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Bhopal, June 12 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janasta Party Chief V.D. Sharma has said that former Congress MLA Laxman Singh was punished for daring to "speak truth" which was not received well by the "sycophants" of the Lok Sabha's Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

He added that Congress says that it gives freedom to its party workers to express their views, but the reality is quite the opposite, and expelling former MLA Laxman Singh from the party was an example of it.

The BJP leader made these remarks responding to Congress' decision to expel former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh's younger brother Laxman Singh for his repeated anti-party activities.

"Through expelling Laxman Singh from the party, Congress has sent a message to its party cadre that those who would dare to speak truth will be shown the exit door. Congress wants slaves, and not the leaders, who dare to speak truth," he added.

The Congress Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday expelled Laxman Singh from the party for six years, citing repeated instances of anti-party activities.

The decision came nearly more than a week after Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bhopal on June 3 in which he said that those creating hurdles should step aside on their own or will be expelled from the Congress.

On April 25, Laxman Singh criticised the party leadership following the Pahalgam terror attack.

"Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra are naive. The country is suffering the consequences of their immaturity," he said during a condolence meeting organised to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attack.

In another striking statement that very day, Laxman Singh alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was colluding with terrorists.

Taking note of his remarks, the Congress Disciplinary Action Committee issued him a show cause notice on May 9, demanding an explanation within 10 days.

In the notice, member secretary Tariq Anwar said, "This is to bring to your attention that a complaint has been received from Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary In-charge of Madhya Pradesh Harish Chaudhary regarding your repeated public statements, which have caused serious damage to the image and dignity of the Congress."

"It has further been noted that your recent statement has crossed all acceptable limits, particularly the derogatory and disrespectful remarks directed at senior party leadership, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi," the notice said.

Defiant in his stance, Laxman Singh challenged the Congress to expel him immediately if it deemed his comments unacceptable.

However, his response was found unsatisfactory, prompting the party's disciplinary wing to recommend his removal.

Following approval from the Congress high command, Tariq Anwar formally announced Laxman Singh's expulsion on Tuesday.

The princely state of Raghogarh has long wielded influence in Madhya Pradesh politics, with Digvijaya Singh serving as the Chief Minister before moving to the Rajya Sabha.

His son, Jaivardhan Singh, represents Raghogarh in the State Assembly, while Laxman Singh has served as both a Member of Parliament and a legislator from Chachauda.

Despite his political tenure, he has often been perceived as receiving less prominence than Digvijaya Singh's immediate family.

He also had a brief stint with the BJP.

Tensions simmered in 2018 when Congress returned to power in Madhya Pradesh after 15 years.

Laxman Singh had expected a Ministerial position, given his seniority, but was overlooked in favour of Digvijaya Singh's son, Jaivardhan Singh.

Though he refrained from public dissent at the time, he continued to express his grievances intermittently.

--IANS

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Patna, June 12 (IANS) As Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National President Lalu Prasad Yadav turned 78 on Wednesday, a stream of well-wishers — party workers, supporters, and leaders — flocked to the 10 Circular Road residence of Rabri Devi to wish him on his birthday.

While many greeted the veteran leader in person with gifts and warm messages, others flooded social media with prayers for his health and longevity.

However, all eyes were on Lalu’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, who remained conspicuously silent throughout the day — until late evening, when he finally broke his silence on social media.

At around 5 p.m., Tej Pratap posted a heartfelt birthday message on the social media platform X.

“Heartiest birthday wishes to the leader of the people, voice of the poor, my guide Lalu Prasad. You are not just my father, but you are a movement that inspires justice, courage, and change. Taking your ideology forward is not only my responsibility but my religion,” Tej Pratap posted.

The timing and tone of the message were closely watched, especially amid the strained relationship between father and son.

Lalu Yadav is reportedly upset with Tej Pratap over the controversial Anushka Yadav episode, which led to the latter's six-year expulsion from the RJD and his exclusion from the family. Since then, the two have not met publicly.

Sources close to the family indicate that Lalu Yadav appeared visibly disappointed during the day, possibly due to Tej Pratap’s absence — a sentiment evident on his face as numerous guests came and went without any sign of his elder son.

Just a day before the birthday, Tej Pratap shared a symbolic message on Instagram, posting a picture of himself gazing at a photograph of his father with the caption: “The darker the darkness, the closer the morning.”

His message on Wednesday, while emotionally resonant, did little to dispel the public perception of a deep rift within the political family.

As the RJD gears up for the coming Bihar Assembly elections, the strained personal ties between Lalu Prasad and Tej Pratap could have wider implications — both politically and emotionally — for the party.

