Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a fresh political attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing an audio clip in which US President Donald Trump allegedly spoke about India’s willingness to reduce Russian oil imports following pressure from Washington.

Referring to the audio, Kharge said Trump claimed India had shown readiness to cut down purchases of Russian oil after the US imposed steep tariffs last year, citing concerns over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine conflict.

Trump remarks and Kharge’s criticism

According to Kharge, the audio clip included Trump saying that Prime Minister Modi wanted to “make him happy” and that Modi respected him and listened to him. The Congress chief said such remarks raised serious questions about India’s independence in decision-making.

“I do not understand why Modi is bending before him. This is harmful for the nation. You should stand for the country. The country did not elect you as the Prime Minister to nod to whatever he says,” Kharge told reporters.

He further claimed that Trump’s comments suggested undue influence and likened the situation to a popular film dialogue, remarking that it appeared as if Trump was expressing satisfaction after diplomatic engagement.

Wider concerns over global politics

Kharge also expressed concern over recent developments in Venezuela, warning against what he described as attempts by powerful nations to intimidate others. He said expansionist tendencies and threats to global peace have historically failed and should not be repeated.

Touching upon Trump’s repeated claims of having played a role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Kharge said the US President often projects himself as a dominant global figure, but added that “the world will not bow before him.”

India’s position on oil imports

India has consistently maintained that it will purchase oil from any source based on national interest and the welfare of its citizens. The government has stated that energy security decisions are taken independently, keeping domestic needs and affordability in mind.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Kalmadi passed away on Tuesday morning in Pune. He was 81 and had been undergoing treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital following a prolonged illness.

According to information shared by Kalmadi’s office, his mortal remains will be kept at his residence, Kalmadi House in Erandwane, until 2 pm to allow people to pay their last respects.

The cremation is scheduled to take place at Vaikunth smashanbhumi in Navi Peth, Pune, at 3.30 pm.

Kalmadi was a prominent Congress figure and had earlier served as a Union Minister. His death marks the end of a long political career associated with national and state-level politics.

Twenty new diarrhoea cases have been reported in Indore after health authorities screened more than 9,000 residents in the city’s Bhagirathpura area, which is facing a serious health crisis due to contaminated drinking water.

Officials said medical teams examined 9,416 people from 2,354 households as part of an ongoing door-to-door survey in the affected locality. The screening led to the detection of 20 new patients on Sunday.

The outbreak has already placed a significant burden on the city’s healthcare system. According to official data, 398 patients have been hospitalised since the crisis began. Of these, 256 patients have recovered and been discharged, while 142 remain under treatment, including 11 patients admitted to intensive care units.

The contamination-linked outbreak has also resulted in fatalities. The district administration has confirmed six deaths caused by the consumption of polluted water in Bhagirathpura. Earlier, the city’s mayor had indicated that information about 10 deaths had been received.

However, local residents have disputed the official figures, claiming that 16 people, including a six-month-old infant, have died due to the diarrhoea outbreak.

Meanwhile, a team from a Kolkata-based national research institute specialising in bacterial infections has arrived in Indore to investigate the situation. Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Prasad Haasani said the experts are providing technical assistance to the local health department to help contain the outbreak and identify its source.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as health surveys and treatment efforts remain underway in the affected area.