VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Manav Suthar is genuinely special’: Washington Sundar lavishes praise on India debutant | Cricket News England crush New Zealand by 115 runs as Bazball reboot begins with dominant Lord’s win | Cricket News When Salman Khan opened up about battling brain Aneurysm and AVM: ‘We’re still working despite all this’ Peter Dinklage Quotes: Quote of the day by ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Peter Dinklage: ‘I have a friend who says the world doesn’t need another angry dwarf’ | Evening news wrap Bishnoi gang claims responsibility for two shootings targeting Indians in Portugal.INDIA bloc to meet in Delhi with 23 parties, amid internal rifts and likely absences of DMK and AAP.Cockroach Janta Party vows nationwide agitation over exam irregularities, demands education minister’s resignation.India dominate Afghanistan in Test as Suthar shines; hosts lead by 451 after declaring at 564/8.Russian drone hits Chornobyl fuel storage site; Ukraine reports damage but says radiation levels remain normal.Here are the top stories of the day:Bishnoi gang claims cross-border shootings in PortugalThe Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for two shooting incidents targeting Indian nationals in Portugal. A social media post by an operative linked to the Sunil Meena Gang admitted to firing at residences of Gurpreet Singh Gill and Gurdeep Singh in separate attacks. Read full story Watch Ahead Of INDIA Bloc Meet, CPI(M) Asks Congress To Explain BJP ‘Deal’ Charge During Kerala PollsINDIA bloc meeting in Delhi amid alliance strainsThe INDIA bloc will hold a key meeting in New Delhi on Monday, with 23 parties confirming attendance. Leaders including Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav are expected to participate, though DMK and AAP may skip the meet amid internal tensions. Read full story Cockroach Janta Party intensifies protest over exam issuesCockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said the agitation over alleged exam and recruitment irregularities will continue until Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. After a large protest at Jantar Mantar involving thousands, Dipke said the movement would expand nationwide. Read full storyIndia dominates Afghanistan in one-off TestIndia tightened control of the one-off Test against Afghanistan after declaring at 564/8 in New Chandigarh. Debutant spinner Manav Suthar starred with 3/21 as Afghanistan slipped to 113/5 at stumps, still trailing by 451 runs. Read full storyRussian drone hits Chornobyl nuclear storage siteA Russian drone struck a spent nuclear fuel storage facility in Ukraine’s Chornobyl exclusion zone, Ukrainian officials said, causing damage but no radiation leak. The strike hit a building at the Centralised Spent Fuel Storage Facility, about 15 km from the old plant. 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 MediaVideosTMC Faces Fresh Crisis As Mamata Heads To Delhi Amid Reports Of Possible MP RebellionIndia-Bangladesh Border Tension Eases As BSF Says Stranded Bangladeshi Nationals Returned’Ghost Demolition’ In Surat: More Than 100 Homes Razed, Civic Body Denies Ordering ActionCockroach Janta Party Escalates Protest, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum Over Dharmendra Pradhan DemandWest Bengal Launches Statewide Madrasa Survey, Seeks Data On Legal Status, Infrastructure And Staff‘Why Congress Tied India’s Fate To Dollar?’: Nishikant Dubey Attacks CongressAdvisories Circulated Among Muslim Youth To ‘Stay Away’ From CJP’s Jantar Mantar ProtestStalin Claims TVK Government Survives On Former DMK Allies’ Support, Vows Political ComebackVijay Launches Sweeping TASMAC Crackdown, Targets Alleged ₹1,600 Crore Revenue Leakage NetworkAmerican Centre Attack 2002: Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, US Consul General Speak At Kolkata Event123Photostories5 beautiful flowering creepers that double up as living curtainsCancer before 50? Why doctors are concerned about the rise in early-onset cases10 must- try local dishes in UdaipurFrom Athirappilly to Palaruvi; 8 spectacular waterfalls to visit in Kerala this summerRice water for hair growth: The Korean beauty hack everyone talks about, but what does science actually say?Inside Avneet Kaur’s stunning Mumbai home: white-gold interiors, a dream walk-in wardrobe, and more7 Fascinating facts about the honey badger10 ways to enjoy watermelon during summer seasonThis is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India; budget, how to reach, best time to travel and moreCan rainwater cause eye infections? Eye specialist explains the real risk123Hot PicksSuryakumar