VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Propaganda naam ka kabutar pakad liya hai,’ Ravi Kishan defends Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar 2’, reveals what worked for the film No dude left behind: Donald Trump toots US success while warning Iran ‘surrender or else…’ Steve Bannon contempt of Congress case: How conviction over January 6 now faces possible dismissal Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli review Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge; praise Aditya Dhar: ‘Didn’t flinch once for almost 4 hours’ NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman hints at Toronto Maple Leafs’ major offseason trade decision on Auston Matthews Why astronauts carry plush toys into space: Baby Yoda, Snoopy and other mascots used as floating zero gravity indicators File photo (Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai with PM Modi) New Delhi: With Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division now free from the hold of Maoists, state chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah here on Tuesday to discuss the roadmap for a development and infrastructure push in the region, in the months ahead. Sources in the state govt told TOI that Sai’s visit — the first on the other side of the March 31, 2026, deadline for elimination of Naxalism — is seen as crucial to shaping the future of Bastar. “The key focus of the chief minister’s meetings with the PM and HM will be the post-Maoist scenario, with detailed discussions on expansion of basic infrastructure, promotion of industries and investments, large-scale employment generation for local youth, and inclusive development of tribal areas,” said an officer.Bastar’s development is now emerging as a national priority, and not just of Chhattisgarh, as it bore the brunt of Naxalism for decades. Maoists’ writ ran in large tracts of the region, preventing administrative reach and denying the tribals living there the benefits of governance, development and welfare initiatives.However, with significant gains on the security front over the past year ensuring that no Maoist leader of significance is active in Bastar, the focus has now shifted towards integrating the region expeditiously into the mainstream.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody‘Jointness To Theatre Commands Is Not Simple’: Lt Gen PJS Pannu On India’s Military ReformsModi Vs Mamata, Himanta Vs Gogoi: Why Pakistan Features In Bengal, Assam Poll RhetoricKhalistan Call In Canada Falls Flat, Low Turnout Exposes Gap Between Online Noise And Ground Reality’Left-Wing Extremism Not Over Yet’: Anand Ranganathan Warns as Amit Shah Calls India Naxal-Free’War Not A Roadblock’: Iran Envoy Fathali Says Chabahar Port Expansion Will Speed Up Post ConflictMajor Security Breach At Delhi Assembly As Car Rams Gate, Driver And Two Others ArrestedPM Modi Hails BJP Karyakartas for Selfless Service on Party’s Foundation DayMamata Banerjee Targets PM Modi Over Silence On Pak Threat To Kolkata Amid Bengal Elections Heat123PhotostoriesArti Singh on losing her mother as an infant, opens up about motherhood plans; says, “If I don’t conceive naturally, I’ll adopt—I’m an adopted child myself”10 rare and extraordinary animals you will only find in KenyaBTS concert moments that broke the internet: From Wembley to the Love Yourself tour5 easy meal preps for Indian kitchens to save time during busy weekdaysDifference between Circle Rate and Market Rate in India: What every property buyer must know‘City of God’ to ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’: Malayalam underrated masterpieces‘Bloodhounds 2’, ‘Perfect Crown’ to ‘The Scarecrow’: K-dramas releasing in April 2026 you can stream on OTT‘Maamla Legal Hai’, ‘Trial By Fire’ to ‘Criminal Justice’: Binge-worthy courtroom dramas to watch on OTTBeyond Aloo Jeera and Rasedar Aloo: 7 aloo ki sabji recipes for the entire weekLionel Messi’s $10.8 million Florida mansion: A perfect blend of luxury, comfort and privacy123Hot PicksDonald TrumpUpdated IPL Points TableStephen Curry MomSilver Rate TodayHow to Watch KKR vs PBKSPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVenus WilliamsAsian Stocks TodayStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Bengaluru Fake IPL ticketVijaySanju SamsonCongress Puducherry ManifestoSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Apr 06, 2026, 23:19 IST How Mohammed Shami outfoxed Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma with skill and deception | Cricket News New norms for NH & bridge works: Longer timelines, realistic deadlines NCW gives Nora Fatehi final opportunity to appear in Sarke Chunar Teri row; summons Sanjay Dutt, sets April 27 hearing | Hindi Movie News IPL 2026: From having a 9-5 job to becoming a cricket hero – Varun Chakravarthy’s inspiring journey | Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for April 7, 2026 Subashini Death News: Kayal actress Subashini found dead in Chennai; police investigation underway ‘God was watching us’: Donald Trump hails rescue of pilots from Iran, warns media over leak – top quotes . NEW DELHI: The Centre has, for the first time, come out