VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Gemini Horoscope Today, July 14, 2026: Make sure you take proper care of your right eye Jammu and Kashmir: BJP slaps Rs 100 crore notice on Omar over MLA poaching charge Quote of the day by Dale Carnegie: “Don’t be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of…” – why honest criticism is more valuable than praise | World News Amarnath Yatra: Jammu and Kashmir: 18 Amarnath yatris injured in Ramban multi-vehicle collision | India News Ladakh Hill Development Council: ‘Democratic decentralisation’: Government announces hill councils for all 7 Ladakh districts | India News Colombian man with Social Security Number, work authorization killed by ICE agents in Maine: ‘He was bleeding profusely from the head’ Taurus Horoscope Today, July 14, 2026: Trust steady effort, and don’t let impatience spoil a solid plan Streamer University 2026: Kai Cenat drops ‘EBK’ diss track targeting FunnyMike, DDG, Rakai and other Streamer University critics Scientists find that humans and dogs have such a friendly relationship because early ancestors fed salmon to canines 12,000 years ago Aries Horoscope Today, July 14, 2026: Today isn’t the day for impulse spending Middle East crisis: US to resume naval blockade of Iranian ports, warns vessels of interception Quote of the day by Rishi Sunak: ‘The greatest sacrifice I have made is that I have been an appalling husband and father for the past couple of years’ File photo: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah SRINAGAR: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks referring to US President Donald Trump in his speech on Sunday while seeking restoration of statehood to J&K and his response on Monday to a tweet falsely attributed to Trump hasn’t gone down well with BJP, which accused him of attempting to “internationalise the Jammu and Kashmir issue by invoking the name of a foreign leader…”“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The central govt has already made its commitment clear regarding the restoration of statehood,” BJP general secretary and J&K in-charge Tarun Chug said.“Since the abrogation of Article 370, a new stream of democracy, development, tourism, and good governance is flowing. Those seeking to divert public attention should now accept the reality of the transformed Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.On Monday, the CM responded to a social media post falsely attributed to US President Donald Trump that praises Omar and backs his statehood demand. “Let’s bring back statehood and make J&K Great Again,” it said. Omar shared the post with the remark “If only”.On Sunday, addressing a rally in Jammu, the CM sarcastically asked whether he should approach Trump for J&K statehood, saying BJP politicians in J&K maintain that statehood cannot be secured by raising the issue in the J&K Assembly, in Jammu and Kashmir, or even in the national capital, New Delhi.“Now these BJP people should tell me, do I have to go to Donald Trump at the White House in America to get the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood? If I cannot get restoration of statehood in the capital of my own country, then tell us. We will book our tickets, go to America, protest outside Mr Trump’s house and demand statehood from there. If our voice is heard from there, let us know, as we never thought of going anywhere else,” Omar had said.However, he said his party would continue its campaign in “our own country”.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123Photostories5 signs you’re not in love; it’s obsessionWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? Here’s why osteoarthritis pain gets worse during the monsoon, according to doctorsPigeons taking over your balcony? 7 Humane ways to keep them away without causing harmFrom grey saree elegance to embroidered sharara glam: Alia Bhatt masters two bridesmaid looks at Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s wedding5 early symptoms of male pattern baldness every man should know123Hot PicksWWE Raw PreviewRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaITR filingNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeTaylor Swift and Travis KelceE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderTG TET 2026 resultGurgaon EncounterIran war Jammu and Kashmir: Court remands 3 arrested publishers in police custody Inside Christopher Plummer’s former Darien waterfront estate, an 1866 Colonial with a private beach, pool and $12.995 million price tag Mehbooba Mufti offers rose petals in tribute to martyrs at her party office (Picture credit: AP) SRINAGAR: The lieutenant governor’s administration on Monday imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to prevent political figures from assembling at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in old Srinagar.CM Omar Abdullah and National Conference functionaries, including his father Farooq Abdullah, paid homage at the party headquarters instead. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also paid tributes at her party office.Police sealed the area around the Martyrs’ Graveyard Sunday, deploying heavy security. Education minister Sakina Itoo said she tried to visit the graveyard at 4:30am Monday but was prevented from entering.Last year, Omar had broken through police barricades and climbed a wall to reach the graveyard.