As Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday went all out in his criticism of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla in the Lok Sabha, he also had a word of appreciation for his sister — Congress MP Priyanka Vadra Gandhi.

Rijiju claimed that under Priyanka, Congress would have performed better as she “at least comes to Parliament and listens” — the remarks that drew sharp reactions from Opposition members and a sharp response from Priyanka as well. The Wayanad MP strongly defended her brother, describing him as the only leader who refused to “bend” before the BJP-led government.

This is not the first time BJP leaders have tried to contrast Priyanka’s political style with Rahul’s, calling her a more effective and relatable figure than her brother, citing her natural connection with people, command over Hindi, sharp sense of humour, and conversational speaking style. Interestingly, however, this appears to be the first time a BJP leader has done it so openly, that too on the floor of the House. Congress leaders see it as an attempt to create internal competition between the siblings and embarrass both the Gandhi family and the party.

Taking on Gandhi multiple times during his reply, including referring to the “hug” and “wink” 2018-incident on the floor of the House, Rijiju said: “I have never seen such a leader who comes and hugs the Prime Minister, then goes back to his seat and winks at fellow party MPs (aankh maarta hai).”

He then went on to tell the Opposition: “There are many good people on your side as well. But since you have made him the Leader of the Opposition… Look, Priyanka Vadra Gandhi-ji is sitting behind and smiling. If she had been made the Leader of the Opposition, perhaps the performance would have been better. At least she sits and listens; your Leader of the Opposition does not even listen. She even smiles,” he added.

Responding to sharp reactions from the Congress, Rijiju added that as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister he believes that if any MP performs well, he should praise them. “I am a BJP leader and a minister, but as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister it is my duty to praise them. Is praising someone also a crime now? What has happened to the Congress members? They get upset if you say something good, and they get upset if you say something harsh as well,” he added.

In her retort to Rijuji, Priyanka said she was smiling because the very party that often criticises India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was now invoking his legacy. “I was laughing today because the person whom they criticise every day — Nehru ji — they are quoting the same person today. Suddenly, they have started respecting Nehru ji. They said that the one who made democracy strongest was Nehru ji,” she said.

She added that Gandhi is the only leader in the past 12 years who has not bowed before the government and continues to speak the truth fearlessly in Parliament. “This is because the LoP does not shy away from speaking the truth. They (the government) cannot digest the truth,” she said.

During the 2018 no-confidence motion debate, Gandhi walked across the aisle to hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi after delivering a speech in which he said he wanted to “clean your hearts of hatred, and instead ignite love” — a gesture that drew sharp criticism from the BJP.

One Pakistani terrorist was killed and search mounted for another one as troops of the White Knight Corps on Tuesday foiled an infiltration bid in the Jhangar sector of Nowshera along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region.

Helicopters and drones have been deployed to search the other terrorist who managed to escape.

The White Knight Corps said that “acting on credible intelligence inputs from intelligence agencies, the movement of two terrorists was detected in the general area Jhangar, Nowshera, along the LoC around 3 pm on 10 March”.

“Responding with swift and calibrated combat action, alert troops of the White Knight Corps engaged swiftly, successfully foiling the infiltration attempt.”

“In the ensuing engagement, one Pakistan-sponsored terrorist was eliminated, effectively denying any breach of the LoC”.

“Troops have been reoriented to search for the second terrorist and to ensure relentless domination of the area, supported by integrated ground and aerial surveillance. A robust operational posture and heightened alert continue across the sector,” the White Knight Corps added.

Twin Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker emerged victorious in the women’s 10m pistol event at the National Selection Trials T3 (Group A), which concluded on Monday at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.

Manu, who had just managed to qualify for the final as the eighth and last shooter, produced a strong performance in the medal round. She took control after the second series and maintained her advantage to finish with a score of 246.1. She finished 4.2 points ahead of Sainyam, who had won Trial Two and settled for the silver medal with a score of 241.9.

Esha Singh, an Asian Championship gold medallist and World Championship bronze medallist, secured third place with a score of 220.6 in the eight-woman final.

Palak Gulia, the Asian Games champion, finished fourth with a score of 200.2. Anjali Choudhary followed in fifth place after scoring 179.8, while Surbhi Rao ended sixth with 158.2.

Deaflympics medallist Pranjali Prashant Dhumal took seventh position with 138.7, while Muskan completed the top eight with a score of 117.0.

