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12 dead, over 100 injured as NTPC boiler bursts in Rae Bareli

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NTPC-explosion

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Reason for explosion not established yet, authorities claim death toll may rise further. CM Adityanath has announced compensation for tragedy’s victims

An explosion ripped a boiler in the state-run power giant NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli district, on Wednesday, killing at least twelve persons while over a 100 people suffered severe burn injuries.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences over the deaths and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the grievously injured, an official said.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Uttar Pradesh’s ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar confirmed late Wednesday evening that while 12 people had been reported dead in the incident, the toll could rise further as 100 people had received severe burn injuries, and the condition of some of them was serious. All of them were being rushed to hospitals for treatment, he added.

The Unchahar sub-division in Rae Bareli district is around 110 km from the state capital Lucknow.

ADG Kumar said that all available ambulances were pressed into action and the additional district magistrate and the additional superintendent of police were on the spot to supervise relief and rescue operations.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Chief Minister Adityanath, who is away in Mauritius on a three-day official visit, has ordered that necessary steps be taken for rescue and relief.

The CM has taken cognisance of the Unchahar accident and has directed principal secretary (home) to ensure that all steps are taken for rescue and relief, principal secretary (information) Awanish Awasthi, who is accompanying Adityanath, said.

“The chief minister expressed his condolences over the deaths of workers in the Unchahar NTPC unit and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the grievously injured besides Rs 25,000 for other injured workers,” Awasthi said.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was also despatched to the explosion site from Lucknow for relief and rescue operations, an official said.

The district administration rushed ambulances to the spot and directed health officials to provide prompt treatment to the injured.

The NTPC, in a statement after the incident, said that “an unfortunate accident in the boiler of 500MW under trial unit of NTPC Unchahar occurred this afternoon. Rescue operations are underway in close coordination with the district administration. Injured persons are being shifted to the nearby hospitals…The NTPC’s senior management is rushing to the site to coordinate the efforts.”

Rae Bareli is the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Sonia has asked partymen in Rae Bareli to extend all possible help to the victims and deputed deputes Dhirendra Srivastava from Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to visit the site and make necessary arrangements for help. Following the incident, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences for the family of the deceased and urged the state administration to provide all necessary help to the victims of the tragedy.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

PM Modi speaks to Mark Carney as India and Canada push to strengthen ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on October 13, with both leaders agreeing to strengthen India-Canada ties and pursue concrete outcomes across key areas of their strategic partnership.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, October 13, as the two countries seek to strengthen bilateral relations and translate renewed diplomatic engagement into concrete outcomes.

Following the conversation, Modi said both leaders had agreed to build on the positive momentum in India-Canada ties and work towards progress across key areas of their strategic partnership.

In a post on X, the prime minister described the conversation as “warm and productive”. He identified trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people ties as important areas for further cooperation.

Modi also said India and Canada were contributing towards a more stable and prosperous world.

India and Canada focus on trade and strategic cooperation

The latest conversation comes amid increased engagement between New Delhi and Ottawa across economic, security and diplomatic matters.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders welcomed the expansion of engagement over the past year, including cooperation in finance, defence and security, people-to-people ties and artificial intelligence.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to concluding negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the earliest opportunity. The proposed agreement is intended to support efforts to double two-way trade between India and Canada by 2030.

The leaders welcomed the ongoing Team Canada Trade Mission in India, led by Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, along with the visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to New Delhi.

The engagements are aimed at advancing shared priorities, including trade, energy and people-to-people ties.

Security cooperation remains on the agenda

The conversation followed a bilateral security dialogue held in India the previous week as part of ongoing engagement between the two countries on security and law enforcement.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders welcomed the bilateral security dialogue held in India the previous week as part of ongoing security and law enforcement engagement at the National Security Advisor level. They also agreed to remain in close contact ahead of Modi’s planned visit to Canada in December.

The Canadian readout also said the two prime ministers discussed the effects of geopolitical instability on the Indo-Pacific region and the need for trusted partners in energy and agriculture.

Carney thanked Modi for his leadership in seeking a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

India-Canada relations seek to move beyond diplomatic tensions

Relations between India and Canada deteriorated sharply in 2023 after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential Indian link to the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

India rejected the accusation as absurd. In October 2024, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. New Delhi also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats.

Relations have since shown signs of improvement through renewed diplomatic engagement and cooperation in several areas. Both countries now have high commissioners posted in each other’s capitals.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney’s visit to India in March 2026 also contributed to renewed efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

The latest conversation between Modi and Carney reflects the two governments’ stated intention to build on this progress, with trade negotiations, security cooperation and other shared priorities remaining central to their engagement.

Modi’s planned visit to Canada in December is expected to provide another opportunity for the two sides to advance their bilateral agenda.

