1. Arvinder Singh Lovely Resigns as Delhi Congress Chief Over AAP Alliance
Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely announced his resignation from the post, citing the party’s high command’s decision to ally with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Lovely expressed concern that the AAP was formed “on the sole basis of levelling false, fabricated, and malafide corruption charges against the Congress Party”. This marks the second time Lovely has stepped down from the position of Delhi Congress chief. His resignation comes amid the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, where the Congress fielded candidates for three seats in the capital. The move has significant implications for both parties involved, and it highlights the tensions surrounding political alliances in the city.
2. Prajwal Revanna Flees India Amid Probe Into “Obscene Videos”
Prajwal Revanna, a Janata Dal (Secular) party member and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has reportedly fled India amid an ongoing probe into an “obscene videos” case. Video tapes purportedly depicting Revanna engaging in sexual acts with various women, including a few government employees, circulated in Hassan earlier. The Karnataka government formed a special investigation team to look into the matter, while JDS claimed that the videos were morphed to show Revanna in a bad light. The situation has drawn attention ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
3. Sahil Khan Arrested in Mahadev Betting App Case
Actor Sahil Khan has been arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with the Mahadev betting app case. The arrest took place in Chhattisgarh after the Bombay High Court rejected his petition for interim bail. Khan had fled Mumbai and was on the run following the court’s decision. The operation to apprehend him lasted over 40 hours, with assistance from the Chhattisgarh Police. Sahil Khan, known for his roles in films like “Style” and “Excuse Me,” is also a popular social media influencer. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing alleged illegal transactions between financial and real estate firms in Chhattisgarh and the promoters of the controversial Mahadev betting app.
4. Uttarakhand Forest Fires: IAF Chopper Assists Firefighting Efforts For 2nd Day
Efforts to combat the raging forest fires in Uttarakhand have intensified on the second day. The Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter is aiding firefighting operations in severely affected zones, including Nainital, Haldwani, and Ramnagar forest divisions. Forest officials report that fires in Marora and Khanana civil areas of the Narendranagar forest division’s Maniknath range have been completely extinguished. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation and stated that the forest blaze in Nainital and adjoining areas is gradually coming under control with the IAF’s assistance. Additional personnel, including Prantiya Rakshak Dal volunteers and homeguards, are assisting in firefighting efforts. Awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate residents about forest fire prevention, and legal action will be taken against those caught setting fire to the jungles.
5. Election Commission Orders Repolling in Manipur’s Outer Constituency
The Election Commission of India has declared the polling held on April 26, 2024, in six polling stations of the Outer Manipur constituency as “void.” These polling stations, spread across Ukhrul, Chingai, and Kharong assembly segments, reported disturbances during voting. Damaged Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) rendered results unretrievable. Videos on social media showed alleged voter intimidation and vandalized polling stations. Fresh polling will take place on April 30, 2024, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Lok Sabha election in Manipur occurs against the backdrop of an ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei people and the hills-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zo, which has resulted in casualties and displacement.
6. “Row Over Ties with BJP Was Planned, Orchestrated by Media, UDF”: EP Jayarajan
The controversy surrounding CPM central committee member and LDF convener EP Jayarajan’s alleged ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was orchestrated by the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the media. Jayarajan denied discussing politics with Prakash Javadekar, the Kerala-in-charge of the BJP. He attributed the controversy to the opposition’s retaliation after he mentioned the possibility of Congress state president Sudhakaran joining the BJP. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s remarks served as a warning to everyone. The media framed the controversy, and the CPM chose Jayarajan as the scapegoat.
7. Vande Metro Trials to Begin in July, Sleeper Vande Bharat in May
Indian Railways is gearing up to commence trial runs of short-distance Vande Metro trains in July. Alongside this, the sleeper version of Vande Bharat will be introduced next month. The Vande Metro trains will operate on routes covering 100-250 km, connecting approximately 124 cities. Some of the identified routes include Lucknow-Kanpur, Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Bhubaneswar-Balasore, and Tirupati-Chennai. These AC trains, running on existing railway tracks, will cater to passengers between large urban centers and satellite towns. The Vande Metro trains will have 12 coaches each, featuring large automatic doors with side seats. If needed, they can be expanded to 16 coaches. Additionally, the Railways aims to run 50 push-pull variant Amrit Bharat trains in the current fiscal, providing affordable long-distance travel options.
8. Ujjwal Nikam: BJP’s Choice for Mumbai North Central Seat
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as its candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency, replacing Poonam Mahajan. Nikam gained prominence as the public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case. Born in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, he has been involved in several high-profile court cases, including the conviction of Ravinder Singh for the Kalyan bomb blast and his role in the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught after the 26/11 attacks. Nikam’s legal career also includes handling the murder case of Bollywood producer Gulshan Kumar and the Pramod Mahajan murder case. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016 and enjoys Z-plus security since his involvement in the 26/11 case1[1]22. The Mumbai North Central constituency, comprising six assembly segments, will go to polls on May 20, with vote counting on June 4.
9. Pakistani Boat Carrying Rs 600 Crore Drugs Intercepted Off Gujarat Coast; 14 Crew Members Held
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted an intelligence-based anti-narcotics operation at sea on April 28, 2024. In a joint effort with the Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the ICG intercepted a Pakistani boat off the Gujarat coast. They seized 86 kg of narcotics worth Rs 600 crore. The successful operation exemplified seamless inter-agency coordination25. The crew members of the boat have been arrested3. This significant operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
10. Heatwave Alert: IMD Warns of Intense Heat in India
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for several states. 2024 could surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record. North and Central India are likely to experience severe heatwaves. The Sun’s position will intensify the heat. Red alerts are in place for West Bengal and Odisha, while orange alerts cover sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Bihar, and parts of Karnataka. Hot and humid weather is expected in various regions, including Tripura, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka. Stay prepared for extreme temperatures!