VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Bruna Biancardi: Neymar out of FIFA World Cup 2026: Meet Bruna Biancardi, his girlfriend who stood by him through fame, injuries and heartbreak 20 colleagues, liquor and a late-night party: Hyderabad techie found dead in farmhouse pool after argument Wife of Indian seafarer who died aboard vessel in Oman seeks ‘justice’ NEW DELHI: The family of Indian seafarer Nishanth Uirthanathan, who died aboard the vessel MT Celestial in Oman waters, has appealed to the government for the early repatriation of his mortal remains and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.Speaking to news agency ANI, Uirthanathan’s wife Sarabin said the family had not received any official communication from the shipping company and urged authorities to ensure justice.“I am requesting the Government of India to take consider my husband’s death… I want to see my husband’s body. I want justice for my husband’s death,” she said.Sarabin also sought support for her family, saying she was left to care for their eight-month-old baby and three-year-old daughter.“Right now, I don’t know what to do next for both of my children’s lives. We didn’t get any official statement from the company about my husband’s death. I kindly request the government to provide a permanent career opportunity for the sake of my family,” she added.Family alleges lack of communicationThe deceased seafarer’s father alleged that the family was initially informed only about his son’s health condition and was not told about his death.“My son has been working on the ship for the past 10 months. The shipping company did not inform us about his death. Instead, they told us that my son was suffering from a health issue and then switched off his phone,” he said, as cited by ANI.He claimed that despite more than three days having passed since the death, the family had received no direct communication from the company or the vessel.The father further alleged that when his son’s health deteriorated, requests for emergency medical evacuation were not acted upon.“When my son’s condition became critical, those on board reportedly requested helicopter assistance for medical evacuation. However, there was no response from the company’s office,” he said.“Since the vessel on which my son was working had reportedly been laid up, no adequate medical assistance was provided to him. Even after informing us of his death, the company has allegedly failed to properly preserve my son’s body in a refrigerated facility,” he added, while demanding a detailed probe into the incident”We request that the authorities immediately bring back his mortal remains and conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. My son leaves behind two young daughters. We do not know what the future holds. Our family is in deep distress,” he said.Indian Embassy coordinating repatriationAmid the family’s concerns, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said it remains in active coordination with Omani authorities, port officials and the shipping company to facilitate the return of Uirthanathan’s mortal remains.“The Embassy remains in active coordination with local Omani authorities, port officials and the shipping company regarding Mr Nishanth Uirthanathan, who unfortunately died onboard MT Celestial due to medical conditions,” the mission said in a post on X.In its latest update, the embassy said the vessel MT Celestial carrying Uirthanathan’s mortal remains has berthed at Duqm Port. It said the concerned Omani authorities are scheduled to board the vessel to complete the necessary procedures for disembarkation of the body.“The Mission has coordinated all requisite arrangements to facilitate the process at the port,” the embassy said.Earlier, the mission had said the vessel was expected to berth soon at Duqm Port and that necessary arrangements had been made for the prompt recovery of the mortal remains.“The Mission is in touch with the family and facilitating all formalities for the earliest repatriation of the mortal remains to India,” it added.Death sparks concernsUirthanathan died due to medical complications aboard MT Celestial on June 11. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has claimed the seafarer fell seriously ill and urged authorities in India and Oman to intervene.The incident has also drawn political attention. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called for the immediate return of the seafarer’s mortal remains and criticised the government’s handling of the matter.The Indian Embassy had earlier expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said it was in continuous contact with the ship’s management company and other stakeholders to expedite the repatriation process.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’Modi Is A Swayamsevak, But…’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Speaks On PM’s Ties With Sangh’Undermining India’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Economic Disaster’ WarningsMK Stalin Questions CM Vijay’s Delhi Visit, Accuses Him Of Applying Double Standards In BJP DebatePM Modi, Macron Launch Bharat Innovates 2026 In Nice, Deepen India-France Innovation Partnership’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? 