India News

Mayawati replies to Samajwadi Party rumours about her becoming President, says can dream of becoming PM, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, not President

In Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2022, the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP increased its tally from 47 MLAs to 111 while the BSP was reduced to just 1 MLA from 19 in the previous elections. The SP and the BSP had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together.

Published

4 years ago

April 28, 2022

Minutes after her top aides met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday held a press conference accusing the Samajwadi Party of spreading rumours she wanted to become the president of India. She wanted to become the state’s Chief Minister again and even the Prime Minister eventually but she doesn’t want a life of comfort but one of struggle, the BSP supremo said.

In Mainpuri, the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had recently said that the BSP chief Mayawati wanted to become the President and that is why her vote had gone to the BJP. Now it will be interesting to see whether the BJP makes Mayawati President or not in return, he said.

In a statement, Mayawati said that the Samajwadi Party is responsible for Muslim atrocities. Both the SP and the BJP should stop spreading rumours now. If Dalits and Muslims come together then she could be seen the dream of becoming the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister or maybe Prime Minister but she could never think about becoming the President, she said.

Mayawati also attacked the SP chief by saying there is a lot of buzz that he might flee from the country.

Mayawati’s remarks come after her close aide party general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra and the party’s lone UP MLA Uma Shankar Singh’s meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence. The crucial meeting between UP CM and BSP leaders has been triggering speculations of a larger political shift in the state.

The SP and the BSP had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together.

When things didn’t work in their favour, they called off the alliance and several BSP leaders have switched over to the SP in the last year but the SP could not get the magical number in the UP assembly.

In Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2022, the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP increased its tally from 47 MLAs to 111 while the BSP was reduced to just 1 MLA from 19 in the previous elections.

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India News

Rescue operation underway after water surge traps workers in Chamoli tunnel

At least 10 workers are believed to be trapped after a sudden surge of water and debris entered a tunnel at a THDC project site in Chamoli.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

At least 10 workers are believed to be trapped after water and debris entered a tunnel at a Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) project site in Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. A rescue operation is underway.

According to police, 18 labourers were working inside the tunnel when a sudden surge of water occurred. The strong current swept several workers towards the tunnel’s exit, according to a preliminary report.

Eight workers have been rescued so far, while 10 are still believed to be trapped inside the tunnel.

“Additional ambulances have been dispatched to the site. Police and administrative teams have arrived at the location,” Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Pawar said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been dispatched to assist in the rescue operation.

India News

Delhi Metro to start services at 4 am on Independence Day

Delhi Metro will begin services at 4 am on August 15, with trains running every 30 minutes before regular services start.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi Metro services will start at 4 am on August 15 to facilitate the movement of special guests, invitees and members of the public attending the Independence Day celebrations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Thursday.

Metro trains will operate at 30-minute intervals on all lines from 4 am until regular revenue services begin according to the scheduled timetable for the day.

Special QR tickets for Independence Day invitees

The DMRC said 1.30 lakh special pre-vended QR tickets have been supplied to the Ministry of Defence for the travel of special guests and bona fide invitees attending the celebrations.

Invitees carrying valid physical admit cards issued by the Ministry of Defence will also be provided special pre-vended QR tickets at designated Metro stations to facilitate their travel.

The cost of journeys made using these special QR tickets will be reimbursed to the DMRC by the Ministry of Defence, the corporation said.

Nearest Metro stations to Red Fort

The Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Delhi Gate Metro stations are the nearest stations to the venue of the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

The early start of Metro services is aimed at facilitating the movement of people attending the celebrations on Independence Day.

India News

Bengal withdraws Banga Bibhushan from BJP MP Nagendra Ray over Netaji remarks

West Bengal has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan awarded to BJP MP Nagendra Ray after his controversial remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

The West Bengal government has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan, the state’s highest civilian honour, from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, amid controversy over his remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The award was conferred on Ray on February 21, 2026, when the Mamata Banerjee government was in power. The state government said the honour recognises distinguished and exemplary contributions to the state and its people and carries a high degree of dignity and prestige.

Why Bengal withdrew the award

The decision came less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the police to take stringent action, including arrests, against people making derogatory remarks about Netaji on social media.

Adhikari had also said that the law would apply equally to MPs, MLAs and government officials.

The directive followed remarks by Ananta Maharaj in which he described Netaji as a “war criminal” and questioned his leadership as well as the role of the Azad Hind Fauj in India’s freedom struggle.

What the Bengal government said

In its order, the state government said that “certain facts and circumstances” had emerged that raised questions over Nagendra Ray’s continued retention of the honour.

The government said the competent authority had concluded that retaining the Banga Bibhushan was inconsistent with the dignity, prestige and purpose of the award.

It therefore withdrew and annulled the honour conferred upon Nagendra Ray on February 21, 2026, with immediate effect. The order did not specifically identify the particular offence behind the decision.

Who is Nagendra Ray?

Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, is a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal who hails from Cooch Behar in the northern part of the state and is a leader of the Rajbanshi community.

The withdrawal of the state honour comes amid controversy over his remarks concerning Netaji, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle and a revered personality in Bengal.