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Kejriwal wants to control Punjab, be undercover CM: Oppn parties

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Chandigarh, Feb 26: As the buzz over Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s entry into Rajya Sabha through nomination intensified after the party on Wednesday announced that it would field its MP Sanjeev Arora in the Ludhiana (West) Assembly bypoll, Opposition parties in Punjab trained guns on the party.

They said, “Kejriwal wants to control the state by becoming the undercover Chief Minister.”

“Once again, Punjab has been made to surrender before Delhi,” they added.

However, AAP leaders denied Kejriwal was opting for the Rajya Sabha route.

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira claimed that Kejriwal would replace Arora in the Upper House.

“If Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora is nominated as AAP candidate for the Ludhiana (West) bypoll, I am sure Arvind Kejriwal will take his Rajya Sabha membership!” Khaira said in a post on X.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa believed that work had started as per the plan made by Kejriwal.

“If Kejriwal becomes a Rajya Sabha member, he will control Punjab by becoming the undercover Chief Minister. The face will be of Bhagwant Mann, but the control will be of Kejriwal,” he said.

After this, he wrote on X, the people of Delhi “will create such a situation that Bhagwant Mann sahib will be removed on some pretext and Arvind Kejriwal himself will become the Chief Minister.”

Joining the issue, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said power hungry Kejriwal was seeking a Rajya Sabha nomination and this was the reason why the party had forced its sitting MP Sanjiv Arora to vacate a Rajya Sabha seat for him.

In a statement here, former minister Majithia said the AAP’s game plan was to use the government’s might to get Arora elected to the Vidhan Sabha so that a Rajya Sabha seat is vacated in the state.

“Kejriwal wants to get twin benefits including a government bungalow in his name in the national Capital as well as the perks and power of an MP,” he said.

The Akali Dal leader said it was most shameful to see that during the last three years Bhagwant Mann as Chief Minister had completely surrendered at the feet of the AAP high command in Delhi.

He said earlier the treasury of Punjab was looted for preaching the AAP’s failed Kejriwal model throughout the country and now he was seeking a nomination to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.

Saying this bye-election is to prepare cadres for the future polls, AAP’s Punjab spokesperson Neel Garg, dubbed the claims of the Opposition as rumours regarding either party supremo Kejriwal or Sisodia replacing Arora in the Rajya Sabha.

“The BJP rumour mills are working overtime. As of now, the election for Ludhiana (West) has not even been announced. Arora has been chosen as the party candidate because of his popularity in Ludhiana. He has not even resigned from the Rajya Sabha membership. He can’t contest the bye-election without resigning,” Garg told the media here.

Justifying the party’s decision, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Sandhwan said a party can nominate anyone to the Rajya Sabha from anywhere.

“It’s their right. What is the illegality in this? Even Manmohan Singh went to the Rajya Sabha from another state. The party will decide who will be fielded and anyone they field I will welcome it,” Sandhwan said.

The Ludhiana (West) seat fell vacant with the demise of Gurpreet Gogi Bassi, 58, who died after sustaining a gunshot wound in his head at his house last month.

The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the election schedule for the seat.

AAP’s legislator Gogi joined the AAP in 2022 and defeated two-time MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu during the 2022 Assembly elections.

Responding to the nomination, candidate Arora wrote on X, “Humbled and grateful to the leadership @AamAadmiParty for reposing faith in me to contest the Ludhiana West bye-elections. As someone deeply connected to my hometown, I look forward to serving my people with dedication and sincerity.”

The seven Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab are Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, educationist Ashok Mittal, environmentalist-cum-religious leader Balbir Singh Seechewal, entrepreneur Vikramjit Singh Sahney, besides Sanjeev Arora.

Kejriwal lost the New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma in the just-concluded Assembly elections.

National News

Pahalgam attack: India now suspends inbound mails and parcels from Pakistan

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New Delhi, May 3: The Centre on Saturday announced to suspend exchange of inbound mails and parcels from Pakistan via air and surface routes, after banning all imports and barring Pakistani-flagged vessels from entering the ports earlier in the day.

In a notification, the Ministry of Communications announced the suspension of mails and parcels from the neighbouring country, in the wake of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

“The Government of India has decided to suspend exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes,” read the notification.

India earlier banned all imports — direct and indirect — from Pakistan amid rising tensions.