Earlier in the qualification round, Esha topped the standings with a score of 580-21x. Surbhi Rao finished second with 578-12x, followed by Muskan (577-15x). Anjali Choudhary placed fourth with 575-19x, while Sainyam (575-16x), Palak Gulia (574-14x) and Manu Bhaker (574-11x) rounded out the remaining qualifying spots.

Following the trials, the national squad shooters will now assemble for a coaching camp scheduled to run from March 11 to March 21 in the national capital.

Fresh from leading India to a record third T20 World Cup triumph, head coach Gautam Gambhir identified Sanju Samson’s match-winning 97 against the West Indies as the turning point of the campaign, with India eventually sealing the title by defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad.

Reflecting on the triumph, Gambhir described winning a World Cup as India’s head coach as a deeply emotional experience and a privilege to once again contribute in national colours.

“I could have never thought about winning a World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it’s an absolute privilege to again wear the India jersey or do something special for the country,” Gambhir said.

The former India opener added that the pride of representing the country and the appreciation of loved ones made such achievements even more meaningful. “When your mom wishes you and tells you ‘well done’, that’s what you play for and what you live for as well. What bigger feeling is there than making 140 crore Indians proud,” he said on JioStar.

Gambhir also reiterated a message he repeatedly shared with the squad during the tournament, that wearing the India jersey is a privilege. “I’ve always believed that, and I’ve always told the boys as well, that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would want to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team, and many would want to be in the position the players are in,” he said.

According to Gambhir, India’s success was shaped by a fearless brand of cricket and a clear team philosophy that prioritised impact over individual achievements. “I think more than the win, it was the way the boys adapted to the ideology and philosophy of being high-risk, high-reward. From day one, I had a very strong belief that the T20 format is about impact. It’s not about milestones or individual performances. It’s about going out there and creating an impact, whether it’s on the field, with the ball or with the bat,” Gambhir noted.

He emphasised the importance of staying focused on the present moment in the shortest format of the game. “The simple ideology throughout this World Cup was that if we could stay in the present and try to control each delivery. Whatever has gone will never come back, and you cannot control what’s going to come in the future. Even if you get hit for five sixes, the next delivery could be the game-changing moment,” he stated.

Among several standout performances during the tournament, Gambhir pointed to Samson’s 97 against the West Indies as the moment that shifted the momentum of India’s campaign.

“It’s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju’s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, irrespective of the ground,” Gambhir explained.

He added that Samson’s composure at the crease helped lift the mood in the dressing room and also praised Ishan Kishanfor his contribution during the chase.

“With the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir also credited the team’s willingness to adapt, particularly when players were asked to take on different batting roles depending on the situation. “One thing which will stay with me for the rest of my life is how comfortably the boys accepted different batting positions,” he said.

The flexibility within the side, he added, was led by captain Hardik Pandya, who remained open to adjusting his role for the benefit of the team.

“Against England in the semi-final, Shivam got promoted, and Surya was absolutely fine with it. In the final, Hardik was promoted and the captain was fine with it,” Gambhir said.

He also highlighted the adaptability shown by players such as Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube, who batted at multiple positions during the tournament depending on the demands of the match.

“Tilak started at number three, then batted at five, six and even seven, and the same with Shivam, who batted from number four to seven. That is what team sport is all about,” he said.

Gambhir reserved special praise for India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, noting that the fast bowler delivered crucial overs at different stages of the innings.

“Jasprit started with the new ball, bowled in the middle and delivered the tough overs as well,” Gambhir said. “At different stages in the competition, players were given different roles and they adapted beautifully.”

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan received a grand welcome in Patna on Tuesday after returning from India’s historic win campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Kishan arrived at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, where he was warmly received by Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh, who congratulated the entire Indian cricket team for the historic triumph.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Kishan described the World Cup victory as a proud moment for the entire nation and expressed hope that the team would continue delivering strong performances in the future.

“Our team won, and that is a very good thing not just for us but for the whole nation. We hope to continue playing like this and keep winning,” he said.

The wicketkeeper-batter also encouraged young cricketers from Bihar and neighbouring regions, emphasising that hard work remains the key to success.

“No matter where you are from, if you work hard, you can progress. I always try to inspire children even at the district level,” he added.

Kishan enjoyed an impressive tournament, finishing as India’s second-highest run-scorer with 317 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate of over 193, including three half-centuries. He also scored a crucial fifty in the final and earned Player of the Match awards against Namibia and Pakistan.

His return to the national team came after a remarkable domestic season. Before the World Cup, Kishan led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, scoring 517 runs in 10 innings, including two centuries and two fifties.

Reflecting on his comeback, Kishan said he hopes his journey will motivate young players across the country.

