August 28, 2026

Amit Malviya takes dig at Sonia Gandhi’s memoir NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Friday took a dig at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over Penguin Random House India’s decision to “fact-check her memoir”, questioning whether the exercise was meant to verify the author’s memories or address what he described as “the blurred line between fact and fiction”.Malviya said it was “rather amusing” that the publisher felt the need to fact-check a memoir written by Sonia Gandhi herself.”It is rather amusing that Penguin Random House India felt the need to fact-check Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, a book authored by Sonia Gandhi herself. The publisher says fact-checking is a normal part of the publishing process and that it remained “willing and keen” to publish the book. Fair enough,” Malviya said in a post on X.”But if a publisher has to fact-check a memoir written by its own author, perhaps the obvious question is: what exactly needed fact-checking – the author’s memories, or the blurred line between fact and fiction?” he added.The remarks came after Penguin Random House India clarified on Friday that it is not the publisher of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love in India. The publishing house also rejected reports that it had decided against publishing the book because Sonia Gandhi declined to accept editorial changes.In a statement posted on X, the publishing house said it had remained “willing and keen to publish” the memoir and stressed that fact-checking and providing editorial recommendations are a routine part of the publishing process.The clarification comes weeks after US publisher Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced that Belonging would be released on November 10. However, the memoir’s publisher or distributor in India remains unclear.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAn e-commerce listing has shown an e-book edition of Belonging available for pre-order at Rs 2,615, with William Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins UK, listed as the publisher.According to Alfred A Knopf, the memoir by 79-year-old Sonia Gandhi will offer a personal account of her life, spanning her childhood in post-war Italy, her marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family and the assassination of her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.The book will also chronicle her entry into the “public world of politics” following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and her decision to decline the post of prime minister in 2004.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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Amit Malviya takes dig at Sonia Gandhi’s memoir NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Friday took a dig at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over Penguin Random House India’s decision to “fact-check her memoir”, questioning whether the exercise was meant to verify the author’s memories or address what he described as “the blurred line between fact and fiction”.Malviya said it was “rather amusing” that the publisher felt the need to fact-check a memoir written by Sonia Gandhi herself.”It is rather amusing that Penguin Random House India felt the need to fact-check Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, a book authored by Sonia Gandhi herself. The publisher says fact-checking is a normal part of the publishing process and that it remained “willing and keen” to publish the book. Fair enough,” Malviya said in a post on X.”But if a publisher has to fact-check a memoir written by its own author, perhaps the obvious question is: what exactly needed fact-checking – the author’s memories, or the blurred line between fact and fiction?” he added.The remarks came after Penguin Random House India clarified on Friday that it is not the publisher of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love in India. The publishing house also rejected reports that it had decided against publishing the book because Sonia Gandhi declined to accept editorial changes.In a statement posted on X, the publishing house said it had remained “willing and keen to publish” the memoir and stressed that fact-checking and providing editorial recommendations are a routine part of the publishing process.The clarification comes weeks after US publisher Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced that Belonging would be released on November 10. However, the memoir’s publisher or distributor in India remains unclear.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAn e-commerce listing has shown an e-book edition of Belonging available for pre-order at Rs 2,615, with William Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins UK, listed as the publisher.According to Alfred A Knopf, the memoir by 79-year-old Sonia Gandhi will offer a personal account of her life, spanning her childhood in post-war Italy, her marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family and the assassination of her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.The book will also chronicle her entry into the “public world of politics” following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and her decision to decline the post of prime minister in 2004.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash


'What exactly needed fact-checking?' Amit Malviya jibes amid Sonia Gandhi memoir row
Amit Malviya takes dig at Sonia Gandhi’s memoir

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Friday took a dig at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over Penguin Random House India’s decision to “fact-check her memoir”, questioning whether the exercise was meant to verify the author’s memories or address what he described as “the blurred line between fact and fiction”.Malviya said it was “rather amusing” that the publisher felt the need to fact-check a memoir written by Sonia Gandhi herself.“It is rather amusing that Penguin Random House India felt the need to fact-check Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, a book authored by Sonia Gandhi herself. The publisher says fact-checking is a normal part of the publishing process and that it remained “willing and keen” to publish the book. Fair enough,” Malviya said in a post on X.“But if a publisher has to fact-check a memoir written by its own author, perhaps the obvious question is: what exactly needed fact-checking – the author’s memories, or the blurred line between fact and fiction?” he added.The remarks came after Penguin Random House India clarified on Friday that it is not the publisher of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love in India. The publishing house also rejected reports that it had decided against publishing the book because Sonia Gandhi declined to accept editorial changes.In a statement posted on X, the publishing house said it had remained “willing and keen to publish” the memoir and stressed that fact-checking and providing editorial recommendations are a routine part of the publishing process.The clarification comes weeks after US publisher Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced that Belonging would be released on November 10. However, the memoir’s publisher or distributor in India remains unclear.

