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Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

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Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

Toeing the expected political line in regard to Punjab Minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s visit to Islamabad for participating in Imran Khan’s oath taking ceremony as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Bhartiya Janata Party has strongly criticized him for hugging Pakistan’s army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa twice and occupying seat next to PoK President Masood Khan during the ceremony.

However, despite criticism, Navjot Sidhu has expressed hope that ties between the two countries will improve during Imran Khan’s stint. He said that Pakistan’s military and political leadership was inclined towards improving ties with India.

BJP has demanded that Congress President Rahul Gandhi that he should act against Sidhu for his behavior in Islamabad. Government of India doesn’t recognize Masood and holds no elected Indian representative should share a platform with PoK President.

Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

Navjot Singh Sidhu, immediately reacted for BJP’s allegations and clarified saying, “Bajwa came to me and said we were thinking of opening the Kartapur route on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev”.

Earlier, while talking to Pakistan’s state run PTV, Sidhu used his usual poetic expressions to prais Imran Khan and hoped that his accession to the PM’s position will be good for the India-Pakistan peace process. He said, “A new morning is here in Pakistan with a new government which can change the destiny of the country.”

Read More: Imran Khan sworn in as 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan

India and Pakistan have held no substantive dialogue since December 2015 when Sushma Swaraj, the External Affairs Minister visited Islamabad for a multilateral conference.

Imran Khan, while addressing the nation, after getting highest number of seats in National Assembly, made it clear that Kashmir remained the core issue for Pakistan and mentioned the alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in the Valley. Government of India believes that the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is under illegitimate control of Pakistan as it is, like the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, an integral part of India.

Despite BJP criticism, Navjot Sidhu expects positive ties with Pakistan

On his arrival in Lahore, Navjot Singh Sidhu had reportedly said that Imran Khan should come forward in a peace initiative between the two countries. He said that he brought “a message of love” to Pakistan as a goodwill ambassador of India. “I have come here not as a politician but as a friend. I have come here to take part in he happiness of my friend (Imran).”

Read More: Imran Khan: No Foreign Dignitaries to be invited for Oath Ceremony

BJP activists had protested against Navjot Singh Sidhu in Ludhiana on Saturday for his decision to visit Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan’s Prime Minister. One of the protesters leader reportedly said,“How could he attend Imran Khan’s oath-taking ceremony and hug Pakistan’s Army Chief being Punjab’s cabinet minister when India is mourning the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee”. They demanded explanation from the Congress party.  Haryana Minister Anil Vij called it “an act of disloyalty”.

Reacting to BJP’s opposition to Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Pakistan visit, Congress leader Sunil Jakhar said, “Navjot Singh Sidhu attended oath taking ceremony of Imran Khan because he was invited. One sportsperson has invited another sportsperson. Navjot Singh Sidhu went there with the spirit of a sportsperson and I hope that the sportsman spirit will prevail over the animosity existing between the two countries”.

Two days before Sidhu’s visit to Pakistan, Subramaniam Swami, senior BJP leader had advised him not to visit Pakistan. He even said that Sidhu has lost his mental balance. This had indicated that BJP will use any opportunity to criticise Sidhu’s participation in Imran Khan’s oath ceremony.

While speaking to an Indian TV channel from Islamabad on Saturday evening, Navjot Singh Sidhu thanked Pakistanis for giving him love and respect. He expressed hope that Imran Khan would improve relations between the two countries. He said that Pakistani leaders including Imrah Khan have expressed their willingness to improve ties with India.

Imran Khan had also invited former Indian cricket captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev and cine star Salman Khan for the oath ceremony. However, Sidhu chose to go across and attend the event.

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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