The Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not condemning US-Israeli air assaults on Iran, with Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanding a detailed Parliament discussion on the escalating West Asia crisis.

Not a single word of condemnation of US-Israel assault, just 'dialogue-baazi': Congress on PM's speech

The Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not condemning US-Israeli air assaults on Iran, with Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanding a detailed Parliament discussion on the escalating West Asia crisis.

The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not condemning the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran as it slammed his statement in the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, calling it "a master class in self-boasts, cowardice and partisan dialogue-baazi".
Expressing concern over the prime minister's "invocation of Covid" in his speech, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government's response to the pandemic had been "catastrophic" and the nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes of that time when people walked barefoot for hundreds of kilometres and "thousands died without oxygen".
In his statement, the prime minister on Monday called for a united approach, as was visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, to tide over the West Asia crisis.
The principal opposition party also demanded a discussion on the West Asia crisis in Parliament so that all sides are heard.
"The prime minister's uncharacteristically short speech in the Lok Sabha today was, as usual, a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi," Ramesh said in his post on X.
"Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran. Iran&rsquo;s attack on the Gulf countries and the Strait of Hormuz are, to be sure, completely unacceptable - but so is the relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse," the Congress leader said.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed that Prime Minister Modi did not say anything new in his statement on the West Asia situation in the Lok Sabha and demanded a discussion in Parliament so all sides can put forward their views.
"He informed the country about the situation, did not say anything new," she said outside Parliament House complex.
"The notice we have given for discussion should happen so that we can also reply and all sides can put forward their views. It would be good if a discussion happens in Parliament," the Congress general secretary said.
Reaffirming India's unwavering commitment to humanity and peace, the prime minister said in the Lok Sabha that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path to resolution and every Indian effort is directed at de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities in West Asia.
Addressing apprehensions of fuel shortage, he said the government is in constant touch with suppliers from various countries to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible and informed that all power plants in the country have adequate coal stock. He also said that India is well prepared in terms of food security.
He recalled how even during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated global supply chain disruptions, when urea prices soared to Rs 3,000 per bag in international markets, the government ensured that Indian farmers received the same bag at less than Rs 300.
He urged the country to unite just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Urging patience, restraint, and vigilance, and cautioning against those who may seek to exploit the situation by spreading falsehoods, engaging in black-marketing, or hoarding, Modi appealed through the House to all state governments to ensure strict monitoring and swift action against such elements.
Responding to the prime minister's statement, Ramesh said he also continued his "bluster on India&rsquo;s economic growth record". A few days ago, he said, the PM's own former Chief Economic Advisor went on record warning that India&rsquo;s economic growth in Modi&rsquo;s tenure was significantly overestimated.
"The PM seems to believe that if he doesn&rsquo;t engage with this very credible and disturbing report, he can wish it away," he said.
"Finally, the PM&rsquo;s invocation of the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. His government&rsquo;s response was uniquely catastrophic. The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then - lakhs of migrants walking barefoot to their homes, thousands dying from oxygen shortages, and millions left unemployed. We can only hope there is more preparedness this time," the Congress leader said in his post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting with senior ministers to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics, and monitor global energy disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict.

West Asia conflict: PM Modi calls ministerial meeting to review energy situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting with senior ministers to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics, and monitor global energy disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting Sunday evening with senior ministers to take stock of petroleum, power, and fertiliser sectors in view of the evolving West Asia situation, sources have said.
The focus of the meeting is to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and efficient distribution across the country, and the government is taking proactive steps to this end, they said.
Continuous monitoring of global developments to protect consumer and industry interests is the key focus of the government, they said.
On March 12, Modi said that the war in West Asia has triggered a worldwide energy crisis, posing a critical test of national character that requires dealing with circumstances through peace, patience, and increased public awareness.
The prime minister emphasised that his government is working relentlessly to address disruptions that have emerged in international supply chains.
"Continuous efforts are also underway to determine how we can overcome the disruptions that have occurred in the supply chain," Modi said.
The prime minister has spoken to many global leaders since the West Asia conflict started on February 28, with the US and Israel attacking Iran.
Iran has retaliated by attacking Israel and several of its Gulf neighbours.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which 20 per cent of the world's energy is transported. Since the conflict, very few ships have been allowed by Iran to cross it.
The blockade has resulted in severe disruptions in energy supply to many countries, including India.
Since the conflict, Modi has had telephonic conversations with leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France, Malaysia, Israel and Iran.

Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi outlines party’s election strategy, focus on marginalized communities, independent contesting, open candidate selection, and upcoming Kejriwal-Mann visit.

AAP Gujarat prepares for local elections, Kejriwal-Mann to address key issues

Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi outlines party&rsquo;s election strategy, focus on marginalized communities, independent contesting, open candidate selection, and upcoming Kejriwal-Mann visit.

Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Isudan Gadhvi on Sunday addressed the media, detailing the party&rsquo;s priorities and preparations ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections.
Gadhvi said that during their visit to Gujarat, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will address issues affecting the poor, deprived, exploited, and tribal communities. &ldquo;They will address the gathering on these issues,&rdquo; he added.
He noted that the party&rsquo;s screening committee has held three days of meetings, during which discussions with senior leadership took place. A first list of candidates is expected to be released soon. Gadhvi said the party follows its own strategy and highlighted that discussions for many seats are ongoing in a second phase, covering over 10,000 seats across municipalities and district panchayats. Detailed deliberations will take place during the upcoming meetings with Kejriwal, Mann, the state leadership, and various committees.
Gadhvi also emphasised that, for the first time, the party has adopted an open process to allow common citizens to contest elections. &ldquo;Applications were invited from candidates, and many people have come forward,&rdquo; he said, describing it as a &ldquo;new beginning&rdquo; for wider representation.
While referring to practices in other parties, Gadhvi contrasted AAP&rsquo;s approach by stating that it provides equal opportunities to all candidates and that the party will contest elections independently, without forming alliances.
He further said that a decision regarding the Umreth Assembly by-election will also be made soon and will be discussed with Kejriwal and Mann during their visit.

AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann will undertake a four-day Gujarat tour, addressing rallies and reviewing candidates ahead of local elections.

Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann to visit Gujarat for 4-day outreach ahead of local polls

AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann will undertake a four-day Gujarat tour, addressing rallies and reviewing candidates ahead of local elections.

Ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections in Gujarat, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will undertake a four-day visit to the state, during which they are scheduled to address multiple public meetings and interact with party leaders.
Announcing the programme at a press conference, Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi said the visit will begin on March 24, with both leaders arriving in Rajkot in the evening. A meeting with the state leadership is scheduled the same day to review organisational matters and election preparations.
According to the party&rsquo;s itinerary, a public programme will be held in Amreli on March 25. This will be followed by a &ldquo;Vijay Vishwas Sammelan&rdquo; on March 26 in Lalpur of Jamnagar district. The event is being organised with a focus on farmers&rsquo; issues and is expected to draw a large gathering, where the senior leadership will address party workers and the public.
The tour will conclude on March 27 with a major public meeting in Dahod. Party leaders indicated that a large turnout is anticipated at the event, with estimates ranging from tens of thousands of attendees.
Gadhvi said the four-day tour is part of the party&rsquo;s broader outreach strategy in the run-up to the local body elections, with an emphasis on strengthening grassroots presence and engaging directly with voters across different regions of the state.
He also noted that the party&rsquo;s screening committee recently concluded a three-day meeting, during which several candidate names were finalised. These shortlisted names will be discussed with Kejriwal and Mann during their visit before the final announcement.
The visit is expected to combine organisational review with public campaigning, as the party steps up its preparations for the upcoming elections.

The Supreme Court of India refused to hear a plea seeking removal of remarks from an NCERT textbook, stating that criticism of judicial decisions is a democratic right. The Centre also informed about an expert panel to review the content.

'People have the right to criticise judgments,' says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India refused to hear a plea seeking removal of remarks from an NCERT textbook, stating that criticism of judicial decisions is a democratic right. The Centre also informed about an expert panel to review the content.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking removal of a remark against its verdicts from NCERT's old class 8 Social Science textbook, saying that people have a right to criticise them.
The Centre, meanwhile, informed a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi that it had constituted an expert committee comprising two former apex court judges and an ex-attorney general to review the NCERT book with a chapter on corruption in the judiciary.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that the committee comprises senior advocate and former Attorney General KK Venugopal, former top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra, and former Supreme Court judge and current National Judicial Academy director Justice Aniruddha Bose, along with a vice chancellor.
"We have formed the committee to draft the chapter. Mr KK Venugopal will be a member of the committee. Justice Indu Malhotra will also be a part. We have also requested Justice Aniruddha Bose from the National Judicial Academy to be there," Mehta said.
The top court was hearing a petition by former NCERT member Pankaj Pushkar against a passage in an older class 8 textbook that read, "recent judgments tend to view the slum dweller as an encroacher in the city."
The court refused to entertain the petition, observing that the judiciary should not be oversensitive about healthy criticism.
"It's a viewpoint about a judgment. That's a healthy criticism. Why the judiciary should be so oversensitive about that. This part of the book points out what is the structure of the judiciary, how they work, what they have done, some good has also been highlighted.
"Then they say, however, there are also court judgments that people believe work against the best interests of common persons. This is a viewpoint about a judgment, people have a right to criticise our judgments," the CJI observed orally.

India’s LPG supply remains under pressure due to disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, though panic bookings have started to decline. The government continues to prioritise household consumption while restricting supply to commercial users.

LPG crunch continues, supplies rationalised for commercial users

India&rsquo;s LPG supply remains under pressure due to disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, though panic bookings have started to decline. The government continues to prioritise household consumption while restricting supply to commercial users.

