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As expected, Parrikar rules the floor

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BACK IN OFFICE: Parrikar with the governor and his own ministers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]But the smaller parties to have supported the BJP have extracted their pound of flesh in the form of plum cabinet posts 

By Sujit Bhar

Manohar Parrikar won the floor test with 22 MLAs paraded on March 16 and is now the legitimate chief minister of Goa. The Congress, for all practical purposes, sat dejected, having virtually given up hope.

This is the age of expecting the unexpected and then getting it. Parrikar headed a BJP jamboree to 13 seats in the recent assembly elections, while the Congress was the largest party on show with 17 in the 40-seat assembly.

It was natural and expected that the governor would call the Congress first to form government. It was also expected that it would be a cakewalk for the Congress to seek out four more MLAs to support them and take then to the magic figure of 21.

The unexpected happened, both times. Governor Mridula Sinha returned the call of Parrikar and BJP, while waiting for the Congress to show up, quickly installed the former defence minister as the chief minister. She seemingly was satisfied with the BJP’s claim to strength.

Technically the Congress was to blame. It failed to even present its case to governor. In the heated atmosphere of Goa, and with 131 years of rigorous political experience to fall back on, the Congress sat on its hands. The BJP did not. By nightfall on March 11 (the day election results were announced), it has sewn up alliances that would see them through any test.

It was not clear what the Congress was doing, but the rumour is that it was trying to settle internal disputes as to who would be the boss. Digvijay Singh, Congress’ boss-man responsible for Goa, was totally lost. Now he has to listen to a sarcastic jab from Parrikar, who commented after the floor test: “That’s what happens if you come to Goa for a holiday.”

CM ONCE MORE: Parrikar takes oath of office

CM ONCE MORE: Parrikar takes oath of office

The Congress had huffed and puffed its way to the Supreme Court on the issue of the governor calling Parrikar and neglecting Congress. The Supreme Court is on vacation, but considering the seriousness of the issue, Chief Justice JS Khehar quickly formed a three-judge bench and heard out Congress counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Singhvi had later said sarcastically: “Let Parrikar be a do-din ka Sultan if he wants to be.” Actually, the joke was on Singhvi and the Congress. The Supreme Court had openly rebuked the Congress, with Justice Khehar saying: “You saw them saying they have the majority. But you never said you have the majority nor have you mentioned in this petition. You have not brought the affidavits of these people who are with you. You failed to show that the people who are mentioned in their list are with you.” 
The court added: “If you had the numbers, you would have held a dharna at the Governor’s house.”

When Singhvi cried “It’s constitutionally and legally wrong,” Justice Gogoi gave him a lesson in realpolitik. : “Healthy constitutional practice should be followed, not the just the convention of calling the largest party.”

FLOOR TEST

The body language of the Congress on the morning of March 16 was one of despondency. They seemed to have given up trying. It was soon clear that the smaller parties to have supported the BJP—three independents, the Goa Forward Party (GFP, 3) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP, 3)—have extracted their pound of flesh in the form of plum cabinet posts.

The problem was that Parrikar is a local man, a former high-powered cabinet minister and close to Prime Minster Narendra Modi. What chance did the Congress—whose leader Rahul Gandhi himself is in the dock for huge losses—have against such an opponent?

The bigger problem for the Congress will be the new legislators who are frustrated and have said so. Will the flock stay with leaders who live in Delhi? Congress’ demand for the pro-tem speaker’s post also failed to cut ice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Journalist files police complaint against Rahul Gandhi over push allegation

Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court. The Congress has denied the allegation.

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Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12. She has sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the protest.

Parashar submitted her complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district, on Friday, seeking immediate action. She has said she was three months pregnant at the time of the alleged incident and accused those involved of mistreatment, threats and the use of force.

What Richa Parashar alleged in her complaint

Parashar alleged that she was reporting on the Opposition’s march when the incident occurred. According to her earlier account, she was waiting near a gate on the Supreme Court premises to seek a response from Gandhi when he allegedly grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. She further alleged that his security personnel pushed her away, causing her to fall on the Supreme Court steps.

In her complaint, Parashar said she asked Gandhi questions before he allegedly pushed her towards a gate. She claimed that the force caused her to lose her balance and fall, and that her repeated requests not to be pushed were ignored.

Parashar has sought legal action against Gandhi and others whom she alleges were involved. The complaint reportedly seeks action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 74, 115(2), 131, 125 and 3(5). These provisions concern alleged assault or criminal force against a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or criminal force, acts endangering human life or personal safety, and joint liability for acts committed with common intention.

