April 11, 2026

Representative image NEW DELHI: State-owned Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has received environmental clearance from the Argentine govt for deep exploration of five brine lithium blocks in the South American country.Officials said the environmental clearance from Argentina will allow the drilling of boreholes to undertake surveys and exploratory drilling, and to ascertain the total volume of the critical mineral available for extraction.Talking to reporters, mines secretary Piyush Goyal said production from these blocks is expected to begin in 2029. He also said the govt is working on a scheme for processing critical minerals, which is at an advanced stage of finalisation.KABIL had signed an exploration and development agreement with a state-owned enterprise of Argentina’s Catamarca province to help India strengthen lithium supplies while developing the lithium mining and downstream sectors in both countries.India is also exploring investment opportunities in lithium projects in Brazil, Canada and Australia.Speaking to reporters, Goyal said India is unable to import lithium available abroad due to the absence of a domestic processing value chain.“The scheme for processing of the critical mineral value chain is at an advanced stage,” he said, adding that details will be shared once it is approved. Lithium is an important raw material for batteries. The scheme is expected to enhance the resilience of EV and storage batteries in the country.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in WashingtonTelangana HC Grants Pawan Khera One Week Bail In FIR By Himanta Sarma’s Wife123Photostories4 high-profile business family feuds that made headlines globally5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversFrom Yashasvi Jaiswal-Maddie Hamilton to Hardik Pandya-Mahieka Sharma: 5 Indian cricketers and their rumoured girlfriendsGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesWant love that lasts? 5 phrases that can save your relationshipChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to10 stunning gates that reflect the beauty of Indian architectureThat constant throat clearing isn’t just a habit: What it could reveal about acid reflux and how to manage it123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVijayKerala Missing StudentTiger WoodsTelangana Triple MurderUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeLaker Injury UpdatesSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026

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Representative image NEW DELHI: State-owned Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has received environmental clearance from the Argentine govt for deep exploration of five brine lithium blocks in the South American country.Officials said the environmental clearance from Argentina will allow the drilling of boreholes to undertake surveys and exploratory drilling, and to ascertain the total volume of the critical mineral available for extraction.Talking to reporters, mines secretary Piyush Goyal said production from these blocks is expected to begin in 2029. He also said the govt is working on a scheme for processing critical minerals, which is at an advanced stage of finalisation.KABIL had signed an exploration and development agreement with a state-owned enterprise of Argentina’s Catamarca province to help India strengthen lithium supplies while developing the lithium mining and downstream sectors in both countries.India is also exploring investment opportunities in lithium projects in Brazil, Canada and Australia.Speaking to reporters, Goyal said India is unable to import lithium available abroad due to the absence of a domestic processing value chain.“The scheme for processing of the critical mineral value chain is at an advanced stage,” he said, adding that details will be shared once it is approved. Lithium is an important raw material for batteries. The scheme is expected to enhance the resilience of EV and storage batteries in the country.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in WashingtonTelangana HC Grants Pawan Khera One Week Bail In FIR By Himanta Sarma’s Wife123Photostories4 high-profile business family feuds that made headlines globally5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversFrom Yashasvi Jaiswal-Maddie Hamilton to Hardik Pandya-Mahieka Sharma: 5 Indian cricketers and their rumoured girlfriendsGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesWant love that lasts? 5 phrases that can save your relationshipChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to10 stunning gates that reflect the beauty of Indian architectureThat constant throat clearing isn’t just a habit: What it could reveal about acid reflux and how to manage it123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVijayKerala Missing StudentTiger WoodsTelangana Triple MurderUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeLaker Injury UpdatesSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026


Khanij Bidesh gets environmental clearance from Argentine govt for deep exploration of five lithium

NEW DELHI: State-owned Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has received environmental clearance from the Argentine govt for deep exploration of five brine lithium blocks in the South American country.Officials said the environmental clearance from Argentina will allow the drilling of boreholes to undertake surveys and exploratory drilling, and to ascertain the total volume of the critical mineral available for extraction.Talking to reporters, mines secretary Piyush Goyal said production from these blocks is expected to begin in 2029. He also said the govt is working on a scheme for processing critical minerals, which is at an advanced stage of finalisation.KABIL had signed an exploration and development agreement with a state-owned enterprise of Argentina’s Catamarca province to help India strengthen lithium supplies while developing the lithium mining and downstream sectors in both countries.India is also exploring investment opportunities in lithium projects in Brazil, Canada and Australia.Speaking to reporters, Goyal said India is unable to import lithium available abroad due to the absence of a domestic processing value chain.“The scheme for processing of the critical mineral value chain is at an advanced stage,” he said, adding that details will be shared once it is approved. Lithium is an important raw material for batteries. The scheme is expected to enhance the resilience of EV and storage batteries in the country.



