected Kejriwals plea seeking her recusal holding that allegations of bias were based on mere apprehension or personal perception and not supported by cogent materialRecusal cannot be used as a tool to forum shop or to create a perception that justice can be influenced the judge had said cautioning that a courtroom cannot be a theatre of perceptionRejecting the allegations of bias as conjectures and insinuations Justice Sharma said that the application arrived with aspersions and doubts cast on my integrity but without any substantive materialThe Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court had also declined on the administrative side a request by Kejriwal to transfer the matter from Justice Sharmas Bench saying that the case had been assigned as per the roster and there was no reason for reassignmentIn his representation Kejriwal had expressed apprehension that the matter may not receive a hearing marked by impartiality if it remained before the same BenchEarlier a group of senior advocates academicians former police officials and members of the Bar had written to Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant expressing concern over allegations made by Kejriwal against a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court and seeking initiation of suo motu proceedingsIt is a settled principle that a litigant cannot choose the Bench or the Judge before whom their case is to be heard the representation said cautioning that imputing motives to judges without substantiated basis strikes at the very foundation of judicial proprietyThe signatories warned that permitting such conduct to go unchecked could erode public confidence in the justice delivery system and urged the CJI as the custodian and guardian of the judicial system to take appropriate action in accordance with lawIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-hc-judge-recuses-from-pil-against-kejriwal-aap-over-court-proceedings-leak-670677.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-home-minister-denies-promoting-betting-says-remark-misinterpreted-respects-law-670681.html Bengaluru April 22 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has responded to a court order directing the registration of an FIR against him in connection with allegations that he placed a Rs 500 bet during a kabaddi match saying that his remarks have been misinterpreted and that he respects the legal process Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Bengaluru Parameshwara said it was not appropriate to comment extensively on the issue He clarified that his earlier statement was made casually in the context of a kabaddi game in a lighthearted manner similar to how people speak in rural settingsâThe context in which I spoke is very important If I had promoted betting that would have been wrong But I am in a responsible position it is completely false to say that I promoted bettingâ he saidHe added that interpretations of his statement were being taken out of context and stressed that he had not encouraged or supported betting in any formReferring to the legal development the minister said a private individual had approached the court in the matter and that neither he nor his office had received any notice before the courtâs orderâNo notice was served to us If we had received a notice we could have explained the context and requested that they not take it seriously But no notice came suddenly an order was passedâ he saidParameshwara further stated that he respects the law and would examine the court order in detail before taking any further steps âI have not fully understood the order yet I will look into itâ he addedThe court has reportedly directed police to register an FIR and conduct an investigation into the allegationsA Special Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday ordered the registration of a First Information Report against Parameshwara over an allegation that he placed a Rs 500 bet during a Kabaddi sports tournamentâTaking serious note of the development and the message it would send to society the court directed the Kodigehalli police in Tumakuru to register an FIR and carry out a comprehensive probe into the matterâThe directive follows a private complaint filed by HR Nagabhushan who argued that even a small bet made or publicly acknowledged by a person holding a constitutional position amounts to promoting an illegal activityResponding to the cabinet reshuffle Parameshwara stated That is entirely up to the Chief Minister and the high command It would be inappropriate for us to comment We will act according to whatever decision they take IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-home-minister-denies-promoting-betting-says-remark-misinterpreted-respects-law-670681.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/terrorist-acts-can-never-weaken-nations-unity-resolve-telangana-cm-670683.html Hyderabad April 22 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday affirmed that heinous terrorist acts such as the attack in Pahalgam can never weaken the unity and resolve of the nation On the solemn occasion marking one year since the tragic incident he paid heartfelt tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives stating that their sacrifice remains an enduring and sacred debt owed by the nationThe Chief Minister emphasised that such reprehensible conspiracies are destined to fail as the people of the country stand steadfast united vigilant and resolute in confronting and defeating all forms of terrorism He also conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families assuring them that the nation stands in solidarity with them in this hour of remembranceUnion Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy also paid tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam attack âRemembering the innocent lives we lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year Their sacrifice will forever remain etched in our collective memory My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who continue to endure this immense loss As a nation we stand united in grief in strength and in our unwavering resolve against terrorismâ Kishan Reddy posted on âXâUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also took to âXâ to pay his tributes âOne year ago the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam shook the conscience of the nation Innocent lives were lost but their memory will never fade My deepest condolences to the families who continue to live with this pain The entire nation stands with them in grief and solidarity India is united in its fight against terrorism We will never bow to fear and we will never be broken by violence The cowardly agenda of terrorists will never succeed Bharat stands firm and strongâ said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/terrorist-acts-can-never-weaken-nations-unity-resolve-telangana-cm-670683.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/we-remain-resolute-in-our-determination-to-defeat-terrorism-prez-murmu-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary--670686.html New Delhi April 22 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday remembered the innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack saying that such acts of terror cannot deter the countrys unwavering commitment to peace and unitynbspIndia is observing on Wednesday one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistanbacked terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent yearsIn a post on X President Murmu said I pay heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack The tragic loss of innocent lives in that heinous act remains etched in our collective memory I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families The entire nation stands with themnbspSuch acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity We remain resolute in our determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms she saidEarlier in the day Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also paid tributes to the lives lost in the heinous terror attacknbspI solemnly remember the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack The innocent lives lost in that gruesome and dastardly act of terror remain etched in our collective memory I pay heartfelt tributes to those we lost and stand in solidarity with their families whose grief is immeasurable They will forever be remembered the Vice President said in a post on XSuch acts of brutality can never shake our resolve to uphold peace unity and the enduring values of humanity We remain firm in our determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations he addedThe Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 2025 when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaibaThe attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsSeveral victims were newly married and many were shot at close range in front of their familiesIn response to the attack Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7 carrying out what officials described as a focused measured and nonescalatory military action targeting highvalue terror bases in Pakistan and PakistanoccupiedKashmirOperation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability combining both military and nonmilitary measuresThe operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zerotolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraintIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/we-remain-resolute-in-our-determination-to-defeat-terrorism-prez-murmu-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary--670686.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/i-feel-kharge-ji-doesnt-differentiate-between-terrorists-and-terror-to-terrorists-vp-radhakrishnan-670689.html Bidar Karnataka April 22 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan took a dig at Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday saying that he appears unable to distinguish between terrorists and terror to the terrorists His remarks came amid a growing political controversy triggered by Kharges recent statement referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a terrorist which has drawn sharp criticism from the BJPSpeaking at the Amrit Mahotsava celebration of Dr Basavalinga Pattadevaru Mahaswamiji of Hiremath Samsthan at Sri Channabasavashram in Karnatakas Bidar the Vice President made the comment in Kharges presenceI get a little difference between our Kharge ji Sometimes I feel Kharge ji does not differentiate between the black and white sometimes between the terrorists and the terror to terrorists Otherwise I have no problem he is a very good friend of mine VP Radhakrishnan saidThe controversy erupted after Kharge while attacking AIADMKs alliance with the BJP ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections referred to PM Modi as a terrorist during a press conference He later clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was terrorising people and political parties and not that he was a terroristHowever the BJP launched a scathing attack on Kharge calling it a grave insult to the mandate of the countrys 140 crore peopleUnion Health Minister JP Nadda hit out at the Congress chief and said the people will give a befitting response to the partyThe use of the word terrorist by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a grave insult to the mandate of 140 crore countrymen Nadda said on XThe issueless and visionless Congress has gone berserk out of fear of the impending defeat in the upcoming elections in five states In its attempt to snatch away womens rights it is facing the wrath of the public across the country irked by its eroding mass base Congress leaders are unable to digest the continuously rising popularity of Prime Minister Modi Ji he saidCondemning Kharges remarks the Union Minister said The shameful and derogatory language used by the Congress President against Prime Minister Modi Ji cannot be condemned enough no matter how strongly it is denouncedEarlier on Tuesday Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X slammed Kharge and accused Congress of repeatedly lowering the standards of public discourse âHe wrote that Kharge had breached every standard of public conduct and brought shame to the nation by calling the elected Prime Minister a terrorist âHM Shah emphasised that PM Modi had curbed terrorism over the past 12 years and described the remark as highly condemnable âHe added that every time Congress hurls abuses at PM Modi the people of India respond and this time too the public will give its answer â IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/i-feel-kharge-ji-doesnt-differentiate-between-terrorists-and-terror-to-terrorists-vp-radhakrishnan-670689.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-hc-verdict-exposes-political-conspiracies-of-congress-says-harish-rao-670696.html Hyderabad April 22 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS leader and former Minister T Harish Rao said on Wednesday that the Telangana High Courtâs order barring the state government from taking any action against him and BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on the basis of the PC Ghose Commission report has exposed the political conspiracies of the Congress party Truth always prevailsâ was how Harish Rao reacted to the High Court orders on their petitions challenging the report of the Ghose Commission which probed the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project constructed during the BRSâNo matter how many conspiracies anyone hatches it has once again been proven today that in the end justice prevails in the courts and truth resoundsâ said Harish Rao who is also the nephew of K Chandrasekhar Rao KCRA Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin on Wednesday pronounced the orders on the batch of writ petitions filed separately by KCR Harish Rao retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary SK Joshi and serving IAS officer Smitha Sabharwal challenging the reportThe High Court observed that the Ghose Commission did not follow the procedure under the Commission of Inquiry ActHarish Rao stated that the High Court has struck down the trial conducted while disregarding fundamental rights and principles of natural justice âIt has clearly ruled that the remarks made by the commission which hurt personal prestige are invalid and no actions should be taken based on that report With this the political conspiracies of the Congress government have been exposedâ he saidThe BRS deputy leader in the Telangana Assembly remarked that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddys true colours setting aside public issues to stage dramas have been laid bare by the High Court judgment âEven now we appeal to him to immediately cease baseless complaints and political smear campaigns complete the repairs to the two piers right away and safeguard the interests of Telanganas farmers Whether anyone praises it or not Kaleshwaram will forever remain Telanganas lifelineâ he added Said to be the worldâs largest multistage lift irrigation project the Kaleshwaram project was started by the then BRS government in May 2016 Its main component was inaugurated by the then CM KCR in 2019In March 2024 the Congress government constituted a commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose to probe the alleged irregularities in planning design construction quality control operation and maintenance of Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram projectThe commission submitted its report to the Telangana government on July 31 2025The Commission held KCR directly and vicariously accountable for irregularities in planning execution completion operation and maintenance of the Kaleshwaram project It also indicted Harish Rao then Chief Secretary Joshi and then Secretary to Chief Minister Smitha Sabharwal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-hc-verdict-exposes-political-conspiracies-of-congress-says-harish-rao-670696.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/chhattisgarh-bans-employee-leave-for-three-months-amid-governance-festival-census-670717.html Raipur April 22 The Chhattisgarh government has announced a sweeping ban on employee leave for the next three months citing the dual priorities of the upcoming âSushasan Tiharâ Good Governance Festival and preparations for the national census The directive issued with immediate effect places a moratorium on leave across all departments to ensure maximum workforce availability during this critical period According to an order employees and officials will not be permitted to take leave unless they provide prior intimation and secure approval from a competent authority Even casual leave applications must now be submitted through digital channels reflecting the governmentâs push for transparency and accountability Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against any employee found violating these instructions The decision underscores the stateâs emphasis on effective governance during âSushasan Tiharâ a festival dedicated to resolving public grievances and accelerating the implementation of welfare schemes By restricting leave the government aims to guarantee that administrative machinery remains fully functional enabling swift responses to citizen concerns and ensuring smooth execution of programmes Equally significant is the upcoming Census a nationallevel exercise requiring extensive manpower and coordination State employees are expected to play a pivotal role in data collection and verification tasks that demand the uninterrupted availability of personnel The leave ban is thus seen as a measure to prevent disruptions and maintain efficiency in this massive undertaking Officials have clarified that while the restrictions are stringent they are not absolute Employees facing unavoidable circumstances may still apply for leave provided they follow the prescribed digital notification process and obtain prior approval This balance the government believes will maintain discipline without disregarding genuine needs The announcement has sparked discussions among employees with some expressing concern over the rigidity of the order while others acknowledge the importance of ensuring smooth governance and Census operations For the administration however the priority remains clear uninterrupted service delivery and successful execution of national and statelevel commitments By enforcing this temporary measure the Chhattisgarh government has indicated its determination to strengthen governance enhance accountability and ensure that both the Good Governance Festival and the Census are conducted with maximum efficiency IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/chhattisgarh-bans-employee-leave-for-three-months-amid-governance-festival-census-670717.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-to-inaugurate-tribal-museum-in-odisha-today-670501.html Bhubaneswar April 21 President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a tribal museum a planetarium and a science centre during a daylong visit to Odisha on Tuesdayâ According to the Presidents Secretariat President Murmu will inaugurate the planetarium and science Centre and the Nirmal Munda Parivesh Path at a public function in Rourkela said a statementâShe will also inaugurate a tribal museum and an Integrated Command and Control Centre at RourkelaâExtensive and robust security measures have been implemented at all venues listed in the Presidents itinerary in view of her visitâOdisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with other senior dignitaries are expected to interact with President Murmu during the visitâEarlier in February President Murmu was on a sixday visit to her home stateShe visited Jajpur and offered prayers at the historic 13thcentury Biraja Temple and participated in some rituals at Nabhi GayaâThe President also visited the Balasore district and attended the 12th convocation ceremony of Fakir Mohan UniversityâLater she travelled to Puri and visited the Shree Jagannath Temple She offered prayers and participated in the aarti at the 12thcentury shrine The President also performed other specific rituals in the holy coastal townâDuring that visit President Murmu also visited Mayurbhanj district and participated in a number of programmes across her home districtâThe President attended a special programme at the Jagannath Temple in Rairangpur and later visit Simlipal Wildlife SanctuaryâThe next day she engaged directly with women and youth from tribal communities at Simlipal one of Odishas premier biosphere reserves known for its rich biodiversity and tribal heritageâLater that day she will grace the Black Swan Summit India in Bhubaneswar an event organised by the Odisha government in partnership with the Global Finance and Technology NetworkâConcluding her visit President Murmu later travelled to Chhattisgarh where she inaugurated the Bastar Pandum 2026 festival in Jagdalpurâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-to-inaugurate-tribal-museum-in-odisha-today-670501.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-to-address-civil-servants-today-highlight-inclusive-development-670504.html New Delhi April 21 On the occasion of the 18th Civil Services Day on Tuesday Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will address officials at an event in Delhi highlighting the governmentâs commitment to inclusive development and citizencentric governance The event planned by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances DARPG Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions at Vigyan Bhawan will be themed âViksit Bharat CitizenCentric Governance and Development at the Last Mileâ said an official statementThe inaugural session will include an address by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh and a welcome address by Cabinet Secretary TV SomanathanThe inaugural session will be followed by a panel discussion on the âRole and effectiveness of civil services An external perspectiveâ which will bring together eminent personalities from government industry and policy institutions to deliberate on enhancing accountability innovation and service delivery in governanceThe Civil Services Day is observed annually as an occasion for the civil servants across India to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitment to public service and excellence in their workOn this day in 1947 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of the All India Administrative Service where he described civil servants as the steel frame of IndiaThe sessions at the event will bring together senior officials experts and stakeholders for indepth discussions and the exchange of best practices towards strengthening citizencentric governance and improving lastmile service deliveryThe session on âSustainable Livelihood through PM Vishwakarmaâ will be chaired by Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi and the session on âAddressing NonCommunicable Diseases in India From Preventive to Careâ will be chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-to-address-civil-servants-today-highlight-inclusive-development-670504.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/voting-underway-in-aizawl-municipal-corporation-under-tight-security-670510.html Aizawl April 21 Voting for the 19member Aizawl Municipal Corporation AMC commenced on Tuesday morning amid tight security arrangements election officials said People including women turned out in large numbers forming queues at most of the 275 polling stations across the civic body urban areasPolling began at 7 AM and will continue uninterrupted until 5 PM A total of 239 lakh voters including 126 lakh women are eligible to cast their votes to decide the electoral fate of 68 candidates of whom 28 are women contesting in the civic body pollsElection authorities along with the state police have put in place elaborate measures to ensure that the polling process remains free fair and transparentThe Mizoram government has declared a public holiday in areas under the AMC on Tuesday to enable voters to exercise their franchiseâAll eligible voters have been urged to exercise their franchise On the day of polling all government offices educational institutions and public sector establishments within the AMC jurisdiction will remain closedâ an official notification statedOfficials of the Mizoram State Election Commission SEC said that nearly 94 per cent of the 2768 senior citizens Persons with Disabilities PwD and individuals with chronic illnesses have already cast their votes through the home voting facilityAccording to an SEC official the candidates comprise 40 men and 28 women representing four major political parties all contesting for seats in the civic bodyThe ruling Zoram Peopleâs Movement the main Opposition Mizo National Front MNF and the Congress have fielded 19 candidates each while the BJP has nominated 11 candidatesThe previous AMC elections were held in February 2021 when the MNF secured a majority by winning 11 seatsThe Zoram Peopleâs Movement won six seats while the Congress secured two seatsAlthough the municipalityâs term ended on March 1 the State Election Commission deferred the election process due to administrative reasons These included the state Assemblyâs budget session which concluded on March 16 as well as ongoing state Board examinationsThe State Election Commission has also enforced the Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates Votes will be counted on April 27 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/voting-underway-in-aizawl-municipal-corporation-under-tight-security-670510.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-meerut-today-may-take-namo-bharat-train-670511.html New Delhi April 21 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to visit Meerut Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday where he will attend the third convocation ceremony of IIMT University as the chief guest According to the official itinerary the Vice President is expected to begin his journey from Delhi in the morning boarding the Namo Bharat RRTS train from Sarai Kale Khan station He is slated to arrive at Begumpul station in Meerut from where he will proceed by road to the university campus located in GanganagarAnnouncing the ceremony IIMT University posted on its social media An inspiring presence for a defining milestone IIMT University Meerut is honoured to welcome CP Radhakrishnan Honâble Vice President of India as the Chief Guest for the 3rd Convocation Ceremony 2026The convocation ceremony a significant academic event for the institution will see nearly 3940 students from the 2024 and 2025 batches receiving their degrees Among them 203 meritorious students will be awarded gold medals in recognition of their academic excellenceDuring the event the Vice President will also confer honorary doctorate degrees upon prominent spiritual and social figures including Swami Kailashanand Giri Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Hari Singh RawatIn view of the highprofile visit extensive security arrangements have been put in place across Meerut More than 400 police personnel including senior officers have been deployed and drone surveillance is being carried out to ensure safety Traffic diversions have also been implemented particularly along the route leading to GanganagarSeveral dignitaries including Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai and MP Arun Govil are also expected to attend the ceremonyThe Vice President just concluded a landmark twoday official visit to Sri Lanka the firstever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the country He announced the expansion of the Overseas Citizen of India OCI scheme to include 5th and 6th generation Indianorigin Tamils in Sri Lanka IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-meerut-today-may-take-namo-bharat-train-670511.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/prez-murmu-extends-greetings-on-civil-services-day-praises-civil-servants-for-strengthening-governance-670513.html New Delhi April 21 President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday extended greetings to civil servants on Civil Services Day and praised their commitment to strengthening governance and building a more equitable and progressive nation In a statement the President said Warm greetings to all civil servants on Civil Services Day Your commitment continues to strengthen responsive governance and reinforce public institutions From the formulation of innovative futureoriented and citizencentric policies to their effective implementation on the ground your work significantly impacts the quality of life of millionsAs Bharat advances with renewed aspirations your integrity and empathy will be instrumental in bridging gaps fostering inclusivity and strengthening trust between the State and its citizens May you continue to uphold the highest standards of public service and contribute meaningfully to the building of a more equitable and progressive nation she addedThe Civil Services Day is observed annually as an occasion for civil servants across India to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitment to public service and excellence in their workOn this day in 1947 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of the All India Administrative Service where he described civil servants as the steel frame of IndiaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah also extended warm wishes to the civil servants on the occasion and said On Civil Services Day greetings to our civil servants Their dedication to implementing policies strengthening governance and serving citizens with integrity plays a vital role in nationbuilding May this occasion further fortify their commitment to contribute to the nationUnion Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also took to social media to wish civil servants on Civil Services DayIn a post on X Gadkari said On this Civil Services Day we salute the dedication integrity and tireless service of our civil service professionals who shape the nations progress Your commitment to governance and public welfare inspires trust and drives change Thank you for being the backbone of a stronger more resilient India IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/prez-murmu-extends-greetings-on-civil-services-day-praises-civil-servants-for-strengthening-governance-670513.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/major-initiative-for-noida-workers-call-centre-set-up-for-quick-grievance-redressal-670542.html New Delhi April 20 In a significant move aimed at ensuring swift and effective resolution of workersâ issues the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has launched a dedicated call centre for grievance redressal The facility has been established by the office of the Additional Labour Commissioner Noida and will operate from the G25A office located in Sector3 The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of workers across the district Providing details about the development Additional Labour Commissioner Rakesh Dwivedi said that workers often face challenges in communicating their grievances to the concerned departments Keeping this issue in mind the administration has introduced the call centre to make the complaint registration process simpler and more accessible while also ensuring timely resolution of issuesWorkers can now register their complaints by calling the helpline number 0124126892 In addition to the helpline an email facility has also been introduced to make the system more convenient Workers can send detailed descriptions of their grievances to the official email ID complaintdlcnoidagmailcomAccording to the administration this initiative is expected to not only streamline the complaint registration process but also enhance transparency and accountability in addressing workersâ concerns All complaints received through the call centre and email will be closely monitored to ensure prompt action and resolutionThe move is particularly beneficial for workers in the industrial sector many of whom previously had to make multiple visits to government offices to get their issues addressed With the new system in place workers can now directly connect with the administration through a simple phone call or email saving both time and effortThe district administration has urged workers to make full use of this facility and to report any issues without delay so that appropriate action can be taken swiftlyMeanwhile on April 19 the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force STF arrested Aditya Anand alias Rasti the alleged mastermind behind the violent Noida workersâ protest from Tiruchirappalli Railway Station in Tamil Nadu The accused who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh and is a BTech graduate from NIT Jamshedpur reportedly confessed to orchestrating the unrest during interrogation IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/major-initiative-for-noida-workers-call-centre-set-up-for-quick-grievance-redressal-670542.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/strong-room-row-brews-in-kerala-ceo-orders-no-opening-of-any-rooms-at-counting-centres-670553.html Thiruvananthapuram April 21 Amid mounting controversy over the handling of election materials Keralas Chief Electoral Officer CEO Dr Rathan U Kelkar on Tuesday issued a strict directive that no rooms at votecounting centres be opened under any circumstances The order extends to even beyond the completion of counting with explicit instructions that unsealed rooms too must remain closedThe move follows disputes reported from Perambra in Kozhikode and Nenmara in Palakkad prompting the CEO to seek an explanation over the decision to open a material room in NenmaraThe issue which appeared to be settling in Kozhikodeâs Perambra resurfaced in Palakkad after plans emerged to open a strong room at Victoria College NenmaraThe decision triggered sharp reactions leading authorities to withdraw the move District Collector MS Madhavikutty clarified that the proposal was to access the material strong room not the EVM strong roomShe explained that the material room housing electionrelated documents is located adjacent to the EVM strong room and opening it was not irregularAccording to officials the intent was to retrieve Form 17A to ensure accurate data entry on the Election Commissionâs websiteHowever the process has now been halted and any further action will depend on the CEOâs directionsThe Collector added that such a room would only be opened in the presence of candidates and reiterated that the materials strong room was not sealedMeanwhile the Opposition UDF has intensified its campaign over the Kozhikode controversyIt alleges that strong rooms storing voting machines at the JDT Islam Convention Centre in Vellimadukunnu were opened without due permissionThough officials maintain that only a reserve room was accessed the Opposition argues that procedural lapses have undermined confidenceWith the counting day approaching the Election Commission faces the challenge of restoring trust while ensuring strict adherence to protocols governing the security of voting machines and related recordsKerala went to the polls on April 9 and counting of votes will take place on May 4 when it will be known which political front will rule Kerala for the next five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/strong-room-row-brews-in-kerala-ceo-orders-no-opening-of-any-rooms-at-counting-centres-670553.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/permanent-political-solution-in-bengal-hills-by-next-month-if-bjp-comes-to-power-hm-shah-670560.html Kolkata April 21 IANS A permanent political solution in the hills scattered over Darjeeling Kalimpong and Kurseong in North Bengal will be achieved by next month if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly elections in the state Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on TuesdaynbspOn May 6 we will be deciding the matter and coming out with a solution which will bring smiles on the faces of our Gorkha brothers Be it Congress or Trinamool Congress they have left out patriotic Gorkha brothers who have been deprived for a long time I had been coming to the hills for the last nine years I will announce a solution to the longstanding issue by May 6 That solution will be according to the desire of our Gorkha brothers HM Shah said while addressing a campaign rally at Sukna in Kurseong on Tuesday morningHe also said that since the BJP understands the sentiments and problems of the Gorkha population none other than the saffron force would be able to solve their problemsSpeaking on the occasion he said that the negligence of the Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress government towards the development of the entire North Bengal is evident from the state governments paltry budgetary allocation for the regionIn the last budget the state government had allocated Rs 2000 crore for the entire North Bengal But for minority and madrasa education development the budgetary allocation is as high as Rs 5800 crore But the people of North Bengal will not tolerate this approach anymore Shah saidHe also accused the Chief Minister of making attempts to destroy the rich heritage of Gorkha culture The Gorkhas have a glorious history Mamata Banerjee is trying to destroy that history and culture The same thing was done first by Congress and then by CPIM It is high time now that such injustice on our Gorkha brothers and sisters should stop said ShahHe also said that the West Bengal government had deliberately and perpetually refrained from sending representatives to the tripartite meeting convened by the Union Home Minister to discuss a permanent political solution in the hillsSince I became the Union Home Minister I have convened at least three meetings on this issue But Mamata Banerjee did not send any representative to the meeting even once I want to tell the Chief Minister that we are not dependent on her to solve this issue I know what is on the minds of our Grokha brothers and sisters Hence the solution would be achieved accordingly he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/permanent-political-solution-in-bengal-hills-by-next-month-if-bjp-comes-to-power-hm-shah-670560.