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NEW DELHI: From colleges to schools. From Gen Z to Gen Alpha. From Jantar Mantar to cities and villages in states. The students’ protest has continued; only the stage has shifted. The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) “School Thik Karo” campaign has put the spotlight on the sorry condition of government schools in many states. Gen Z showed the way from Jantar Mantar when they forced the NDA government to make Dharmendra Pradhan resign over NEET paper leaks. Gen Alpha took the cue and brought the protests to villages and towns across states, demanding better school infrastructure and government accountability.The CJP campaign asking for school audits in villages got a huge response. The pictures and videos of schools uploaded on CJP’s X timeline exposed the sorry state of government schools across states. This was followed by ground inspections by CJP teams, which led to confrontation and a strong pushback by some state governments.Two days after the CJP launched its campaign and announced that schools in Rajasthan would be on its radar, the state education department issued new guidelines regulating the entry of outsiders, including media personnel, into government schools.Under the directives, photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming involving students or school activities on campus needed prior permission from the school principal or head of the institution. The Rajasthan order went on to threaten action under applicable laws in case of any breach.So, when a CJP team went to inspect a government school on August 21, it was attacked and forcibly pushed back, allegedly by the locals. Videos of the incident showed a large number of people engaging in a heated exchange with the CJP team, pushing and shoving its members as they tried to enter the village. Some clips also showed stone-pelting and smashed windows of cars. Locals said the village did not need outside political groups to intervene in the school’s affairs.This perhaps became the July 20 Jantar Mantar moment (when Delhi Police used force to stop Gen Z protesters from their Sansad march) of the CJP school campaign as the violent confrontation propelled the issue to the national centre stage.School students protest in UPMeanwhile in Uttar Pradesh, Gen Alpha students of a government school staged a protest twice, in a span of four days. over shortage of subject teachers. They briefly blocked traffic also.Students of a government school in Kannauj boycotted classes and held protests against the principal for alleged caste discrimination and ordering the felling of trees inside the school campus.The students of PM Shri Composite School in Gugarapur surrounded the vehicle of the in-charge principal at the school gate as he was leaving and raised slogans against him.Protests also happened in Fatehpur, Hamirpur against lack of facilities in schools. In Hamirpur, ‘Gen Alpha’ children laid siege to the collectorate to demand the construction of a paved road to their school.In Unnao, hundreds of students of a government-run residential school staged a protest over alleged poor-quality food, inadequate drinking water, shortage of teachers and the behaviour of the principal, briefly disrupting traffic at a city crossing.’Ministers’ dogs got better facilities than students’In Maharashtra, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke conducted a social audit of government-run and municipal schools in Latur district. He led a team at a Zilla Parishad school at Ujani village in Latur’s Ausa tehsil.After his audit, Dipke said schools in the state were in a pitiable condition, and even “ministers’ dogs got better facilities” than students. He sought the resignation of Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse. Later, Maharashtra police registered a case against the CJP convenor and others for allegedly entering a government school without permission, disrupting official work and threatening teachers.The state governments cited rules to browbeat the CJP teams away from its schools. But at the same time, they were forced to act to nullify the impact of the CJP campaign. So, while some states announced new measures to improve the condition of schools, others increased the pace of work already underway to ensure that results were seen on the ground quickly.CJP claims creditThe CJP was quick to claim credit for govt actions and basked in glory.“The impact we’ve been able to make with such a small team in such a short span of time is just unreal. Multiple state governments have had to bow down. Authorities had to listen to Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids and give them their due,” it said in a post on X.