Politics
Kerala Health Minister complains against Deputy Speaker
The rift between the two Communist parties in Kerala widened on Saturday after Health Minister Veena George approached the ruling Left Democratic Front with a complaint against Deputy Speaker of State Assembly Chittayam Gopakumar, who had earlier slammed the minister for “ignoring” his constituency.
Denying all the allegations, the journalist-turned-politician George sent a detailed letter to the top brass of the front.
In her letter, the minister alleged that instead of raising his concerns at appropriate forums, the Deputy Speaker had gone public with an intention of “tarnishing” her image.
Gopakumar appears to have ulterior motives, she said, adding that the call records will reveal that she had answered his calls, contrary to him claims.
She also alleged that the Deputy Speaker did not show “political decency”, as such “baseless and needless” incidents dent the morale of the political workers in the Left front.
Several in the Left are upset over the spat at this juncture as the Thrikkakara by-election is just round the corner and it would give the Congress-led opposition a chance to use the issue against the Left during campigning.
Meanwhile, it’s reliably learnt that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his ire over the issue and strictly stated that no more washing of dirty linen in public will be accepted.
Incidentally, it was Gopakumar who accused George of not inviting him on the completion of one year in power by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in the district after winning the 2021 Assembly elections.
The Health Minister is entrusted with reviewing the development in the Pathanamthitta district.
Gopakumar is a veteran CPI legislator who recently won from the Adoor constituency in the district. He had gone on record to state that he had called George several times to speak about various issues concerning the health sector in his constituency, but she has not picked his calls and neither did she call back.
He also alleged that in the ongoing first anniversary celebrations of their government, even though his name was printed in the leaflets, he was not invited.
George, in her letter, has mentioned that it was the district authorities who were responsible for inviting dignitaries and she had no role in it.
This is not the first time Gopakumar has gone public expressing his displeasure with the CPI-M government.
In April, the veteran CPI leader went public when he slammed the CPI-M after his photo was removed from a political event held in the Kerala Assembly on the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar.
Gopakumar, 56, completed three terms from the reserved Adoor constituency in Pathanamthitta district during the April 2021 Assembly polls and was appointed the Deputy Speaker.
The CPI is the second major ally of the ruling CPI-M government led by Chief Minister Vijayan.
Adoor seat has of late witnessed issues between the various wings of the CPI-M and CPI, and the latest incident shows the fissures between the two Left parties in Pathanamthitta district and a section in the Left wants the present impasse has to be settled quickly.
Maharashtra
Clash at Bhiwandi Dindigad Hill Leaves Six Injured; Tension Reportedly Erupts Again at Hospital

Bhiwandi, Maharashtra: A dispute between two groups of youths at Dindigad Hill near Bhiwandi escalated into a physical confrontation on Sunday afternoon, leaving six people injured, according to preliminary information.
The incident reportedly began after a disagreement at the hill area. The dispute is understood to have been linked to objections over non-vegetarian food being brought to the location. What started as a verbal argument soon turned violent, with members of the two groups allegedly assaulting each other.
The injured were taken to Bhiwandi Sub-District Hospital for medical treatment. However, tension reportedly flared again when members of the two groups came face-to-face at the hospital. Police personnel were deployed at the hospital to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and are examining the claims made by those involved. Further legal action is expected after statements are recorded and the facts of the incident are established.
The incident has raised concerns over the need for restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes, particularly in public places where clashes can quickly create tension in the surrounding area.
National News
MP: BJP’s first State Working Committee meeting set for Orchha on Aug 30

Bhopal, Aug 24: The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold its first State Working Committee meeting under State President Hemant Khandelwal in Orchha on August 30 and 31.
The two‑day conclave will focus on preparations for the 2028 Assembly elections, plans to strengthen the organisation, and strategies to connect with youth, particularly Gen‑Z and Gen‑Alpha. Approximately 350 to 400 leaders are expected to attend, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, both Deputy Chief Ministers, Union Ministers from the state, state government ministers, MPs, MLAs and state party office‑bearers.
The meeting will take place at two hotels, with senior leaders scheduled to arrive from August 29 to finalise arrangements. A core group or “toli baithak” will be held on August 25 to finalise preparations and the agenda. Senior office‑bearers, including State Vice‑President Shailendra Barua and others, recently reviewed arrangements in Orchha.
The programme is set to begin with flag‑hoisting, followed by a visit to a major exhibition showcasing welfare schemes and key achievements of the Central and state governments. Cultural programmes will also be organised for delegates in the evenings. Around 400 rooms have been booked across hotels to accommodate participants, with dedicated transport arrangements from Orchha railway station.
The Working Committee will specifically deliberate on expanding the party’s outreach among youth, including Gen‑Z and Gen‑Alpha members. Officials indicated that programmes may be outlined to broaden the party’s base among younger generations and explore innovative ways of communicating with them.
Discussions will also cover cooperatives, municipal elections and other political issues. The government’s performance and the organisation’s activities will be reviewed.
This will be the first formal meeting of the newly constituted State Working Committee, which comprises 106 regular members and 41 special invitees, supplemented by ex‑officio members such as MPs and MLAs. The gathering is seen as a key organisational exercise to set the agenda for the coming years and gear up for Mission 2028. Party sources described the Orchha meet as an important platform to align organisational efforts with electoral goals under Khandelwal’s stewardship.
Maharashtra
MIDC Police Station operation: Heroin worth Rs 35 million seized, suspect arrested

MIDC Police Station Anti-Narcotics Squad PI Kholam and his team were patrolling the night of August 22 to take action against people using, buying and selling drugs within their limits.
On the 23rd, at around 12:10 am, the police saw a person moving around suspiciously in front of the gate of Hemant Karkare Garden, near Sahakari Bhandar, Poonam Nagar, Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai. PI Kholam found the person’s movements suspicious and the police team tried to stop him. On seeing the police, the said person tried to run away from there, however, with the help of the police team, he was arrested on the spot. During interrogation, the person initially gave evasive answers. Later, after taking him into confidence and conducting further detailed interrogation, a dark colored powder, which was said to be Heroin, was recovered from his possession.
The police searched the said person in compliance with all the legal requirements of the NDPS Act, 1985. Heroin weighing 302 grams, worth approximately ₹3,50,00,000 (Rupees 3 crore 50 lakhs), was recovered from his possession.
In this case, a case has been registered under Section 8(c) read with Section 21(c) of the NDPS Act under Case No. 943/2026 on the basis of a complaint received at MIDC Police Station, Mumbai. During the investigation, it was also revealed that the said drugs were being supplied in the area of MIDC Police Station. Further investigation of the case is underway.
Thus, PI Kholam, Officer of the Anti-Narcotics Team of MIDC Police Station and his team carried out a remarkable operation of timely arresting the accused drug dealer Tauseef Liaquat Qazi (29) and seizing 302 grams of heroin, worth ₹3.50 crores, from his possession. The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of senior police officers, including Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Police Commissioner Dr. Abhinav Deshmukh, Deputy Police Commissioner Datta Nalawade and Assistant Police Commissioner Yogesh Shinde. The operation was directly supervised by Senior Police Inspector Ghanshyam Nair and Police Inspector (Crime) Sunil Karande.
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