LPG supply crunch continued for the third straight week on Friday, but there was some easing in bookings for refills, in signs of things slowly crawling towards normalcy.
However, concerns persist as supply restrictions on commercial consumers, including hotels, remain in place due to ongoing disruptions in input supplies caused by the West Asia conflict.
The war in the Middle East, triggered by the US and Israel attacks on Iran, has led to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz -- the critical shipping lane through which India gets 60 per cent of its imports.
The overnight wiping away of such large volumes led to the government prioritising supplies to domestic household kitchens.
Supplies to commercial establishments were initially stopped, but later restored to a fifth of their requirement.
This triggered panic buying by domestic users, fearing that the availability of their gas cylinders too may be rationalised.
Panic booking peaked at 87.7 lakh on March 13 but fell thereafter.
At a media briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said on March 19, around 55 lakh bookings were made, down from 57 lakh on the previous day.
Pre-war average booking per day was 50-55 lakh.
"Panic booking is coming down," she said, adding that the government continues to prioritise the supply of available LPG to domestic households.
However, "LPG (supply) situation remains worrisome, but there is no dry out at any LPG distributor," she said.
She said in the last week, 11,300 tonnes of commercial LPG were given to commercial establishments.
Sharma said domestic LPG production has increased by over 40 per cent in the last two weeks, and the three public sector oil marketing companies have been making normal, pre-war levels of daily deliveries of LPG refills.
"LPG cylinder delivery continues to be normal," she said.
To curb black marketing and hoarding, raids and surprise inspections continue.
As many as 4,500 raids were conducted on Friday, while oil companies conducted 1,800 surprise inspections of petrol pumps and LPG distributorships.
State governments have been asked to set up monitoring and enforcement, she said.
"Situation is still worrisome, but we are maintaining supplies at a normal level for domestic users," she said.
Asking consumers to wait for home delivery of their refill after booking, she said they should also explore alternate fuels to ease pressure on cooking gas LPG.
In addition, customers near a city gas network are being encouraged to shift to piped natural gas - a convenient alternative to LPG as the fuel continuously travels through pipes to household kitchens without the botheration of refill bookings.
In 15 geographical areas (GAs), 13,700 connections have been given, and 7,000 consumers have shifted from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG).
Besides, alternate fuels such as kerosene are being promoted, she said, adding commercial LPG stocks have been placed with states for using them as per their priority list.

Security has been intensified across Delhi ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with heavy police deployment, surveillance, and special measures in sensitive areas following tensions linked to the Uttam Nagar killing incident.

Delhi on high alert ahead of Eid; heavy security in Dwarka

Security has been intensified across Delhi ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with heavy police deployment, surveillance, and special measures in sensitive areas following tensions linked to the Uttam Nagar killing incident.

With Eid-ul-Fitr a day away, security has been stepped up across Southwest Delhi's Dwarka district, as the Uttam Nagar area remains tense after the March 4 killing.
Police said more than 100 pickets have been set up, with personnel deployed on rooftops and at key junctions to maintain a close watch on movement in sensitive pockets.
Security has been tightened around the Uttam Nagar East metro station following directions from the Delhi High Court after apprehensions of unrest during the festival.
"We have made detailed deployment plans and are ready to respond swiftly to any situation," an officer said.
The HC order was passed on a PIL filed by a civil rights group, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, which approached the high court to prevent "imminent communal violence" on Eid in Uttam Nagar.
A civil society group comprising eminent Muslims wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday over "open threats" to the Muslim community in Uttam Nagar, and urged him to pass special instructions to the police to take strict action.
Meanwhile, force has been mounted in Hastsal village, where the killing took place, and nearby areas, with joint deployment of Delhi Police and central armed forces.
On March 4, the day of Holi, Tarun, 26, was killed in a clash between two neighbouring families in Uttam Nagar's JJ Colony.
The altercation, police said, was triggered after a water balloon thrown by a girl from one family accidentally hit a woman from the other.
The incident led to protests by some groups, and two vehicles linked to the accused were set on fire.
The police have so far apprehended 14 people, including two minors, in connection with the case.
The police said security focus has been sharpened around mosques, Eidgahs and other places of congregation where large crowds are expected.
Area domination exercises, including foot patrols and vehicle checks, are being carried out regularly.
Monitoring of social media has also been intensified to track and curb the spread of inflammatory content, the police said, adding that several objectionable posts have already been flagged and acted upon.
"Delhi Police has put in place comprehensive security arrangements to ensure that Eid is celebrated in a safe, peaceful and harmonious environment across the city," the city force said on X.
The police said that any attempt to disturb public peace and communal harmony will attract legal action.
"Let us celebrate responsibly and contribute to maintaining peace and unity," the statement added.
Areas with mixed populations have been categorised as sensitive and are under constant watch.
Apart from ground deployment, police teams have been positioned at elevated points in select locations to enhance surveillance.
Police presence notwithstanding, unease persists among locals.
Pradeep Shukla, president of the Uttam Nagar RWA, said the visible security presence has brought a sense of control, but anxiety remains.
"There is heavy barricading, and movement has reduced. It feels unusually quiet. People are still worried, but we are hoping things remain peaceful," he said.

India strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrike on a Kabul hospital that reportedly killed over 400 people, calling it a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.

India 'unequivocally' condemns Pakistan's 'barbaric' airstrike on Kabul rehab centre

India strongly condemned Pakistan&rsquo;s airstrike on a Kabul hospital that reportedly killed over 400 people, calling it a blatant assault on Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.

