Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh visited Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday night to enquire about the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, news agency ANI mentioned sources as saying.

The visit came after the Delhi High Court ordered Wangchuk’s transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta earlier in the day while he continued his indefinite hunger strike.

Wangchuk, who has been on a fast since June 28, remained on hunger strike despite the hospital shift. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said he would continue the fast in solidarity with students who were allegedly injured during the police action during Monday’s protest in Delhi.

The transfer followed a petition filed by Angmo before the Delhi High Court.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed Wangchuk’s immediate transfer after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Centre had no objection to the move.

The court also directed Medanta Hospital to constitute a specialised medical team to oversee Wangchuk’s treatment. It instructed the activist to follow the medical advice prescribed by doctors while remaining under continuous medical supervision.

Meanwhile, protests in support of Wangchuk resumed at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.

More than 5,000 protesters gathered at the site a day after clashes between demonstrators and Delhi Police during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march towards Parliament.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is leading the agitation, said the protest would continue indefinitely but announced that no further marches towards Parliament would be organised. The party alleged that protesters were subjected to excessive police force during Monday’s demonstration.

In his first reaction to the ongoing protests demanding his resignation, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi of “exploiting” students as political tools to disrupt Parliament proceedings during the Monsoon Session.

In a lengthy social media post that came a day after thousands of students attempted to march towards Parliament demanding his resignation over alleged paper leaks and student suicides, Pradhan didn’t mention the massive Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.

He, however, slammed Rahul Gandhi for his dharna outside the PM’s house over the alleged police brutality against students during yesterday’s Parliament march.

“Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia chose to stage a dharna outside the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s residence, causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols,”

“LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia chose to stage a dharna outside the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s residence , causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols,” Pradhan said.

Pradhan said that the Congress chose “political spectacle over democratic debate” even after the government conveyed its readiness for a comprehensive discussion on the issue. “Their objective was never solutions for students, it was disruption for political headlines.”

He further remarked that Rahul Gandhi is not concerned about students. For the Congress leader, Pradhan said, “this is about manufacturing confrontation after every genuine avenue for discussion has been opened.”

The education minister reiterated that the government is committed to discussing NEET and addressing every genuine concern of the youth on the floor of the House.

“The students of India deserve far better than being treated as props in a political campaign. They deserve certainty over chaos, solutions over slogans and responsibility over disruption,” he said.

Pradhan said that the students deserve more than outrage. “We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering.”

A day after thousands of students attempted to march towards Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for the strictest action against those responsible for examination paper leaks.

Addressing the NDA Parliamentery Party meeting, the Prime Minister said those arrested in the NEET-UG paper leak case should face the toughest possible punishment.

While defending the government’s swift action in the case, the PM also stressed the need to “win the trust of the youth.”

What PM Modi has said about the NEET issue

• Those responsible will not be spared under any circumstances.
• The Centre has introduced stricter laws and stronger safeguards to prevent paper leaks.
• Protecting the future of India’s youth remains our highest priority.
• A swift crackdown led to the arrest of 13 accused.
• To safeguard students’ interests, the re-examination was conducted successfully and the results were declared promptly.

According to sources, PM Modi also said that no injustice should be done to students. “It is easy to mislead the youth but difficult to show them the right path,” he was quoted as saying.

The Prime Minister also remarked that “some have ganged up to mislead them,” in an apparent reference to Opposition parties.

Aam Aadmi Party’s reaction to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence is an admission that the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar is not an apolitical student movement, BJP leader Amit Malviya said on Tuesday.

Several AAP leaders said that LoP Gandhi’s surprise protest near PM Modi’s 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence was an attempt by the BJP to weaken the CJP movement.

AAP leaders alleged a “fixed-match” between the BJP and Congress as they questioned the government’s move to quickly dispatch Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh to hold talks with Rahul.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the Congress has been “abusing” the CJP protest for a month and now Rahul Gandhi wants Jantar Mantar protesters to join his protest outside the PM’s residence.

“Why does the Congress want to weaken the youth’s movement? Why doesn’t the Congress appeal for people to join the Jantar Mantar movement?” he asked.

His AAP colleague Atishi went a step further, terming Rahul Gandhi’s dharna a “fixed match” between the Congress and the BJP.