“But this does not end here. We need to keep going until even the remotest regions of the nation, even the most deprived communities, have access to the highest standard of educational facilities. They may use force, they may file cases, they may do whatever they can to crush this, but we will remain committed to the same demand,” the post read.Politial parties take a cue from CJPWhile it can be debated whether or not the CJP campaign forced the governments into action, what can be said with certainty is that the CJP has managed to do what many political parties could not – inspire the youth to come to the streets and seek accountability from power.The two CJP campaigns also point to an interesting shift – which should be a learning lesson, especially for parties in the opposition space. We have seen the opposition parties raise the pitch against government on issues like caste and religion as these have greater potential for voter mobilisation. Rarely do we see campaigns by the opposition parties centred around health or education reforms. But that seems to have changed.Youth outreachThe Congress has taken a cue and is trying to stay focused on students’ connect and raise issues that concern the youth. In Rajasthan, the state Congress unit is also on the streets to highlight gaps in state government school infrastructure.And it’s not just the opposition that is course-correcting; the ruling BJP has also drawn a roadmap to engage with the youth and understand their concerns. In the middle of the Gen Z protest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi debuted on Instagram and tried to communicate directly with the youth who were on the streets. The BJP has in fact formed a dedicated team to spearhead its Gen Z outreach.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNews agency ANI reported that this team includes BJP chief Nitin Nabin, national general secretaries Smriti Irani and Vinod Tawde, Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chhattisgarh minister OP Choudhary, along with several other leaders.Clearly, the CJP has managed to change the political discourse and has put the focus on the youth as potential game-changers in electoral politics. As we gear up for the next rounds of assembly elections in the run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha challenge, we may see youth outreach taking centre stage like never before.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

NEW DELHI: From colleges to schools. From Gen Z to Gen Alpha. From Jantar Mantar to cities and villages in states. The students’ protest has continued; only the stage has shifted. The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) “School Thik Karo” campaign has put the spotlight on the sorry condition of government schools in many states. Gen Z showed the way from Jantar Mantar when they forced the NDA government to make Dharmendra Pradhan resign over NEET paper leaks. Gen Alpha took the cue and brought the protests to villages and towns across states, demanding better school infrastructure and government accountability.The CJP campaign asking for school audits in villages got a huge response. The pictures and videos of schools uploaded on CJP’s X timeline exposed the sorry state of government schools across states. This was followed by ground inspections by CJP teams, which led to confrontation and a strong pushback by some state governments.Two days after the CJP launched its campaign and announced that schools in Rajasthan would be on its radar, the state education department issued new guidelines regulating the entry of outsiders, including media personnel, into government schools.Under the directives, photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming involving students or school activities on campus needed prior permission from the school principal or head of the institution. The Rajasthan order went on to threaten action under applicable laws in case of any breach.So, when a CJP team went to inspect a government school on August 21, it was attacked and forcibly pushed back, allegedly by the locals. Videos of the incident showed a large number of people engaging in a heated exchange with the CJP team, pushing and shoving its members as they tried to enter the village. Some clips also showed stone-pelting and smashed windows of cars. Locals said the village did not need outside political groups to intervene in the school’s affairs.This perhaps became the July 20 Jantar Mantar moment (when Delhi Police used force to stop Gen Z protesters from their Sansad march) of the CJP school campaign as the violent confrontation propelled the issue to the national centre stage.School students protest in UPMeanwhile in Uttar Pradesh, Gen Alpha students of a government school staged a protest twice, in a span of four days. over shortage of subject teachers. They briefly blocked traffic also.Students of a government school in Kannauj boycotted classes and held protests against the principal for alleged caste discrimination and ordering the felling of trees inside the school campus.The students of PM Shri Composite School in Gugarapur surrounded the vehicle of the in-charge principal at the school gate as he was leaving and raised slogans against him.Protests also happened in Fatehpur, Hamirpur against lack of facilities in schools. In Hamirpur, ‘Gen Alpha’ children laid siege to the collectorate to demand the construction of a paved road to their school.In Unnao, hundreds of students of a government-run residential school staged a protest over alleged poor-quality food, inadequate drinking water, shortage of teachers and the behaviour of the principal, briefly disrupting traffic at a city crossing.’Ministers’ dogs got better