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Hyderabad civic polls: Lotus rises in another southern state

At the end of the BJP’s extremely polarised campaign, where it went after the AIMIM over Rohingyas, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Afghanis and what not, the people of Hyderabad seem to have fallen for the rhetoric.

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Amit Shah

The BJP on Friday emerged as the second-largest party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections. The party has grown from 4 wards in 2016 to 48 now. The party’s success comes at the cost of the regional Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which rules Telangana of which Hyderabad is the capital.

The TRS won 55 wards compared to the 99 wards won in 2016, the GHMC election is for 150 wards. The shock to the TRS comes just a week before the K. Chandrashekhar Rao government is set to complete two years in office in its second term. The TRS had grown in the state on the back of the statehood campaign for 31 districts in the erstwhile united state of Andhra Pradesh. Now, the sheen seems to be coming off if one goes by the BJP’s performance in this civic poll. Though municipal elections are no bellwether for the assembly, where larger issues are at play, the BJP has reasons to be happy at its performance.

At the end of the BJP’s extremely polarised campaign, where it went after the AIMIM over Rohingyas, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Afghanis and what not, the people of Hyderabad seem to have fallen for the rhetoric.

Now, the TRS is short of the numbers to claim the Mayor’s seat on its own. It needed at least 67 divisions to have its own mayor without the support of any other party, as it already has 31 ex-officio votes made up of its MPs, MLAs and MLCs. But in all probability, it will ally with its Assembly poll partner, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) which won in 44 wards.

Though the BJP unleashed its gaggle of star campaigners, to much ridicule from Asaduddin Owaisi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seem to have turned the Hyderabadis to vote for their party.

The TRS seems to have been hit by its anti-incumbency and resentment among flood-affected families due to discrepancies in relief distribution.

With this win, the BJP emerged as the biggest gainer in GHMC elections. The BJP has also increased its vote share by making a meal of the TRS and the Congress. The BJP is treating this victory as its launchpad for the Telangana Assembly election 2023. The BJP is looking to fill the political vacuum of the Congress in Telangana and make inroads into TRS-AIMIM’s stronghold with strong Hindutva rhetoric. 

The worst performer in the civic polls is the Congress which failed to improve its performance since the last polls. It had won two seats in 2016 and managed to win two this time. 

TRS working president K. T. Rao had hoped for another 25 seats in GHMC elections. He said his party lost 12-13 seats by a slim margin of 200-300 votes, which were netted by the BJP. On the other hand, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM has emerged as the kingmaker by winning 44 wards with 10 ex-officio members in hand. 

Read Also:Rahul Gandhi says every Indian should support farmers’ stir, cites Bihar’s no-MSP example

The BJP, however, has given a strong fight to AIMIM and much of its campaign was targeted at Owaisi and the party, the AIMIM has been able to maintain its seat share. Just like 2015, this time too AIMIM has won 44 seats in the civic polls.

By- Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

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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