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The first photograph of the 14 seafarers rescued from the India-flagged vessel MSV Virat 1 shows all 14 crew members safe after it sank off the coast of Oman on Sunday. The crew was evacuated from the ship that sank after it began taking on water approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman.14 Indians aboard MSV Virat 1 successfully rescued, crew heads to MumbaiThe Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) also confirmed the operation that was carried out in coordination with Omani authorities.In their statement the DGS wrote, “The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) confirms that all 14 Indian seafarers aboard MSV VIRAT-1 have been safely accounted for following the vessel’s sinking approximately 80 nautical miles off Ras Al Hadd, Oman. Swift emergency response procedures, continuous coordination with Omani authorities, the Embassy of India in Oman, and maritime stakeholders ensured the safety of the crew. DGS remains committed to the safety, security, and welfare of Indian seafarers and continues to monitor the situation closely.”The rescue operation was launched after Virat 1 suffered an engine failure while sailing off the Omani coast. The mechanical problem reportedly left the vessel disabled before it started taking on water and eventually sank.According to officials, the crew abandoned the vessel and transferred to a life raft as the situation deteriorated.The Indian Embassy in Muscat earlier said it had been informed of the incident and was working with Omani authorities overseeing the search and rescue effort.”The Mission has learnt of an incident involving an Indian Flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel Virat 1, off the coast of Oman, reportedly embarked with 14 Indian crew. Search and Rescue is being coordinated with the Omani authorities and vessels in vicinity of the incident,” the embassy said.In a subsequent update, the embassy confirmed that the vessel had experienced engine failure and that the crew had safely moved to a life raft while rescue efforts continued.”It has emerged that the vessel experienced an engine failure, and the crew eventually transferred safely to a life raft. Rescue operation is presently underway through ships in vicinity, under coordination of Omani authorities,” it said.The operation received support from the US Navy after it was alerted to the distress situation. A US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft was dispatched to the area, where it dropped a life raft and monitored the evacuation process.Assistance was also provided by MV Jabal Ali 9, a merchant vessel sailing nearby under the flag of St Kitts and Nevis, which helped in the rescue effort under the coordination of Omani authorities.The emergence of the first photographs of the rescued crew marks the latest development in the incident, which ended without loss of life despite the sinking of the vessel.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’Modi Is A Swayamsevak, But…’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Speaks On PM’s Ties With Sangh’Undermining India’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Economic Disaster’ WarningsMK Stalin Questions CM Vijay’s Delhi Visit, Accuses Him Of Applying Double Standards In BJP DebatePM Modi, Macron Launch Bharat Innovates 2026 In Nice, Deepen India-France Innovation Partnership’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? BJP Alliance Now Has 6/10 MLAs Across India | INDIA Bloc ShrinksMumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Introduces Tunnel Hood Technology To Reduce NoiseRahul Gandhi Slams US And Modi Over Death Of Three Indian Sailors In Gulf Of Oman StrikeRam Temple Donation Controversy Escalates: UP Government Forms SIT As Probe Widens In Ayodhya123PhotostoriesThe protein craze: Are high-protein diets and supplements putting your liver at risk?Turning 35? These 6 health tests deserve a place on your checklistFrom Deepika Padukone to Priyanka Chopra: Best hair oils for hair growth inspired by Bollywood actresses6 common phrases used for gaslighting and how to respond, as per psychologistThis is what parents of academically strong kids did differently at home: 5 powerful real life examplesKorean love proverb of the day: “Even a distant pine nut tastes sweet when eaten”Inside Aditi Bhatia’s dreamy Mumbai home: Stunning balconies, a fancy vanity room and a walk-in closet“Not IQ or luck”: A child who learns to control these 4 things is more likely to succeed in life, says parenting expertCan this simple rice-cooking trick reduce arsenic? What a doctor wants you to knowKareena Kapoor Khan proves pink never retires in a traditional Banarasi suit and suddenly nothing else mattered123Hot PicksIndia vs PakistanUS Trade DealNEET Admit CardJoSAA CounsellingKerala HSCAP 1st allotment resultPatliputra station protestCJP Bengaluru ProtestTelangana SIRDelhi restaurant fireTop TrendingKerala HSCAP first allotment result 2026UPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Akshay Kumar’s co-star who resembled Madhuri