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KOLKATA: “Legally married; currently separated” is how actor and BJP’s Kharagpur Town MLA Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay (Hiraan) has described his marital status in his nomination affidavit while mentioning Anindita Chattopadhyay as his spouse. Earlier this year, Anindita had filed an FIR accusing Hiraan of mental and physical cruelty and entering into a second marriage without divorce after photos surfaced of the actor and associate Rittika Giri performing Hindu wedding rituals in Varanasi. Hiraan, contesting this time from Shyampur in Howrah district, declared Rs 15 lakh cash in hand and Anindita’s at Rs 12 lakh. His bank and insurance investments total Rs 5.3 crore. He owns a car worth Rs 4.7 lakh while Anindita has an SUV worth Rs 5 lakh registered in her name. He declared 20 gms jewellery worth Rs 4.7 lakh. Anindita’s jewellery is valued at Rs 18 lakh. Their combined assets are Rs 14.5 crore while liabilities are Rs 2.3 lakh. Hiraan also has four pending criminal cases, including assault and conspiracy charges and the complaint filed by Anindita.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit4 high-profile business family feuds that made headlines globally5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversFrom Yashasvi Jaiswal-Maddie Hamilton to Hardik Pandya-Mahieka Sharma: 5 Indian cricketers and their rumoured girlfriendsGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesWant love that lasts? 5 phrases that can save your relationshipChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

KOLKATA: “Legally married; currently separated” is how actor and BJP’s Kharagpur Town MLA Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay (Hiraan) has described his marital status in his nomination affidavit while mentioning Anindita Chattopadhyay as his spouse. Earlier this year, Anindita had filed an FIR accusing Hiraan of mental and physical cruelty and entering into a second marriage without divorce after photos surfaced of the actor and associate Rittika Giri performing Hindu wedding rituals in Varanasi. Hiraan, contesting this time from Shyampur in Howrah district, declared Rs 15 lakh cash in hand and Anindita’s at Rs 12 lakh. His bank and insurance investments total Rs 5.3 crore. He owns a car worth Rs 4.7 lakh while Anindita has an SUV worth Rs 5 lakh registered in her name. He declared 20 gms jewellery worth Rs 4.7 lakh. Anindita’s jewellery is valued at Rs 18 lakh. Their combined assets are Rs 14.5 crore while liabilities are Rs 2.3 lakh. Hiraan also has four pending criminal cases, including assault and conspiracy charges and the complaint filed by Anindita.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit4 high-profile business family feuds that made headlines globally5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversFrom Yashasvi Jaiswal-Maddie Hamilton to Hardik Pandya-Mahieka Sharma: 5 Indian cricketers and their rumoured girlfriendsGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesWant love that lasts? 5 phrases that can save your relationshipChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

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KOLKATA: Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM Friday severed its electoral alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party, a day after a purported sting video showed a person resembling the suspended TMC MLA discussing a Rs 1,000-crore arrangement with BJP for post-election support and suggesting Muslim voters needed to be “misled” to influence poll outcomes. “Humayun Kabir’s revelations have shown how vulnerable Bengal’s Muslims are. AIMIM cannot associate with statements questioning their integrity,” the party posted on X, adding it would now contest the polls independently. The earlier alliance had AUJP contesting 182 of 294 seats and AIMIM 17. The video, titled ‘The Reality of HK’ and released by TMC, was said to have been recorded on Dec 19 but remains unverified. Kabir dismissed it as AI-generated, accusing TMC of trying to erode his support base, and said he would move court. Amit Shah denied any BJP link. “Kabir and BJP are like South and North Pole,” he said, though Kabir had contested the 2019 LS polls on a BJP ticket. At a rally in Rampurhat, Kabir attended but AIMIM leaders stayed away. He accused Mamata Banerjee of acting as a “middleman of RSS”. – Tamaghna Banerjee & S BoralEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to10 stunning gates that reflect the beauty of Indian architectureThat constant throat clearing isn’t just a habit: What it could reveal about acid reflux and how to manage itBest TV mystery and thriller series: ‘Sherlock’, ‘Line of Duty’, ‘Dexter’ and more123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

