Month: April 2026

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar Chief Minister on Wednesday.

Chaudhary arrived at, the Governor’s residence, Bihar Lok Bhavan earlier in the morning to be sworn in as CM, succeeding Nitish Kumar, who had served as leader of the state for over a decade before deciding to go to the Rajya Sabha.

Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office to Samrat Choudhary at Lok Bhavan in Patna. He becomes the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of Bihar following the resignation of Nitish Kumar.

The 57-year-old has big shoes to fill as he is set to succeed Nitish Kumar, who was sworn in as CM for a record 10th time in 2025 after the NDA registered a landmark victory in the assembly elections.

His elevation marks the end of an era dominated by Nitish Kumar’s “Sushasan” (good governance) and the beginning of a new chapter for the NDA in Bihar.

Choudhary’s rise to power is notable, given his humble beginnings in politics. He started his career in the 1990s with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and later joined the BJP in 2018.

Born in 1968, Samrat Choudhary comes from a family deeply rooted in politics. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, was a six-time MLA from the Tarapur constituency. His mother, Parvati Devi, won the same seat in 1998 for the now-defunct Samta Party.

Before BJP and JD(U) renewed their alliance in 2024, Choudhary was the sharpest critic of Nitish Kumar. In 2022, he had publicly declared he would not remove his saffron turban (popularly known as muretha in Bihar) until Nitish Kumar was removed from power.

He was appointed as the BJP’s state president in 2023 and later became the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar in 2024.

After NDA successfully defended its rule in the 2025 assembly election, speculations about Nitish Kumar’s move away from state politics grew stronger and stronger. Samrat Choudhary, with his strong hold within the OBC community, combined with his aggressive political style, was always in the fray to succeed the CM.

Earlier today, before the oath taking, Union Minsiter Chirag Paswan met Chaudhary to wish him all the best for his future tenure.

Paswan wrote on X, “Today, before taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar in Patna, I met with my brother Shri Samrat Choudhary ji and congratulated him on being elected as the leader of the NDA legislature party, extending my best wishes. I am fully confident that under your leadership, Bihar will reach new heights of development, good governance, and prosperity.”

Choudhary’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s outreach among OBC communities, particularly the Koeri/Kushwaha group. (ANI)

As Parliament gears up for a special session in a few days to discuss and pass the Women’s Reservation Bill, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati backed the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lower House of Parliament.

She said that it is at least a start to giving women their due representation.

“It may be a small number, but it is a start, and we welcome it. If not 50, then 33 will do,” Mayawati said while addressing a press conference here.

“Our party BSP, has continuously called for giving 50 per cent reservation to women before too. But no other party wanted to agree to it, neither does it look like they will agree to it. We also thank most revered Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar for giving equal vote to women, just like men got (universal adult franchise),” she said.

She said that, despite the delay in implementing the law passed first in 2023, her party still welcomes it, expressing the need to give reservations to historically marginalised women.

“Although there is a significant delay but regardless of the delay, our party welcomes it. If separate reservations are provided for the truly exploited and marginalised women, especially those from the SC, ST, and OBC communities who are constantly being marginalised socially, politically, and economically, it would be both appropriate and historic,” she said.

Talking about the rhetoric of women’s empowerment, she said that while there is a lot of talk about giving rights to women, it is fixed policy and strong will which have deterred women from getting their rightful share.

“From tomorrow, a three-day session of parliament is starting. Just like there is a lot of talk about women empowerment, but due fixed policy, and strong willpower, there is perhaps not been a proper discussion on it. Just like other marginalised groups, women too are facing different crimes and violence against them still,” added.

She further slammed the Congress for historically delaying women’s reservation, calling caste a factor which influenced the party’s policy post-independence.

