Regional

The accusations made by his former supporter who joined the Congress have stirred a debate and raised a concern.

Velu Naikar, a former corporator who joined Congress, has made these allegations and his speech in this regard has gone viral on social media.

“BJP MLA Munirathna has a studio set up to carry out honey traps. The leaders would be invited and they would be honey trapped and later the leaders would be blackmailed with the recordings,” Velu Naikar had alleged.

“Munirathna is a film producer. His first film was ‘Aunty Preestse’ (Aunty, love me). Hence, after he became a minister, only aunties were found in Vikasa Soudha, Vidhana Soudha and chamber. The studios are also set up in J.P. Park and Dollars Colony. It is common for him to honey trap and blackmail,” Velu Naikar had stated.

Velu Naikar further alleged that Munirathna used to threaten leaders that he had got their "eastman colour pictures" and get them work for him.

Naikar had made these remarks in the joining ceremony of BJP leaders to the Congress on Sunday in the presence of defeated candidate Kusuma Hanumantarayappa.

BJP MLA Munirathna had won with a margin of 11,842 votes over Kusuma in the 2023 Assembly elections which had seen a very close contest.

In 2020 by-elections, Munirathna had won by 58,113 votes. He is yet to react to the allegations.

The development has raised concern and triggered controversy. The development had also put the BJP state unit in a fix.

--IANS

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“The matter will be discussed at the business advisory committee and any decision on this count will be conveyed only after that,” the speaker of West Bengal assembly Biman Banerjee told media persons on late Saturday afternoon. The business advisory committee meeting will be on Monday only when the monsoon session of the house will resume.

Generally, on the first day of any session, the house is adjourned after obituary mentions.

That Trinamool Congress will take up the Manipur issue as a major tool to oppose nationally was given by the chief minister Mamata Banerjee while addressing the party’s annual “Martyrs’ Day” rally on Friday.

While delivering her speech there the chief minister clearly said that she had discussion with her counterpart in Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal on the possibilities of some leaders of the constituents of Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance, including herself, visiting Manipur and reviewing the situation there.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress had sent a five-member delegation to Manipur to review the situation in the violence- ridden NorthEastern state. Time and again the leadership of the state’s ruling party has accused the top leadership of being silent about Manipur and neglecting the violence issue there.

--IANS

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The official said that the chopper was deployed following a request from the district authorities as the region grapples with incessant rains for the past two days.

In and around Anandnagar-Tanda, scores of homes were flooded and people were forced to wade out in 3-4 feet deep waters to safter locations even as the water levels continued to rise, inundating the village roads and the agricultural fields around.

Earlier this afternoon, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that around 45 people were stranded in the flooded villages and two helicopters would be dispatched to evacuate them.

A defence official confirmed this evening that one chopper was flown to the affected region and the evacuation work was currently underway.

Besides, a SDRF team is also en route to Anandnagar-Tanda to rescue the other villagers even as the area continued to be lashed with heavy rains this evening.

Vidarbha, the eastern region of Maharashtra has been witnessing a downpour in the past 48 hours in Nagpur, Yavatmal, Buldhana, Gadchiroli and other districts.

The torrential rains have claimed at least 8 lives and another two dozen injured in various rain-related incidents while all concerned agencies are in a state of high alert as more rains are predicted.

--IANS

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CPI-M leader and the first Chief Minister of Kerala, late EMS Namboodiripad who was later the general secretary of the party, had experimented with the United Front government or had headed a seven party coalition in his second stint as Chief Minister in 1967.

EMS, in fact, made history by becoming the first democratically elected Communist Chief Minister when he won in 1957.

In 1967 the United Front government of EMS Namboodiripad comprised of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI-M, Communist party of India (CPI), Sanghata Socialist Party (SSP), Muslim League (MUL), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Karshaka Thozhilali Party (KTP) and Kerala Socialist Party (KSP).

The coalition had a comfortable majority of 117 members out of 133 members and EMS was sworn in as Chief Minister of the state on March 6,1967. However internal dissensions led to the fall of the government and EMS resigned on October 24,1969.

C. Achutha Menon was sworn in as the Chief Minister for a second term on October 4, 1970. and continued till 25 March, 1977, as there were no elections during the Emergency period.

The government headed by Achutha Menon included Congress leader K. Karunakaran and Muslim League stalwart C.H. Mohammed Koya.

Since that time ,there has not been single party rule in Kerala and the state witnessed coalition governments with differing political ideologies but uniting together for a common goal.

The coalition politics of Kerala is now more organized with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI-M on the one side and the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress on the other side. Interestingly the CPI-M led LDF has parties like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress-S while the UDF has a revolutionary party, the RSP and the Forward Bloc and the Communist Marxist Party (CMP).