--IANS

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Kolkata, June 12 (IANS) Shweta Khan alias Fultusi, the prime accused behind the West Bengal porn racket case, was finally arrested by the West Bengal Police on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the policemen first arrested her son Aryan Khan and then her daughter Zoya Khan, a co-accused in the porn racket case.

Based on the questioning of Aryan and Zoya, state police sources said the whereabouts of their mother were available and based on that she was also arrested late Wednesday evening from a hideout in the Alipore area in south Kolkata.

The main charges against Shweta, Aryan, and Zoya are holding a woman from the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal captive for six months and brutally assaulting her with an iron rod after she refused to participate in pornographic video shoots allegedly orchestrated by the three accused.

Since Zoya is a minor, her case will be processed under the Juvenile Justice Act and referred to the Juvenile Justice Board.

Meanwhile, Aryan has denied his involvement in the porn rackets and said that he had a relationship with the victim woman who wanted to marry him.

Police action has intensified after the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the incident and wrote to the West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, demanding immediate arrests under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The NCW also instructed the state police to ensure that the victim receives free medical treatment and psychological counselling.

Additionally, the Commission has directed the DGP to submit a detailed action-taken report within three days.

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister, Sukanta Majumdar, has alleged that Shweta Khan has close links with several senior leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool Congress has not yet responded to the allegations.

--IANS

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Chennai, June 11 (IANS) Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has called upon the Tamil Nadu government to cooperate with the Centre in continuing scientific research at the Keeladi excavation site, emphasising the need for robust and verifiable evidence before drawing historical conclusions.

Responding to political criticism surrounding the alleged delay in releasing reports of earlier excavation phases, the Union Minister in a post on social media platform X said, "We have never hesitated to release any report. In fact, if such findings are scientifically substantiated and accepted by the academic community, we would be proud to celebrate them along with the Tamil Nadu government."

He noted, however, that the current data emerging from the Keeladi excavations still require more scientifically valid and internationally acceptable evidence.

"We must allow the research process to evolve with integrity. Rather than rushing to politicise preliminary archaeological data, we are committed to extending all support to the scientific community so that further exploration can yield stronger evidence," he said.

Union Minister Shekhawat also questioned the Tamil Nadu government's reluctance to cooperate with Central authorities on this matter.

"It is difficult to understand why the state is hesitant to collaborate. Our appeal is simple — allow the research to continue unhindered so that authentic historical narratives can emerge."

Reaffirming the Union government's stand on cultural integration, Union Minister Shekhawat said, "Tamil Nadu is an integral part of Bharat. Its civilisational glory must be celebrated not through divisive sentiments but through honest and evidence-based understanding of its heritage."

The Union Minister's statement comes in the backdrop of ongoing controversy over the Keeladi excavation reports, particularly Phases 2 and 3, which were conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India but are yet to be made public.

Tamil Nadu political leaders have accused the Centre of deliberately withholding findings that highlight an advanced ancient Tamil civilisation.

The Centre, however, maintains that it is committed to transparency, provided the research meets global academic scrutiny.

The debate continues to fuel tensions between the state and Centre over historical narratives and their implications for regional identity and national unity.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, June 11 (IANS) With the sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in different areas of Odisha's Jajpur district, the state Health and Family Welfare department, on Wednesday, launched an intensive field operations in the district on a war footing to contain the outbreak that has so far claimed three lives.

"Upon receipt of reports from the Jajpur district regarding people affected with diarrhoea getting admitted to hospitals, we have constituted a state-level multi-sectoral team comprising doctors, microbiologists, food safety inspectors and sent them to Jajpur. They have already reached there and started an investigation to find out the cause of the outbreak," said health department secretary, Aswathy S.

She also added that additional teams of doctors have been sent to the district for treatment of patients admitted to the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital and other peripheral hospitals.

The Director of Public Health Services, Nilaknatha Mishra, has also rushed to the district to ensure coordinated efforts by all the stakeholders to rein in the sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in different parts of Jajpur district.

As per an official statement of the health department, different teams are in action in the affected and surrounding areas of Dharmashala, Vyasanagar municipality, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei blocks of Jajpur district.

The state and district teams in convergence are monitoring the ground situation closely.

The director of Public Health services said that all patients and sporadic cases in adjoining places are being quickly attended to by rapid action teams constituted at district level.

He along with two Rapid Action Teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, Joint Director integrated disease surveillance programme from state level have reached the area; and have started field operation in coordination with the Jajpur Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer.

"Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and hospital in Jajpur are looking into treatment of the critical cases. Six medicine specialists from SCB, Medical college and hospital in Cuttack have also been deputed to the district. The infected people have been admitted in Dharmashala, Jajpur Road, and Danagadi Community Health Centres and Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital. The critical patients are also being treated at SCB Medical College and hospital, Cuttack," said the state Health department.

