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Ideology out for summer vacation, Congress Group of 23 becomes 22 with Jitin Prasada exit but who’s next?

The move comes on the back of his long-running differences with the Congress leadership while other reports claimed Prasada had wanted to be the UP Congress Committee chief.

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G23 REBELS

The Congress, which is already reeling from successive electoral losses and bickering, suffered another setback on Wednesday as former Union Minister Jitin Prasada joined the BJP. The move comes on the back of his long-running differences with the Congress leadership while other reports claimed Prasada had wanted to be the UP Congress Committee chief. But is this really a setback or a favour for the party?

The two-time MP was among the 23 leaders who had written to then Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi in 2020 demanding organisational changes and for introspection. Formally, the Congress is yet to reply to the letter though some of the so-called rebels found place in inter-party posts. Prasada’s move comes after another Young Turk Jyotiraditya Scindia scrammed into the BJP in 2020 leading to the fall of the Kamal Nath government. Similarly, Sachin Pilot’s rebellion against Ashok Gehlot was managed by the party with some promises that are yet to be fulfilled.

Why Jitin Prasada? Why now?

Jitin Prasada’s move is a different kettle of fish though. A Brahmin face, his move to the BJP mirrors that of Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s in 2016. His injection is expected to balance out the Thakur-Brahmin equation in the BJP which is heading for polls. It is not immediately clear if the BJP will ask Prasada to contest the 2022 polls.

The BJP’s discomfort with the public perception of the Yogi Adityanath government lies at the heart of its efforts to come up with failsafes. Opposition parties have tried to corner Yogi Adityanath on his government’s response to the Covid-19 situation, even as the government says it has efficiently dealt with the brutal second wave. But the heightened political activity in the state indicates that not everyone in the BJP has bought into the defence.

Read Also: Sonam Kapoor turns 36, wishes pour in from Anil Kapoor, Anand Ahuja, and others

Congress cup of woes now down to 22

The Congress G23 list includes five former chief ministers, MPs Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, members of Congress Working Committee and over a dozen former union ministers with years of political experience.

1.    Ghulam Nabi Azad: A former Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and a party veteran from Sanjay Gandhi days.

2.    Kapil Sibal: Former Chandni Chowk MP and former union minister.

3.    Shashi Tharoor: Thiruvananthapuram MP since 2009.

4.    Manish Tewari: Former Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.

5.    Anand Sharma: Former Union Minister and had been Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, but has been relieved of upper house party duties.

6.    Pallath Joseph Kurian: Former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha till June 2018, he had been Union Minister several times.

7.    Renuka Chaudhary: Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh and former union minister.

8. Milind Deora: A former Union Minister of State and was MP from Mumbai in the 15th Lok Sabha.

9. Mukul Wasnik: Former Union Minister.

10. Bhupendra Singh Hooda: Former Chief Minister, Haryana.

11.  Rajinder Kaur Bhattal: A former Punjab Chief Minister.

12. Marpadi Veerappa Moily: A former Karnataka CM and union minister.

13.  Prithviraj Chavan: Former Mhaarshtra CM and former PMO minister.

14.  Ajay Singh, former Leader of Opposition of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, also has been elected 5 times from Churhat Vidhan Sabha constituency. Singh is the son of Arjun Singh, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and former Union Minister.

15. Raj Babbar: Actor, three-time Lok Sabha MP and a two-time Rajya Sabha member. He was president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee.

16.  Arvind Singh Lovely: Congress prodigal from Delhi, left party briefly for the BJP in 2017 but now back in.

17. Kaul Singh Thakur: Leader from Himachal Pradesh, he served as PCC president twice despite strong opposition from Virbhadra Singh and Vidya Stokes.

18. Kuldeep Sharma: Former MP from Haryana.

19. Yoganand Shastri: Speaker of Delhi Legislative Assembly from 2008 to 2013.

20. Sandeep Dixit: Son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, represented East Delhi constituency in Lok Sabha.

21.  Vivek Tankha: Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India.

India News

Congress slams PM Modi, Amit Shah after ED files chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi

The ED’s chargesheet has accused the Congress leaders of money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

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The Congress on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case.

Labelling it a blatant act of vendetta politics, the grand old party also condemned the seizure of the newspaper’s assets as a “state-sponsored crime disguised as justice,” vowing to fight back against what it calls an attempt to silence its leadership.

In a fiery statement on X, Congress general secretary in charge of communication Jairam Ramesh accused PM Modi and Shah of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation. “Filing chargesheets against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others is nothing but the politics of vendetta gone wild,” Ramesh posted. “Seizing National Herald’s assets is a mockery of the rule of law.”

Hitting out at Shah, the Congress leader accused him of going “completely berserk.” He asserted that the Indian National Congress and its leadership refuse to be silenced, stating: “Satyameva Jayate.”

The ED’s chargesheet has accused the Congress leaders of money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Alongside Sonia and Rahul, it names Congress figures Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the document for cognisance, scheduling further proceedings for April 25, with the filing handled by ED’s special public prosecutor, N.K. Matta.