with dedicated rules to manage tar balls – weathered product of oil spills due to offshore oil exploration activities, oil tanker/ ship/ vessel accidents or pipeline leakages that cause marine pollution – and proposed mandatory provisions for owner of oil facilities for its collection, transport and disposal in an environmentally safe manner.Tar balls cause both on-shore and off-shore marine pollution, threatening the existence of shorebirds, sea turtles and marine life. Tar balls invariably affect beaches in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka as it wash ashore specifically during the monsoon due to strong winds and currents.The environment ministry that notified a draft rules in this regard last week also made provisions of penalty (environmental compensation) for defaulter ‘oil facility owners’ on polluter pays principle, and assigned specific responsibilities to state governments, ministry of petroleum and natural gas, CPCB and ministry of defence (Indian Coast Guard) for environmentally sound management of tar balls.The ‘oil facility owners’ in the rules are described as those persons or companies who own or control or operate a facility/ ship/ vessel where oil (crude or fuel or both ) is extracted, explored, used, transported or handled.Notifying the draft rules, called the Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026, the ministry sought stakeholders’ comments/ suggestions on the proposal within the next sixty days. Final rules will be notified after examining the suggestions, if any. “They (rules) shall come into force after one year from the date of publication of final notification in the Official Gazette,” said the ministry in its draft proposal.Underlining penalty provisions, it said, “Where any oil facility owner fails to manage oil in an environmentally sound manner and lead to any oil spill thereby causing loss, damage or injury to environment or public health including formation of tar balls, it shall be liable to pay environmental compensation which may be equal to such loss, damage or injury and expenditure incurred or to be incurred by district administration towards management of tar balls.”Assigning responsibilities to the Indian Coast Guard, the rules noted that the defence ministry’s body will implement National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) to effectively manage oil spill management and tar balls formation.“The Indian Coast Guard shall undertake regular aerial and surface surveillance for oil spill in Indian EEZ and inform relevant stakeholders for necessary preparedness and response measures,” said the draft rules.Besides, the National Remote Sensing Agency will conduct surveillance and detection of oil-spills incidences and tar balls hot-spots through satellite, aerial, drones, sensor-equipped buoys, or by any other means, and will support the combat agencies.According to the rules, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas through its offshore installations will have to provide quarterly oil leakage or spill incident reports of every installation (up to 500 meters) to Indian Coast Guard, nearby Coastal state governments, the concerned State Pollution Control Boards and the CPCB.“Ministry of Petroleum and natural gas shall take all preventive steps to control oil spill from offshore oil exploration installations/facilities,” said the draft notification.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody‘Jointness To Theatre Commands Is Not Simple’: Lt Gen PJS Pannu On India’s Military ReformsModi Vs Mamata, Himanta Vs Gogoi: Why Pakistan Features In Bengal, Assam Poll RhetoricKhalistan Call In Canada Falls Flat, Low Turnout Exposes Gap Between Online Noise And Ground Reality’Left-Wing Extremism Not Over Yet’: Anand Ranganathan Warns as Amit Shah Calls India Naxal-Free’War Not A Roadblock’: Iran Envoy Fathali Says Chabahar Port Expansion Will Speed Up Post ConflictMajor Security Breach At Delhi Assembly As Car Rams Gate, Driver And Two Others ArrestedPM Modi Hails BJP Karyakartas for Selfless Service on Party’s Foundation DayMamata Banerjee Targets PM Modi Over Silence On Pak Threat To Kolkata Amid Bengal Elections Heat123PhotostoriesArti Singh on losing her mother as an infant, opens up about motherhood plans; says, “If I don’t conceive naturally, I’ll adopt—I’m an adopted child myself”10 rare and extraordinary animals you will only find in KenyaBTS concert moments that broke the internet: From Wembley to the Love Yourself tour10 simple ways to respect yourself (Even when no one else does)5 easy meal preps for Indian kitchens to save time during busy weekdaysDifference between Circle Rate and Market Rate in India: What every property buyer must know‘City of God’ to ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’: Malayalam underrated masterpieces‘Bloodhounds 2’, ‘Perfect Crown’ to ‘The Scarecrow’: K-dramas releasing in April 2026 you can stream on OTT‘Maamla Legal Hai’, ‘Trial By Fire’ to ‘Criminal Justice’: Binge-worthy courtroom dramas to watch on OTTBeyond Aloo Jeera and Rasedar Aloo: 7 aloo ki sabji recipes for the entire week123Hot PicksDonald TrumpUpdated IPL Points TableStephen Curry