“The same Delhi Police that was not allowing CJP to move even 100 metres towards Parliament allowed Rahul Gandhi to reach right outside the PM’s residence! Do we need any more evidence that Congress and the BJP are one unit?” Atishi said on X.

Reacting to the AAP leader’s remarks, BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya said, “Arvind Kejriwal’s loudspeaker is upset that Rahul Gandhi’s protest is an attempt to weaken their proxy’s protest. So, AAP admits that CJP is not an apolitical student movement. It has sponsored it.”

The BJP leader further accused Kejriwal of pushing students into harm’s way to fulfil his own political agenda.

“Since Arvind Kejriwal has no credibility, he is pushing students into harm’s way to fulfil his political agenda,” he added.

Before founding the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke was an active member of the Aam Aadmi Party, handling its social media strategy.

Since CJP’s formation, the BJP has been maintaining that the satirical outfit is sponsored by Arvind Kejriwal.

The reaction from the AAP on Rahul Gandhi’s protest against police crackdown on CJP protesters appears to have strengthened the ruling party’s claim.

Police in Chandigarh on Tuesday detained Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh, state in-charge Sanjay Dutt and 18 Congress legislators after they attempted to march towards the Haryana Raj Bhavan in protest against the detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

The Congress said the march was intended to register its protest over the police action against Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders who were detained in Delhi while demanding a parliamentary discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Soon after the procession left the party’s state headquarters, police stopped the march and escorted the leaders to Sector 17 Police Station, where several legislators staged a sit-in and raised slogans against the administration.

Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora said the party had planned to meet at the Congress office before marching peacefully to Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum. “We intended to hold a peaceful protest and present our concerns before the Governor, but we were stopped before we could even reach our destination,” he said.

The Chandigarh protest followed demonstrations in the national capital, where Rahul Gandhi and several Congress MPs were detained near the Prime Minister’s residence while pressing for accountability over the alleged examination paper leak.

Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, who was also detained in Delhi, accused the Centre of attempting to suppress democratic protests. “This movement will only grow stronger. You can detain us or send us to jail, but the demand for accountability over the paper leak will not stop,” he said, adding that repeated examination irregularities had shattered the aspirations of thousands of students.

Congress leaders said the alleged paper leak had deeply affected students and their families and argued that the government should address their concerns through dialogue instead of police action.

Outside Parliament, Congress MPs from Haryana, including Deepender Hooda, Varun Mulana, Jai Prakash and Satpal Brahmachari, also staged a demonstration in support of the party’s demand for greater transparency in the examination system.

Meanwhile, Panchkula Congress president Sanjay Chauhan alleged that students protesting over the issue had faced police action, and that opposition leaders were also prevented from marching in Delhi. “The government should engage with students instead of trying to silence peaceful protests,” he said.

The Congress maintained that its proposed march to Raj Bhavan was intended to submit a memorandum to the President through the Governor, accusing the BJP-led Centre of curbing democratic dissent. The BJP has rejected similar allegations in the past and defended its handling of the examination controversy.

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday gave the nod to hold the Monsoon Session of the state assembly from August 3 to August 10.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister Mann said several bills and ordinances will be presented during the week-long session. He added that the duration of the session could be extended if needed. The formal recommendation has been sent to the Governor.

In a major policy change for Punjab Police, the cabinet decided to stop direct recruitment for Sub-Inspector (SI) posts. Going forward, direct hiring will take place at the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) level instead. About 30 percent of ASI posts in District, Intelligence, Investigation, and Technical cadres will be filled directly, along with 10 percent in the Armed Cadre. The state government reasoned that since ASIs handle most field investigations, direct entry at this level will bring better-qualified officers into police stations.

To boost food welfare, the state announced plans to issue 10 lakh new ration cards. Applications will open on July 22 via online portals, Seva Kendras, and the food department website. Seven lakh cards are set aside for new eligible families, while three lakh will go to e-Shram registered workers and migrants. Eligible households will get 5 kg of wheat along with a ‘Meri Rasoi’ kit containing mustard oil, salt, and turmeric.

The cabinet also approved a rural employment scheme named ‘Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Gramin)’, which will operate on a 60:40 funding split between the Centre and the state. Additionally, an Integrated Innovation and Startup Center inspired by South Korea’s Pangyo Techno Valley will come up in Mohali. The government also extended the timeline, allowing NHAI to desilt local rivers and drains to obtain construction materials for ongoing highway work.