India on Tuesday "unequivocally" condemned Pakistan's "barbaric" airstrike on a drug treatment centre in Kabul and described it as a "blatant assault" on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a threat to regional peace and stability.
In a strong reaction to the last night's attack that reportedly killed over 400 people, New Delhi accused Pakistan of trying to "dress up a massacre as a military operation."
It said the strike reflects Islamabad's persistent pattern of "reckless behaviour" and its repeated attempts to "externalise internal failures."
Afghan media reported that over 400 people were killed and more than 250 others injured in the Pakistani airstrikes on the Omid Addiction Treatment hospital.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India "unequivocally condemns Pakistan's barbaric airstrike" on the hospital in Kabul.
"This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target," it said.
The MEA said Pakistan is now trying to "dress up a massacre as a military operation."
"This heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is also a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability," it said in a statement.
"It reflects Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalize internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders," it said.
New Delhi said the international community must hold the perpetrators of the criminal act accountable and ensure that Pakistan's "wanton targeting" of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay.
"That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible," the MEA said.
"There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients," it said.
The MEA said India extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this "tragic moment," it said.
"We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan," it added.
The latest Pakistani strikes came as Operation Ghazab lil Haq, launched on February 26, continued, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Pakistan said it launched the military offensive in response to alleged attacks by the Afghan Taliban forces along the 2,600-km-long border.

The Centre told the Bombay High Court it is taking all necessary domestic and international steps to tackle LPG shortages amid the West Asia conflict, prompting the court to dispose of a petition by distributors.

Attempts underway on domestic, international fronts to address LPG shortage: Centre tells HC

The Centre told the Bombay High Court it is taking all necessary domestic and international steps to tackle LPG shortages amid the West Asia conflict, prompting the court to dispose of a petition by distributors.

The central government on Tuesday assured the Bombay High Court that it is making all attempts on domestic and international fronts to address the hardship caused by the LPG shortage amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The Nagpur bench of the court accepted the Centre's submission and disposed of the petition filed by LPG distributors, noting that it is taking "all the necessary steps in the matter to protect the interests of individuals".
The court on March 12 issued notices to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and a private firm in connection with a petition filed by six LPG distributors seeking an increased supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders amid the energy crisis caused by the Iran war.
The court also directed that the storage and supply of LPG for domestic consumption shall be in accordance with the prevailing policy.
The petitioners claimed that the Nagpur-headquartered Confidence Petroleum India Ltd had failed to increase the supply of household LPG cylinders despite the Centre's directive prioritising domestic distribution.
The petition, filed through advocates Shyam Dewani and Sahil Dewani, claimed that the war had disrupted global crude supply, leading to constraints in LPG production.
Following this, the ministry had directed that LPG production and supply to domestic consumers be given priority.
Union government's Under Secretary (LPG) Ramesh Krishna submitted an affidavit in the Nagpur bench of the high court, informing that the Centre was making all possible attempts domestically and internationally to ensure that no hardship is caused to anyone and the distribution and availability remains smooth.
It also said that there are emerging changes in the international position and the government of India is monitoring the situation and taking all remedial measures to ensure that such crises at the international level may not affect our country.
The situation under such circumstances always remains ever-evolving and it would essentially be for the central government to take steps domestically and internationally in the interest of its citizens, the affidavit said.
By the very nature of the subject matter, it may not be desirable to discuss or debate these issues in the court proceedings, it added.
The Centre submitted that if there are any local issues which may be the result of an individual dereliction of duty or breach of law of any wholesale or retail distributor, strict actions are being taken and shall continue to be taken by the competent authority.
"Considering the nature of the subject matter and its impact which is not confined to jurisdictions of few districts, it is desirable that the court may be pleased to leave it to the Union of India and the respective state governments to deal with the situation to the best manner in the large public interest," the affidavit said.
The central government, with its assurances and undertaking, requested the court to close the proceedings along with the suo motu proceedings.
Advocate Dewani told PTI that the central government submitted an affidavit in the HC.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing via video-conference, informed the court that it was making all attempts on domestic and international levels to address the hardship caused by the shortage of LPG.
Steps are being taken to ensure that the international crisis does not affect India, he said.
Urging the court to dispose of the petition by LPG dealers who claimed that exports were being prioritised over domestic supply, Mehta said negotiations are being held at the diplomatic level.
"The court can consider closing this (petition) trusting the government. Individual issues can be taken up by the state government," he said.
The bench said, "In view of the statement made in the Centre's affidavit, it is evident that the government is taking all the necessary steps in the matter to protect the interests of individuals. In that view of the matter, nothing survives in this petition."

The Mamata Banerjee–Suvendu Adhikari rivalry shifts to Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into the epicentre of West Bengal’s 2026 election battle, with voter roll revisions adding a new political dimension.

Mamata vs Suvendu: Bhabanipur set for ‘mother of all electoral battles’ in repeat of 2021 rivalry

The Mamata Banerjee&ndash;Suvendu Adhikari rivalry shifts to Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into the epicentre of West Bengal&rsquo;s 2026 election battle, with voter roll revisions adding a new political dimension.

