Monday, March 23

State

Powerful Blast Rocks Transgender Household in Chandauli, Walls Collapse, Panic Ensues
State, Uttar Pradesh

Powerful Blast Rocks Transgender Household in Chandauli, Walls Collapse, Panic Ensues

Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh: Panic erupted late Sunday night in Chandauli district when a massive explosion tore through a three-story house inhabited by transgender individuals in the Moharganj area under Baluwa police jurisdiction. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the blast caused significant structural damage. Blast Shakes Entire NeighborhoodAccording to local reports, the explosion occurred while all residents were asleep. The shockwave was so powerful that parts of the house’s walls collapsed, leaving the building heavily damaged. The loud blast was heard from a considerable distance, alarming neighbors and creating chaos in the vicinity. Residents Escape UnharmedAll occupants, thankfully, escaped unharmed. The sudden explosion startled everyone inside, causing a frenz...
CM Yogi Adityanath Warns SP Over Codeine Cough Syrup Case: ‘Bulldozer Will Act, Just Don’t Shout’
State, Uttar Pradesh

CM Yogi Adityanath Warns SP Over Codeine Cough Syrup Case: ‘Bulldozer Will Act, Just Don’t Shout’

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the Assembly over the contentious Codeine cough syrup case, warning that strict action, including bulldozer operations, would follow. The controversy erupted as SP leaders raised the issue outside the Assembly and during proceedings, alleging hundreds of deaths linked to the misuse of Codeine cough syrup. SP legislators staged protests and accused the government of suppressing the matter. Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana had earlier suggested that the issue be discussed at a later stage. Question Hour DebateDuring Question Hour, SP MLA Atul Pradhan raised the Codeine cough syrup issue, claiming that the main accused in the case had links with the BJP. He alleged that i...
Maharashtra Local Body Elections Witness Rare One-Vote Victories
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Maharashtra Local Body Elections Witness Rare One-Vote Victories

Mumbai: The ruling Maha-Unity alliance in Maharashtra, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), achieved a strong performance in the recently concluded local body elections. Out of 288 municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats, the alliance secured 207 chairperson positions. While many victories were decisive, a few seats saw razor-thin margins, with candidates winning by just a single vote. Historic One-Vote WinsThe elections produced a rare phenomenon where three candidates won by only one vote, drawing attention across the state. BJP’s Sandeep Bhise and Pramila Panchal, along with NCP’s Sunita Rahul Dhore, made headlines for these narrow victories. Sandeep Bhise’s Stunning WinSandeep Bhise of BJP clinched the Chiploon Municipal Co...
Irfan Ansari’s Offer to Nusrat Parveen Sparks Political Debate
Jharkhand, Politics, State

Irfan Ansari’s Offer to Nusrat Parveen Sparks Political Debate

Ranchi: The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Sunday distanced itself from Health Minister Irfan Ansari’s statement offering a job to Muslim doctor Nusrat Parveen, who was reportedly harassed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public event in Patna last week. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey clarified that no provision allows a minister to offer a job with a salary of ₹3 lakh per month. Job Offer ControversyThe JMM spokesperson stated, “I don’t think any minister has the authority to provide a ₹3 lakh-per-month job. However, the issue being sidelined deserves discussion.” He emphasized that the minister’s statement was personal. Responding to Ansari’s remarks, the party invited the doctor to Jharkhand and extended an offer of employment with a ₹3 lakh monthly salary. Ansari had...
BJP MLA Bhairaram Siyol Hails Hanuman Beniwal as Role Model, Hints at Possible RLP Ties
Politics, Rajasthan, State

BJP MLA Bhairaram Siyol Hails Hanuman Beniwal as Role Model, Hints at Possible RLP Ties

Jaipur – In a notable display of cross-party camaraderie, BJP MLA Bhairaram Siyol praised Hanuman Beniwal, the national convenor of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), as his role model and elder brother figure. The remarks were made during the wedding ceremony of Siyol’s son, Akashdeep, rekindling memories of the long-standing friendship between the two prominent Rajasthan leaders. Siyol emphasized Beniwal’s personal qualities, saying, “He has always stood by me in times of joy and sorrow. Even during difficult moments for my family, Beniwal ji never hesitated to support us. His remarkable trait is that he never misleads even his opponents; he practices politics without self-interest or pretense.” Hints at Political Ties with RLPSiyol also hinted at the possibility of closer ties ...
Maharashtra: Former Minister Manikrao Kokate Retains MLA Status as Supreme Court Stays Sentence
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Maharashtra: Former Minister Manikrao Kokate Retains MLA Status as Supreme Court Stays Sentence