Addressing national issues, Mann urged the Centre and Haryana to clear the Shambu border blockade and hold talks with farmer unions. He also raised concerns over national exam leaks while noting that 881 students from Punjab cleared NEET this year, up from around 80 in 2021.

Eight hockey stars from Punjab have earned their spots in the Indian men’s national team for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place jointly across the Netherlands and Belgium between August 15 and 30.

The state’s contingent features national skipper Harmanpreet Singh alongside former captain Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh. While Manpreet, Hardik, Mandeep, and Sukhjeet hail directly from Jalandhar, the remaining four also share a long-standing association with the city, having honed their skills over the years at the city’s iconic Surjit Hockey Stadium.

Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, who recently set a milestone as India’s most-capped international player, continues to serve as an indispensable pillar of the national side. His presence adds invaluable leadership and big-match experience ahead of the world tournament.

The squad announcement also underlines the remarkable journey of forward Sukhjeet Singh, whose career hung in the balance a few seasons ago following a life-threatening bout of partial paralysis. Battling through intense rehabilitation, Sukhjeet eventually fought his way back into the national side, becoming a crucial contributor to India’s bronze-medal performance at the Paris Olympics.

Recalling his grueling road to recovery after the Olympic triumph, Sukhjeet had opened up about the mental toll of those years, sharing how he spent the entire night of the medal win reflecting on the health crisis he overcame to reach the peak of international sport.

Welcoming the team selection, Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli and General Secretary Amreek Singh Powar voiced strong confidence in India’s chances at the flagship tournament. State officials expressed immense pride in Harmanpreet Singh retaining the captaincy, adding that Manpreet’s deep reservoir of international experience will prove critical in high-pressure games.

The state body noted that the squad strikes a fine balance between seasoned veterans and fresh talent, expressing certainty that the team has everything it takes to bring the World Cup trophy home.

Congress workers held a dharna and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Tuesday, pressing for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and protesting the “forcible removal” of LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other party MPs from the dharna site near the PM’s residence in New Delhi.

The state committee of the grand old party, in a sudden move, directed all its district units to hold a dharna, demonstration and burn effigies of Prime Minister Modi at their respective district headquarters. This was done to express solidarity with the demands raised by LoP Gandhi and address issues related to the NEET paper leak and the removal of Union Minister Pradhan.

In the state capital here, demonstration and effigy burning was organised this evening at the Ambedkar Circle in the vicinity of the state assembly complex. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the party state president Govind Singh Dotasra many MLAs and prominent leaders were participated in the protest programme.

Later, the police asked the protesters to disperse from the dharna site, however, the leaders including Gehlot and Dotasra refused to move away and opted to court arrests. The police had taken them to a nearby police station.

Speaking at the dharna site, ex CM Gehlot said “The goverment at the Centre has failed to to respond appropriately to the issue being raised by Rahul Gandhi Ji for past one month. The situation is worrisome in the country, after all this is matter of future and career of youth”.

The party state president Dotasra said that this stir now has taken dimensions of a mass movement and would go on.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying he should take responsibility for the violence against students protesting in the national capital.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with BJD Members of Parliament, Patnaik described the developments in Delhi as “very serious” and “very grave”, alleging that several young students had been “violently attacked and injured”.

He said BJD MPs had visited the injured students in hospital to express solidarity and offer all possible assistance.

“Our MPs have been to the hospital to meet the injured students and assured them of whatever support they can provide,” he said.

Patnaik said the agitation had spread beyond Delhi, with demonstrations being held in several cities across the country as well as outside Indian embassies in different parts of the world, reflecting growing concern over the incident.

He said he would return to Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, while BJD MPs would continue to pursue the matter vigorously in Parliament.

Asked whether Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, Patnaik said the gravity of the incident warranted accountability.

“Many political parties have already demanded his resignation. Considering the serious injuries suffered by these young students, I believe he should resign,” he said.

Patnaik’s remarks assume significance as they come amid mounting political criticism over the alleged police action against student protesters in Delhi.

The BJD has condemned the violence, with its MPs visiting the injured students and the party vowing to raise the issue forcefully both inside and outside Parliament.

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday passed a fresh order granting police protection to viral Kumbh Mela star Monalisa Bhosle.