The political rivalry in Nandigram that defined West Bengal&rsquo;s 2021 assembly polls is set to return to centre stage in a new arena, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee locking horns with her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, turning the Kolkata seat into the likely epicentre of the 2026 electoral battle.
With the TMC supremo contesting from Bhabanipur and the BJP fielding Leader of Opposition Adhikari against her, the contest has quickly acquired the character of a prestige fight -- not merely for a seat in the Assembly but for political supremacy in a state where the rivalry between the two leaders has come to symbolise the broader TMC-BJP confrontation.
In the 2021 polls, Adhikari stunned Banerjee in Nandigram by a slim margin of 1,956 votes, a defeat that forced the CM to subsequently enter the Assembly through a by-election from Bhabanipur, a seat considered her stronghold.
Five years later, the duel has been relocated to that very bastion.
&ldquo;This time we will win Bhabanipur with the maximum number of votes,&rdquo; Banerjee said when asked about the BJP challenge, asserting that the saffron party would see its numbers decline in next month&rsquo;s election.
Political observers say the BJP&rsquo;s decision to field Adhikari from Bhabanipur, in addition to his traditional seat Nandigram, is a calculated attempt to convert the constituency into the symbolic battlefield of the election, recreating the psychological theatre of Nandigram but on the chief minister&rsquo;s home turf.
Bhabanipur has been one of the TMC&rsquo;s safest urban strongholds since the party came to power in 2011. The constituency houses Banerjee&rsquo;s residence and has repeatedly returned her to the Assembly.
After her defeat in Nandigram in 2021, senior TMC leader Shovandeb Chattopadhyay vacated the seat to allow Banerjee to contest the by-election. She returned to the Assembly with a commanding margin of more than 58,000 votes and nearly 72 per cent of the vote share.
Yet, in the run-up to the 2026 polls, Bhabanipur has unexpectedly emerged as a constituency under intense political scrutiny.
The SIR of electoral rolls has added a fresh political dimension to the contest. In Bhabanipur, more than 47,000 names have been removed from the voters&rsquo; list -- 44,786 at the draft stage and another 2,324 in the next level. Over 14,000 electors remain &lsquo;under adjudication&rsquo; pending judicial scrutiny.
The scale of deletions has acquired political significance as it is roughly 11,000 fewer than the over 58,000-vote margin with which Banerjee had won the bypoll in 2021, a comparison already fuelling competing narratives between the ruling TMC and the BJP over the potential electoral impact of the roll revision.
In contrast, around 11,000 names have been struck off the voters&rsquo; list in Nandigram, represented by Adhikari.
Banerjee has been a vocal critic of the revision exercise, alleging attempts to manipulate electoral rolls, while BJP leaders argue that the clean-up will make the contest more transparent.
For the BJP, fielding Adhikari from Bhabanipur is as much a psychological move as an electoral strategy.
Having already defeated Banerjee once in Nandigram&mdash;a symbolic stronghold of the TMC&rsquo;s land movement politics&mdash;Adhikari&rsquo;s candidature allows the BJP to frame the election as a direct leadership contest between the state&rsquo;s two most prominent political figures.
The BJP leadership has also been steadily building a narrative that Bhabanipur could become competitive in the changed political circumstances.
Adhikari and senior BJP leaders, including former state president Sukanta Majumdar, have made repeated visits to the constituency in recent months, signalling the party&rsquo;s intention to convert the seat into a prestige battle.
The Mamata Banerjee&ndash;Suvendu Adhikari rivalry represents one of the most dramatic political fallouts in Bengal&rsquo;s recent history.
Once among Banerjee&rsquo;s closest lieutenants and a key architect of the TMC&rsquo;s rise in the politically volatile Jangalmahal and coastal belts, Adhikari switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 elections, triggering one of the most high-profile defections in state politics.
His victory over Banerjee in Nandigram became the defining moment of that election, even though the TMC swept the state with a thumping mandate.
The Bhabanipur contest now threatens to revive that narrative, potentially turning a single constituency into a symbolic referendum on the leadership of both camps.
More broadly, the face-off encapsulates the larger dynamics shaping the 2026 West Bengal elections.
The TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, banking on welfare schemes, organisational strength and Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s personal popularity. The BJP, meanwhile, is attempting to revive the aggressive challenger role it played in 2021 by framing the election as a leadership contest against Banerjee.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
But even before the campaign fully gathers momentum, political attention has already converged on Bhabanipur.
For the TMC, retaining the seat would reaffirm the CM&rsquo;s political dominance in her own backyard. For the BJP, wresting it would deliver a political shockwave far beyond the boundaries of a single constituency.
Either way, Bhabanipur has become the stage for what many in Bengal&rsquo;s political circles are already calling the &ldquo;mother of all electoral battles.&rdquo;

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Among the many &lsquo;firsts&rsquo; this Republic Day parade on Tuesday will be the participation of the newly-acquired Rafale fighter jets. A single Rafale aircraft will put on a show on January 26, in what is a highly-anticipated display. Rafale will fly with two Jaguars and two MiG-29s in one of the formations, before performing another manoeuvre to wrap up the flypast. Besides Rafale, 41 other aircraft will be a part of different formations. These include 21 helicopters, 15 fighter jets, five transport aircraft and a vintage Dakota aircraft.

