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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal supports Rahul Gandhi in defamation case, alleges BJP conspiracy to finish opposition

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo backed Gandhi and criticized the ruling party for its conspiracy to eliminate non-BJP parties and leaders by prosecuting them.

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Arvind Kejriwal rahul

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hatching a conspiracy to overthrow opposition parties and leaders after a Gujarat court convicted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo backed Gandhi and criticized the ruling party for its conspiracy to eliminate non-BJP parties and leaders by prosecuting them.

Referring to Wayanad MP’s arrest, Kejriwal in a tweet wrote that he may have differences with the Congress, but it is not right to implicate Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case like this. It is the job of the public and the opposition to ask questions. We respect the court but disagree with the decision, he added.

Earlier today, a Surat court found Rahul Gandhi guilty in a 2019 criminal defamation case and sentenced him to two years in prison. The case was filed by BJP MLA and former Gujarat Minister Purnesh Modi over Gandhi’s remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname during a rally in Karnataka’s Kolar ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Targeting PM Modi over his last name which he shares with fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, Gandhi said, How come all thieves have the common surname, Modi?

Soon after the court pronounced the verdict, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Congress MP tweeted, My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence is the means to get it.

Read Also: Assam assembly passes resolution against BBC for PM Modi documentary

Congress party also hit out at a saffron party and called PM Modi a dictator. The party tweeted that the dictator is afraid of Rahul Gandhi as he is raising his voice against him. It further said that Rahul Gandhi will file an appeal in this matter and will definitely win.

However, Gandhi was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

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India News

Siddaramaiah not interested in taking Rajya Sabha post, say sources

Sources reveal that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has turned down an offer for a Rajya Sabha seat, preferring to remain active as an MLA in state politics despite leadership transition talks by the Congress high command.

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The political landscape in Karnataka is witnessing intense developments as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly expressed his unwillingness to accept a Rajya Sabha berth or transition into a national role in New Delhi. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the veteran leader prefers to remain active within state politics and continue his tenure as an MLA rather than shifting his focus to the national capital.

High command pushes for transition

This revelation comes on the heels of marathon high-level meetings convened by the Congress leadership in Delhi to address the ongoing leadership discussions in Karnataka. Insiders state that the party central leadership has backed Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take over the top post, in line with internal understandings following the 2023 assembly elections.

To facilitate a smooth leadership transition in the state, the high command offered Siddaramaiah a parliamentary seat in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections alongside a prominent national role. However, sources indicate that the Chief Minister has rejected this proposal and requested more time to deliberate on his next steps.

Official stance downplays leadership shift

Publicly, senior party leaders have sought to quell rumors regarding an immediate change of guard. Following a lengthy deliberation at the party headquarters, General Secretary K.C. Venugopal stated to the media that the discussions were exclusively centered around selecting candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council seats in Karnataka. He dismissed reports of an imminent chief ministerial swap as mere speculation.

Siddaramaiah also echoed this sentiment when questioned by journalists, emphatically denying that any leadership changes were debated during the official meeting. Despite these denials, political circles remain abuzz, as the Chief Minister has reportedly met with cabinet ministers and loyalists to discuss the evolving situation before returning to Bengaluru.

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US carries out fresh strikes in Iran, downing drones near strategic Strait of Hormuz

The US military launched overnight defensive strikes targeting an Iranian military facility and shot down four attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the vulnerability of ongoing peace negotiations.

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Donald Trump statement

The US military launched overnight strikes inside Iran, targeting a military installation and intercepting multiple attack drones near the critical Strait of Hormuz. The operation comes amid intense diplomatic efforts to end a three-month-old war that has severely impacted global energy markets.

According to media reports citing US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, American forces shot down four one-way attack drones. Additionally, a ground control facility located in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas—which was reportedly preparing to launch a fifth drone—was struck. Local residents in Iran reported hearing three distinct explosions east of Bandar Abbas around 1:30 AM local time, prompting the temporary activation of local air defense systems.

Focus on maintaining the ceasefire

US Central Command later confirmed the targeted actions, stating that the intercepted drones posed an immediate threat to American personnel and commercial shipping vessels operating near the strategic waterway. Officials described the intervention as a measured, defensive response aimed strictly at safeguarding international transit routes and preserving the active, yet fragile, ceasefire arrangement.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital artery for global commerce, accounting for nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments before hostitilies erupted on February 28.

Strains on ongoing diplomatic talks

These recent military developments occurred against the backdrop of sensitive negotiations aimed at formalizing a permanent peace agreement. Earlier this week, the US conducted similar self-defense strikes against vessels allegedly deployed to lay naval mines, drawing sharp condemnation from Tehran, which labelled those actions a breach of the ceasefire.

Diplomatic tensions were further compounded on Wednesday when US President Donald Trump publicly dismissed reports claiming that Iran and Oman would jointly manage shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz under a proposed peace deal, asserting instead that the international waterway must remain entirely open.

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India News

West Bengal government to launch Annapurna scheme from June 1, offering monthly aid of Rs 3,000 to women

The West Bengal government has announced the Annapurna Yojana, providing Rs 3,000 monthly financial assistance to eligible women aged 25–60 starting June 1, 2026. Existing beneficiaries of the older scheme will be automatically migrated subject to verification.

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The West Bengal government has officially notified the rollout of the ‘Annapurna Yojana,’ a welfare initiative aimed at providing assured monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to women across the state. Introduced by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, the scheme is structured to foster the socio-economic upliftment of women and will officially come into effect on June 1, 2026.

Under this new initiative, financial benefits will be transferred directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of qualified beneficiaries using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Strict eligibility criteria outlined

According to the official government notification, specific guidelines have been established to determine eligibility for the monthly cash assistance:

  • Target Age Group: Eligible women must be between 25 and 60 years of age.
  • Employment Status: Applicants must not hold permanent government employment or receive a regular salary or pension from the central government, state government, statutory bodies, panchayats, municipalities, local bodies, or government-aided educational institutions.
  • Tax Criteria: Women who are income tax payers are excluded from the scheme.

Automatic migration and scrutiny rules

The new order clarifies that all current beneficiaries of the erstwhile Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be automatically migrated to the Annapurna Yojana. However, the transition involves a rigorous filtering process. Individuals identified as deceased, shifted, deleted, or recorded as absentee electors during the SIR-2026 exercise or voter slip distribution will be systematically excluded from the beneficiary list.

On the other hand, individuals who have filed appeals before the SIR Tribunal or submitted applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will continue to receive financial assistance until their applications are legally resolved by authorities.

Application process for new beneficiaries

For fresh applicants, a dedicated online portal for the Annapurna Yojana will be launched on June 1, 2026. To ensure transparency, all new applications will undergo a strict multi-tier verification process by designated local administrative officials:

  • Rural Areas: Block Development Officers (BDOs) will manage the verification and inquiries.
  • Urban Areas: Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) will oversee the process.
  • Kolkata: Officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will handle applications within their jurisdiction.

Following field inquiries, verified reports will be uploaded directly to the digital portal. The respective District Magistrates and the KMC Commissioner will serve as the final sanctioning authorities in their corresponding jurisdictions to approve the disbursement of funds.

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