The court directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Palarivattom police station to provide fresh police protection to Monalisa until the next hearing on July 28.

A single bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order after Monalisa’s counsel informed the court that she had approached the police and sought protection in writing, as directed earlier by the court.

“Since the petitioner has now approached the police, the interim order directing grant of police protection shall continue,” the court said.

The court also added the Station House Officer (SHO) of Palarivattom Police Station as a party to the case. It directed the authorities to continue providing adequate protection to Monalisa.

In June 2026, the High Court passed an interim order granting police protection to the girl. However, on July 10, the court vacated the interim order after being informed that the police were unable to trace her.

While vacating the order, the court clarified that if she approached the appropriate police station and sought protection in writing, the police should provide her with adequate protection.

Monalisa approached the Ernakulam Central police on July 19, 2026, alleging that different groups were following her and circulating information about her whereabouts.

When the matter was taken up on Tuesday, Monalisa’s counsel submitted that, pursuant to the court’s earlier order, she had approached the police and requested protection.

The government pleader, in turn, informed the Court that the police had identified her place of residence and shared the contact details of a woman Assistant Sub-Inspector with her so that she could seek immediate assistance whenever required.

Monalisa Bhosle shot to nationwide fame after social media videos showed her selling rudraksha garlands during the Maha Kumbh celebrations. She later transitioned into acting and travelled to Kerala for a film shoot.

While in Kerala, she married her partner, Mohammes Farmaan Khan, in an interfaith marriage opposed by her family. Her father subsequently filed a police complaint in Madhya Pradesh, accusing Khan of abducting her and alleging that Monalisa was a minor. The Madhya Pradesh Police registered a case against Farmaan Khan under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on her father’s complaint.

The Centre has sanctioned six projects worth Rs 350 crore under the Sagarmala Scheme for Odisha, while 52 other projects with a proposed investment of Rs 56,000 crore have been identified under the Sagarmala programme to strengthen the state’s port-led infrastructure and maritime economy, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Responding to a question by BJD MP Dr Sasmit Patra, Sonowal said the 52 projects, though not funded under the Sagarmala Scheme, are being implemented by agencies including the Paradip Port Authority, the Odisha government’s Ports and Fisheries departments, Indian Railways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and the Ministry of Rural Development.

The projects are expected to create an additional 83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of cargo-handling capacity, significantly enhancing Odisha’s maritime infrastructure.

The Minister said the development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5), announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, is currently in the approval stage. The proposed waterway will connect the mineral-rich regions of Talcher and Angul with the industrial hub of Kalinga Nagar and the ports of Paradip and Dhamra, and is expected to be completed within five years of receiving approval.

Sonowal also highlighted the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme (CCPS), announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, which aims to promote a shift in freight movement from road and rail to coastal shipping and inland waterways. The initiative targets increasing the combined share of coastal shipping and inland waterways in the country’s freight transport from the present six per cent to 12 per cent by 2047.

According to the Minister, the six Sagarmala-funded projects in Odisha are expected to generate around 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, while the 52 projects identified under the broader Sagarmala programme are likely to create over 25,000 employment opportunities.

He added that the Centre is promoting the participation of local communities through skill development programmes for coastal youth in convergence with the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) to prepare them for jobs in the maritime sector. The projects are also expected to boost economic activity and improve livelihoods in Odisha’s coastal regions.

Wayanad Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was detained by the police along with other Congress leaders following their sudden sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s house, was released from the Mandir Marg police station after her mother and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s visit.

Several Opposition leaders, including Priyanka were detained and brought to the Mandir Marg police station.

Shortly after their detention, Sonia Gandhi reached the station. She left only after Priyanka and others were released by the police.

Speaking to reporters after her brief detention, Priyanka Gandhi said that the Congress party demands remain the same: fix the broken education system, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, and a Parliament discussion on students’ grievances.

“What is the problem in listening to the children of our country, the future of our nation? They have a genuine demand… As their representatives, it is our responsibility to raise and empower their voices…,” she said.

She added, “In a democracy, protesting is a fundamental right… We will raise our voice wherever it is required… Our demand is clear and remains the same from the beginning… We have to fix the broken education system… Dharmendra Pradhan has to resign. A discussion should be held in Parliament. And the students should be heard…”

On choosing PM’s house for the protest, Priyanka said that the Congress went to the least expected place.