Rafale to make a roaring debut at Republic Day parade

Among the many &lsquo;firsts&rsquo; this Republic Day parade on Tuesday will be the participation of the newly-acquired Rafale fighter jets

Among the many &lsquo;firsts&rsquo; this Republic Day parade on Tuesday will be the participation of the newly-acquired Rafale fighter jets. A single Rafale aircraft will put on a show on January 26, in what is a highly-anticipated display. Rafale will fly with two Jaguars and two MiG-29s in one of the formations, before performing another manoeuvre to wrap up the flypast. Besides Rafale, 41 other aircraft will be a part of different formations. These include 21 helicopters, 15 fighter jets, five transport aircraft and a vintage Dakota aircraft.

Two people, including an Indian national, were killed and three injured in Abu Dhabi after missile debris fell following UAE air defence interceptions amid ongoing Iran-linked attacks.

Indian among two killed in UAE by debris of intercepted missiles, reports say

Two people, including an Indian national, were killed and three injured in Abu Dhabi after missile debris fell following UAE air defence interceptions amid ongoing Iran-linked attacks.

At least two persons, including an Indian, were killed and three others injured on Thursday when debris of missiles intercepted by the UAE's air defence system fell on a street in Abu Dhabi, local media reported.
The second person killed in the incident is a Pakistani national, while the three injured also include an Indian, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.
UAE's air defences are responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran at regular intervals, according to the Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates.
&ldquo;Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems,&rdquo; Abu Dhabi Media Office posted on social media.
&ldquo;The incident has resulted in the deaths of two individuals of Pakistani and Indian nationality, and in injuries ranging from serious to moderate sustained by three individuals of Emirati, Jordanian and Indian nationality,&rdquo; it added.
The total number of deaths has risen to 11 after the latest incident in Abu Dhabi, Gulf News reported.
The UAE air defences systems on 26th March 2026 engaged 15 ballistic missiles and 11 UAVs launched from Iran, the Ministry of Defence said in a social media post on Thursday.
Since the start of the blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,826 UAVs, it added.
&ldquo;The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the martyrdom of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as 8 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities,&rdquo; it said.
A total of 169 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe.
The injured included nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, T&uuml;rkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.
The Ministry of Defence said that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities.

AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, addressed a rally in Amreli, raising governance issues and outlining their agenda ahead of upcoming local elections in Gujarat.

AAP holds Vijay Vishwas Sabha in Gujarat ahead of local polls

AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, addressed a rally in Amreli, raising governance issues and outlining their agenda ahead of upcoming local elections in Gujarat.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a &lsquo;Vijay Vishwas Sabha&rsquo; in Amreli, Gujarat on Wednesday, where senior leaders, including National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressed a gathering ahead of the upcoming local body elections in the state.&nbsp;
Several party leaders, including Gopal Rai, Isudan Gadhvi and Gopal Italia, were also present. The party said the event saw participation from farmers, labourers, youth and women from across the region.
Addressing the rally, Arvind Kejriwal referred to the cultural and religious importance of the Saurashtra region and said he had come to seek public support. He raised questions over the performance of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, alleging issues related to infrastructure, governance and corruption. He cited incidents such as bridge collapses and road conditions, and claimed that some farmers had not received compensation announced by the government. He also alleged that people face difficulties in accessing basic services without paying bribes.
Kejriwal urged voters to consider an alternative, stating that people should vote for themselves and support a government that prioritises public welfare. He also referred to governance initiatives in Punjab, including free electricity for farmers, improved irrigation coverage and health insurance schemes, suggesting that similar measures could be implemented in Gujarat.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also addressed the gathering and spoke about welfare measures introduced in his state, including financial assistance for women and healthcare benefits. He criticised both the BJP and the Congress, alleging that key public issues have remained unresolved over the years, and urged voters to focus on development-related concerns.
During the event, state leaders highlighted local issues. Isudan Gadhvi raised concerns regarding minimum support price (MSP) procurement and alleged inconsistencies in crop purchases, particularly groundnut. Gopal Italia spoke about administrative challenges faced by citizens, including delays in basic services and lack of infrastructure in rural areas, while also referring to issues such as crop insurance and farmers&rsquo; access to facilities. Manoj Sorathiya highlighted concerns related to unemployment, women&rsquo;s safety and governance, and called for greater public participation in the electoral process.
AAP leaders described the upcoming taluka and district panchayat elections as significant for the party&rsquo;s growth in Gujarat and appealed to voters to support its candidates. The rally forms part of AAP&rsquo;s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the state, where the BJP has been in power for several years, while the Congress continues to be the principal opposition.

The Reserve Bank of India’s March bulletin highlighted the need for close monitoring of the West Asia conflict due to India’s crude oil dependence, noting robust reserves, economic resilience, energy diversification, and policy measures.