“It feels great because the better I perform, the more motivation it gives to young kids who want to grow. This shows that with hard work, you can succeed from anywhere,” he said.

When asked about the political controversy surrounding Captain Suryakumar Yadav, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, and Jay Shah reportedly taking the trophy to a temple after the victory, a move criticised by former cricketer and politician Kirti Azad, Kishan chose not to comment.

“We won such a good World Cup, so you should ask a good question related to that. This is not a question at all,” he said.

Kishan’s return has sparked excitement among fans in Bihar, who celebrated the success of the young cricketer who has risen from the state to shine on the global stage.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and the ministers on Tuesday congratulated the Indian cricket team for winning the ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup.

Presiding over a cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat here, Dr Mohan Yadav said that the Indian players have once again made the country proud by winning the third World Cup, the second in a row.

He also expressed happiness that cheetahs are flourishing in Madhya Pradesh.

The chief minister informed that the state government will release cheetahs in Rani Durgavati Sanctuary (Nauradehi) in about two months. With this, Madhya Pradesh will have three homes for cheetahs.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also said that crocodiles/gharials and turtles will be released in various water bodies so that the state’s biodiversity can become even richer.

Referring to the current situation in Middle East (Gulf countries), he said 24×7 helpline/control rooms have been established at Madhya Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi, and Vallabh Bhavan (Secretariat), Bhopal, to assist residents from Madhya Pradesh. Residents of Madhya Pradesh who are in Gulf countries for study, employment, business, tourism, or other reasons, and need any assistance, can contact these control rooms. All steps are being taken to ensure safe return of residents to India. Thousands of residents have already returned safely.

The Indian stock market witnessed a relief rally amid hopes of geopolitical de-escalation.

At the close, the Sensex was up 639.82 points or 0.82% at 78,205.98, and the Nifty was up 233.55 points or 0.97% at 24,261.60.

The Nifty Midcap index added 1.6 percent, while the Smallcap indices rose 2 percent.

The overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms increased to nearly Rs 448 lakh crore, up from Rs 441 lakh crore in the previous session.

In terms of sectors, all the indices ended in the green except IT and oil & gas. The Auto index rose 3%, the Consumer Durables index added 2.6%, and the PSU Bank index gained 2.2%.

Over 220 stocks touched their 52-week lows. These included Sapphire Foods, Jubilant Pharmova, TCS, Bajaj Holdings, Devyani International, Amara Raja, Bata India, Procter and Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, and Gujarat Gas, among others.

On the Nifty, the key gainers were Shriram Finance, Interglobe Aviation, Eicher Motors, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle, and M&M.

On the losing end were Infosys, Eternal, Bharti Airtel, ONGC, and Reliance Industries.

Among banking stocks, Federal Bank rose nearly 2.4%, while ICICI Bank shares advanced more than 2%.

In global markets, US stock futures pointed to a higher opening, with Dow futures rising 0.4% to 47,970, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.4% to 6,830.75.

France’s CAC 40 climbed 1.9%, Germany’s DAX advanced 2.4%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 1.6%.

Asian markets also posted gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 2.9%, while South Korea’s Kospi surged 5.4%.

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the extension and restructuring of the Jal Jeevan Mission, expanding the programme’s timeline to December 2028 and raising its overall outlay to Rs 8.69 lakh crore as the government shifts focus from infrastructure creation to long-term service delivery and governance reforms in rural water supply.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposal put forward by the Ministry of Jal Shakti seeks to transform the mission into a sustainable, service-oriented programme backed by stronger institutional mechanisms. “The Cabinet has approved restructuring and reorientation of the Jal Jeevan Mission from an infrastructure-centric approach to a service delivery model supported by a robust drinking water governance and institutional ecosystem,” he said.

‎Under the revised plan, the government approved a total programme outlay of Rs 8.69 lakh crore, including central assistance of Rs 3.59 lakh crore. This marks a significant increase from the Rs 2.08 lakh crore central allocation approved when the scheme was first launched in 2019–20, adding an additional Rs 1.51 lakh crore in central funding.

‎The revamped programme, often referred to as JJM 2.0, will introduce structural reforms aimed at improving the sustainability of rural drinking water systems. A key initiative under the new framework is the creation of a national digital platform called “Sujalam Bharat”, which will assign each village a unique “Sujal Gaon” or service area identification number and digitally map the entire drinking water supply network from source to household tap.

‎To improve transparency and accountability, the government plans to involve Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees in the commissioning and handover of water supply schemes through a process called “Jal Arpan”. Under this system, a Gram Panchayat will declare itself “Har Ghar Jal” only after verifying that proper operation and maintenance mechanisms have been established within the village by the respective state government.