“The then Congress government, influenced by its petty casteism, refused to accept it and later passed it in bits and pieces. Thus, Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had to resign from the post of the country’s first Law Minister in protest against the lack of reservation for OBCs and no concrete steps taken for the safety, respect, and betterment of women,” she said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the government proposed increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 as part of its intention to implement the Women’s Reservation Act from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, with 815 seats proposed to the states and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories, according to sources.

The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present. The government intends to move a Constitution amendment bill for the implementation of a 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha from 2029 in a special sitting of Parliament on April 16, 17,18.

In addition, the proposed delimitation will raise the number of seats for all states. The special sitting of the budget session will discuss amendments to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and the proposed Delimitation Bill. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has convened an emergency meeting of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs at 11:00 am on Wednesday to discuss the impact of the delimitation exercise on the state.

The meeting is set to take place to discuss the potential repercussions that Tamil Nadu may face in connection with the proposed constituency delimitation exercise. Key issues likely to be addressed include the impact on the state’s political representation and concerns over fairness in the redistribution of parliamentary seats.

As Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, is linked to the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha, the government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed to the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

MK Stalin along with several other opposition leaders, has flagged that the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, does not increase the seats in the Lok Sabha on a pro-rata basis and will allegedly shrink the representation of southern states in the House.

On Tuesday, MK Stalin issued a strong warning to the Central government over the proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that the Union government intends to “bulldoze” a Constitutional amendment without proper consultation with states.

He said Tamil Nadu would launch a massive agitation if the state’s interests are harmed or if southern states are disproportionately affected.

In a video, CM Stalin said, “This video serves two purposes: to speak about the grave danger that has now reached the very doorstep of Tamil Nadu, and to issue a clear warning to the Union BJP government. Even amidst the relentless pace of election campaigning, this duty cannot be set aside. The day after tomorrow, on April 16, a special session of Parliament is being convened. More accurately, it is being forcibly convened in the midst of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. In this session, the Union government intends to bulldoze through a Constitutional amendment on delimitation.”

The Chief minister further said Tamil Nadu and other southern states had earlier followed population control and family planning measures as advised by the Centre, but were now facing potential consequences for it.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has demanded a pro-rata basis increase in the number of seats in the Lok Sabha. (ANI)

Indian-flagged LPG vessel ‘Jag Vikram’, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, arrived at Kandla Port on April 14 carrying 20,400 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), officials said.

The vessel docked late on Tuesday night at Oil Jetty No. 1 at Kandla Port. The unloading process is expected to begin shortly and is likely to strengthen the country’s LPG supply chain.

The vessel’s arrival comes amid continued monitoring of maritime energy supply routes in the region.

The transit marks a breakthrough for New Delhi, as it is the first Indian ship to navigate the strategic corridor after the announcement of a 14-day ceasefire between the US and Iran, aimed at cooling regional hostilities and restoring essential maritime trade routes.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Ministry of External Affairs are in coordination to bring back a total of 15 Indian-flagged vessels stranded at the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on Monday, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal said, “We, in coordination with MEA, are trying, putting our efforts to bring our vessels back. And as soon as it is possible for our vessels to sail from the Strait of Hormuz, those vessels will come back. At present, a total of 15 Indian-flagged and Indian-owned vessels are there.”

Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal further provided a reassuring update on the status of vessels and crew members in the Gulf region, highlighting that no incident has been reported involving Indian vessels in the past 24 hours.

“We have received no report of any incident related to an Indian-flagged vessel in the last 24 hours. The Ministry has facilitated safe repatriation of more than 2177 Indian seafarers till now, including 93 seafarers in the last 24 hours,” he said.

The ministry emphasised its commitment to ensuring seafarer welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations, highlighting continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders.

“Operations are normal at every Indian port, and there have been no reports of any congestion,” the Ministry added.

The importance of the passage of Jag Vikram is further highlighted by the fact that nearly 90 per cent of India’s liquefied petroleum gas imports are sourced from nations in the Gulf region. (ANI)

Gorakhpur’s Divya Singh has created history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp by bicycle and hoist the flag at an altitude of 17,560 feet.