MomSilver Rate TodayHow to Watch KKR vs PBKSPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVenus WilliamsAsian Stocks TodayStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Bengaluru Fake IPL ticketVijaySanju SamsonCongress Puducherry ManifestoSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date IPL 2026: Punjab Kings go top after rain washes out KKR vs PBKS clash at Eden Gardens TS EAMCET 2026 correction window opens: Direct link to modify your application forms here Tara Sutaria opens up about love, marriage and children: ‘Deceit, betrayal and lies are deal-breakers’ Artemis II nears historic lunar flyby as Nasa tests path back to the Moon ‘We’ve lost the keys’: Iranian embassies troll Trump’s vulgar post to ‘open strait’ Greg Abbott trolled for old Diwali video when he said ‘Texas will be a land for the Indian community’ Avesh Khan ball-hitting row: SRH likely to approach BCCI over ‘unfair play’ in IPL GCC demand surges: Foreign firms lease record 9.1 mn sq ft office space in Jan-Mar; India cements global hub status Syracuse University to cut 93 low-enrolment academic programmes, focus on high-demand courses Remo D’Souza gears up for next dance film; Is ‘ABCD 3’ in making? ‘A proud moment’: PM Modi hails India’s ‘defining step’ in civil nuclear journey as Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor attains criticality | India News How the Black Death in Europe built the foundations of the Renaissance | World News NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha chairman CP Radhakrishnan on Monday rejected the opposition’s impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.It was the first time a notice seeking the removal of the Election Commission chief was issued with the signature of 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha members.The 10-page impeachment motion accused Gyanesh Kumar of seven counts. The charges ranged from partisan conduct of the CEC to mass disenfranchisement of voters in different states. This comes after the poll body faced opposition over the pan-India purification of the electoral roll — Special Intensive Revision (SIR).The opposition had also raised the issue of the way the CEC handled SIR in previous elections, like Bihar and forthcoming elections in states like West Bengal; his “proved misbehaviour”; his partial conduct towards a political party are also issues that find a mention in the notice.The notice for the removal of the CEC, piloted by TMC, came after growing accusations from opposition parties against Gyanesh Kumar.They accused the CEC of bias and carrying out the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in an arbitrary manner in a bid to aid the BJP. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been leading protests over the SIR process in her state. Other opposition parties, too, have been attacking the CEC, with Rahul Gandhi steering the “vote chori” campaign.’Told you so’After the motion got rejected, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at vice-president Radhakrishnan, reminding him of his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar’s episode, where he resigned hours after accepting a motion seeking the removal of justice Yashwant Varma.”We know what happened to the last Chairman of the Rajya Sabha who accepted a petition moved by Opposition MPs,” Jairam Ramesh, in a social media post, said.TMC MP Derek O’Brien also attacked the centre and accused it of “mocking” the Parliamentary system.”Ah! Told you so,” he said in a social media post on X.”Notice to remove CEC Vanish Kumar by Rajya Sabha MPs rejected. Reason? NO REASON GIVEN. BJP keep mocking our great Parliament. SHAME,” he added.What can opposition do next?After the rejection of the motion, the opposition has options, although limited.The removal process follows the procedure laid down in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. The opposition can refile the motion in the Lok Sabha. The process will restart with the Speaker’s admission decision, as motions originate independently in either House.Additionally, the opposition can also consider moving the Supreme Court. It can build “moral pressure” on CEC Gyanesh Kumar that he would step aside from his post if an petition was moved against him in the apex court.In 2018, Congress had challenged the rejection of then CJI Dipak Misra’s impeachment by then Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu.Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who was also a signatory to the impeachment notice, raised the case for urgent listing before a bench.