Dixit had a secret ‘nikaah’ with THIS popular cricketer who left his wife and kids, here’s what she’s doing now | Hindi Movie News ‘Beginning of sedition … ’: Khawaja Asif’s big warning to PoK protesters, cites Quran File photo His question was always: “Why, Why and Why?”Long before Simon Sinek popularised the phrase Start with Why, Pudhucode Ramayyar Krishnamoorthy had made it the operating principle of his professional life. In the 1960s, when Indian business was still shaped by licences, permissions, labour unions, courtrooms and family-owned conglomerates, PRK, as he came to be known, built his reputation by asking the question most people preferred to avoid. Why was a file being moved? Why was a legal position being taken? Why had a precedent been ignored? Why was a transaction structured in a certain way?The question was not rhetorical. It was forensic.Krishnamoorthy, who died in Coimbatore on Sunday morning at the age of 92, was among the longest-serving executives of the Sahu Jain group, as The Times of India Group was then known. He retired around 1998 as executive director of Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited, publisher of The Times of India. To generations within the company, he was simply ED&S — executive director and company secretary. The “S” was not a minor addition. For much of his career, it was the centre of his authority.Born in Kerala into a large family of modest means, PRK’s ascent had none of the smooth inevitability of privilege. He completed his education and stenography training in Kerala before moving to Delhi / Kolkata in search of work. What followed was a career of more than four and a half decades, built on rigour, self-education, and an almost monastic devotion to the institution he served.He became a close confidant of Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and later Sahu Ashok Kumar Jain, at a time when the group’s interests extended across newspapers, cement, jute, sugar and other businesses. This was corporate India before liberalisation: highly regulated, frequently litigated, intensely relationship-driven and often politically delicate. Companies then needed executives who could read a balance sheet, a statute, a government’s mood and a human being with equal care. PRK could do all four and more.His command of law was formidable. Corporate law, taxation, labour law, criminal procedure — he seemed to have absorbed them not as separate disciplines but as instruments in the larger craft of protecting an institution. He worked with leading lawyers, argued through strategy late into the night, prepared for difficult cases, conducted board meetings and navigated complex transactions. He was a voracious reader and a relentless preparer. Even in his eighties, those who met him found his mind undimmed, sharp with recall and alive to nuance.Inside BCCL, his name evoked fear, respect and reverence in nearly equal measure. He was a no-nonsense administrator, meticulous to the point of discomfort, and allergic to compromise where principle or process was involved. In the age of landline extensions, a call from PRK was enough to make executives sit up straighter. Many stood up instinctively before answering. Yet the fear was never of arbitrariness. It came from the knowledge that he would know the facts, the law, the history of the matter, and the weakness in one’s argument.He mentored several leaders in BCCL, including this writer. His method of mentoring was rarely gentle. He trained people by testing them, by pushing them to prepare better, think harder and never treat approximation as knowledge. Those who survived his rigour carried its benefits for life: discipline, stamina, accuracy and respect for detail.Outside work, PRK’s sternness gave way to a deep sense of duty. At a young age, he took responsibility for his siblings, ensuring their education and marriage, delaying his own personal life in the process. He is survived by his caring wife and daughter, who is settled in the United States.He was also deeply religious and philanthropic. He helped countless young people from smaller towns find employment and footing in Delhi, Bombay and Kolkata. He supported temples, educational institutions, social causes and cultural bodies, and was associated with several religious and charitable initiatives, including temple restoration.In 2017, after retirement, he published his autobiography, My Tryst with Corporates, through Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The book recorded his journey from Kerala to the upper ranks of The Times of India Group but its real value lies elsewhere: as a memoir of Indian corporate life before emails, consultants, dashboards and liberalisation changed the grammar of business.PRK belonged to a generation of professional managers who did not seek public fame but gave private strength to great institutions. They were the custodians of memory, law, trust and continuity. His passing marks the fading of that world and of a man who asked “why” not to obstruct, but to ensure that what survived him was sound.- The writer is CEO (Publishing), BCCLGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorSivakumar SundaramSivakumar Sundaram is CEO (Publishing), BCCL.