India needs to take proactive steps limit impact of West Asia crisis, says RBI bulletin

The Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s March bulletin highlighted the need for close monitoring of the West Asia conflict due to India&rsquo;s crude oil dependence, noting robust reserves, economic resilience, energy diversification, and policy measures.

India needs to closely monitor the evolving situation in West Asia and take proactive measures to limit the impact of spillovers, as the country is dependent on crude oil imports, the Reserve Bank's bulletin said on Monday.
The March bulletin, however, noted that India&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves remain adequate to provide a cushion against external shocks, and the creation of an Economic Stabilisation Fund would further provide fiscal headroom and buffer to proactively respond to global headwinds.
An article on the state of the economy published in the March bulletin stated that the conflict in the Middle East and fresh trade investigations by the US have resulted in increased volatility in the global markets, it said.
The renewed conflict in the Middle East and the US investigations into trade practices of key trading partners have brought uncertainties regarding global energy security, US import tariffs, and global supply chains back to the centre stage, it said.
The article cautioned that a prolonged period of war and high uncertainty would be detrimental to the broader global outlook, which was already in a state of flux prior to the recent events.
"...given India&rsquo;s external dependence on crude oil, the evolving situation requires close monitoring and proactive measures to limit adverse spillovers," the article said.
It, however, added that the capacity and resilience of the Indian economy to absorb external shocks have strengthened over time, buttressed by its strong growth, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and robust external sector buffers.
In terms of energy security, India has progressively diversified its crude oil import sources and augmented its domestic refining capacity.
Since the start of the conflict, several policy measures have been implemented to blunt the immediate impact of the disruptions in global fuel supply chains and to achieve more effective use of domestic capacity to meet shortfalls, the bulletin article added.
It further said the second advance estimates of GDP for 2025&ndash;26 indicate sustained resilience of the Indian economy. High-frequency indicators signal towards economic activity gaining momentum in February. CPI headline inflation picked up in February on account of food and beverages.
"System liquidity has remained comfortable and the total flow of financial resources to the commercial sector rose, with a rise in financing from both the bank and non-bank sources," it said.
As regards global uncertainty, it said that after retreating for four consecutive months, it rose again in February with an uptick in trade policy uncertainty, following the verdict of the US Supreme Court on import tariffs.
Since end-February, the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified into a major conflict causing significant disruption to key oil infrastructure and critical energy corridors due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz.
Alongside, the US administration has also launched fresh probes into trade practices by major trading partners. All these factors have resulted in increased volatility across the various commodity and financial markets, the article said.
The central bank, however, said the views expressed in the Bulletin article are of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

Delhi Police apprehended three additional alleged members of a Pakistan-linked espionage network, including a juvenile and a woman, for allegedly sending sensitive information via parcels and WhatsApp, bringing the total arrests in the case to 18.

Three more members of Pak-linked espionage racket held; did recce of security, railway installations

Delhi Police apprehended three additional alleged members of a Pakistan-linked espionage network, including a juvenile and a woman, for allegedly sending sensitive information via parcels and WhatsApp, bringing the total arrests in the case to 18.

Police have apprehended three more alleged members of a major Pakistan-linked espionage racket, including a juvenile and a woman, for allegedly sending sensitive information to the neighbouring country through parcels via Dubai and WhatsApp, a police official said on Monday.
Till now, 18 individuals, including six minors, have been held in connection with the sensational case.
Meera Thakur (28), a resident of Mathura district, and Naushad Ali (20), a resident of Faridabad district of Haryana and originally hailing from Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, were arrested on Sunday. The third suspect is a minor.
Ali allegedly conducted a recce of security and police installations and railway stations in Delhi and other states and was forwarding photos and videos.
"The gang involved in espionage was sending secret information to a man named Sardar alias Zoravar Singh who was operating the spying racket from Pakistan," Additional Commissioner of Police Raj Karan Nayyar said.
The arrested have been identified as: Suhel Malik alias Romeo, Sane Iram alias Mehak, Praveen, Raj Valmiki, Shiva Valmiki, Ritik Gangwar, Ganesh, Vivek, Gagan Kumar Prajapati, Durgesh Nishad, Naushad Ali, and Meera, the police said.
The espionage racket was busted on March 13. Meera and Suhail were associates for many years. During interrogation, she told the police that she met Suhail through Facebook, after which she joined the group, they said.
According to Nayyar, Meera was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on charges of arms smuggling in 2025. Meera also claimed that she was an informer for the Mumbai Police.
Naushad Ali told the police that he connected with the other accused via various social media platforms and was directly in touch with Sardar in Pakistan. "He confessed that he conducted a recce of security and police installations and railway stations in Delhi and other states and was forwarding photos and videos," the officer said.
The gang was allegedly operated in India by Suhail alias Romeo, a resident of Nargadhi Nawada in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, the police said.
"He had recruited other members of the gang. He was paying Rs 5,000 for each information. He was receiving funds from Pakistan via Punjab in the accounts of money transfer centres and shopkeepers, so that nobody could doubt the money transactions," Nayyar said.
The detained minor had allegedly installed solar-operated CCTV cameras at Delhi cantonment railway station, the police said.
"The gang was instructed to recruit less educated Hindu minor boys so as to evade suspicion," Additional CP Nayyar said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Lok Sabha that the West Asia conflict could have long-term global effects, urging national unity, preparedness, and diplomacy.

