Politics

15

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Mani Shankar denies making casteist remarks against PM Modi

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has dismissed the allegation that he had made casteist remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that his comments were directed at the PM's ‘character’, not his caste. The bureaucrat-turned-politician also said he was called the ‘child of Macaulay’ for speaking English and questioned whether PM Modi knew Tamil. Reacting to Aiyar's remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers held a protest in Jaipur on Sunday and burnt his effigy. Aiyar attended a programme in New Delhi on Saturday evening. Speaking on the controversy surrounding his alleged past remarks, the former Union minister said he never…

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15

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Seven-member SIT to probe assassination bid on Farooq Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Police have constituted a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the assassination attempt on National Conference President Farooq Abdullah during a marriage function earlier this week.     The incident sparked widespread political outrage across the Union Territory and drew sharp condemnation from leaders nationwide.     While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned possible security lapses, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti expressed shock over the grave attack.   Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti ordered the formation of the SIT, citing the “seriousness and sensitivity” of the case.   On Wednesday evening, Farooq Abdullah narrowly escaped…

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14

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

PM Modi corners TMC, cites RG Kar, Sandeshkhali incidents at Brigade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) during a massive rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday, using a popular Bengali song to highlight concerns over women’s safety and governance in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.   Referring to the song “Come home before dusk falls,” sung by Ishan Mitra in a Bengali film based on popular detective character the Byomkesh Bakshi, the Prime Minister said the lyrics — originally a heartfelt appeal for a loved one to return home safely — now reflect the fear felt by…

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14

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Eyeing Dalit votes, Mamata announces five new boards

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced the formation of five new Cultural and Development Boards for marginalised communities in the state, a move that comes just days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026. According to the announcement, the boards will be set up for the Munda, Kora, Dom, Kumbhakar, and Sadgop communities. The initiative aims to support their socio-economic development while preserving their distinct cultural identities. Speaking on the occasion, Mamata congratulated members of these communities and highlighted their role in shaping Bengal’s heritage. She said that each of these…

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13

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Sasikala announces new party to contest 2026 TN polls

VK Sasikala on Friday announced the formation of a new political party named All India Puratchithalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPMMK) and declared that it will contest the upcoming Assembly elections under the ‘Thennanthoppu’ (Coconut Grove) symbol.   Speaking to the media at her residence in Poes Garden, Chennai, Sasikala said the party was founded with the objective of continuing the political legacy of MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. She had earlier announced plans to launch a new party in February last year and later unveiled its flag.   Sasikala said that MGR had launched a movement with the aim of eliminating…

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13

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Farooq Abdullah escapes assassination attempt at wedding

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah had a narrow escape on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at him while he was leaving a marriage function in Jammu, officials confirmed.   Senior NC leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, were accompanying him at the time of the incident.   The accused has been identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, son of Ajit Singh, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu. He told police he had been waiting for more than 20 years to kill the…

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12

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Budget Session: Opposition protests LPG shortage

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported LPG shortage, the Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the PM was asking the public not to panic, but he himself has panicked about the Epstein files issue and the Adani case in the US. He made the remarks after several opposition MPs, including himself and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex over the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, demanding answers from the government. "The PM is saying there is no need to panic, but the he himself has panicked for completely…

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11

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy was on Monday elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from the State of West Bengal. Menaka Guruswamy becomes India’s first openly queer Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal, known for her role in striking down Section 377.

Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy was on Monday elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from the State of West Bengal. Menaka Guruswamy becomes India's first openly queer Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal, known for her role in striking down Section 377.   Her journey includes defending the RSS and the West Bengal government in controversial cases, raising complex questions about her future role. Will she now champion queer rights in Parliament as she did in the courts? Guruswamy was fielded by the Trinamool Congress Party and was elected unopposed.     Menaka Guruswamy is now India’s first openly…

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11

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Sloganeering against LPG price hike in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Wednesday following vociferous protests by opposition members over various issues, including the hike in LPG prices. As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members raised various issues and shouted slogans. Several of them took to sloganeering in the Well of the House. The session has now resumed.    When it was Congress member Kumari Selja's turn to ask a question, she just remarked that the government should first reduce the LPG price.   Responding to queries, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took a swipe at the opposition members, saying…

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10

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Politics

Tussle over seat sharing in Cong–DMK alliance in Puducherry

The alliance between the Congress and the DMK is witnessing fresh negotiations over seat sharing ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Puducherry. The discussions come shortly after the two parties concluded a hard-fought agreement for the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu.   Historically, the power equation between the two allies has differed in the two regions. While the Congress has largely played the role of a junior partner in Tamil Nadu, it has traditionally been the dominant partner in Puducherry. In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly elections, the Congress contested and won 21 seats, while the DMK secured nine seats…

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