According to a notification by the Commerce Ministry, “Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders.”

“This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India,” said the notification.

Later, New Delhi barred Pakistan-flagged ships from entering any of its ports.

According to a directive from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Pakistan-flagged ships have been banned from entering Indian ports. The directive also prohibited India-flagged vessels from docking at ports in Pakistan.

Citing national security concerns, the directive was implemented to “ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo, and related infrastructure, in public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping.” The directive is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice.

“The objective of the Act is to foster the development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile marine, in a manner best suited to serve national interests,” the order issued by the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India’s unwavering resolve to act decisively against terrorism and those who support it.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, Prime Minister Modi stated, “We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism. I expressed my gratitude to President Lourenco and the people of Angola for their sympathies to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.”

“We are committed to taking firm and decisive actions against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for its support in our fight against terrorism,” the Prime Minister added.

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International News

India bans all imports from Pakistan amid rising tensions

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New Delhi, May 3: India has banned all imports – direct and indirect – from Pakistan amid rising tensions with the neighbouring country over the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack.

According to a notification by the Commerce Ministry, “Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders.”

“This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India,” said the notification.

A provision in this regard has been added in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 “to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan,” it said in the notification dated May 2.

As per official data, India’s exports to Pakistan fell 56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491 million, while there were no imports. Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included drug formulations, sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components.

The Attari-Wagah border, the sole trade route between India and Pakistan, had already been closed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

At least 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist and a local pony guide operator, were massacred by terrorists in the scenic Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The relations between the two nations soured as terror links to Pakistan emerged.

As per official data, India’s exports to Pakistan fell 56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491 million, while there were no imports.

Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included drug formulations, sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components.

Meanwhile, the ongoing tension with India has shaken the confidence of investors in Pakistan badly, setting the country on course to record its worst performance in dollar bonds and stocks since 2023.

The investors have lost at least four per cent during April, while equities are down by three per cent. In comparison, India’s assets have largely been invulnerable.

Global powers, including the United States, have called on both parties to show restraint and de-escalate tensions.

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National News

Congress expressed grief over the stampede at Lerai Devi Jatra in Goa, expressed condolences to the victim families

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Panaji, May 3: A tragic accident took place during the Lerai Devi Jatra in Shirgaon, Goa. More than 5 people lost their lives in a sudden stampede during the religious event. The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has expressed deep grief over the incident and expressed its condolences to the victim families.

The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee issued an official statement expressing deep grief over the stampede incident. Amarnath Panjikar, Chairman, Media Cell, GPCC said, “The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) is deeply saddened by the tragic incident that took place during the Shirgaon Yatra where a stampede resulted in the loss of innocent lives and injuries to many others. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this hour of grief. We also pray for the speedy and complete recovery of all those who have been injured. The GPCC stands in solidarity with the affected families and the entire community of Shirgaon.”

He further added, “We urge Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to ensure that all necessary medical and financial assistance is provided immediately to the families of the deceased and injured. We also request the State Government to extend full cooperation to the Devasthan Committee to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the remaining four days of the Lerai Yatra during which lakhs of devotees visit Shirgaon to receive the holy Kaul of the Goddess. It is imperative that adequate security, crowd management and emergency response measures are put in place to prevent any mishap during the ongoing celebrations. The GPCC reiterates its commitment to the well-being and safety of the people of Goa and extends full support to any initiative aimed at preserving the sanctity and cultural significance of the Lerai Jatra.” Goa AICC in-charge Manikrao Thackeray wrote on social media platform X, “I am saddened by the news of stampede during the religious pilgrimage of Shri Lerai Devi in ​​Goa. According to reports, at least 7 people have died and 30 others have been injured in this accident. Goa in-charge Manikrao Thackeray has immediately left for Goa from Delhi. He will meet the injured devotees at the Medical College and get complete information about the incident.” Goa Congress also expressed grief and wrote on ‘X’, “Goa Congress is deeply saddened by the stampede at the Jatrotsav of Shri Lerai Devi Shirgaon. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident. Wishing speedy recovery to all the injured.” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief and wrote, “The news of the death of many devotees and injuries in a stampede during the annual pilgrimage to the Lerai Devi temple in Shirgaon, Goa is very sad. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. Also, I hope for the speedy recovery of all the injured.”

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