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/people-of-tamil-nadu-will-give-massive-victory-to-nda-to-teach-lesson-to-stalin-piyush-goyal-670578.html Chennai April 21 IANS Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that the people of Tamil Nadu will deliver a massive victory to the NDA to teach a lesson to Mr StalinnbspSpeaking to IANS Goyal said I am at least glad that finally Udhayanidhi Stalin and his father MK Stalin have realised that by hurting Tamil culture Tamil pride Tamil tradition and Tamil heritage and by calling Sanatan Dharma which is a way of life for Tamil Nadu and for Indians something that should be eradicated they have hurt the sentiments of every Tamil Tamil Nadu will not forget and Tamil Nadu will not forgiveHe further said The people of Tamil Nadu will give such a massive victory to the NDA to teach a lesson to Mr Stalin whom I call antiTamil for continuously creating false narratives and hurting our women by depriving them of reservation The Congress and Tamil Nadus DMK are primarily responsible for not ensuring reservationGoyal added It is clearly visible that there is a massive wave in favour of the NDA Edappadi K Palaniswami will be the next Chief Minister of Tamil NaduReferring to regional leadership he said You just heard N Chandrababu Naidu himself He is from South India They have hurt the interests of South India and the Northeast and they have also weakened the goal of ensuring equal opportunities for every part of India and for every woman Stalin has completely failed the people of Tamil NaduMeanwhile in Tamil Nadu Tuesday is the last day of campaigning According to the Election Commission all forms of campaigning will cease after 6 PM With limited time remaining political parties intensified their final outreach efforts across districtsDuring campaigning BJP leaders while canvassing for alliance candidates alleged that the DMK had delivered poor governance in the state and that dynastic politics had permeated even village panchayat levels under its ruleAIADMK leader Palaniswami claimed that the DMK government was responsible for deteriorating law and order and rising crimes against womenOn the other hand AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal stated that Tamil Nadu has progressed under the DMK government He criticised the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP and drew comparisons with the current political situation of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish KumarThe Congress party meanwhile accused the Income Tax Department of obstructing Tamil Nadu Congress President Selva Perunthagai from carrying out his political duties terming the searches a blatant misuse of central agencies by the BJPIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/people-of-tamil-nadu-will-give-massive-victory-to-nda-to-teach-lesson-to-stalin-piyush-goyal-670578.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rahul-gandhi-would-provide-direction-hm-parameshwara-on-concerns-raised-by-ktaka-congs-muslim-leaders-670603.html Bengaluru April 21 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that concerns raised by Muslim leaders within the Congress party would be examined adding that senior party MP and Leader of the Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi would provide direction on the matter Responding to questions from reporters he said the Congress has consistently given priority to members of the Muslim community when it comes to electoral representationHe also clarified that the partyâs practice of granting tickets to family members of deceased leaders has been misinterpreted in the present caseâSome have sought tickets citing their voter strength which is not wrong Due to certain reasons a ticket has been given to late Shamanur Shivashankarappaâs family and it should not be interpreted differentlyThis is an internal matter of the Congress party The party president the Chief Minister and all of us will resolve itâ he saidIt can be recalled that a section of Muslim leaders had sought a ticket for a candidate from the community from Davanagere South bypoll After the poll with allegations of antiparty activities surfacing the Congress had stripped MLCs Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Hussain of party positionsAbdul Jabbar was asked to resign from the post of the party minority wing and Hussain was shunted out from the post of CMs Political Advisor as he refused to tender his resignationAddressing another issue Parameshwara said he has directed officials to submit a report regarding allegations of harassment by senior officers against a Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement DCRE Inspector as well as a letter reportedly written by an SP to the DGP against the Mangaluru City Police CommissionerSpeaking to the media Parameshwara said he had taken note of reports highlighting the matterA DCRE Inspector named Srinivas has made several allegations while SP Kashinath has written to the DGP raising concerns âI have sought a report from the DGP on both these matters Action will be taken based on the findings of the reportâ he saidIt can be noted that SS Kashi a Superintendent of Police SP with the DCRE in Karnataka wrote a letter to the Director General and Inspector General of Police DGampIGP MA Saleem in April 2026 alleging mental harassment and bias by Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar ReddyPolice Commissioner Reddy denied the allegations calling them baseless and stating that departmental enquiries against Kashi were initiated based on his performance and upheld by the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rahul-gandhi-would-provide-direction-hm-parameshwara-on-concerns-raised-by-ktaka-congs-muslim-leaders-670603.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/storm-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-at-pm-modi-ministers-and-mps-rip-into-cong-chief-670604.html New Delhi April 21 IANS Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge found himself in the firing line of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Tuesday as Union Ministers MPs and party leaders launched a blistering attack at him for calling the Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terroristThe political storm arising over Kharges comments saw Union Ministers and leaders from the BJP launching a fierce and swift response at the Congress and its ChiefUnion Minister Piyush Goyal while taking a strong objection to the highly deplorable remarks demanded an outright apology and warned that such personal attacks on the Prime Minister wont go unpunished in the electionsI feel ashamed that the Congress and the DMK have stooped so low that they are insulting the Prime Minister who is democratically elected by the people of India by calling him a terrorist Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin must apologise for this downright insult to the Prime Minister Modi as well as the people of India who have voted him in Union Minister Goyal said taking to his official X accountThe Union Minister said that objectionable words against the Prime Minister was an insult to 140 crore Indians including Tamil brothers and sisters and said that such personal attacks against the Prime Minister Modi wont reverse their electoral fate that has already been sealed by the anger of the people who have suffered their misruleBJP MP Sambit Patra called out the abusive mindset of Congress and asserted that this was not a random controversy but a tactfully planned Congress gameplan to attack and humiliate the Prime Minister ahead of electionsHe also warned that Congress not learning from its mistakes will have to pay the price in the ensuing Assembly pollsThe words chosen by Kharge for PM Modi is highly condemnable and shows the vitriolic mindset of Congress party This is not a slip of tongue Their clarification on the issue if any means nothing because its not a oneoff incident but a well thoughtout and planned Congress strategy For past few days Rahul Gandhi and other top Congress leaders have been making abusive and insulting remarks against the Prime Minister Patra saidHe added that Tuesdays incident has breached all limits as Mallikarjun Kharge at the insistence of Rahul Gandhi called the Prime Minister a terroristIssuing a video statement the BJP MP said This is same Congress which is seen standing with separatists this is the same party which addresses terrorist Osama Bin Laden with respect which describes radical preacher Zakir Naik apostle of peace but finds countrys Prime Minister as terroristHighlighting the series of welfare schemes launched by the Narendra Modi government including Mudra Yojana Awas Yojana free ration to countrymen and the push for 33 per cent reservation to women Patra asked Is this the character of Congress partyWarning the grand old party of biting the dust in the ensuing polls he said The way Congress has been making disparaging remarks on PM Modi it must remember that whenever Congress abused the Prime Minister it paid a heavy price and this time also the people of country will give it a befitting replyThe controversy emanated from Kharges statement made during a press conference in Tamil Nadu on TuesdayAddressing the press Kharge said How these AIADMK people who themselves put the photo of Annadurai how can they join PM Modi He is a terrorist His party wont believe in equality and justice These people are joining with them it means they are weakening democracy they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai Kamaraj Periyar Kaliagnar Baba Saheb AmbedkarLater in a clarification the Congress President said I did not mean that PM Modi is a terrorist What I meant was that people are being terrorised and institutions and agencies are being used to intimidate themIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/storm-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-at-pm-modi-ministers-and-mps-rip-into-cong-chief-670604.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-crpf-jawan-on-election-duty-attempts-suicide-670464.html Kolkata April 20 A Central Reserve Police Force CRPF jawan who had come to West Bengal on Assembly election duty attempted suicide in Murshidabad district on Monday According to the police the jawan was rescued from the Shaktipur police station area of the Rejinagar Assembly constituency He is undergoing treatment at the hospitalA few Central Force personnel who arrived in Shaktipur on election duty have been accommodated at Bazarsau Higher Secondary High School It is alleged that the head constable of the Central Reserve Police Forceâs 142nd Battalion attempted suicide thereThe jawan hails from a state in southern India He had also done election duty in Assam a month ago According to a local source he shot himself with a service rifle One bullet hit his left shoulder The bleeding jawan was rescued by his colleaguesThe injured jawan is undergoing treatment at Berhampore Medical College and Hospital According to hospital sources his physical condition is stable However he has been kept under observation for the time beingEarlier a Central Force jawan on Assembly election duty died under mysterious circumstances in Falta of South 24 Parganas district on the night of April 14 The deceased was identified as Kanak KochHe was a constable with the IndoTibetan Border Police The initial assumption of the police is that he fell from the stairs and died after sustaining severe injuriesTwo days later a Border Security Force jawan died in a fire at the camp of the 77th Battalion of the Border Security Force at Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas districtThe deceasedâs name was Jyotiram SinghHe was working as an Assistant SubInspector Jyotiram entered the camps fuel storage room and soon the fire broke outThe fire spread so quickly that the Border Security Force jawan did not get a chance to come out As a result he got trapped in the room and died of burns IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-crpf-jawan-on-election-duty-attempts-suicide-670464.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/chandrababu-trying-to-create-rift-in-jagans-family-alleges-lakshmi-parvathi-670472.html Hyderabad April 20 YSR Congress Party general secretary N Lakshmi Parvathi on Monday slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu for what she called trying to create a rift in the family of YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Lakshmi Parvathi the second wife of former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party TDP founder N T Rama Rao NTR said Chandrababu Naidu created a wedge in the family of NTR and alleged that he was playing the same cards with the Jagan Mohan Reddy familySpeaking to the media here she alleged that said Chandrababu made a backdoor entry into politics and usurped the TDP and power from NTR She remarked that Chandrababu never won an election on his ownLakshmi Parvathi criticised Chandrababu for trying to elevate his son Nara Lokesh âLokesh is another unworthy candidate who has no knowledge of any subject but has undeservedly high aspirationsâ she saidThe former MLA said that while Jagan Mohan Reddy championed the cause of womens empowerment and demonstrated it in its finest form by giving 50 per cent reservations to them Chandrababu always betrayed women be it Self Help Groups pensions free bus travel or other schemesShe alleged that Amaravati is a project for Chandrababu to mint money and claimed that MAVIGUN Machilipatnam Vijayawada Guntur suggested by Jagan Mohan Reddy is the most practical and viable oneMeanwhile YSRCP spokesperson and former MLA Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy strongly criticised Lokesh saying his newfound respect for Jagan Mohan Reddyâs mother YS Vijayamma exposes his political opportunismHe stated that Lokeshâs sudden birthday wishes to YS Vijayamma were driven by political motives rather than genuine respectThe YSRCP spokesperson said that those who are now claiming to respect Jagan Mohan Reddyâs mother and admire his sister are simultaneously targeting his wife He called it a clear reflection of unethical politicsHe pointed out that Vijayammaâs birthday is a moment of joy for YSRCP cadre and the people who respect the YSR family but Lokeshâs sudden display of affection raises serious doubts especially when he had never shown such regard in the pastSiva Prasad Reddy stated that this ânewfound respectâ is part of a calculated attempt to exploit internal family differences for political gain and to distance YS Jagan from his familyRecalling past incidents he said YSRCP leaders cannot forget how Vijayamma was subjected to humiliating vehicle checks during the previous TDP regime questioning the sincerity behind current greetings from the same quartersHe further criticised the selective nature of such gestures asking whether similar wishes were ever extended to the mothers of other leaders including national figures and allies and termed this as clear hypocrisy IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/chandrababu-trying-to-create-rift-in-jagans-family-alleges-lakshmi-parvathi-670472.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-cm-performs-bhoomi-puja-for-kaleshwaram-temples-development-works-670473.html Hyderabad April 20 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday laid the foundation stone for the development works of the Sri Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Temple at Kaleshwaram in Jayashankar Bhupalapally district The development works of the temple are being taken up at a cost of â¹198 crore Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also laid the foundation stone for the Kaleshwaram Bus StationMinisters Uttam Kumar Reddy Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy Duddilla Sridhar Babu Ponnam Prabhakar Adluri Laxman Kumar MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna and others were presentIn May last year the Chief Minister Reddy had announced that the state government will allocate Rs 200 crore for the development of the Kaleshwaram temple as a major tourist destinationHe had promised to release the funds through the green channelOn Monday Chief Minister Reddy reached Kaleshwaram by a helicopter from Hyderabad and after performing puja at the temple and participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the temples development works he visited Annaram barrage a part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation ProjectIrrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Revenue Minister P Srinivas Reddy National Dam Safety Authority NDSA Chairman Anil Jain and senior officials accompanied the Chief MinisterChief Minister Reddy along with ministers and senior officials inspected the ongoing geotechnical geophysical and GPR surveys â as well as sample collection activities â being conducted using bore rigs at piers 20 21 and 22 of the Medigadda barrageThe government plans to collect samples using 520 bore rigs and send them to the Central Water and Power Research Station CWPRSFollowing laboratory testing at the facility a comprehensive understanding regarding the extent of the damage to the barrage is expected to emergeMinister Uttam Kumar Reddy said last week that the Chief Minister Reddygovernment will undertake the repair and restoration of three barrages part of the Kaleshwaram project scientifically and transparentlyHe met NDSA Chairman Anil Jain in Delhi on April 17 and discussed the state governments action plan for the repair and restoration of the Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla barragesThe minister explained the precautionary measures the government is taking to prevent past errors from being repeatedThe NDSA Chairman expressed satisfaction with the manner in which comprehensive testing is currently being conducted under the supervision of experts IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-cm-performs-bhoomi-puja-for-kaleshwaram-temples-development-works-670473.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/confusion-over-vance-pak-trip-trump-rules-it-out-on-security-grounds-wh-says-otherwise-670323.html New York April 20 There was confusion over US Vice President JD Vance travelling to Pakistan to lead the US in talks with Iran after President Donald Trump ruled it out on Sunday citing security concerns while the White House said he would attend Trump told two television programmes that Vance would not be going to Islamabad for the second round of direct negotiations that he said would take place next weekBut both CNN and The New York Times reported soon afterwards that according to White House officials Vance would indeed be at the talks along with Trumpâs soninlaw Jared Kushner and Special Representative Steve WitkoffAn ABC News interviewer said that Trump told him âthat Vice President Vance will not be leading the US delegation to IslamabadâThe interviewer Jonathan Karl reported âHe said its because of security the Secret Service did not feel comfortable having the vice president go to Pakistan on 24 hours notice He added âJD is greatââTrump also told MSNBCâs Jacqueline Alemany that Vance would not be going because 24 hours was too short to make security arrangementsPakistan is a nation wracked by terrorism caused in part by its policy of exporting terrorism that has boomerangedIran has not confirmed that it is participating in a new round of direct talks in IslamabadTrump said that his representatives would be in Islamabad on MondayHe told Fox News that his soninlaw Jared Kushner and Special Representative Steve Witkoff would be leading the US side in the talks with IranAlthough the Strait of Hormuz remained closed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC Trump was going ahead with the talks while also issuing fresh threats against Iran if it did not make a dealâWeâre offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL and I hope they take it because if they donât the United States is going to knock out every single power plant and every single bridge in Iranâ he said on Truth SocialâNO MORE MR NICE GUYâ he addedThere appeared to be a power struggle between the diplomatic and military establishments in IranIranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the âStrait of Hormuz is declared completely openâ for commercial shipping but the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC countermanded it on SaturdayTrump confirmed Araghchiâs statement with a âThank youâ postThe IRGC said that the Strait was closed because the US was blockading its ports and fired on two Indian ships on SaturdayTrump did not immediately declare the ceasefire dead or take retaliatory action because he was invested in getting the negotiations to succeed as he faces increased pressure at home because of the impact of the war on the economyAbout the IRGC Navys hostile action in the Strait Trump said âThat wasnât nice was itâBut he added âMy representatives are going to Islamabad Pakistan they will be there tomorrow evening for negotiations Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait which is strange because our BLOCKADE has already closed itâTrump has claimed that Iran had agreed to most of the US demands including forswearing nuclear ambitions foreverAgain there was no confirmation of this from Iran which continued its bellicose rhetoric IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/confusion-over-vance-pak-trip-trump-rules-it-out-on-security-grounds-wh-says-otherwise-670323.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/feeling-blessed-rajnath-singh-offers-prayers-at-subramanya-swami-temple-in-tn-670337.html New Delhi April 20 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered prayers at the Subramanya Swami Temple in Tiruchendur Tamil Nadu on Monday Reflecting on his visit Rajnath Singh stated that he felt blessed to experience the divine energy of the ancient temple Rajnath Singh took to social media X and said Prayed at the sacred Sri Subramanya Swami temple in Tiruchendur Tamil Nadu Feeling blessed to experience the divine energy of this TempleSubramanya Swami temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan Son of Lord Shiva and Goddess ParvatiIt is located in Tiruchendur Thoothukudi District Tamil Nadu It is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan and is the only one along the seashore The other five temples are situated on mountains The temple faces the Bay of Bengal and is washed by the sea waves from the Gulf of MannarEarlier on April 19 Rajnath Singh had reiterated the Union governments resolve to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies despite a bill over the quota getting defeated in Lok Sabha a few days agoAddressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu the Defence Minister said the 33 per cent womens reservation bill was not allowed to be passed in Parliament by the DMK Congress Trinamool Congress and the Communist partiesI want to assure you on behalf of the government and on the basis of the pledge taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that we will provide the womens quota at the very first opportunity we get in Parliament Rajnath Singh said in Vasudevanallur Assembly constituencyThe Defence Minister has joined other BJP star campaigners to boost the partys pitch in the Assembly election in the state on April 23Rajnath Singh is spearheading the NDAs campaign in southern Tamil NaduThe Defence Minister had a hectic schedule on Sunday which was packed with addresses in the Radhapuram constituency of Tirunelveli district Puliyangudi in Tenkasi district and a roadshow at Panagudi located about 400 metres from the main venueThe NDAs campaign has already seen highprofile appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Piyush Goyal who have canvassed support for alliance candidates in recent days IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/feeling-blessed-rajnath-singh-offers-prayers-at-subramanya-swami-temple-in-tn-670337.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/manipur-shutdowns-hit-life-in-both-valley-hill-regions-21-arrested-after-violence-670366.html Imphal April 20 Normal life in both the Imphal valley and Nagainhabited hill areas of Manipur has been severely disrupted as shutdowns called by different organisations continued on Monday Meanwhile police arrested 21 people for their alleged involvement in violence during a rally in Imphal West district two days ago The shutdown in Imphal valley covering five to six districts was called by Meira Paibis women torchbearers one of the most influential womens bodies along with various Civil Society Organisations CSOsThe protest is against the killing of two minor children and the injury to their mother allegedly by suspected Kuki militants in Bishnupur district on April 7The shutdown which came into effect from midnight on Saturday has led to a nearcomplete halt in daily life across the valleyMembers of the Meira Paibis and groups of women protesters were seen at several locations blocking roads and restricting vehicular movementAccording to police passenger and commercial vehicles remained off the roads while shops business establishments and roadside vendors stayed shut contributing to widespread disruptionIn the hill regions the United Naga Council UNC the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur has separately called a threeday total shutdown across all Nagainhabited areas of the state from midnight on SundayThe UNC announced the shutdown to protest the killing of two Naga civilians including a retired Indian Army personnel in Ukhrul district on April 18 allegedly by suspected Kuki militantsIn a statement the UNC said that in view of the âoutrageous aggression over their homeland and the coldblooded killing of two Naga civiliansâ it convened a joint emergency meeting with various organisations on Sunday at Tahamzam in Senapati districtThe statement added that the total shutdown would continue from midnight on Sunday until midnight of April 23 across all Naga areas both as a mark of mourning and as a collective expression of condemnationDuring this period all public and private institutions business establishments and vehicular movement will remain suspended except for emergency servicesThe UNC also announced that a candlelight vigil would be held on the evening of April 23 in all Nagainhabited district headquarters as well as in Imphal to honour the deceased and reaffirm a commitment to peace with dignityManipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh on Sunday appealed to Civil Society Organisations CSOs and the public to reconsider and withdraw the shutdowns in the interest of public welfare and the normal functioning of the stateMeanwhile police said that at least 21 people were arrested for their alleged involvement in violence during a rally in Imphal West district two days agoAccording to a police statement on April 18 a torch rally was carried out along the ImphalâJiribam road organised by various CSOs from Patsoi to SagolbandDuring the rally the mob reportedly turned violent resorting to stonepelting hurling petrol bombs and using catapults and boulders against police personnel resulting in multiple injuriesOfficial vehicles of security forces were vandalised and three personnel of the 232 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF sustained grievous injuries Police said the mob was eventually dispersed and the situation brought under controlIn another development the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI an apex body of the Meitei community accused security forces of using excessive force against protesters and sharply criticised Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh over what it described as a failure to contain the escalating violence in the stateCOCOMI spokesperson Shanta Nahakpam said that recent incidents including the killing of two minors earlier this month and subsequent civilian deaths in fresh attacks have triggered widespread public anger and sustained agitation across the Imphal valleyHe added that despite the deteriorating situation the Chief Minister has continued district visits projecting progress in the peace process a claim the organisation has rejectedMeanwhile the Chief Minister has announced that the state government will hand over both the April 18 Ukhrul district shooting incident and the April 7 deadly bomb attack in Bishnupur district to the National Investigation Agency NIA for a thorough and comprehensive probe IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/manipur-shutdowns-hit-life-in-both-valley-hill-regions-21-arrested-after-violence-670366.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-summons-rice-trader-in-bengal-ration-corruption-case-670367.html Kolkata April 20 The Enforcement Directorate ED has summoned trader Barik Biswas as part of its investigation into the ration scam in West Bengal said the central investigation agency officials on Monday The rice trader has been asked to appear at the EDs CGO Complex office in the Salt Lake area of the city on Monday afternoon According to officials this rice trader Barik Biswas is close to former state food minister Jyotipriya MallickIncidentally in August 2024 the ED conducted searches at Barik Biswass house while investigating the ration corruption case Detectives were looking into Bariks role and influential connections in the huge money transactions in the ration scamAccording to ED officials Rs 20 lakh was recovered during the search ED officials even came across a lot of documents from his rice mill After two years the rice trader is back under the EDs scanner Barik is accused of trying to smuggle rice into Bangladesh The investigators are trying to find out through whom the rice was smuggled into Bangladesh who else is involved in the smuggling ring and whether there is a deal with anyone else from abroad Barik has been summoned again to find out all these thingsEarlier Barik Biswas name had come up in the gold and cow smuggling cases The central agencys sleuths have searched his house an apartment and an office earlier Now the Enforcement Directorate is trying to get more information in the ration case by questioning Barik BiswasIt is worth mentioning that on October 27 2023 the ED arrested senior Trinamool Congress leader and then state Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick in the ration scamThe central investigation agency said that the state minister known by many inside and outside the party as âBaluâ was directly involved in widespread corruption in the distribution of rations in the state during the COVID19 lockdown He was arrested after an interrogation and the collection of evidence After about 14 months of his arrest the court granted him bail in January last year Just a week after his release on bail his close aide Anisur who was also accused in the same case was also granted bail IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-summons-rice-trader-in-bengal-ration-corruption-case-670367.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-stalin-condemns-it-raid-on-tn-congress-chief-alleges-attempt-to-disrupt-poll-campaign-670416.html Chennai April 20 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday strongly condemned the Income Tax IT raid conducted at the residence of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai alleging that it was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the Oppositionâs election campaign ahead of the Assembly polls In a post on X CM Stalin accused the BJPled Central government of resorting to intimidation tactics with less than 48 hours remaining for the campaign to endâI strongly condemn the conspiracy to hinder the campaign of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President brother Selvaperunthagai Forgetting that India is a democratic country the BJP government out of fear of defeat is trying to obstruct Opposition parties at the last minute The people of Tamil Nadu will give a fitting reply to such authoritarian actionsâ he saidThe remarks came after IT officials conducted searches at Selvaperunthagaiâs residence in Kilpauk Chennai from Monday morningThe Congress leader who is contesting from the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency claimed that the officials had unlawfully detained him under the pretext of a house searchTaking to social media Selvaperunthagai alleged that he was being held in custody by IT officials during the raid He further claimed that the operation involved officers who did not speak Tamil raising concerns about the conduct of the searchâUnder the guise of an Income Tax raid I have been illegally detained in the Sriperumbudur constituency using Hindispeaking officersâ he said in his postThe development has triggered sharp political reactions in the State with Opposition leaders accusing the Centre of misusing central agencies to target political rivals during the crucial final phase of campaigningThe timing of the raid has also drawn attention as senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is currently in Tamil Nadu for election campaigningAs the political row escalates the incident is expected to further intensify the already heated electoral atmosphere in the State where campaigning is set to conclude shortly ahead of polling IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-stalin-condemns-it-raid-on-tn-congress-chief-alleges-attempt-to-disrupt-poll-campaign-670416.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/people-of-bengal-have-made-up-their-minds-to-bid-farewell-to-mamata-banerjee-jp-nadda-670429.html Murshidabad April 20 Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday asserted that the people of West Bengal have made up their minds to bid farewell to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Speaking to reporters Nadda said âThe enthusiasm I am witnessing across Bengal clearly indicates that the people have decided to say goodbye to Mamata DidiâHe further claimed that there is a growing inclination in favour of the BJP alleging that people are distressed over issues such as corruption and harassmentâIn a way people feel terrorised They have found hope in blooming the lotus on April 23 and May 4â he added referring to the BJPâs election symbol and key poll datesThe West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 with the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP as the principal contenders are shaping up to be an intense political battle centred on promises of better governance Political parties have released detailed manifestos focusing on key sectors such as healthcare education employment and social welfare aiming to connect with voters across the stateIn a significant departure from previous elections that were conducted in multiple phases West Bengal will vote in a streamlined twophase election this year covering all 294 constituencies The first phase of polling is scheduled for April 23 while the second phase will be held on April 29 The counting of votes will take place on May 4During Phase 1 polling will be conducted in 152 constituencies across 16 districts The remaining 142 constituencies spread across seven districts will go to the polls in Phase 2 completing the electoral exerciseThe Election Commission of India ECI has planned an extensive security arrangement for the elections Nearly 24 lakh Central Armed Police Forces CAPFs personnel are set to be deployed marking the highestever deployment in a single state during an election The move underscores the Commissionâs commitment to ensuring free fair and peaceful pollingOfficials said a detailed postpoll security plan is also in place Around 200 CAPF companies will remain stationed in the state after April 29 to guard Electronic Voting Machines EVMs strong rooms and counting centres Additionally 500 CAPF companies will continue law and order duties until further instructionsWith only two days left for campaigning to end for Phase 1 top leaders from various parties are making their final push to woo voters IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/people-of-bengal-have-made-up-their-minds-to-bid-farewell-to-mamata-banerjee-jp-nadda-670429.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/fire-at-rajasthan-pachpadra-refinery-a-day-before-inauguration-situation-brought-under-control-670440.html Jaipur April 20 Fire tenders were rushed to Pachpadra Refinery in Barmer Rajasthan on Monday as fire broke out in one of its units just a day before its scheduled inauguration The incident triggered brief panic among officials as the refinery is located barely one km from the event venue According to initial reports the fire originated in the CDU Crude Distillation Unit Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the site prompting immediate activation of the refineryâs fire safety systems Employees working in the affected area were swiftly evacuated as a precautionary measureThe officials confirmed that around 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the blaze Emergency response teams along with refinery personnel worked to contain the fire using inbuilt suppression systemsPolice control room officials told IANS that the situation was brought under control after sustained efforts as fire tenders were rushed to the venueThe officials in the Chief Ministerâs Office told IANS that the incident is âminorâ stating that the fire was successfully extinguishedThe incident occurred sometime before Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma was scheduled to arrive and review preparations for the highprofile inauguration eventDespite the fire officials indicated that there has been no major disruption reported so far The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined and an investigation is likely to followMeanwhile Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tikaram Jully said The fire at the Pachpadra Refinery in Balotra is extremely serious and concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming tomorrow to inaugurate this refinery built by the Congress party Such an incident just a day before raises serious questions about the governments hasty arrangementsThe BJP stalled this crucial Congress project for years doubling its cost This suggests the refinery isnt complete yet and is being inaugurated hastily for publicity purposes Had the Chief Minister taken the time to avoid false marketing perhaps such a major security lapse around such a crucial project wouldnt have occurred This isnt just an accident but the result of serious government negligence I pray for everyones safety in this accident Jully addedPrime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Rajasthan on Monday marking an important occasion for the countryâs energy and industrial sectorsDuring his visit the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Indiaâs first greenfield integrated RefinerycumPetrochemical Complex at Pachpadra in Balotra The event is set to take place at around 1130 am after which he will also address a public gatheringThis refinerycumpetrochemical complex represents a landmark achievement in Indiaâs journey towards energy security and industrial growthDeveloped as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL and the Government of Rajasthan the project has been established with a massive investment exceeding Rs 79450 croreWith a capacity of nine Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum MMTPA it stands as one of the most significant greenfield projects in the sector The complex is designed as a stateoftheart facility that integrates both refining and petrochemical production IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/fire-at-rajasthan-pachpadra-refinery-a-day-before-inauguration-situation-brought-under-control-670440.