‎Officials also said the programme will promote a community-led initiative called “Jal Utsav”, an annual event designed to review and maintain water supply systems while encouraging local participation in the long-term sustainability of drinking water resources.
‎Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household in India.

Government data indicates that the scheme has significantly expanded access to piped drinking water since its inception. From a baseline of 3.23 crore rural households—around 17% of the total—with tap water connections in 2019, more than 12.56 crore additional households have been covered so far.

‎At present, out of 19.36 crore rural households identified by states and Union Territories, around 15.80 crore—about 81.61%—are reported to have access to tap water connections.

‎The government said the programme has also generated wider social and economic benefits. Studies cited by officials suggest that improved access to drinking water has reduced the burden of water collection on women and improved health outcomes in rural communities.

Research by the State Bank of India indicates that the scheme has freed nearly nine crore women from the daily task of fetching water, while estimates by the World Health Organization suggest it has helped prevent hundreds of thousands of diarrhoeal deaths and significantly reduced the time spent collecting water.

‎With the extension of the programme, the government aims to provide tap water connections to all 19.36 crore rural households by December 2028 and ensure that all Gram Panchayats across the country achieve “Har Ghar Jal” certification. Officials said the restructured mission will also promote stronger coordination across ministries to ensure long-term operation and maintenance of rural water supply infrastructure while securing sustainable water sources.

‎The reforms are part of the government’s broader development vision linked to Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims to establish reliable and continuous drinking water services in rural areas through a citizen-centric and utility-based approach to water management.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has resigned, more than three months after the country’s largest airline experienced its worst-ever operational meltdown in December last year. The resignation will be effective immediately.

In a regulatory filing, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, which operates IndiGo, said that the Board of Directors of the Company took note of the Elbers’ resignation at a meeting held on Tuesday, March 10.

“We wish to inform you that the Board of Directors of the Company, at its meeting held today, i.e., March 10, 2026, inter-alia, took note of the resignation tendered by Mr. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer. He will be relieved from the service of the Company effective close of business hours on March 10, 2026,” the airline said in the statement.

The company further stated that Rahul Bhatia, the managing director of IndiGo, will shoulder Elbers’ responsibilities on an interim basis.

How IndiGo crisis triggered the monopoly-duopoly charge, what Opposition alleged and the real situation

According to reports, Elbers cited personal reasons in the resignation letter submitted on March 10 and requested his notice period be waived.

“As per our conversation, due to personal reasons, I herewith submit my resignation from the position of CEO of IndiGo with effect from today. I would request that the notice period may be waived off,” Elbers wrote in his resignation.

He said that it was an honour to lead IndiGo and offered to assist the airline with the transition if required. “If the company so desires, obviously, I will be available for any handover or transition otherwise. I would like to thank you personally and IndiGo’s Board for the support extended to me.”

The development comes a little over three months after IndiGo faced its worst-ever operational crisis. The airline’s failure to comply with the Civil Aviation Ministry’s stricter pilot fatigue regulations led to a crew shortage, resulting in the cancellation of more than 4,000 flights in the first half of December.

Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar’s wife, Bindu Menon, on Tuesday said that since her husband apologized for cheating on her, she won’t go ahead with the complaint against him.

Bindu Menon had accused Ganesh Kumar of infidelity on Monday. Speaking to a News channel on Tuesday, she said her husband had called and apologised to her for his indiscretion. She said an apology, rather than legal action, was what she sought.

Bindu also said that as she did not take his calls, Ganesh called her sister and spoke to her emotionally. “He called me and said we could resolve it, which is what I wanted too. I never wanted to pursue legal action, nor do I seek any revenge,” she said.

“Many had contacted me, but I refrained from responding. My intention was never to tarnish anyone’s reputation or that of the government. I am the person who will continue to live with the minister, so there is no need for him to apologise publicly,” she further said. She urged others to respect her privacy.

With this development, speculation over the minister’s resignation appears to have ended, providing some relief to the LDF government in the poll-bound state.

Allegations of purported sexual misconduct against Kerala Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar have put the LDF government in an embarrassing situation just months ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

Bindu Menon, second wife of Kerala Congress (B) leader and Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, has openly accused him of infidelity on Monday . She accused Gansh Kumar of being found in a situation inside their family home in Valakam that, she said, “no one could even imagine.”