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KOLKATA: TMC dubbed BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Bengal a “copycat” manifesto, trashing its cash assistance pledges, and alleged that the saffron party never delivers on its promises. At a rally in Basirhat, CM Mamata Banerjee asked how many people had received Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts that PM Modi had promised 12 years ago. “What about the two crore jobs per year that were promised? Was the black money issue resolved after demonetisation? What is the cost of LPG, petrol and diesel? Inflation is skyrocketing. Only the value of human life has reduced,” she said. Referring to the cash assistance promise in the manifesto, TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh said, “When Didi implemented schemes for women, they criticised her. Later, BJP-governed states adopted these very schemes. Now, they have included them in their promises. Why would people accept copycats, photocopies, when they have the original?”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to10 stunning gates that reflect the beauty of Indian architectureThat constant throat clearing isn’t just a habit: What it could reveal about acid reflux and how to manage itBest TV mystery and thriller series: ‘Sherlock’, ‘Line of Duty’, ‘Dexter’ and more123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVijayKerala Missing StudentTiger WoodsTelangana Triple MurderUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeLaker Injury UpdatesSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026

KOLKATA: TMC dubbed BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Bengal a “copycat” manifesto, trashing its cash assistance pledges, and alleged that the saffron party never delivers on its promises. At a rally in Basirhat, CM Mamata Banerjee asked how many people had received Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts that PM Modi had promised 12 years ago. “What about the two crore jobs per year that were promised? Was the black money issue resolved after demonetisation? What is the cost of LPG, petrol and diesel? Inflation is skyrocketing. Only the value of human life has reduced,” she said. Referring to the cash assistance promise in the manifesto, TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh said, “When Didi implemented schemes for women, they criticised her. Later, BJP-governed states adopted these very schemes. Now, they have included them in their promises. Why would people accept copycats, photocopies, when they have the original?”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to10 stunning gates that reflect the beauty of Indian architectureThat constant throat clearing isn’t just a habit: What it could reveal about acid reflux and how to manage itBest TV mystery and thriller series: ‘Sherlock’, ‘Line of Duty’, ‘Dexter’ and more123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVijayKerala Missing StudentTiger WoodsTelangana Triple MurderUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeLaker Injury UpdatesSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026

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SALEM: Two decades after dreaded forest brigand Veerappan was killed in a police encounter in Tamil Nadu, his daughter and widow are attempting to rewrite his story – from that of a feared outlaw to a defender of Tamil rights – through electoral politics.Veerappan’s elder daughter Vidhyarani, 35, an advocate, is contesting from Mettur constituency as a candidate of Naam Tamilar Katchi, while his widow Muthulakshmi is in the fray from Krishnagiri on behalf of Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi. Both the parties back ‘Tamil nationalism’.”If my father were alive today, he would have entered the democratic process, too,” says Vidhyarani, who is testing electoral waters for the second time. She had earlier contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Krishnagiri as an NTK candidate, polling over one lakh votes.For Muthulakshmi too, this marks a return to politics after her debut as an independent candidate in the 2006 assembly elections.Both the women have embraced Veerappan’s controversial legacy instead of shying away from it, and seek to repaint him. “He was not the dreaded criminal he was made out to be. He stood against exploitation and injustice,” Vidhyarani said at a rally in Mettur, drawing loud cheers, particularly from young supporters. Her campaign echoes NTK’s core plank of Tamil nationalism.NTK chief Seeman was vocal in his support for Veerappan. “If Prabhakaran (LTTE chief) was the guardian of our race, Veerappan was the guardian of our forests,” he said while canvassing for her.Vidhyarani’s political journey began with Pattali Makkal Katchi, which draws its support from Vanniyars, a numerically strong community spread across more than a dozen districts in Tamil Nadu. She joined BJP in 2020, before switching to NTK in 2024.In Krishnagiri, Muthulakshmi focusses on agrarian distress in her campaigns. “I have lived among farmers. My fight is for water, crops and dignity,” she told TOI.Both maintain that they face no hostility due to their past. “On the contrary, people respect us,” Vidhyarani said.Observers believe their entry could dent PMK – an AIADMK ally – particularly in the Vanniyar-dominated Mettur and Krishnagiri belts. While neither candidate foregrounds caste, they are expected to attract a share of the community votes, which are otherwise expected to go for PMK.About the AuthorSenthil KumaranV Senthil Kumaran is currently working as the Special Correspondent for The Times of India, focusing on the districts of Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, and Erode. As the sole representative for these five districts in Western Tamil Nadu, Senthil Kumaran covers a wide range of topics, including crime, education, and civic issues. He has exposed numerous scams and held several government officials accountable for their actions. In addition to his journalism work, he holds an MBA in Human Resources, an M.Sc. in Psychotherapy, and an LLB, along with a BA in English Literature.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit4 high-profile business family feuds that made headlines globally5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversFrom Yashasvi Jaiswal-Maddie Hamilton to Hardik Pandya-Mahieka Sharma: 5 Indian cricketers and their rumoured girlfriendsGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesWant love that lasts? 5 phrases that can save your relationshipChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVijayKerala Missing StudentTiger WoodsTelangana Triple MurderUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeLaker Injury UpdatesSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026

