Bengaluru, June 2: Conveying best wishes to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team for making it to the IPL 2025 finals, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said that the government and people of the state are eagerly waiting for its victory.

Addressing reporters at the Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said: “I am happy that the Bengaluru team is playing in the finals of the IPL 2025 tournament in Ahmedabad. The Bengaluru boys, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will win. After a long time, they have reached the finals. They have done their best.”

“On behalf of the government of Karnataka and the people, we are all eagerly waiting for their victory. I was informed that a large number of people from Karnataka are travelling to Ahmedabad.”

“I also wish for their success. Let’s hope and pray for it,” Shivakumar added.

The RCB team is taking on the Punjab Kings team in the finals on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

On the controversy surrounding actor Kamal Haasan’s statement over the origins of the Kannada language, Shivakumar said: “I don’t want to comment on the issue. I do not know the history. I will check my records, and then I will speak.”

“I don’t want to make it a political issue. We are neighbours; we all have to work and live together. Our water flows to Tamil Nadu, and people from Tamil Nadu come here,” he said.

“We are not enemies, we are friends. I would like to tell everyone to stay calm and patient – nothing is permanent in life,” Shivakumar advised.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the Hemavathi Express Canal Link, Shivakumar said: “The BJP is politicising the issue. The project was sanctioned during the tenure of the BJP government led by then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.”

“I am not diverting water to Ramanagara. A few TMCs of water are being diverted to the Magadi region, which also falls under the Cauvery basin. This has been part of an agreement for a long time,” he stated.

On the issue of Congress leaders being appointed as members of the guarantee committees, Shivakumar said: “Aren’t Governors also affiliated with political parties? Look at the Chairpersons of various commissions and statutory bodies – so many appointments have been made by them, and we have done the same.”

“There is no delay in funds for the guarantees. Everything we committed has been allocated in the budget, and we are delivering on it. They are just jealous. Our schemes are being replicated across the country,” Shivakumar said.

“We are releasing funds based on revenue collections. There is a budget allocation, and we will provide the funds accordingly,” he said.

New Delhi, June 2: BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party for questioning India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, and suggested that the party seems to be attempting to benefit its ‘foreign allies’.

Speaking to media, Tuhin Sinha said, “The way the Congress party is repeatedly creating doubts about our achievements in ‘Operation Sindoor’, it certainly seems that it is trying to benefit its friends abroad.

“The Congress keeps asking the same question: How many losses did we suffer? What were our casualties? Prime Minister Modi has already responded, and our party has also addressed this seriously. If the Congress wants a clearer answer, it will have to wait.”

He claimed, “This is the same Congress party that has never celebrated Pakistan’s defeats. On May 10, a list was released of Pakistan Air Force air bases that were destroyed by our armed forces. Yet, did we ever see the Congress party celebrate that victory?”

He questioned, “The Congress must decide whose side it is on. Why is it so eager to know our losses when the entire world has acknowledged this as a major achievement and a significant victory for India?”

Sinha further addressed the controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump’s comments, which Congress has frequently referenced.

“Trump has been changing his statements repeatedly. India’s position is clear — this was a bilateral conversation limited to the DGMO level, after which a ceasefire was announced. There is no role for any third party. If a third party gives a statement contrary to our official stance, the Congress should trust its own government and its DGMO rather than mislead Indian citizens with irresponsible remarks,” he told media.

On the Congress’ demand for a special session of Parliament, Sinha questioned the urgency.

“Why is the Congress so restless? The Monsoon Session will begin in less than a month. What is the need for a special session now? Do they want to use it to make statements that become headlines in the Pakistani media? Are they aiming to benefit their foreign friends with such remarks? This is a direct question to Mallikarjun Kharge.”

He added, “All the necessary information regarding the strikes has already been shared multiple times. Even Congress leaders like Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor have clarified it abroad. So, the Congress should stop misleading the country.”

On the Murshidabad violence, Sinha professed, “Many pieces of evidence have now emerged proving that the violence was sponsored by Mamata Banerjee’s party. It is appropriate to call it ‘state-sponsored terrorism.’ During the time of the violence, the Waqf law was becoming an issue, and Mamata Banerjee was inciting the Muslim community against it. She even claimed she would not allow anti-terror laws to be implemented in Bengal. Under what law does she have the right to block central legislation in a state? No state has this authority.”

He further added, “By making such statements, Mamata Banerjee was indirectly encouraging those involved in the violence. A committee appointed by the Calcutta High Court has also provided supporting evidence. Whenever the deployment of BSF in Murshidabad is discussed, Mamata Banerjee openly opposes it. One of our party workers approached the High Court, after which BSF was deployed under the court’s order.”

Sinha questioned Banerjee’s opposition to central security forces.

“Why does she hate the BSF? Is it because they’re preventing illegal migration from Bangladesh? Her apparent intention to alter Bengal’s demographic profile is deeply concerning. Many unanswered questions remain regarding the Murshidabad violence. It is alarming that such incidents, involving Trinamool leaders, have become common in Bengal’s border districts.”

Reacting further on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, Sinha pointed out recent actions taken post ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“In the last few weeks, BJP-ruled states have deported thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Gujarat alone deported many. Similar actions are underway in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and even Odisha.”

However, he criticised Opposition-ruled states for inaction.

“States governed by the INDIA bloc are actively settling illegal Bangladeshis. The Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand is heavily impacted, yet the Hemant Soren government shows no interest in tackling it. In fact, illegal immigrants are grabbing tribal lands with the state’s support,” he claimed.

He warned that illegal migration poses a significant threat.

“After ‘Operation Sindoor’, elements from Pakistan and Bangladesh may resort to proxy warfare. The presence of illegal migrants within our borders is a serious national security concern. BJP governments are taking decisive action, and we expect the same from Mamata Banerjee, Hemant Soren, and other INDIA bloc leaders. This is a national issue. No political compromise can be accepted when it comes to India’s security,” he concluded.

New Delhi, May 31: A woman drug supplier was arrested from Delhi’s Mangolpuri area and 427 grams of ganja was recovered from her possession, police said on Saturday.

The accused was identified as ‘M’. The arrest comes amid the Delhi Police’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics under its ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy and the broader objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).

Acting on a tip-off received by Constable Bajrang of Police Station Mangolpuri that a female was allegedly in possession of ganja, a raid was conducted at the specified location.

Constable Bajrang and a female staff member observed a suspicious female carrying a white polythene bag.

“On noticing the presence of police personnel, the suspect attempted to hide. However, the alert police team, with the assistance of a female staff namely W/HC Pooja, swiftly apprehended her,” said Sachin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer District, New Delhi.

A polythene bag containing 427 grams of ‘ganja’ and Rs 1,470 in cash was recovered from the possession of the accused.

The accused was booked under Section 20(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 at Police Station Mangolpuri.

Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other associates involved in the illegal drug trade, the police said.

In another case on May 29, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Jameel Ahmad, the alleged mastermind of a major drug trafficking syndicate. Ahmed has been absconding for six years.

The case dates back to June 2019, when the then Narcotics Cell (now ANTF) of the Crime Branch seized 500 kg of ganja from a truck at Metcalfe Bus Stand, Kashmere Gate.

Three persons — Aslam Khan and Mausam Khan, both from Nuh district in Haryana, and Jakam Khan from Alwar, Rajasthan — were arrested in connection with the consignment, who revealed that they had committed the crime at the behest of Ahmed.