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? BJP Alliance Now Has 6/10 MLAs Across India | INDIA Bloc ShrinksMumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Introduces Tunnel Hood Technology To Reduce NoiseRahul Gandhi Slams US And Modi Over Death Of Three Indian Sailors In Gulf Of Oman StrikeRam Temple Donation Controversy Escalates: UP Government Forms SIT As Probe Widens In AyodhyaMahua Moitra Targets Sudip Bandyopadhyay Over Meeting With BJP Minister Amid Growing TMC RebellionIAF An-32 Crashes During Landing In Assam’s Jorhat, Co-Pilot Survives, Five Personnel KilledUP Government Constitutes SIT To Investigate Alleged Irregularities In Ram Temple DonationsModi-Trump Meeting At G7 Comes Amid India-US Tensions Over Sailors’ Deaths And Iran Conflict123PhotostoriesThis is what parents of academically strong kids did differently at home: 5 powerful real life examplesKorean love proverb of the day: “Even a distant pine nut tastes sweet when eaten”Inside Aditi Bhatia’s dreamy Mumbai home: Stunning balconies, a fancy vanity room and a walk-in closet“Not IQ or luck”: A child who learns to control these 4 things is more likely to succeed in life, says parenting expertCan this simple rice-cooking trick reduce arsenic? What a doctor wants you to knowKareena Kapoor Khan proves pink never retires in a traditional Banarasi suit and suddenly nothing else matteredWorld’s longest snakes and where travellers can spot themFrom music to handicrafts: 5 Indian markets that come to life at night, and what travellers need to know10 most common questions women Google during pregnancySuccess quote of the day by football GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo: “Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me…”123Hot PicksAkhilesh’s daughterUS Trade DealNEET Admit CardJoSAA CounsellingKerala HSCAP 1st allotment resultPatliputra station protestCJP Bengaluru ProtestTelangana SIRDelhi restaurant fireTop TrendingKerala HSCAP first allotment result 2026UPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Assam CEE answer key released at astu.ac.in: Direct link to download here ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ box office collection Day 3 [LIVE]: Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina starrer inches towards Rs 5 crore net milestone on first Sunday Six killed after two helicopters collide mid-air in Rio de Janeiro; video (Image source: ANI) NEW DELHI: A hug, a handshake, and a pitch worth $1.5 billion. That was the texture of Sunday in Nice, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly threw open ‘Bharat Innovates 2026’ — and where, hours earlier, PM Modi had quietly worked a room full of the people who write the cheques. The message to the money was unsubtle: India is open, and it’s selling solutions, not buying them.Before the cameras rolled at the conclave, the PM sat down with global venture capitalists and Indian entrepreneurs — OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal, Ronnie Screwvala and a clutch of international investors among them.Commerce minister Piyush Goyal and principal scientific adviser Ajay Kumar Sood were in the room. “India has emerged not as a consumer of solutions but as a contributor to solutions in the world. Innovation is in India’s DNA,” Modi told the gathering, adding that the country was “innovating for a sustainable future; India is innovating for the world.”The numbers gave the rhetoric teeth. The three-day event (June 14-16) has assembled 120 deep-tech startups — culled from over 3,000 applicants, collectively sitting on 1,500-plus patents and $1.5 billion in raised capital — alongside 15 higher education institutions, the premier IITs included, and more than 500 investors and global CEOs. Organisers say nearly $20 million in fresh commitments is already finalised or close to it.Macron, for his part, came bearing intent rather than pleasantries. “India is a country of innovation. India, France have a true partnership in critical sectors like AI and climate change,” he said, before nudging the relationship into new territory: there was “scope to expand bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, including in the area of Small Modular Reactors.”Modi framed the chemistry in his own register. “Different countries trade with each other and strike strategic partnerships. But there are few relations driven by shared vision, besides shared interests. India-France is one such relationship,” he said — listing “connection, conviction, innovation, inspiration and shared vision” as its load-bearing pillars.The Nice leg also marks the first summit between the two leaders since ties were elevated to a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ in February. From here, Modi heads to Slovakia, then back for the G7 in Evian, before closing out at VivaTech in Paris — where India will pitch up with the show’s largest national pavilion.