On March 24, 2026, Divya became the first Indian woman–and the second woman globally–to reach the base camp of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (at an altitude of 17,560 feet), by bicycle. At that time, the temperature at the Everest Base Camp stood at -12 degrees Celsius.

Divya’s cycling expedition commenced on March 16, 2026, from Kathmandu. The journey took her through Kathmandu, Salleri, Surkhe, Phakding, Sagarmatha National Park, Namche Bazaar, Deboche, Pheriche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep, before finally reaching the Mount Everest Base Camp. The entire cycling expedition took a total of 14 days.

Speaking to ANI, Divya shared that during her trek to Mount Everest Base Camp about a year and a half ago, she learned that no Indian woman had ever reached there by bicycle. This inspired her to take on the challenge herself.

“Ever since I got to know about Mount Everest, I have wanted to see it in person. About one and a half years ago, I went trekking to the Mount Everest Base Camp and got to know that no woman has ever reached there by bicycle, and it occurred to me that I should try this,” she said.

She said the journey was challenging due to high-altitude conditions, which caused issues like motion sickness, low oxygen levels, rapid heartbeat, and other physical difficulties.

“It was not easy; there were difficulties. When you reach high altitude, the entire environment changes. Your body reacts differently. You experience motion sickness, lack of oxygen, fast heartbeat and other environmental challenges,” said Divya.

Divya’s mentor, Kumar Singh, reiterated that although many people have reached Mount Everest Base Camp, no Indian woman had done so on a bicycle. Taking it as a challenge, Divya took it as a personal mission and began intense training, preparing her body for the challenge and ultimately achieving remarkable success.

Notably, Divya hails from the village of Banauda, under the post office of Amtoura, in the Piprauli Block of Gorakhpur District. Divya’s father, Santraj Singh, is a farmer, while her mother, Urmila Singh, is a government school teacher. (ANI)

On the occasion of Baisakhi, a delegation from the Sikh community met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his residence, extended greetings, and discussed key initiatives, including the proposed ropeway project to Hemkund Sahib aimed at improving pilgrimage accessibility.

The delegation included Narenderjit Singh Bindra, President of the Hemkund Sahib Trust; Surendra Singh Namdhari, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Farmers Commission; and MLA Suresh Gadiya, along with several eminent citizens and social representatives.

The delegation honoured the Chief Minister with a traditional saropa and extended heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Baisakhi. The atmosphere was filled with devotion, harmony, and, reflecting the rich traditions and cultural values of the Sikh community.

On this occasion, Narenderjit Singh Bindra praised the efforts of the central and state governments for the welfare, dignity, and protection of the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. He noted that several historic decisions taken by the government have given a renewed identity to the Sikh society.

He specifically highlighted the proposed ropeway project to Hemkund Sahib, estimated at around ₹1,740 crore, stating that it would prove to be a milestone for devotees. The project will make the mountainous journey easier, safer, and more convenient, especially benefiting the elderly, women, and Devotees with Disabilities.

Bindra described the observance of Veer Bal Diwas as a historic step that effectively conveys the unparalleled sacrifice of the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh to the younger generation. He also appreciated the national-level commemoration of the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, calling it a reflection of the country’s deep respect for Sikh history and culture.

He further mentioned that the initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back the sacred Guru Granth Sahib from Kandahar, Afghanistan, was a moment of immense pride for the Sikh community.

Welcoming the delegation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his heartfelt Baisakhi greetings and said that Baisakhi is not merely a festival but a symbol of rich cultural traditions, agricultural prosperity, and social unity.

Sharing emotional memories from his childhood, he said that the sacred land of Nanakmatta Sahib and the teachings of Gurbani have had a profound influence on his life, inspiring him to follow the path of truth, service, and dedication.

He emphasised that the Sikh community has always played a leading role in nation-building–be it in the freedom struggle, defence of the country’s borders, or social service–serving as a source of inspiration for all.

