Month: April 2026

Launching a frontal attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over governance and flood management in Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party, if voted to power, “would implement the long-pending Ghatal Master Plan within one year” and permanently resolve the flooding crisis in the region.

Addressing a public meeting in Debra constituency ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Shah said that the TMC government had “trashed” the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comprehensive master plan for recurring floods in Ghatal.

“Today, I also want to talk about the Ghatal floods here. After the Ghatal floods occurred, Prime Minister Modi sent a master plan for Ghatal’s development worth 1,500 crore rupees. The responsibility for 60% of the funds was to be borne by Prime Minister Modi, but the TMC government trashed the Ghatal master plan. Don’t worry, form a BJP government. We will implement the Ghatal master plan within one year and resolve the flood problem,” Shah said.

Earlier in the day, Shah also released the BJP’s West Bengal Assembly election manifesto, themed around the vision of “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal). The document lays out what the party describes as a roadmap for a “radical shift” in governance, with focus areas including national security, employment generation for youth, and women’s safety.

Listing key commitments, Amit Shah said the BJP has outlined 15 major promises in its manifesto, aimed at addressing governance deficits, development challenges, and security concerns in the state.

The political battle in the state is intensifying ahead of the 294-member West Bengal Assembly elections, which will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Further addressing a programme in Kolkata after releasing the party’s manifesto, Shah also said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in the state within six months if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “comes to power” in the state.

He said several BJP-ruled states have already implemented the UCC to ensure that a single, uniform set of laws applies to all citizens across states.

“Several BJP-ruled states have implemented the Uniform Civil Code. Within six months, we will implement the UCC in Bengal and ensure that a single, uniform set of laws applies to all citizens across the state,” he added. (ANI)

Following Cyclone Ditwah, India-supported restoration of cyclone-damaged sections of the Northern Railway Line has resumed service.

The restoration work was funded with a USD 5 million grant as part of India’s USD 450 million package.

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the project was completed ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and restores a vital connectivity link across affected regions.

In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said, “Train services on the Northern Railway Line resumed today, following India-supported restoration of cyclone-damaged sections affected by Cyclone Ditwah under a USD 5 million grant as part of India’s USD 450 million package. Completed ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, it restores a vital connectivity link across affected regions.”

Earlier on February 4, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi commemorated Sri Lanka’s 78th Independence Day with a series of events underscoring the depth and resilience of the India-Sri Lanka partnership, including India’s support following Cyclone Ditwah and a USD 450 million reconstruction package following the natural calamity, highlighting India’s role as a trusted partner.

According to a release from the High Commission, the day, observed on February 4, began with an alms-giving ceremony for members of the Maha Sangha at the Residence of the High Commissioner, invoking blessings for Sri Lanka’s leaders and people, as well as peace and prosperity.

Messages from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath were read during the ceremony.

In her remarks, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Mahishini Colonne highlighted Colombo’s resilience in the face of challenges and the steady expansion of cooperation with India across multiple sectors.

She acknowledged India’s swift assistance following Cyclone Ditwah and the announcement of a USD 450 million reconstruction package, reaffirming India’s role as a reliable and steadfast partner, the release stated.

Later in the evening of February 4, the National Day Reception was held at the Residence of the High Commissioner, drawing more than 700 distinguished guests, including senior officials of the Government of India, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, academics, media representatives, and friends of Sri Lanka.

Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, attended the event as the Chief Guest.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to Sri Lanka’s prosperity and stability under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and MAHASAGAR vision and noted that bilateral relations are on an upward trajectory, marked by renewed political engagement, growing trade and investment, expanding development cooperation, and deepening mutual trust.

Highlighting India’s development partnership, the Minister said India’s overall assistance to Sri Lanka has exceeded USD 7.5 billion, including significant grant support, and spans key sectors such as housing, transport, renewable energy, healthcare, agriculture, railways, and digital transformation.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of people-to-people ties, noting that India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source of tourists in 2025, while educational, cultural, and religious exchanges continue to strengthen bilateral ties. (ANI)

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has voiced his support for the former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should consider bringing him back in a long-term capacity.

Replying to a user on X who stated that KKR is nothing without Gambhir, Lalit Modi agreed with the sentiment and highlighted the former skipper’s value to the franchise, while also proposing ways to secure his association.

“That I agree. That @GautamGambhir WITHOUT AN IOTA OF Doubt In my mind was the BEST PERSON for @KKRiders – the team management needs to do WHATEVER, and I say it again WHATEVER IT TAKES To LURE him back. Incentivise him. Like Shane Warne had equity options. Lock him in for a LONG LONG TERM- GIVE him STOCK OPTIONS – I hope they are smart to do that. He does not fall within Player Auction Purse – get him to be the face of the TEAM,” Lalit Modi wrote on X.

He also pointed to the example of late Australian great Shane Warne, who had secured an equity stake in the Rajasthan Royals during his time with the franchise. Warne earned a 0.75 per cent ownership share for each season he played from 2008 to 2011, taking his total stake to 3 per cent.

With Rajasthan Royals valued at approximately Rs 15,301 crore in 2026, that stake is now estimated to be worth around Rs 460 crore for his family.