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India News

CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde sent to 5-day judicial custody

Three CJP leaders, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, were placed under preventive arrest following a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

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Three leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) — Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde — have been placed under preventive arrest in connection with a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The three were detained early Tuesday after crossing police barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, which was recently removed from the list of designated protest venues. A case was registered against them over their alleged actions.

According to the police case, the charges include trespassing, violation of a bond, and obstructing a public official from performing official duties.

The three leaders were produced before a Special Court of the Executive Magistrate on Wednesday and could be sent to judicial custody at Tihar Jail.

Why CJP leaders protested at Jantar Mantar

The protest comes amid demonstrations by the CJP and opposition groups over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The controversy centres on allegations concerning the electoral roll revision exercise, which the Election Commission and the BJP have denied.

Jantar Mantar was recently removed from the list of designated protest venues in Delhi. The change followed an order naming alternative locations for demonstrations, prompting criticism from groups that want to hold protests at the established site.

CJP legal team raises concerns over detention

Ratna Singh, head of the CJP legal team, said in a post on X that Delhi Police had arrested Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde at Parliament Street Police Station in connection with the Jantar Mantar case.

Singh alleged that the three were brought to the police station in a private van at around 3 am and were not allowed to meet their lawyers until late at night.

She also raised concerns about the legal process and the possibility of the leaders being sent to judicial custody.

The allegations regarding access to legal counsel were made by the CJP legal team and should be distinguished from the charges registered by the police.

The arrests mark another development in the ongoing dispute over protests at Jantar Mantar and the CJP’s campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner over the SIR exercise.

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India News

BJP focuses on religion as opposition pushes BDM strategy in UP

The BJP is emphasising religious issues ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, while opposition parties are seeking to consolidate Backward, Dalit and Minority voters. Recent exchanges involving Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi have added to the political contest over the state’s electoral narrative.

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Ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP is emphasising religious issues, while opposition parties are seeking to build a coalition of Backward, Dalit and Minority voters. The competing approaches have brought caste representation and religious messaging to the forefront of the state’s political discourse.

Recent temple-related controversies in Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Sambhal have brought religious messaging back into the political conversation. The developments have also coincided with exchanges between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over possible electoral contests.

Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav trade election challenges

The latest round of political exchanges followed Yogi Adityanath’s invocation of the “80-20” formula during the Rajya Sabha election. Akhilesh Yadav subsequently challenged the Chief Minister to contest from Ayodhya.

During his visit to Ayodhya, the Samajwadi Party president attended a Bhagwat Katha but did not visit the Ram Mandir for darshan. His visit, during which he attended a Bhagwat Katha but did not visit the Ram Mandir for darshan, became another point of political discussion.

The Chief Minister responded during a visit to Balrampur, asking Akhilesh Yadav to contest against him.

The exchanges continued as political leaders questioned the Samajwadi Party chief’s religious outreach. State minister Om Prakash Rajbhar asked why Yadav had not visited Mathura, while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi challenged him to contest from Sambhal.

Responding to questions about the challenges, Akhilesh Yadav said the Chief Minister does not decide which candidates the parties nominate.

At a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav also remarked, “What could be better than getting the Chief Minister’s chair without even contesting the election?” His comment suggested that Adityanath might not contest the Assembly elections.

Adityanath, meanwhile, said he was pleased to have several options available to him.

BJP works on its own caste coalition

Alongside its emphasis on religious issues, the BJP is also seeking to broaden its social support base through caste representation.

During the Rajya Sabha elections, the party fielded three candidates from Backward Classes, two Dalits, two Brahmins and one Rajput. The Backward Class candidates included representatives of the Pal, Kurmi and Lodh communities.

The report describes the BJP’s selection of candidates from the Sonkar and Rawat communities as an attempt to attract support among the Gaur and Jatav Dalit vote banks. Its selection of two Brahmins and one Rajput was also part of its outreach to upper-caste voters.

These choices reflect the BJP’s efforts to build a social coalition that extends beyond its religious messaging as the state approaches the next Assembly election.

Akhilesh Yadav balances caste outreach with temple politics

The Samajwadi Party is also combining its BDM approach with religious outreach, described in the report as “soft Hindutva”.

Akhilesh Yadav is overseeing the construction of the Kedareshwar Temple in Etawah. When questioned about not visiting the Ram Mandir during his Ayodhya trip, he said he was waiting for the temple’s “Pran Pratishtha”, or consecration ceremony, implying that the ceremony held in 2024 did not count.

Yadav has also raised the issue of alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple, a move the report interprets as an attempt to appeal to Hindu voters.

The competing strategies indicate that caste representation, religious issues and temple-related controversies are all featuring in political messaging ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

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