He further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several important and historic decisions have been taken for the respect and convenience of the Sikh community. Through Veer Bal Diwas, the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas have gained national recognition, and the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being honoured across the country.

The Chief Minister also referred to the Prime Minister’s resolve from Kedarnath Temple that “the third decade will belong to Uttarakhand,” stating that this vision is now becoming a reality. Rapid progress is being made in roads, railways, air connectivity, tourism, pilgrimage, and infrastructure development across the state.

He said that both the central and state governments are working together to make Uttarakhand a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant state, opening new dimensions of development.

The Chief Minister stated that the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, recently launched by the Prime Minister, is a historic and long-term project for Uttarakhand. It will significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun, giving a major boost to tourism, trade, and investment.

He added that the corridor will not only strengthen connectivity but also create new employment opportunities for the youth and accelerate regional development.

Chief Minister Dhami said that the ropeway project to Hemkund Sahib, with an estimated cost of ₹1,700-₹1,800 crore, will be developed using modern technology while ensuring strict adherence to environmental standards.

This project will significantly reduce travel time and provide a safe and convenient pilgrimage experience, while also strengthening the local economy and boosting tourism in the region.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the state government is fully committed to the convenience and safety of Sikh pilgrims. Infrastructure along the Hemkund Sahib route is being continuously upgraded, including better roads, healthcare facilities, sanitation, accommodation, and security arrangements.

He stated that the government’s objective is to ensure that every pilgrim visiting Uttarakhand experiences a safe, comfortable, and spiritually enriching journey.

He also shared that whenever he gets the opportunity, he considers it a privilege to visit Gurudwaras and perform seva, which he regards as an important part of his life.

Concluding his address, Chief Minister Dhami once again extended his Baisakhi greetings and said that the festival inspires us to strengthen the spirit of unity, hard work, and service. He expressed confidence that with the combined efforts of the central and state governments, Uttarakhand will continue to progress and establish a distinct identity among the leading states of India. (ANI)

A major election rally for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay was abruptly cancelled in Tiruppur district on Tuesday after at least 15 supporters collapsed due to severe heat and overcrowding.

Following the incident and severe congestion, a scheduled six-kilometre roadshow by the leader was cancelled on police advice.

The incident occurred as thousands of supporters gathered hours in advance to catch a glimpse of the actor-turned-politician during his intensive campaign tour for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections.

The rally, which was expected to be a massive show of strength in the textile hub of Tiruppur, turned chaotic as the afternoon temperatures soared.

The crowd began assembling at the venue from 10 a.m. in anticipation of the campaign. Vijay, who was expected to address the public at 4 p.m., arrived at approximately 4:45 p.m. Due to the scorching sun and high temperatures during the afternoon, 13 women and two men fainted. They were immediately transported to nearby hospitals via ambulance for medical treatment.

Local volunteer teams and police personnel rushed the affected individuals to nearby primary health centres. Most are reported to be in stable condition.

Upon receiving news of the medical emergencies and the deteriorating crowd conditions, Vijay and the TVK leadership decided to cancel the address to prevent a repeat of the tragic 2025 Karur stampede.

Following a campaign event at the Perumanallur Four Road junction, Vijay was scheduled to travel to Pooluvapatti as part of a roadshow. Although the police had granted permission, a massive influx of supporters along the Perumanallur-Tiruppur stretch led to severe congestion, making movement impossible.

Based on police advice, the roadshow was called off, and Vijay subsequently left for Coimbatore via the Salem-Cochin National Highway.

The incident follows a recent stampede in Karur, which resulted in the deaths of 41 people. Following a Supreme Court order emphasising the need for an independent probe, the Karur stampede case was transferred from a state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI.

The agency continues to examine the circumstances of that event, scrutinising crowd management arrangements, the timeline of the leader’s arrival, and coordination between party organisers and local authorities.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party TVK, which could turn the contest into a three-way fight. (ANI)

Actor Ram Charan has joined the growing list of stars praising Mrunal Thakur and Adivi Sesh’s latest film Dacoit, which released in theatres.