Bindu, a close relative of ex-DGP and BJP leader R Sreelekha, further alleged that as advised by the latter, she had called up the police seeking help. But despite her distress call, the police failed to act. Bindu also accused the minister’s personal staff of assault

Following this,the Congress has targeted the minister seeking his resignation. The KSU, the student wing of the Congress filed a complaint before the state police chief seeking action against the erring cops

Bindu’s claim that she had to seek help by contacting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter, Veena Vijayan, has created a political storm, as the government has long championed women’s safety.

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD. Satheeshan on Monday sharply criticised the Kerala Police and the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over serious allegations raised by Bindu Menon against her husband and transport minister KB Ganesh Kumar.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Satheesan questioned the safety and justice available to ordinary women in Kerala , arguing that if even a minister’s wife cannot receive justice from police, then no other woman can expect it.

The Opposition leader sought a reply from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on an allegation that the police failed to legally process a distress call from Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar’s wife, Bindu Menon.

Satheesan said it was shocking that police officers who reached the spot allegedly failed to provide protection the complainant, the minister’s wife and instead left the scene

He questioned whether the police fled out of fear because the complaint involved a minister’s family. Satheesan said that such incidents were a disgrace to a government that frequently claims to ensure women’s safety, and demanded that the Chief Minister respond to the people of Kerala

Satheesan said transport minister Ganesh Kumar’s wife, Bindu Menon was allegedly locked inside a room and had to call the police for help. Even after the police arrived, he said, they didn’y give protection to her-neither they checked her condition nor investigated whether she had been assaulted or injured, and did not attempt to rescue her from the situation.

He asked whether women can expect safety from such a police force. “Which woman can expect safety from such a police force? The police abandoned the complainant and left. What kind of pathetic situation is this? What kind of government is this,” Satheesan asked

In a sharp response, Ganesh Kumar termed the whole episode a political move. Without dismissing or accepting the allegations, he said nobody has the right to interfere in his personal life. Referring to the romantic lives of writers Madhavikutty, Punathil Kunjabdulla and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, he opined that it’s natural to have love affairs in life. “It is a political move aimed at the upcoming elections.

Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen concluded his match at the All England Open 2026 recently, closing with a silver medal. He shared about his mindset upon reaching the finals of a tough tournament.

Lakshya became only the second Indian player to reach two All England finals, settling for a silver medal after the 24-year-old went down in the men’s singles final 21-15, 22-20 against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in the summit clash.

Lakshya’s mentor, Prakash Padukone, had reached the All England final in 1980 and 1981 and won the title in his first appearance in the summit clash.

He focused on taking “one match at a time” during his campaign, adding that a psychological discipline allowed him to navigate a demanding draw without the added weight of external expectations.

Speaking about whether the weight of carrying the hopes of the nation alone ever affected his performance or added extra pressure in such big tournaments, Lakshya said he maintained a simple perspective.

“I was focusing on one match at a time. I wasn’t thinking about the draw or who I might face next. Whenever I stepped on the court, my only focus was on my match,” Lakshya said at a virtual press conference.

The 24-year-old shuttler also opened up the mental shift from the breakthrough run at the 2022 edition, where he reached the final of the prestigious tournament for the first time. He said that although he played freely without expectations in 2022, he was able to prepare better this time to deal with the pressure of big matches.

“When I played the final at All England in 2022, I was enjoying the moment and playing without expectations. But this time, when I reached the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, I was better prepared in terms of how to handle and play such pressure matches. This time, I had the belief that I could win, but in 2022, it was a bit different, as I was just trying to see how far I could go,” the Paris Olympic semifinalist said.

Lakshya admitted that the semifinal match against Canada’s Victor Lai, which lasted for one hour and 37 minutes, made it difficult for him to be at his absolute best in the final against Chun-Yi.

“The semifinal I played took a toll on my body, especially since I was cramping during the match. I did everything I could to recover and come back strong for the final. The cramping in the semifinal made it difficult to get back to 100 per cent the next day. During and after the match, my muscles were under a lot of fatigue,” he added.

Reflecting on his entire campaign, Lakshya said:

“It has been a good week overall, but also an emotional one. I made it to the finals but didn’t manage to win the match, so I’m a little disheartened. However, when I look back at the tournament and the way I played throughout the matches, there are many positives that I can take into the upcoming tournaments. The confidence this tournament has given me will definitely help me in the future.”

Despite being summoned by the CBI for questioning in connection with the killer stampede during his rally at Karur in September last, actor-turned politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Tuesday commenced interviewing ticket aspirants for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections.