While the NCP, Congress-S, RSP, CMP and Forward Bloc are small parties, the big time parties like the Congress and the CPI-M do include these parties due to the charisma of their leaders. Parties with a Congress lineage like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress-S joining the CPI-M coalition was a shrewd political move to have the Congress minded voters vote for the left coalition.

In a similar vein, the Congress also has the red parties in its fold with the RSP, CMP and the Forward Bloc being part of the UDF.

With the CPI-M led LDF government under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan returning to power for a second consecutive term in 2021, there are calls for roping in the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) into the left fold and discussions had taken place regarding this.

It may be recalled that the powerful Christian political party, the Kerala Congress which has always stood with the Congress, had left the UDF and joined the Left Front. This shift of the Kerala Congress led by Jose K Mani, MP, has come as a windfall for the Left parties in Central Kerala which has a huge Christian population.

Even though the Muslim League leaders have denied any move to join the Left Front, sources in both the camps told IANS that such a move cannot be ruled out.

There is a general feeling among the Muslim community of the state that to counter the BJP-led Hindutva movement, it is the CPI-M that is more equipped than the Congress and hence supporting the CPI-M led front would not erode the core Muslim vote bank of the IUML.

While the CPI-M is the biggest political party in the state with a well oiled party machinery, an alliance with the IUML would help it to sweep North Kerala and would be the beginning of the end of the Congress in Kerala.

Political analyst and Congress observer Roy Mathew while speaking to IANS said,” The IUML is a strong political party which has a clear political ideology and there is no chance of that party leaving the Congress led UDF.”

Bigger parties like the CPI-M and the Congress are entering into a coalition with the smaller political parties as the background of parties like the Kerala Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League helped these parties gain the confidence and support of the communities these parties were associated with.

The Kerala Congress is predominantly a Christian political party and the IUML is a Muslim political formulation.

--IANS

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But neither the BJP ruling at the Centre nor the state ruling party Trinamool Congress can cut much ice among the voters in the hills on their own strength in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency in 2024. The Congress and the Left Front seem to be virtually insignificant in the hills of north Bengal as of now.

The power equation in the hills scattered over Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong is concentrated among four smaller hill forces, three being organized parties and one being an individual with some influence among the hill voters. These smaller forces have the power to change the equation in the hills despite not having a single MP or MLA currently.

In fact, the equation of both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in the hills is dependent on their getting these smaller parties on their side.

Incidentally, none of these parties has any compulsion for any understanding to escape the central investigative agencies. Rather, the question here is the bigger issue of a separate Gorkhaland state carved out of the hill areas in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong and parts of the plains of Terai and Dooars in North Bengal.

The first among them, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) founded by Bimal Gurung and once the final word in the hills, helped the BJP candidates to sail through in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat with comfortable margins in the 2009, 2014 and 2019 elections. In the recently concluded polls for the three-tier panchayat system in West Bengal. the GJM had an understanding with the BJP.

The second force is the Ajay Edwards-founded Hamro Party, which emerged as a big force in the Darjeeling municipal polls last year. Despite having an understanding with the GJM, unlike Gurung, Edwards is yet to make it clear whether he would be supporting the BJP in the big battle of 2024.

The third is an individual with some influence among the hill voters -- the estranged Trinamool Congress leader Binoy Tamang. Despite having an understanding with both Gurung and Edwards, recently Tamang has started raising his voice in favour of the Congress especially after its thumping victory in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly polls.

The fourth in the league is the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) founded by Anit Thapa, once a close confidant of Bimal Gurung and who is now having a written understanding with the Trinamool Congress in the hills.

Both Bimal Gurung and Ajay Edwards have openly pronounced that a permanent political solution in the hills would include the long-standing demand for a separate Gorkhaland state. Binoy Tamang is more loaded -- his aim is to achieve a situation where the “overall aspirations” of the hill voters are fulfilled, although he is yet to become clear on the definition of “overall aspirations”.

The BGPM’s line is clear that the aim is development of infrastructure, tourism and other related facilities in the hills rather than the separate statehood demand.

In the recently concluded panchayat polls, in the hills the Trinamool Congress- backed BGPM had been well-ahead of its rivals enjoying the backing of the BJP. Unlike the remaining districts, polls were conducted for only two tiers of gram panchayat and panchayat samiti. As the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is in overall charge of the civic administration in the hills, there were no polls at the zilla parishad level, which is the highest tier in the three-tier panchayat system.

Observers of the hill politics feel that the results in the two tiers are a warning to the BJP for the 2024 big battle in the case of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, from where the saffron camp candidates have been elected to Parliament since 2009. The results had also been indicative that Bimal Gurung, who had once been the final word in the hills, has significantly lost his relevance in hill politics with Anit Thapa being the new trump card

--IANS

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Speaking to reporters after participating in the protest by the BJP, Bommai said that: “It is not known in which direction the politics of hatred is going. We have brought out the PSI scandal and ordered a CID inquiry. An officer of the rank of ADGP has been sent to jail.”

