1. Congress Indore Candidate Withdraws Just Before Vote, Joins BJP
Congress candidate Akshay Kanti Bam from Indore Lok Sabha seat abruptly withdrew his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Party workers expressed disappointment, as they had warned against fielding an “unreliable” candidate like Mr. Bam. The move comes after a similar scenario unfolded in Surat. The people of Indore will cast their votes in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13, along with seven other parliamentary seats in the state. Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya welcomed Mr. Bam to the BJP fold.
2. Supreme Court Refuses to Halt CBI Probe Against Sheikh Shahjanah
The Supreme Court reprimanded the West Bengal government for opposing the CBI investigation into the Sandeshkhali issue. The court questioned how a state government could approach the apex court to protect an individual’s interests. Despite the state’s plea, the bench refused to stay the High Court’s order directing a CBI probe against suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjanah in the Sandeshkhali case. Shahjanah is the key accused in crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. The court will hear the case after the summer holidays. The CBI is already investigating an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali. ED officials were attacked on January 5 by a mob when they went to search the premises of Shahjahan Sheikh in connection with a ration distribution scam case. The High Court had directed the CBI to investigate allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali and submit a comprehensive report. The matter will be heard again on May 2, the date on which the CBI was asked to file the report.
3. Delhi Police Summons Telangana CM Revanth Reddy in Amit Shah’s ‘Doctored’ Video Case
The Delhi Police has issued a summons to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who is also the state unit president of the Congress, over an allegedly doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In the original video, Shah was heard saying the BJP would remove the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims that exists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The video was allegedly morphed using deepfake technology to make it seem like Shah was saying all reservations, including those of SCs and STs, would be scrapped. The summons was issued after the BJP filed a complaint, alleging that the video was uploaded to create disharmony among communities and adversely affect the law-and-order situation. Revanth Reddy is expected to respond to the summons after returning to Hyderabad from his campaign in Karnataka.
4. Smriti Irani Engages with Amethi Locals, Rides Scooter in Election Campaign
Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani filed her nomination papers from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh. The 48-year-old leader, dressed in a sari and wearing a helmet, rode a scooter through the streets of Amethi, interacting with people and posing for selfies. Her engagement with constituents reflects her efforts to connect closely with voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls on May 20. In 2019, Smriti Irani won the Amethi seat by defeating Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. The Congress is yet to announce its candidate for the seat, which was once considered a Gandhi stronghold. Earlier in the day, Irani visited Ayodhya and offered prayers at the Ram temple.
5. Sangh Parivar Never Opposed Reservations,” declares Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat
Addressing an educational institute in Hyderabad, Bhagwat emphasized that the Sangh believes reservations should continue as long as they are necessary. His statement comes amidst opposition claims that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might alter the Indian Constitution and abolish the reservation policy if it secures a third consecutive term in the ongoing national polls. In 2015, Bhagwat’s controversial call for a “review” of the reservation policy had sparked debate, but he now reaffirms the Sangh’s stance.
6. Kashmir on Alert: Continuous Rains Spark Landslides, Traffic Disruption, Flood Alarm
Incessant rain over the weekend has transformed Kashmir’s rivers and streams into raging torrents while landslides triggered by the downpours have caused road closures in many areas. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been blocked due to multiple landslides between Banihal and Ramban districts. As a safety measure, schools in Srinagar will remain closed tomorrow. Authorities urge residents in low-lying areas to exercise caution, and farmers have been asked to suspend agricultural activities. While there’s no immediate flood threat, staying informed and vigilant is crucial during this weather event. Remember, help is just a call away—Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Srinagar and Police Control Room Srinagar are designated contact points for any emergencies or information needs.
7. Sex Scandal Involving Deve Gowda’s Grandson Prajwal Revanna
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of JDS chief and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has denied the allegations and filed a complaint claiming that the videos being circulated are doctored. The Karnataka government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the obscene videos case. The decision to set up the SIT came after the state women’s commission recommended the Siddaramaiah government to take action. The scandal involves explicit videos that were allegedly shot by the MP and were circulated widely in the Hassan constituency. A woman filed a police case against Prajwal Revanna, accusing him of sexual assault. She alleged she had been sexually abused multiple times between 2019 and 2022. The complainant, Mr. Revanna’s former house help, also claimed that Prajwal Revanna misbehaved with her daughter over a video call and had “vulgar conversations” with her. The woman further alleged that Prajwal’s father, HD Revanna, also sexually assaulted her when his wife was not at home.
The Congress posted that “a pen drive full of pornographic videos revealed that Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted thousands of women and recorded objectionable videos of them.” The clips show more women, and they are likely to come forward to file cases too. Prajwal Revanna, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate in the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, left for Germany shortly after the videos emerged online. He has filed a police complaint claiming the videos were doctored and they were being circulated to “tarnish his image and poison voters’ minds.” The row has also snowballed into a political squabble between the JDS and the BJP, with the BJP distancing itself from Prajwal Revanna amid the controversy around his purported sex tapes.
8. Bengaluru Records Second Hottest Day in 50 Years
Bengaluru experienced scorching heat on Sunday, with the mercury soaring to 38.5 degrees Celsius—the second-highest temperature in the last five decades. The city’s highest temperature record remains unbroken, as it reached 39.2 degrees Celsius on April 25, 2016. Despite the heatwave, relief is expected soon as rains are forecasted.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave warning for east and south peninsular India. Over the next five days, temperatures are expected to soar above 35°C in 186 parliamentary constituencies where elections are due in the next two phases. The affected regions include Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rayalaseema, interior Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Voters are urged to stay hydrated and take precautions as the intense heatwave persists. Remember to keep cool and safe during this scorching weather!
9. Chidambaram Criticizes PM Modi as Elon Musk Cancels India Trip and Visits China
Congress leader P. Chidambaram took a direct jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Tesla CEO Elon Musk canceled his planned visit to India and instead made a surprise trip to China. Musk had initially postponed his India visit due to “very heavy Tesla obligations.” Meanwhile, in China, he discussed bringing Tesla’s new self-driven car to the Chinese market and received in-principle approval for deploying Tesla’s driver-assistance system14. The situation highlights the evolving dynamics between global tech leaders and their interactions with different countries.
10. RAW Officer Vikram Yadav Orchestrated Failed Assassination Plot Against Khalistani Terrorist Pannun: US Media
According to a report by The Washington Post, Vikram Yadav, an officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), allegedly orchestrated a failed assassination plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. Yadav reportedly enlisted a ‘hit team’ to carry out the operation, marking Pannun as a ‘priority’ target. Unnamed former US and Indian security officials disclosed that Yadav transmitted Pannun’s contact information, including his New York address, to the would-be assassins. India has denied the allegations, and an ongoing high-level inquiry is investigating the matter. Meanwhile, India has summoned the Canadain deputy high commissioner over Khalistani slogans at an event attended by PM Justin Trudeau.
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