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‘Jointness To Theatre Commands Is Not Simple’: Lt Gen PJS Pannu On India’s Military ReformsModi Vs Mamata, Himanta Vs Gogoi: Why Pakistan Features In Bengal, Assam Poll RhetoricKhalistan Call In Canada Falls Flat, Low Turnout Exposes Gap Between Online Noise And Ground Reality’Left-Wing Extremism Not Over Yet’: Anand Ranganathan Warns as Amit Shah Calls India Naxal-Free’War Not A Roadblock’: Iran Envoy Fathali Says Chabahar Port Expansion Will Speed Up Post ConflictMajor Security Breach At Delhi Assembly As Car Rams Gate, Driver And Two Others ArrestedPM Modi Hails BJP Karyakartas for Selfless Service on Party’s Foundation DayMamata Banerjee Targets PM Modi Over Silence On Pak Threat To Kolkata Amid Bengal Elections HeatMumbai Arrests Expose Toy Bomb Terror Plot, Pan-India Sweep Uncovers Radical ModuleIndia’s Kandla Port Breaks All Records At 160 MMT Cargo Despite West Asia Crisis, Aims Bigger Target123Photostories10 rare and extraordinary animals you will only find in KenyaBTS concert moments that broke the internet: From Wembley to the Love Yourself tour5 easy meal preps for Indian kitchens to save time during busy weekdaysDifference between Circle Rate and Market Rate in India: What every property buyer must know‘City of God’ to ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’: Malayalam underrated masterpieces‘Bloodhounds 2’, ‘Perfect Crown’ to ‘The Scarecrow’: K-dramas releasing in April 2026 you can stream on OTT‘Maamla Legal Hai’, ‘Trial By Fire’ to ‘Criminal Justice’: Binge-worthy courtroom dramas to watch on OTTBeyond Aloo Jeera and Rasedar Aloo: 7 aloo ki sabji recipes for the entire weekLionel Messi’s $10.8 million Florida mansion: A perfect blend of luxury, comfort and privacy’Drama’ actress Zendaya’s 5 films to watch on OTT: ‘Challengers’, ‘Dune’ and more123Hot PicksDonald TrumpUpdated IPL Points TableStephen Curry MomSilver Rate TodayHow to Watch KKR vs PBKSPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingVenus WilliamsAsian Stocks TodayStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Bengaluru Fake IPL ticketVijaySanju SamsonCongress Puducherry ManifestoSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date ‘Bit of a shocker’: Ajinkya Rahane slammed for ‘batting first’ in rain-hit clash vs Punjab Kings Rupee gains 28 paise to close at 92.90 against US dollar; RBI measures aid recovery despite global pressures Why are US students rethinking their majors before they even graduate? Shreya Ghoshal buys apartment worth Rs 29.7 crore in south Mumbai: Report Love quote of the day by Jane Austen: “A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then” Artemis 2 crew nears farthest distance ever flown by humans; Moon flyby to begin soon – latest updates ‘Will pay a big price’: Trump’s warning for ‘group’ that kept guns US sent to Iran protesters Actor Matthew Marsden says he received threats for speaking about H-1B visa scam by Indians in Texas: ‘If Brits were committing…’ Trouble brewing? Shah Rukh Khan holds ‘intense chat’ with KKR CEO as team struggles vs PBKS – Watch | Cricket News Amazon pares Fresh as it pushes quick delivery Bihar BTSC lab assistant notification released for 1091 posts at btsc.bihar.gov.in; apply here Shah Rukh Khan attends KKR vs PBKS IPL match with Suhana Khan at Eden Gardens; his salt-and-pepper ‘King’ look steals the show | Hindi Movie News JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon writes letter to shareholders, warns of Iran war, says … Gigi Hadid breaks silence on being mentioned in Epstein files: ‘I grew up privileged…’ NEW DELHI: Does Aam Aadmi Party not want Congress to win in Kerala assembly polls?INDIA bloc’s inability to form a unified front ahead of the Kerala assembly polls was exposed spectacularly after Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released successive lists of candidates, signalling its intent to fight a full-scale battle across all 140 seats in Kerala.The southern state, recently rechristened Keralam in a nod to its cultural and linguistic heritage, now stands as the latest battleground where AAP’s ambitions clash head-on with Congress.Kerala’s electoral rhythm has long resisted continuity, with voters mostly denying incumbents a second straight term. That pattern places Congress, the principal opposition, in a seemingly favourable position in the race for power in Thiruvananthapuram.Yet, AAP’s assertive entry adds a twist. Is Kejriwal’s party merely expanding its footprint, or subtly complicating Congress’s path to power? With limited organisational depth in the Malayalam-speaking state, AAP may not hold significant relevance, but with Arvind Kejriwal and his team emerging from the shadow of the Delhi liquor case, their presence could still, if only marginally, alter the political equation in Kerala.The ruling Left, also part of the broader opposition fold, remains Congress’s primary rival, while the BJP trails as a distant third. In this triangular contest, AAP may not significantly dent the Left or the BJP, but it could influence the margins where elections are often decided, by chipping away at Congress’s vote share just enough to alter the final verdict.Is Delhi’s revenge being served in Kerala?2025 began with the startling defeat of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. Earlier, the reluctant allies, AAP and Congress had decided to contest separately, with Congress, having little to lose, launching a belligerent campaign against the ruling Arvind Kejriwal-led dispensation.The grand old party also found an opening as the Kejriwal cabinet came under the scanner in the Delhi liquor policy case, with agencies like the CBI and ED probing the matter. Several senior AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, faced legal trouble, leading to a phase where the government functioned under the chief ministership of party colleague and loyalist Atishi.While AAP’s defeat ultimately came at the hands of the BJP, Congress also played a significant, if indirect, role in preventing its INDIA bloc ally from securing a fourth consecutive term.The “vote-cutting” factor proved crucial in several constituencies, including New Delhi, where Sandeep Dikshit, son of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, was fielded against Kejriwal. Though he finished a distant third, the votes he secured contributed to Kejriwal’s defeat and helped the BJP’s Parvesh Verma emerge as a “giant killer.”Hypothetically, had those votes gone to Kejriwal, the outcome might have been different. The AAP’s tally fell sharply from 62 to 22 seats, while Congress once again failed to open its account.The herculean efforts that brought AAP and Congress into an arranged marriage to counter the strong force of the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite years of political bitterness, unravelled once again in the 2025 assembly polls, reflecting a familiar pattern of rivalry.AAP, which rose from the India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, had directly challenged the government led by Sheila Dikshit and went on to establish a dominant hold over Delhi, reducing Congress from a ruling force to total insignificance.The Congress, once under Sheila Dikshit’s strong leadership for 15 years, has failed to win a single seat in the last two assembly elections (2020 and 2025), and has also drawn blanks in three consecutive Lok Sabha polls (2014, 2019, and 2024).Just as Congress dented AAP’s prospects in the Delhi assembly, AAP may now impact Congress’s chances in states like Kerala, as it seeks to maintain its relevance within the national opposition space.Coalition to confrontationLok Sabha allies turned Assembly rivals, the battle between the estranged partners was anything but graceful.At one rally, Arvind Kejriwal did not hold back: “The problem with Congress is its sense of entitlement. They think they have a divine right to lead the opposition just because of their past, even when they have zero presence on the ground. They are not fighting the BJP; they are fighting regional parties that actually defeat the BJP. In Delhi, Congress is nothing but a ‘vote-cutter’ meant to help the BJP.”Congress, in turn, capitalised on the troubles surrounding the Delhi excise policy case, hitting AAP where it hurt the most.Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led rallies across Delhi, branding Kejriwal and other AAP leaders as “corrupt.” In one such rally, Rahul Gandhi remarked: “Kejriwal ji keeps lying. The way Narendra Modi lies, Kejriwal lies too. There isn’t much difference between them. But I will tell you one thing—Kejriwal is probably more cunning and sophisticated than even the Prime Minister in how he misleads people.”Weeks later, when a Delhi court discharged Kejriwal and his colleagues in the liquor policy case, Congress alleged it was part of a larger BJP strategy of “Congress-mukt Bharat.”Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera attacked the BJP, calling it an “Icchadhari naag” (shape-shifting serpent), and accused it of using central agencies as political tools.Kejriwal retaliated sharply, questioning Congress’s claims and targeting its leadership: “Kejriwal went to jail. Did Robert Vadra go to jail? Sanjay Singh went to jail. Did Rahul Gandhi go to jail? Did Sonia Gandhi go to jail? What is Congress saying? Does it have no shame?”To diminish Congress’s footprint?Congress, the grand old party with roots in the independence movement, has been grappling with vulnerability for over a decade.Beyond Delhi, it has steadily lost ground across multiple states, allowing the BJP to expand its dominance in national politics. This decline has also opened space for other players to challenge its position within the opposition.Among states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala which are going to polls, Kerala appears to be the one where Congress still has a realistic chance of returning to power by dislodging the Left. That makes it a crucial battleground.In such a scenario, AAP’s entry could be seen as an attempt to dent Congress further, creating a situation where it will fight for relevance while also limiting Congress’s growth.Kejriwal’s Kerala push, with candidates across constituencies, could help position AAP as a more serious national player. The state offers a relatively low-risk opportunity, allowing AAP to contest without heavy stakes while keeping both BJP and Congress in check.To repeat Gujarat in Kerala?From Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal has established a firm political foothold, successfully running a full-fledged government in Punjab under party colleague Bhagwant Mann, while also having governed the Union Territory of Delhi for over a decade with a commanding presence in the Assembly.However, the journey of the Aam Aadmi Party has not been limited to Delhi alone. Its steady, often indirect expansion