facilities than students’In Maharashtra, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke conducted a social audit of government-run and municipal schools in Latur district. He led a team at a Zilla Parishad school at Ujani village in Latur’s Ausa tehsil.After his audit, Dipke said schools in the state were in a pitiable condition, and even “ministers’ dogs got better facilities” than students. He sought the resignation of Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse. Later, Maharashtra police registered a case against the CJP convenor and others for allegedly entering a government school without permission, disrupting official work and threatening teachers.The state governments cited rules to browbeat the CJP teams away from its schools. But at the same time, they were forced to act to nullify the impact of the CJP campaign. So, while some states announced new measures to improve the condition of schools, others increased the pace of work already underway to ensure that results were seen on the ground quickly.CJP claims creditThe CJP was quick to claim credit for govt actions and basked in glory.“The impact we’ve been able to make with such a small team in such a short span of time is just unreal. Multiple state governments have had to bow down. Authorities had to listen to Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids and give them their due,” it said in a post on X.“But this does not end here. We need to keep going until even the remotest regions of the nation, even the most deprived communities, have access to the highest standard of educational facilities. They may use force, they may file cases, they may do whatever they can to crush this, but we will remain committed to the same demand,” the post read.Politial parties take a cue from CJPWhile it can be debated whether or not the CJP campaign forced the governments into action, what can be said with certainty is that the CJP has managed to do what many political parties could not – inspire the youth to come to the streets and seek accountability from power.The two CJP campaigns also point to an interesting shift – which should be a learning lesson, especially for parties in the opposition space. We have seen the opposition parties raise the pitch against government on issues like caste and religion as these have greater potential for voter mobilisation. Rarely do we see campaigns by the opposition parties centred around health or education reforms. But that seems to have changed.Youth outreachThe Congress has taken a cue and is trying to stay focused on students’ connect and raise issues that concern the youth. In Rajasthan, the state Congress unit is also on the streets to highlight gaps in state government school infrastructure.And it’s not just the opposition that is course-correcting; the ruling BJP has also drawn a roadmap to engage with the youth and understand their concerns. In the middle of the Gen Z protest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi debuted on Instagram and tried to communicate directly with the youth who were on the streets. The BJP has in fact formed a dedicated team to spearhead its Gen Z outreach.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNews agency ANI reported that this team includes BJP chief Nitin Nabin, national general secretaries Smriti Irani and Vinod Tawde, Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chhattisgarh minister OP Choudhary, along with several other leaders.Clearly, the CJP has managed to change the political discourse and has put the focus on the youth as potential game-changers in electoral politics. As we gear up for the next rounds of assembly elections in the run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha challenge, we may see youth outreach taking centre stage like never before.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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21 Indians reach Delhi, 320 still uncontactable NEW DELHI: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu who had arrived in Kathmandu from the flood-affected area on Thursday were brought back to Delhi on Friday.External affairs minister S Jaishankar received the group of 21 pilgrims, who had been rescued from the floods in Nepal.”First good news, 21 Indian nationals who had arrived yesterday in Kathmandu from the area that was affected by this flood have today landed in Delhi. These 21 Indian nationals are from Tamil Nadu. Yesterday, our ambassador met them in Kathmandu and inquired about their well-being,” Jaiswal said. Watch 469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsHe added that 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli One hydropower project were also rescued on Thursday.”In addition to these 21 Indian nationals, yesterday we gave you an update about 63 Indian nationals who are working at the Trishuli One hydropower project. They were also rescued yesterday,” he added.He said the government was currently unable to establish contact with 320 Indian nationals, who are being treated as missing or uncontactable.”As far as the number of people whom we are not able to contact or who are missing, the figure at this point in time is 320. There are also around 100 persons of Indian origin who remain uncontactable. These are people of Indian origin who may have gone for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, but they hold other nationalities,” Jaiswal said.Jaiswal said around 400 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side of the Nepal-China border are safe, with the Indian Embassy in Beijing and local authorities working to facilitate their evacuation.