For 28 years, Trinamool Congress was synonymous with Mamata Banerjee. His party, his command, his word.
That certainty ended on June 3, when, for the first time since Mamata founded the TMC in 1998, a large group of elected Trinamool MLAs openly broke with the leadership – they did not leave the party; Instead, he claimed to be its “real” voice in the House.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would have to decide between making a deal with Iran or doing it “the other way”, which he commented would not be “good”.He said he would prefer to deal with Iran in a “good way”.“Now I have to make a determination: Do we sign a deal, or do we do it… another way? And the other way is not good,” Trump told the New York Post.The American leader was then asked what this “other way” would achieve.He replied: “Certainly… it will be over. There will be no mess. No negotiations. No delays. But I would prefer to do it in a good way… from a humanitarian point of view.”After this the reporter asked Trump whether all this could be achieved only by bombing. In response, he said: “Yeah, you don’t have to do that. We don’t need boots on the ground. We destroyed most of their army just by bombing. We didn’t kill anybody on the ground. You don’t want to do that if you can avoid it. You’re too far.”The Republican leader’s comments came a day after Iran attacked Kuwait’s main international airport, targeting a key US ally, amid an already strained ceasefire. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly targeted Washington’s allies across the region, in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February that sparked the Middle East conflict.The US-Iran ceasefire is in effect from April 8.A ceasefire was announced a day after Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that “an entire civilization will die tonight”, sparking controversy.
New Delhi: D.K shivkumar The era has begun in Karnataka. CongressThe biggest troublemaker has finally arrived as the Chief Minister of his state – a dream he cherished and worked for for years. Shivakumar took the oath of office in the name of the revered saint “Gangadhar Ajja” while holding a copy of the Constitution in his hands. His promotion comes after a long wait, but it has the potential to change the political dynamics in the state. Karnataka Congress chief stakes claim to the top post for the first time in 2023 after leading the party to a record victory BJP In the assembly elections. However, the Congress high command then favored Siddaramaiah’s experience and asked Shivakumar to wait for his turn under a rotational power-sharing arrangement.
karnataka assembly 2023 results
The fact that the Congress high command managed to ensure a smooth transition of power despite hurdles has put the grand old party in a strong position ahead of the 2028 assembly elections in the state. The Congress will hope that this leadership change will help the party counter the anti-incumbency wave, if any, against the Siddaramaiah government.But this leadership change is not just about countering the anti-incumbency wave. It is also about how the change in caste equations with this leadership change could affect the success of political parties in the state.It is no surprise that the BJP and JD(S) would be closely watching the 64-year-old Vokkaliga Congress stalwart serving as the Chief Minister. The Congress move forces both the parties that hold the opposition spot in the state to go back to their drawing boards and rework their strategies and balance the caste factor ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.
For the BJP, Shivakumar’s promotion could potentially disrupt the strategy the party has spent years building in Karnataka.State politics has long revolved around two dominant communities – the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas. Simply put, they hold the keys to power. Members of both these groups have held the post of Chief Minister more times than any other community in the history of Karnataka, making them central to every party’s electoral calculations.While the BJP’s strength has traditionally come from the Lingayat belt, especially under BS Yediyurappa, its expansion plans depended on making deep inroads into the Vokkaliga-dominated old Mysuru region.This was basically the reason behind BJP’s alliance with JD(S). The BJP’s strategy was clear: it would bring in its Lingayat support base, while helping the HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy-led JD(S) garner Vokkaliga votes. Together, the alliance was expected to form a coalition capable of challenging the Congress across southern Karnataka. But the elevation of Shivakumar, one of the state’s most influential Vokkaliga leaders, as chief minister complicates that calculation.Shivakumar gave the Congress something that its rivals would have loved that it did not have, a powerful Vokkaliga face not only part of the party but actually holding the top post in the state. His rise comes at a time when the BJP is carefully balancing its caste equations. The party appointed Vokkaliga leader R Ashok as the leader of the opposition while handing over the state unit chairmanship to Lingayat leader BS Yediyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra. The message was clear: a Lingayat would lead the organization and a Vokkaliga would lead the fight against the government.Now that Shivkumar is in the Chief Minister’s chair, the balancing process may have to be changed.The concern within a section of the BJP is that it may be difficult to consolidate support for the NDA in southern Karnataka because of a Vokkaliga chief minister. There is also a possibility that the Congress may want to further expand its social alliance by reaching out to sections of the backward classes and Dalits, who may be disappointed with Siddaramaiah’s departure.For a BJP that was hoping to expand beyond its traditional strongholds, Shivakumar’s rise presents a new challenge.