“If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to speak in Parliament, he is not allowed to do so. If we seek permission to stage a protest, that permission is denied. So we went to a place where they least expected us,” she added.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has said that the concerted efforts being made by the double-engine BJP government have improved the lives of people belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and brought down incidents of atrocities and crimes against them.

Presiding over a meeting of the high-powered state vigilance and monitoring committee here on Tuesday, Sharma said the all-out efforts made by the government had brought about changes enabling these sections to live a dignified life.

Effective steps taken by law enforcement agencies have also resulted in a 28 per cent decline in crimes and atrocities against SCs and STs during the BJP government’s two-year tenure (2023-2025), the Chief Minister said. He added that such incidents fell by 15.88 per cent in 2025 compared with the corresponding period in 2024.

While the strict enforcement of law considerably curbed the crime rate, the fast-tracking of cases and complaints improved the disposal rate. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act provides for the disposal of cases and complaints within 60 days.

Under the present regime, 67.88 per cent of the cases and complaints lodged under the Act have been disposed of within 60 days, he said, adding that the corresponding figure was as low as 35.16 per cent earlier.

The average disposal period for cases under the Act has come down to 47 days under the present regime from 128 days in 2023 under the previous Congress government.

In an attempt to streamline enforcement of the law and the delivery of justice, SC/ST Cells have been established in 45 police (organisational) districts. These cells will soon be established in the remaining six districts, CM Sharma said.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Prem Chand Bairwa, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedam, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot, committee members Jogeshwar Garg and Phool Singh Meena, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Sharma and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Maharashtra State Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his statement about the Jantar Mantar protest describing the protestors as faceless, leaderless and lawless.

Interacting with media persons here on Tuesday, Fadnavis said while many people participating in the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) agitation had genuine concerns, many other elements had infiltrated the protests for their own vested interests. “In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. If a protest is held peacefully and with due permission, it will be allowed. Such agitations are the democratic right of every citizen. However, whenever there is a protest, it tends to become ‘faceless,’ and elements with ulterior motives infiltrate it. These elements take advantage of the protest, using it as a shield to fulfill their own selfish interests,” he added.

In this context, he cited protests in Delhi that several political parties tried to capitalise on. He said various organizations, which had nothing to do with the core issue, attempted to create unrest. “When an agitation becomes leaderless, as seen in Delhi, it creates a lawless environment. We witnessed vehicle glass being smashed, cars being overturned and stone-pelting directed at the police,” he stated.

Calling Fadnavis’ claim that these protests are driven by the agenda of certain political parties highly irresponsible and shameless claim, Sapkal reminded the chief minister that it was the BJP and the RSS who pursued a political agenda and created instability in the country under the guise of the Anna Hazare movement in Delhi in 2014. Those with such a mindset are the ones who see only a political agenda behind students’ protests”.

“The NEET question paper leak and the gross mismanagement in the CBSE and NEET examination systems have devastated the future of millions of students. The entire country is witnessing protests, with thousands of students taking to the streets. The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to protest peacefully in a democratic manner. However, those who do not believe in the Constitution can never understand the importance of democratic protests,” he said.

The national politics is a bit tangled at the moment. The issue of paper leaks and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation has resonated from the streets to Sansad.

Despite that, it appears that knives are out in the Opposition and, instead of focusing on the grievances of students, the parties are fighting to somehow regain their lost ground.

And this was evident on Tuesday when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the principal Opposition party, Congress, of being a pawn of the ruling BJP.

As Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh met Rahul Gandhi, who staged a brief sit-in near the Prime Minister’s residence, to convince him to clear the spot, AAP claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intentionally allowed the Congress leader’s dharna to weaken the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) Jantar Mantar protest.

Interestingly enough, Rahul was protesting against the alleged police crackdown on CJP protesters during Monday’s march to Parliament, which the AAP had supported with full force.

However, AAP leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and former Delhi CM Atishi, saw a fixed match between the Congress and the BJP.

Sanjay Singh alleged that the Congress has been “abusing” the CJP protest for a month and now Rahul Gandhi wants Jantar Mantar protesters to join his protest outside the PM’s residence.

“Why does the Congress want to weaken the youth’s movement? Why doesn’t the Congress appeal for people to join the Jantar Mantar movement?” he asked.