Gambhir enjoyed significant success with KKR, leading the team to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. He later returned as a mentor and was part of the setup when the franchise clinched its third title in 2024.

He subsequently took over as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team and has since guided them to victories in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

In the ongoing IPL season, KKR have had a challenging start, registering three losses in four matches, while one game against Punjab Kings ended without a result, leaving them with a solitary point so far. (ANI)

Shapoorji Pallonji Group Chairman Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry on Friday reiterated the need for listing Tata Sons, calling it a “necessary evolution” that would strengthen transparency, governance and accountability within the conglomerate.

Shapoorji Pallohji group has about 18 per cent stake in Tata Sons.

In a media statement, Mistry said that a timely listing of Tata Sons is not merely a matter of regulatory compliance but a step that would reinforce the foundational principles of the Tata Group.

“To date, no clear, evidence-based case has been presented to explain how a public listing would materially damage the interests of the trusts or reduce their ability to serve beneficiaries,” he said.

He further emphasised that the listing is fundamentally in the public interest, as it would strengthen board accountability, broaden the investor base, and secure long-term value for stakeholders.

According to Mistry, a public listing would also unlock value for millions of retail shareholders and create a more defined and robust dividend stream for Tata Trusts, thereby expanding its social and philanthropic impact, particularly for economically weaker sections.

The SP Group Chairman noted that a group built on trust, integrity and public purpose would only be strengthened through compliance with the listing mandate of the Reserve Bank of India.

He added that while the SP Group remains in constructive engagement with Tata Sons leadership to arrive at an amicable resolution, it is looking towards the RBI for a decisive direction on the matter.

Mistry also expressed confidence in the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India to act decisively regarding the proposed listing.

Tata Sons, which is the principal shareholder of Tata Group companies, falls under the RBI’s upper-layer NBFC framework, which requires listing. (ANI)

India on Friday expressed deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties in Lebanon amid continued strikes by Israel despite the two-week ceasefire imposed to halt the month-long conflict in West Asia, reiterating that the protection of civilians remains its foremost priority.

Addressing an Inter-Ministerial Briefing on recent developments in West Asia in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the current situation is “very disturbing”, particularly given India’s longstanding commitment to peace and stability in the region. He further said that there are about 1000 Indian nationals living in Lebanon.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of a large number of civilian casualties that have been reported in Lebanon. As a troop-contributing country to United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)–which is invested in Lebanon’s peace and security–the trajectory of events is very disturbing,” Jaiswal said.

He underscored that India has consistently emphasised the importance of safeguarding civilian lives during conflicts and called for adherence to international norms.

“India has always emphasised the protection of civilians as the foremost priority. Observing international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is essential,” he added.

The MEA spokesperson also noted that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation and remains engaged with its nationals in Lebanon. According to official estimates, around 1,000 Indian citizens are currently residing in the country.

“Our Embassy in Lebanon remains in close touch with the Indian community regarding their safety and security, and we have around 1,000 Indian nationals in Lebanon,” Jaiswal said.

The developments come as the fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran hangs in the balance, with Tehran stating that the truce also includes the halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

However, both Washington and Israel have maintained that the ceasefire does not extend to Hezbollah targets, a disagreement that has further complicated diplomatic efforts and heightened the risk of the truce collapsing.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is set to travel to the US capital of Washington DC, in the coming days, following Israel’s request for direct negotiations with Lebanon, a Lebanese government source told CNN on Friday.

The development comes amid a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which continues to hold for now but faces mounting strain. A key point of contention remains whether ongoing hostilities in Lebanon fall under the scope of the truce.

According to CNN, despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Lebanese authorities reported that a major wave of attacks earlier this week resulted in at least 300 deaths, raising concerns over further escalation in the region.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and vowed to continue military operations with “full force” against Hezbollah.

“I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security,” he said.

Netanyahu further stated that he has instructed the Cabinet to open direct negotiations with the Lebanese government to achieve “disarmament of Hezbollah” and “historic peace agreement”. (ANI)

More than four lakh consumers have shifted towards piped natural gas (PNG) in the past five weeks as the government accelerates efforts to reduce dependence on LPG amid supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing West Asia geopolitical tensions.

Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in the region, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the push towards PNG is part of a broader strategy to ease pressure on LPG supplies while ensuring uninterrupted fuel access for households.

“In the last five weeks alone, around 4.05 lakh new LPG connections have been gasified, and over 4.41 lakh new consumers have been registered. Continuous support is also being received from state governments and Union Territory administrations, and it is expected that the expansion of the PNG network will accelerate further,” Sharma said.

The move comes as India continues to navigate supply-side challenges due to the volatile geopolitical situation in West Asia.

Officials said domestic consumers have been prioritised to ensure minimal disruption, with LPG distributors maintaining adequate stock and no shortages reported across the country.

Commercial LPG supplies, which were impacted earlier, have now been restored to around 70 per cent. Priority allocation has been given to key sectors such as hospitals, educational institutions, hotels, dhabas, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and labour-intensive industries.

To further support vulnerable sections, the government has doubled the supply of 5 kg LPG cylinders, particularly benefiting migrant workers and students.