Mumbai/New Delhi: Former Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate has received a major legal relief from the Supreme Court, ensuring that his legislative assembly membership remains intact. The top court stayed the sentence handed down by the Nashik court, which had convicted Kokate in a 30-year-old case, threatening both his ministerial post and his MLA status. Background of the CaseManikrao Kokate, a prominent leader from the Maratha community and a close aide of Ajit Pawar, previously served as the Agriculture Minister in the Fadnavis government. He later handled the Sports Department after a controversy arose in the Assembly for playing Rummy on his mobile phone during proceedings. Kokate, a five-time MLA from Nashik, was sentenced to two years in prison in the 1995 Housi...
CM Yogi Launches Sharp Attack on Opposition Over Cough Syrup Case: ‘Two Examples in the Country – One in Delhi, One in Lucknow’
State, Uttar Pradesh

CM Yogi Launches Sharp Attack on Opposition Over Cough Syrup Case: ‘Two Examples in the Country – One in Delhi, One in Lucknow’

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The political heat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly escalated during a debate on the codeine cough syrup case, as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered a scathing response to opposition charges. The controversy erupted after Samajwadi Party MLA Atul Pradhan raised questions about the government’s alleged inaction and the role of officials in the case, asking why the government’s much-publicized “bulldozer” had not acted against those involved. CM Yogi’s Strong RebuttalStanding in the Assembly, CM Yogi sharply countered the opposition, saying, “What is the question? What issues are being raised? The opposition has raised the matter, and you are amplifying it. This is like a thief blaming others.” Without naming anyone, he remarked, “There are two examples in the c...
Rakesh Tikait Protests NCR Green Rules, Warns: ‘Delhi Vehicles Entering UP Won’t Return’
State, Uttar Pradesh

Rakesh Tikait Protests NCR Green Rules, Warns: ‘Delhi Vehicles Entering UP Won’t Return’

Meerut, Uttar Pradesh: Rakesh Tikait, National Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), has strongly opposed the strict pollution-control and green regulations being implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR). He warned that if NCR is sealed from January 1 and farmers’ vehicles are fined for entry into Delhi, the farmers will not tolerate it. Farmers Refuse to Pay FinesTikait declared that any fines imposed on farmers’ vehicles will not be paid. He emphasized in strong terms that “if our vehicles are fined, they will face consequences.” His statement has caused ripples in political and administrative circles. Thousands of Fines Already IssuedTikait claimed that nearly 35,000 vehicles have been fined in Delhi over the past two days, with some penalties reaching ₹20,000 e...
‘Greater Patna’ to Be Developed on NCR Lines; Sonpur and Raghopur to Become High-Tech Satellite Towns
Bihar, State

‘Greater Patna’ to Be Developed on NCR Lines; Sonpur and Raghopur to Become High-Tech Satellite Towns

Patna, Bihar: The Bihar government is planning a major urban development initiative to expand and modernize cities across the state. A proposal is underway to establish new satellite townships in 11 cities, with a broader master plan being drafted for 43 urban centers. Among the key projects is the creation of a high-tech satellite township across the Ganga in Sonpur and Raghopur, envisioned as part of the “Greater Patna” development, modeled on the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Strategic Expansion Across the GangaOfficials from the Urban Development and Housing Department (UHD) stated that nearly 500 acres near the JP Setu (Digha-Sonpur rail-cum-road bridge) will be used to construct the new satellite township. The initiative aims to ease population pressure, traffic congesti...
PM Narendra Modi’s Chadar Offered at Ajmer Sharif on 814th Urs; Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Present
Rajasthan, State

PM Narendra Modi’s Chadar Offered at Ajmer Sharif on 814th Urs; Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Present

Ajmer, Rajasthan: On the occasion of the 814th annual Urs at Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a ceremonial chadar was offered on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, represented the Prime Minister and formally presented the chadar at the revered shrine, following traditional rituals and customs. Dastarbandi and Tabarruk CeremonyAfter presenting the chadar, Minister Rijiju visited the Mahfil Khana, where he was honored with a turban (dastarbandi) and received Tabarruk from the Khadims (custodians of the shrine). He also read aloud a message from the Prime Minister addressed to the nation, symbolizing peace, harmony, and unity. Strict security arrangements were in place across the Dargah premises, with police personnel deployed to ensure the safet...