“On the Chinese side, we have 400 Indian nationals. They are safe. They have been in touch with their family,” Jaiswal said. He added that the embassy had been in contact with several of them, while their relatives had also reached out through helpline numbers operated by the mission in Beijing.“Our embassy is in touch with local authorities in China, and they are working out as to how these people who are there can be evacuated,” he said.Jaiswal also said India began sending humanitarian assistance to Nepal on August 26, with the first aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of relief material, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.A second aircraft departed on August 27 carrying 37.5 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food items.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“We are considering the third flight, expected to leave this evening,” Jaiswal said. The aircraft is expected to carry around 12-13 tonnes of supplies, including portable generators, dignity kits, food, water-purification tablets and medicines requested by the Nepali authorities.A glacier collapse in Tibet triggered severe flash floods and mudslides along the China-Nepal border, killing at least 475 people and leaving several others missing, according to authorities in the two countries. The casualty figures differ between agencies due to variations in data collection, verification and coordination.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

21 Indians reach Delhi, 320 still uncontactable NEW DELHI: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu who had arrived in Kathmandu from the flood-affected area on Thursday were brought back to Delhi on Friday.External affairs minister S Jaishankar received the group of 21 pilgrims, who had been rescued from the floods in Nepal.”First good news, 21 Indian nationals who had arrived yesterday in Kathmandu from the area that was affected by this flood have today landed in Delhi. These 21 Indian nationals are from Tamil Nadu. Yesterday, our ambassador met them in Kathmandu and inquired about their well-being,” Jaiswal said. Watch 469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsHe added that 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli One hydropower project were also rescued on Thursday.”In addition to these 21 Indian nationals, yesterday we gave you an update about 63 Indian nationals who are working at the Trishuli One hydropower project. They were also rescued yesterday,” he added.He said the government was currently unable to establish contact with 320 Indian nationals, who are being treated as missing or uncontactable.”As far as the number of people whom we are not able to contact or who are missing, the figure at this point in time is 320. There are also around 100 persons of Indian origin who remain uncontactable. These are people of Indian origin who may have gone for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, but they hold other nationalities,” Jaiswal said.Jaiswal said around 400 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side of the Nepal-China border are safe, with the Indian Embassy in Beijing and local authorities working to facilitate their evacuation.“On the Chinese side, we have 400 Indian nationals. They are safe. They have been in touch with their family,” Jaiswal said. He added that the embassy had been in contact with several of them, while their relatives had also reached out through helpline numbers operated by the mission in Beijing.“Our embassy is in touch with local authorities in China, and they are working out as to how these people who are there can be evacuated,” he said.Jaiswal also said India began sending humanitarian assistance to Nepal on August 26, with the first aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of relief material, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.A second aircraft departed on August 27 carrying 37.5 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food items.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“We are considering the third flight, expected to leave this evening,” Jaiswal said. The aircraft is expected to carry around 12-13 tonnes of supplies, including portable generators, dignity kits, food, water-purification tablets and medicines requested by the Nepali authorities.A glacier collapse in Tibet triggered severe flash floods and mudslides along the China-Nepal border, killing at least 475 people and leaving several others missing, according to authorities in the two countries. The casualty figures differ between agencies due to variations in data collection, verification and coordination.