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/strongroom-opening-row-triggers-tension-in-kozhikode-over-fears-of-election-manipulation-670454.html Kozhikode April 20 A complaint by the Congressled UDF on Monday alleging that a strongroom storing voting machines had been opened triggered brief tension and confusion at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode The Congress leaders raised suspicions of possible election manipulation before officials clarified that no breach had occurredThe controversy centres on the strongroom facility at JDT Islam College where Electronic Voting Machines EVMs from seven constituencies in Kozhikode district are stored under tight securityUDF leaders including Congress MP MK Raghavan and District Congress Committee President Praveen Kumar alleged that the opening of the strongroom pointed to a serious lapse and demanded a thorough probeThey reiterated concerns of possible attempts to tamper with the electoral process and called for enhanced security including handing over complete control to central forces and sealing adjacent roomsHowever election authorities moved swiftly to dismiss the allegations stating that the strongroom containing EVMs remained sealed and untouchedOfficials clarified that what had been opened was a separate âmaterials roomâ used for storing pollingrelated items and not the strongroom itselfThe Returning Officer said the room was accessed as part of a routine inspection of polling materials for the Perambra constituency in the presence of representatives from various political partiesUDF candidate from Perambra Fathima Tehlia said she had been informed about the opening earlier in the morning but noted that the process had already been completed by the time she reached the venue adding to the confusionOfficials maintained that the protest and allegations stemmed from a misunderstanding with the materials room being mistaken for the strongroomElections took place on April 9 to the 140 Assembly constituencies in KeralaWith vote counting scheduled for May 4 authorities said a threetier security system remains firmly in place to safeguard the strongrooms underscoring that there has been no compromise in the integrity of the stored voting machines IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/strongroom-opening-row-triggers-tension-in-kozhikode-over-fears-of-election-manipulation-670454.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-cm-disburses-rs-83848-crore-to-4168-lakh-farmers-under-key-scheme-670457.html Bhubaneswar April 20 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday released financial assistance of Rs 83848 crore to 4168582 farmers under the CMKISAN scheme on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and State Farmers Day The Chief Minister also made several major announcements for farmers at a grand event held at the Central Rice Research Institute CRRI in Cuttack After performing the Bhoomi Puja on agricultural land near CRRI Majhi ceremonially initiated the âAkhi Muthi Anukulaâ traditional paddy sowing ritual He then visited an agricultural exhibition and flagged off the âAma Bihana Rathaâ Seeds on Wheels and âKrushi RathaâTo ensure the easy availability of quality seeds Majhi launched the âAma Bihana Rathaâ initiative In the first phase these mobile seedselling units will operate in 31 blocks across 10 districts New varieties of paddy seeds will be made available at the gram panchayat level in 5 kg packetsExtending greetings on Akshaya Tritiya the Chief Minister said agriculture is the foundation of Odishaâs economy culture and prosperityâAgriculture is the foundation of our economy The progress of our state depends on the development of agriculture and farmers The growth of agriculture industry and other sectors will ensure the allround development of our state and help realise our governmentâs vision of a âSamruddha Odishaââ Majhi saidHe described âAkhi Muthi Anukulaâ as a proud cultural heritage of the state marking the beginning of the new farming season when farmers ceremonially sow paddyHe said that for the 2026 Kharif season financial assistance of approximately Rs 83848 crore has been disbursed to 4168582 farmers under the CMKISAN scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer DBTHe emphasised that empowering farmers economically is a top priority of the government and that the scheme reflects this commitment Among the beneficiaries 4124241 are small and marginal farmers 41049 belong to landless farmer families and 3292 are from tribal farmer familiesThe Chief Minister said that within 22 months of the new government coming to power the stateâs agricultural growth rate has reached 53 per cent surpassing the national average This year Odisha has achieved a record foodgrain production of over 150 lakh metric tonnesTo ensure fair remuneration for farmers the state government is procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal During the 2025â26 Kharif season 7647 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured from 1855661 farmersAn amount of Rs 558998 crore has been provided as input assistance The Chief Minister said farmers are the driving force behind building a prosperous Odisha and assured continued support to make agriculture more profitable modern and empoweredHe added that with coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state government development in Odisha has accelerated Special emphasis is being laid on quality seeds efficient irrigation and better market linkages to enhance farmersâ income IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-cm-disburses-rs-83848-crore-to-4168-lakh-farmers-under-key-scheme-670457.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-eyes-targets-for-2036-olympics-670461.html Chandigarh April 20 Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Monday chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of government initiatives in sports early childhood education nutrition and higher education Being recognised as Indias leading sporting State Haryana is now setting up ambitious targets for the 2036 Olympics The government has launched Mission Olympic 2036 Vijayee Bhavah a longterm talent identification programme aimed at grooming children aged eight to 10 years into worldclass athletes capable of winning medals Initial funding for the programme has been sanctioned by the Finance Department and implementation will be undertaken by the Sports UniversityDistrictlevel talent identification is being actively pursued under the One District One Sport initiative ensuring that sporting talent from every district from Ambala to Nuh gets equal opportunities The Khelo Haryana App announced in the Budget is also being developed to provide athletes with easy access to sportsrelated information and opportunities The Chief Secretary said the stateâs progress would be measured by its ability to deliver transparent technologydriven and citizencentric governance as it strives to become a leader in the national development agenda in line with the vision of âViksit Bharatâ given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Commissioner and Secretary Women and Child Development Shekhar Vidyarthi highlighted the stateâs significant progress in transforming anganwadi centres into quality early learning institutions for children from birth to six years of age More than 4000 anganwadi centres have been upgraded with preschool education kits educational toys furniture hygiene materials and RO drinking water facilities while 21962 additional centres have received customised education kits A workforce of 25000 anganwadi workers trained across all 22 districts with the support of 88 statelevel master trainers is delivering quality care and early learning to lakhs of children dailyThe Chief Secretary directed the Women and Child Development Department to clearly define measurable targets for each actionable item and ensure their timely completion within the stipulated timelines The meeting was informed that the NIPUN Bharat Mission would be extended to Grade V by March 2027 and highlighted the ongoing transformation of anganwadi centres into highquality preschool education hubs To ensure the health and academic tracking of the stateâs youth the administration is fasttracking the issuance of APAAR and ABHA digital IDs for all children in the zerotosix age groupFurthermore the Health Department has been tasked with developing a repository of regional nutritious recipes and ensuring absolute compliance with health protocols for children with severe acute malnutrition IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-eyes-targets-for-2036-olympics-670461.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vijay-to-campaign-in-tns-tiruchi-east-gets-conditional-nod-from-authorities-670210.html Chennai April 19 Actorpolitician C Joseph Vijay president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK intensified his election campaign with backtoback outreach programmes in key constituencies contesting from both Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchi East A day after undertaking an extensive doortodoor campaign in the Perambur Assembly constituency Vijay is scheduled to campaign in Tiruchi East on Sunday evening Party sources said he will depart from Chennai at 2 pm in a private aircraft and arrive in Tiruchi shortly thereafter The campaign in Tiruchi East will be held between 3 pm and 7 pm covering several prominent localities under the constituency Vijay is expected to begin his outreach near the airport on Wireless Road followed by a roadshow through Thendral Nagar KK Nagar Bus Stand Kajamalai Road EVR College Road Tamil Nadu Hotel junction Kozhipannai Road and Kottapattu Addressing the public from an open vehicle he will seek support for his partys candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections After completing the campaign schedule Vijay is slated to return to the Tiruchi airport by 7 pm Authorities have granted permission for the campaign subject to strict adherence to election guidelines The Returning Officer has issued clearance after Vijayâs team sought approvals from both the Election Commission and the police However officials have imposed a set of conditions to ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct and to maintain public order Among the key restrictions political flags must not be erected in a manner that obstructs traffic The campaign must not violate any provisions of the election code Unauthorised posters banners or party flags are strictly prohibited at the campaign venues Additionally the use or placement of any hazardous or explosive materials has been explicitly banned Officials also stressed that the campaign must be conducted strictly within the permitted time frame and at designated locations In total 27 conditions have been laid down including directives issued by the police and other concerned departments which the organisers are required to follow without deviation With highvoltage campaigning entering its final phase ahead of polling Vijayâs dualconstituency strategy is being closely watched as TVK looks to consolidate its presence in Tamil Naduâs political landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vijay-to-campaign-in-tns-tiruchi-east-gets-conditional-nod-from-authorities-670210.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-residence-of-kolkata-police-dcp-shantanu-sinha-biswas-670211.html Kolkata April 19 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Sunday conducted raids at the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner DCP Shantanu Sinha Biswas The ED officials reached the DCPs house on Fern Road in Ballygunge at 7 am It is reported that a search is underway at the houseOfficials said the search operation was being held in connection with the Sona Pappu syndicate case in the Ballygunge area of South Kolkata Biswas was once the OfficerinCharge of Kalighat police station which falls under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees Bhabanipur Assembly constituencyAt the same time the ED also raided the house of a businessman in the Behala area of South KolkataThe police have not yet arrested the main accused Sona Pappu alias Biswajit Poddar in the Golpark clash incident Although he has been seen in public and going live on social media he has yet to be arrestedEarlier the ED had called and questioned an IPS officer in this incident This time a search operation was conducted at the DCPs house itselfAccording to officials the ED went to the house of businessman Joy Kamdar in Behala Locals claim that he is mainly involved in the business of promoting real estate development His house was searched earlier too His name came up in the search conducted at Sona Pappus houseThe central investigation agency recovered cash from this house in Behala The ED also summoned the businessman twice for questioning However he avoided appearing both times After that ED officials went to his house again on SundayAccording to officials several teams of ED left from the CGO Complex early in the morning They were accompanied by central force jawans They had to wait for some time in front of the businessmans house in Behala Allegedly despite repeated knocking no one was opening the door of the house After a long time the door was opened and the ED officers entered Officials of the central agency had also reached Ballygunge early in the morningSearches were conducted at multiple addresses in the state capital city on Friday in connection with the illegal construction or syndicate case A few days ago the ED also raided the house of former state Minister Partha Chatterjee in the teacher recruitment corruption caseApart from this the Income Tax Department raided the house of outgoing Rashbehari MLA and Trinamool Congress candidate Debashis KumarThe Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29 The results of the vote will be known on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-residence-of-kolkata-police-dcp-shantanu-sinha-biswas-670211.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/high-voltage-campaigning-peaks-in-tn-as-amit-shah-rajnath-singh-lead-nda-push-670214.html Chennai April 19 With just days left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled on April 23 political campaigning has reached a fever pitch across the state The campaign will officially conclude on the evening of April 21 leaving parties with limited time to consolidate support in the final hours Senior leaders from both the state and the Centre have intensified their outreach crisscrossing constituencies in a whirlwind of rallies and roadshows Braving the scorching summer heat top leaders and Union ministers are aggressively campaigning for their respective parties and alliance candidatesThe National Democratic Alliance NDA has deployed its seniormost leaders to energise cadres and appeal directly to voters in key constituenciesUnion Home Minister Amit Shah is leading the campaign push on Sunday He is scheduled to address voters at Sivagiri in Erode district followed by a roadshow in support of the BJP candidate contesting from the Modakurichi Assembly constituencyLater in the day HM Shah will travel to Chennai where he will hold a roadshow in the Mylapore constituency at 4 pm backing BJP candidate Tamilisai SoundararajanAhead of the roadshow HM Shah is expected to offer prayers at the historic Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore Authorities have put in place tight security arrangements in view of the highprofile visit and anticipated public turnoutMeanwhile Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is spearheading the NDAâs campaign in southern Tamil Nadu He is slated to address a public meeting in the Radhapuram constituency of Tirunelveli district later in the dayThe Defence Minister will then proceed to Puliyangudi in Tenkasi district for further campaigning and participate in a roadshow at Panagudi located about 400 metres from the main venueThe NDAâs campaign has already seen highprofile appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Piyush Goyal who have canvassed support for alliance candidates in recent daysWith only three days remaining before polling the frequent visits of Union ministers underline the importance the NDA is placing on Tamil Nadu As the campaign enters its final stretch all major parties are leaving no stone unturned to sway undecided voters and maximise turnout in what promises to be a closely watched electoral battle IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/high-voltage-campaigning-peaks-in-tn-as-amit-shah-rajnath-singh-lead-nda-push-670214.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/venkaiah-naidu-urges-youth-to-focus-on-agriculture-bring-scientific-research-to-fields-670239.html Hyderabad April 19 Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has called on the youth to focus on agriculture stating that agriculture is the backbone of the country He urged the youth to focus on this vital sector and stressed that research and scientific advancements must reach farmers in the fields rather than remain confined to laboratories The former Vice President was speaking at an event here on Saturday night to present the MS Swaminathan awardHighlighting environmental concerns the former Vice President warned against the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and underscored the importance of soil conservation and protection of nature and livestockVenkaiah Naidu called it a privilege to present the prestigious merit award named after the Father of the Green Revolution Dr MS Swaminathan to Ch Srinivasa Rao Director and ViceChancellor of ICARâIndian Agricultural Research Institute for his extraordinary contributions to the field of agricultureVenkaiah Naidu lauded Dr Srinivasa Raoâs efforts in formulating essential national policies regarding agriculture and climate change He noted that the award recognises his leadership in promoting natural farming practices and guiding the nation towards sustainable agricultureThe presentation ceremony for the 9th Professor MS Swaminathan Award 202425 was jointly organised by the Retired ICAR Employees Association and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited at the Dr Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao Chairman of Nuziveedu Seeds Limited Mandava Prabhakara Rao and the president of Retired ICAR Employees Association Vidyasagar Rao attended the ceremony Agriculture Minister Nageswara Rao expressed happiness that the award was presented during the birth centenary year of Professor MS Swaminathan He highlighted the need for scientific research to be more accessible to farmers and cautioned that neglecting soil health could reverse the gains of the Green Revolution Mandava Prabhakara Rao remarked that the award celebrates Dr Srinivasa Raoâs significant work in climateresilient agriculture and natural resource management He noted that Dr Rao has strengthened agricultural stability by expanding resource conservation technologies across millions of hectares and developing districtlevel contingency plans IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/venkaiah-naidu-urges-youth-to-focus-on-agriculture-bring-scientific-research-to-fields-670239.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-cm-meets-governor-seeks-early-approval-for-azharuddins-nomination-as-mlc-670254.html Hyderabad April 19 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and requested him to approve the pending nominations of Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and M Kodandaram to the Telangana Legislative Council Accompanied by Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu and Rajya Sabha MP Vem Narender Reddy the Chief Minister called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan and requested him to clear the nominations under the Governorâs quotaThe Chief Ministerâs meeting with the Governor came a day after Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy called on the GovernorAccording to Lok Bhavan they discussed administrative and legal matters related to the stateIt has been nearly six months since Azharuddin was sworn in as the minister He is not a member of the Legislative Assembly or CouncilAzharuddin who was sworn in as the minister on October 31 2025 is constitutionally required to get elected to either the Assembly or the Council by April 30 to continue in the CabinetThe Telangana Cabinet had recommended the names of Azharuddin and Kodandaram for nomination to the Council under the Governorâs quota on August 30 2025 The Governor has not yet approved the fileLast month the Chief Minister had exuded confidence that the Governor will give the nod for nomination of both Azharuddin and KodandaramHe noted that the Supreme Court had recently observed that it had no objection in the matter and that the state government was free to pursue the issue with the Governor for clearanceThe Cabinetâs decision to nominate former Indian cricket captain Azharuddin and Kodandaram as Members of the Legislative Council MLCs under the Governorâs quota in August last year came two weeks after the Supreme Court stayed the appointment of Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan as MLCs under the Governorâs quotaBoth Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan were sworn in as MLCs in 2024 The apex court gave a stay on a petition filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS leaders Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana challenging the nominations made by the state governmentThe petitioners had challenged the appointment on the ground that it violated interim orders of the Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court observed that swearingin after the interim orders was improper and made it clear that any appointments made under the Governorâs quota would be subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedingsWhile Kodandaram is the president of Telangana Jana Samithi TJS Amer Ali Khan is the News Editor of the Urdu dailyBoth Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan were nominated to the Council under the Governorâs quota after the State Cabinet again sent the recommendation to the Governor in August 2024They were nominated as MLCs in January 2024 but the High Court set aside the nomination in March on the petitions by Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana whose nomination as MLCs was recommended by the previous government of BRS in July 2023 The same was rejected by thenGovernor Tamilisai Soundararajan on the grounds that the two were âpolitically aligned personsâThe High Court had quashed the Governorâs decision rejecting the nominations of Dasoju Sravan and Satyanarayana and held that the Governor can only return the governmentâs recommendation for reconsiderationFollowing the High Court order the BRS leaders had requested the Governor to nominate them as MLCs However as the BRS had lost power to Congress the Governor rejected the requestSravan and Satyanarayana had challenged the Governorâs refusal in the Supreme Court As the High Court had not passed any orders to the Governor to nominate them they pleaded with the apex court to give a direction to the Governor to appoint them The Supreme Court had declined to pass any orders IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-cm-meets-governor-seeks-early-approval-for-azharuddins-nomination-as-mlc-670254.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/misinforming-the-nation-assam-cm-hits-back-at-cong-on-delimitation-exercise-670286.html Guwahati April 19 IANS Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hit back at the Congress over its criticism of the states recent delimitation exercise accusing the party of misusing the term gerrymandering to mislead the public and delegitimise a longpending electoral correctionnbspIn a post on X CM Sarma asserted that the delimitation carried out in 2023 was not a conspiracy but a necessary and overdue exercise aimed at correcting decades of political imbalanceHe alleged that earlier governments particularly under the Congress party had ignored significant demographic changes in several regions especially Lower Assam for electoral gainsThe real distortion of representation happened in the past when changing population patterns were overlooked to suit votebank politics the Chief Minister said adding that the current exercise seeks to align constituencies with ground realitiesThe delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam was undertaken by the Election Commission of India under provisions of the Delimitation Act using the 2001 Census as the baseThe process finalised in August 2023 redrew boundaries of 126 Assembly and 14 Lok Sabha constituencies with a focus on rationalising population distribution geographical contiguity and administrative convenienceThe exercise also led to a reconfiguration of reserved seats for Scheduled Castes SCs and Scheduled Tribes STs reflecting their population share more accuratelySeveral constituencies in minoritydominated areas saw boundary changes which triggered political reactions across party linesCM Sarma maintained that the objective of the delimitation was to restore balance and ensure fair political representation for indigenous communitiesHe further described the current arrangement as a stopgap measure to address concerns arising out of illegal migration and demographic shiftsOpposition parties including the Congress have consistently criticised the exercise alleging that it disproportionately affects certain communities and benefits the ruling dispensationThey have termed it an instance of gerrymandering a charge the BJP has strongly rejectedThe Chief Minister said those opposing the exercise were uncomfortable because it disrupted a system that had historically worked in their favour reiterating that the move reflects the aspirations of the people of AssamIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/misinforming-the-nation-assam-cm-hits-back-at-cong-on-delimitation-exercise-670286.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cji-surya-kant-to-launch-ai-powered-notice-verification-chatbot-abhay-designed-by-cbi-tomorrow-670287.html New Delhi April 19 IANS Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant will deliver the 22nd DP Kohli Memorial Lecture at the Bharat Mandapam here on Monday with a focus on the growing challenges of cybercrime and the evolving role of police and the judiciary in addressing themnbspThe lecture organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI will centre on the theme Challenges of Cyber Crime Role for Police and Judiciary reflecting the increasing intersection of technology crime and justice delivery systemsOn the occasion CJI Surya Kant will also launch an AIpowered notice verification chatbot ABHAY designed to enable citizens to verify the authenticity of notices purportedly issued by the CBIThe initiative comes amid a rise in socalled digital arrest frauds and is expected to provide a crucial safeguard against impersonation and cyberenabled deceptionAs many as 24 Medals for Meritorious Service will also be presented during the event recognising distinguished contributions by CBI personnelThe CBI organises the annual lecture series in honour of its founder Director Dharamnath Prasad Kohli whose leadership laid the institutional foundation of the agency Established by a Union government resolution dated April 1 1963 the CBI was mandated to investigate cases of bribery and corruption violations of central fiscal laws and other serious crimes evolving over the decades into Indias premier investigative bodyKohli who led the Delhi Special Police Establishment DSPE before becoming the first Director of the CBI is credited with strengthening investigative processes and institutional integrityWhile delivering the 20th DP Kohli Memorial Lecture on the CBIs Raising Day in 2024 then CJI DY Chandrachud had stressed the need for adequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies He had observed that AI systems are not free from bias and may due to skewed data lead to profiling of marginalised communities potentially infringing privacy rights and resulting in disproportionate targetingAt the same time then CJI Chandrachud had highlighted the transformative potential of AI in law enforcement remarking that agencies such as the CBI can leverage algorithms to analyse vast volumes of data identify patterns and generate actionable intelligence with greater efficiency including in complex cases such as human traffickingIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cji-surya-kant-to-launch-ai-powered-notice-verification-chatbot-abhay-designed-by-cbi-tomorrow-670287.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengals-cultural-identity-might-change-by-trinamools-agenda-to-encourage-illegal-infiltration-pm-modi-670288.html Kolkata April 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that West Bengal might lose its original cultural identity because of the Trinamool Congress dangerous agenda to encourage rampant illegal infiltration and pamper the infiltratorsnbspThe forthcoming Assembly election in West Bengal is a battle to protect the identity and the land of the state Trinamool Congress is moving ahead with a dangerous agenda They want to create a government of the illegal infiltrators They want to form a state government that will only protect the culture language and religion of the illegal infiltrators The common people of West Bengal will be the principal enemy of that government of infiltrators That is why the common people of West Bengal this time had decided to bring a change in the state the Prime Minister added while addressing a campaign rally in the tribaldominated district of Jhargram which was his third rally in the state for the dayAccording to the Prime Minister Bharatiya Janata Party BJP had always cared for protecting the cultural heritage of West BengalnbspBengali was given the status of classical language during our time An edition of the Indian Constitution is now available in the Santali language The BJP is proud of the heritage of West Bengal and is determined to protect it at any cost he saidnbspSpeaking on the occasion the Prime Minister also added that at a time when the future of West Bengal and the people of the state are getting plunged into acute darkness the luxurious and highcost vehicles of the ruling Trinamool Congress leaders are shiningI guarantee that those who are responsible for the darkness in your lives will not be spared if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly election All the corrupt leaders of Trinamool Congress will be held accountable he saidnbspAccording to the Prime Minister when new and modern schools are being set up in different tribal dominated places in the country under the Eklavya Model Residential School the tribal people of West Bengal are being deprived of themIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengals-cultural-identity-might-change-by-trinamools-agenda-to-encourage-illegal-infiltration-pm-modi-670288.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/dual-citizenship-row-allahabad-hc-likely-to-hear-rahul-gandhis-stand-tomorrow-670293.html Lucknow April 19 IANS Leader of Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to present on Monday his stand in the Allahabad High Court on a petition filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party BJP worker alleging that the Congress leader is a British national enjoying dual citizenshipThe crucial hearing before the singlejudge bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi will come ahead of the operation of the High Courts direction to the Uttar Pradesh Police to inquire into the complaint by BJP worker from Karnataka Vignesh ShishirOn Friday the High Court in an oral order had given a goahead to police to initiate a probe and consider filing an FIR if needed against LoP GandhiOn Saturday the High Court modified its final order saying that the prospective accused must be given an opportunity of hearing before any such direction is issuedEarlier in 2019 a petition seeking disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from contesting the Lok Sabha elections over the issue of alleged dual citizenship was dismissed by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan GogoiOn Saturday Justice Vidyarthi withheld the order after it had already been dictated in open court noting that the judgment could not be finalised without addressing the requirement of issuing notice to the proposed accusedIn the decision uploaded on the High Courts official website on Saturday Justice Vidyarthi recorded that during the hearing all parties had submitted that there is no requirement of issuance of a notice to the proposed accused while deciding an application under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSSHowever before the judgment could be typed and signed the singlejudge bench came across a full bench ruling in Jagannath Verma vs State of Uttar Pradesh which held that an order rejecting a plea for registration of an FIR is not interlocutory and is amenable to revision and that the prospective accused is entitled to an opportunity of being heard before a decision is takenIn view of the aforesaid legal position it appears that the application under Section 528 of the BNSS should not be decided without issuing notice to the opposite party no1 Rahul Gandhi Justice Vidyarthi said adding that the parties need to address this aspectThe development assumes significance as the singlejudge bench had earlier directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to conduct an inquiry and consider registration of an FIR into the allegations that Rahul Gandhi holds dual citizenship while hearing a challenge to a January 28 order of a special MPMLA court in Lucknow that had refused to order an FIRThe petitioner has alleged that LoP Gandhi is a British citizen and therefore ineligible to contest elections or continue as a Member of Parliament relying on purported documents and communications from the UK authoritiesHe has sought action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita the Official Secrets Act the Foreigners Act and the Passport ActThe complaint was initially filed before a special MPMLA court in Raebareli before being brought before the Allahabad High CourtIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/dual-citizenship-row-allahabad-hc-likely-to-hear-rahul-gandhis-stand-tomorrow-670293.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-has-done-great-disservice-to-nation-chandrababu-naidu-on-womens-bill-669969.html Amaravati April 18 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday that by blocking the Womenâs Reservation Bill the Congressled Opposition has denied India a historic step towards womenâs empowermentâ âThis is not just political obstruction it is a betrayal of millions of women who deserve equal voice and rightful representation in Parliament The nation will rememberâ he posted on âXââIn another post the Telugu Desam Party TDP president said that by defeating the Delimitation and Constitutional Amendment Bill the Opposition parties have done a great disservice to the nationâHe wrote that with the freeze under Article 81 set to end after the first Census conducted post2026 the forthcoming census exercise will reset seat distribution purely on population potentially leading to a steep decline in representation for Southern NorthEastern and smaller statesâNaidu added that the National Democratic Allianceâs proposal was a sincere effort to preserve federal balance protect the voice of Southern NorthEastern and smaller states and ensure 33 per cent representation for women He said it recognised that states which have performed well on key development indicators should not be penalised in the democratic structureâIt is unfortunate that political agendas have prevailed over longterm national interest Those celebrating this outcome must introspect we have lost an opportunity to secure a fair and constitutional safeguard for rightful representationâ he notedâMeanwhile Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan slammed the Opposition parties saying they have squandered a golden opportunity to enhance womenâs empowerment within legislative bodiesâHe said that had the Opposition also supported the Womenâs Reservation Bill they too would have earned respect He expressed hope that in the days to come women will secure their rightful place in the legislatureâAs Jana Sena Party president Kalyan added âAs a partner in the National Democratic Alliance the Jana Sena Party welcomes the initiative taken by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in bringing this Bill before the Lok Sabha Had this Bill been passed women across the length and breadth of India would have rejoiced immenselyââ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-has-done-great-disservice-to-nation-chandrababu-naidu-on-womens-bill-669969.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/opposition-floor-leaders-to-meet-at-kharges-office-at-10-am-rahul-gandhi-to-skip-669989.html New Delhi April 18 The floor leaders of the Opposition will meet at Congress National President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharges chamber in the Parliament Complex at 10 AM on Saturday Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will not attend the meeting as he will be travelling to Tamil Nadu for the election campaignThis comes a day after the defeat of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok SabhaThe Bill which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament failed to secure the required twothirds majority triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA blocThe proposed legislation which also sought to expand the strength of the House could not secure the constitutionally mandated twothirds majority despite a daylong debate The Bill received 278 votes in favour and 211 against falling short of the required threshold for passageThe outcome has triggered a sharp political confrontation with the NDA accusing the INDIA bloc of deliberately blocking a historic reform aimed at increasing womens representation in legislative bodiesThe Opposition on its part is objecting to the womenâs reservation Bill being tethered to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and the exercise of delimitationEarlier on Friday the floor leaders of the ruling NDA met for a crucial meeting in Parliament following the defeat of the BillIt was decided in the meeting that the constituents will raise the issue of the Oppositions resistance to womens empowerment said sourcesThe message will be delivered to people across the country through protests press conferences and social media to make people aware of the developmentMeanwhile the NDA is set to launch a nationwide protest campaign on Saturday against the INDIA bloc over the issueParty leaders said protests will be organised at district headquarters across the country led by the BJPs womens wing the BJP Mahila MorchaThe campaign is intended to highlight what the NDA describes as an antiwomen agenda of the Opposition while mobilising public opinion around the issue The BJP is also expected to raise the matter prominently in the upcoming elections particularly in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/opposition-floor-leaders-to-meet-at-kharges-office-at-10-am-rahul-gandhi-to-skip-669989.