has positioned Kejriwal as an emerging alternative in national politics. He has also made inroads into Gujarat, long considered a bastion of Narendra Modi.In its Gujarat debut, AAP secured over 13 percent of the vote, significantly impacting Congress. In the 2017 Assembly elections, Congress had secured 42.2 percent of the vote, putting up a strong fight against the BJP after Modi’s shift to national politics. However, AAP’s entry in 2022 disrupted that balance, reducing Congress’s vote share to 27.7 percent.While AAP made an impressive debut with around 13 percent votes, the BJP registered only a marginal increase—from about 50 percent to 53 percent.A similar pattern could unfold in Kerala, where AAP may not emerge as a dominant force but could influence the outcome by cutting into Congress’s vote share, potentially benefiting the incumbent Left—much like it did in Gujarat.To increase AAP’s footprint?The AAP, since its birth in 2013 out of Anna movement, has been in a constant effort to expand its footprint across India. So why not Kerala?For Arvind Kejriwal, ambition has never been confined to Delhi. After dismantling the long-standing dominance of Sheila Dikshit, he quickly stepped onto the national stage, taking on Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The contest in Varanasi may have ended in defeat, but it marked Kejriwal’s arrival as a major challenger.He secured over 20 percent of the vote, enough to push Congress to a distant third in Varanasi. Its candidate, Ajay Rai, managed only around 7 percent.The Kerala foray, then, is less an outlier and more a continuation of that journey, an attempt to test the party’s reach in the far south.Beyond its strongholds in Delhi and Punjab, AAP has steadily ventured into new political terrains.In Gujarat, it emerged as a significant player with over 13 percent of the vote, largely at Congress’s expense. In Goa, it secured nearly 7 percent and won two seats, once again cutting into Congress’s base.The party has even marked its presence in Jammu and Kashmir, with Mehraj Malik winning from Doda.From the northernmost reaches of J&K to AAP’s a newfound interest in the southern edge of Kerala.Rahul, Priyanka and Tharoor’s KeralaKejriwal’s entry into Kerala carries symbolic weight, especially for Congress, for whom the state has, in recent years, become a crucial political anchor. In moments of crisis, both Gandhi family scions, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, turned to Kerala.In 2019, when Rahul Gandhi lost his very own Amethi seat, it was Wayanad that delivered him a resounding victory. He returned to Wayanad again in 2024, winning comfortably, though he eventually chose to retain Rae Bareli.“I was a stranger to you and yet you believed in me. You embraced me with unbridled love and affection. It didn’t matter which political formation you supported, it didn’t matter which community you were from or which religion you believed in or which language you spoke,” Rahul said.“I am sad, but I am consoled because my sister Priyanka will be there to represent you. I am confident that she will do an excellent job of being your MP if you decide to giver her the opportunity. My central commitment to both you and the people of Rae Bareli is that we will fight and defeat the hatred and violence being spread in the country,” he added.Stepping aside from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi thanked the electorate and paved the way for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s electoral debut from the same constituency. She went on to secure a resounding victory in the bypolls, further cementing the family’s connection with the state.After her win, Priyanka said, “I thank the people of Wayanad for giving me the honor to represent them.It’s a testament to the fact that my brother worked hard there, their love for him, and their trust in me. I feel it’s a great honor, and I will respect it fully.”Beyond the Gandhis, Kerala is also home to one of Congress’s most prominent national faces, Shashi Tharoor, a three-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram.Against this backdrop, Kejriwal’s Kerala push is not just another electoral experiment, it is a move that could unsettle established equations and complicate the political calculus for the state’s entrenched players.Kejriwal vs Rahul?After the formation of the INDIA bloc, the BJP-led NDA retained power at the Centre, with Rahul Gandhi becoming Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.While Rahul rose to that position, questions over his leadership ambitions persisted. Within the opposition bloc, differences began surfacing, and AAP’s stance often appeared less aligned with him.AAP, at various points, has attempted to project Kejriwal as a potential national challenger to Narendra Modi, subtly sidelining Rahul Gandhi’s prospects.With repeated electoral setbacks for Congress and AAP’s aggressive expansion, the contest within the opposition space may no longer be just against the BJP, but also among its own key playersAbout the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. 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