And while the BJP has the caste balance in check, its ally Janata Dal (Secular), led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy, faces a real challenge.The party has considered the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region as its impregnable fortress. The community, which is one of the most powerful agrarian and socio-political factions in Karnataka, has traditionally stood behind the Deve Gowda clan, seeing them as the ultimate guardians of Vokkaliga pride.However, Shivakumar being the Chief Minister directly threatens this monopoly as he is no longer just a political challenger but now has the authority as Chief Minister to woo the community with his administrative decisions. The JD(S) now needs to rework the strategy to protect its core voter base from a formidable, incumbent Vokkaliga CM who has the state machinery, necessary resources and a point to prove. This becomes even more challenging given the fact that JD(S) has been on a decline for some time now.In the 2023 assembly elections, the party won just 19 seats and secured around 13% vote share, in sharp contrast to the Congress, which came to power with 135 seats. It is noteworthy that the Congress has made big gains in many parts of the old Mysore region, which has been a JD(S) stronghold for years.The rivalry between Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy has also intensified in the last few years. The two leaders have repeatedly locked horns, with Kumaraswamy accusing the Congress of trying to weaken the JD(S) politically, while Shivakumar has rejected the claims, saying the regional party remains indispensable in Karnataka politics.The JD(S), which had shared power with the Congress in the past, now has a task ahead of it. There is a need to formulate a strategy to ensure that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar does not marginalize the party in state politics. DK Shivakumar, on the other hand, will have to prove that his governance skills are as good as his crisis management skills. The Congress stalwart, who has spent years building his image as a skilled organizer capable of delivering victories and protecting the party in its toughest moments, will now have to show that he too can lead the party successfully.
Bengaluru: After being hit by a speeding motorcycle while on his way home and suffering serious injuries and loss of wages, a daily wage laborer fought a long legal battle to win compensation.This saga began on May 10, 2023, when Shiv KumarThe 49-year-old man, a resident of Nelamangala taluk, was walking on the Sivagangae-Kudur road at around 6.20 pm. The rider of the motorcycle belonging to Gangamma of Koratagere taluk of Tumakuru district came at high speed and carelessly and collided with him. Kumar fell to the ground and suffered serious injuries – a fracture in his left ankle and multiple fractures in the metatarsal bones of his right foot.Kumar was immediately taken to the District General Hospital in Tumakuru. He was discharged with the advice of surgery and later admitted to Sridevi Medical College Hospital in Tumakuru on 21 May, where internal fixation was done for his left ankle fracture. The fracture of the right foot was treated conservatively by applying plaster.With regular follow-up treatment and advised bed rest, he was discharged on May 30 after a stay of 10 days. Dobbaspet police registered a case against the motorcyclist.Kumar filed a petition before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal-3, seeking compensation of Rs 30 lakh, alleging that due to accidental injuries, he was unable to work and had incurred huge expenses on medical treatment. Before the accident, he had claimed that he was healthy and earned Rs 22,000 per month as a labourer.But the insurer, Chola MS General Insurance Company Limited, contested the claim, saying the vehicle did not have a valid fitness certificate as on the date of the accident and the compensation sought was excessive.After hearing both sides, the tribunal examined witnesses, including a hospital records officer and the doctor who assessed Kumar’s disability at 22%. Since the doctor did not treat her or review follow-up records, functional disability was fixed at 20%. The manager of the insurer admitted that the vehicle was insured and the rider was licensed, thereby weakening his protection, and the tribunal dismissed the alleged policy violations.Since Kumar could not produce documentary proof of his income, the tribunal applied an estimated income of Rs 16,000 per month. To this was added Rs 32,000 for loss of income during the two-month recovery period, Rs 14,421 for proven medical bills, and Rs 30,000 for future medical expenses including pain and suffering, attendant and transportation charges, loss of future facilities and recommended implant removal surgery.A tribunal bench headed by BS Honnaswami, seventh additional SCJ and ACJM, member MACT-3, on May 2 directed the insurance company to pay a total compensation of Rs 6.7 lakh with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the petition till recovery, which does not include Rs 30,000 awarded for future medical expenses.