YadavYusuf PathanKerala Student HospitalisedIran AttackKhan SirAnnamalaiKaru Nagarajan ResignRoger GoodellAIADMKTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan Private investment announcements jump to Rs 56 lakh crore in FY26, says SBI Research Planning a physics degree in the UK? University of Strathclyde announces £7,000 scholarship for international students A plant that calls for defense when it’s being eaten? Study finds common bean plant secretly calls wasps to kill caterpillars on it | Elon Musk reacts to post claiming India’s birth rate falls below replacement level, says: ‘Among those most educated …’ Dubai-based Indian man, wife killed in Kerala road crash; daughter survives after last-minute car switch Keeping the lights on: How India manages its power demand | India News ‘Every woman has a bit of Nikki in her’: Ram Gopal Varma’s take on ‘Obsession’ leaves internet angry The billionaire who gifted his Baby a pink Rolls-Royce and own 40 kg of gold Lalu Prasad’s family sends back security, RJD workers with sticks step in ‘Cake for dessert’: Trump’s border czar tries food at ICE detention facility after complaints, says he ‘couldn’t finish it all’ Most Time Zones In The World: Which country has the most time zones and what it means for travellers Janhvi Kapoor: ‘Peddi’ Controversy: Janhvi Kapoor’s alleged chats mention Sreeleela; ‘They’ll say close up and put camera on your…, cant trust ‘ | Hindi Movie News File photo NEW DELHI: Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on Monday in what will be the alliance’s first major huddle after recent assembly election setbacks for some of its key constituents and amid growing strains within the coalition.Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday that 23 political parties had confirmed their participation in the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club in Delhi.“23 political parties have confirmed participation in the INDIA janbandhan meeting at Constitution Club, New Delhi on Monday June 8, 2026, at 12 noon,” Ramesh said in a post on X.“Like India, the INDIA janbandhan continues to stand united through its diversity,” he added.TMC backs meeting, Mamata reaches DelhiThe All India Trinamool Congress signalled strong support for the meeting, with party chief Mamata Banerjee leaving for Delhi on Sunday to attend the gathering, as per news agency ANI.TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien responded to Ramesh’s post by saying: “Meeting with a common purpose and clear intent. INDIA united. Many parties look forward to meeting in the spirit of camaraderie.”Mamata Banerjee, party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are among leaders expected to participate, according to news agency PTI.Key issues likely on agendaWhile the formal agenda of the meeting has not been announced, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said opposition parties remain united in their opposition to certain issues.While acknowledging that some parties would not attend, he stressed that they continued to oppose the BJP-led government.Ramesh accused the Centre of “snatching away the right to vote for millions of Indians”, “assaulting the Constitution daily”, targeting opposition leaders through investigative agencies, hurting livelihoods, fuelling inflation and compromising national interests through its foreign policy.DMK, AAP likely to skip meetingThe meeting, however, is taking place against the backdrop of visible tensions within the alliance.The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is unlikely to attend after accusing Congress of “betrayal” in Tamil Nadu.The fallout stems from Congress extending support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam after the assembly elections despite contesting as part of the DMK-led alliance.DMK said its cadres remained deeply hurt by what it described as Congress’ actions following the elections and announced it would boycott the Delhi meeting.The Aam Aadmi Party is also unlikely to participate, according to PTI.CPM-Congress friction likely to surfaceAnother key issue hanging over the meeting is the dispute between Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over remarks made during the Kerala assembly election campaign.CPM general secretary MA Baby has written to Kharge seeking clarification over repeated allegations by Congress leaders that the CPM had an understanding with the BJP in Kerala.The letter argued that such accusations were inconsistent with the spirit of the INDIA bloc and questioned whether repeated calls by Congress leaders for investigations against former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan undermined opposition unity.Despite its objections, CPM has decided to participate in the meeting and will be represented by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas.Sources cited by PTI said that Brittas is expected to raise the issue during discussions.BJP attacks opposition unityThe BJP has used the run-up to the meeting to question the cohesion of the opposition alliance.BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed the alliance had “no mission, no vision, only confusion,” while Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi alleged there was “infighting and confusion” among opposition parties.Congress leader Pramod Tiwari, however, dismissed the criticism and urged observers to wait for the outcome of the meeting before drawing conclusions.With 23 parties confirming attendance and several fault lines still visible, Monday’s gathering is expected to test the INDIA bloc’s ability to maintain a united front against the BJP while managing growing differences among its constituent partners.About 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 MediaVideosTMC Faces Fresh Crisis As Mamata Heads To Delhi Amid Reports Of Possible MP RebellionIndia-Bangladesh Border Tension Eases As BSF Says Stranded Bangladeshi Nationals Returned’Ghost Demolition’ In Surat: More Than 100 Homes Razed, Civic Body Denies Ordering ActionCockroach Janta Party Escalates Protest, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum Over Dharmendra Pradhan DemandWest Bengal Launches Statewide Madrasa Survey, Seeks Data On Legal Status, Infrastructure And Staff‘Why Congress Tied India’s Fate To Dollar?’: Nishikant Dubey Attacks CongressAdvisories Circulated Among Muslim Youth To ‘Stay Away’ From CJP’s Jantar Mantar ProtestStalin Claims TVK Government Survives On Former DMK Allies’ Support, Vows Political ComebackVijay Launches Sweeping TASMAC Crackdown, Targets Alleged ₹1,600 Crore Revenue Leakage NetworkAmerican Centre Attack 2002: Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, US Consul General Speak At Kolkata Event123Photostories5 beautiful flowering creepers that double up as living curtainsCancer before 50? Why doctors are concerned about the rise in early-onset cases10 must- try local dishes in UdaipurFrom Athirappilly to Palaruvi; 8 spectacular waterfalls to visit in Kerala this summerRice water for hair growth: The Korean beauty hack everyone talks about, but what does science actually say?Inside Avneet Kaur’s stunning Mumbai home: white-gold interiors, a dream walk-in wardrobe, and more7 Fascinating facts about the honey badger10 ways to enjoy watermelon during summer seasonThis is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India; budget, how to reach, best time to travel and moreCan rainwater cause eye infections? Eye specialist explains the real risk123Hot PicksSuryakumar YadavYusuf PathanKerala Student HospitalisedIran AttackKhan SirAnnamalaiKaru Nagarajan ResignRoger GoodellAIADMKTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan Jun 07, 2026, 17:41 IST ‘He didn’t seem to have too much gas left in the tank’: Ex-selector on Rishabh Pant throwing away a century | Cricket News The Dallas housing shift: How H-1b visa curbs and tech layoffs in US are cooling the market ‘Bandar’ box office collection Day 3 [LIVE]: Bobby Deol starrer receives critical acclaim but struggles to cross Rs 2 crore From Athirappilly to Palaruvi; 8 spectacular waterfalls to visit in Kerala this summer CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says agitation won’t stop until Dharmendra Pradhan quits; security beefed up at his residence Saudi Arabia arrests more than 7,700 residency, labour and border violators in one-week crackdown ‘Irumudi’ release date: Ravi Teja’s upcoming film to hit the big screens on THIS date; set to clash with Nani starrer A retired soldier finds a 1,700-year-old Roman treasure while on a weekend walk and it’s unlike anything ever discovered before Tamil Nadu’s free house scheme for tribals: Who gets it, how to apply, and what it costs NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam City Intimation Slip released at neet.nta.nic.in-Direct link to download When Smita Patil slammed Bollywood’s double standards and said ‘Hero ko toh nanga dikha nahi sakte’ Smartest Dog Breeds: The world’s smartest dog breeds? These 5 names come up again and again Cate Blanchett Quote: Quote of the day by Cate Blanchett: ‘The women who really change the game are always the women that no one knows what to do with initially’ | English Movie News Dharavi redevelopment project: Why analyst calls it one of India’s biggest real estate execution challenges IISER IAT 2026 answer