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/parliament-special-session-ends-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-adjourned-sine-die-670022.html New Delhi April 18 IANS The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned sine die soon after the session began on Saturday marking an end to the Parliaments Special SessionnbspA day earlier the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 was defeated in the Lok SabhaThe Bill which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament failed to secure the required twothirds majority triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA blocThe proposed legislation which also sought to expand the strength of the House could not secure the constitutionally mandated twothirds majority despite a daylong debate The Bill received 278 votes in favour and 211 against falling short of the required threshold for passageSubsequently the Centre decided not to move forward with two related Bills on delimitation saying that the three Bills could be viewed in isolationMeanwhile the floor leaders of the Opposition met at Congress National President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharges chamber in the Parliament ComplexThe defeat of the Bill has triggered a sharp political confrontation with the NDA accusing the INDIA bloc of deliberately blocking a historic reform aimed at increasing womens representation in legislative bodiesThe Opposition on its part is objecting to the Womens Reservation Bill being tethered to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and the exercise of delimitationEarlier on Friday the floor leaders of the ruling NDA met for a crucial meeting in Parliament following the defeat of the BillIt was decided in the meeting that the constituents will raise the issue of the Oppositions resistance to womens empowerment said sourcesThe message will be delivered to people across the country through protests press conferences and social media to make people aware of the developmentThe NDA is set to launch a nationwide protest campaign on Saturday against the INDIA bloc over the issueParty leaders said protests will be organised at district headquarters across the country led by the BJPs womens wing the BJP Mahila MorchaThe campaign is intended to highlight what the NDA describes as an antiwomen agenda of the Opposition while mobilising public opinion around the issue The BJP is also expected to raise the matter prominently in the upcoming elections particularly in West Bengal and Tamil NaduIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/parliament-special-session-ends-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-adjourned-sine-die-670022.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/raj-si-recruitment-row-selected-candidates-move-sc-against-cancellation-seek-action-against-guilty-670032.html Jaipur April 18 IANS The controversy surrounding the SubInspector SI Recruitment Examination2021 in Rajasthan has reached the Supreme Court with selected candidates filing a Special Leave Petition SLP challenging the cancellation of the entire recruitment processnbspThe petitioners have challenged the Rajasthan High Court decision which annulled the recruitment citing irregularities such as paper leaks and riggingThey have urged the apex court to uphold the recruitment and argued that candidates selected through fair means should not be penalised for the wrongdoing of a fewIn their plea the selected SubInspectors contended that while strict action must be taken against those involved in malpractice cancelling the entire recruitment is unjustThose who secured selection through honesty and hard work should be allowed to continue in service the petition states adding that the High Courts verdict has left their future uncertainThe recruitment was first cancelled by a singlejudge bench on August 28 2025 Later on April 4 2026 a Division Bench upheld the decision reinforcing the cancellation The court had cited largescale irregularities including allegations of paper leaks as the basis for its rulingA hearing in the Supreme Court on this issue is likely in the second week of MayMeanwhile unsuccessful candidates have already filed a caveat to ensure their side is heard before any order is passed Advocate Harendra Neel has filed the caveat on their behalf The Division Bench led by Acting Chief Justice SP Sharma had also set aside the suo motu cognisance taken by the Single Bench against the Rajasthan Public Service Commission RPSCThe selected candidates maintain that the entire process should not be scrapped and have reiterated that accountability must be fixed only on those proven guilty of misconductThe state government has not taken any stand on the issue yetEarlier before the High Court the government had opposed the complete cancellation of the recruitment Its position on whether it will intervene in the Supreme Court proceedings is expected to come soonIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/raj-si-recruitment-row-selected-candidates-move-sc-against-cancellation-seek-action-against-guilty-670032.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-to-reach-tamil-nadu-tonight-lead-bjp-roadshows-tomorrow-670043.html Chennai April 18 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to arrive in Tamil Nadu on Saturday night to spearhead the BJPs campaign in the crucial final phase of the Assembly elections with a series of highprofile roadshows lined up for SundaynbspParty sources said HM Shah will land in Coimbatore late tonight and stay there before launching his campaign engagements the next day His visit comes as the BJP intensifies efforts to boost its presence across key constituencies ahead of polling on April 23On Sunday Shah will begin his campaign with a roadshow in Modakurichi Assembly constituency in Erode district where he will canvass support for BJP candidate Kirthika ShivkumarThe western belt is considered strategically important for the party and the leadership is focussing on direct voter outreach in the regionLater in the day Shah will travel to Chennai for another major roadshow in support of BJP nominee Tamilisai SoundararajanAs part of his visit to the city he is also expected to offer prayers at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore before the roadshowSenior BJP leaders said the twin roadshows are aimed at energising party cadres and strengthening lastmile mobilisation in both western and northern Tamil NaduThe focus is on direct engagement with voters and consolidating support in the final stretch a party functionary notedThe visit is part of a broader push by the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA with top leaders stepping up their campaign in the StatePrime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to campaign in Tamil Nadu earlier on Saturday With the campaign entering its closing phase the BJP is relying on highimpact public outreach and the presence of senior leaders like Shah to maximise its electoral prospects in the StateIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-to-reach-tamil-nadu-tonight-lead-bjp-roadshows-tomorrow-670043.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-i-have-betrayed-congress-and-guru-adhir-chowdhury-says-trinamool-legislator-biswas-670045.html Kolkata April 18 After winning the Sagardighi bypoll in West Bengals Murshidabad as a Congress candidate three years ago Bayron Biswas later joined the Trinamool Congress Ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections the outgoing MLA and Trinamool Congress candidate from Sagardighi Biswas said on Saturday that he had betrayed the Congress and his political guru and senior party leader Adhir Ranjan ChowdhuryTrinamool Congress leader Bayron Biswas said I am selfish I have betrayed I will not say that I did not betray I got the ticket from the Congress I came into politics by holding Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys hands I will remember him for the rest of my life He is my Guru Adhir Chowdhurys place is after God I respect him as my elder brother As an elder brother he has the right to tell me anything But I have no regretsAlthough Biswas is confident about his victory in Sagardighi in the upcoming state Assembly polls he said Everyone wants to win Everyone goes with hope But social services have to be provided If someone can provide better services than me then make him winAfter Bayron Biswas admitted that he had betrayed his guru Adhir Chowdhury the latter took a jibe at him saying I have nothing more to say He Bayron Biswas himself has admitted that he has betrayed When he himself calls himself a traitor the common people will decide how to deal with that traitor All I can say is that there is no comparison to Manoj Chakraborty as a Congress candidate in Sagardighi Thats all I can sayIn 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Saha won the Sagardighi constituency However he died in December 2022 As a result a byelection was held in this seat In that byelection Bayron Biswas contested as a Congress candidate supported by the Left Front and win the bypoll After his bypoll victory there was a stir in state politics over the LeftCongress Sagardighi model which produced a victory for the alliance as both parties had drew blank in 2021 Assembly electionsHowever three months later Bayron Biswas joined the ruling party by taking the Trinamool flag from the hands of partys General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee Bayron Biswas himself admitted that he had betrayed the Congress by leaving it It remains to be seen what the outcome of Sagardighi in the upcoming Assembly election will be IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-polls-i-have-betrayed-congress-and-guru-adhir-chowdhury-says-trinamool-legislator-biswas-670045.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-naidu-spar-over-womens-quota-delimitation-row-heats-up-670049.html ThiruvananthapuramNew Delhi April 18 A sharp political exchange has erupted between the Kerala unit of the Congress and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu after the latter accused the Opposition of blocking the Womenâs Reservation Bill In a stronglyworded social media post the Congressâ Kerala unit hit back at Naidu alleging that he had betrayed Andhra Pradesh and warning that such a stance would be rememberedThe post asserted that the Womenâs Reservation Bill had already been passed unanimously in 2023 with the support of all parties countering Naiduâs claim that it was being obstructedNaidu in his earlier post had criticised the Congress and its allies for allegedly stalling what he described as a historic step toward womenâs empowermentHe termed the move political obstruction and a betrayal of millions of women who he said deserved equal representation in ParliamentThe Congress response however shifted the focus to the contentious issue of delimitation stating that it had defeated the delimitation Bill for the future of the Indian UnionThe reference is seen as part of a broader Opposition apprehension that delimitation if carried out based on population could disproportionately affect southern states including Andhra Pradesh Telangana and Kerala by reducing their relative political representationThe exchange underscores the growing fault lines ahead of key political battles with womenâs reservation and delimitation emerging as intertwined flashpointsWhile the Womenâs Reservation Bill has been widely projected as a landmark reform to enhance female representation its implementation remains linked to future census and delimitation exercises adding layers of political complexityNaiduâs remarks echoing positions taken by leaders of the ruling alliance appear aimed at consolidating support around the womenâs quota issueThe Congress on the other hand is attempting to raise the debate of federal balance and regional equityWith both sides invoking themes of betrayal and representation the war of words signals an intensifying national debate that goes beyond gender equity to the very structure of political power sharing in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-naidu-spar-over-womens-quota-delimitation-row-heats-up-670049.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-joins-bjp-protest-against-oppn-over-womens-bill-defeat-in-ls-670057.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Bharatiya Janata Party BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal joined a protest on Saturday along with women workers expressing strong dissatisfaction over the rejection of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok SabhanbspnbspThe protesters raised slogans against the Opposition intensifying the political confrontation over the failed womens reservation legislationDuring the demonstration CM Gupta raised slogans Phool nahi chingari hai hum Bharat ki naari hai Mahilaon ka ye apman nahi sahega hindustan We are not flowers we are sparks we are the women of India India will not tolerate this insult to womenSpeaking on the issue BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticised the Oppositions conduct in Parliament saying In the way that yesterday in Parliament Congress and other opposition parties not only voted against the Bill aimed at empowering women but after the Bill was defeated Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders also thumped the tables it was showing how happy they wereThe protest comes amid a broader political backlash following the Bills defeat with ruling NDA leaders accusing the Opposition of opposing a historic measure meant to enhance womens political representationThe Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 had proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies along with an increase in the strength of the Lok SabhaHowever the legislation failed to secure the required twothirds majority in the Lower House despite extensive debateThe Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against in the Lok Sabha falling short of the constitutional threshold required for passageIts defeat on Friday has triggered nationwide political reactions with the NDA alliance accusing the Opposition INDIA bloc of blocking a landmark reformEarlier the Union government had defended the Bill as a necessary step to address longstanding gaps in womens representation and to restructure Parliamentary seats based on population changes since the 1971 CensusHowever opposition parties said that the proposal was linked to broader electoral restructuring and raised concerns over federal balance and political intentIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-joins-bjp-protest-against-oppn-over-womens-bill-defeat-in-ls-670057.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-unity-defeated-centres-conspiracy-priyanka-gandhi-on-womens-quota-bill-670064.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said that through the unity of the Opposition the Centres conspiracy to allegedly alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeatedShe made these remarks during a press conference following the defeat of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha a day earlierThe Bill which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament failed to secure the required twothirds majority triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA blocThe proposed legislation which also sought to expand the strength of the House could not obtain the constitutionally mandated twothirds majority despite a daylong debate The Bill secured 278 votes in favour and 211 against falling short of the required threshold for passageAddressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee office in New Delhi Priyanka Gandhi said What happened yesterday was a huge victory for democracy The governments conspiracy to alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeated and halted This was a victory for the Constitution for the country and for the unity of the Opposition It was clearly visible on the faces of the ruling party leadersReferring to the Lok Sabha speeches delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah she said Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister several times said that if we did not support the Bill then we would never be able to win and come to power This made it clear what their intention wasThe Congress leader said that the Opposition was shocked that this Special Session was called amid the ongoing Assembly elections I think its a conspiracy that somehow they need to stay in power So this was a plan to stay in power permanently using women she saidThey thought that if it was passed theyd win If its not passed theyll become the messiah of women by calling other parties antiwomen Being a woman I know that becoming a messiah of women isnt easy the Wayanad MP addedCiting incidents such as the Unnao rape the Hathras rape and murder case issues faced by Olympic athletes and developments in Manipur Priyanka Gandhi questioned No one supported those women And today you are standing in the Parliament and saying that you want to become a messiah of womenThis was not about the Womens Reservation Bill but delimitation Everyone saw how they the government can be defeated when the Opposition unites she saidDescribing the day as a Black Day for the Centre she said it was because theyve felt a shock for the first time which they deservedThe problems and struggles of women are growing Women are not fools they see everything The PR and media wont work anymore If you want to do something substantial bring back the Bill that was passed unanimously in 2023 which was supported by all parties You can make a few small amendments to it if you want do it and implement it now she saidGive women their rights right now But dont try to mislead women by twisting it around and attaching it to other things Bring it now Were all ready she addedPriyanka Gandhi further said that recent developments indicate a shift for the government adding that it is clear from their actionsFirstly they are under a lot of international pressure as my brother has said multiple times she said without naming him directlyThe public continues to face multiple challenges the price of gas fruit vegetables everything has gone up The burden of this is on the shoulders of women across class and caste she saidThey can take their Mahila Morcha in front of whoevers house they want They can create as much tamasha as they want This country has now awakened to the fact that they do not stand by their words They cannot be trusted And certainly women cannot trust them because we have seen their attitude and behaviour on multiple occasions she addedThe way they have brought this Bill the provisions attached to it including delimitation and the 2011 census make it very clear that they knew this Bill was not going to be passed They were only seeking political credit Priyanka Gandhi saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-unity-defeated-centres-conspiracy-priyanka-gandhi-on-womens-quota-bill-670064.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kumaraswamy-criticises-cong-over-womens-reservation-bill-ktaka-hm-counters-allegation--670065.html Bengaluru April 18 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused the Congress of maintaining an antiwomen mindsetâ alleging that the party has obstructed efforts to implement womenâs reservation in legislatures through the Womenâs Reservation Bill However Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara countered the allegations by pointing out that during the tenure of former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh the Congress introduced the Womenâs Reservation Bill Drawing a comparison between 1996 and 2026 Kumaraswamy said that history appears to be repeating itself with the Congress and its allies once again opposing measures aimed at ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State AssembliesReferring to the United Front Government led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda in 1996 Kumaraswamy said a historic step had been taken at the time to introduce a Bill providing 33 per cent reservation for women However he alleged that the effort was derailed by the Congress and its alliesHe further claimed that the present government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a decisive step to correct what he termed a âhistoric injusticeâ but is again facing resistance from the CongressKumaraswamy said that those who have repeatedly opposed the Womenâs Reservation Bill would not be forgiven by the âNari Shaktiâ of the country calling such opposition an affront to womenAppealing to women across the country he urged them not to lose hope and expressed confidence that the goal of 33 per cent reservation for women would be achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister ModiMeanwhile commenting on the BJPâs charge that the Congress is antiwomen in the backdrop of its opposition to the Womenâs Reservation Bill Home Minister G Parameshwara said âFirst I want to make it clear that the Congress party is not opposed to the Womenâs Reservation Bill During the tenure of former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh we were the first in the country to introduce the Womenâs Reservation BillThere is no question of Congress leaders opposing the Womenâs Reservation Bill The current Union government while bringing the Womenâs Reservation Bill has linked it to increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats he statedThe Lok Sabha which currently has 543 seats is proposed to be expanded to around 850 seats Shouldnât there have been a discussion on this The government should have taken the Opposition parties into confidence and held a proper debate If that had been done before introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha it might have been passed he questionedAll Opposition parties including the Congress would have given their suggestions Instead by clubbing the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats with the Womenâs Reservation Bill it has not been done in the right spirit nor is it a good parliamentary tradition Parameshwara statedHence the Bill was defeated by 54 votes for these reasons If the intention was truly to implement womenâs reservation the government should have consulted the Opposition taken them into confidence and discussed every aspect of the Bill he statedIf the Womenâs Reservation Bill is brought without linking it to delimitation a solution may be found This is my opinionâ he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kumaraswamy-criticises-cong-over-womens-reservation-bill-ktaka-hm-counters-allegation--670065.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/nia-court-grants-default-bail-to-15-accused-in-beldanga-violence-case-670070.html Kolkata April 18 IANS A special court of the National Investigation Agency NIA on Saturday granted default bail to 15 of the 35 accused in connection with the violence that erupted at Beldanga in West Bengals minoritydominated Murshidabad district earlier this yearnbspThe default bail was granted to these 15 accused persons after the investigating agency failed to submit a charge sheet against them within 90 days from the day of their arrest However the court had imposed certain conditions for granting the default bailTo recall violence and riotlike situations surfaced at Beldanga earlier this year over the death of a migrant worker from the region in neighbouring Jharkhand The tension flared up after the body of the migrant worker reached Beldanga from JharkhandThe local protesters alleged that the migrant worker was lynched in Jharkhand because of religious and linguistic reasons The protests started with the blockade of railways and roads at BeldangaWhen the police tried to lift the blockade the protesters set up an ambush with the security personnel Some journalists were also attacked by the protesters some of whom got severely injuredLater the Jharkhand Police issued a statement citing the postmortem report that termed the migrant workers death a case of suicideCricketerturnedpolitician and the local Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Yusuf Pathan faced scathing criticism for not being present in the area or even in the state when the entire place was burningLater the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court demanding deployment of Central Armed Police Forces CAPF at Beldanga and also handing over the investigation in the matter to the NIAThe matter went to the Supreme Court which also agreed with the Calcutta High Court that if the Union Home Minister thought it necessary it might ask the NIA to start the investigation into the matterFinally the NIA started the investigation into the matterIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/nia-court-grants-default-bail-to-15-accused-in-beldanga-violence-case-670070.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ras-recruitment-2024-results-declared-merit-list-for-1-096-posts-released-670078.html Jaipur April 18 The Rajasthan Public Service Commission RPSC on Saturday declared the final results of the Rajasthan Administrative Service RAS Recruitment 2024 concluding the selection process for 1096 posts Candidates can view their results by visiting the Commissions official website Dinesh Bishnoi from Barmer has secured the top rankNotably Bishnoi had earlier achieved the 57th rank in the previous examination and is currently undergoing training for the Rajasthan Police ServiceVirendra Charan from Jaisalmer clinched the second position The son of a Head Constable he is presently serving as a TehsildarThe Commission released a merit list of 2391 candidates following the completion of interviews on April 17 Dinesh Bishnoi hails from Bhalisar village in Barmer His journey reflects steady progress securing the 948th rank in 2021 before rising to 57th and now topping the exam His father Ramdhan Manju is a retired District Education OfficerSecondrank holder Virendra Charan belongs to Rampuriya village in Pokaran Jaisalmer His father Jethudan Charan serves as a Head Constable in the police department Virendra had also been selected as a Tehsildar in the previous cycle and is currently in trainingThe RAS 2024 recruitment process comprised three stages the Preliminary Examination the Main Examination and the Interview Following the Preliminary Examination shortlisted candidates appeared for the Main Examination after which successful candidates were called for an interview The interview process commenced on April 1 2025 and was conducted in multiple phasesThe entire selection process was brought to a close with the completion of the final phase of interviews The Commission selected candidates based on merit Inclusion in the selection list is considered a significant achievement for the candidates as the RAS examination is counted among the most prestigious competitive examinations in the stateMany candidates expressed their joy over their success and extended gratitude to their families and teachersThe Commission has clarified that instructions regarding document verification and appointment as part of the subsequent process will be issued shortly for the selected candidates IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ras-recruitment-2024-results-declared-merit-list-for-1-096-posts-released-670078.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670082.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 830 PM on Saturday and is likely to speak on the Womens Reservation BillEarlier in the day following the conclusion of the Parliament session leaders from all parties held a formal meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Prime Minister Modi also spearheaded a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security CCS in New Delhi focussing on safeguarding Indias security and economic interests amid the escalating conflict in West AsiaThe Cabinet meeting was held a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at implementing reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House While 298 members voted in favour of the Bill 230 voted against it Out of the 528 members who participated in the voting the Bill required 352 votes to secure passageAccording to the proposed legislation the number of Lok Sabha seats was to be increased from the current 543 to a maximum of 850 in order to operationalise the womens reservation law before the 2029 General ElectionsThis expansion was to follow a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census Similarly seats in state and Union Territory assemblies were also to be increased to accommodate a 33 per cent reservation for womenFollowing the Bills defeat in the Lok Sabha the BJP termed the development a black day and accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of betraying women Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress and the Opposition would have to face the anger of women across the country alleging that they had permanently damaged their credibilityMeanwhile the Congress and its allies maintained that the quota law passed in 2023 should be implemented immediately accusing the government of politicising the issue Several Opposition leaders including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that they were not opposed to womens reservation but objected to its linkage with delimitationCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that the governments true intent is to alter the constitutional framework and concentrate executive power He noted that while the Congress had supported the Womens Reservation Bill in 2023 and ensured its passage the Centres decision to link it with delimitation was unacceptable to the OppositionIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670082.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670094.html New Delhi April 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 830 PM on Saturday and is likely to speak on the Womenâs Reservation Bill Earlier in the day following the conclusion of the Parliament session leaders from all parties held a formal meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Prime Minister Modi also spearheaded a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security CCS in New Delhi focussing on safeguarding Indiaâs security and economic interests amid the escalating conflict in West AsiaThe Cabinet meeting was held a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at implementing reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House While 298 members voted in favour of the Bill 230 voted against it Out of the 528 members who participated in the voting the Bill required 352 votes to secure passageAccording to the proposed legislation the number of Lok Sabha seats was to be increased from the current 543 to a maximum of 850 in order to operationalise the womenâs reservation law before the 2029 General ElectionsThis expansion was to follow a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census Similarly seats in state and Union Territory assemblies were also to be increased to accommodate a 33 per cent reservation for womenFollowing the Billâs defeat in the Lok Sabha the BJP termed the development a black day and accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of betraying women Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress and the Opposition would have to face the anger of women across the country alleging that they had permanently damaged their credibilityMeanwhile the Congress and its allies maintained that the quota law passed in 2023 should be implemented immediately accusing the government of politicising the issue Several Opposition leaders including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that they were not opposed to womenâs reservation but objected to its linkage with delimitationCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that the governmentâs true intent is to alter the constitutional framework and concentrate executive power He noted that while the Congress had supported the Womenâs Reservation Bill in 2023 and ensured its passage the Centreâs decision to link it with delimitation was unacceptable to the Opposition IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670094.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kerala-minister-visits-wayanad-rehab-project-site-amid-cracks-in-new-homes-670097.html Kalpetta April 18 Mounting concerns over the rehabilitation of landslide survivors in Wayanad have come into sharp focus as Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajans visit on Saturday to the township project at Elston Estate triggered fresh debate over construction quality delays and accountability The Minister inspected a house in the MundakkaiâChooralmala rehabilitation township where cracks were reportedly found even as the local ruling Left leaders accompanied himWith the possibility of protests looming police were deployed in the areaDuring the visit visible seepage marks on the roof drew attention though Minister Rajan dismissed claims of structural cracks saying that only water leakage stains were presentHe clarified that the houses have not yet been formally handed over to beneficiaries and that only land titles have been distributed so farIssues will be taken seriously if they arise after handover The contractor will be held accountable as per agreement he said assuring that the state government guarantees corrective actionThe project which includes 410 houses is expected to be completed by October failing which those responsible will face consequencesMeanwhile the Youth Congress has announced a protest at the site further intensifying the political heatIt was in July 2024 the devastating landslides that left hundreds displacedSurvivors continue to wait for permanent homes with many rehabilitation promises yet to be fulfilledThough more than 1000 families were initially identified for resettlement the list has since shrunk to around 451 raising questions over transparency and eligibilityEqually troubling are allegations regarding the quality of constructionHouses reportedly built at a cost of around Rs 30 lakh each have shown signs of damage even before occupancyWhile official claims suggest more than 170 houses have been completed reports indicate only a fraction are even partially habitable with several lacking basic finishing workQuestions are also being raised over the utilisation of funds that poured in after the disasterWith crores received in aid the absence of clear accounting has fueled suspicions of mismanagementLocals allege largescale irregularities pointing to incomplete infrastructure and poorquality construction as evidenceBeyond housing many indirectly affected small traders and plantation workers who lost their livelihoods remain overlookedAs the state government defends its position and promises corrective steps the visible cracks both literal and administrative continue to deepen the anxieties of a community still waiting to rebuild its future IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kerala-minister-visits-wayanad-rehab-project-site-amid-cracks-in-new-homes-670097.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-bjp-playing-blame-game-k-kavitha-on-womens-quota-defeat-670098.html New Delhi April 18 In the aftermath of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bills defeat in the Lok Sabha Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha on Saturday blamed both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP saying they are playing a blame game over the failure of the Womens Reservation Bill Speaking to IANS Kavitha said In the history of India yesterday will be remembered as the black day for women empowerment in this nationHolding both the ruling NDA alliance and the Opposition responsible she added BJP is blaming the Congress and the Congress is blaming the BJP But the point is that the women of this nation have seriously lost out a very long fought battleWomen were a part of Indias freedom movement but they never happened to make in the same proportion into the Parliament or assemblies of the nation Kavitha saidShe said in 2006 it was the Congress which cheated the womenNow after 20 years in 2026 the BJP has again cheated the women of the nation she allegedTerming the Bills failure as unfortunate Kavitha said It is unfortunate that Womens Reservation Bill is time and again being linked with either census caste census or delimitation or something or the other But women are being blockedShe appealed the women that despite the blow to the reservation attempt they should contest the elections without thinking about whether they will win or notI appeal to the women of the nation we need to stand on our own feet and get empowered by ourselves We need to come out and contest Kavitha saidMeanwhile Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra told reporters outside Parliament that the Womens Reservation Bill was passed in 2023 and that all opposition parties were of the view that the Bill will be implemented during 2024 Lok Sabha polls and women would be granted onethird of the 540 seatsBut the BJP didnt do that she allegedMoreover Moitra alleged that this was the Delimitation Bill dressed in the Womens Reservation BillSamajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav added that those who came to power with guarantees of womens security job opportunities and social justice are trying to spread mistruthsThey BJP are attempting this again since they had lost badly in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls she told reportersYadav alleged They BJP didnt give reservation to OBC women They want to create differences among the women too If they are talking about half of the countrys population they should also include OBC minority and Dalit women too IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-bjp-playing-blame-game-k-kavitha-on-womens-quota-defeat-670098.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-bjp-accuses-dmk-of-undermining-states-representation-in-delimitation-debate-670099.html Chennai April 18 The political debate over delimitation and womenâs reservation has intensified in Tamil Nadu with BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad accusing the ruling DMK of jeopardising the stateâs longterm constitutional and political interests In a statement issued on Saturday Prasad alleged that the DMKâs opposition to the Centreâs proposed delimitation exercise could adversely impact Tamil Naduâs parliamentary representationHe claimed that the BJPled Union governmentâs approach would strengthen the stateâs voice in Parliament while ensuring equitable representationPrasad pointed out that Tamil Nadu currently has 39 Lok Sabha seats and under a proposed nationwide expansion of constituencies the number could increase to 59 He said the Centreâs plan seeks to integrate delimitation with the implementation of 33 per cent womenâs reservation thereby balancing enhanced representation with gender equityCriticising the DMKâs stance he referred to a Private Memberâs Bill introduced by DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson that calls for womenâs reservation without linking it to delimitationAccording to Prasad implementing reservation within the existing 543seat framework would leave Tamil Nadu with only 26 general seats as 13 seats would be reserved for women He further argued that a delimitation exercise conducted strictly on population without increasing the total number of seats could potentially reduce representation for states like Tamil NaduHowever he maintained that the Centre has assured that no state would lose seats under the proposed reforms Highlighting disparities in voter distribution Prasad noted that more than 120 constituencies across India have electorates exceeding 20 lakh with some nearing 40 lakh voters He said delimitation is essential to uphold the principle of equitable representation and ensure effective governanceThe DMK and its allies have consistently opposed delimitation based solely on population raising concerns that such a move could disadvantage states that have successfully controlled population growthWith elections approaching the issue has emerged as a key political flashpoint with both the BJP and DMK positioning themselves as defenders of Tamil Naduâs rights and advocates of womenâs empowerment IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-bjp-accuses-dmk-of-undermining-states-representation-in-delimitation-debate-670099.