“We have simplified access to 5 kg cylinders by easing documentation requirements and significantly increasing supply. As a result, nearly one lakh cylinders are being sold,” Sharma added.

Since March 14, India has recorded sales of about 106,000 tonnes of commercial LPG, with daily consumption stabilising at 6,000-6,500 tonnes.

Additionally, over 2,400 awareness campaigns have been conducted in the past week to improve accessibility and inform consumers about available options.

In the natural gas segment, domestic consumption continues to receive priority, while industries connected to the gas grid are being supplied around 80 per cent of their requirements.

Fertiliser sector supplies have been restored to 95 per cent, while city gas distribution companies have been directed to ensure uninterrupted supply to critical sectors such as food processing, cold storage, and healthcare.

The government also shared that India’s crude oil inventories remain sufficient, and refineries are operating at optimal capacity. Domestic LPG production has also increased and now meets nearly 60 per cent of the country’s requirements.

Meanwhile, select allocations of petroleum products, around 800 tonnes per day, have been made to pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries to ensure continuity in essential manufacturing. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump said there are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Strait of Hormuz and warned Tehran against it.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!”

In another post, Trump accused Iran of “doing a poor job” at allowing oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, reminding Tehran of the temporary ceasefire agreement.

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!” he said.

This puts the already fragile ceasefire in jeopardy as the disagreement between both parties continues to widen before the negotiations in Islamabad begin.

Earlier, Tehran had accused Israel of violating the agreement by attacking Lebanon, as it stated that the ceasefire in Lebanon is part of the truce.

However, both Washington and Israel have maintained that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, a disagreement that has further complicated diplomatic efforts and heightened the risk of the truce collapsing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and vowed to continue military operations with “full force” against Hezbollah.

“I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security,” he said.

Netanyahu further stated that he has instructed the Cabinet to open direct negotiations with the Lebanese government to achieve “disarmament of Hezbollah” and “historic peace agreement”.

“Following repeated requests from the Lebanese government, last night I instructed the Cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to achieve two goals. First, the disarmament of Hezbollah. Second, a historic peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” he said. (ANI)

In a notable political development ahead of upcoming elections in West Bengal, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has announced its decision to withdraw its alliance with a party headed by Humayun Kabir.

The announcement follows remarks and revelations attributed to Kabir, which AIMIM said raised concerns regarding the “integrity of Muslims.” In a strongly worded statement, the party declared that it “cannot associate with any statements where the integrity of Muslims is brought into question,” and confirmed that it has officially ended the alliance with immediate effect.

AIMIM also used the occasion to highlight what it described as the continued socio-economic marginalisation of Muslims in West Bengal. The party stated that the community remains “one of the poorest, neglected and oppressed,” despite decades of governance by parties claiming a secular political framework, including the All India Trinamool Congress and previous administrations.

AIMIM in a post on X said, “Humayun Kabir’s revelations have shown how vulnerable Bengal’s Muslims are. That AIMIM cannot associate with any statements where integrity of Muslims is brought into question. As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with Kabir’s party. Bengal’s Muslims are one of the poorest, neglected and oppressed communities. Despite decades of secular rule, nothing has been done for them. AIMIM’s policy in contesting elections in any state is so that the marginalised communities have an independent political voice. We will be contesting the Bengal elections INDEPENDENTLY and have will have no alliance with any party going forward.”

Reiterating its political strategy, AIMIM announced that it will contest the upcoming elections in the state independently, without entering into alliances with any political party. The party emphasised that its objective is to provide marginalised communities with an “independent political voice,” rather than relying on broader coalition politics.

The move is consistent with AIMIM’s recent expansion efforts beyond its traditional base in Hyderabad, where it has sought to establish a presence in multiple states by directly contesting elections.

Political observers believe AIMIM’s decision could influence electoral dynamics in constituencies with significant minority populations. While some critics argue that such a move could lead to a division of votes, the party has maintained that its participation enhances democratic representation and gives voice to underrepresented groups.

With this development, AIMIM has signalled a clear shift in its approach in West Bengal, setting the stage for a more competitive and multi-cornered electoral contest in the state.

Humayun Kabir was expelled from TMC following a controversial proposal to build the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. He then formed the Aam Janata Unnayan Party to contest elections in West Bengal.

The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. (ANI)

First Lady of the US, Melania Trump, has denied any links to Jeffrey Epstein, stating that the stories are false and clarified that she has never had any relationship with Epstein or his accomplice.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect… I have never been friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach. I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice,” Melania Trump said.

Backing her statement, the First Lady of the US said that her name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews linking her to Epstein.

“Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now. Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false. I am not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes. My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter,” she said.

The first lady has never spoken publicly on the issue prior to Thursday’s remarks, ignoring a shouted question about Maxwell during an unrelated event in February. She has, however, filed lawsuits over past efforts to tie her to Epstein, countering what she characterised Thursday as “smears” that were “mean-spirited and politically-motivated,” CNN reported

Epstein, who had previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the procurement of a minor, was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He died by suicide in prison weeks later while awaiting trial. (ANI)