The film has opened to strong reactions from movie buffs, with many appreciating its performances and gripping storyline.

Taking to X on Tuesday, Ram Charan shared that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” the film and praised the lead cast for their work. Sharing his review, he wrote, “Watched #Dacoit and thoroughly enjoyed it.@AdiviSesh delivers a solid and memorable performance as Hari.@mrunal0801 is terrific and brings great depth to her role.@anuragkashyap72 Garu and the entire cast stand out with strong performances.”

The actor also appreciated the makers for project with “absolute conviction” and for presenting it with high technical quality. He wrote, “#SupriyaYarlagadda Garu & @AnnapurnaStdios have backed this film with absolute conviction and presented it with high technical standards. Congratulations to the entire team.”

‘Dacoit’ also features Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla in key roles.

The film follows the story of an angry convict who wants revenge on his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him. As he plans to trap her, the story turns into an emotional journey of love, betrayal, and revenge. Shot in both Hindi and Telugu, the film’s story and screenplay have been written by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo.

Ram Charan will be next seen in ‘Peddi’. Written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film, also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Divyendu Sharma, and Jagapathi Babu.

Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under his banner Vriddhi Cinemas, in collaboration with leading production house Mythri Movie Makers, the film is scheduled for release on April 30. (ANI)

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are responding to a fire on Roe Way, Wallington, according to a statement by London’s Official Fire Brigade on Tuesday.

In an official statement, it noted that one of the Brigade’s 32m ladders has been deployed to the scene. Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

As per the statement, the Brigade received the first of over 10 calls reporting the fire at 1549. Firefighters from Wallington, Croydon, Purley and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

In a post on X, London’s Official Fire Brigade informed that traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are responding to a fire on Roe Way, #Wallington.

Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

More information to follow https://t.co/3EY8wKN8xb pic.twitter.com/meTnVcDUUm

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 14, 2026

Traffic in the surrounding area was impacted, and authorities advised avoiding the area. There are no reported casualties yet.

This is a developing story. More details are awaited. (ANI)

In a characteristically blunt critique of transatlantic energy policy, US President Donald Trump lashed out at the United Kingdom’s refusal to expand North Sea oil production, calling the situation “tragic” and “absolutely crazy.”

Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday, the President argued that the UK is sitting on one of the world’s greatest energy fields while allowing its economy to be “choked” by high import costs and green energy mandates.

President Trump highlighted the stark economic contrast between the UK and its neighbour, Norway, which has seen record profits from its maritime resources during the ongoing West Asia energy crisis.

Trump claimed that Norway is “making a fortune” by selling North Sea oil back to the UK at double the cost. He renewed his long-standing opposition to renewable infrastructure, explicitly stating, “NO MORE WINDMILLS!” as he urged the UK to pivot back to fossil fuels.

“Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World. Tragic!!! Aberdeen should be booming. Norway sells its North Sea Oil to the U.K. at double the price. They are making a fortune. U.K., which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! It is absolutely crazy that they don’t… AND, NO MORE WINDMILLS! President DJT”

The President lamented that Aberdeen, once the undisputed oil capital of Europe, should be experiencing an economic golden age rather than the current stagnation caused by environmental regulations.

The President’s comments come as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the UK could be among the hardest-hit advanced economies if the Strait of Hormuz standoff continues to drive up global energy prices.

While the UK government has faced internal pressure to approve fields like Rosebank and Jackdaw to bolster domestic security, the current administration has remained hesitant, citing climate commitments.

The White House has not yet clarified if these remarks signal a formal shift in how the US will pressure its NATO allies regarding energy independence, but the post has already ignited a fierce debate in Westminster over the future of the North Sea and the viability of the UK’s “Net Zero” roadmap in a wartime economy. (ANI)