Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday criticised the Samajwadi Party’s renewed alliance with the Congress, alleging that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is acting against the political legacy of his father, late Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Speaking on the 51st anniversary of the Emergency, the Chief Minister claimed that Mulayam Singh Yadav had consistently opposed any alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress during his lifetime. He alleged that Akhilesh Yadav’s repeated association with the Congress runs contrary to that position.

Yogi Adityanath said Mulayam Singh had objected whenever the SP considered an alliance with the Congress and accused Akhilesh Yadav of aligning with what he described as the Congress’s “sinking ship”. He further alleged that such political decisions were damaging Mulayam Singh’s legacy.

The remarks come as the Samajwadi Party and the Congress continue their political understanding ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The two parties had also contested previous elections together, including the 2017 state polls.

SP and Congress respond

The Chief Minister’s comments triggered strong reactions from opposition parties.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Anurag Bhadouria defended his party, saying it has consistently worked to protect the Constitution. He alleged that the country is currently witnessing an “undeclared Emergency” and criticised the suspension of MPs and the splitting of opposition parties.

Congress spokesperson Pooja Tripathi also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government, questioning its priorities in the aftermath of the recent coaching centre fire in Lucknow that claimed several lives. She said the state government should focus on issues affecting citizens rather than opposition politics.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, one of the prominent opponents of the Emergency imposed in 1975, had on multiple occasions publicly expressed reservations about alliances between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.

Thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall brought considerable relief from scorching conditions in Delhi, leading to a sharp decline in temperatures across the national capital, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weather department said thunderstorm activity on Wednesday evening significantly reduced temperatures in several parts of the city. Between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm, temperatures at Safdarjung and Palam weather stations dropped substantially following rainfall and gusty winds.

Officials said the temperature at Safdarjung fell by around 11 degrees Celsius during the two-hour period, while Palam recorded a drop of nearly 9 degrees Celsius.

According to IMD data, Delhi has received 39.6 mm of rainfall so far this month, compared to the normal average of 48.3 mm, leaving the city with a rainfall deficit of around 18 per cent.

IMD forecasts more weather activity in Delhi

The IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Delhi on Thursday, with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning at isolated locations. The minimum temperature is expected to remain around 27 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature could reach nearly 39 degrees Celsius.

The latest weather activity has provided temporary respite from the prevailing heat conditions in the city.

Heavy rainfall disrupts normal life in Mumbai

Meanwhile, Mumbai witnessed intense rainfall that disrupted both road and rail traffic during peak morning hours on Wednesday.

Several low-lying areas reported waterlogging, affecting commuters and slowing traffic movement across the city. In some locations, rainfall exceeded 300 mm during the 24-hour period ending at 8 am, officials said.

The heavy showers also impacted suburban train services, causing inconvenience to thousands of daily passengers.

Weather officials have advised residents in affected areas to remain cautious and stay updated on official advisories as monsoon activity intensifies across several parts of the country.

The Centre has clarified that an Indian passport should primarily be viewed as a travel document and not as conclusive proof of citizenship, a statement that has reignited discussion over what documents can legally establish Indian citizenship.

The clarification was made by officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) during a briefing on India’s expanding passport ecosystem and related citizen services. Officials emphasised that passports are issued to Indian citizens after a detailed verification process, but their principal purpose is to facilitate international travel and serve as an identity document while abroad.

The statement comes amid ongoing public discussions over documents that can be treated as proof of citizenship. Questions regarding the legal status of documents such as Aadhaar cards and voter identity cards have also surfaced in recent years, with courts and authorities distinguishing between proof of identity and proof of citizenship.

Government officials noted that passports are issued only after verification based on multiple supporting documents submitted by applicants. However, they maintained that the passport itself is designed as a travel document and should not be interpreted as a standalone citizenship certificate.

The clarification triggered reactions on social media, with several public figures and users questioning which documents should be considered definitive proof of Indian citizenship. The issue has gained renewed attention following recent debates surrounding citizenship documentation and voter roll verification exercises.

Officials also highlighted the government’s efforts to modernise passport services, including the rollout of e-passports and the expansion of passport service infrastructure across the country.