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/police-in-jampks-srinagar-conducts-drive-against-misuse-of-pharmaceutical-drugs-670100.html Srinagar April 18 The Police in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar district said on Saturday that it has conducted a drive against the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs A police statement said that continuing its firm commitment towards building a drugfree society under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan Srinagar Police carried out a comprehensive inspection drive targeting chemist shops and druggist establishments located in the vicinity of hospitals across the districtDuring the drive police teams conducted detailed inspections of stock registers sale and purchase records valid licenses and other mandatory documentation at various establishmentsThe primary objective of the exercise was to identify irregularities and curb the illegal sale or misuse of pharmaceutical drugs particularly controlled and prescription medicines that may contribute to substance abuse among the youthOfficials reiterated that any violation involving the illegal possession sale or distribution of controlled substances will invite strict legal action under the relevant provisions of the NDPS ActThe Srinagar Police also emphasised that such inspection drives will continue on a regular basis as part of sustained efforts under the initiative to ensure accountability promote lawful practices and safeguard public health and safetyShopkeepers were advised to maintain proper records strictly adhere to prescribed norms and extend full cooperation with inspection teamsThe Jammu and Kashmir Police and the security forces are carrying out aggressive operations against drug smugglers and drug peddlers It is believed that funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are used to sustain terrorism in the Union TerritoryLieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while launching the 100day long Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan said last week that as punitive action against drug smugglers and peddlers the Union Territory government has decided to cancel their passports Aadhaar cards driving licences in addition to attachment of properties created through these unlawful activitiesPolice in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been carrying out daily antidrug operations While pushing the drug smugglers the thirst of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan is to treat the victims of drugs through compassion aimed at their rehabilitation in the society IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/police-in-jampks-srinagar-conducts-drive-against-misuse-of-pharmaceutical-drugs-670100.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/action-cannot-be-taken-without-direction-from-delhi-ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-on-suspending-2-leaders-669957.html Bengaluru April 17 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Friday said that there was nothing personal in the action taken against the two minority leaders of his party for antiparty activities as action cannot be taken without direction from Delhi Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday Deputy CM Shivakumar said âThere is nothing personal in the action taken against minority leaders The party has its own report When action is initiated against a sitting MLA or MLC it cannot be done at our level without direction from DelhiââWe have to act based on guidance They may blame me but I donât bother about such accusations We have to work under party disciplineâ he saidResponding to questions about whether the development sends a wrong signal to the minority community he said âThe Congress party exists to deliver justice to Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes farmers OBCs and minoritiesâWhen asked about reports of differences between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah he said âYou media must be crazy We speak and discuss matters every day You talk about my camp where does my camp exist Has anyone put up a nameplate saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah camp All 139 MLAs are my legislators and they are Siddaramaiahâs legislators too There are no camps between usââThe media keeps talking about Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah camps Do you actually know which MLA belongs to which group There are no contradictions within the party All 139 MLAs belong to one group the Congress groupâIt can be recalled that in a major development the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee suspended Member of the Legislative Council Abdul Jabbar from the primary membership of the party on Wednesday for engaging in antiparty activitiesâDeputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar had signed the suspension orderâThe letter stated âAbdul Jabbar Member of the Legislative Council is hereby suspended from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect in view of his antiparty activities during the recent byelection in the Davanagere South Assembly constituencyââAbdul Jabbar was heading the state partyâs Minority Wing and had earlier been asked to resign from the post After accepting his resignation Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar dissolved the Minority Wing Abdul Jabbar was also aspiring to contest from the Davanagere South Assembly seat as the Congress candidateâIt may be noted that Congress Member of the Legislative Council Naseer Ahmad was also relieved of his position as Chief Minister Siddaramaiahâs Political Advisor on April 14 for similar reasonsâIt can also be recalled that leaders from the Muslim community expressed outrage on Thursday objecting to the action against MLCs Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmad over alleged antiparty activities during the bypolls âAlleging bias by the party they warned the ruling Congress leadership of consequencesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/action-cannot-be-taken-without-direction-from-delhi-ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-on-suspending-2-leaders-669957.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/voting-today-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-669868.html New Delhi April 17 Voting on three bills in the Lok Sabha aimed at amending the womenâs reservation law and establishing a delimitation commission is scheduled to take place on Friday Addressing the House on Thursday Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said The discussion will be held for 12 hours The speaker should have the authority to extend the time for discussion The voting on the bills will be done tomorrowLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla subsequently clarified that the debate could go on for a longer duration if required indicating flexibility in the schedule to accommodate detailed deliberations by membersHe said Discussion on these three bills will be held for 1518 hours Voting on these bills will be done at 4 pm tomorrow He further assured that everyone will be given appropriate time to speak during the discussionThe introduction of the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 aimed at enabling womenâs reservation and facilitating delimitation was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes in the House The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote leading to a formal division processUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussionThe Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introducedEarlier the Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 after the Opposition demanded a divisionFollowing the use of vote slips the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against announced Speaker Om Birla adding that it is subject to changeThe Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions however when the outcome is contested a âdivisionâ is conducted In such cases the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under âAyesâ âNoesâ and âAbstainâSubsequently vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that roundâIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slipsâ the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the HouseThe Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Womenâs Reservation Bill The motion required a simple majority to be carried and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/voting-today-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-669868.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mp-cm-to-inaugurate-ekatma-parv-at-omkareshwar-today-669869.html New Delhi April 17 Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the fiveday âEkatma Parvâ Festival of Unity on Friday at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district bringing together saints scholars and artists from across India and abroadâ According to an official statement the festival is being organised at Ekatma Dham on Mandhata Hill associated with Adi Shankaracharya the proponent of Advaita Vedanta Scheduled for Vaishakh Shukla Panchami the event aims to spread the message of unity through a blend of spiritual intellectual and cultural activitiesâDuring the inaugural programme the Chief Minister will open the âAdvaita Lokâ and âAkshar Brahmaâ exhibitions and participate in Vedic rituals Prominent spiritual leaders including Swami Sadanand Saraswati will be present on the occasion Nivedita Bhide and Swami Shardanand Saraswati are also expected to attendâA key highlight of the festival will be the âAdvaitamritam â Vimarsh Sabhaâ where scholars and experts will discuss the relevance of Advaita philosophy in the modern world The sessions will cover themes such as âAdvaita and GenZâ artificial intelligence environmental conservation global peace and the Sikh concept of âEk Omkarâ linking ancient philosophy with contemporary issuesâCultural programmes will be held every evening as part of the celebrations On the opening day classical vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi and Odissi dancer Shubhada Varadkar will perform followed by presentations of Bharatanatyam Carnatic music and Nirgun Vani in the coming daysâOn April 21 more than 700 youths from India and abroad will take a pledge as âShankaradootsâ committing themselves to spreading the teachings of Adi ShankaracharyaâOmkareshwar holds special religious significance as it is home to the revered Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva Located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims underscoring the spiritual significance of hosting the festival at this siteâThe festival is part of the state governmentâs efforts to develop Ekatma Dham as a global centre for spiritual learning The âStatue of Onenessâ and the upcoming âAdvaita Lokâ museum are expected to attract visitors researchers and devotees alikeâThe event is expected to strengthen cultural unity and highlight Indiaâs rich philosophical heritage on a wider platformâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mp-cm-to-inaugurate-ekatma-parv-at-omkareshwar-today-669869.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/people-will-not-tolerate-opposition-to-it-bjp-leaders-on-womens-reservation-bill-669880.html New Delhi April 17 BJP leaders on Friday strongly defended the Womenâs Reservation Bill asserting that opposition to the measure will not be accepted by the people Speaking to IANS from West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said Any bill that is in the interest of the country to become law it is opposed by the Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties But the people of this country will not tolerate the oppositionâs stance on thisBihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav also weighed in saying When this bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha all members had given their consent unanimously Therefore the Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded everyone that they should support it with a common understanding and help ensure womenâs reservation is implementedPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Womenâs Reservation Bill on Thursday saying there is âno need to give the bill a political colourâ and calling it an opportunity to add a new chapter to âViksit BharatâThree key bills The Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 The Delimitation Bill 2026 and The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introduced in the special session of Parliament on Thursday with voting scheduled for 4 pm on FridayEarlier on Thursday Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion on the bills would continue for 12 hours with provisions to extend the time if required Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later indicated that the debate could last 1518 hours ensuring adequate time for all members to speak before votingThe special sitting of Parliamentâs Budget Session began on April 16 and will continue till April 18 during which the three key bills are being taken upThe government has been seeking the oppositions support for the amendment of the bill which aims to implement womenâs reservation in the Lok Sabha from the 2029 general elections based on the 2011 Census IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/people-will-not-tolerate-opposition-to-it-bjp-leaders-on-womens-reservation-bill-669880.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/crucial-democratic-reform-number-of-seats-expected-to-rise-meghalaya-cm-on-women-quota-bill-669882.html Shillong April 17 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday welcomed the Womenâs Reservation Bill as a significant step towards strengthening democratic representation expressing optimism that Meghalaya could gain additional seats in Parliament following the proposed delimitation exercise The Centre introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha on April 16 including measures to amend provisions related to womenâs reservation and to set up a delimitation commissionReacting to the development CM Sangma termed the move a âvery welcome stepâ that addresses a longpending demand for enhanced political participation of womenâThis reform should have come much earlier but credit must be given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking this bold initiativeâ Sangma saidHighlighting the relatively low representation of women in legislative bodies the Chief Minister said the proposed law would help bridge the gap and empower women in decisionmaking rolesHe noted that while Meghalaya follows a matrilineal social structure where women hold important societal roles their presence in formal political institutions remains limitedâThis will be a crucial democratic reform that enables greater participation of women at the highest levels Their involvement in policymaking will benefit society as a wholeâ he addedCM Sangma also pointed to the potential impact of delimitation on smaller and geographically challenging states like MeghalayaHe expressed hope that the state would see an increase in parliamentary representation taking into account its unique terrain and demographic considerationsâI expect that the number of seats for Meghalaya will rise and I am hopeful that both the Government of India and the delimitation commission will take a positive view on this matterâ he saidAt the same time the Chief Minister urged a balanced approach in implementing the reservation and delimitation processesHe stressed that both should progress simultaneously with careful deliberation to avoid disruptionsCM Sangma also dismissed concerns about any reduction in seats for existing states expressing confidence that the overall strength of Parliament would be expanded to accommodate the changes IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/crucial-democratic-reform-number-of-seats-expected-to-rise-meghalaya-cm-on-women-quota-bill-669882.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sigachi-fire-accident-brs-accuses-telangana-cm-of-reneging-on-rs1-crore-aid-promise-669898.html Hyderabad April 17 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS deputy floor leader in Telangana Assembly T Harish Rao on Friday accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of failing to uphold the promise of Rs1 crore compensation each for the families of 54 workers killed in the fire at Sigachi Industries Limiteds unit in Sangareddy district in June last year The former minister said CM Reddy has failed to deliver even half of the amount promisedHarish Rao alleged in a statement that making grand promises only to subsequently disregard his own words has become a characteristic trait of CM ReddyHe recalled that immediately after the accident Chief Minister Reddy visited the accident site and announced that a compensation of Rs 1 crore would be provided to each of the families of the deceasedHowever a written response submitted by the government in the Assembly made it abundantly clear that this entire exercise was merely a token gesture and that the justice delivered to the victims amounts to absolutely nothing This incident stands as irrefutable proof that breaking promises has become a habit for Revanth Reddy Harish Rao saidHarish Rao alleged that the collusion between the management and the government to manipulate compensation figures constitutes a fraud of staggering proportionsAccording to the official figures submitted by the government in the Assembly if one were to divide the total compensation of â¹2451 crore paid to date among the 54 victims the average compensation received by each workers family amounts to â¹4540 lakh In other words out of the onecrorerupee compensation promised by the Chief Minister this government has reneged on a balance of approximately â¹5460 lakh per family â amounting to a total outstanding sum of â¹2948 crore â thereby leaving the victims in lurch Harish Rao saidâIt is truly deplorable that despite making grandiose claims of providing crores the State Government has so far paid a mere â¹1 lakh to each affected family So who is going to provide the onecrorerupee compensation that the Chief Minister and his ministers promisedâ Harish Rao askedAccording to Harish Rao Sigachi management admitted before the courts that they were providing between â¹40 lakh and â¹42 lakh However the actual truth is that they are inflating these figures by bundling together the â¹25 lakh they provided from their own funds with the statutory entitlements â such as PF ESI and life insurance payouts â that the workers families are legally entitled to receive following the workers demiseHarish Rao also claimed that they have deducted the medical expenses incurred by workers who passed away while undergoing treatment in the hospital directly from this meagre compensation package Moreover this is a callous government that forced the families of eight workersâwho were burnt to ashes in the accident and whose remains could not be tracedâto run from office to office for months on end just to obtain death certificatesâThis was not merely an accident it was a mass murder resulting from the managements gross negligence The investigation clearly establishedâ with irrefutable evidenc eâ that safety standards within the factory were completely disregardedâ the former minister saidHe stated that the police remained inert until a case was filed in the High Court on behalf of the victims and the judiciary issued stern reprimands The perfunctory arrest of the MD â followed by indirect assistance that allowed him to secure bail almost immediately â makes it abundantly clear that there are clandestine agreements in place between the government and the company management Harish Rao addedHarish Rao demanded that the government immediately attach the assets of the directors of Sigachi under the provisions of the Revenue Recovery Act These assets should be liquidated to immediately disburse the compensation of Rs1 crore to each affected family â without any bureaucratic hurdles or preconditions â in accordance with the promise made by the Chief MinisterOn June 30 2025 a huge fire broke out following a major explosion in the manufacturing plant of Sigachi Industries Pashamailaram industrial area unit in Sangareddy district killing 54 workers and injuring 28 othersThe plant manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose powder which is used in tablets and capsules as a binding agent IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sigachi-fire-accident-brs-accuses-telangana-cm-of-reneging-on-rs1-crore-aid-promise-669898.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/shows-deep-trust-of-this-house-in-you-pm-modi-congratulates-harivansh-on-rs-dy-chairman-re-election-669908.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on his reelection as the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman praising his leadership discipline and consistent contribution to the functioning of the Upper HousenbspAddressing the House the Prime Minister said I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Harivansh Ji The fact that he has been elected Deputy Chairman for the third consecutive time reflects the deep trust this House places in him Under his deputy chairmanship the House has seen significant improvement This is a symbol of his simple and efficient working style We have all seen under his guidance the House becoming more effective He uses his vast experience to conduct the proceedings making them more accurate and productiveI am confident that in his new tenure he will continue with the same dedication and balance With everyones cooperation this House will achieve new heights said PM ModiHarivansh Ji was born in Jai Prakash Jis village and since his student days he has been actively involved in village development workThe Prime Minister also connected the occasion with history saying Today April 17 1927 marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar It is indeed a coincidence that Harivansh Ji is beginning this responsibility on his birth anniversary He has also written a book on Chandrashekhar Ji and has helped introduce his life and ideas to new generationsHe further said Harivansh Jis public life is not limited to parliamentary work he has also achieved significant milestones in journalism He has always placed human values at the core of his work and his language and expression reflect discipline and simplicityI used to read his writings when I was in Gujarat He used to strongly express his views and raise important issues In journalism he always tried to reach the last person Even in the House we can see the reflection of these qualities which is a matter of great satisfaction he saidWhether in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha new Members of Parliament can learn a great deal from Harivansh Ji PM Modi addedPM Modi further stressed Punctuality and dedication towards responsibility are his strengths Since he became a member of the Upper House he has devoted full time to the functioning of the HouseHe listens to every issue carefully and gives full attention which is a valuable lesson for all of us he saidThe Prime Minister said As Deputy Chairman the way he conducts the House and as a member the way he contributes both are always spoken of highly Outside Parliament as well the manner in which he carries out his responsibilities is remarkable and admirableI have seen Harivansh Ji dedicate considerable time to engaging with youth and creating awareness among them He travels across the country for this purpose he addedCiting historical events PM Modi said In 2018 when he began his role as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha he conducted around 300 programmes in colleges and universities This is a significant effort visiting institutions participating in events preparing and motivating students This is truly commendableThe dream of Viksit Bharat 2047 should be a guiding vision for our youth and he consistently works to convey this message the Prime Minister addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/shows-deep-trust-of-this-house-in-you-pm-modi-congratulates-harivansh-on-rs-dy-chairman-re-election-669908.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/by-forcing-delimitation-centre-wants-to-redraw-countrys-electoral-map-dmks-kanimozhi-669912.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Friday launched a strong counter to the governments defence of three proposed legislations including womens reservation bill in Parliament for the operationalization of womens quota and accused of it using the cause to safeguard its own political future by redrawing the electoral map of the countrynbspJoining the debate in Lok Sabha the DMK MP questioned the timing intent and motive of the government behind calling a special session of Parliament and bulldozing the Oppositions concerns and apprehensionsShe slammed the Centre for stalling the implementation of womens reservation despite Parliaments unanimous approval in 2023 and now uses it as a front for furthering their political agendaQuestioning the linkage of delimitation with reservation she said that the BJPled government at the Centre is not serious and considerate towards womens cause and it is rewarding itself by using the 2011 Census data as a basis for delimitationIt is politically convenient for them to redraw the political map of the country by introducing delimitation from the back door she saidStating that the Opposition parties pressed the government to hold a Parliament session after elections but the latter dismissed all requestsFor decades you didnt show any urgency in implementing it But today you are blaming the Opposition for the delay This is not electoral reform but an electoral rescue strategy because of your fear of fairing poorly in upcoming elections Kanimozhi saidnbspThe DMK leader refused to buy Home Minister Amit Shahs assurances on maintaining the status quo on the Southern states share in the Lok Sabha and also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modis civilisational commitment promiseShe said that linking delimitation to womens reservation is a trap and is designed to blame the Opposition if the proposed legislation gets stalledI ask the Home Minister why cant you give a reservation by simply delinking the reservation from delimitation Why cant you give a reservation in the existing number of seats she askedThe Prime Minister called it civilisational commitment but I must state that women have been protecting families they die for the nation but their sacrifices have remained unnoticed for decades she addedThis bill looks like a prelude and facilitator to your future political goals This balance is ambiguous misleading and serves no real purpose she remarkedPointing to the Home Ministers assurances to parties that delimitation wont affect the states legislative representation in Parliament she demanded that these assurances be made part of the draft legislationRecords show that this governments 80 to 90 per cent assurances have never been seen through hence we cant buy your words she saidOn the black colour jibe at the DMK for protesting against the bill they said that they will not bow down to the governments diktats and would stand up to them to safeguard womens rightsIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/by-forcing-delimitation-centre-wants-to-redraw-countrys-electoral-map-dmks-kanimozhi-669912.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delimitation-will-turn-out-to-be-political-demonetisation-dont-do-it-shashi-tharoor--669915.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday warned in the Lok Sabha that the proposed delimitation exercise could amount to political demonetisation cautioning against linking it with womens reservation and calling it a matter affecting the very soul of our democracynbspAddressing the House Tharoor said This is a matter of the very soul of our democracyFor decades womens reservation has long been promised discussed and partially delayed Today we stand at a threshold where there is a remarkably unanimous political consensus in favour of womens reservation Every major party in the House recognises that the time for tokenism is over and the era of equal partnership must begin and yet I find us deeply perturbed by the legislative exerciseReferring to the governments position Tharoor said The PM said the government has brought Nari Shakti a gift of justice but he has tethered the implementation of womens reservation to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and the exercise of delimitationHe argued that the provision could be implemented immediately without linking it to a complex processWomens reservation is ready for harvesting it can and should be implemented immediately based on our existing parliamentary strength To link it to delimitation is to hold the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most contentious and complex administrative exercises in our nations history Delimitation is not mere bureaucratic rearranging of maps it is a profound shift in political power Tharoor saidLinking womens reservation to it effectively holds the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most contentious political exercises in our history It carries risks that could strain the fabric of our federalism he addedIn a sharp remark Tharoor said You have proposed delimitation with the same haste you showed on demonetisation and unfortunately we all know what damage that did to the country Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation Dont do itTharoor stressed the need for wider consultation saying We must be candid about what is at stake Constituencies are redrawn based on either current population figures or the 2011 Census Delimitation requires serious discussionHighlighting regional concerns he said The balance between states particularly southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala which have diligently implemented national goals of population control and invested in inclusive human development and those states mainly in the North who have not under future delimitation states that have failed to curb population growth would be rewarded with greater political weight We must ask if this is the message we wish to send that governance excellence leads to political irrelevanceHe further added The third factor is the balance between the states that are engines of our economy contributing more to the national pool than they receive and those that are net recipients of central funds Delimitation would further marginalise the voices of those statesWe risk creating a tyranny of the democratic majority he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delimitation-will-turn-out-to-be-political-demonetisation-dont-do-it-shashi-tharoor--669915.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/lack-of-funds-hinder-free-treatment-of-cancer-patients-in-pakistans-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-669932.html Islamabad April 17 Free treatment of cancer patients at three major medical teaching institutions of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been hampered due to lack of funds local media reported on Friday citing officials Pakistans Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan said he was in contact with the Planning and Development Department for reappropriation of funds to resume treatment of cancer patients the daily Dawn reported However over 1000 poor patients already registered for cancer treatment were waiting for drugs at Hayatabad Medical Complex HMC and Khyber Teaching Hospital KTH Peshawar and Ayub Teaching Hospital ATH AbbottabadAccording to sources the government needed to release Pakistani Rupees PKR 1500 million for the free treatment programme for the year 202526 However it had provided PKR 820 million so far and the remaining PKR 680 million was yet to be releasedSo far 347 patients have received free drugs from ATH from August 2025 to till now The hospital last received medicines in December 2025 but now the stock is about to run out Similarly there is no stock available in KTH and 623 registered patients are awaiting drugs Dawn reportedOncologists linked with the free medication initiative stated that over 10000 patients had benefited from the programme since its beginning The oncologists said the programme was launched for all patients and the hospitals could not deny treatment to those who were in the last stage of cancer According to oncologists the stoppage of free medication might cause the death of many patients as medicines are very expensiveMeanwhile prices of medicines have increased in the open market and the pharmaceutical hub of Bohor Bazaar in Pakistans Rawalpindi with prices rising from 50 per cent to as high as 500 per cent local media reportedPrices of essential medicines including those for diabetes and hypertension antibiotics gastrointestinal conditions and cough have increased The price of an insulin injection device in the open market has increased from Pakistani Rupees PKR 2200 to PKR 4720 The Express Tribune reportedThe cost of vitamin B supplements has increased from PKR 500 to PKR 600 Similarly the price of a packet of indigestion and acidity medication has increased from PKR 530 to PKR 620 The price of a pack of nutritional supplements and vitamin tablets has increased from PKR 480 to PKR 510The price of thyroid medicine has increased from PKR 85 to PKR 290 Meanwhile the price for a commonly used typhoid treatment has increased from PKR 805 to PKR 930 Prices of several other lifesaving medicines have also increasedCritics have termed the increase unbearable stressing that insulin devices reaching between PKR 2000 and PKR 5000 deprive patients with lowincome to access essential treatment and have urged the government to intervene IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/lack-of-funds-hinder-free-treatment-of-cancer-patients-in-pakistans-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-669932.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/brs-student-wing-stages-protest-at-bjp-office-over-mp-suryas-remarks-669946.html Hyderabad April 17 Bharat Rashtra Samithiâs student wing BRSV on Friday staged a protest near the BJPâs Telangana headquarters here condemning the remarks made by Tejasvi Surya about Telangana in the Parliament Activists of BRSV tried to surround the BJP office in Nampally raising slogans against the BJP MP from KarnatakaThe protestors set a poster of Surya on fire Police intervened to detain the protestorsDuring the debate on Womenâs Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday Surya had allegedly compared bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh with the Partition of IndiaHis remarks have triggered strong condemnation from Congress BRS Left parties and Telangana Jagruti Leaders of all these parties accused him of insulting Telangana by comparing its formation with the creation of Pakistan and demanded an apologyBRSV leaders stated that Surya insulted the sacrifices of Telanganas martyrs and the sentiments of people They demanded that the MP tender an unconditional apology to the people of TelanganaMeanwhile BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar demanded that Surya come to Hyderabad and touch the feet of family members of Telangana martyrs for 24 hours continuouslyThe former IPS officer reacted to a clarification posted by Surya on âXâ This unapologetic AI generated reply wonât do Tejasvi Surya ji You must come along with all your Telangana BJP MPs who were mute spectators in Parliament to your vitriol to Hyderabad and touch the holy feet of family members of all 1300 Telangana Martyrs for 24 hours continuouslyâ demanded Praveen KumarIn a statement posted on Thursday night Surya stated that his statement was twistedâI reject the deliberate insinuation being furthered by the Opposition and firmly state my longstanding respect for the martyrs and protesters who sustained the Telangana movement However my comments must be seen as a reminder of how the Congress has traditionally betrayed the Southern states In the case of the Telangana movement in particular Congressâ betrayal has been starkâ wrote the MP from Bengaluru SouthMeanwhile Telanganaâs minister for transport and backward classes welfare Ponnam Prabhakar urged Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy to take immediate steps to remove Tejasvi Suryas controversial remarks from Parliament recordsPrabhakar said that Surya compared Telangana to the IndiaPakistan PartitionThe minister claimed that Kishan Reddy during his press conference in New Delhi on Friday admitted that Tejasvi committed a mistake Prabhakar told Kishan Reddy to take the initiative to urge the Lok Sabha Speaker to expunge Suryaâs remarks from the record IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/brs-student-wing-stages-protest-at-bjp-office-over-mp-suryas-remarks-669946.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kharge-greets-harivansh-on-re-election-as-rs-dy-chairman-flags-ls-dy-speaker-vacancy-669950.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday congratulated Harivansh on his reelection as Deputy Chairman of the House for a third consecutive termnbspnbspKharge expressed hope that Harivansh Singh would ensure fair treatment to the Opposition in the Upper HouseSpeaking in the Rajya Sabha the Congress President underlined the importance of the Opposition in sustaining a healthy democracy and said it was essential that Opposition members be given adequate time to raise their issuesCongratulating Harivansh Singh Kharge noted that his unopposed reelection reflected the confidence of the House in his impartiality and efficiencyHe also highlighted the historic nature of the achievement saying that Harivansh Singh is the first nominated member of the Rajya Sabha to be elected its Deputy ChairmanMr Deputy Chairman I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you on your third term in this prestigious office Your reelection demonstrates the impartiality and efficiency with which you have discharged your duties It is a privilege for us to work with you once again Kharge saidAt the same time the Congress President raised concerns over the continued vacancy of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speakers post since 2019 calling it contrary to the spirit of the ConstitutionHe urged the Union government to fill such key constitutional positions without delay irrespective of political considerationsEarlier Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda moved the motion proposing Harivanshs name While Opposition parties did not field a candidate they boycotted the election processFollowing Harivanshs unopposed election leaders across party lines extended their greetings to the Rajya Sabha ChairmanPrime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Harivansh on his reelection as the Rajya Sabha ChairmanThe Office of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman fell vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kharge-greets-harivansh-on-re-election-as-rs-dy-chairman-flags-ls-dy-speaker-vacancy-669950.