It also added that hospitals in the districts have been equipped with additional manpower, sufficient medicines, saline fluids, injections, etc, to combat the disease.

The Superintendent of SCB Medical College has been asked to remain alert about proper treatment of the referral cases.

"The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation teams are working for disinfection of the drinking water sources. Food inspecting teams and disease surveillance teams are working at the ground level to combat water-borne disease. The grassroot level service providers like health sub-centres, ASHA Karmies, AWC karmies and multi-purpose health workers have been supplied with halogen tablets, medicines, ORS packets and awareness materials for distribution among the people," the department noted.

The state government has advised the people to take all precautionary measures, such as avoid outside foods, drink safe water, and adhere to hygienic practices.

As per the Jajpur district administration, more than 200 patients have been admitted to different hospitals of the district during the past two days while two persons from Jajpur district and one from Anandpur in Keonjhar district have died till now.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his write-up in a daily in which he alleged that Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy.

CM Fadnavis in his reaction said: “Rahul Gandhi has accepted his defeat in Bihar! As long as Rahul Gandhi keeps giving himself false assurances, his party can never win. By making such baseless remarks, Rahul Gandhi has insulted the voters of Maharashtra, and for this, I strongly condemn him.”

On the other hand, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora also targeted Rahul Gandhi. He said: “Blaming the Election Commission or EVMs months after losing reeks of sour grapes. Instead of peddling conspiracy theories, the Opposition should take a long, hard look in the mirror. After all, a bad carpenter always blames his tools.”

Earlier, Congress in-charge (Maharashtra) Ramesh Chennithala claimed that the state's democracy was not defeated but it was butchered.

Strongly defending Rahul Gandhi’s observations in his write-up, he said that with irrefutable facts and unflinching clarity the leader of opposition has exposed a chilling truth. “The mandate of the people in Maharashtra was hijacked — not by the will of the voters, but through manipulation, deceit, and a systematic assault on democratic institutions,” he alleged.

“Rahul Gandhi’s powerful expose is not merely an article — it is a wake-up call. It exposes how Maharashtra, once a proud torchbearer of democratic values, has become a cautionary tale of how institutions can be compromised, how power can be snatched instead of earned, and how silence can become complicity. This is no longer about one state or one election. It is about the soul of our democracy,” said Chennithala.

“We urge the Election Commission to break its silence. The people of Maharashtra — and of India — deserve answers.We call upon every citizen to stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay united. For if we allow such subversion to go unchecked, we may soon lose not just elections — but the very freedoms that define us,” he added.

Further, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal said that Rahul Gandhi’s article sparked a political earthquake and asked why there is no probe into Maharashtra Assembly election fixing.

“Why are BJP leaders Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis answering questions meant for the Election Commission? Why is the Commission silent? The ‘Maharashtra Pattern’ of vote tampering is a conspiracy to be used in Bihar, Mumbai civic polls, and upcoming local body elections,” he alleged.

He announced that the Congress would hold torchlight protests across Maharashtra on June 12.

--IANS

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Bhopal, June 7 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday said that all public beneficiary schemes introduced by his predecessor and former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will continue.

Chief Minister Yadav reiterated this while addressing a programme organised by the state government in Sehore district, in the presence of Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

"The opposition (Congress) always questions our intention. In the presence of ex-CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, let me make it clear that no scheme introduced during his tenure will be stopped. We together will make efforts to arrange adequate funds for all the schemes," CM Yadav said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also indicated that his government is considering for increasing monthly installment of 'Ladli Behna Yojana', the much-talked about women-centric scheme which was introduced by Shivraj Chouhan ahead of the state Assembly elections in 2023.

"Rakshabandhan festival is coming and let me take this opportunity to announce that Madhya Pradesh government is going to increase cash benefit to women under Ladli Behna Yojana up to Rs 3,000 against Rs 1,250 at present," Yadav said.

Sehore district, which is located near the state capital Bhopal, is home district of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and it falls under Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency being represented by him.

During the programme, Mohan Yadav and Shivraj Chouhan jointly laid the foundation of several projects worth more than Rs 130 crore.

While addressing the programme, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated complete support and cooperation to CM Yadav, saying he believes that his successor would do a better job than him for the growth of the state.

"I am not the one who would say I have done this and that. I will be happier if Mohan Yadav do better than me for the people of Madhya Pradesh," Shivraj Singh Chouhan said while addressing a public rally in Sehore.