SALEM: Two decades after dreaded forest brigand Veerappan was killed in a police encounter in Tamil Nadu, his daughter and widow are attempting to rewrite his story – from that of a feared outlaw to a defender of Tamil rights – through electoral politics.Veerappan’s elder daughter Vidhyarani, 35, an advocate, is contesting from Mettur constituency as a candidate of Naam Tamilar Katchi, while his widow Muthulakshmi is in the fray from Krishnagiri on behalf of Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi. Both the parties back ‘Tamil nationalism’.”If my father were alive today, he would have entered the democratic process, too,” says Vidhyarani, who is testing electoral waters for the second time. She had earlier contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Krishnagiri as an NTK candidate, polling over one lakh votes.For Muthulakshmi too, this marks a return to politics after her debut as an independent candidate in the 2006 assembly elections.Both the women have embraced Veerappan’s controversial legacy instead of shying away from it, and seek to repaint him. “He was not the dreaded criminal he was made out to be. He stood against exploitation and injustice,” Vidhyarani said at a rally in Mettur, drawing loud cheers, particularly from young supporters. Her campaign echoes NTK’s core plank of Tamil nationalism.NTK chief Seeman was vocal in his support for Veerappan. “If Prabhakaran (LTTE chief) was the guardian of our race, Veerappan was the guardian of our forests,” he said while canvassing for her.Vidhyarani’s political journey began with Pattali Makkal Katchi, which draws its support from Vanniyars, a numerically strong community spread across more than a dozen districts in Tamil Nadu. She joined BJP in 2020, before switching to NTK in 2024.In Krishnagiri, Muthulakshmi focusses on agrarian distress in her campaigns. “I have lived among farmers. My fight is for water, crops and dignity,” she told TOI.Both maintain that they face no hostility due to their past. “On the contrary, people respect us,” Vidhyarani said.Observers believe their entry could dent PMK – an AIADMK ally – particularly in the Vanniyar-dominated Mettur and Krishnagiri belts. While neither candidate foregrounds caste, they are expected to attract a share of the community votes, which are otherwise expected to go for PMK.About the AuthorSenthil KumaranV Senthil Kumaran is currently working as the Special Correspondent for The Times of India, focusing on the districts of Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, and Erode. As the sole representative for these five districts in Western Tamil Nadu, Senthil Kumaran covers a wide range of topics, including crime, education, and civic issues. He has exposed numerous scams and held several government officials accountable for their actions. In addition to his journalism work, he holds an MBA in Human Resources, an M.Sc. in Psychotherapy, and an LLB, along with a BA in English Literature.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police Crack Down on ISI-Linked Spy Module, 10 Arrested; Second Network Busted After Pan-India Surveillance Plot’Chokepoints Now A Global Anxiety’: Jaishankar Invokes West Asia Crisis At Indian Ocean ConferenceMathura: Boat Carrying Devotees Capsizes In Yamuna; 10 Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops OnQatar Assures Reliable Energy Supply To India Amid West Asia Crisis After Hardeep Puri’s Doha VisitPakistan-ISI Spy Network Busted: 11 Arrested For Recce Of Military Sites Across North IndiaCentre Notifies CAPF General Administration Act 2026; Families, Retired Officers Protest in DelhiJustice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Cash Row — Why He Stepped Down On Day Of Impeachment Defence’Win A War Without Firing?’ CDS Anil Chauhan Explains Shift From Battlefield To Perception WarfareExercise Brahmastra: Indian army’s first firing from the AH-64E Apache attack helicoptersMarco Rubio’s India Visit Next Month After Talks With Vikram Misri in Washington123PhotostoriesFrom Vivek Dahiya getting emotional during Divyanka Tripathi’s pregnancy scan to pampering her midnight cravings, the couple share their journeyHow to differentiate between naturally and chemically ripened banana: FSSAI’s rulebook on ripening temperature for the fruit4 high-profile business family feuds that made headlines globally5 things that make Bandhavgarh National Park irresistible to nature loversFrom Yashasvi Jaiswal-Maddie Hamilton to Hardik Pandya-Mahieka Sharma: 5 Indian cricketers and their rumoured girlfriendsGold or platinum with diamonds: Which one actually makes you look richer?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares secrets on how to use moong (whole, split with skin, and split skinless) for maximum benefitsShubman Gill’s new house in Juhu, Mumbai is a ₹20 crore luxury apartment with sea views, full-floor privacy and luxury amenitiesWant love that lasts? 5 phrases that can save your relationshipChild’s roti and sugar for school lunch goes viral: 13 school tiffin meals that all 90s kids can relate to123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVijayKerala Missing StudentTiger WoodsTelangana Triple MurderUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Bhojshala disputeLaker Injury UpdatesSchool Holidays in AprilChar Dham Yatra 2026

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