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday received 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims after they were rescued from the floods in Nepal.In a social media post on X, Jaishankar said that he was moved after hearing their experience and thanked Nepal government and army for their rescue effort.”Received a group of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who were rescued from the floods in Nepal,” Jaishankar said.”Was moved to hear their experience first hand. Thank the Nepali Army and Government for this rescue effort. Appreciate Embassy of India, Kathmandu’s facilitation of their smooth return to India,” he added.While talking to reporters at Delhi airport, Jaishankar also said that the government is focused on contacting all the Indians who are stranded in Nepal.”So I want to say right now we are still very much focused on contacting all the Indians who are there. We believe a little more than 300, the exact number keeps going up and down, about 315 Indians are still not being contacted,” Jaishankar said.The death toll from Nepal’s devastating flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River area of Rasuwa has risen to 538 while 977 people are still missing, according to an update from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.The figures, as of 3 PM (local time) on Friday, show a grim picture of the scale of the disaster as authorities continue search, rescue and relief operations across the affected areas following the catastrophic flooding on Wednesday.Of the 538 bodies recovered, the largest number has been recorded in Chitwan, with 221, followed by 134 in Nawalparasi East.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAuthorities have also recovered 46 bodies or human remains in Gorkha, 37 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 28 in Tanahun, 27 in Nawalparasi West and 12 in Rasuwa, according to the NDRRMA figures.The number of people reported missing stands at 977, including foreign nationals, Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting Nepal, security personnel and government officials.Foreign nationals account for 517 of those reported missing, while 161 people were reported missing through the Rasuwa District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC).Another 127 are Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting Nepal, while 66 were reported missing through the Makwanpur DEOC.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday received 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims after they were rescued from the floods in Nepal.In a social media post on X, Jaishankar said that he was moved after hearing their experience and thanked Nepal government and army for their rescue effort.”Received a group of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who were rescued from the floods in Nepal,” Jaishankar said.”Was moved to hear their experience first hand. Thank the Nepali Army and Government for this rescue effort. Appreciate Embassy of India, Kathmandu’s facilitation of their smooth return to India,” he added.While talking to reporters at Delhi airport, Jaishankar also said that the government is focused on contacting all the Indians who are stranded in Nepal.”So I want to say right now we are still very much focused on contacting all the Indians who are there. We believe a little more than 300, the exact number keeps going up and down, about 315 Indians are still not being contacted,” Jaishankar said.The death toll from Nepal’s devastating flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River area of Rasuwa has risen to 538 while 977 people are still missing, according to an update from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.The figures, as of 3 PM (local time) on Friday, show a grim picture of the scale of the disaster as authorities continue search, rescue and relief operations across the affected areas following the catastrophic flooding on Wednesday.Of the 538 bodies recovered, the largest number has been recorded in Chitwan, with 221, followed by 134 in Nawalparasi East.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAuthorities have also recovered 46 bodies or human remains in Gorkha, 37 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 28 in Tanahun, 27 in Nawalparasi West and 12 in Rasuwa, according to the NDRRMA figures.The number of people reported missing stands at 977, including foreign nationals, Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting Nepal, security personnel and government officials.Foreign nationals account for 517 of those reported missing, while 161 people were reported missing through the Rasuwa District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC).Another 127 are Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting Nepal, while 66 were reported missing through the Makwanpur DEOC.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu minister P Viswanathan on Friday dismissed calls to project TVK chief Vijay C Joseph as the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, asserting that Rahul Gandhi is the “definitive” choice.