Meanwhile, he also mentioned that his padyatra carried out in his hometown Budhni was presented in a 'wrong way'. He said that some mediapersons had made assessments on their own.

"But, let me make it clear that the party's instructions are important. Mohan Yadav is Chief Minister, and I am Union Agriculture Minister," he said. Speaking further, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that being a public representative, he must come to visit the people of his constituency, and it should not be interpreted otherwise.

"But some mediapersons tried to speculate that in another way which was totally wrong," the Union Minister said.

He was referring to a two-day 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Padyatra' in the Vidisha constituency which was organised in May to highlight the welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Along with many of his supporters, his family members including son and daughter-in-law had also participated on the second day of padyatra.

--IANS

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Ludhiana, June 7 (IANS) BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday demanded that the Election Commission of India immediately ban election campaigning by AAP leaders who are facing criminal charges in Punjab’s bypoll.

Taking strong exception to the campaigning being conducted by Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, the BJP demanded that they be prohibited from entering the Ludhiana (East) Assembly constituency. Chugh said Kejriwal has been plotting a backdoor entry into the Rajya Sabha from Punjab, and his “dubious political games are a grave insult to the people of Punjab”.

Demanding intervention by the ECI, Chugh reiterated that AAP leaders facing serious criminal allegations should be barred from campaigning in the constituency. Chugh also campaigned across various wards of the constituency, appealing to voters to strengthen Prime Minister Modi's vision for Punjab, particularly for the welfare of farmers.

He further urged the Ludhiana administration not to succumb to the pressure exerted by individuals like Kejriwal, who are under trial for corruption-related charges in Delhi.

The BJP has fielded Jiwan Gupta for the four-cornered by-election on June 19. The state’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in February announced Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as its candidate for the seat that fell vacant following the demise of sitting party MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. The 58-year-old legislator died after sustaining a gunshot wound to his head at his house in January.

For the by-election, the main Opposition Congress has fielded former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is being accused in a multi-crore foodgrain transportation and labour cartage tender scam.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has nominated Parupkar Singh Ghuman for the bypoll.

In the 2022 Assembly election, the AAP won the Ludhiana West seat with 34.36 per cent vote share. Gogi had secured 40,443 votes as compared to his nearest rival from the Congress, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who got 32,931 votes with 28.06 per cent vote share.

--IANS

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Patna, June 7 (IANS) Amid growing speculation about his return to Bihar politics, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Saturday dropped hints of contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, saying the final decision rests with the party’s Parliamentary Board.

Chirag Paswan, who arrived in Patna to a warm reception by party workers, stated that contesting Bihar Assembly elections would be a strategic move aimed at strengthening his party’s position and boosting the strike rate of the NDA.

“Discussions are ongoing about whether or not I will contest the Assembly elections. The final decision will be taken by the Parliamentary Board,” Chirag Paswan said without providing a direct answer but clearly signalling openness to the idea.

Chirag Paswan had previously expressed his desire to return to active Bihar politics, and senior party leaders — including Jamui MP and his brother-in-law Arun Bharti — have endorsed him as the "hope of Bihar’s people" and the potential CM face of the party.

However, Chirag Paswan has firmly denied any ambition to replace Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, emphasising that his priority is to strengthen the NDA.

“Some people within the alliance are trying to spread confusion by suggesting I have my eyes on the CM's chair. I want to clarify -- if I contest, it will be to energise the party workers and increase our alliance’s strike rate, not for personal ambition,” he said.

Paswan also drew parallels with the BJP, pointing out that senior leaders and even Union Ministers often contest state elections to rally support on the ground.

Speaking on the rising crime in Bihar, the Union Minister acknowledged the public concern and assured that he has conveyed his apprehensions to the state administration.

“Yes, there have been worrying incidents in Bihar. I am not in the state government and don’t have MLAs, but I’m part of the broader policy-making ecosystem. I’ve shared my concerns with the government. I would be visiting Muzaffarpur to meet the family affected by the recent gruesome incident of rape.”

Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan also lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been vocal against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He dismissed Gandhi’s repeated allegations of EVM tampering and match-fixing in elections.

“When the Congress loses, they blame EVMs. Rahul Gandhi should introspect why, despite ruling for nearly 55 years, the public continues to reject the Congress,” Paswan said.

He also criticised the Opposition’s attacks on Prime Minister Modi, saying: “The opposition has no concrete issues to raise. Simply speaking against the Prime Minister without substance does no good.”

Chirag Paswan reiterated his unwavering support for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, saying the goal is to form a stronger government than before under his leadership.

“This is not about individuals; it’s about the alliance. I fully support CM Nitish Kumar. The NDA will return to power with a stronger mandate,” he said.

--IANS

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