His AAP colleague Atishi went a step further, terming Rahul Gandhi’s dharna a “fixed match” between the Congress and the BJP.

“The same Delhi Police that was not allowing CJP to move even 100 metres towards Parliament allowed Rahul Gandhi to reach right outside the PM’s residence! Do we need any more evidence that Congress and the BJP are one unit?” Atishi said on X.

Meanwhile, another AAP leader, Jasmine Shah, questioned the government’s swift outreach to Rahul Gandhi. “Within hours, two Ministers were sent for talks with Rahul Gandhi, but none came to the Cockroach Janata Party… won’t this raise suspicion? They won’t go and meet those leading the country’s biggest youth movement but went to meet the leaders of a BJP-sponsored ‘fixed-match protest.'”

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s renewed appeal for opposition parties to unite under the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP drew little enthusiasm from rival parties on Tuesday, with the Congress and the CPI(M) rejecting her overture and questioning her political credibility.

Addressing a rally in front of Birla Planetarium in Kolkata to mark the July 21 Martyrs’ Day observance, Banerjee appealed to opposition parties to put aside differences and join hands against the BJP.

“I had said on Rabindra Jayanti that we should fight across India under the INDIA bloc. Let us do the same in Bengal as well. I have no ego, no resentment against anyone. Otherwise, remember this — those who are today being allowed by the BJP to open party offices and hold meetings and rallies will also be finished after they finish us,” she said.

Without naming any party in her speech, Banerjee reiterated the appeal she had first made on Rabindra Jayanti, when she had invited the Congress, the Left and other opposition forces to join hands against the BJP in West Bengal.

The BJP was quick to react on the proposal. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said Banerjee should first focus on uniting her own party before attempting to forge an opposition alliance.

“She is now speaking about a united force. Let her first unify her own party, then she can think of unifying other political parties. A few months ago she challenged Rahul Gandhi and now she is dreaming of an alliance with the Congress. This is ridiculous,” Bhattacharya said.

Claiming that Banerjee had lost public confidence, he added that “people have rejected the Trinamool Congress” and alleged that she was unable to accept that she was no longer the chief minister.

The Congress also reacted cautiously, recalling its past political association with Banerjee. West Bengal Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar said the party had suffered politically because of Banerjee in the past.

“Mamata Banerjee’s rise came at the cost of the Congress on several occasions. She tried to destroy the Congress, and today, standing on the edge of a political crisis, she is seeking help. I hope our central leadership will keep these factors in mind before considering any alliance,” Sarkar said.

Sarkar was referring to the past when the two parties joined hands again ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, a partnership that eventually paved the way for the Trinamool Congress’ victory in the 2011 Assembly elections.

However, within two years of coming to power, Banerjee parted ways with the Congress and chose to govern on her own, without returning to the NDA, consolidating her party’s dominance in the state.

CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim also played down Banerjee’s appeal, saying her remarks did not merit much attention.

“I don’t think there is much importance to what Mamata Banerjee is saying now. Her own party is in disarray. She should first put her own house in order,” Salim said.

Days after Kamarhati MLA and long-term Mamata Banerjee loyalist Madan Mitra switched sides and joined the Ritabrata Banerjee camp of the Trinamool Congress, the national general secretary of the party’s Kalighat faction, Abhishek Banerjee served a legal notice to the former party leader seeking Rs 10 crore in damages from over allegedly defamatory remarks made during a Facebook Live session on July 19.

The notice, sent through advocate Shrabana Sengupta via email and speed post on July 21, alleges that Mitra, during an eight-minute live broadcast from his verified Facebook page, described the TMC’s second-in-command as a “criminal” and a “murderer”.

It further claims that Mitra made baseless allegations accusing Banerjee of having people killed through contract killers, thereby seriously damaging his political reputation.

The notice also refers to the closing moments of the live session, where Mitra is heard asking an unseen person, “Anything more?”, alleging that the remarks were part of a premeditated political conspiracy to malign the three-time Diamond Harbour MP.

Banerjee has demanded that Mitra issue an unconditional public apology in writing and through a video message within 72 hours and pay Rs 10 crore as compensation.

The notice states the amount would be deposited in a registered trust to fund legal action against defecting legislators and MPs and to rehabilitate victims of alleged political violence.

It also warns of civil and criminal proceedings if the demands are not met within the stipulated period.