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Congress faces backlash over guarantee panel appointments, BJP calls it misuse of taxpayers’ money

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BJP protests against Karnataka Congress government over panel appointments

A major political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after the ruling Congress government appointed party workers as office-bearers of a panel responsible for implementing its pre-poll guarantees. The opposition BJP and JD(S) have accused the government of misusing taxpayers’ money to compensate its workers, escalating tensions within the state assembly and beyond.

BJP and JD(S) question Congress’ move

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] have strongly criticized the Congress-led state government, alleging that public funds are being funneled to party workers under the guise of governance. Protests erupted outside the Vidhana Soudha, with BJP MLAs staging demonstrations against the decision.

JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa raised the issue in the Assembly, questioning why Congress workers were being given salaries and perks when MLAs and officials were already overseeing programme implementation.

BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing him of failing to differentiate between the party and the government. “How can you give taxpayers’ money to Congress workers? If you want to pay them, go beg on the streets. These Congress workers have been given cabinet rank, official bungalows, and offices,” he alleged.

DK Shivakumar defends appointments

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded to the criticism by stating that Congress workers had every right to monitor the government’s programs. “It is the will of the government. The party workers who brought this government to power have every right to oversee its programmes,” he asserted.

Mr. Ashoka countered by asking if BJP workers could also be appointed to oversee Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schemes.

BJP leader and former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra accused Congress workers of holding parallel meetings instead of coordinating with MLAs. “Don’t you trust us? We are already receiving salaries and perks for the same purpose. This is undemocratic,” he said.

BJP intensifies attack, alleges misuse of funds

Further intensifying its attack, the BJP claimed that a massive financial burden was being placed on the state exchequer to fund these appointments. BJP state president BY Vijayendra accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of misusing state funds, announcing that the party would submit a memorandum to the Governor.

BJP leaders alleged that Congress workers were receiving significant financial benefits under the scheme. In every Assembly constituency, Congress-appointed leaders were reportedly being given a salary of Rs 25,000 along with personal assistants, while the state panel president was receiving Rs 40,000 and vice presidents Rs 25,000.

“Every year, Rs 15-20 crore is being looted and distributed among Congress workers,” Ashoka claimed, alleging that state resources were being diverted to strengthen the ruling party’s hold.

Congress defends guarantee schemes

Shivakumar dismissed the BJP’s accusations, stating that the government had made a budgetary allocation of Rs 52,000-Rs 56,000 crore for its guarantee schemes, which constitute 20% of the state budget. He also pointed out that similar schemes were being implemented in BJP-ruled states like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

“Everyone from the Prime Minister to an MLA of BJP criticised the guarantee schemes. Irrespective of the opposition, we went ahead and rolled it out. The guarantee schemes will not stop as long as the Congress government is in power,” he reiterated.

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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