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“Some MPs’ assets have increased five times in as many years”

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“Some MPs’ assets have increased five times in as many years”

Mudda panel congratulates activist SN Shukla for taking the initiative after apex court says not just candidates, their spouses and dependents, too, should reveal source of income and property while filing nomination

Friday’s Mudda discussed the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment which makes it compulsory for political candidates to disclose their source of income along with their assets.

On February 16, in a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court said that all political candidates contesting an election will have to disclose their source of income, including that of their spouses and dependent children. Presently, the candidates have to disclose the details of their assets and also that of their spouses and three dependents. The judgment delivered by a bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar came in response to a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) had also given examples of such politicians in the Supreme Court, whose wealth had increased exponentially in the past years.

The show was anchored by Akshay Singh. The panellists were retired PCS Baba Hardev, CB Pandey of the Naitik Party, the petitioner, SN Shukla, Major General Anil Verma (retired), head and national coordinator, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Congress spokesperson Omkar Nath Singh, BJP spokesperson Baleshwar Tyagi and APN consulting editor Govind Pant Raju.

The APN show presented a report on the increase in the property of politicians in recent years. Shukla called the decision a milestone. He said there were cases in which some of the parliamentarians’ assets increased five times in five years. He said that it is important that the candidates while contesting elections reveal the source of their income as well, so that voters come to know whether the ‘sudden’ increase shown in the property is through valid sources or not. He informed the audience that his NGO had given the names of 257 MPs to the income tax department for investigating but the I-T department could investigate only 11 parliamentarians.

Anil Verma of ADR started by congratulating Shukla for the victory he got in court and said that the judgment has to be read so as to understand what has become of the other prayers made in the petition since declaration of income source was just one of the requests. He explained how presently the political candidates escape by mentioning unspecified random professions in their affidavits. “Some of the candidates had mentioned agriculture, social service and business as their professions. One of the candidates who had mentioned government service as his profession had shown his annual income to be Rs 3 crore. Now which government service gives you an annual income of Rs 3 crore?” asked Verma.

Govind Pant Raju was a little pessimistic about how the decision is going to change the future because he felt that the politicians can always come out with a legal loophole to hide their corruption.

Shukla had a solution. He said that the other prayers in the PIL also ask for the cancellation of nomination of guilty lawmakers. He said that there must be a permanent machinery to take care of such cases. “We have presented a framework of such machinery before the apex court. We have also submitted the list of parliamentarians whose assets increased exponentially and asked the court the matters be individually investigated,” Shukla said.

—Compiled by Lilly Paul

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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