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If I was a job applicant, Jaitley wouldn’t have been finance minister: Yashwant Sinha

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Arun jaitely and Yaswant Sinha

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]War of words between Sinha and finance minister Arun Jaitley intensifies, BJP margdarshak says those who haven’t seen face of Lok Sabha are attacking him

A day after Union finance minister Arun Jaitley countered his senior party colleague’s criticism of his handling of the Indian economy by terming the BJP ‘margdarshak mandal’ member a “job applicant at 80”, former finance minister Yashwant Sinha has hit back with equal gusto.

“He (Jaitley) has made this personal by calling me a ‘job applicant’. He delivered a well researched speech but overlooked (LK) Advani Ji’s advice to refrain from personal attacks. That’s okay though, I’m happy he made a personal attack,” Sinha said on Friday. “If I would have been a job applicant, then he would not have been (there),” Sinha added.

Sinha said Jaitley didn’t have a leg to stand on because he is merely “a political appointee” who has never had to nurture a constituency or work at the grassroots. The BJP warhorse, who had in an article for The Indian Express blamed the Union finance minister for making a “mess” of the Indian economy and said that he was “working overtime” to ensure that all Indians see poverty at close quarters, countered Jaitley’s ‘job aspirant at 80’ remark by saying: “I didn’t come to politics after retirement. I left my post in the IAS (Indian Administrative Service)… I could not be asking for a job at the age of 80 years.”

Countering Sinha’s charges against him and his claims of the Indian economy facing an imminent doom, Jaitley had on Thursday also sought to project his opponent’s term as finance minister in the Atal Bihar Vajpayee and Chandra Shekhar government as a failure. “I must confess that I do not have the luxury as yet of being a former finance minister. Nor do I have the luxury of being a former finance minister who has turned a columnist,” Jaitley had said, firing a salvo at both Sinha and Congress leader P Chidambaram, who had endorsed Sinha’s broadside against Jaitley.

Though Jaitley didn’t name Sinha or Chidambaram, he went on to take a satirical swipe at the duo, saying: “Being a former finance minister I can conveniently forget a policy paralysis (during UPA-II). I can conveniently forget the 15 per cent NPAs of 1998 and 2002 (during Sinha’s term as finance minister). I can conveniently forget the USD 4 billion reserve left in 1991 and I can switch over and change the narrative.”

On Friday, Sinha sought to fire a counter offensive, reminding Jaitley of his inability to win elections. Jaitley is known as much for being the BJP’s poll strategist as he is for his either staying away from active electoral politics – or losing the only election he has contested (from Amritsar during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls) despite a massive wave in favour of his party.

Sinha said: “After entering politics, I selected my constituency soon. It did not take me 25 years to select a Lok Sabha constituency. Those who have not seen the face of the Lok Sabha are questioning and attacking me.”

Sinha also hit out at Jaitley for not acting against black money hoarders whose names India had got under various bilateral efforts. “Three years ago HSBC Bank shared the names of over 700 people (holding black money abroad) with India. How many of them have been arrested? Has action been taken against them? Due to Panama Papers the Pakistan Prime Minister has had to resign. But why no action is being taken here,” Sinha said.

The government had also fielded Union minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha to counter his father, Yashwant Sinha’s charges. Jayant had written an opinion piece countering claims of a slowdown of the Indian economy and though he didn’t expressly name his father in the article, it was evident that the counter-charges were meant to puncture Yashwant Sinha’s charges. It was largely speculated in the political grapevine that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had deliberately forced Jayant (though he denied the rumours a day later) to counter his father’s article. Yashwant Sinha had termed Jayant’s article a “cheap political trick” by the government while Chidambaram had called the piece a “PIB handout”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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Rahul-Gandhi

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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