Ramesh asserted that the Congress remains undeterred, promising, “We will not be silenced, and the truth will triumph.” The chargesheet reignites a long-standing legal battle tied to the National Herald, a newspaper associated with the Congress since India’s independence era.

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court has scheduled a hearing for arguments on the ongoing National Herald case for April 25, 2025.

During a recent session, the presiding judge stated, “The present prosecution complaint shall next be taken up for consideration on the aspect of cognisance before this court on April 25, 2025, when the special counsel for the ED and the investigating officer will ensure the production of case diaries for the court’s examination.”

The prosecution complaint, lodged under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, pertains to allegations of money laundering, as outlined in Section 3, in conjunction with Section 70, and is punishable under Section 4 of the same act, as per the report.

This case has garnered significant attention, following a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul, their associated companies, and other individuals involved.

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Cricket news

Virat Kohli breaks silence over deleting all ads from Instagram account, says needed a reset

The interviewer, Nags, playfully asked if Kohli would share their ad-free clip on his account, only to be met with a swift, “Nope!” sparking laughter.

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Cricket icon Virat Kohli addressed the buzz around his decision to wipe all advertisements from his Instagram account, calling it a necessary “reset”, during a candid chat with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The move, which left fans puzzled earlier this month, reflects the star’s desire to step back from heavy social media engagement while keeping the door open for future changes.

In a lighthearted RCB video posted Tuesday, Kohli was quizzed about his soaring endorsement value after the Champions Trophy win. With a grin, he quipped, “Yes, it’s gone up!” When probed about his stripped-down Instagram profile, he explained, “I’m in a unique space with social media right now. I’m not feeling like diving in too much at the moment, but who knows what’s next? It just needed a fresh start.”

The interviewer, Nags, playfully asked if Kohli would share their ad-free clip on his account, only to be met with a swift, “Nope!” sparking laughter.

On April 9, Kohli stunned his 70 million followers by clearing his Instagram ‘posts’ section of all promotional content, paid partnerships, and ads, relegating them to the reels tab. His timeline now showcases personal moments—family snapshots, gym workouts, and glimpses of his IPL 2025 journey with RCB—offering a more intimate look at the 36-year-old’s life.

Speculation swirled that Kohli might be redirecting focus to personal ventures, but he clarified that the overhaul was about reclaiming his digital space. “It’s about finding balance,” he hinted, dispelling rumours of a strategic shift.

On the field, Kohli is in top form, dazzling in IPL 2025 with 248 runs across six innings, including three fifties, at a strike rate of 143.35. His latest gem—an unbeaten 65 off 33 balls against Rajasthan Royals—marked his 100th T20 fifty, making him the first Asian batter to hit this milestone. Tied with David Warner for the most IPL fifties (66), Kohli trails only Warner’s 108 in overall T20s.

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Cricket news

Uber announces free shuttle rides for IPL matches in Delhi NCR

With these guidelines in mind, fans can enjoy an exciting matchday experience while benefiting from Uber’s free shuttle service to the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

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In an exciting new initiative, Uber India has announced that fans can enjoy free shuttle rides to the Arun Jaitley Stadium on match days for the Delhi Capitals. With a lineup of home games on the horizon, this service aims to enhance the fan experience and provide convenient transportation to the stadium.

The Delhi Capitals will face off against the Rajasthan Royals on April 16, followed by matches against RCB on April 27 and KKR on April 29. Fans attending these exhilarating contests can take advantage of this complimentary shuttle service, provided they present a valid match ticket. This initiative reflects Uber’s commitment to supporting sports fans and ensuring they have an enjoyable and hassle-free experience.

How to Book Your Free Shuttle Ride on Uber

The Uber Shuttle buses will operate from key locations across Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon. To streamline access to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, five dedicated routes have been established, helping fans avoid crowded metro stations and make their journey smoother. Here’s how to book your shuttle ride for free:

  1. Open the Uber app.
  2. Set Arun Jaitley Stadium as your pick-up or drop-off location.
  3. Tap the Shuttle icon.
  4. Choose your preferred time and confirm your shuttle.
  5. Reserve your seat in advance to ensure your spot.
  6. Don’t forget to bring your valid match ticket to board the shuttle.

Important Rules for Attending a Match at Arun Jaitley Stadium

Fans are reminded that entry gates will open approximately three hours before the match is set to begin, providing ample time to settle in for the game. It’s important to adhere to the following regulations:

  • Once a fan enters the stadium, re-entry is prohibited.
  • Refunds will only be issued if the match is canceled or abandoned without any balls being bowled.
  • Certain items are strictly forbidden inside the stadium, including bottles, lighters, tins or cans, musical instruments, flammable or toxic substances, metal containers, firecrackers, weapons, and motorcycle helmets.

With these guidelines in mind, fans can enjoy an exciting matchday experience while benefiting from Uber’s free shuttle service to the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

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