The interview of those who have applied for a party ticket was conducted by Vijay at the TVK headquarters at Panaiyur, a suburb of Chennai. On the first day, nearly 20 candidates were interviewed and the process will continue for a few more days. With this, a defiant Vijay seems to be putting up a brave face before his supporters and fans.

The actor skipped appearing before the CBI headquarters in Delhi, choosing instead to focus on preparations for the TVK’s debut election. The party had requested a two-week extension for Vijay to appear before the premier investigating agency. Vijay also sought permission to present himself at the CBI’s regional office in Chennai, rather than in Delhi.

For the September 27 last rally in Karur city, Vijay arrived very late in the evening, while the crowd had gathered since noon. Minutes after he commenced his address there was a stampede in which 41 lives, including women and children, were lost. The Supreme Court had entrusted the CBI with probing the tragedy, and Vijay has appeared before the CBI twice in Delhi. TVK senior functionaries ‘Bussy’ N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and CTR Nirmal Kumar have also appeared before the CBI for questioning in Delhi.

The CBI’s summoning of the actor for the third time comes amid speculation that the BJP national leadership is engaging interlocutors like Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM, and Jana Sena President Pawan Kalyan to convince Vijay to join the NDA for the assembly poll. Although Vijay has identified the BJP as TVK’s ideological enemy, the party appears to have not given up its efforts to rope him into the saffron fold.

Meanwhile, the ruling DMK’s Karur strongman and former Minister V Senthil Balaji has disclosed that he would present himself before the CBI on March 17 in response to summons issued by the central agency in connection with the killer stampede. Only the other day, he had denied any summons being issued to him.

“Regarding the Karur tragedy, contradictory reports have come out in a section of the media regarding the CBI issuing a summons to me. I will appear before the CBI on March 17 and share the necessary details that I have about the horrendous incident,” he said in a social media post.

Representatives of Mumbai’s hoteliers led by the Indian Hotel And Restaurant Association (AHAR) met Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal here on Tuesday to discuss the shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a fallout of the ongoing Iran war.

The development came even as Sharad Pawar-led NCP leader Rohini Khadse threatened that “the gas shortage should be resolved immediately, otherwise we will take to the streets”.

AHAR also sent an SOS to the Union Petroleum Ministry and the Maharashtra state civil supplies department regarding the acute shortage of cooking gas cylinders in Mumbai for hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments.

“Already 20% of hotels in Mumbai have shut due to gas shortage and another 60% will shut down in the next couple of days. The crisis caused by the war in Iran is impacting us now. A thriving black market in LPG cylinders has emerged. A commercial cylinder costing Rs 1,600 each is now being sold for Rs 3,000,” AHAR President Shetty said.

In a letter to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, AHAR President Vijay K Shetty stated that while the industry could cope with a limited reduction of about 25% in cooking gas supply, a complete stoppage would prove to be disastrous, affecting both businesses and millions of workers dependent on them.

AHAR stated that any cut in gas supply beyond 25% would be catastrophic, making it “practically impossible” for hotels and restaurants to continue operations.

“In view of the unavoidable situation arising globally, we humbly submit that the industry may be able to manage up to 25% curtailment in gas supply. However, a 100 percent curtailment or complete stoppage would make it practically impossible for hotel establishments to operate. We therefore request your kind intervention to ensure that the hospitality industry continues to receive at least minimum gas supply so that restaurants and hotels can continue to function and protect the livelihoods of workers,” according to the AHAR statement.

India consumes around 31.3 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) annually, out of which about 87 per cent is used by household kitchens, while the remaining LPG (cooking gas) is used by hotels and restaurants.

Nearly 62 per cent of India’s cooking gas requirement is met through imports. After the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, LPG supply routes have been affected due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which India typically receives around 90 per cent of its LPG imports from countries Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Yet, Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies Yogesh Kadam said here on Tuesday that, “We have not come across any examples of hotels being closed. The central government has taken a decision regarding LPG for commercial use. However, there are no problems regarding domestic use. There will be no shortage for the next few days, because gas reserves in the Gulf have been supplied to us. Therefore, this issue will be resolved soon. We are following the orders given by the central government. A warlike situation has arisen. The Chief Minister is keeping an eye on everything”.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray demanded that the central government must release official information about the cooking gas cylinder shortage in the country. Tweeting from his X account on Tuesday, Aaditya Thackeray stated that “The central government should give official information to the entire country about the consequences and hardships that the common people will have to face due to this war”.

Talking about the issue, Congress MLA Satej Patil said that restrictions have been imposed on cooking gas to commercial establishments like hotels. “Gas supply to households is also likely to be affected. Petroleum companies do not seem to have raw materials. This is the result of a wrong foreign policy”.