key released at iiseradmission.in: Direct link to download here Nithya Menen REACTS to Janhvi Kapoor’s ‘Peddi’ objectification debate: ‘You can assert yourself, I don’t believe you end up helpless’ | Why mental wellness matters for every parent? ‘They’re strong, they’re proud’: Trump on why Iran has yet to agreed to a deal ‘Mr Vice President, you’re wrong’: David Lammy rejects Vance’s ‘mass migration’ claim over Henry Nowak murder NEW DELHI: 2026 has been a year of Congress’ re-emergence in southern India. The party won comfortably in the Kerala assembly elections, entered the Tamil Nadu government by supporting Vijay’s TVK, and also solved the three-year-long tussle over the chief ministerial post in Karnataka.But, just as it seemed that everything was going Congress’s way, regional tensions appear to have taken over the party line. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have locked horns over the proposed foundation stone ceremony announced by Karnataka for the Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery River, exposing a sharp interstate fault line..Incidentally, as Congress is in power in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it finds itself caught between a rock and a hard place — forced to balance electoral gains against a combustible local dispute.What is the Cauvery water dispute?The Cauvery water dispute is one of India’s longest-running inter-state river water conflicts. It centres on the sharing of waters of the Cauvery river, a crucial source of irrigation, drinking water and livelihood for millions of people in southern India.The roots of the conflict go back more than 150 years to agreements signed in 1892 and 1924 between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore. These agreements established the principle that the upper riparian state (Mysore, now Karnataka) must obtain the consent of the lower riparian state (Madras, now largely Tamil Nadu) before undertaking major construction projects on the river.Tensions intensified after 1974 when Karnataka began diverting water into newly built reservoirs without Tamil Nadu’s consent. Tamil Nadu argued that these actions reduced water availability downstream, particularly for its farmers who depend heavily on the Cauvery for irrigation.To resolve the dispute, the Central government constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 1990 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.After 17 years of deliberations, the tribunal delivered its final award in 2007, laying down a formula for sharing Cauvery waters among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.The award was notified by the Centre in 2013 and subsequently challenged before the Supreme Court. In its landmark 2018 judgment, the apex court largely upheld the tribunal’s water-sharing framework while making certain modifications.The court described the Cauvery as a national asset and allocated water among the riparian states, directing the Centre to establish an institutional mechanism to implement the decision.Following the verdict, the Centre created the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to oversee water releases and ensure compliance with the sharing arrangement.However, conflict resurfaces almost every year, particularly during periods of deficient rainfall. Karnataka argues that it needs adequate water to meet the drinking and irrigation requirements of its population, while Tamil Nadu insists on timely releases as mandated by the tribunal and Supreme Court orders.Disagreements are especially intense during drought years when water availability falls below normal levels. Questions over how shortages should be shared between states often trigger political and legal confrontations.The latest flashpoint is Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu Reservoir Project, which is intended to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and generate around 400 MW of electricity.Karnataka Vs Tamil NaduThe controversy was triggered by Karnataka’s then deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar after he said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project will be submitted to the Centre soon, and the groundbreaking ceremony will be held after obtaining Union government approval.”The DPR for the Mekedatu project has been prepared, and a project office has been opened. We are identifying alternate land to compensate for the forest area that will be submerged. The DPR will be submitted to the Centre shortly. Once the Centre grants approval, we will perform the bhoomi puja for the project,” DKS said.”There is a clear order to release 177 