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-self-styled-godman-ashok-kharats-premises-in-money-laundering-case-669951.html Nashik April 17 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Friday conducted fresh search operations in connection with a money laundering case involving Nashikbased selfstyled godman Ashok Kharat officials said He is also facing serious allegations of sexual exploitation of women and financial fraud in the name of spirituality According to ED sources the agency carried out raids at Kharats commercial premises known as the Oaks Property Office located in the Canada Corner area of NashikThe premises had earlier been sealed by a Special Investigation Team SIT on March 26 after an extensive search operationED is conducting searches in connection with a money laundering case involving Nashikbased godman Ashok Kharat Raids are being carried out at his commercial premises known as the Oaks Property Office located in Canada Corner at Nashik an ED official saidThe latest action comes as part of the agencys ongoing probe into suspected financial irregularities including alleged benami transactions and undisclosed assets linked to Kharat and his associatesOfficials said the ED coordinated closely with the Nashik SIT to gain access to the sealed premises and continue its investigationThe earlier SITled searches had resulted in the seizure of several incriminating materialsDuring those operations authorities reportedly recovered two sacks of documents related to property dealings land transactions and financial records These included details of more than 52 land entries suspected benami properties cheque books receipts and financial registersElectronic evidence was also seized including computers hard disks and multiple pen drives which are now being examined for digital trails and financial linksThe ED had previously carried out searches in the case leading to the seizure of cash worth Rs 42 lakh Additionally assets valued at nearly Rs 24 crore were frozen as part of the probeSources indicated that the agency is now analysing the newly recovered documents and digital evidence to establish the money trail and identify other individuals who may be linked to the alleged laundering activitiesFurther action in the case is expected as the investigation progresses officials added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-self-styled-godman-ashok-kharats-premises-in-money-laundering-case-669951.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-announces-ex-gratia-of-rs-2-lakh-for-kin-of-deceased-in-andhra-bus-accident-669696.html Kurnool April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool bus accident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the grieving families In a post on X the Prime Ministers Office PMO said The mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is deeply painful I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injuredAn exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased The injured would be given Rs 50000 the PMO addedThe accident occurred when a Bolero vehicle carrying pilgrims collided with a readymix lorry resulting in a devastating impact that left multiple passengers trapped and severely injuredAccording to officials a total of eight people died in the accident Five victims were declared dead at the spot while three others later succumbed to their injuries during treatment at a nearby hospitalAround 10 to 12 individuals were injured in the mishap The injured were promptly shifted to the Emmiganur hospital where they are currently undergoing treatment officials addedAuthorities confirmed that the initial information suggests that the deceased were pilgrims from Karnataka who had travelled to visit the Mantralayam temple and were returning when the accident took placePolice teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the collision and launched rescue and relief operations Efforts were made to evacuate the injured and clear the wreckage from the site according to the officialsA case was registered in connection with the incident and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accidentOfficials said further details are awaited as the probe progresses and more information emerges regarding the circumstances leading to the collisionThis comes close on the heels of a bus accident that killed six pilgrims in Punjabâs Fatehgarh SahibAccording to the officials at least six people were killed and around 20 were injured as the bus carrying devotees overturned in Fatehgarh Sahib while returning from Anandpur Sahib on TuesdayThe injured included women and children They were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals where they are currently undergoing treatmentThe bus with around 40 people on board was returning from Anandpur Sahib in Ropar district after paying obeisance on the occasion of Baisakhi when it developed a snag IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-announces-ex-gratia-of-rs-2-lakh-for-kin-of-deceased-in-andhra-bus-accident-669696.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-cm-debate-intensifies-ahead-of-kerala-election-verdict-669702.html Thiruvananthapuram April 16 Even before the votes are counted the Congress party in Kerala is grappling with a familiar problem internal rivalry With polling for the 140member Assembly concluded on April 9 and results due on May 4 growing optimism about a possible United Democratic Front UDF victory has triggered an intense debate over who should be the next Chief Minister What began as murmurs within party circles has now spilled into the public domainSocial media platforms are awash with campaigns backing key contenders while television channels have amplified the narrative turning it into a fullblown political spectacleCongress workers too have joined the fray openly aligning with their preferred leaders and pushing competing claims with unusual aggressionAt the centre of the debate are leaders like VD Satheesan KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala each backed by distinct camps within the partySupporters of Venugopal highlight his proximity to Rahul Gandhi and his role in shaping nationallevel strategies projecting him as a consensus builderSatheesan on the other hand is being positioned as the face of a younger more aggressive leadership credited with energising the UDFâs campaign against the Left governmentChennithalaâs camp leans on seniority and experience arguing that he remains a natural choice if the party returns to powerThis open jockeying however has raised concerns within the partyDuring the campaign the Congress had carefully avoided projecting a Chief Ministerial candidate insisting that the decision would rest with the high commandThe intent was to prevent factionalism from undermining electoral prospectsThat restraint appears to have faded quickly after polling dayReports now suggest that the party leadership in Delhi is unhappy with the public airing of internal differencesThe high command is understood to have reiterated that established procedures not social media campaigns or public posturing will determine the final choiceThere is also unease that the ongoing tussle could send confusing signals to voters and dilute the message of unity that the UDF sought to project during the campaignThe coming weeks therefore are as much about managing internal expectations as they are about awaiting the electoral verdictIf the Congressled front does secure a win the leadership will have to swiftly contain factional pressures and present a united frontFor now the battle for Keralaâs top post has begun well before the ballots are counted and it is playing out in full public viewK Muraleedharan son of fourtime Congress Chief Minister K Karunakaran who has seen it all at close quarters when the party was deeply divided between his father and Antony minced no words saying âitâs unfair to those who have voted for the UDF to see this unnecessary and needless discussions going on and all should maintain clamâ on Thursday morningSunny Joseph State Congress president on Thursday said there is an accepted procedure in the party that starts to work when a chief minister is being selected âWhat we have found out is that this is being done by a section using fake accounts on social media Moreover there will come a time when the legislators will be expressing their views on this topic at the appropriate forum and until then none should go overboardâ said Joseph IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-cm-debate-intensifies-ahead-of-kerala-election-verdict-669702.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jammu-bsf-organises-yoga-session-at-veer-bhumi-park-under-yoga-at-iconic-places-initiative-669705.html Jammu April 16 The Border Security Force BSF on Thursday organised a yoga session at Veer Bhumi Park in Samba district under the âYoga at Iconic Placesâ initiative with 57 personnel participating in asanas pranayama and meditation BSF Jammu took to social media X and said BSF organized a Yoga session at Veer Bhumi Park Samba Jammu under the âYoga at Iconic Placesâ initiative where 57 personnel participated in asanas pranayama and meditation reinforcing the message âKaro Yog Raho Nirogâ and promoting physical fitness mental wellbeing and a disciplined lifestyleYoga has emerged as one of the most trusted means to boost physical and mental wellbeing The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root âyujâ meaning to join to yoke or to unite symbolizing the unity of mind and body thought and action restraint and fulfillment harmony between human and nature and a holistic approach to health and wellbeingRecognizing its universal appeal on December 11 2014 the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and was endorsed by a record 175 member states Prime Minister Narendra Modi first introduced the proposal in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly on September 27 2014 The date of June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere This day represents a symbolic harmony between nature and human wellness and is important in many culturesThis ushered in an era of holistic health revolution in which attention was given to prevention rather than cure Since its first edition in 2015 India has led the celebration globally under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH with active support from state governments Indian missions abroad and UN agenciesThe journey of International Day of Yoga has been nothing short of extraordinary From a modest participation of 959 crore individuals in 2018 the celebration has grown exponentially In 2024 an estimated 2453 crore people joined celebrations worldwide showcasing the events massive global appeal The International Day of Yoga has become a global wellness movement uniting millions across countriesPrime Minister Narendra Modi has played a pivotal role in globalising yoga by championing its recognition at the United Nations leading to the annual celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21 since 2015 He has positioned yoga as a scientific evidencebased therapy for holistic health and sustainable living actively promoting its integration into modern medicine and daily life IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jammu-bsf-organises-yoga-session-at-veer-bhumi-park-under-yoga-at-iconic-places-initiative-669705.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/womens-reservation-bill-tabled-in-ls-triggers-heated-debate-669729.html New Delhi April 16 The Centre on Thursday introduced the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha marking a significant legislative move during the ongoing special session of Parliament Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal initiated the debate by presenting the proposed Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 He also tabled the Delimitation Bill 2026 setting the stage for discussions on implementing a onethird reservation for women in legislative bodiesDuring the proceedings Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 adding to the legislative agenda of the dayThe introduction of the Bills triggered strong reactions from the Opposition Congress MP K C Venugopal opposed all three legislations and formally recorded the partys objections in the House The government wants to completely hijack the Constitution the Congress MP said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that the Bills have just been introduced and the discussion on them is yet to followAs Venugopal continued to speak at length Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened reminding him that adequate time would be allotted during the debateSamajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also objected to the Bills raising concerns over what he described as the exclusion of Muslim women from the reservation framework Rijiju immediately countered the remark terming it unconstitutionalSP chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party supports womens reservation in principle but questioned the government over delays in conducting the Census He remarked They are delaying the census because when it happens we will ask for the castebased census and they dont want itResponding to the charge Amit Shah said The Census process has already started across the country and after that we will also conduct a castebased census Currently the House Listing is underway homes dont belong to a certain caste If SP has its way they will designate a caste to homes alsoThe Home Minister also criticised Dharmendra Yadavs remarks calling them unconstitutional and asserting that the Constitution does not permit discrimination on religious grounds in matters of reservationAkhilesh Yadav in turn described Shahs comments regarding the Muslim community as undemocratic Replying sharply Shah said We are not stopping the Samajwadi Party from giving all their tickets to Muslim womenThe debate in the Lok Sabha is expected to continue with both the government and the Opposition preparing to press their positions on the proposed amendments and the broader issue of womens representation in legislatures IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/womens-reservation-bill-tabled-in-ls-triggers-heated-debate-669729.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/amit-shah-vs-akhilesh-yadav-in-ls-sp-questions-timing-of-womens-quota-govt-hits-back-669731.html New Delhi April 16 IANS A sharp exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as Samajwadi Party SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the Centres urgency in introducing the Womens Reservation Bill raising concerns over the absence of a recent Census and alleging that the government is avoiding a castebased enumerationnbspThis came as the Centre introduced the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha marking a significant legislative move during the ongoing special session of ParliamentParticipating in the debate Akhilesh Yadav said Why is the Centre rushing for womens reservation Start with the Census first while reiterating that his party supports womens reservation in principle but opposes its implementation through delimitationHe further alleged that the government is deliberately delaying the Census to avoid triggering demands for a caste census and an expansion of reservationsnbspHe remarked They are delaying the census because when it happens we will ask for the castebased census and they dont want itResponding to the criticism Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Census exercise has already begun and assured the House that a castebased Census would also be conductedThe Census process has already started across the country and after that we will also conduct a castebased census Currently the House Listing is underway homes dont belong to a certain caste If SP has its way it will designate a caste to homes also I want to assure the House that the Census is going to happen with the caste census as well Shah said taking a swipe at the oppositionSamajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said the party strongly opposes the three proposed Bills on constitutional grounds He alleged that the measures attempt to distort the Constitution particularly by separating delimitation from the Census processSpeaking on behalf of the SP he said the party would not support the Womens Reservation Bill unless it includes provisions for Other Backward Classes and Muslim women He also urged the government to withdraw the proposed Bills and instead implement the law passed in 2023Shah asserted that a reservation based on religion is not permissible under the Constitution Based on religion reservation of any kind for Muslims is unconstitutional Shah saidIn response Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether the Muslim population falls outside the 50 per cent reservation cap pressing the government on its positionReplying to this Shah said We are not stopping the Samajwadi Party from giving all their tickets to Muslim womenThe exchange grew heated before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened urging members not to engage in such direct backandforth debate and to maintain decorum during the proceedingsIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/amit-shah-vs-akhilesh-yadav-in-ls-sp-questions-timing-of-womens-quota-govt-hits-back-669731.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/lok-sabha-showdown-govt-oppn-spar-over-merits-of-bills-669733.html New Delhi April 16 IANS As the threeday special sitting of Parliament began this morning to debate and discuss three legislations the Lok Sabha witnessed fireworks and uproar with Opposition and treasury benches engaging in a war of words over the merits of the proposed amendmentsnbspLaw Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill 2026 while Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to introduce the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026Congress MP KC Venugopal voiced strong opposition to the introduction of the bills claiming that this was an attempt to alter the constitutional fabric of the nation for certain motivesLok Sabha Speaker intervened asking them to reserve their arguments during Rule 72 and assured the Opposition of providing ample time to put forth their objections during the fullfledged debateHM Shah countered Venugopals charges stating that this was the time to raise technical objections to the introduction of the bills but the latter was questioning the merits of the billsSamajwadi Party fiercely opposed the bills on constitutional grounds claiming that this would destroy the federal structure and curtail parliamentary democracySP MP Dharmendra Yadav demanded that the proposed amendments and bills be withdrawn while the womens reservation bill which was passed in 2023 be brought into force with immediate effectThe SP lawmakers scathing criticism however sparked controversy as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to his demands for inclusion of a special quota for Muslim womenRijiju asserted that the SP leaders demand for special reservation for Muslim women is totally uncalled for and asked him to refrain from adding communal flavour to the debateAIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also objected to the introduction of bills stating that this is against the very basis of federalism and the Constitutional frameworkThe government and opposition have been at loggerheads over the womens reservation bill and delimitation bill as the former is seeking to operationalise the quota for women from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections while the latter is calling it an attempt to pass delimitation from the backdoor using the womens reservation as a frontIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/lok-sabha-showdown-govt-oppn-spar-over-merits-of-bills-669733.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-objects-to-clubbing-of-key-bills-in-ls-amit-shah-cites-past-instances-669749.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Congress MP KC Venugopal on Thursday opposed the governments move to take up the Delimitation Bill alongside the Constitution Amendment Bill for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha arguing that combining the legislations was not an appropriate parliamentary practicenbspUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussionRaising the issue in the House Venugopal said This is against the rule Here one is the Constitution Amendment Bill and the other two are not Clubbing will not be a good practice We cannot allow this there are consequences When the Constitution Amendment Bill is going to be defeated what is the pointResponding to the concerns Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the governments approach stating that the nature of voting for a Constitution amendment differs from that of a regular legislative amendmentnbspThe votes in a constitutional amendment are different compared to an amendment to a law Shah saidHe further explained that the introduction of multiple Bills together was part of a broader legislative plan aimed at implementing womens reservation effectivelynbspAfter the Bill on Constitution amendment to take the womens reservation to its logical end the other two Bills are important Hence they have been introduced together he addedShah maintained that the discussions on all three Bills revolve around the same subject justifying their simultaneous consideration in the House He also pointed out that such legislative practices have precedentnbspThis has happened several times in the past as well he said citing the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 when the Opposition agreed to a discussion on all Bills togetherTaking a swipe at the Opposition the Home Minister stated They have come here with a decision to oppose everything so they are opposing everythingIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-objects-to-clubbing-of-key-bills-in-ls-amit-shah-cites-past-instances-669749.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/voting-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-on-friday-at-4-pm-669767.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that an extended discussion would be held on the three crucial Bills related to womens reservation and delimitation with voting scheduled for FridaynbspAddressing the House Rijiju said The discussion will be held for 12 hours The speaker should have the authority to extend the time for discussion The voting on the bills will be done tomorrowLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla subsequently clarified that the debate could go on for a longer duration if required indicating flexibility in the schedule to accommodate detailed deliberations by membersHe said Discussion on these three bills will be held for 1518 hours Voting on these bills will be done at 4 pm tomorrow He further assured that everyone will be given appropriate time to speak during the discussionThe introduction of the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 aimed at enabling womens reservation and facilitating delimitation was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes in the House The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote leading to a formal division processUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussionThe Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introducedEarlier the Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 after the Opposition demanded a divisionFollowing the use of vote slips the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against announced Speaker Om Birla adding that it is subject to changeThe Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions however when the outcome is contested a division is conducted In such cases the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under Ayes Noes and AbstainSubsequently vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that roundIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slips the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the HouseThe Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill The motion required a simple majority to be carried and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagementIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/voting-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-on-friday-at-4-pm-669767.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-fadnavis-offers-prayers-at-baps-swaminarayan-mandir-prays-for-peace-prosperity-669772.html Mumbai April 16 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai where he devoutly offered prayers and performed darshan of Bhagwan Swaminarayan During his visit CM Fadnavis participated in the sacred abhishek ceremony expressing deep reverence and spiritual devotion He was warmly received by the sadhu Tirthswarup Das of BAPS who apprised him of the organisationâs extensive spiritual cultural and humanitarian activities carried out across India and worldwideMumbai BJP President Amit Satam also joined the Chief Minister during this visit said a media releaseIn his post on X CM Fadnavis said âI visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Dadar to seek blessings and offer prayers for everyones wellbeing During the visit I also had the opportunity to perform the Abhishek ritualâBlessed to offer prayers and perform Abhishek at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Dadar Prayed for the peace and prosperity of all Joined by BJP Mumbai President and MLA Ameet Satamâ he saidThe Chief Minister appreciated the valuesbased initiatives of BAPS that continue to inspire society through service sanskar and unity He also spent time on the mandir premises experiencing its serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere In a spirit of humility and devotion prayers were offered at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj for the continued good health strength and dedicated service of Devendra Fadnavis towards the progress and wellbeing of the people of Maharashtra said the releaseThe BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai holds regular Ravi Sabhas Sunday assemblies where his latest blessings and discourses are shared with thousands of Mumbaikars Mumbaiâs BAPS community is highly active in disaster relief environmental drives like Mumbais green initiatives and blood donation campsA threespired mandir crafted from pink stone with intricate carvings features Murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan Gunatitanand Swami Gopalanand Swami Harikrishna Maharaj and RadhaKrishna It serves as a major centre for cultural and spiritual activities It is known for a rotating pillar located where Yogiji Maharajs body was placed in 1971 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-fadnavis-offers-prayers-at-baps-swaminarayan-mandir-prays-for-peace-prosperity-669772.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/voice-of-india-carries-lot-of-weight-bilaterally-and-in-international-forums-austrian-chancellor-stocker-669778.html New Delhi April 16 Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on Thursday hailed Indias role bilaterally and in international forums saying that New Delhis voice carries a lot of weight Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree that peace in all conflicts can be achieved through negotiations While addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi following their talks in New Delhi on Thursday Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Modi support a rulesbased order and not a world where might is rightStocker stated We are living in an age of geopolitical upheaval and disruption Power centres are shifting new alliances are being created and conflicts are becoming more complex At times like this stability trust and reliable partnerships are not just words but a strategic necessity And that is why India is such a reliable partner and is valued by Austria The largest democracy in the world shares common interests and fundamental values At a time when geopolitical challenges are getting stronger such partnerships are even more valuable Together we represent an international order in which we can live in freedom and securityWe are in favour of a rulesbased world order and not a world in which might is right Mr Prime Minister and I share the view that peace in all conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation and the voice of India carries a lot of weight bilaterally and also in international forums In a vibrant democracy parliaments also play an important role We have very important priorities in many areas and we believe that dynamic technological cooperation will be important and will connect us he addedHailing Indias growth he said India has an impressive growth rate of about 7 per cent per year and its one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for us Austrian companies will in the future benefit more strongly from this dynamismHe stated that the Free Trade Agreement FTA between India and the EU will reduce trade barriers and create new opportunities for exports investments and industrial cooperation He called the IndiaEU FTA important in times of geopolitical challengesTerming his visit to New Delhi a milestone for bilateral ties he said My visit is in fact a milestone for AustrianIndian relations and I am very pleased and I also think its a great honour to be the first federal Chancellor to visit India in more than 40 years Mr Prime Minister you visited Vienna in the summer of 2024 and I think we can truly say that the diplomatic relations that weve had for the last 75 years are much stronger than ever before and we will be trying to build on this positive dynamism And thank you very much Mr Prime Minister for your invitation and also for your very friendly welcome and your hospitalityBut I havent come to India alone I am accompanied by 60 highranking business leaders The whos who of the Austrian business world This delegation is led by our Minister for economic affairs and the Vice President of the Austrian Economic Chamber Our close political ties are also of benefit for our business landscape he addedCalling India one of the most important trading partners outside the EU for Austria he noted that the bilateral trade between the two nations has increased to about three billion euros in the last 10 years He stated that about 160 Austrian companies are active in the Indian market in important frontier technologies like semiconductor production renewable energies automotive and infrastructureHe announced that India and Austria will be strengthening cooperation in security and defence through strategic dialogueHe said As far as our enterprises are concerned we want to have good ideas that can be implemented much more quickly and that investment takes place and that decisions are taken more quickly and that problems are resolved In terms of food security we want clear standards We believe in cooperation and knowledge transfer Reliable quality strengthens markets It creates trust We will be intensifying our cooperation in the fields of security and defence through a strategic dialogueAnd so as far as combating terrorism is concerned its clear that security does not end where our borders end And this is something that can only be tackled at a global level All this shows that our partnership covers a lot of areas We have economic dynamism academic and scientific cooperation and responsibility as far as security policy is concerned he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/voice-of-india-carries-lot-of-weight-bilaterally-and-in-international-forums-austrian-chancellor-stocker-669778.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/akhilesh-yadav-questions-haste-in-pushing-bills-says-sp-fully-supports-womens-quota--669784.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Samajwadi Party SP President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday questioned the governments intent and haste in rushing the three bills on womens reservation a Constitutional Amendment and delimitation in the special threeday sitting of the Parliament contending that this was attempt to deprive the backward and margainalised women from the benefits of reservationnbspnbspAkhilesh Yadav also hurled pointed questions at the Centre over its nari shakti resolve and claimed that the BJP is converting the womens reservation into a poll issue and trying to hijack the national cause by twisting itJoining the marathon debate on womens reservation and delimitation he demanded that the Census and castebased census in particular be conducted before the womens reservation bill is brought into forceAkhilesh Yadav said that his party stands wholeheartedly in support of women and it has consistently worked for their upliftment and empowerment and went on to call out the BJPs poor record of womens representation despite being in power in more than a dozen statesOur party leaders who draw inspiration from the socialist icons like Ram Manohar Lohia have consistently stood up for womens rights We are in support of womens quota but against any conspiracy to shortchange them he statedShowing the ruling dispensation the mirror on women empowerment claims he said that the BJP is in power in 21 statesUTs across the country but it must tell in how many places are the reins of power in womens handsThe party which takes pride in being the worlds biggest party must see its own records on giving women equal rights and share he said while calling out the hurry and haste in pushing through the three billsHe said that the reality is that the government wants to delay the Census and castebased census in particular as it is against giving reservations to backward and marginalised communitiesThe primary purpose of bringing the womens reservation bill is to cultivate a new vote bank as they fear losing support in the upcoming elections he addedThe SP chief also claimed that the delimitations purpose is to distort the federal structure of the nation and give political mileage to the ruling party citing Assam and Jammu ampamp Kashmir as examples of botched proceduresFurther claiming that the number of Legislative Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh will cross the 500 mark after delimitation he said that they suspect a conspiracy behind itIf there is any illwill behind the restructuring of constituencies the BJP will stand to lose much like what happened in Ayodhya he said issuing a note of cautionWe are against rotation of seats this doesnt bode well for democracy We demand that there must be a Census first he also statedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/akhilesh-yadav-questions-haste-in-pushing-bills-says-sp-fully-supports-womens-quota--669784.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/samrat-choudhary-in-action-mode-holds-series-of-high-level-meetings-at-secretariat-669793.html Patna April 16 A day after taking charge as Bihars new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary moved swiftly into governance mode on Thursday holding a series of highlevel meetings at the state Secretariat After his swearingin as Biharâs 24th Chief Minister and the first from the BJP Samrat Choudhary wasted no time in setting the administrative tone of the new governmentOn Thursday morning CM Samrat Choudhary reached the Secretariat early and convened a crucial meeting with Principal Secretaries of all departments Key administrative directions are expected to emerge from this meeting signaling the governmentâs priorities in the coming daysDeputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary formally assumed charge at the Water Resources Department located at Irrigation Bhawan He reviewed departmental functioning and took detailed briefings from officialsMeanwhile another Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav is also expected to take charge of his responsibilities soon Senior leaders from both the BJP and Janata Dal United including Vijay Kumar Sinha had met the Chief Minister on Wednesday eveningThe new government sworn in on Wednesday is currently functioning with a limited cabinet Alongside CM Samrat Choudhary both Deputy CMs Vijay Chaudhary and Bijendra Yadav are managing the administrationCM Samrat Choudhary is holding 29 departments including the Home Ministry while Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is holding 10 departments and Bijendra Prasad Yadav is in charge of 8 departmentsA full cabinet expansion is expected soon after which portfolios will be redistributed among ministersThe Chief Ministerâs immediate engagement with top officials and earlymorning review meetings indicate a strong governance push right from the outset The administration is expected to move quickly on key policy and development decisionsWith the transition from Nitish Kumar to Samrat Choudhary Bihar has entered a new political phase The coming days will be crucial in shaping the direction and priorities of the new government IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/samrat-choudhary-in-action-mode-holds-series-of-high-level-meetings-at-secretariat-669793.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/women-reservation-bill-will-help-to-change-disha-and-dasha-of-nation-pm-modi-669809.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Women Reservation Bill will help change the disha and dasha direction and condition of the countrys politics by involving half of the population of the nation in decisionmakingnbspOutlining the benefits of womens reservation in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 PM Modi said all those who have opposed this provision have been taught a lesson by women votersWe are privileged that we have an opportunity to give a new direction to the nations politics and strengthen democracy he said urging parties not to see it through the prism of politicsEarlier the introduction was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes in the House The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote leading to a formal division processUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussion The Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introducedThe Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 after the Opposition demanded a division Following the use of vote slips the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against announced Speaker Om Birla adding that it is subject to changeThe Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions however when the outcome is contested a division is conducted In such cases the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under Ayes Noes and AbstainSubsequently vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that roundIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slips the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the HouseThe Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill The motion required a simple majority to be carried and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagementLok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Singh briefed the members on the functioning of the automatic vote recording system reiterating that while voice votes are the norm a division is invoked when demanded by membersThe votes will not be registered if the votes are kept pressed before the first gong or if they arent pressed simultaneously till the second gong Members can check their vote on the individual results board Singh saidIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slips he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/women-reservation-bill-will-help-to-change-disha-and-dasha-of-nation-pm-modi-669809.