During a public gathering in Harsil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the need for year-round tourism in Uttarakhand to boost the state's economy. He extended his condolences for the recent tragedy in Mana and expressed gratitude for being able to visit the spiritual sites of the state. PM Modi also reminisced about his connection with Uttarakhand and emphasized the importance of developing winter tourism to achieve economic empowerment for the region.
The formation of a cabinet sub-committee to combat drugs in Punjab by the AAP government has been described as a mere political gimmick by BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh. Chugh questioned the delay in addressing the issue and criticized the cabinet ministers for performing tasks that should be done by the police. He also suggested conducting a dope test on the cabinet committee members and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to verify their sincerity. Chugh believes that this move by the AAP government is just another attempt to squander taxpayers' money on misleading advertisements, similar to their tactics in the past.
The Central government is expected to announce a hike in dearness allowance for its employees before the festival of Holi. This will benefit over 1.2 crore government employees and pensioners in the country. The decision is based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers and is reviewed twice a year, with the January hike typically announced around Holi. The final announcement will be made by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Rohit Pawar defends star pacer Mohammed Shami's decision to drink water during a Champions Trophy match in Ramadan, stating that performance should take precedence over fasting. The MLA emphasised that religion and sports should not be mixed and that Shami's achievements are a point of pride for the Muslim community.
The national head of All India Muslim Jamaat condemns Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami for not observing Roza during the ongoing Champions Trophy, sparking outrage from religious scholars. UP BJP leader and spokesperson condemns the cleric's statement, stating that faith is a personal affair and one's religious practices cannot be dictated. In the semi-final game against Australia, Shami proves his form by taking 3 vital wickets.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) will be formed to investigate the recent terrorist attack on Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also emphasized the need for improved security measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the merger districts to prevent further incidents. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the sacrifices made by both security forces and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for national unity in the fight against terrorism. A jirga has been formed to initiate talks with Afghanistan, pending approval of Terms of Reference.
Amid ongoing political tensions in the Maharashtra government, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has established a new medical aid cell at Mantralaya. The cell, headed by Shinde's close aide Mangesh Chivate, aims to coordinate with the state health ministry to provide assistance to needy patients. Despite not providing direct financial aid, the cell will collaborate with various social organizations to ensure needy patients receive free healthcare services under government schemes. Chivate had previously managed the CM Relief Fund during Shinde's tenure as Chief Minister, disbursing over Rs 267 crore for expensive surgeries and treatments.
A recent interview with Mani Shankar Aiyar, where he claimed that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi failed twice in college, has sparked controversy within the Congress party. While many party leaders have condemned Aiyar's remarks and called him 'mentally unstable', others have gone as far as dubbing him a 'sleeper cell of BJP'. The video was shared by BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya, who took a jibe at Congress for their choice of leaders, causing further embarrassment for the party.
Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's comments about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's academic failures has caused a stir within the party and given the ruling BJP more ammunition to attack the opposition. Despite criticism from within the Congress party, Aiyar's remarks have been widely circulated on social media and sparked a debate about Gandhi's legacy as a leader. While some have defended Gandhi and downplayed the significance of his academic failures, others have pointed out his contributions and achievements during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Amidst the chaos in the Maharashtra Assembly session, Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi was suspended for his remarks on Aurangzeb. In a video message, he clarifies that his comments were based on history and not intended to insult anyone. He also expresses frustration over the double standards of actions taken against those who have made derogatory statements about historical figures. Despite being unwell, he plans to take legal action against the suspension.