“So many people use gas, whether in the industry or business or at home. The impact of inflation will be felt by 100 percent of the people. The middle class will have to bear it for the next 10 days. The government is trying to show that everything is fine in order to prevent a panic situation, but everybody knows what the ground situation is. The government should assure the house that there will be no gas shortage. We will raise this question in the house”.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, approved the revised total capital cost of Rs 3630.77 crore for the construction of greenfield connectivity to Jewar International Airport from Delhi-Faridabad-Ballabgarh-Sohna Spur of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on Hybrid Annuity Mode in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

This 31.42-km-long project corridor will provide direct and high-speed connectivity from South Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram to Jewar International Airport, thereby promoting economic growth and logistics efficiency across the National Capital Region (NCR).

The corridor intersects Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, and Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), enabling multimodal transport convergence. The elevated corridor is not merely a structural enhancement but a strategic enabler for urban transformation, regional connectivity, and national logistics efficiency.

Its construction is imperative to unlock the full potential of the Jewar Airport–Delhi–Mumbai Expressway corridor and to ensure sustainable urban development in Faridabad.

About 11 km length of this project is to be developed as an elevated highway which forms a critical segment of the Greenfield connectivity between DND-Ballabgarh Bypass and Jewar International Airport, linking it to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

This corridor traverses the area earmarked for high-density urban development and future infrastructure expansion under the Faridabad Master Plan, 2031.

The additional cost of the proposed elevated corridor is Rs 689.24 crore and the Haryana Government has agreed to bear Rs 450 crore for elevated corridor.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board and committee meetings, scheduled to be held in Doha later this month, have been called off due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, some of the key discussions, particularly those involving the ICC’s finance committee, are now expected to take place virtually over the coming weeks.

The meetings were originally slated for March 25 to 27 and were set to bring together ICC Board directors, chief executives, committee members and members of the organisation’s senior leadership. Among the major items on the agenda were the future of the ICC’s global broadcast rights, early conversations around the next Future Tours Programme (FTP), and the qualification pathway for cricket’s inclusion at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The ICC’s current broadcast agreement with JioStar runs until 2027, making the discussions around the next rights cycle particularly significant. Informal conversations on the upcoming FTP cycle have already begun, with several board members sounding out counterparts as they begin shaping cricket’s next four-year international calendar.

This was also set to be the first time the ICC would host its meetings in Qatar, where cricket participation has reportedly grown in recent years. However, with airspace disruptions and limited flight connectivity caused by the regional situation, staging the gathering in person has been deemed impractical for now.

The possibility of holding physical meetings in April remains open, depending on whether travel conditions improve.

The instability in West Asia has also begun affecting international fixtures. The white-ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates from March 13 to 25, is now likely to be postponed indefinitely.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday began the discussion on a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla after Congress MP Mohammad Jawed formally moved the motion in the House. Though the motion, signed by 118 Opposition MPs, accuses the Speaker of “partisan” conduct, citing instances of Opposition leaders allegedly not being allowed to speak, the debate soon turned into a sparring match between the BJP-led government and the INDIA bloc with liberal references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusations flying from all sides.

Since the Opposition lacks the numbers, the motion and the debate is widely seen as an attempt to send a broader political message by the Opposition, and also the ruling party. Defending Birla, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was “no cure” for those who believed they were above the authority of the Speaker, an apparent reference to Gandhi.

The discussion itself began on a contentious note, with Opposition members questioning the validity of proceedings being conducted by someone nominated by the very Speaker against whom the motion had been moved. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal was at that time presiding over the proceedings.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi first raised the issue, followed by Congress leaders K. C. Venugopal and Gaurav Gogoi. Home Minister Amit Shah intervened, arguing that the Speaker’s office cannot remain vacant. “The word ‘preside’ refers to conducting the proceedings of the House. Even when elections for the Speaker take place, the functioning of the office continues.” Shah said.

The Home Minister is also expected to reply to the debate.

Opposition leaders also pointed out that during the three previous occasions when resolutions were moved against a Lok Sabha Speaker, the Deputy Speaker had presided over the proceedings. The current government, however, has not appointed one. When Gogoi criticised Rijiju, saying that he would be remembered as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister who interrupted the Opposition the most, Shah said he agreed with Gogoi — that Rijiju had indeed interrupted the most — adding that the country had never seen such an “irresponsible Opposition”.

