The Congress-led UDF is closely monitoring CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran's decision to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Assembly election. UDF leaders are considering supporting Sudhakaran, while the CPI(M) expresses disappointment and denies mistreatment.
Sitting Dalit MLA C C Mukundan from Nattika has openly declared he will contest as an independent after allegedly being denied a CPI ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections, citing party infighting and caste-related issues.
India's wholesale price inflation (WPI) increased to 9.87 per cent in June, up from 9.68 per cent in May, primarily due to significant price increases in non-food and food products, with food inflation alone rising to 5.49 per cent.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is deteriorating on the 18th day of his hunger strike, with his weight dropping significantly and vital signs requiring continuous monitoring. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused the government of 'cruelty' for its refusal to engage in dialogue regarding alleged NEET irregularities, intensifying calls for accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
A Kerala native, Muhammed Sanoof, has been arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly posting an offensive comment under a video featuring the daughter of a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack. Sanoof was detained upon his return from Saudi Arabia, following a lookout notice. The case was registered based on a complaint by a BJYM leader, and police invoked UAPA after interrogation and mobile phone examination, citing crucial evidence.
BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismisses Rahul Gandhi's charge of a BJP-CPI(M) understanding in Kerala as baseless, asserting the NDA is competitive and criticising Congress's performance.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified the UDF's campaign for the Kerala polls, accusing the CPI(M) of stealing gold from the Sabarimala temple and questioning PM Modi's silence on the issue. He also addressed concerns about rubber prices and the FCRA amendments.
Senior CPI(M) leader V Sivankutty has criticised the Kerala UDF government for allegedly spreading misinformation about the Centre's PM SHRI scheme and attempting to implement it despite earlier opposition. He clarified that the previous LDF government froze the agreement over concerns about the National Education Policy and that funds received were not for PM SHRI. The scheme continues to be a politically contentious issue in the state.
Sitting CPI MLA C C Mukundan from Nattika has declared he will contest as an independent after allegedly being denied a party ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections, citing party infighting and caste-related issues.
A court in Alappuzha sentenced two CPI(M) activists to five years' rigorous imprisonment for attempting to murder a BJP worker in Thaneermukkom in 2018.
Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has defended the appointment of his brother-in-law, Benny Thomas, as his Additional Private Secretary, citing Thomas's public service record and political experience. The appointment has sparked controversy, with the opposition CPI(M) accusing the minister of nepotism and hypocrisy, demanding his resignation.
The Reserve Bank of India has increased its retail inflation projection for 2026-27 to 5.1 per cent, up from an earlier estimate of 4.6 per cent. This revision is primarily attributed to mounting input costs, driven by the pass-through of higher global energy prices to domestic petrol and diesel rates, which have seen significant increases since May.
A CPI(M) leader has blamed the municipal corporation for the roof collapse at a government school in Kerala, alleging negligence in issuing a fitness certificate.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said there are some parties that have expressed their inability to attend this particular meeting for their own reasons.
G Sudhakaran, the pro tem Speaker, stated he has no personal enmity with former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, emphasising that personal grudges have no place in politics.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said in the assembly that justice would be delivered in the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case, leaving the victim's mother, a BJP MLA who was present in the House, in tears.
Three former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sushmita Dev and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday and, within hours, were named the saffron party's candidates for the Rajya Sabha bypolls from West Bengal, underlining both their political rehabilitation and the party's calibrated shift in inducting leaders from the erstwhile ruling dispensation.
'The Dravidian parties wanted to prevent the TVK from forming a government.'
The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the trial proceedings in the 2018 Mattannur Shuhaib murder case until June 15, following a plea by three accused seeking to transfer the trial to a different court. The case involves the alleged murder of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib and has seen significant legal and political attention.
The UDF government in Kerala is likely to hand over the probe into former ADM Naveen Babu's death to the CBI, with a Cabinet decision expected soon in this regard.
CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby and other Left leaders were detained by Delhi Police during a protest against ED searches at former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence. The CPI(M) alleges excessive force was used, while police state around 50 protesters were detained and released.
Leaders from several opposition parties within the INDIA bloc convened in New Delhi, stressing the critical need for unity to safeguard democratic values and address pressing issues like people's livelihoods, despite recent internal differences and electoral setbacks.
Most members of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) expressed concerns about inflation becoming generalised and highlighted uncertainties surrounding both inflation and growth prospects due to the West Asia conflict, according to the recently released minutes.
Kerala police have arrested four individuals in connection with the violent attack on vehicles carrying Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who raided former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's rented house. The arrests followed a stand-off with CPI(M) party workers and leaders.
The appointment of senior IAS officer Rathan U Kelkar as secretary to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has ignited a political controversy, drawing criticism from the CPI(M), CPI, and BJP.
Retail inflation stood at 2.75 per cent in January under the new series of All India Consumer Price Index (CPI), with 2024 as the base year, released on Thursday.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan addressed the controversy surrounding the full rendition of Vande Mataram during the UDF government's swearing-in ceremony, stating that neither he nor his colleagues were informed beforehand. The issue has sparked political debate, with the CPI(M) criticising the move and the BJP accusing the Communists of insulting the national song.
A court in Kerala dismissed a petition filed by the accused in the Mattannur Shuhaib murder case, seeking to transfer the trial to another court. The Thalassery Additional Sessions Court also rejected a separate plea to stay the trial proceedings in the high-profile 2018 murder case of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib.
Former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, now an independent MLA backed by the UDF, has stated he would accept a ministerial position if offered, despite not seeking one. He highlighted his past experience as a minister and his willingness to serve if chosen, while also noting that he has not been contacted regarding any potential cabinet discussions.
'BJP wanted a compromised Opposition and found a match in this faction of the Trinamool.'
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that the violent attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials' vehicles was a conspiracy by the CPI(M) to disrupt law and order. The ED raids were linked to financial dealings between former CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter's firm and a sand mining company.
Opposition NDA legislators in Jharkhand have been moved to a hotel ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections for two seats. The BJP-backed independent candidate, Parimal Nathwani, faces a challenge as the NDA lacks the required numbers, necessitating potential cross-voting for victory.
Alappuzha MLA A D Thomas and five others have identified former security personnel of then Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as alleged assailants of Youth Congress workers during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas programme. The identification occurred at the Crime Branch office, with Thomas expressing concerns about the investigation being derailed despite a new SIT being formed under the Congress-led UDF government, which has invoked a more serious charge of attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Seven Dalits were injured in Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu after being attacked by a masked gang. Political leaders have condemned the violence and called for immediate action.
The Kerala government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe two 'kafir screenshot' cases that caused a political storm during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in Vadakara constituency. The cases involve alleged communal polarisation and the circulation of fake messages against LDF candidate K K Shailaja, with the new SIT reopening a previously inconclusive investigation.
'The real shock is going to be from a deficient monsoon.'
'Mamata was more feared than loved, and in politics when people start fearing you then they start hating you.' 'So Mamata's comeback now is impossible.'
Bank of Baroda economists project India's GDP to grow 6.5-6.8 per cent in FY27 but warn that the fiscal deficit could overshoot the budgeted 4.3 per cent target, potentially reaching 4.7-4.8 per cent of GDP due to subsidy overruns, excise duty cuts, and oil marketing company losses.
Top leaders of opposition parties including Congress' Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC's Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, besides Left leaders and those from smaller parties, are likely to attend the meeting at the Constitution Club in the national capital.
The appointment of Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer as the Chief Minister's secretary has ignited a political firestorm, raising questions about election credibility and sparking accusations of hypocrisy among political parties.