Three members of the Royal Navy have died when a military helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Devon, the Ministry of Defense has confirmed.The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning near Sourton Down, near Okehampton. Emergency services were alerted at about 3.45am after a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter was reported to have crashed in a field.According to the Defense Ministry, the plane was taking part in a training exercise when it crashed.In a post on Twitter, the ministry said: “It is with deep sadness that we can confirm that three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise near Saughton, Devon, on Wednesday, June 3.”The ministry said the families of the deceased personnel have been informed.“The families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested some time off before releasing further information. Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this tragic time,” it said.The identities of the three personnel have not yet been released. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord and head of the Royal Navy, said he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.He said: “I am very sad to share the news that a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter has crashed near Saunton, Devon this morning, killing all three crew members on board.“I know this will be a huge blow to everyone in our Navy community, and I have my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones affected by this tragedy.“I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning.”Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the scene shortly before 4am and emergency services responded to the scene of the crash.
Escalating the crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to a bigger level, expelled party leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose has recognized him as the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and accepted the rebel camp’s claim for legislative party status.Addressing a press conference, Banerjee said the rebel faction represented the “real and main opposition” in the assembly and announced a new leadership structure. He named Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin and Shiuli Saha as deputy leaders of the legislature party.The development comes as 58 rebel MLAs submitted letters of support to the Speaker, easily crossing the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law for the breakaway faction to avoid disqualification. The group has proposed Banerjee as the legislature party leader and Akhruzzaman as the chief whip.In an open challenge to the authority of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the rebels stopped short of directly confronting the former chief minister. Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee said he wants Mamata Banerjee to serve as the chief advisor of the legislature party, while the rebel camp continues to recognize her as the party president.The rebellion, which began after TMC’s defeat in the recent assembly elections, is widely seen as the biggest internal challenge the party has faced since its formation. In response, TMC has dissolved all organizational committees across West Bengal and announced a review of its party structure.
Ritabrata Banerjee’s emergence as leader of the rebel camp marks another dramatic turn in a political career defined by sharp ideological shifts and frequent clashes with the party establishment.The 46-year-old first rose to prominence as the general secretary of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and was considered one of the most promising young leaders of the Left. In 2014, he entered the Rajya Sabha with the support of CPI(M) and was considered close to senior leaders including Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Sitaram Yechury.However, he was suspended and ultimately expelled from the CPI(M) in 2017 due to allegations of indiscipline and factionalism, bringing an abrupt end to what many in the party saw as a promising political career.After a brief period on the political sidelines, Banerjee moved closer to TMC and formally joined the party in 2020 after the completion of her Rajya Sabha term. Within the party, he quickly regained his influence, leading the Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC), securing another Rajya Sabha seat in 2024 and later winning election to the assembly.His rise within the TMC made his role in the current rebellion particularly influential. Banerjee, once seen as part of the party’s inner circle, is now leading the biggest internal challenge the party has faced since its formation, with the rebel camp claiming the support of 58 MLAs and control of the legislature party.“This is perhaps the only prominent politician from Bengal who has been expelled by both CPI(M) and TMC,” quipped a veteran political observer quoted by PTI.The developments have been compared to the 2022 political turmoil in Maharashtra under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, where legislative power became the basis for a challenge to the party leadership.
