Archives for 2025

Ahmedabad: At least 208 victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad have been so far identified through DNA testing and 170 bodies handed over to the families, an official said on Wednesday.

The London-bound Air India flight AI-171 carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed soon after take-off in Ahmedabad on June 12. All but one passenger on board the plane died along with at least 29 on the ground when the aircraft smashed into the hostel complex of B J Medical College.

Authorities are carrying out DNA tests to establish the identity of the victims as many bodies were charred beyond recognition.

“Till Wednesday evening, 208 DNA samples have been matched, and 170 bodies have been handed over to the respective families,” Ahmedabad Civil Hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi told reporters.

The victims whose bodies were handed over included four Portuguese nationals, 30 British nationals and one Canadian.

Following the crash, 71 injured persons were admitted to the civil hospital, Dr Joshi said.

“Of these 71, only seven are currently undergoing treatment here, while 12 other patients are admitted to private hospitals in Ahmedabad and Dahod. Three patients lost their lives during treatment,” said Dr Joshi. The remaining patients were discharged after treatment.

The state government had earlier stated that samples of 250 victims — persons on board the ill-fated flight as well as those killed on the ground — were collected for identification.

The process of DNA matching of other victims is going on, officials said.

Veteran BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy

A bold and sensational podcast episode featuring veteran BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy has taken YouTube by storm, garnering nearly 2.6 lakh views within 24 hours of its release on the Molitics YouTube channel, hosted by Editor Neeraj Jha. In the episode released on June 17, 2025, Swamy made a series of explosive remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and even raised questions on the future of the BJP and India’s economic and political direction.

This is the first part of a five-part news series that breaks down the major statements and allegations made during the podcast. Each part will focus on specific topics discussed in the hour-long conversation. Stay tuned for the upcoming segments.

Here’s what was revealed in Part 1, where the conversation focused on the power dynamics within BJP, the future of Narendra Modi, a possible leadership change, and the upcoming delimitation exercise.

Modi Still in Control, Not the RSS: Swamy

In the part of the conversation, Neeraj Jha asked who truly controls the BJP — Narendra Modi or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Without hesitation, Swamy replied, “Modi. There is nothing about the RSS. As far as running the government is concerned, it’s Modi.”

This once again brought focus on the long-debated equation between the BJP government and its ideological parent, the RSS. Swamy dismissed any influence of the Sangh on day-to-day governance under Modi.

A Big Decision in September, Swamy Drops a Hint

When asked about an important organisational development expected in September 2025, Swamy hinted at a major shake-up but refused to disclose full details.

The host pressed further: “Who is being made the new BJP president?”

Swamy evaded the question but added, “I won’t tell you now… A big bomb is going to explode in September.”

On being asked if he himself was being considered for the party president’s post, Swamy denied it, saying, “No, I don’t need any post. I am senior to everyone. Whoever comes, whoever is President, whoever is any official I am not scared, I will take my stance.”

Swamy on North-South Divide and Language Debate

On the question of growing regional divide between northern and southern states, especially on issues like language, Swamy gave a blunt response:

“If anyone talks about breaking the country, two slaps should be enough.”

He added that there is no real language issue, saying even in Tamil Nadu, Hindi is studied widely and “there is no problem in Karnataka either.”

Delimitation Plans Questioned: “Why the Hurry?”

Another critical topic was the upcoming delimitation exercise which has sparked political debate across the country. Swamy questioned the intentions behind it.

“Modi is doing it. I don’t know why the hurry. What was the need to reduce seats in one state and increase in another?”

While the host pointed out that the government wants delimitation based on population, Swamy contradicted that, saying “It will not be.”

When pressed further, he added a cryptic comment, “Let the government remain after September. Then ask me.”

“Modi is Falling, Not the Government”

One of the most shocking statements came when Swamy claimed:

“Modi is falling. The government will remain. Why should the BJP government fall? We will never want Congress.”

He took a direct jab at Rahul Gandhi, saying his citizenship is British, and that he had submitted proof in court. He went on to accuse Modi of “saving Rahul Gandhi.”

When asked whether this meant Modi was shielding the Congress leader, Swamy did not deny it.

