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Shashi Tharoor says criticism of Nehru must be balanced, calls BJP narrative selective

Shashi Tharoor says Nehru’s mistakes should be acknowledged but warns against blaming India’s first prime minister for every problem, calling the BJP’s narrative selective.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said that while India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru should not be viewed without criticism, blaming him alone for the country’s challenges amounts to a selective reading of history.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the Kerala Legislative Assembly International Book Festival, Tharoor said he regards Nehru as the founder of Indian democracy but does not support all his ideas or policies uncritically. He stressed that acknowledging historical mistakes is necessary, but holding Nehru responsible for every national issue is unjustified.

“I am a fan of Jawaharlal Nehru, but not an uncritical fan,” Tharoor said, adding that Nehru’s intellect and worldview deserved admiration even if some decisions warranted debate. He underlined that Nehru played a decisive role in firmly establishing democracy in post-Independence India.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, Tharoor said the current government is not anti-democratic but is “certainly anti-Nehru”, accusing it of turning the former prime minister into a convenient scapegoat. According to him, criticism of Nehru is sometimes valid, but it often goes far beyond fair assessment.

Referring to the 1962 India-China war, Tharoor acknowledged that some of the criticism has a basis, noting that certain decisions taken during Nehru’s tenure contributed to the defeat. However, he said this does not justify blaming Nehru for unrelated problems decades later.

During the session, Tharoor also spoke about his personal journey as a writer. He said his habit of reading developed during childhood due to asthma, at a time when books were his primary companions. He recalled that his first novel was written at a very young age but was later lost due to an ink spill.

Tharoor noted that Kerala continues to lead in reading culture even as reading habits decline in many parts of the world. He said his book The Great Indian Novel, written in 1989, emerged as a satirical work at a time when the genre was largely missing in India.

Addressing younger readers, Tharoor observed that shorter books could be more effective for those struggling to find time to read today. He also reminisced about his days at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, recalling a stage production in which he played Antony while filmmaker Mira Nair portrayed Cleopatra.

The session concluded with Tharoor reciting lines from his earlier poem How to Sleep at Night.

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Melody runs out of stock on quick-commerce apps as viral PM Modi-Meloni video triggers candy frenzy

A casual diplomatic gift has triggered an unprecedented consumer rush, leaving quick-commerce apps like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart completely out of stock of the iconic Melody candy.

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A simple packet of the classic chocolate-and-caramel toffee Melody has unexpectedly gone viral after a light-hearted diplomatic moment between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni triggered a wave of online buzz and consumer interest in India.

Viral Modi-Meloni moment drives internet frenzy

The trend began after a video of PM Narendra Modi gifting a packet of Parle Melody to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit gained traction on social media. The clip shows the two leaders sharing a warm and informal exchange, which quickly caught the attention of users online.

Meloni’s positive reaction in the video and the friendly interaction between the two leaders helped fuel the popularity of the moment, which users soon began referring to as part of the “Melodi” meme trend.

Melody demand spikes on quick-commerce platforms

Following the viral spread of the video, demand for Melody toffees reportedly surged across India. Users on social media began sharing screenshots showing the candy listed as out of stock on quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit and Zepto in several locations.

The sudden spike in interest led to widespread discussion online, with many users humorously linking the diplomatic moment to the sudden shortage of the nostalgic candy.

‘Melodi’ meme trend returns

Beyond the retail impact, the interaction once again revived the popular “Melodi” meme trend on social media. Users flooded platforms with memes, edits, and humorous posts referencing the friendly exchange between the two leaders.

The trend highlights how light-hearted diplomatic moments can quickly evolve into viral cultural phenomena in the digital age.

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Congress to join Vijay cabinet in Tamil Nadu after 59 years, two MLAs set to become ministers

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The Congress party is set to become part of the Tamil Nadu government for the first time in nearly six decades, with two of its MLAs expected to join Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s cabinet in an upcoming expansion.

According to reports, the Congress leadership has approved the induction of two legislators into the Vijay-led administration, marking the party’s return to power-sharing in Tamil Nadu after 59 years.

The development comes days after actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), formed the government in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections. Congress had extended support to TVK during the government formation process earlier this month.

Reports said MLAs K Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan are among the likely Congress leaders to be sworn in as ministers. The cabinet expansion is expected to strengthen the alliance between TVK and Congress while also giving Congress a direct role in governance in the state.

Congress had last been part of the Tamil Nadu government in 1967, making the latest move a major political milestone in the state’s history. Political observers see the decision as an attempt to consolidate the ruling alliance and maintain stability in the new government.

The TVK government led by Vijay has already begun administrative restructuring and portfolio allocation after taking office earlier this month. Vijay retained key departments including Home, Police and Youth Welfare in the initial cabinet formation.

The Congress leadership had earlier indicated its willingness to participate in the Tamil Nadu government after extending support to Vijay during the post-election negotiations.

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BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi over traitor remark against PM Modi, Amit Shah

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Rahul-Gandhi

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi triggered a sharp political controversy on Wednesday after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh “traitors” during an address to Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli.

The remarks drew an immediate backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several leaders accusing the Congress MP of using “the language of terrorists” and attempting to insult democratic institutions.

According to reports, Rahul Gandhi told party workers that when RSS members speak about PM Modi and Amit Shah, they should respond by saying, “Your Prime Minister is a traitor, your home minister is a traitor, your organisation is a traitor.” He further alleged that the ruling establishment had “worked to sell out India” and attacked the Constitution as well as the ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.

The Congress leader made the remarks while addressing workers in Rae Bareli, his parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. His comments quickly became the centre of a heated political exchange between the BJP and Congress.

BJP leaders strongly condemned the statement, saying Rahul Gandhi’s comments crossed democratic boundaries. Party leaders claimed his language echoed narratives used by hostile elements against India and accused him of targeting the Indian state for political gains.

The controversy intensified further after Rahul Gandhi also criticised PM Modi over a viral video showing the Prime Minister gifting a packet of “Melody” candy to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome. Gandhi reportedly mocked the gesture amid ongoing political debates over economic and governance issues.

The latest exchange adds to the escalating war of words between the BJP and Congress ahead of key political battles in several states and the broader national political contest. Political tensions between the two parties have intensified in recent weeks over issues ranging from governance and foreign visits to economic concerns and constitutional debates.

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