Some images don’t just test your vision; They also quietly reveal what’s really in your heart. At first glance, this personality test looks simple: three neatly wrapped boxes, all the same size, the same size, tied with the same rustic string and placed in front of a spoon, fork, and knife. They look alike, as if they are all being “served” the same way. But the box you’re instinctively drawn to says something deeper about how much you love your friends, what you want in a relationship, and what feels safe for you emotionally — even if you’ve never put it into words.It’s not about right or wrong, or good versus bad personalities. It’s about emotional style. Some people want comfort and familiarity, some thrive on balance and mutual effort, and others want depth and intensity that transforms them. The box you are most attracted to represents what your friendship pattern has been over the years.
You are someone who finds comfort, belonging, and emotional stability in your friendships. You are a safe haven for others, a calming influence that people send messages to when they are overwhelmed or confused. You demonstrate your care through consistency, you check in, you remember details, you’re there when it matters. For you, real friendship should be homey, soft, down to earth and drama-free. Because of this, you often nurture more than you ask for. You like routine, recurring calls, and long-term bonds that don’t require you to constantly “prove” the friendship. The other aspect? You may be slow to trust new people. Opening up to strangers or venturing into new social circles can feel tiring or risky. You can remain loyal to familiar relationships even when they have stopped growing you, simply because they feel safe.There’s nothing wrong with romantic comfort — but it’s worth gently asking yourself: Are there any new, potentially beautiful friendships you’re keeping at bay just because they’re unfamiliar?
If you chose the middle box, you’re all about fairness. You seriously give time and heart to relationships, but you expect exactly the same energy. One-sided bondage where you carry all the weight? Total dealbreaker. You are very good at reading the room and hate petty drama, gossip or mind games. Hunt? Your love of balance can make you appear a little cold. Because you avoid emotional extremes, you keep your emotions tightly guarded. Friends may think you’re not invested when you actually care too much. Your gift is emotional stability.
This indicates that you are probably someone who prefers quality over quantity. You are not interested in superficial small talk or shallow friendships. You’d prefer a few people who really “get” you than a large group of people who don’t know your inner world. You are drawn to deep conversations, emotional honesty, and friendships that change the way you see yourself or life. You form intense bonds – soulmate type relationships. When you love, you love intensely. You’ll remember the little things, think deeply about what your friends are going through, and stand by them through difficult seasons. Your love is not light; It’s layered and honest. But this depth comes with its challenges. Because you feel so much, you may overthink the little moments: a delayed reply, a change in tone, a canceled plan. You can easily feel hurt when other people don’t meet your emotional level or seem more casual about the bond. Sometimes, you may expect “all or nothing,” which can make relationships feel like high-risk territory.Your heart is made for deep connection. Just be gentle with yourself and others when reality doesn’t always match the intensity you have inside.So, which box did you choose? And how accurate was this test result for you? Tell us in the comments below.
Calls for tougher action against those linked to convicted murderer Vikram Digva intensified after MP Rupert Lowe said, “Any Indian covering for Vikram Digva should be immediately deported”, as the debate over the murder of Southampton student Henry Novak and the use of bladed weapons under religious exemptions continues.Lowe is the MP for Great Yarmouth and leader of Restore Britain. He made the comments to theThe politician also called for the saber to be banned in Britain, calling it an “un-British religious practice”.DeGava was convicted of stabbing Nowak to death on Dec. 3 as the teen walked home alone after a night out with friends. Digwa used a 21 cm blade, which he claimed he considered part of his Sikhism.Judge William Mousley KC rejected DeGwa’s claims that he had acted in self-defence after being racially abused. Sentencing him, the judge said that Digwa had “shamed” both his family and his religion.Musli told the defendant, “You were calm but you had a large Sikh dagger.”Novak was a first-year student at the University of Southampton from Chafford Hundred, Essex. She was stabbed five times, including fatal injuries to her face, leg and chest. Prosecutors said DeGwa had a “passion for weapons”.Neighbors heard Novak saying that he had been stabbed and was dying. He tried to escape by climbing over the fence, leaving a trail of blood behind him.The case received national attention after police bodycam footage showed authorities initially treating Novak as a suspect. Despite repeatedly saying “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe”, after Degawa falsely claimed he was attacked, he was handcuffed and arrested for assault.Police later apologized, saying that officers had been misled by information given at the scene and faced an “extremely complex” situation.Henry’s father Mark Novak described the events as “unbearable”.He said: “Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. Before anyone could believe him, he lost consciousness.”Meanwhile, the debate continues regarding the weapon used in the attack. The Sikh Federation said the blade used by Digwa was not a religious knife known as a kirpan and accused authorities of failing to clarify that distinction. However, the Crown Prosecution Service said that Digwa had chosen to carry two ceremonial knives and the judge accepted its assessment that the weapon was the saber that Digwa had chosen to use.Digva was also convicted of carrying a knife in a public place. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting a criminal after attempting to hide the murder weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17.