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? BJP Alliance Now Has 6/10 MLAs Across India | INDIA Bloc ShrinksMumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Introduces Tunnel Hood Technology To Reduce NoiseRahul Gandhi Slams US And Modi Over Death Of Three Indian Sailors In Gulf Of Oman StrikeRam Temple Donation Controversy Escalates: UP Government Forms SIT As Probe Widens In AyodhyaMahua Moitra Targets Sudip Bandyopadhyay Over Meeting With BJP Minister Amid Growing TMC RebellionIAF An-32 Crashes During Landing In Assam’s Jorhat, Co-Pilot Survives, Five Personnel KilledUP Government Constitutes SIT To Investigate Alleged Irregularities In Ram Temple DonationsModi-Trump Meeting At G7 Comes Amid India-US Tensions Over Sailors’ Deaths And Iran Conflict123PhotostoriesThis is what parents of academically strong kids did differently at home: 5 powerful real life examplesKorean love proverb of the day: “Even a distant pine nut tastes sweet when eaten”Inside Aditi Bhatia’s dreamy Mumbai home: Stunning balconies, a fancy vanity room and a walk-in closet“Not IQ or luck”: A child who learns to control these 4 things is more likely to succeed in life, says parenting expertCan this simple rice-cooking trick reduce arsenic? What a doctor wants you to knowKareena Kapoor Khan proves pink never retires in a traditional Banarasi suit and suddenly nothing else matteredWorld’s longest snakes and where travellers can spot themFrom music to handicrafts: 5 Indian markets that come to life at night, and what travellers need to know10 most common questions women Google during pregnancySuccess quote of the day by football GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo: “Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me…”123Hot PicksAkhilesh’s daughterUS Trade DealNEET Admit CardJoSAA CounsellingKerala HSCAP 1st allotment resultPatliputra station protestCJP Bengaluru ProtestTelangana SIRDelhi restaurant fireTop TrendingKerala HSCAP first allotment result 2026UPSC Prelims ResultNEET Admit Card 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Cooper Connolly’s epic 149 breaks Bangladesh hearts in last-over thriller as Australia avoid whitewash | Cricket News James Gunn on ‘The Furious’: ‘I didn’t think Kenji Tanagaki could outdo himself’ Video: Deadly Israeli strike on Lebanon kills 3; will it derail US-Iran peace talks? 2026 Fifa World Cup: ‘Boyfriend duties call but…’: Justin Trudeau responds after skipping Canada match to watch USA game with girlfriend Katy Perry NEW DELHI: Twenty rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs in Lok Sabha are set to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party and would extend their support to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Sunday. This came after hours long meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi.”We, the twenty MPs elected from the AITC, met the Speaker and submitted a letter requesting to sit separately; these twenty MPs constitute more than two-thirds of our total strength. We are merging with the Nationalist Citizens Party. Moving forward, we will work for the nation and collaborate with the NDA under the leadership of the Prime Minister,” said rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.Another rebel TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay indicated that the faction would take legal route for the name TMC. “We have joined the Nationalist Citizens’ Party. This is a political party. It is a recognised regional party. We have merged with it… It will be decided in the court which one the real TMC is,” he said. Earlier, Abhishek Banerjee wrote to Birla, urging him not to recognise any separate faction of the party.”The AITC is a single, indivisible political party. The legislative party in the Lok Sabha derives its very existence from, and remains an emanation of, the political party. There is in law only one AITC, one Leader of the Party in the House, and one Whip, all of whom hold office by authority of the political party and its competent organisational authority. No member or set of members can, by their own volition, carve out a parallel ‘group’ or ‘faction’ of the same party and claim independent recognition within the House,” he said in the letter.The merger, if approved by the Speaker, would be a major setback to the TMC, potentially reducing its strength in the Lok Sabha to just 20 MPs and reshaping the opposition’s parliamentary arithmetic. It would also mark the most significant split in the party’s parliamentary wing since Mamata Banerjee founded the Trinamool Congress in 1998.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’Undermining India’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Economic Disaster’ WarningsMK Stalin Questions CM Vijay’s Delhi Visit, Accuses Him Of Applying Double Standards In BJP DebatePM Modi, Macron Launch Bharat Innovates 2026 In Nice, Deepen India-France Innovation Partnership’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? 