“It is a matter of great regret that today we are not being allowed to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives on July 13 in the struggle against British paramountcy and autocratic rule,” he said on MondayPDP’s Iltija Mufti said, “I haven’t seen such a paranoid administration in J&K before.”“You can’t decide who Kashmiris idolise. For us the 22 martyrs who laid down their lives in 1931 to sow the seeds of political consciousness and dignity are our heroes,” Iltija wrote on X.In Jan 2020, nearly six months after the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir administration removed July 13 and Dec 5 from the list of public holidays.Dec 5 was observed as the birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah while July 13 was observed as Martyrs’ Day, in remembrance of the 22 Kashmiris killed outside Srinagar Central Jail during a protest against the Dogra ruler in 1931.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123Photostories5 signs you’re not in love; it’s obsessionWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? Here’s why osteoarthritis pain gets worse during the monsoon, according to doctorsPigeons taking over your balcony? 7 Humane ways to keep them away without causing harmFrom grey saree elegance to embroidered sharara glam: Alia Bhatt masters two bridesmaid looks at Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s wedding5 early symptoms of male pattern baldness every man should know123Hot PicksWWE Raw PreviewRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaITR filingNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeTaylor Swift and Travis KelceE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderTG TET 2026 resultGurgaon EncounterIran war Why you should never store onions with potatoes: The kitchen storage mistake that makes both spoil faster | Every iconic BTS moment with football stars before the biggest stage of their career at the FIFA World Cup halftime show Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ billionaire widow Laurene grew up lower middle class, couldn’t afford a single holiday, but now spends summers aboard her $120 million superyacht Saudi Arabia Package Visa: Saudi Arabia introduces ‘Package Visa’ to combine travel booking and Visa application; what it means for travellers Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for July 14, 2026 Quote of the day by Marie Curie: “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and…” – understand what confidence and perseverance can achieve that talent alone never will Telangana POCSO accused, wanted for slaughtering 6 of 2 families, found dead after 60-hour manhunt Quote of the day by Roger Federer: “I’m as patient a father as I am on the tennis court. It takes a lot for me to get really upset, but…” – what the tennis legend’s honest parenting confession teaches us about patience | World News Remove Negative Energy From Home: 5 things you should remove from your house to get rid of negative energy Watch: Iran fires missile towards US targets with ‘GAME OVER USA’ painted on it Ex-Meta techie wraps up 14 years of life in US after layoff, says he’s tired of immigration clock Representative image NEW DELHI: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Dalvir Singh Kala, a close aide of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, was shot at and injured by an unidentified motorcycle-borne assailant in Punjab’s Mansa district on Monday evening, police said.The incident took place in Bareta town when Kala, a former Zila Parishad member, was preparing to leave for home from his shop in the local grain market.According to eyewitnesses, an unidentified man riding a motorcycle intercepted Kala and opened fire before fleeing the spot.”It appeared that a single bullet was fired,” local resident Gurjant Singh said, adding that the attacker appeared to be in his 20s, as cited by news agency PTI.Kala suffered a bullet injury and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately disclosed.Police have launched an investigation into the attack and are working to identify and arrest the assailant.Officials said CCTV footage from the area is being examined as part of the probe, while other forensic and eyewitness evidence is also being collected to establish the motive behind the shooting.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.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 MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123Photostories5 signs you’re not in love; it’s obsessionWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? Here’s why osteoarthritis pain gets worse during the monsoon, according to doctorsPigeons taking over your balcony? 