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. We will discuss how to resolve this in the coming days. The Supreme Court has ruled that Tamil Nadu has no right to object to the Mekedatu project and that the Central Water Commission must take a decision on it,” he added.In what could be seen as retaliation, Tamil Nadu’s newly appointed Chief Minister Vijay conducted detailed consultations with Cauvery water experts and legal experts in order to uphold the state’s rights and safeguard the welfare of farmers.Taking into account the details of the Supreme Court judgment and detailed legal consultation, CM Vijay advised that immediate follow-up legal measures should be undertaken without delay.He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and urged him to advise the Jal Shakti ministry and the central water resources tribunal not to permit the project without the consent of all states involved in the dispute.”The Mekedatu dam is not on the list of projects permitted by the Tribunal which has been affirmed by the Supreme Court,” Vijay has earlier said in a letter to the Prime Minister.”There is no scope for additional utilisation or for creating a huge storage reservoir, since the Cauvery basin is found to be a deficit basin and the available water at 50 per cent dependability has already been allocated to the party states… Hence the act of proposing to construct a new reservoir by Karnataka would amount to clear violation of the said judgment,” the letter read.Why Congress is in a whirlpoolAmid the controversy, Congress finds itself in the unusual position of having to cater to two opposing stands. The party has become the centre of a conflict that has transformed from a bilateral state dispute into an internal political challenge, with its units in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu backing contrasting positions on the Mekedatu project.The fault lines have already become visible. Congress MP Manickam Tagore chose to skip Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar’s swearing-in ceremony on June 4, 2026, citing the Mekedatu dispute. TN Congress vice-president SM Hidayathullah also backed legal action against the project and stated that there should be no dam across the river, placing the Tamil Nadu unit at odds with the Karnataka government’s position.In Karnataka, support for Mekedatu is closely tied to the interests of farmers in the Cauvery basin, particularly the influential Vokkaliga community that forms a key support base for chief minister DK Shivakumar.In Tamil Nadu, however, the focus remains on protecting the state’s share of Cauvery waters and ensuring compliance with the existing water-sharing framework. Congress is also part of the ruling coalition in the state, where opposition to the project has been a consistent position. The party’s alliance equations have gained added significance after TVK backed Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty for a Rajya Sabha seat.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 work tracks 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 MediaVideos’Ghost Demolition’ In Surat: More Than 100 Homes Razed, Civic Body Denies Ordering ActionCockroach Janta Party Escalates Protest, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum Over Dharmendra Pradhan DemandWest Bengal Launches Statewide Madrasa Survey, Seeks Data On Legal Status, Infrastructure And Staff‘Why Congress Tied India’s Fate To Dollar?’: Nishikant Dubey Attacks CongressAdvisories Circulated Among Muslim Youth To ‘Stay Away’ From CJP’s Jantar Mantar ProtestStalin Claims TVK Government Survives On Former DMK Allies’ Support, Vows Political ComebackVijay Launches Sweeping TASMAC Crackdown, Targets Alleged ₹1,600 Crore Revenue Leakage NetworkAmerican Centre Attack 2002: Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, US Consul General Speak At Kolkata EventIndia, Nepal To Take Bilateral Ties To New Heights; Jaishankar Calls For Decisive Shift In Relations‘Electric Stove Exploded, Then…: What Chef Told Police In Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire123PhotostoriesFrom Athirappilly to Palaruvi; 8 spectacular waterfalls to visit in Kerala this summerRice water for hair growth: The Korean beauty hack everyone talks about, but what does science actually say?Inside Avneet Kaur’s stunning Mumbai home: white-gold interiors, a dream walk-in wardrobe, and more7 Fascinating facts about the honey badger10 ways to enjoy watermelon during summer seasonThis is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India; budget, how to reach, best time to travel and moreCan rainwater cause eye infections? 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