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NEW DELHI: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of practising politics in the name of religion, undermining democratic institutions and using central agencies against political opponents. Speaking at an award ceremony in Jaipur, the senior Congress leader said the Constitution does not permit politics based on religion and claimed that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would have banned such a party if she were in power today.Targeting the BJP’s ideological approach, Gehlot alleged that the party was mobilising people in the name of Hindutva for electoral gains and was straying from the constitutional principle of equal rights for all faiths.”The Constitution gives equal rights to all religions. Religion should not be used as a political tool,” he said.Gehlot also took aim at the Election Commission, alleging that it was functioning as an agent of the BJP. He further claimed that democratic institutions, including the judiciary, were under pressure and accused the Centre of using agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department to target political rivals.The Congress veteran alleged that the BJP was weakening democratic institutions and voting rights, warning that such actions would disproportionately affect poorer sections of society.Escalating his criticism, Gehlot described the ideological positions of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as dangerous. He also accused the ruling party of selectively invoking national icons for political purposes.”The BJP invokes leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for political purposes while ignoring their values,” he said.Gehlot further questioned the BJP’s commitment to inclusivity, pointing to the absence of Muslim BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha. He claimed that senior leaders such as Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain had been sidelined within the party.Looking ahead to national politics, Gehlot said Indian politics should evolve into a direct contest between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged regional parties to rally behind Gandhi, saying he was effectively raising public concerns both inside and outside Parliament.The former chief minister also criticised the BJP government in Rajasthan, alleging a decline in governance and claiming that people across the state were facing water and electricity-related problems without an adequate administrative response.Calling on younger generations to participate in public life, Gehlot urged youth to enter politics and play an active role in protecting democratic values.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 MediaVideosMK Stalin Questions CM Vijay’s Delhi Visit, Accuses Him Of Applying Double Standards In BJP DebatePM Modi, Macron Launch Bharat Innovates 2026 In Nice, Deepen India-France Innovation Partnership’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? 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Here is what he can still not afford Abhishek Banerjee- Kunal Ghosh (Image source: PTI) Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Kolkata for a second round of questioning in connection with the alleged forgery of MLAs’ signatures linked to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.Later in the day, TMC MLA and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also reached the state police headquarters at Bhavani Bhawan after being summoned by investigators in the same case.CID seeks further clarificationAccording to officials, investigators were not fully satisfied with the responses provided by the Diamond Harbour MP during his earlier questioning.Sources said Banerjee was repeatedly questioned about the circumstances surrounding the meeting where the resolution supporting the opposition leader was allegedly signed.Officials indicated that statements made by Banerjee and Ghosh would be cross-verified as part of the ongoing probe.A CID officer said there is a possibility that Banerjee and Ghosh could be questioned together to clarify discrepancies and compare their accounts regarding the preparation and submission of the resolution.How the controversy beganThe issue traces back to May 6, when TMC legislators met at Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat and proposed the name of Sovandeb Chattopadhyay for the post of Leader of the Opposition.Legislators present at the meeting reportedly expressed support through a show of hands.However, the proposal was not immediately forwarded to the Assembly Secretariat. After newly elected TMC MLAs took oath on May 13 and 14, the Secretariat requested a formal resolution from the party naming its candidate.A subsequent meeting was held on May 19, following which a document carrying the signatures of 70 legislators backing Chattopadhyay was submitted to the Assembly.The controversy surfaced after alleged discrepancies were noticed in signatures appearing on various documents. Questions over the authenticity of some signatures eventually led to the registration of an FIR and the launch of a CID investigation.(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideosPM Modi, Macron Launch Bharat Innovates 2026 In Nice, Deepen India-France Innovation Partnership’Historical Mistakes’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Flags Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Border FencingIndian Vessel Sinks Off Oman, 14 Crew Members On Board Rescued As US Navy Joins EffortsNDA’s Biggest Expansion Since 2024? 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