Initiating the debate, Gogoi said the motion was not aimed at targeting Birla personally but at preserving the dignity of the Lok Sabha. He alleged that even the microphone system was being “weaponised” against Opposition members. Microphones were readily available to the ruling side but were often switched off when Opposition leaders, particularly Gandhi, tried to speak, he alleged.

Gogoi cited issues on which Gandhi sought to speak but was prevented from doing so, including former Army chief M. M. Naravane’s book, the Epstein files, and India’s trade agreement with the U.S. Speaking about when Birla advised the Prime Minister not to attend the House during the reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Gogoi said the Speaker cited “credible information that certain women MPs intended to surround the Prime Minister’s chair and create an unexpected situation, calling it “shameful”,

Defending Birla, Rijiju highlighted several procedural reforms during his tenure, including an increase in matters raised under Rule 377, special mentions, and opportunities given to the Opposition to ask supplementary questions. Quoting remarks made by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during a no-confidence motion against the Speaker in 1954, Rijiju said the Speaker and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are custodians of parliamentary institutions.

Referring to Gandhi’s statement that he did not require anyone’s permission to speak in Parliament, Rijiju said in this House, whether it is the Prime Minister, a minister or the Leader of the Opposition, everyone needs the Speaker’s permission to speak. Microphones do not automatically turn on for ministers either and all members must follow established rules, he asserted. At one point, he referred to an earlier Lok Sabha session when Gandhi went over to the Treasury Benches to hug PM Modi. “Have you seen any Leader of the Opposition run to hug the Prime Minister and then go back and wink at his colleagues,” he questioned.

A heated exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly defended Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, calling him the only leader who has not bowed before the BJP-led government in the past decade. Her remarks came during a debate on a resolution seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. During the debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who accused the Opposition of undermining the Speaker’s authority, criticised Rahul Gandhi’s conduct in the House.

Speaking during the discussion, Priyanka Gandhi said Rahul Gandhi had remained steadfast despite repeated attacks from the ruling side. “There is only one person in the country who has not bowed down before them (the ruling side) in the last 12 years. It is the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. This is because the LoP does not shy away from speaking the truth. They (government) cannot digest the truth.”

Priyanka Gandhi was allowed to address the House by presiding member Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was chairing the session at the time.

‘Have no cure if you believe to be above Speaker’: Kiren Rijiju on RaGa

Earlier in the debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to the no-confidence motion against Om Birla, accusing Opposition MPs of trying to undermine parliamentary procedures.

He criticised remarks previously made by Rahul Gandhi about speaking in Parliament without seeking permission from the Speaker.

“When you look at the Constitution and the rules of the House, no one has challenged any decision of the Speaker. That day, I was upset for the fact that the Opposition MP said, ‘I do not need permission from anyone to speak in Parliament.’ This is on record. ‘This is my right to speak in Parliament, our Leader of Opposition said. So, I was thinking, there are many senior members in Congress, why did they not explain that in this House, PM, minister, LoP can be present, but one needs permission from the Speaker to speak,” Rijiju said in the House.

Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “On that day, I was pained to see that the leader of the opposition standing here in the proceedings said that he does not need anyone’s permission to speak in this House… I was thinking, why didn’t the senior leaders of the Congress… pic.twitter.com/ggYAv4BWIC

— IANS (@ians_india) March 10, 2026

Referring to a past instance in which Rahul Gandhi allegedly addressed the Chair informally, Rijiju remarked that the Speaker is the custodian of the House and cannot be referred to casually as “yaar”.

During his remarks, Rijiju cited the 2018 episode in which the Congress leader walked across the House to hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a debate. “I have never seen such a leader, who comes and hugs the Prime Minister, then goes back to his seat and winks at fellow party MPs,” Rijiju said, recalling the moment that had drawn widespread attention at the time.

Taking a jibe at the Opposition MPs, Minister Rijiju said that he has “no cure” if one believes themselves to be above the speaker in the House, referencing the previous statement of Rahul Gandhi.

“You cannot do this, and then you say your microphone is not on. Without permission, if you consider yourself to be above the Speaker, I do not have the cure for that,” the minister added.

Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “They want to control the role of the Speaker as well. They want to decide who sits in the chair… Unfortunately, they are trying to take over the Speaker’s authority…”

(Source: Sansad TV) pic.twitter.com/31d4buc6yx

— IANS (@ians_india) March 10, 2026

In a lighter moment during the debate, Rijiju also mentioned Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could be more suited for the role of Leader of Opposition. “She devotes more time to the House, is more affable and can handle the LoP position in a better manner,” Rijiju said, as Priyanka Gandhi listened with a smile.