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/asg-seeks-harshest-punishment-for-congress-mla-vinay-kulkarni-in-bjp-leader-murder-case-669814.html Bengaluru April 16 Additional Solicitor General ASG SV Raju appearing for the CBI urged the Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Thursday to award the harshest punishment to accused MLA Vinay Kulkarni and the other accused in the murder case of BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda âThe Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Wednesday held senior Congress MLA and former minister Vinay Kulkarni guilty in the murder case of the BJP leader âThe court delivered its final verdict after a prolonged trial Vinay Kulkarni has been named as accused number 15 in the case He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board The court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy The court is hearing arguments over the quantum of punishment todayPresenting his arguments before the court Additional Solicitor General ASG Raju submitted that the accused should be given the harshest punishment stating that they had hatched a conspiracy and carried out a coldblooded murder He further argued that the deceased Yogesh Gowda was a public figure who was killed due to political rivalry He told the court that initially other individuals had surrendered before the police in connection with the case but the truth emerged only after the CBI investigationASG Raju contended that the accused being a legislator expected to uphold the law had instead orchestrated the killing He alleged that the accused misused the police machinery and violated constitutional principlesHe also stated that Yogesh Gowda was brutally murdered after chilli powder was thrown into his eyes He added that documents were fabricated and attempts were made to destroy evidence According to him the accused misused his position as an MLA and minister and manipulated the entire systemMeanwhile the caseâs approver witness Basavaraj Muttagi had visited the Ganesh temple located at KCD Circle in Dharwad city earlier in the day Muttagi who arrived at the temple under CRPF security offered special prayers and prayed to God to give him greater strength for his fightSpeaking to the media he said that the real struggle would begin now He also stated that he had been haunted by a sense of guilt as he too had been part of the conspiracy when Yogesh Gowda was murderedA total of 21 persons were named as accused in the case by the Central Bureau of Investigation Among 21 accused persons 17 were found guilty and two have turned approvers In this background the court has delivered its verdict holding 19 accused guiltyâAccused number one Basavaraj Muttagi had turned approver and given his statement while accused number 17 Shivanand even after turning approver gave a hostile statement Hence the Central Bureau of Investigation has filed an application to reaccuse accused number 17âThe accused number two Vikram accused number three Keerthi Kumar accused number four Sandeep accused number five Vinayak accused number six Mahabaleshwar alias Mudaka accused number seven Santosh accused number eight Dinesh accused number nine Ashwath accused number ten Sunil accused number eleven Nazeer Ahmed accused number twelve Shanawaz accused number thirteen Nutan accused number fourteen Harshit accused number fifteen Vinay Kulkarni accused number sixteen Chandru Mama accused number eighteen Vikas Kalaburagi and accused number nineteen Channakeshava Tingarikar have been declared guiltyâMeanwhile the court ordered the release of accused numbers 20 and 21 Vasudev Nilekani and SomashekarâThe case dates back to 2016 and the court will also decide the fate of 21 other accused in connection with the incidentâ The case was handed over to the CBI by the state government At the time the allegations surfaced Kulkarni was serving as a minister and district incharge ministerâYogesh Gowda was hacked to death by a group of assailants at a gym in Dharwad city on June 15 2016 He had challenged Kulkarni politically and the incident soon took a turn for the worseâKulkarni was arrested in 2020 and released on bail in 2021 He was accused of influencing witnesses following which the CBI sought cancellation of his bail alleging violation of bail conditions The court accepted the plea and revoked his bailâ Subsequently Kulkarni surrendered before the authorities and was recently released on bail againâKulkarni was accused of conspiring in the murder of Yogesh Gowda At the time he was a Cabinet minister in the Siddaramaiahled government Although his name surfaced no action was taken against him initiallyâThe BJP later made it a major issue with former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa vowing at election rallies that Kulkarni would be sent to jail if the BJP came to powerâThe case was subsequently handed over to the CBI and Kulkarni was arrested He spent more than nine months in jail before securing bail from the Supreme Courtâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/asg-seeks-harshest-punishment-for-congress-mla-vinay-kulkarni-in-bjp-leader-murder-case-669814.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-accounts-for-83-pc-of-indias-gdp-says-cm-patel-at-trade-expo-inauguration-669817.html Gandhinagar April 16 Gujarat contributes 83 per cent to Indiaâs gross domestic product GDP along with 18 per cent of the countryâs industrial output and 31 per cent of exports Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Thursday after inaugurating a threeday trade expo in the state capital Addressing the opening of the Gujarat Advanced Technology and Economy Expo GATE 2026 organised by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry GCCI Patel said The stateâs economic performance reflects a development model built on the integration of trade and tradition commerce and culture and industry and entrepreneurship under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe event being held from April 16 to 18 at an exhibition centre in Gandhinagar spans 18000 square metres and features more than 16 sectors including automobiles renewable energy information technology pharmaceuticals and textiles with a specific focus on artificial intelligence and cyber securityCM Patel said the expo themed Gujarat Vision Global Ambition is expected to provide a platform for micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs and young entrepreneurs to expand from local markets to global opportunitiesHe expressed confidence that such initiatives would strengthen the stateâs industrial ecosystemReferring to the Vibrant Gujarat summit CM Patel said its continued success has helped position Gujarat as âa global gateway to the futureâHe added that industry bodies such as GCCI play a key role in policymaking by providing groundlevel feedback and have worked in coordination with the state government in both planning and execution of such initiativesGujarat is advancing in emerging sectors including green growth renewable energy electric vehicle manufacturing and semiconductors in line with the national objective of Make in India Made for the World he notedCM Patel also noted that Gujarat is the first state to prepare a Developed Gujarat 2047 roadmap based on the principle of âearning well living wellâ to contribute to the broader goal of a developed IndiaGCCI President Sandeep Engineer said the event marks an important step towards strengthening industrial development in Gujarat and advancing the vision of Viksit Gujarat to Viksit BharatAround 610 exhibitors have registered for the expo with more than 30000 visitors already signed up and the number is expected to reach 50000 he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-accounts-for-83-pc-of-indias-gdp-says-cm-patel-at-trade-expo-inauguration-669817.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-bjp-leader-murder-case-court-reserves-verdict-on-quantum-of-sentence-for-friday-669826.html Bengaluru April 16 The Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Thursday completed the proceedings of recording the final statements on the quantum of punishment in the BJP leader Yogesh Gowda murder case and reserved the verdict for Friday The final counterarguments by the counsels representing the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI and those of the convicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni were completed Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat then adjourned the matter for the pronouncement of the verdict against the MLA and 16 othersEmotional scenes prevailed on the court premises as family members of the convicts gathered and were seen in tears throughout the proceedings Some of the convicts including MLA Vinay Kulkarni were seen consoling their family members while they themselves were also in tearsIt can be recalled that in a major development the Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Wednesday held senior Congress MLA and former Minister Vinay Kulkarni guilty in the murder case of BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda âThe court delivered its final verdict after a prolonged trial Vinay Kulkarni has been named as accused number 15 in the case He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board The court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy Presenting his arguments before the court Additional Solicitor General ASG V Raju submitted that the accused should be given the harshest punishment stating that they had hatched a conspiracy and carried out a coldblooded murder He further argued that the deceased Yogesh Gowda was a public figure who was killed due to political rivalryHe told the court that initially other individuals had surrendered before the police in connection with the case but the truth emerged only after the CBI investigationASG Raju contended that the accused being a legislator expected to uphold the law had instead orchestrated the killing He alleged that the accused misused the police machinery and violated constitutional principlesHe also stated that Yogesh Gowda was brutally murdered after chilli powder was thrown into his eyes He added that documents were fabricated and attempts were made to destroy evidence According to him the accused misused his position as an MLA and minister and manipulated the entire systemConvicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni pleaded before the Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru stating that he has been in politics for 26 years and has not harmed anyoneRecording his statement before the court pronounced the quantum of punishment convict Kulkarni said âThe case has been filed for political reasons I have two daughters who have reached marriageable age and a son I contested the Lok Sabha election as well I am an agriculturist and take care of 3500 cows I have not troubled anyone in my constituencyâSenior counsel Shyam Sundar arguing on behalf of the accused submitted that awarding life imprisonment would be the maximum punishment and would be equivalent to a death sentence He urged the court to impose a sentence that allows scope for reformation He added that Kulkarni is a legislator elected by the people rears more than 3000 cows and is also an industrialistHe further submitted that thousands of people have placed their trust in Kulkarni and that these factors should be considered while determining the punishment This background he said reflects Kulkarniâs good character IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ktaka-bjp-leader-murder-case-court-reserves-verdict-on-quantum-of-sentence-for-friday-669826.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/prez-murmu-visits-sevagram-ashram-in-wardha-impresses-locals-with-simplicity-and-curiosity-669846.html Wardha April 16 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday visited the historic Sevagram Ashram in Maharashtras Wardha touring Mahatma Gandhiâs residence including Bapu Kuti Ba Kuti and Adi Niwas During her visit she paid tributes to Gandhi toured the premises and took a keen interest in the historical significance of each locationThe President also participated in a prayer meeting planted a sapling to support environmental sustainability and engaged in traditional thread spinning sut katayiAccompanying the President were Governor Jishnu Dev Varma state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Guardian Minister Dr Pankaj Bhoyar and Collector Vanmathi C among other dignitariesThe residents of the Ashram were deeply moved by the Presidentâs visit citing her remarkable simplicity and her asking detailed thoughtful questions While examining the preserved artefacts of Mahatma Gandhiâs daily life President Murmu noticed a pair of large tongs in a corner Driven by curiosity she inquired about its purpose Ashram officials explained that during Gandhijiâs time the area was prone to snake sightings However Gandhiji had strictly instructed that no snakes were to be killed Instead volunteers used these tongs to safely catch the snakes place them in baskets and release them into the nearby forest This practice served as a practical application of the principle of nonviolence AhimsaThe President expressed her profound appreciation for this historical anecdote Unlike many highprofile visitors who often rush through the premises President Murmu took the time to personally read every piece of information on the boards and plaques installed at the AshramUsually when a highprofile guest arrives they are short on time and cannot manage to read the displays But Madam President read all the instructions and information noted Vijay Tambe an Ashram member who guided her through the premises In a gesture of respect the President removed her shoes before entering each hut opting instead to wear the bamboo slippers provided by the AshramShe also showed specific interest in the hotline phone once used by BapuFollowing the Ashrams tradition a tree plantation ceremony was organised While the sapling was preselected and ready for the ceremony the President immediately identified it upon arrival Oh this is a Bel tree isnt it It is very useful she remarked Her accurate identification of the species left those present impressed by her deep knowledge of floraPresident Murmu expressed her delight at the peaceful and clean environment of the Ashram and tried her hand at spinning thread on the charkhaBefore departing she complimented the staff on the upkeep of the grounds saying You have maintained this area beautifully continue to preserve itShe also expressed wonder at the ancient clay roof tiles kavelu still preserved on the huts IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/prez-murmu-visits-sevagram-ashram-in-wardha-impresses-locals-with-simplicity-and-curiosity-669846.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-to-visit-karnataka-today-669462.html New Delhi April 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Karnataka on Wednesday to inaugurate the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district At around 11 am the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at He will also address the gathering on the occasionâDuring the visit the Prime Minister will also jointly release the book titled âSaundarya Lahari and Shiva Mahimna Stotramâ along with former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said a statementâSri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira is a memorial dedicated to the revered seer Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji the 71st Pontiff of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana MathConstructed in the traditional Dravidian architectural style the Mandira stands as a tribute to the life and legacy of the late seerâThe Mandira is envisioned not only as a place of reverence but also as a source of inspiration for future generations the statement saidâSri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji was widely respected for his lifelong commitment to social service having established numerous educational institutions and healthcare facilitiesâHe firmly believed that service to society is the highest form of worship and his teachings transcended barriers of caste creed and region inspiring millionsâEarlier on Tuesday PM Modi inaugurated a sixlane DelhiDehradun expressway a Rs 12000crore highway project that is set to reduce travel time between the two cities from fivesix hours to about 225 hoursThe 213km accesscontrolled corridor now open for use is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity linking key towns including Baghpat Baraut Shamli and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh before reaching Dehradun It will also integrate with major national corridors including the DelhiMumbai DelhiKatra and DelhiMeerut expresswaysBefore that PM Modi reviewed the wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs SaharanpurDuring this visit Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also presentAn exhibition showcasing the construction procedure of the wildlife corridor was presented and the officials briefed the Prime Minister about the projectPM Modi also held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor which saw huge crowds lining up on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-to-visit-karnataka-today-669462.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/chirag-paswan-visits-ailing-uncle-pashupati-paras-in-hospital-calls-him-father-figure-669477.html Patna April 15 Former Union Minister and RLJP chief Pashupati Kumar Paras was admitted to a private hospital in Patna after he suddenly fell ill and experienced breathing difficulties He is currently undergoing treatment and doctors are closely monitoring his conditionUpon receiving news of his uncleâs hospitalisation Union Minister Chirag Paswan rushed to Sai Hospital in Kankarbagh to meet himIn a touching gesture Chirag Paswan first sought blessings by touching his uncleâs feet and then embraced himHe interacted with doctors to get a detailed update on Parasâs health and expressed hope for his speedy recoverySupporters of Pashupati Paras also gathered at the hospital to inquire about his conditionSpeaking to the media Chirag Paswan said that Pashupati Paras is like a father figure to himHe emphasised that beyond political differences his visit was a personal oneâPolitics is separate but I have come here as a son to check on his healthâ he saidThe relationship between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras had deteriorated after the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan leading to a split in the Lok Janshakti Party in 2021Paras led one faction while Chirag Paswan formed his own party the Lok Janshakti Party Ram VilasDespite the earlier political rift recent interactions suggest a thaw in relations raising speculation about possible reconciliation in the futureIn the 2019 Lok Sabha elections the Lok Janshakti Party won six seats in BiharIn 2021 the party split into two factions led by Paras and ChiragIn the 2024 Lok Sabha elections Chirag Paswanâs party won five seats in Bihar under the NDA after which he became a Union MinisterIn the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections his party contested 29 seats and secured 19 victoriesDoctors have not released detailed medical information yet but sources indicate that Pashupati Paras is stable and responding to treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/chirag-paswan-visits-ailing-uncle-pashupati-paras-in-hospital-calls-him-father-figure-669477.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/transparency-accountability-cm-samrat-choudhary-meets-top-officials-issues-directives-669489.html Patna April 15 IANS After taking the oath Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary moved swiftly to assert control over the administrative machinery signalling an actionoriented resultsdriven approach from the outset of his tenurenbspMoments after taking the oath as the states 24th Chief Minister Choudhary proceeded directly to the Secretariat where he formally assumed charge of the Chief Ministers Office underscoring his intent to waste no time in governanceSoon after he convened a highlevel meeting with senior IAS officers including Principal Secretaries and top officials from various departmentsThe meeting focused on accelerating governance streamlining administrative processes and reviewing the status of pending development projectsDuring the meeting the Chief Minister issued firm directives making it clear that the governments foremost priority would be the swift resolution of public grievancesHe stressed that negligence in the implementation of development schemes would not be tolerated and instructed all departments to meet their targets within stipulated timelinesKey sectors such as roads healthcare education and law and order were highlighted as areas requiring immediate and sustained attentionEmphasising transparency and accountability Choudhary directed officials to ensure that citizens are not forced to make repeated visits to government offices for basic servicesHe called for efficient grievance redressal mechanisms and urged the administration to adopt digital governance practices to simplify access to public servicesReviewing ongoing development initiatives he sought detailed progress reports and made it clear that accountability would be fixed in cases of delayAt the same time officials were instructed to fasttrack proposals for new schemes to further accelerate Bihars development trajectoryThe Chief Ministers immediate and proactive engagement with the bureaucracy reflects a government operating in active mode from day oneAs his directives begin to take shape on the ground the coming days will be crucial in determining how effectively this momentum translates into tangible outcomes for the people of BiharIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/transparency-accountability-cm-samrat-choudhary-meets-top-officials-issues-directives-669489.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-hc-directs-police-to-take-down-unauthorised-videos-of-kejriwal-arguing-in-excise-policy-case-669519.html New Delhi April 15 IANS The Delhi High Court has directed the police to ensure the removal of all videos circulating on social media that show Aam Aadmi Party AAP national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arguing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma during the hearing of his plea seeking the judges recusal from the Delhi Excise Policy casenbspThe direction came amid controversy over the unauthorised recording and circulation of the Delhi High Court proceedings with registry officials reportedly stating that action is being initiated against those found to have recorded and uploaded the videos in violation of video conferencing guidelinesThis is not the first instance where action has been taken for posting recordings of court proceedings on social media Similar action has been undertaken in the past as well officials saidEarlier in the day advocate Vaibhav Singh filed a complaint before the Delhi High Court alleging unauthorised recording and circulation of audio and video from the April 13 proceedings before Justice SharmaIn his complaint addressed to the Registrar General Singh alleged that several political leaders including Kejriwal and other AAP members intentionally and deliberately recorded and circulated the proceedings on various social media platforms in violation of rulesHe contended that the act was in clear contravention of the Delhi High Court Rules for Video Conferencing 2021 and the Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules 2025 which explicitly prohibit any unauthorised recording or publication of court proceedingsThe complaint further alleged that the recordings which were widely shared across platforms such as X Facebook Instagram and YouTube were part of a preplanned conspiracy to malign the image of the judiciary and mislead the publicIt is requested to set up a detailed inquiry into this matter and take appropriate action against all the personspolitical parties for wilfully and deliberately disobeying the rules the complaint statedThe April 13 hearing pertained to Kejriwals plea seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing cases linked to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy caseKejriwal had appeared in person and argued his application for nearly 45 minutes In his submissions before the Delhi High Court Kejriwal had asserted that he is no longer an accused in the matter stating that the trial court had discharged him and other accused after finding no material to frame chargesHe argued that Justice Sharmas subsequent ex parte order partially staying the trial courts findings gave rise to a grave and reasonable apprehension in his mind about receiving a fair hearingWhen this order came my heart sank I had serious doubts whether I would get justice Kejriwal told the Delhi High Court adding that he had also written to Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya master of the roster seeking transfer of the case before filing the recusal pleaHe further submitted that the principle governing recusal is based on a litigants reasonable apprehension of bias and not on whether bias actually existsResponding to his submissions Justice Sharma observed that issues relating to the manner or urgency of judicial orders cannot be examined in recusal proceedings and may instead be challenged before the Supreme CourtOpposing the plea Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the legal threshold for recusal is wellsettled and cautioned against making allegations that could undermine the dignity of the judicial processWhether we win or lose we must remain fair to the court the Centres secondhighest law officer saidAfter hearing arguments from all sides the Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on Kejriwals recusal plea and directed parties to file brief written submissions within the stipulated timelineIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-hc-directs-police-to-take-down-unauthorised-videos-of-kejriwal-arguing-in-excise-policy-case-669519.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-punjabs-lovely-group-locations-linked-to-aap-mp-ashok-mittal-669524.html Chandigarh April 15 The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted raids at multiple locations of the Lovely Group headed by AAP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Ashok Kumar Mittal in Jalandhar and Phagwara in Punjab Officials said the searches are being carried out in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act FEMARaids are underway at several locations including Lovely Professional University LPU Lovely Autos Lovely Sweets and the Lovely Distance Education Centre Residential premises and offices linked to Mittalâs family members including his brothers Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal are also being searchedMore details are awaitedMittal the founder Chancellor of LPU and Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha is a prominent educationist in the stateAshok Mittal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his family in 2023 where the former stressed the importance of promoting research in higher education âI also mentioned how LPU has been contributing to the national skill development mission by imparting industryrelevant education and training to its studentsâ Mittal was quoted as saying thenHe had said he expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his support of the education sector and his appreciation for the governmentâs New Education Policy NEP initiative Mittal and his wife Rashmi Mittal had presented a bouquet and a handwoven phulkari shawl to the PM while his daughter and soninlaw Srishti and Sreshtha Khetan had presented a frame that had a picture of PM Modi alongside his late motherLast year LPUâs âOne India2025â the annual mega cultural fest was inaugurated by national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant MannKejriwal expressed his admiration for the fest by saying âIt feels like a grand festival of India is underway The energy among the youth is incredibleâ He had highlighted Indiaâs strength in diversity noting âOne nation many languages cultures philosophy but one Hindustan This diversity is our strengthâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ed-raids-punjabs-lovely-group-locations-linked-to-aap-mp-ashok-mittal-669524.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/court-rejects-lokayukta-closure-reports-in-mp-scholarship-cases-kamal-nath-flags-lapses-669525.html Bhopal April 15 Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the states scholarship schemes He raised apprehensions over the functioning of the Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh after a court rejected closure reports in multiple cases linked to the misuse of scholarshipsIn a statement on Wednesday Kamal Nath said that the rejection of closure reports in 34 cases points to âserious lapses in investigationâ and demanded a transparent probe to ensure accountability He added The courtâs observations clearly indicate that crucial evidence was not collected This raises apprehensions about how these cases were being handledThe cases pertain to alleged irregularities in scholarship schemes in which students were found to have secured admissions to two different colleges simultaneously to avail benefits Colleges and nodal institutions involved in the process were also named as accused parties in the matterOver the past three and a half months the Lokayukta had submitted closure reports in all 34 cases according to reports However the court rejected each of them citing a lack of proper investigation and insufficient evidenceOn April 13 the court also rejected a closure report in a separate bribery case involving a former Additional Commissioner of a Municipal Corporation In its observations the court pointed out that the investigating agency failed to collect key documents from the institutions involvedThese included attendance registers enrollment records of students in various courses examination attendance lists and result sheetsThe court noted that despite clear directions recorded in the official case file to gather such evidence the Lokayukta did not comply adequately As a result the available material could not conclusively establish whether the students were actually enrolled and studying in both institutions simultaneouslyAdditionally the court observed that records related to the disbursal of scholarships were not thoroughly examined further weakening the investigationKamal Nath stressed that such lapses not only undermine the credibility of the investigation but also raise concerns about the misuse of public funds meant for deserving studentsâScholarship schemes are designed to support the underprivileged Any misuse or negligence in probing such matters is unacceptableâ he said He urged the state government to take cognisance of the courtâs remarks and ensure a fair and comprehensive reinvestigation into the cases IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/court-rejects-lokayukta-closure-reports-in-mp-scholarship-cases-kamal-nath-flags-lapses-669525.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/decline-in-souths-representation-will-trigger-mass-movement-says-ktr-669530.html Hyderabad April 15 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working President KT Rama Rao on Wednesday warned the Centre that if delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies results in injustice to South India this will trigger a massive movement in the region He made it clear that if the delimitation exercise is conducted in a manner that diminishes the representation of the Southern states it will not remain merely a political process or a legislative amendment rather it will trigger a powerful mass movement across the entire South India In a statement he reiterated that there has been no change in the BRS partys stance on this matter emphasising that they remain firmly committed to the resolute position they adopted three years agoKTR asserted that they are proud Indians and representatives of exemplary states that play a pivotal role in the nations development He opined that it would be unjust and indeed unreasonable for the Southern states which have achieved remarkable progress in various sectors including population control to face political injustice as a consequence of this delimitation exercise He criticised the move to curtail the representation of developing states rather than encouraging them as being contrary to the very spirit of democracyKTR made it unequivocally clear that if attempts are made to stifle the voices and representation of their people in Parliament they will not stand by in silence He declared that they would wage an uncompromising struggle to uphold the rights of South Indians We hope that the Central Government at least now understands the ground realities and that the rulers in Delhi heed our words and exercise good judgment he statedBarring the BJP all political parties in the state have opposed the proposed pro rata model for delimitationChief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a national political consensus on increasing seats for the Lok Sabha with a hybrid modelâThe proposal to increase in Lok Sabha seats on either population or pro rata model is not acceptable to many states among them southern states I wish to bring to your notice our serious concerns regarding the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats which if done on a pro rata basis is fraught with dangers for the countryâ wrote Revanth ReddyThe Chief Minister also wrote letters to the chief ministers of other southern states calling for unitedly resisting the Centreâs move to push a pro rata model to increase Lok Sabha seats saying this would be highly detrimental and inimical to the interests of Southern states IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/decline-in-souths-representation-will-trigger-mass-movement-says-ktr-669530.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ysrcp-leader-arrested-over-social-media-post-against-andhra-cm-669539.html Amaravati April 15 Police have arrested YSR Congress Party General Secretary Media Wing Pudi Srihari for the alleged social media posts against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Srihari who had served as the Chief Public Relations Officer when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister was arrested on Wednesday morning at his residence in VijayawadaThe police have reportedly seized his mobile phone and laptop A case was registered against Srihari in Chittoor for posting a cartoon showing a knife in the hand of Chief Minister Chandrababu NaiduCondemning the arrest in what it called an illegal case YSRCP leader and former Minister Ambati Rambabu said Chittoor 2 Town Circle Inspector Netti Kantayya forcibly took Srihari to Kuppam police stationReacting to the arrest YSRCPâs legal cell posted that Red Book Constitution has once again bared its venomous fangs in the stateâRed Book Constitutionâ is a reference to a redcoloured book carried by TDP leader Nara Lokesh during the 2024 election campaign claiming that it has the names of all those who allegedly harassed TDP leaders and cadres during YSRCP ruleThe YSRCP said that despite repeated reprimands from the High Court the conduct of the police who continue to trample upon democracy by engaging in illegal arrests remains unchangedThe legal cell of the party announced that it will initiate legal action against Circle Inspector Netti Kantayya and has sought the intervention of the High CourtMeanwhile Tirupati MP Dr M Gurumoorthy has strongly condemned the âillegal arrestâ of Srihari He alleged that police illegally seized his mobile phones and laptop during the arrest âThe ruling TDP is making a mockery of democracy by enforcing the âRed book constitutionâ to book illegal and false cases on the YSRCP functionaries and leaders in the state of Andhra Pradesh The arrest of Pudi Srihari is yet another classic example of how desperate the ruling TDP is to divert the peopleâs attention from former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddyâs scheduled visit to the Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in Nellore district todayâ the MP saidâThe YSRCP will not be allowed to be bullied by such false cases and illegal arrests and will knock on the judiciary to fight for justice and to expose the undemocratic practices of the ruling coalitionâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ysrcp-leader-arrested-over-social-media-post-against-andhra-cm-669539.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/centre-provides-security-to-raghav-chadha-after-punjab-withdraws-cover-sources-669542.html New Delhi April 15 IANS The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided security cover to Aam Aadmi Party AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha He will receive Z category security in both Delhi and Punjab sources said on WednesdaynbspThis followed the Punjab governments decision to withdraw Chadhas security detail earlier in the day This action also occurred amid a growing rift between Chadha and the AAP in recent weeksAccording to sources paramilitary forces will be deployed to provide security to the AAP leaderThis security cover has been granted based on a threat perception report submitted by the Intelligence Bureau IB and following an assessment conducted by the Ministry of Home AffairsThe developments follow recent changes within the party On April 2 AAP appointed Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha replacing Chadha in the role The move was seen as a significant organisational shift bringing in a new face from PunjabEarlier on April 3 Chadha broke his silence on the development stating that he had been silenced not defeatedMeanwhile speculation is mounting about Chadhas position within AAP On April 8 a separate Instagram post shared by him drew attention after it featured a purported supporter suggesting that he should form a new youthled political party instead of joining any existing organisationOn April 10 amid an internal rift within the Aam Aadmi Party AAP the Rajya Sabha member shared a message on Instagram asserting that his parliamentary work would speak for itselfTaking to the social media platform Instagram Chadha posted a video and wrote With respect to those questioning my parliamentary performance Ill let my work do the talkingThe video featured a compilation of his interventions and questions raised in the Rajya Sabha highlighting a wide range of public policy issues he has addressedIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/centre-provides-security-to-raghav-chadha-after-punjab-withdraws-cover-sources-669542.