LIVE Top News Today: Opposition leaders meet at Sonia Gandhi’s residence to discuss Parliament strategy, Mamata Banerjee not invited
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Top opposition leaders including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, DMK’s TR Baalu and National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, gathered at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence to discuss a strategy to question the government in the ongoing Parliament session.
Parliament passes bill to extend tenure of ED Chief up to five more years
The bill to extend the tenure of Enforcement Directorate chief by five more years was passed in Parliament on December 14. The Bill seeks to extend the tenure of the ED chief from two years to five years.
NIA arrests Afghan national in Delhi in connection with 3,000 kg heroin case of Gujarat
The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday arrested an Afghan national from Delhi, in connection with the 3,000 kg heroin from Mundra port in Gujarat. Earlier this year in September, 3,000 kg of drugs were seized from the Mundra Port in Gujarat
Rajya Sabha passes Delhi Special Police Establishment Bill, 2021
Rajya Sabha on December 15 passed the Delhi Special Police Establishment Bill (Amendment), 2021. The Delhi Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks amendment in the current Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to begin pre-budget consultations with different group of stakeholders from December 15
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will begin her pre-budget consultations with different groups of stakeholders, from December 15 starting with the first meeting with the experts of agriculture and the agro-processing industry. The meetings will be held in virtual mode.
BJP leading on 12 seats, Congress on 9, and JDS ahead in one constituency in Karnataka MLC elections
The BJP and the Congress are in neck to neck fight to win the Karnataka Legislative Council Elections. The counting is underway. At 1 pm, the BJP were leading on 12 seats, Congress on 9, and JDS ahead in one constituency in Karnataka MLC elections. However, the esults are likely to clear by afternoon.
India’s Omicron tally reaches at 49, Delhi, Rajasthan see fresh infections
India’s Omicron tally has climbed to 49 after Delhi and Rajasthan reported fresh infections. Yesterday, Maharashtra were also reported two new Omicron cases. However, both were having Dubai travel history.
Maharashtra Excise Department issues show-cause notice to Sameer Wankhede’s Mumbai-based bar for furnishing wrong information
In a recent update in the Sameer Wankhede controversy, the Thane unit of the Maharashtra Excise Department has issued a show-cause notice to Navi Mumbai-based bar of NCB Mumbai Zonal director Sameer Wankhede for furnishing wrong information in his application for the license in 1997.
Two cops killed, 14 injured in attack on police bus in Jammu and Kashmir
A terror attack took place in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar. In the attack, two cops were killed and 14 were injured in the attack on the police bus. According to officials, three militants fired indiscriminately on the vehicle near a police camp.
India reports 5,784 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours
The world is reeling under the cascading impact of coronavirus and India reported 5,784 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours. There has been 7,995 recoveries and 252 deaths in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the active cases are 88,993 and total recoveries are 3,41,38,763.
Two explosion incidents reported within a span of around two hours near key defence-linked locations in Punjab have raised serious security concerns and triggered political reactions.
The first incident took place near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar, where a blast involving a delivery scooter was reported in a populated area. The proximity of the explosion to a sensitive security installation immediately drew the attention of authorities.
Shortly after, another blast was reported near a military-linked area in Amritsar, further heightening concerns over security preparedness in the border state. Police and security agencies responded swiftly, deploying bomb disposal squads and forensic teams at both locations.
Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in either incident. However, the back-to-back nature of the explosions caused panic in nearby areas and prompted authorities to place the state on high alert.
Political leaders reacted strongly, questioning the handling of security and pointing to possible lapses. They urged authorities to take preventive steps to avoid such incidents in the future.
Punjab, being a strategically important border state, remains sensitive to such developments. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the explosions and whether there are any links between the two incidents.
Security has been tightened around key installations, with agencies assessing whether the blasts were isolated events or part of a broader threat.
In a significant administrative development following the West Bengal Assembly election results, several retired bureaucrats appointed during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee have reportedly been barred from entering state government offices.
The decision comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in the state after securing a decisive mandate. The move is seen as part of the transition process as the outgoing administration makes way for the incoming regime.
Officials indicated that the restrictions apply specifically to retired personnel who had been given contractual or advisory roles under the previous government. These individuals have now been asked not to access offices or handle official work.
The development follows a broader directive issued by the state administration to ensure that no official documents or records are removed, damaged, or tampered with during the transition period. Authorities have emphasised strict accountability, placing responsibility on departmental heads to safeguard files and maintain proper records.
The political backdrop to this move is the sweeping victory of the BJP in the 2026 West Bengal elections, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape after years of Trinamool Congress rule.
With the new government expected to take charge soon, administrative reshuffling and tightening of access to government infrastructure are being viewed as measures to ensure a smooth and transparent handover of power.
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for congratulating him on his party’s strong performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.
Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), acknowledged the wishes shared by both leaders following the party’s impressive electoral debut, which has significantly altered the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
Responding to the Prime Minister on social media platform X, Vijay said that his party’s focus would remain on public welfare and development. He emphasised that governance should rise above political differences and aim at improving the lives of the people.
“The well-being of our people remains our only goal… we shall focus on the state’s progress and welfare,” he said, while also expressing hope for support from the Union government in achieving these objectives.
The TVK has emerged as a major political force in the state, breaking the long-standing dominance of traditional parties and marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.
According to early developments, the party has staked claim to form the government and may seek additional support if required to prove its majority in the assembly.
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