PM Modi says will overcome West Asia crisis like Covid; stresses on dialogue, diplomacy to end conflict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Lok Sabha that the West Asia conflict could have long-term global effects, urging national unity, preparedness, and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the difficult global conditions caused by the West Asia conflict are likely to persist for a long time and called upon the nation to remain prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi addressed concerns related to the impact on fuel, fertilisers, national security and other areas in India as well on its nationals residing in the West Asia region, detailing steps taken by the government to ensure that "ordinary families face as little trouble as possible", and said a unanimous voice should go out to the world from India's Parliament on this crisis.
Reaffirming India's unwavering commitment to humanity and peace, the prime minister said the dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path to resolution and every Indian effort is directed at de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities.
Informing the House that he has engaged with all relevant West Asian leaders and urged them to reduce tensions and end the conflict, Modi emphasised that attacks on commercial ships and obstruction of international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world's energy is transported, are"wholly unacceptable".
He said endangering any life in this war runs counter to the interests of humanity and "India's effort is to encourage all parties to arrive at a peaceful resolution as soon as possible".
On India's diplomatic response to the West Asia conflict, the Prime Minister said India's stand has been clear from the very beginning, when the US and Israel attacked Iran and the latter retaliated by targeting its Gulf neighbours and Israel, "one of expressing deep concern, advocating de-escalation, and opposing attacks on civilians and on energy and transport infrastructure".
"India, through diplomacy, is making continuous efforts for the safe passage of Indian ships even amidst the war environment. Due to such efforts, several of our ships that were stuck in the Strait of Hormuz have also arrived in India in recent days," he said.
The prime minister also drew the attention of the House to the internal security dimension of the crisis, warning that certain elements attempt to exploit such situations.
He said all security agencies have been placed on alert and that security across all domains, coastal, border, cyber, and strategic installations, is being further strengthened.
"Whether it is coastal security, border security, cyber security, or strategic installations, the security of all is being reinforced," he said.
Urging patience, restraint, and vigilance, and cautioning against those who may seek to exploit the situation by spreading falsehoods, engaging in black-marketing, or hoarding, Modi appealed to all state governments to ensure strict monitoring and swift action against such elements.
Expressing his abiding faith in the collective resolve of the nation, the Prime Minister said that when every government and every citizen of this country walk together, "we can challenge every challenge, this is our identity, and this is our strength".
The prime minister remarked that the difficult global conditions caused by this war are likely to persist for a long time and called upon the nation to remain prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The prime minister said the crisis has been going on now for more than three weeks and it is having a very adverse impact on the global economy and on people's lives.
The entire world is urging all parties for the earliest resolution of this crisis, he said.
This region is important to India for yet another reason, as nearly one crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries and among the commercial ships that sail in these seas, the number of Indian crew members is also very high, he said.
"India's concerns are naturally greater, and therefore it is essential that a united and unanimous voice goes out to the world from India's Parliament on this crisis," he said.
Modi underscored how the energy diversification strategy pursued over the past decade has proven its worth in the current crisis.
He informed the House that India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 countries to 41 countries over the past 11 years, thereby reducing dependence on any single region.
Emphasising the foresight of this approach, Modi said in today's circumstances, the steps taken over the past decade regarding energy security have become even more relevant.
Modi said India has more than 5.3 million metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves, and the country is also working on arrangements for more than 6.5 million metric tonnes of storage.
Apart from this, he said, there are reserves held by the domestic oil companies.
"In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has increased significantly, and the government is in constant touch with suppliers from different countries. The effort is to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible," he said.
Highlighting the scale of the evacuation effort, the Prime Minister said more than 3,75,000 Indians have safely returned to India since the war began, including approximately 1,000 Indians from Iran alone, of whom over 700 are young medical students.
Addressing the broader economic ramifications, Modi acknowledged that energy is the backbone of the modern economy and that West Asia is a major source for global energy needs, making the current crisis a challenge for economies worldwide.
He said the government is working with a comprehensive short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategy, supported by strong economic fundamentals, sector-specific stakeholder consultations, and a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group that meets daily to assess and resolve every difficulty in India's import-export chain.
"I am fully confident that through the joint efforts of the government and industry, we will be able to face these circumstances effectively," he said.
The prime minister said, unfortunately, several lives were lost and some people were injured during the conflict and their families are being given the necessary help, and treatment of the injured is being ensured.
He said another question is the impact of the war on agriculture, but the good part is that the country's farmers have filled the food grain reserves, so India is well prepared in terms of food security.
"We are also making efforts to ensure that the Kharif sowing takes place properly. For this, the government has made adequate arrangements for fertilisers to deal with any emergency. In the past as well, our government did not let any global crisis impact our farmers," he said.
Modi said that as the summer season has begun in India, electricity demand has increased, but all power plants in the country have adequate coal stock available.
"India has created a record by producing more than 1 billion tonnes of coal for the second consecutive year. In the last decade, the country has also taken major steps towards renewable energy," he said.

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