7 Humane ways to keep them away without causing harmFrom grey saree elegance to embroidered sharara glam: Alia Bhatt masters two bridesmaid looks at Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s wedding5 early symptoms of male pattern baldness every man should know123Hot PicksWWE Raw PreviewRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaITR filingNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeTaylor Swift and Travis KelceE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderTG TET 2026 resultGurgaon EncounterIran war People are mixing potato peels with baking soda to remove rust. Does it actually work? | NHL Trade Rumor: Vancouver Canucks exploring unexpected trade market options for former superstar forward | NHL News Zombie filler: Dead people’s fat is the latest beauty trend Updated: Jul 13, 2026, 23:23 IST Cost Of Living In New York: After a decade in New York, Indian man says he finally understood why so many people leave | Who guards Hormuz and who gets paid? Trump and Iran clash over control of the strait US judge scraps Trump’s IRS settlement deal, says lawsuit sought to ‘manipulate judicial process’ Bodies of 15 Indians killed in Vietnam boat tragedy arrive in Mumbai NEW DELHI: A flight carrying the bodies of 15 Indian nationals who were killed in the Vietnam boat tragedy landed at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday. The remains were flown from Ho Chi Minh City on a Vietnam Airlines flight, as cited by PTI. Of the 15 victims, 10 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala. “We are grateful for the many messages of condolences and prayers from our Vietnamese friends. Your prayers, efforts and presence gave us strength in this extreme hour of grief,” the Indian Embassy said in a post on X.The Indian mission also expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese authorities for their assistance and support in facilitating the repatriation process.While 16 of the rescued Indian tourists have returned to India, one remains hospitalised in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. “The Indian national undergoing treatment at Phu Quoc after the tragic boat accident successfully underwent a medical procedure yesterday evening. He has been admitted in a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City today. His family members have also arrived in Ho Chi Minh City,” the India Embassy in Hanoi said in a post on Monday. The survivor who remains hospitalised is in critical condition, as cited by AP. The 49-year-old suffered severe lung damage after nearly drowning, along with shock, multiple injuries and bleeding in the brain, the report said.A speedboat carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai, off Phu Quoc Island, on Friday, killing 15 tourists. The remaining passengers were rescued.The tourists were reportedly returning from an island excursion when the vessel overturned about 400 metres off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island.The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, and Vietnamese authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident.According to Vietnamese news portal VN Express International, the speedboat operator was detained on Sunday.Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and island-hopping tours.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.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 MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123PhotostoriesWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? Here’s why osteoarthritis pain gets worse during the monsoon, according to doctorsPigeons taking over your balcony? 7 Humane ways to keep them away without causing harmFrom grey saree elegance to embroidered sharara glam: Alia Bhatt masters two bridesmaid looks at Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s wedding5 early symptoms of male pattern baldness every man should knowOTT releases this week (July 13 To July 19): ‘Murder 101’, ‘On Purpose with Jay Shetty’, ‘Transfer Trimurthulu’, ‘Ride or Die’ and more123Hot PicksWWE Raw PreviewRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaITR filingNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeTaylor Swift and Travis KelceE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderTG TET 2026 resultGurgaon EncounterIran war Dubai plans new port to cut reliance on Strait of Hormuz ‘Mastermind was not happy’: Louvre burglars reveal how they pulled off €88 million jewel heist Isro accomplishes 3 key qualification tests for crew module systems for Gaganyaan mission | India News ‘We will test them out’: Ben Duckett issues warning to Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli ahead of ODI series | Cricket News Sanjay Dutt Joins Nandamuri Balakrishna for ‘NBK111’ Shoot in Hyderabad | Who is Alexis Mac Allister’s girlfriend Ailen Cova? Inside their relationship, family life, and career ‘More destructive than US’: China hits out at Japan’s military role in South China Sea Ladakh’s Chief Secretary, Ashish Kundra, has announced that the UTA will constitute an Autonomous Hill Development Council in each of the seven districts. Ladakh’s chief secretary, Ashish Kundra, has announced at a press conference in Leh that the Union Territory administration will constitute an Autonomous Hill Development Council in each of the seven districts. He described it as a major step towards democratic decentralisation and grassroots governance. Section 3(1) of the LAHDC Act already provides for a Council for every district, to be constituted from a date the government notifies in the gazette. Only amendments to the Act where required and a delimitation of constituencies remain.Ladakh moved from two districts to seven in April 2026, when Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass were notified. Elected representation until now has stayed with the two existing Councils in Leh and Kargil. Important points of the conference are as follows:1. ⁠ ⁠The Union Territory administration has decided to constitute a Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in each of the seven districts. The Chief Secretary called it a major step towards democratic decentralisation and grassroots governance.2. ⁠ ⁠Each of the seven Councils will carry the full powers set out in the LAHDC Act. The new districts get the same authority that Leh has held since 1995 and Kargil since 2003, not a reduced version of it.3. ⁠ ⁠Hill Councils have authority over land ownership and land allotment within the district. Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass will exercise that authority within their own boundaries.4. ⁠ ⁠Councils regulate recruitment and promotion for district cadre posts. Employment decisions in the new districts will rest with an elected body inside the district.5. ⁠ ⁠Councils hold a dedicated Council Fund and can levy taxes and fees. Each new district will have a revenue base of its own.6. ⁠ ⁠Councils formulate their own development plans. Each district will set its own priorities rather than receive them from Leh or Kargil.7. ⁠ ⁠Councils are responsible for health, education and tourism at the district level, along with local infrastructure and social welfare schemes.8. ⁠ ⁠A Union Territory level body is proposed above the seven Councils under a customised Article 371 framework, with legislative, executive, financial and administrative powers. The chief secretary said the model has no parallel elsewhere in the country and will draw on the best features of other arrangements.9. ⁠ ⁠The structure and powers of the Union Territory level body will be settled through consultation between Ladakh’s representatives and the Government of India. Some rebalancing of powers between the Councils and the UT body may follow. The Councils are the first firm element of the new structure to be confirmed.10. ⁠ ⁠Panchayati Raj institutions will continue alongside the Hill Councils. Ladakh will have elected representation at the village, district and Union Territory levels.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123PhotostoriesWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? Here’s why osteoarthritis pain gets worse during the monsoon, according to doctorsPigeons taking over your balcony? 7 Humane ways to keep them away without causing harmFrom grey saree elegance to embroidered sharara glam: Alia Bhatt masters two bridesmaid looks at Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s wedding5 early symptoms of male pattern baldness every man should knowOTT releases this week (July 13 To July 19): ‘Murder 101’, ‘On Purpose with Jay Shetty’, ‘Transfer Trimurthulu’, ‘Ride or Die’ and more123Hot PicksWWE Raw PreviewRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaITR filingNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeTaylor Swift and Travis KelceE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderTG TET 2026 resultGurgaon EncounterIran war Anthony Hopkins releases his single and announces his debut album, ‘Life is a Dream,’ at 88: ‘Music was my first desire’ While Sam Altman has declared that he is ‘not afraid of Apple’, iPhone maker has ensured that it is end of OpenAI’s ‘smartphone dream’ by … ‘Intolerable threat to US sovereignty’: Why Trump wants to ‘dismantle’ International Criminal Court Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (IANS image) Where are the Gandhi siblings? This is the question the BJP is asking after leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not visit the constituency following the July 7 landslide that claimed eight lives.Priyanka is the sitting MP, while Rahul was elected from Wayanad twice in 2019 and 2024. The BJP has reminded the Gandhis of Rahul’s promise that Wayanad would have “two MPs”, one official and one unofficial, when he was passing over the baton to Priyanka. A week after the tragedy, the BJP’s charge is that Wayanad effectively has neither.The ‘part-time politicians’ chargeThe BJP has accused the Gandhi siblings of being “part-time politicians” and treating Wayanad as a constituency of political convenience.BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cited Rahul’s defeat in the family bastion of Amethi in 2019 to argue that Wayanad had provided him political ground at a difficult moment. “When Rahul Gandhi was unsuccessful in saving his political ground on his family seat, Wayanad provided him with political ground,” Trivedi said. “When he left that seat and gave it to his sister Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi said Wayanad would have not one, but two MPs. And today, both the so-called MPs are absent from the scene.”BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha sharpened the attack, calling Rahul and Priyanka “political tourists”. He alleged that Rahul had used Wayanad for his political survival after losing Amethi and abandoned it once he won Rae Bareli. He also claimed that Priyanka could leave if a more convenient seat became available.Why Wayanad mattersWayanad has a special connection with the Gandhi siblings. Priyanka Gandhi represents Wayanad in the present Lok Sabha while Rahul Gandhi won from here twice.In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Wayanad elected Rahul Gandhi for Lok Sabha with an impressive margin of over 12 lakh votes. This victory was significant and important for Rahul’s political career as the people of Amethi, from where the Gandhi scion was winning since 2014, had rejected him. Rahul had lost the election to BJP’s Smriti Irani. Wayanad victory ensured Rahul’s continued presence in Lok Sabha.In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi again won from Wayanad though with a reduced margin. However, since Rahul also won from Rae Bareli, the traditional Congress stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, he vacated his Wayanad seat. And that paved the way for the electoral debut of his sister Priyanka Gandhi in the ensuing bypoll. She won the November 2024 by-election by a landslide, securing 65% of the vote share and outperforming Rahul’s previous victory margin. So, their no-show in Wayanad has given the BJP enough ammunition for political attack.Beyond Wayanad: Where is Rahul?The Wayanad attack is part of a larger question the BJP has raised over the past few days: Where is Rahul Gandhi?Rahul has remained out of public view for nearly three weeks. His last major public appearance was at the launch of the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach initiative in Kota on June 17 amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in NEET. The next planned event is on July 17.BJP claims that Rahul travelled abroad on June 22. The Congress has not responded to these claims.BJP IT department head Amit Malviya questioned the secrecy surrounding Rahul’s programme. “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip between 22 June and 13 July remains shrouded in mystery. Where did he go? Who did he meet? Who sponsored his travel and stay?” he said in a post on X.The timing has made the absence politically significant. The Congress is grappling with factionalism in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, while preparations are also due for the Monsoon Session beginning July 20. As leader of the opposition, Rahul will be central to the party’s floor strategy.Wayanad has now added another issue to that list.Congress pushes backThe BJP’s attacks prompted a strong rebuttal from the Congress. Pawan Khera, chairman of the party’s media and publicity department, rejected the charge of insensitivity and defended the decision not to visit Wayanad while rescue operations were under way.”If there is a natural disaster, why should there be a VIP visit? There should be a VIP visit only to flag the gaps before the government, if it is insensitive in addressing the concerns of victims and their woes. Right now, the government in Kerala is active, relief measures are under way, and there is no need to disrupt those measures,” Khera said.”Those questioning the absence of Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi must understand that VIP visits are meant to flag gaps and missing links. There is no such need,” he added.Both Rahul and Priyanka had responded to the tragedy through posts on X. Rahul described the news as “deeply distressing”, offered condolences and appealed to Congress and UDF workers to extend all possible assistance. Priyanka said rescue efforts were under way and chief minister V D Satheesan was monitoring the operation. She said she was coordinating with the district administration, ministers, local party functionaries and relief agencies, and urged UDF workers to help without hampering rescue work.The Congress’s argument is that the absence of a physical visit should not be equated with a lack of involvement.What commentators sayPolitical commentators, however, said the presence of an elected representative becomes especially important when tragedy strikes their constituency.”People expect their MLA and MP to stand by them when tragedy strikes, particularly when it is caused by a natural disaster. It is unfortunate that the Wayanad MP has not visited the area even after a week,” Kerala-based political commentator Damodar Prasad told TOI.”Elected representatives are expected to be present and oversee relief efforts. Their absence risks alienating them from the people,” he added.Professor G Gopakumar, senior political scientist and former vice-chancellor of the Central University of Kerala, said both Rahul and Priyanka should have rushed to Wayanad.”Since the state government is also led by the Congress, the situation requires proper attention. It is a shared responsibility,” he said, adding that the recurring disasters should push Kerala to seriously review environmental protection and future policy, as recommended by the Madhav Gadgil and K Kasturirangan committees.Is the attack justified?While the Congress has strongly defended the Gandhis over the Wayanad no-show, arguing against VIP visits during disasters, the fact remains that two years ago both Rahul and Priyanka visited Wayanad after a massive landslide killed more than 300 people.They visited the landslide-hit Chooralmala area on August 1, 2024. Rahul had then committed that the Congress family would build more than 100 houses in the disaster-hit areas.Kerala was then ruled by the CPM-led LDF, while the Congress-led UDF was in the opposition. The Congress won the 2026 Assembly elections and now heads the state government.Little wonder, then, that the BJP is questioning the absence of the Gandhis from the scene of the latest tragedy and linking it to political opportunism.For Rahul and Priyanka, the controversy is therefore less about administrative responsibility and more about whether their promised political commitment to Wayanad is visible when the constituency needs it most.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123PhotostoriesWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? 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