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Nominations for Rajya Sabha polls trigger war of words between BJP and Congress in Madhya Pradesh

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A fresh round political tug-of-war has ensued between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh over the fielding of candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled on June 10.

While the BJP leaders are patting their backs for nominating two women — one OBC and a Sheduled Tribe (ST) — for the Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress has fielded a Kashmiri Pandit, Vivek Tankha, to contest for a place in the Upper House.

By nominating Kavita Patidar (OBC) and Sumitra Valmiki (ST), the BJP has set the tone for the 2023 Assembly polls, sending a message to both the communities which account for a considerable vote share in the state.

By fielding Kavita Patidar, the BJP seems to have countered Congress’ relentless allegations on the OBC reservation issue.

“The BJP fielded an OBC candidate, Kavita Patidar, for the Rajya Sabha polls. The difference with the Congress is clear,” tweeted BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi.

“Why didn’t the Congress field Arun Yadav (OBC) for the Rajya Sabha polls,” asked MP BJP media in-charge, Lokendra Parasar, in a tweet.

Patidar is the general secretary of the party’s state unit from Indore. She is also the first woman OBC leader from the Malwa division to have been sent to the Upper House after OBC quota row erupted.

Talking about Sumitra Valmiki, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who accompanied her when she filed her nomination on Tuesday, said, “Sumitra (Valmiki) had never thought of going to the Rajya Sabha. Even demanding a ticket was a distance thought. But this is the BJP.”

The Congress, on the other hand, accused the BJP of hypocrisy on the Kashmiri Pandit issue.

Responding to BJP’s jibe for nominating senior advocate Vivek Tankha for a second term in the Rajya Sabha, Congress office-bearer Piyush Babele said, “The BJP is a wonderful party. Two months back, it was beating its chest for supporting the Kashmiri Pandits’ cause following the release of the film ‘The Kashmir Files’. But when the Congress nominates a Kashmiri Pandit (Vivek Tankha) for a second term in the Rajya Sabha, BJP leaders are protesting.”

At present, BJP’s Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh are Jyotiraditya Scindia, L. Murugan, Dharmedra Pradhan, M.J. Akbar, Ajay Pratap Singh, Kailash Soni, Sumer Singh Solanki, and Sampatiya Uike.

The Congress’ Rajya Sabha members from the state are Vivek Tankha, Digvijaya Singh and Rajmani Patel.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Airport motorcycle and car collide, video of rider riding on bonnet goes viral, traffic police action, case registered against accused

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Mumbai: After a collision between a car and a motorcycle near Mumbai Airport, a car driver put a motorcyclist on the bonnet of the car, endangering his life, after which the police have registered a case on the complaint of the motorcyclist and started an investigation.

After the collision between the car and the motorcycle, the local crowd stopped the car and during this, an argument broke out between the motorcyclist and the car driver and suddenly the car driver ran over the motorcyclist and put him on the bonnet and drove the car. After this video went viral, the police registered a case and released the accused after giving a notice. The police have started an investigation in this matter. Regarding the incident, the Airport Police Station Mumbai has registered an offence 61/2025 under sections 281,125,1126(2),115(2),352 BNS r/w sec 184 mvact. A case has been registered against the accused Bhim Prasad Giani Mahto, aged 24, resident of Vartak Nagar and a notice has been issued to him.

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Maharashtra

Cyclone Shakti Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rain and Rough Seas Along East Coast

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Mumbai, May 28, 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for the eastern coast of India, as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. If it forms, the cyclone will be named ‘Shakti’.

According to the IMD, the depression currently lies over the central Bay of Bengal and is moving in a northwesterly direction. It is expected to make landfall along the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh by the evening of May 29, bringing with it heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Wind speeds could reach 75–85 km/h, with gusts up to 95 km/h. Coastal regions have been warned of rough seas and the possibility of localized flooding.

In preparation for the potential cyclone, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been placed on high alert. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and coastal villages are being kept under close watch for any signs of distress.

Impact on West Bengal and Maharashtra

The weather system may also influence conditions in West Bengal, with heavy rainfall expected in southern districts, including Kolkata, over the next few days. The monsoon may advance into North Bengal by Friday, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the cyclone is unlikely to have a direct impact but may cause light to moderate showers, with a possibility of heavy rainfall in isolated spots. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai as a precautionary measure.

Public Advisory:

  • Stay tuned to updates from the IMD and local authorities.
  • Avoid travel to coastal areas until further notice.
  • In case of emergency, contact the National Disaster Helpline at 1070.

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health

COVID-19 Update: Death Toll Rises To 5 In Mumbai After Kalyan Man Passes Away; 66 New Cases Recorded In Maharashtra

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Mumbai: The State of Maharashtra reported 66 new COVID-19 cases on May 27, with nearly half originating from Mumbai, recording 31 cases in past 24 hours. Other districts saw fewer cases, with Pune reporting 18, Thane at 7, Navi Mumbai at 4, Pimpri Chinchwad at 3, Nagpur at 2, and Sangli at 1. As of May 26, the total active cases in Maharashtra stood at 210, reflecting an addition of 154 new cases since May 19, 2025. Nationwide, India had 1,010 active cases, with Kerala leading at 430.

Reports from the Union Health Ministry indicate that current COVID-19 infections are mostly mild, with no significant severity or death rates. However, a 47-year-old woman from Kalyan tested positive posthumously, representing the fifth COVID-related death in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) within a week.

She was treated for typhoid but deteriorated rapidly, leading to her hospitalization where she died before her COVID-19 diagnosis. KDMC officials noted three other COVID patients, with one recovering and two receiving treatment. In response, KDMC has set up isolation wards and an RTPCR lab, assuring the public that most cases are mild and do not require alarm.

In light of rising COVID-19 cases noted in Singapore and Hong Kong, India has ramped up monitoring efforts. Experts attribute the recent surge to the JN.1 variant, part of the Omicron family. The Health Ministry has stated that they are carefully reviewing the situation to mitigate risks while remaining proactive in safeguarding public health.

Meanwhile, the state’s daily COVID-19 case count rose from 43 on Sunday to 69 on Monday, as reported by the state health department. Out of these cases, 37 were identified in Mumbai, 19 in Thane, and seven in Navi Mumbai, with Pune recording two cases and one case each in Pimpri Chinchwad, Kolhapur, Raigad, and Latur

The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases has been evident over the past few weeks, with May alone accounting for 269 of the 285 cases recorded since January. Additionally, four patients with COVID-19 have died since May 18, which included a 14-year-old girl with kidney issues, a 59-year-old cancer patient, a 70-year-old with heart complications, and a 21-year-old suffering from diabetes-related ketoacidosis.

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