The allegations and the sections cited in the complaint do not, by themselves, establish criminal liability.

Congress disputes the allegation

The Congress has challenged Parashar’s account of the incident. According to report, the party said a video released by the journalist did not show the sequence of events she described.

Congress leader Alka Lamba also questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and accused those raising the issue of attempting to manufacture propaganda.

The allegations remain disputed. The complaint and the competing accounts should not be treated as an established finding of wrongdoing.

Incident took place during Opposition’s Supreme Court march

The alleged incident occurred on October 12, when Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit a petition concerning alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Opposition has raised concerns about the voter-list revision process and alleged irregularities.

Parashar’s police complaint adds a legal dimension to the controversy surrounding the march. Any further action will depend on the police process and the relevant legal proceedings.

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Delhi court orders release of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the conditional release of Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained and subsequently arrested ahead of a planned protest march at Connaught Place.

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Abhijit Dipke

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the conditional release of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, a day after he was detained and subsequently arrested ahead of a planned protest march in the national capital. The march was scheduled to take place at Connaught Place as part of demonstrations against alleged electoral irregularities.

Dipke was asked to furnish a bond and undertake to maintain peace as a condition of his release, according to reports. The court’s order came after he was produced before a Special Executive Magistrate following his arrest on Friday.

Why Abhijeet Dipke was detained

Dipke had planned to participate in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, where participants intended to gather and wave the national flag. The proposed demonstration was part of ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

According to the Delhi Police, Dipke was taken into preventive custody before being formally arrested in a case related to the apprehension of a breach of peace. Police cited Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Neha Bora was also detained

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was also detained on Friday ahead of the planned march. She was released early Saturday morning after completing the formalities associated with her detention, according to the report.

Bora criticised the police action and called for the release of protesters who remained in custody. She also demanded an end to the SIR exercise and sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These were her demands and allegations, rather than findings established by the court.

Protests over electoral rolls continue

The demonstrations involving CJP, student groups and opposition supporters have centred on allegations of irregularities in the voter-list revision process. Critics have questioned the exercise, while the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were approved by the Supreme Court. The BJP has criticised the protests, describing them as attempts to spread anarchy, according to the report.

Dipke’s conditional release marks the latest development in the dispute over the planned Delhi protest. The court’s order concerns his release under specified conditions; it should not be interpreted as a judicial finding on the wider allegations surrounding the electoral-roll revision.

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Anirudh Ravichander to marry Kavya Maran in November, reception on November 21

Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran are set to marry in November, with their Chennai wedding reception scheduled for November 21.

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Music composer Anirudh Ravichander and Sunrisers Hyderabad executive Kavya Maran are set to marry in November. Their wedding reception is scheduled to take place in Chennai on November 21, according to an announcement by Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s office.

The development followed a meeting between Revanth Reddy and Kavya’s parents, Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Maran, at the chief minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

According to the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, the couple’s reception is scheduled for November 21, with Kavya’s parents extending an invitation to the chief minister.

Telangana CM’s office announces reception date

The Telangana CMO shared photographs and videos of the meeting on its official social media account on October 16. The announcement stated that Kalanithi Maran and his wife had met Revanth Reddy to invite him to their daughter’s wedding reception.

The post specifically confirmed that the reception of Kavya Maran and Anirudh Ravichander would be held in Chennai on November 21.

The announcement provided an official confirmation of the reception date and venue, while details about the wedding ceremony itself have also been reported separately.

Who are Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran?

Anirudh Ravichander is a prominent music composer in the Indian film industry. He gained widespread recognition with the song “Why This Kolaveri Di” and has since composed music for several major films, including Leo, Indian 2, Vettaiyan, Vidaamuyarchi and Coolie.

Kavya Maran is the daughter of Kalanithi Maran, chairman of the Sun Group. She serves as an executive director at Sun TV Network and is widely recognised in cricket circles for her association with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the IPL franchise.

Wedding rumours and reported ceremony details

Speculation about a possible marriage between Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran had circulated before the latest announcement. Earlier reports in August 2026 discussed the possibility of a November wedding in Greece.

A subsequent report said the wedding was reportedly scheduled to take place in Greece on November 11. However, the couple had not directly confirmed their wedding plans in the cited report.

The Telangana Chief Minister’s Office has confirmed that the reception is scheduled for November 21 in Chennai. The reported wedding ceremony details should therefore be attributed to reports rather than presented as officially confirmed information.

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