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-delhidehradun-economic-corridor-today-669202.html New Delhi April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the DelhiâDehradun Economic Corridor on Tuesday Ahead of the inauguration he will visit Uttar Pradesh to inspect a wildlife corridor and will also offer prayers at a Kali temple in Uttarakhand The Prime Minister will review the Wildlife Corridor at Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh the official said in a statementAt around 1140 am PM Modi will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun Thereafter at around 1230 pm he will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasion the Prime Ministers Office said in the statementThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hours said the statementThe implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges three Railway Over Bridges ROBs four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless highspeed connectivityThe corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System ATMS to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commuters said the statementKeeping in view the ecological sensitivity rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing mananimal conflict it saidTo ensure the free movement of wild animals the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features These include a 12 kmlong wildlife elevated corridor which is one of the longest in AsiaThe corridor also includes eight animal passes two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each and a 370metrelong tunnel near the Daat Kali temple said the statementThe DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the regionThe project reflects the vision of PM Modi to develop nextgeneration infrastructure that combines highspeed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens said the statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMO IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-delhidehradun-economic-corridor-today-669202.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/babasahebs-life-work-continue-to-inspire-generations-to-build-just-and-progressive-society-pm-modi-669208.html New Delhi April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary describing his contribution to nationbuilding as deeply inspiring and enduring for generations In a post on X the Prime Minister said âTributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary His efforts towards nation building are deeply motivating His life and work continue to inspire generations to build a just and progressive societyâIn a video message shared on the platform PM Modi said âToday is a very important day in the nationâs history it is Babasaheb Ambedkarâs Jayanti He was not just an individual but a symbol of resolve He did not merely live he connected it to struggle and fought He did not fight for personal pride but for equality for all including the backward and Dalit communities Despite facing many challenges and opposition he never stoppedâHe further added âBy walking on the path shown by Babasaheb the country is bringing positive changes in the lives of everyone be it the poor the middle class or the richâIn another post the Prime Minister said âDr Babasaheb Ambedkarâs personality and contributions will continue to remain a source of inspiration for nationbuildingâPM Modi also shared a Sanskrit verse writing âPeople with a noble and expansive heart rise above narrow thinking and consider the entire world as their family For them no one is a stranger rather every person is their own This very spirit forms the foundation of global unity and harmonyâSeveral Union ministers and leaders also paid tributes on the occasion through posts on social mediaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah said that Ambedkar laid the strong foundation of Indian democracy by providing a Constitution that ensures equal rights and opportunities for all sections of societyâBabasahib Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji laid the strong foundation of our democracy by giving us a Constitution that grants equal rights and opportunities to every class He staunchly opposed Article 370 for the sake of the countrys integrity Babasahib who gave the mantra to society to become educated and stay organised teaches us through his life that when the resolve is for national service and the welfare of the people every obstacle becomes smallâ he saidDefence Minister Rajnath Singh described Ambedkar as a great social reformer and a key architect of modern India noting that his life was dedicated to securing equality and justice for the underprivilegedâBabasaheb dedicated his entire life to fostering equality and harmony in society His whole life was devoted to securing equal rights for the people of deprived sectionsBabasaheb was also a great thinker and the architect of many of the nations institutions Even in adverse circumstances Babasaheb achieved extraordinary accomplishments and made an indelible contribution to nationbuildingâ he addedUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari in an X post paid homage to Ambedkar calling him the architect of the Constitution and a great social reformerUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also offered tributes calling Ambedkar an âinvaluable gem of Mother Indiaâ whose life continues to guide the nation towards equality justice and social harmonyâOn the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji the architect of the Indian Constitution who laid the foundation of a harmonious and inclusive society illuminated by the lofty ideals of equality justice and fraternity I offer humble tributeâ CM Yogi posted on XâBaba Saheb dedicated to the upliftment of the last and the welfare of the people is truly an invaluable gem of Mother India His inspiring life will forever remain a guiding light for all of usâ he addedDr BR Ambedkar was born on this day in 1891 in Mhow now Dr Ambedkar Nagar Madhya PradeshHe was an Indian jurist economist and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution He dedicated his life to fighting caste discrimination and promoting equality and social justice in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/babasahebs-life-work-continue-to-inspire-generations-to-build-just-and-progressive-society-pm-modi-669208.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-pm-modi-kharge-pay-floral-tributes-to-ambedkar-at-parliament-complex-669216.html New Delhi April 14 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan Prime Minister Narendra Modi Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge along with several other leaders paid floral tributes to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the Parliament on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Tuesday Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal Rajya Sabha member Ramdas Athawale and Congress leader Udit Raj among others also arrived at the Parliament to pay homage to the Father of the Constitution During this PM Modi and Congress National Mallikarjun Kharge also shared a candid chat Earlier in the day PM Modi paid tributes to BR Ambedkar describing his contribution to nationbuilding as deeply inspiring and enduring for generations In a post on X the Prime Minister said Tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary His efforts towards nationbuilding are deeply motivating His life and work continue to inspire generations to build a just and progressive societyIn a video message shared on the platform PM Modi said Today is a very important day in the nationâs history it is Babasaheb Ambedkars Jayanti He was not just an individual but a symbol of resolve He did not merely live he connected it to struggle and fought He did not fight for personal pride but for equality for all including the backward and Dalit communities Despite facing many challenges and opposition he never stoppedIn another post the Prime Minister said Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars personality and contributions will continue to remain a source of inspiration for nationbuildingSeveral Union ministers and leaders also paid tributes on the occasion through posts on social mediaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah said that Ambedkar laid the strong foundation of Indian democracy by providing a Constitution that ensures equal rights and opportunities for all sections of societyBabasahib Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji laid the strong foundation of our democracy by giving us a Constitution that grants equal rights and opportunities to every class He staunchly opposed Article 370 for the sake of the countrys integrity Babasahib who gave the mantra to society to become educated and stay organised teaches us through his life that when the resolve is for national service and the welfare of the people every obstacle becomes small he saidDefence Minister Rajnath Singh described Ambedkar as a great social reformer and a key architect of modern India noting that his life was dedicated to securing equality and justice for the underprivilegedBabasaheb dedicated his entire life to fostering equality and harmony in society His whole life was devoted to securing equal rights for the people of deprived sectionsBabasaheb was also a great thinker and the architect of many of the nations institutions Even in adverse circumstances Babasaheb achieved extraordinary accomplishments and made an indelible contribution to nationbuilding he addedDr BR Ambedkar was born on this day in 1891 in Mhow now Dr Ambedkar Nagar Madhya PradeshHe was an Indian jurist economist and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution He dedicated his life to fighting caste discrimination and promoting equality and social justice in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vp-radhakrishnan-pm-modi-kharge-pay-floral-tributes-to-ambedkar-at-parliament-complex-669216.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-governor-cm-pay-tributes-to-ambedkar-on-birth-anniversary-669232.html Hyderabad April 14 Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary The Governor described Babasaheb as one of the greatest sons of India and the chief architect of the Indian ConstitutionHighlighting the enduring relevance of Dr Ambedkarâs vision the Governor remarked Dr Ambedkarâs life remains a shining testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity A visionary social reformer and eminent jurist he devoted his life to the pursuit of justice equality and the empowerment of the marginalized His legacy is a clarion call for the protection of the rights of the poor and downtroddenThe Governor emphasised that the occasion is an opportunity for every citizen to reaffirm their commitment to the ideals and mandates of the Constitution He further called upon the people to uphold constitutional values and strive collectively to restore the glory of the nation ensuring a just and inclusive society for allLet us move forward with the spirit of unity and fraternity that Babasaheb championed the Governor added Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also paid rich tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary The Chief Minister praised Dr Ambedkars tireless efforts for the welfare of the oppressed sections of society and also recalled the national leaderâs yeoman services towards the empowerment of Dalits Adivasis tribals backward and weaker sections and womenDr Ambedkar envisioned the nations future with foresight and drafted the Constitution with profound vision which stands as an inspiration for future generations the CM said adding that his struggle for the rights of the oppressed sections serves as a beacon and a role model for the entire worldCalling upon everyone to strive collectively to realise the ideals and aspirations of this great leader CM Revanth Reddy highlighted that drawing inspiration from Ambedkarâs ideology the âpeoples governmentâ took some important decisions such as the categorisation of SC subcastes and the enhancement of BC reservationsThe Chief Minister noted that in addition to implementing the SCST SubPlan the government is prioritising the welfare of Dalit and tribal communities across the state He noted that the government also increased mess charges and cosmetic allowances in government welfare hostels and took other measures which are unprecedented in the states historyThe CM announced that the government would undertake the construction of a Young India Integrated Residential School in every Assembly constituency and expressed the hope that children from all sections and religions would receive quality education in one place IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-governor-cm-pay-tributes-to-ambedkar-on-birth-anniversary-669232.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/will-fight-till-my-last-breath-to-protect-babasahebs-ideals-rahul-gandhi-669238.html New Delhi April 14 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid tribute to BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary asserting that he would âfight with all his strengthâ to protect the ideals of the Constitution and Ambedkarâs vision of justice equality and dignity In a post on X Rahul Gandhi said âBabasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar did not just give us the Constitution he gave us the dream of a strong India founded on justice equality and dignity But today certain forces are systematically working to weaken Babasahebs legacy and our Constitution democratic institutions are being hollowed out rights are being trampled and the idea of equality is under attack This country is built on Babasahebs ideals I will fight with all my strength until my last breath to protect them Together we will bring back to life the India of Baba Sahebs dreams Heartfelt wishes to all on Ambedkar JayantiâCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute describing Ambedkar as the moral and constitutional foundation of IndiaIn his post Kharge said Babasaheb was not only the architect of the Constitution but also a relentless champion of liberty equality fraternity and justice He warned that the Constitution was facing âconspiratorial attacksâ and stressed that Ambedkarâs words and warnings remain highly relevant todayKharge added that the time calls for courage and conviction to defend every principle enshrined by AmbedkarCongress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared her tribute stating that Babasaheb gave every Indian a protective shield in the form of the Constitution ensuring liberty equality justice and fraternityShe said Ambedkar brought the issues of deprived sections to the centre of Indiaâs freedom struggle and constitutional framework Calling for the protection of constitutional values she said that upholding Ambedkarâs ideas is the true tribute to himAcross party lines Congress leaders collectively highlighted Ambedkarâs enduring legacy as the architect of the Constitution and a lifelong advocate for social justice equal opportunity and dignity for all citizens IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/will-fight-till-my-last-breath-to-protect-babasahebs-ideals-rahul-gandhi-669238.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ai-hologram-campaigns-take-tn-polls-by-storm-as-vijays-virtual-avatar-draws-crowds-669241.html Chennai April 14 Technology is rapidly reshaping the political campaign landscape in Tamil Nadu with artificial intelligencepowered holograms emerging as a striking new tool ahead of the Assembly elections A recent campaign in Kumbakonam has demonstrated how digital innovation is being deployed to bridge the physical absence of star campaigners and capture voter attentionAt the centre of this trend is a holographic projection of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK President Vijay which has gone viral on social media The projection mounted on a moving vehicle delivered a highly realistic visual of Vijay addressing voters complete with synchronised speech and gestures leaving many in the crowd briefly believing he was physically presentThe initiative has sparked significant interest across political circles According to the company behind the technology there has been a sharp rise in enquiries from candidates across parties as well as requests to recreate holographic avatars of late political icons such as M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa reflecting the emotional and symbolic appeal such technology can generate among votersThe growing demand also points to a wider shift in campaign strategies where digital engagement is increasingly complementing traditional methodsEven in regions not currently facing elections such as Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka political actors are exploring the potential of AIdriven outreach tools to enhance visibility and connect with the electorateThe companies which offere the service said they have been receiving an overwhelming number of enquiries from candidates cutting across party lines with just 10 days to go for the Assembly pollsWhile holographic campaigning is not entirely new Prime Minister Narendra Modi famously deployed the technology during the 2014 general elections the current trend stands apart due to the integration of artificial intelligenceEnhanced lipsyncing realistic body movements and portability have made these projections more immersive and adaptable even in rural settingsPolitical observers note that such innovations underline the deepening reach of advanced technology into grassroots politicsThe novelty of a âvirtual leaderâ addressing crowds even from a moving vehicle has added a new dimension to campaign spectacle and voter engagement particularly among younger audiencesBehind the scenes the campaign was executed by a compact team of six including young engineers who utilised 3D hologram fan display systems to achieve sharper and more dynamic visuals compared to traditional projection methodsDespite its impact the technology is not without challenges Maintaining projection quality on moving vehicles and managing environmental disruptions remain concerns though companies continue to refine their systemsWith pricing starting at around Rs 50000 per day holographic campaigning is steadily carving out a niche as a futuristic highimpact addition to Indiaâs evolving electoral playbook IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ai-hologram-campaigns-take-tn-polls-by-storm-as-vijays-virtual-avatar-draws-crowds-669241.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/upholding-democratic-values-best-tribute-to-ambedkar-cm-chandrababu-naidu-669242.html Amaravati April 14 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Tuesday that the greatest tribute that can be offered to Dr BR Ambedkar is to uphold democratic values The Chief Minister through a social media post offered tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution social reformer and Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversaryâDr Ambedkar stands as an exemplary figure despite enduring caste discrimination and the scourge of untouchability he pursued higher education and rose to a stature of such eminence that the entire nation takes pride in him If our country stands today as one of the worlds strongest democracies it is solely due to the Constitution he bestowed upon usâ said the Chief MinisterâBy ensuring equal opportunities and rights he provided constitutional protection to every single citizen Our collective goal must be the realization of Dr Ambedkars ideals The greatest tribute we can offer to this visionary leader is to uphold democratic values and conduct ourselves as responsible citizensâ he addedDeputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also paid tributes to Ambedkar âRemembering the visionary leader scholar and Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Ambedkar the chief architect and Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution the first Law Minister of independent India on his birth anniversary His relentless fight for social justice equality and empowerment continues to guide usâ posted Pawan KalyanMeanwhile Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS President KT Rama Rao also paid tributes to AmbedkarThe former minister said that Ambedkar was a noble soul who toiled day and night for the upliftment of the marginalised sections of societyâAmbedkar was a universal humanist who fought on behalf of the oppressed people He was a visionary of an egalitarian society who secured rights for people from all walks of life Ambedkar was the towering intellect who designed the Constitution of Indiaâ KTR said in a post on âXâHe stated that Ambedkar was the visionary who ensured the fulfilment of the Telangana peoples aspiration for a separate state through Article 3KTR claimed that the nineandahalfyear tenure of the BRS government has been guided by the inspiration of Babasaheb AmbedkarâTo ensure that Ambedkars teachings ideals and values are passed on to future generations the KCR government has erected a 125ft statue of Ambedkar in the very heart of Hyderabad The government bestowed the highest honor upon him by naming the Telangana State Secretariat after Ambedkar On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar we pay our humble and profound tributes to this towering figureâ KTR added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/upholding-democratic-values-best-tribute-to-ambedkar-cm-chandrababu-naidu-669242.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/on-ambedkar-jayanti-cm-vijayan-calls-for-vigilance-against-caste-bias-669248.html Thiruvananthapuram April 14 Marking the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday issued a strong call to uphold the values of equality and social justice even as Kerala grapples with troubling allegations of caste discrimination in higher education In a message on Ambedkar Jayanti the Chief Minister took to his social media to pay tributes to AmbedkarHe described Ambedkar as a towering figure who dedicated his life to building a society free from caste divisionsThe CM noted that Ambedkarâs relentless fight against social inequality and his enduring contributions continue to guide the nationHowever Vijayan expressed deep concern over recent developments particularly the tragic death of a firstyear BDS student at a private medical college in Ancharakandi KannurThe student Nithin Raj from Thiruvananthapuram is alleged to have faced castebased harassment sparking widespread outrageCalling the incident deeply painful the Chief Minister said that any act that drives a promising student to such a fate is unforgivableHe cautioned that the emergence of castebased discrimination even within campuses raises serious questions about whether Keralaâs hardearned progressive values are erodingâThis is a time for introspection as a societyâ he said urging collective responsibility in addressing such issuesVijayan also flagged the Centreâs inaction on the longpending demand for a dedicated law to curb caste discrimination in educational institutions often referred to as the Rohith Vemula ActHe pointed out that existing University Grants Commission guidelines have been stayed by the Supreme Court leaving a regulatory vacuumCalling for unity against all forms of division and hatred the Chief Minister urged society to draw strength from Ambedkarâs idealsHe emphasised that building an equitable and just social order remains an unfinished task that demands renewed commitmentExtending Ambedkar Jayanti greetings Vijayan reiterated that safeguarding dignity and equality must remain central to Keralaâs social fabric IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/on-ambedkar-jayanti-cm-vijayan-calls-for-vigilance-against-caste-bias-669248.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-receives-rousing-welcome-at-roadshow-in-ups-saharanpur-669252.html Saharanpur April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur district on Tuesday just before inaugurating the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor A large crowd gathered along the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister as he waved back at themParticipants showered flowers at PM Modi while holding the Tricolour in their hands and chanting slogans such as Modi Modi Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri RamMany attendees wore costumes and performed traditional folk dances to welcome the Prime MinisterLater in the day PM Modi will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun Thereafter he will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasionThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hoursThe implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges three Railway Over Bridges ROBs four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless highspeed connectivityThe corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System ATMS to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commutersKeeping in view the ecological sensitivity rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing mananimal conflictTo ensure the free movement of wild animals the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features These include a 12 kmlong wildlife elevated corridor which is one of the longest in AsiaThe corridor also includes eight animal passes two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each and a 370metrelong tunnel near the Daat Kali templeThe DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the regionThe project reflects the vision of PM Modi to develop nextgeneration infrastructure that combines highspeed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens said the statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMO IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-receives-rousing-welcome-at-roadshow-in-ups-saharanpur-669252.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-hikes-minimum-wages-after-noida-unrest-police-say-300-arrests-made-669254.html New Delhi April 14 The Government of Uttar Pradesh has increased minimum wages across worker categories following unrest in Noida with revised rates coming into effect retrospectively from April 1 As many as 300 people have been arrested by the police to bring the situation under control The move comes even as police on Tuesday said the situation in the industrial hub has returned to normal after largescale protests a day earlierThe wage revision significantly raises monthly earnings for workers across categories In Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad districts unskilled workers will now receive Rs 13690 per month up from Rs 11313 Semiskilled workersâ wages have been increased from Rs 12445 to Rs 15059 while skilled workers will now earn Rs 16868 compared to Rs 13940 earlierIn other municipal corporation areas unskilled workers will receive Rs 13006 semiskilled Rs 14306 and skilled Rs 16025 For the remaining districts wages have been revised to Rs 12356 for unskilled workers Rs 13591 for semiskilled and Rs 15224 for skilled workers Officials said the interim revised rates include both basic pay and Dearness AllowanceThe decision follows widespread protests by factory workers in Noida on Monday over low wages and pending demands for salary hikes The agitation turned violent in parts of the Phase 2 industrial area with reports of vandalism stonepelting and road blockadesTraffic movement was severely affected particularly along the Noida Link Road and routes from the Chilla Border causing long delays for commuters travelling between Delhi and NoidaProviding an update on the situation Joint Commissioner of Police Rajeev Narayan Mishra said âThe situation is normal today and police deployment has been made at all locations Police are continuously conducting flag marches and patrolling while some units are actively performing their dutiesDue to Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti some groups have announced a holiday at certain places We are maintaining constant communication and coordination with all units and industrial associations and we remain alert If we talk about yesterday more than 40000 workers gathered at over 800 locations and raised their concerns Police reached more than 80 locations and engaged in dialogue with them explaining and resolving the situationââAround 300 arrests have been madeâa few more people have been identifiedâ he addedHeavy police deployment continues in sensitive areas with authorities maintaining close coordination with industrial bodies to prevent any further unrest IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-hikes-minimum-wages-after-noida-unrest-police-say-300-arrests-made-669254.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-reviews-wildlife-corridor-on-delhi-dehradun-expressways-elevated-section-in-up-669264.html Saharanpur April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the Wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur on Tuesday During this Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari UP Governor Anandiben Patel UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Pradad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present An exhibition showcasing the construction procedure of the wildlife corridor was presented and the officials briefed the Prime Minister about the project Earlier PM Modi held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor A large crowd gathered along the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister as he waved back at themParticipants showered flowers at PM Modi while holding the Tricolour in their hands and chanting slogans such as Modi Modi Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri RamMany attendees wore costumes and performed traditional folk dances to welcome the Prime MinisterLater in the day PM Modi will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun Thereafter he will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasionThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hoursThe implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges three Railway Over Bridges ROBs four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless highspeed connectivityThe corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System ATMS to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commutersKeeping in view the ecological sensitivity rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing mananimal conflictTo ensure the free movement of wild animals the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features These include a 12 kmlong wildlife elevated corridor which is one of the longest in AsiaThe corridor also includes eight animal passes two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each and a 370metrelong tunnel near the Daat Kali templeThe DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the regionThe project reflects the vision of PM Modi to develop nextgeneration infrastructure that combines highspeed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens said the statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMO IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-reviews-wildlife-corridor-on-delhi-dehradun-expressways-elevated-section-in-up-669264.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rahul-gandhi-lends-support-to-protesting-noida-workers-says-pay-hike-not-greed-but-their-right-669266.html New Delhi April 14 IANS The ongoing protests by the underpaid industrial workers in Noida have found support from the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition LoP Rahul Gandhi who termed the demands as their right and not greedThe Congress leader taking note of the unrest in Noida Phase 2 lent support to their demands and protests stating that their remuneration was much less than standard levels a pain which has only been aggravated by the raging conflict in West AsiaHundreds of industrial workers in Noida Phase 2 area took to the streets on Monday protesting against impractical working conditions and demanding a hike in the minimum wages on the lines of the salary hike in Haryana approved by the respective government The protests later turned violent leading to long traffic snarls in the area while at some places some vehicles were torched by the protesting workersTaking note of violence on Noida streets Rahul Gandhi said What happened yesterday was the final cry of this countrys workers one whose every voice was ignored who grew weary from endless pleadingHe argued for commensuration between their salary structure and the tough realities of life in a metro city while stressing how their pay structure purportedly in the range of Rs 12000 remains grossly insufficient in meeting their monthly expensesUntil the salary catches up this runaway inflation chokes life out of him drowns him in the depths of debt thats the truth of Developed India he said in a post on XDrawing a link between the West Asia war and the subsequent impact on workers livelihood he said that its the daily wagers who are the worst affected and therefore were justified in voicing their demandsSlamming the government for acting against them he said The worker whos no part of any war who didnt craft any policy he just worked Quietly Without complaint And what does he get for demanding his due Pressure and oppressionHe further pledged to stand by every protesting worker stating that they are the backbone of the country but unfortunately have been reduced to a burden by the ruling dispensationNoidas worker is demanding 20000 This isnt greed its his right the sole foundation of his life he asserted in a post on XThe Congress leader was also critical of the four labour codes recently notified by the Central government and claimed that this has only added burden to their livesHe said the government acted hastily without consultation and implemented 4 Labour Codes starting in November 2025 extending their work hours to 12 hours a dayIANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rahul-gandhi-lends-support-to-protesting-noida-workers-says-pay-hike-not-greed-but-their-right-669266.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-trying-to-change-constitution-says-telangana-deputy-cm-669267.html Hyderabad April 14 Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday accused the BJP of attempting to change the Constitution of India and undermine democratic values Addressing an event to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar here he alleged that the BJP was trying to make a mockery of democracy putting citizensâ fundamental rights at risk Stating that every citizen faces the risk of losing their fundamental rights he called upon people to unite to safeguard the Constitution âWe must all unite clench our fists in solidarity and raise the slogan Jai Bhim to safeguard the Indian Constitutionâ he saidPaying tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution he said that it is our collective good fortune that Dr Ambedkar was born in India He called Ambedkar a man of extraordinary genius and a veritable mine of knowledgeVikramarka said Ambedkar was a great visionary who laid the foundations of democracy through the Indian Constitution thereby establishing India as the largest democratic nation in the worldThrough the Constitution he enshrined equal rights for every citizen of the country He was a visionary who secured womens empowerment and rights through the Constitution the Deputy CM saidHe claimed that Ambedkar was the first to address the gender discrimination and hardships faced by women who constitute half of the countrys populationAs the first Law Minister of independent India he introduced the Hindu Code Bill in Parliament to safeguard womens rights Ambedkar was a great leader who went so far as to resign from his ministerial post to advocate for the passage of that bill he saidThe Deputy CM stated that transcending the barriers of caste and religion Ambedkar worked tirelessly for the welfare of every woman He played a pivotal role in the implementation of maternity leave provisions and labour laws He was a great visionary who fought successfully to reduce the working hours for labourers from 12 to 8 hoursâPaving the way for democracy he granted every citizen the Right to Vote a mechanism through which the people themselves could become the rulers Ambedkar provided a remarkable opportunity for every individual to shape the policies and procedures that govern their lives through their chosen representativesâ said Mallu Bhatti VikramarkaHe claimed that the Indiramma Government in Telangana is moving forward in tune with Babasahebs ideals and on the path shown by him Every decision the government makes every law it enacts and every step it takes in governance reflects Dr Ambedkars economic and social philosophy he said while adding that this trajectory will continueHe affirmed that the government is advancing to ensure that resources and political rights are distributed equally among all citizens based on their demographic proportionFor the first time in the nations history the Telangana government has undertaken a caste census thereby moving forward in strict adherence to constitutional principles âWe are committed to the protection of the Constitution and human rights Ours is a government that implements the Indian Constitution in both letter and spiritâ he addedAt the programme held at the 125âfoot statue of Ambedkar near the state Secretariat the Deputy Chief Minister along with ministers and state Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud paid tributes and later released a special brochure aimed at spreading Ambedkarâs ideals IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-trying-to-change-constitution-says-telangana-deputy-cm-669267.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ambedkar-jayanti-stalin-calls-for-defending-constitution-upholding-social-justice-and-pluralism-669278.html Chennai April 14 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday issued a strong message urging citizens to defend the Constitution uphold social justice and protect the rights of the oppressed while reaffirming Indiaâs commitment to pluralism He was speaking at an event organised to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr B R AmbedkarStalin quoted Ambedkarâs enduring words âI measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achievedâStalin in a post on X highlighted that the true measure of a societyâs advancement lies in the empowerment and upliftment of women He emphasised that inclusive development and gender equality must remain at the heart of governance and public policyIn his Ambedkar Jayanti message Stalin called upon people to strengthen their resolve to safeguard constitutional values and ensure justice for marginalised communitiesHe stressed that protecting the Constitution is essential to preserving democracy and maintaining the rights and dignity of every citizen particularly those who have historically faced discrimination and exclusionUnderscoring Indiaâs diversity Stalin asserted that the nationâs strength lies in its pluralistic fabric not in any imposed uniformity He cautioned against attempts to dilute this diversity stating that unity must be built on respect for differences rather than enforced samenessâIf progress is the benchmarkâ Stalin noted âwe must reject hierarchy and discrimination and instead choose pluralism and equalityâHe called for a collective commitment to building a society rooted in fairness inclusiveness and justice in line with Ambedkarâs visionThe Chief Ministerâs remarks came at a time when debates around social equity representation and constitutional safeguards continue to shape public discourse across the countryObservers noted that his message reflects a broader political emphasis on reinforcing the principles enshrined by Ambedkar in modern IndiaAs the nation commemorates the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar Stalinâs call serves as a reminder of the continued relevance of his ideals The emphasis on womenâs progress social justice and pluralism underscores the need to build a more equitable society where every voice is heard and every citizen is empowered IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ambedkar-jayanti-stalin-calls-for-defending-constitution-upholding-social-justice-and-pluralism-669278.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:14:00 +0530