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Covid-19: Centre asks five states to increase RT-PCR testing, Uddhav Thackeray warns of second lockdown in Maharashtra

The Centre has written to five states reporting a surge in Covid-19 cases to monitor mutant strains and increase the proportion of RT-PCR tests.

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The Centre has written to five states reporting a surge in Covid-19 cases to monitor mutant strains and increase the proportion of RT-PCR tests. These five states are Kerala, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. 

The Centre has directed these five states to ensure that all negative Rapid Antigen Test results are mandatorily followed by an RT-PCR test. It has asked them to enforce strict surveillance and stringent containment in districts and monitor mutant strains through testing and genome sequencing.

Calling the coronavirus situation in Maharashtra serious, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday held a webcast warning people to observe precautions or be ready for another lockdown starting from March 1. In a virtual address, he said that the second wave has not yet come but it is knocking on our door. We will get to know in the next two weeks to ascertain if the current upsurge in daily figures is a fresh wave of infections, he added.

Thackeray has announced the launch of a campaign called ‘Mi Jababdar (I am responsible), which aimed to reinforce the importance of wearing masks, maintaining social distance and using sanitisers in Maharashtra. All political, religious and social processions are also banned in the state from Monday.  The administration has also urged private companies to stagger office timings to avoid crowding trains and offices.

The government is alarmed about Maharashtra which has a weekly positivity rate of 8.10% against a national average of 1.79%. In the districts like Akola, Yavatmal, Nashik, Mumbai Suburban, the absolute Covid-19 tests have come down. The district officials have been asked to give a day and then announce restrictions and lockdown, wherever such steps are needed, Thackeray said.

There is a steep rise in weekly positive Covid-19 cases in Kerala, ranging from 8.9% to 13.9%. Around 70% of the tests in the state are Rapid Antigen Tests. A sources close to the Centre has said that they are coordinating with the ICMR and moving some mobile RT-PCR labs to Kerala.

Also Read: Puducherry floor test: Congress loses power, V Narayanasamy Resigns

While in Punjab, the biggest concern is its coronavirus death figures and less monitoring of Covid-19 cases. The state is being instructed to increase testing, surveillance and contact tracing, and to admit patients to hospitals, said sources.

Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have received instructions to bring cases under control. They were erring on the side of caution in the case of the two states, they might see a surge anytime as they are showing early signs, an official said. 

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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