Finally, when asked who would lead the BJP government if Modi steps down, Swamy kept things vague, saying:

“I won’t say anything now. I don’t want to make one person happy and another sad. Let it happen. It will happen.”

(L-R) PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Veteran BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy

In the second part of the five-part news series covering the explosive podcast by Dr. Subramanian Swamy on Molitics YouTube channel, the veteran BJP leader continues his bold, unfiltered criticism of the party’s top leadership. Released on June 17, 2025, the podcast, hosted by Neeraj Jha, has gone viral for its raw and hard-hitting political revelations.

After discussing a likely major shake-up in the BJP leadership in Part 1, this part focuses on Swamy’s account of Narendra Modi’s rise to power, the role of Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah, internal fear within BJP, and counters to allegations that he sought ministerial posts but was sidelined.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the second part of the series:

The Rise of Modi: “Jaitley Was the Manager”

When asked about Modi’s image as a strong leader backed by slogans like the “56-inch chest” and nationalism, Swamy explained how Modi came to the centre stage.

Swamy said there were limited options at that time. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s health was declining, and L.K. Advani discredited himself politically after praising Muhammad Ali Jinnah as a “secular” figure during his Pakistan visit.

Among the remaining leaders, Narendra Modi stood out due to his strong propaganda machinery in Gujarat, and no one was ready to challenge him, Swamy said. He revealed that Arun Jaitley played a key behind-the-scenes role, saying,

“Jaitley arranged everything. He was Modi’s manager.”

Amit Shah and Judge Loya Case: “Everyone in BJP Believes It”

In a highly controversial moment in the podcast, Swamy responded to a question about Amit Shah’s influence in the party by saying:

“If you want to kill someone, then Amit Shah.”

He then brought up the Judge B.H. Loya death case, where suspicions had earlier surfaced about foul play during the hearing of a case involving Shah.

Swamy alleged, “Everyone in our party believes that Amit Shah was the one who committed the murder.”

When the host asked why the party would continue to support a leader suspected by its own members, Swamy replied bluntly, “I am helpless in this.”

His Long Relationship with Modi: “He’s Not the Same Man”

Swamy shared personal anecdotes from the early 1970s, claiming he had known Modi since his days in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

He recalled how Modi used to carry his bags from the railway station when he visited Gujarat to deliver lectures.

But Swamy said that Modi changed after gaining power:

“He changed after becoming big. Everything was hidden earlier.”

He drew a dramatic analogy:

“We speak of Rama. Rama went and fought Ravan to bring his wife back. Modi is doing the opposite. He made his wife run away and does not bring her back even after becoming Prime Minister.”

“Everyone Wants a Post. That’s Why No One Speaks”

Swamy blamed the culture of fear and opportunism within the BJP for the silence of other leaders.

“Everyone is afraid. Everyone wants a post. That’s why no one dares to speak.”

Countering Claims of Ministerial Greed: “I’ve Held Portfolios Before”

Addressing the common perception that Swamy was sidelined in BJP because he demanded a ministry and didn’t get it, he firmly denied the charge, calling it “propaganda.”

He explained that he had already held powerful roles in earlier governments:

During Chandra Shekhar’s time, he was given two portfolios, including Law Minister.

Under Narasimha Rao, he had significant influence. Rao offered him a position despite Swamy refusing to join Congress.

“At least five ministries were under me. Narasimha Rao would call me every day at 5 pm to discuss the country,” he said.

Swamy also mentioned his close relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, who tried to get him into the Congress fold.

“I told him, you are fine. But those who will come after you will not be fine,” he said, suggesting his long-term disapproval of the Congress system.

New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was hospitalised owing to a stomach-related issue, is stable and recovering well, the hospital said on Thursday.

The 78-year-old Congress leader was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on June 15.

According to Dr Ajay Swaroop, the chairman of the hospital, Gandhi is responding positively to treatment.

“Her health is stable, and a specific diet plan has been introduced today as part of her ongoing care. She remains under close observation,” he said in a health update issued on Thursday morning.

While her recovery is progressing steadily, the hospital has not yet decided on a discharge date. Doctors said the decision will be made based on her overall recovery.

A team of senior doctors is closely monitoring her condition, the statement said.