Amid criticism over the fast bowler’s absence from the first Test against New Zealand, England captain Ben Stokes has come out in support of Jofra Archer and insisted that the fast bowler’s commitment to England should not be questioned due to his IPL commitments.
Archer was allowed to remain with Rajasthan Royals for the IPL playoffs instead of joining the England squad before the start of the series at Lord’s.
The 31-year-old featured in Rajasthan’s defeat to Gujarat Titans in the qualifiers last week and is currently in Barbados, meaning he is unavailable for the first Test and could also miss the second match at the Oval.
His absence has been criticized by many former cricketers. Former England captain Michael Atherton described the situation as “incredibly disappointing” Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull called it “absolutely ridiculous”. Archer was not available for the start of the series.
Addressing the issue on the eve of the Lord’s Test, Stokes said the realities of modern cricket are very different from those faced by previous generations.
“I completely understand people’s frustration with this, but there’s another side to it,” Stokes told reporters.
“A lot of it has to do with the landscape of cricket and where it is at the moment.
“People are saying a lot of things around Joff and that situation related to the scenario when he was playing.
“But now it is completely different. There are opportunities for cricketers now which were not there 10, 15, 20 years ago.”
Stokes acknowledged that every captain would want his strongest team to be available for every match, but said that the congested cricket calendar often makes this impossible.
“Yes, in an ideal situation it would be incredibly nice to have everyone you want available to you at every opportunity.
“That’s not the way of cricket at the moment. There’s a lot out there for the players.”
The England captain quickly dismissed suggestions that Archer’s absence reflected a lack of commitment to the national team. The fast bowler is centrally contracted by England and has spent the last few years battling a number of injuries to revive his international career.
“There’s a situation where it could go wrong and if you handle it differently a player like Jofra may not be able to play for England again and that’s not good for anyone,” Stokes said.
“Jofra has shown that he is committed and loves playing for England. Just because he is not available for this first Test match, it will not change that.”
Archer’s absence has once again highlighted the challenges faced by international teams as franchise leagues continue to occupy a growing place in the cricket calendar.
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New Delhi: Another big shock Trinamool Congress (TMC), its senior leader Firhad Hakim on Wednesday resigned from the post of Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), a post he held since November 2018.This was announced by party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.“Firhad Hakim requested our supremo Mamata Banerjee That he wants to resign. He wants an honorable exit because the state government is defunct the corporation,” he told reporters in Kolkata.“Till now, Mamata Banerjee had not given permission. However, after today’s administrative meeting at Nabanna, it became clear that the corporation has been effectively deactivated. In view of this situation, and to ensure that his dignity and stature remain intact, Mamata Banerjee has today allowed him to resign,” Ghosh said.Hakeem, also known as “Bobby”, is a close aide of Mamata Banerjee. He is a four-time MLA from Kolkata Port Assembly constituency, the capital of West Bengal.The development came on a day when the Trinamool came close to a split after the Assembly Speaker recognized TMC rebel faction Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the opposition. Following its defeat in the recent assembly elections, in which the party lost power after 15 years, it had appointed veteran leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition. However, the move was opposed by the rebel faction, which alleged that the documents submitted in support of Chattopadhyay’s appointment had forged his signature.The rebel group reportedly includes 59 of the 80 TMC MLAs.In the West Bengal Assembly elections held on 23 and 29 April, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member House to form its first government in the state.