There is the role of the Congress leaders in the scandal. The investigation is done and the case is in the court. At this stage ordering for judicial probe reflects the politics of hatred, he said.

Bommai said that CM Siddaramaiah has said that BJP should protest before the statue of Godse. The Congress leaders have misused the name of Mahatma Gandhi to a great extent.

“Gandhiji had asked them to dissolve the Congress party after the independence. It was because he knew that Congress leaders are not capable of ruling the country. The Congress leaders are praying before the fake Gandhis. They are taking the name of Gandhi ji to pursue politics,” Bommai stated.

On the other hand attacking BJP, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that in his 40 years of political life, this is the first time he faced a situation where he had to reply to the budget debate without the presence of the opposition party.

Reacting to BJP's protest at Freedom Park, he said that there is no use in fighting outside rather than discussing people's problems in the legislative session. The session was held for three weeks to allow the opposition to participate in the debates. But they did not come to the Assembly and wasted time in the commotion. Because of this misbehavior, the Speaker has taken action. He said that we have nothing to do with the action of the Speaker.

Responding to former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's claims regarding the NICE road scam, action could have been taken when the coalition government came to power after the Congress government.

It is a lie that the Congress had its hands tied to conduct the investigation. Did the Congress not support other programs including the loan waiver scheme? He questioned. He should have resigned saying that the Congress had tied his hands. He said that it was due to his own fault that he lost the government.

--IANS

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At the Nunwan Base Camp, the LG interacted with the pilgrims and reviewed arrangements for queue management.

LG discussed measures taken for comfortable stay, food, healthcare, connectivity, sanitation, water and other facilities for Yatris in case of bad weather.

He observed that administration is sensitive to the needs of pilgrims, responsive and has ensured better arrangements for hassle-free pilgrimage.

“I am extremely proud of entire team, Shrine Board, J&K Police, CAPFs, Army, BRO, NDRF, SDRF, Mountain Rescue Teams, service providers, citizens for commendable work and ensuring smooth conduct of Yatra. Through our solidarity, resolve and preparation, we'll overcome any future challenges,” LG said.

“Pilgrims from across the country and abroad are now the Brand Ambassadors of J&K. The economic activities associated with spiritual pilgrimage generate livelihood for the locals and spur tourist influx to the UT,” he said.

The meeting also discussed the deployment of security and police personnel, Doctors, medical staff, rescue teams, and the steps taken to facilitate the smooth movement of yatris.

During his visit to Chandanwari Base Camp, the Lt Governor interacted with pilgrims, sanitation workers, service providers and took stock of the arrangements.

--IANS

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Questioned at a press conference on the sacking of Gudha, the chief minister said: "This is an internal matter of our party."

Gudha was sacked by Gehlot on Friday night after he asked his government to introspect instead of talking on the shocking Manipur incident of women being paraded naked on camera.

Meanwhile, a day after his sacking, Gudha maintained that women in Rajasthan are not safe.

He said whether he is dismissed or put in jail, he will keep speaking the truth.

"I have been speaking at the cabinet meeting. I spoke in the Assembly and I also faced the consequences. Women are not safe in our state. These statistics say that Rajasthan ranks first in the country in atrocities against women."

He also criticised the Rajasthan police.

"Police in the state are corrupt. They are busy taking bribes from people," he said.

--IANS

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According to police, a Twitter user posted a message claiming to have placed a bomb at the venue for the Genshin Impact Summer Festival 2023 held at Olympic Park in Seoul's eastern ward of Songpa earlier in the day, reports Yonhap news agency.

The person wrote that the bomb will go off "when the time arrives" and told followers to "look forward to it." The user also shared photos of what appeared to be the alleged explosive.

After discovering the message, organizers suspended the event and reported it to the police. After searching the venue, police and firefighting officials said there was no bomb at the site.

Police are currently tracking down the person who wrote the message, according to the report.

Genshin Impact is a popular open-world action role playing game published by Chinese developer HoYoverse.

The company launched the four-day gaming festival for loyal South Korean users on Thursday.

--IANS


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The incident occurred at Nandigama in NTR district on Friday.

Anand Babu, who was bleeding heavily, was admitted to the government hospital at Nandigama and was later shifted to a hospital in Vijayawada for advanced treatment.

Police investigations revealed that the victim had separated from his first wife due to some problems.

He had married another woman, Varamma, five years ago.

On Friday night, Anand Babu was watching Instagram reels of his first wife.

This angered Varamma, who pulled him up. During a heated argument, Varamma attacked his private parts with a blade.

Varamma told media persons that they had a fight when he was watching his first wife's video.

She said she did not intentionally attack his private part.

The police registered a case on a complaint by Anand Babu and took up investigation.

--IANS

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