Raghav Chadha, 6 other MPs in Rajya Sabha joined BJP. AAP alleged “Operation Lotus” and called it political conspiracy against Punjab government. PM Modi attacked West Bengal government, claiming rising BJP wave after first phase of polling and warned TMC “goons” against any misadventure on May 4. Iran’s Araghchi likely to reach Pakistan for US talks, with reports of a possible breakthrough in ongoing diplomatic engagement. Opposition moves to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar again, submitting 73-MP notice in Rajya Sabha alleging “misbehaviour”. IPL 2026 race heats up mid-season, with Samson rising in Orange Cap standings and Kamboj topping the Purple Cap list.Here are top 5 news of the day Watch AAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Raghav Chadha, 6 other MPs in Rajya Sabha join BJPRaghav Chadha and six other MPs in Rajya Sabha announced their decision to join BJP. Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahni are the others who are a part of the move.AAP reacted to the move and criticised the leaders. It accused the BJP of conducting “Operation Lotus” and of conspiring to defame the works done by AAP government in Punjab. “The Bharatiya Janata Party, under Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, has launched ‘Operation Lotus’, which is being described as a game of cheap politics and an attempt to obstruct the good work of the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab on a large scale,” AAP MP Sanjay Singh said. Follow live updatesPM Modi slams Bengal government, warns TMC ‘goons’ they have ‘no place to hide after May 4’Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “wave of change” in West Bengal has become visible after the first phase of polling and claimed that growing public support for the BJP is effectively signalling its victory in the Assembly elections.Addressing a rally at Panihati under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency, with the mother of RG Kar case victim who’s also the candidate fielded from the ASsembly constituency, the Prime Minister said, “This revolution will come through your single vote,” urging voters to back what he described as a mandate for political change. Read full storyIran’s Araghchi expected to arrive in Pak for US talks, ‘high likelihood of breakthrough’ Government sources have indicated a “high likelihood of breakthrough” in US–Iran talks being held in Islamabad, with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expected to arrive in the Pakistani capital tonight leading a delegation, Al Jazeera reported.Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a phone call with Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar, confirmed by both sides. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the two leaders discussed regional developments, the ceasefire situation, and ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to US–Iran engagement. Follow live updatesFresh bid to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar as opposition submits new notice signed by 73 MPs in Rajya SabhaOpposition parties submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The notice has been signed by 73 Members of Parliament.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged nine charges of “proven misbehaviour” against the CEC and said his continuation in office amounts to an assault on the Constitution. Read full storyIPL 2026: Samson storms up the Orange Cap race; Kamboj reclaims Purple Cap top spotThe IPL 2026 season has reached nearly the midway stage, with 33 out of 70 league matches completed. As the tournament progresses, key performers are beginning to emerge in both batting and bowling.The race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap is becoming increasingly competitive. Players are now vying for the top run-scorer and leading wicket-taker positions. The league stage is expected to intensify further as teams push for playoff spots. Read full storyAbout the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In AssemblyTamil Nadu Polls See Surge in First-Time Voters, Youth Drive Record TurnoutBJP Declares Yogi Adityanath as CM Face for 2027 UP Assembly ElectionsRSS’ Dattatreya Hosabale In US: “Hindus Not Supremacist, Have Nothing To Apologise For”“Unfair To Drag Armed Forces”: Gen MM Naravane After Rahul Gandhi Cites Unpublished Memoir In LSIndia Urges Citizens Not To Travel To Iran, Asks Nationals To Leave Amid Ongoing Tensions‘Kabhi India Aake Dekho’: Iran Mocks Donald Trump With Maharashtra Video After ‘Hellhole’ Row123PhotostoriesVitamin B12 deficiency is more common than you think: Foods you need in your daily diet‘Raja Shivaji’, ‘Chand Mera Dil’, ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’: Bollywood releases slated for May 2026’The Devil Wears Prada 2′ cast then vs now: How Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and more have evolved 20 years after the originalIs your Jamdani saree real or fake? 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Raghav Chadha , 6 other MPs inRajya Sabha joinedBJP .AAP alleged “Operation Lotus” and called it political conspiracy against Punjab government.- PM Modi attacked West Bengal government, claiming rising BJP wave after first phase of polling and warned TMC “goons” against any misadventure on May 4.
- Iran’s Araghchi likely to reach Pakistan for US talks, with reports of a possible breakthrough in ongoing diplomatic engagement.
- Opposition moves to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar again, submitting 73-MP notice in Rajya Sabha alleging “misbehaviour”.
- IPL 2026 race heats up mid-season, with Samson rising in Orange Cap standings and Kamboj topping the Purple Cap list.
Here are top 5 news of the day
Raghav Chadha, 6 other MPs in Rajya Sabha join BJP
Raghav Chadha and six other MPs in Rajya Sabha announced their decision to join BJP. Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahni are the others who are a part of the move.AAP reacted to the move and criticised the leaders. It accused the BJP of conducting “Operation Lotus” and of conspiring to defame the works done by AAP government in Punjab. “The Bharatiya Janata Party, under Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, has launched ‘Operation Lotus’, which is being described as a game of cheap politics and an attempt to obstruct the good work of the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab on a large scale,” AAP MP Sanjay Singh said. Follow live updates
PM Modi slams Bengal government, warns TMC ‘goons’ they have ‘no place to hide after May 4’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “wave of change” in West Bengal has become visible after the first phase of polling and claimed that growing public support for the BJP is effectively signalling its victory in the Assembly elections.Addressing a rally at Panihati under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency, with the mother of RG Kar case victim who’s also the candidate fielded from the ASsembly constituency, the Prime Minister said, “This revolution will come through your single vote,” urging voters to back what he described as a mandate for political change. Read full story
Iran’s Araghchi expected to arrive in Pak for US talks, ‘high likelihood of breakthrough’
Government sources have indicated a “high likelihood of breakthrough” in US–Iran talks being held in Islamabad, with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expected to arrive in the Pakistani capital tonight leading a delegation, Al Jazeera reported.Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a phone call with Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar, confirmed by both sides. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the two leaders discussed regional developments, the ceasefire situation, and ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to US–Iran engagement. Follow live updates
Fresh bid to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar as opposition submits new notice signed by 73 MPs in Rajya Sabha
Opposition parties submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The notice has been signed by 73 Members of Parliament.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged nine charges of “proven misbehaviour” against the CEC and said his continuation in office amounts to an assault on the Constitution. Read full story
IPL 2026: Samson storms up the Orange Cap race; Kamboj reclaims Purple Cap top spot
The IPL 2026 season has reached nearly the midway stage, with 33 out of 70 league matches completed. As the tournament progresses, key performers are beginning to emerge in both batting and bowling.The race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap is becoming increasingly competitive. Players are now vying for the top run-scorer and leading wicket-taker positions. The league stage is expected to intensify further as teams push for playoff spots. Read full story