“As Congress leaders, we are very clear. Our beloved leader and leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate for 2029,” Viswanathan said.His remarks came after several TVK leaders pushed for Vijay to be projected as a prime ministerial candidate for 2029 Lok Sabha polls , drawing sharp reaction from Congress.TVK leaders, including KA Sengottaiyan and D Sarathkumar, have compared Vijay with former Tamil Nadu chief ministers MGR and Jayalalithaa, claiming he would not only rule Tamil Nadu but also lead the country in the future.TVK legislator Kallanai, who organised an event marking the party’s 100 days in office, said people had immense faith in Vijay’s leadership. He expressed confidence that Vijay would eventually lead the country and hoist the national flag at the Red Fort as a representative of the Tamil people, news agency PTI reported.Meanwhile, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that while party workers may have deep admiration for their leader, national leadership ultimately depends on securing the numbers required to form a government.“I fully accept that they have great love, affection, expectation, and admiration for their party leadership. This is their party. What they say within their party makes no difference to the public discourse. In public discourse, what you should ask about is policy and the law. Their wishes within a party make no difference to me,” Chidambaram told reporters, according to ANI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said every political party has its own ambitions and aspirations, but any prime ministerial aspirant must ultimately have the numbers to command a majority in the Lok Sabha.“Every party has dreams, ambitions, and desires. One cannot pass laws to stop that. Everyone expresses their own wishes and talks about their favourite leader in their party. But we know what the political reality is. There are 543 constituencies,” Chidambaram said.According to the Constitution, the leader of whichever alliance wins 272 constituencies, or whichever party wins, will be the Prime Minister of India. Anyone who achieves that number can become the Prime Minister, individually or collectively. You and I both know what that political reality is,” he added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government DocumentsWhy A Supreme Court Judge Wants The Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Transferred?123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risksChettinad to Molakalmuru: Underrated South Indian sarees rich in heritage123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu minister P Viswanathan on Friday dismissed calls to project TVK chief Vijay C Joseph as the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, asserting that Rahul Gandhi is the “definitive” choice.“As Congress leaders, we are very clear. Our beloved leader and leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate for 2029,” Viswanathan said.His remarks came after several TVK leaders pushed for Vijay to be projected as a prime ministerial candidate for 2029 Lok Sabha polls , drawing sharp reaction from Congress.TVK leaders, including KA Sengottaiyan and D Sarathkumar, have compared Vijay with former Tamil Nadu chief ministers MGR and Jayalalithaa, claiming he would not only rule Tamil Nadu but also lead the country in the future.TVK legislator Kallanai, who organised an event marking the party’s 100 days in office, said people had immense faith in Vijay’s leadership. He expressed confidence that Vijay would eventually lead the country and hoist the national flag at the Red Fort as a representative of the Tamil people, news agency PTI reported.Meanwhile, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that while party workers may have deep admiration for their leader, national leadership ultimately depends on securing the numbers required to form a government.“I fully accept that they have great love, affection, expectation, and admiration for their party leadership. This is their party. What they say within their party makes no difference to the public discourse. In public discourse, what you should ask about is policy and the law. Their wishes within a party make no difference to me,” Chidambaram told reporters, according to ANI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said every political party has its own ambitions and aspirations, but any prime ministerial aspirant must ultimately have the numbers to command a majority in the Lok Sabha.“Every party has dreams, ambitions, and desires. One cannot pass laws to stop that. Everyone expresses their own wishes and talks about their favourite leader in their party. But we know what the political reality is. There are 543 constituencies,” Chidambaram said.According to the Constitution, the leader of whichever alliance wins 272 constituencies, or whichever party wins, will be the Prime Minister of India. Anyone who achieves that number can become the Prime Minister, individually or collectively. You and I both know what that political reality is,” he added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government DocumentsWhy A Supreme Court Judge Wants The Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Transferred?123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risksChettinad to Molakalmuru: Underrated South Indian sarees rich in heritage123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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