Chennai: Senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha Member, Subramanian Swamy, made a satirical comment on his own party’s performance in Tamil Nadu during an interaction with the media. Responding to a reporter’s query about BJP’s TN President Annamalai, Swamy questioned the existence of a BJP presence in Tamil Nadu and asked, “Is there a party called BJP in Tamil Nadu? Annamalai? Who is he?”

Swamy’s remark came in response to the reporter’s question about Annamalai being referred to as the ‘Singam’ (Lion) of Tamil Nadu and his potential for growth. Swamy’s sarcastic comment questioned the party’s strength and impact in the state.

The video of Swamy’s remark is now circulating widely on social media platforms, drawing attention and generating discussions about the state of the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu.

This is not the first time Swamy has criticized his own party. The veteran leader has expressed his disapproval of the saffron party under the leadership of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, on multiple occasions in the past.h

NEW DELHI: The Congress high command seems to have got Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot to strike a truce by taking cognizance of three demands made by the latter including an inquiry into corruption charges against the Vasundhara Raje-led government in the state previously. The leadership are also learnt to have issued a stern warning to the warring leaders that there was no place for indiscipline and that anyone speaking outside the party forum will be firmly dealt with.  

The development happened at a meeting held on Thursday which was attended by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, general secretary in-charge of the organisation KC Venugopal, former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and several other leaders from the state. Gehlot attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Pilot said that the party has taken cognizance of his demands and assured action on the issues. “I have raised three important issues — a probe into the corruption cases against the previous BJP government, reforms in the State Public Service Commission, and compensation to students affected by the recent examination paper leaks. 

The party has taken note of it. The government is looking at these issues with seriousness and will take action,” he said. Pilot said that he has fulfilled whatever role was given to him by the party in the past and will continue to do that. 

“I will fulfil whatever role the Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, and the party offer for me,” he said. “There has been a meaningful discussion for the upcoming elections in Rajasthan,” he said.

Referring to the paper leak and issue of the constitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission, AICC in-charge Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that a strong and transparent law was being enacted in the state and the legislation was being brought in the next session of the Rajasthan assembly.

Briefing the media, Venugopal said that the party leaders resolved to fight the election together as the party had strong credentials in the state. When asked about the CM candidate of the party, Venugopal said, “Our tradition is that we never announce the chief ministerial candidate. But we will fight together in the elections. Our government is doing good work and it will give us results,” he said.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rains continued to lash several parts of Kerala on Thursday,Affecting Normal life as schools declared a holiday in many districts and hundreds were displaced from their homes, which were damaged by uprooted trees or flooded by rising river water, forcing them to take shelter in the relief camps.

The continuous rains since the previous night damaged hundreds of homes in various districts of the state.

However, in several other dams, the water levels showed a “falling trend”, indicating a drop in rainfall intensity as was predicted a day ago by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD had also issued Orange alert in six districts of the state for Thursday.

Incessant heavy rainfall across Kerala over the last few days affected normal life as roads got flooded, water levels rose in rivers and dams, homes were damaged by uprooted trees and a furious sea displaced many in the coastal areas.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a Facebook post, had said on Wednesday that a total of 47 camps are functioning in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts and 879 persons have been shifted there.

The Chief Minister also said that as the heavy rains continue, there are possibilities of flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas and therefore, the public and government agencies should be vigilant and cautious.

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rains of 6 cm to 20 cm of rain.

JAIPUR: Thursday could be a crucial day for Rajasthan Congress which faces a rift between CM Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting in Delhi to which most of the important leaders of the Rajasthan Congress, including CM Gehlot, Pilot, PCC chief GS Dotasra and state party in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa have been invited.

The final role and position to be given to Sachin Pilot could be decided in the meeting, party sources said. The buzz is that Pilot may either be made state party president or the head of the campaign committee. While the Congress leadership has repeatedly asked Pilot to come to Delhi and become the AICC general secretary, he has refused to take that offer. In contrast, the Gehlot camp has resisted all efforts to make Pilot the state party chief or a deputy CM.

The Congress wants to project unity in the state party in the run-up to the Assembly polls. Therefore, the aim of the party is to arrange a détente between the two in the tussle. It remains uncertain whether Gehlot, who recently sustained a leg injury, will be able to attend the meeting.Advertisementhttps://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/jul/06/sachin-pilot-main-focus-in-congress-huddle-called-by-kharge-2591901.html

A senior party insider revealed that the Congress high command intends to refrain from making significant decisions regarding the Chief Minister’s position until the elections are completed. The primary focus now lies on appeasing Sachin Pilot. Some experts suggest that the high command may want Pilot to be the party’s general secretary, which aligns with the Gehlot camp’s aspirations.

However, Pilot has made it clear that he is ready to work on the ground in Rajasthan without seeking any formal position. Many contend that the high command could persuade Pilot to resume the role of Deputy Chief Minister. Yet, this proposition encounters a major obstacle as such an appointment would necessitate a significant reshuffling of the entire cabinet, a move deemed impractical merely five months before the code of conduct comes into force. Simultaneously, some experts believe that Pilot could be entrusted with the responsibility of the state party president again. However, Gehlot remains reluctant.

‘Pacifying Pilot’

A senior party insider said that the Congress leadership intends to refrain from making significant decisions regarding the CM’s position. The primary focus now lies on appeasing Sachin Pilot.

PANAJI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red’ alert for Goa, forecasting heavy rains in parts of both the districts of the coastal state on Thursday.

The weather department has predicted inundation of houses in low-lying areas, fall of weak trees and structures, localised and short-term disruption of essential services, and low visibility during intense rain spells.

“Heavy rains have been observed in Goa. People are advised not to venture into flood-prone areas. In case of any emergency, please contact the control rooms,” the authority said in a media statement issued on Wednesday evening.

As per the IMD, its weather station in state capital Panaji recorded 76.7 mm of rainfall on Wednesday, taking the total seasonal tally to 1,025.6 mm.

The IMD bulletin issued on Wednesday evening said moderate spells of rainfall activity are going on over the talukas of North Goa district.

Rain-bearing clouds are approaching from the Arabian Sea in North Goa and South Goa districts, which are most likely to experience moderate to heavy rain spells on Thursday, it said.

Rain showers are most likely to be accompanied by winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kmph over North Goa and South Goa, the IMD said. It has also been said that isolated locations and ghat areas may receive prolonged spells of rain.