New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday hit out at Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge over their criticism of the party in poll-bound Kerala, accusing the Congress of targeting the Left for electoral gains and being soft on the BJP.In a strongly worded statement, the CPI(M) said the Congress was backtracking on its claim of fighting communal-authoritarian forces and instead becoming “a feeder organization for the BJP”.The CPI(M) Politburo also strongly rejected the “provocative statements” made by Rahul Gandhi and Kharge against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the party’s secular credentials.“Such rumors are being spread by them to score cheap electoral gains in the assembly elections. By targeting CPI(M) instead of BJP, Congress leaders are going back on their claim of fighting communal-authoritarian forces. The people of Kerala will understand this sinister agenda,” the CPI(M) said in a statement.The reaction came as Rahul Gandhi and Kharge launched the United Democratic Front (UDF) campaign for the Kerala elections from Kozhikode on Wednesday, launching a broad front against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).Gandhi alleged that there is an agreement between the LDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.Addressing the campaign through video conferencing, he said, “Here in Keralam, there are really only two parties fighting. One is the UDF alliance, and the other is the partnership between the BJP and the LDF. The UDF unites the people, listens to them, and embraces them and empowers them. The LDF and their hidden partners divide the people and crush them.”He also mentioned the cases registered against opposition leaders and questioned why similar action was not taken against the Kerala Chief Minister.Gandhi said he himself has around 40 cases against him and that the Enforcement Directorate has interrogated him for five consecutive days, and alleged that the lack of similar action against Vijayan “despite corruption cases” is evidence of the BJP-LDF’s understanding.Responding to the allegations, CPI(M), which is also a constituent of the India Bloc along with the Congress, said the Congress should introspect on why many of its leaders in different states joined the BJP.“It is a well-known fact that the current BJP Chief Minister of Assam held important portfolios in the previous Congress government. The entire Congress leadership joined the BJP in 2018 to defeat the Left Front in Tripura. Many ministers in the central government and MPs belonging to the BJP were earlier prominent leaders in the Congress. The Congress became a feeder organization for the BJP,” the statement said.The party accused the Congress of allying with minority fundamentalist forces in the state.“Even in these elections, the Congress is in alliance with minority fundamentalist forces. The Congress-League-BJP nexus has been exposed in various elections in Kerala, including the recently concluded local body elections,” it said.Kerala will go to polls on April 9 and counting of votes will take place on May 4. The Congress-led UDF is trying to oust the ruling LDF from power.

New Delhi: With less than a week left for the Centre’s March 31 deadline to end left-wing extremism, security forces have launched intensive operations in key Maoist-affected areas to track down the remaining armed cadres and force them to surrender.“The plan is to ensure 100 per cent elimination of armed Naxalites by March 31, the deadline announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This will be done either by engaging in encounters or by surrendering. Some major operations are being carried out in these last 5-6 days of the countdown,” a top CAPF commander told PTI.Security forces are still keeping an eye on around 130-150 armed cadres, including two central committee members of the banned CPI (Maoist) and some other divisional-rank workers.The Center is also preparing an “operations and development” blueprint, which is expected to include the withdrawal of about five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) battalions from these areas and the introduction of several welfare schemes, official sources told PTI.As part of the operation, around three to four CoBRA units of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are being moved from Chhattisgarh to Jharkhand for a special operation in the Saranda forests of West Singhbhum district, sources said.It is said that Misir Besra alias Bhaskar lives in Jharkhand and Cobra teams are searching for him and his associates.Sources said that in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, teams of CRPF, BSF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are also being “redeployed” with the specific objective of engaging armed Maoist cadres in gun battles or forcing their surrender.According to sources, a cross-border operation is also underway involving Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Odisha.According to officials, Rammanna, also known as Ganapathy or Lakshmana Rao, is reportedly in touch with the Telangana Police and may surrender by March 31.Another official said about three battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF), along with a sector office headed by a DIG-rank officer, are expected to withdraw from Koraput district and adjoining areas of Odisha.The sector office may shift to Kandhamal district of the state and three battalions will shift either to border guarding duties or to Manipur, as the situation requires.Some CAPF battalions will also be withdrawn from Chhattisgarh, the official said, an announcement of which is expected to be made on March 31. The state police and Chhattisgarh DRG will take over the CAPF camps.Chhattisgarh Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced in Jagdalpur on Wednesday that about 96 percent of the vast geographical area of ​​Bastar is now free from Naxalite influence.CAPFs and state police forces have also been asked to conduct a joint “de-mining” exercise to search for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bombs hidden in Naxalite violence-hit areas, sources said.In February, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducted a fresh review of Naxalite violence-affected areas and informed that the number of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts in the country stands at seven.These seven districts are Bijapur, Narayanpur, Sukma, Kanker and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand and Kandhamal in Odisha.The nine states affected by Left Wing Extremism under different categories are Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal.According to official figures, a total of 76 districts in nine states were vulnerable to Left Wing Extremism during 2005–06.Home Minister Shah has repeatedly said that the threat of left-wing extremism, which was called the biggest internal security challenge for India in 2010, will end by this March.Describing Naxalite violence as a challenge to democracy, he said that till now about 17,000 civilians and security personnel have lost their lives in it.The Naxalite movement in India emerged in 1967 in Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal located at the tri-junction of India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Here are the top 5 news of the day:

Government assures strong fuel security and says they have 60 days of oil reserves

The government assured that India’s petroleum and LPG systems are safe and under firm control, with no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG anywhere in the country. The ministry further said that crude oil requirements for the next 60 days have already been secured, and there is no gap in supply in the system. Read the full story

Trump says Iranian negotiators ‘begging’ for deal

US President Donald Trump claimed Iranian negotiators are “begging” for a deal with Washington, while publicly saying they are only reviewing the US proposal. On Truth Social, he further said that NATO countries had done “absolutely nothing” to help in the conflict with Iran, which he described as a “crazy nation” that has now been “militarily destroyed”. Trump said the United States “doesn’t need anything from NATO”, but also said allies should “never forget” the present moment. Follow live updates

Supreme Court flags ‘danger’ of AI-generated decisions, cautions lawyers

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the growing “menace” of lawyers and litigants citing non-existent judgments generated by artificial intelligence, warning that the practice is becoming increasingly common in courts. A bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Vijay Bishnoi said such examples are not limited to India, but are being seen globally, and stressed the need to exercise greater caution while relying on AI-assisted content. Read the full story

BCCI unveils India’s 2026-27 domestic schedule: 22 matches in 17 cities

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the full schedule for Team India’s international domestic season for 2026-27, unveiling a packed calendar featuring 22 matches across 17 cities. The upcoming season promises a comprehensive competition across all formats with four visiting teams – West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia – giving fans a chance to watch top-class international cricket across the country. Read the full story

Second time in 10 days: Air India A350 diverted after 7 hours of flight due to ‘excessive noise’

For the second time in exactly 10 days, a new Airbus A350 (VT-JRF) of Air India could not complete its long-haul journey due to turbulence, excessive vibration and noise in the belly hold section. The latest example occurred when it was operating as AI 111 from Delhi to London. This problem was repeated when the aircraft was in Oman airspace. The airline then decided to call it back to Delhi, where it returned after flying for more than seven hours. Read the full story

New Delhi: The government has ordered railway concessions in the form of complimentary free railway travel for life for gallantry medal recipients, defense officials said on Thursday.He said each recipient could be accompanied by one person, who would also travel for free.For posthumous recipients, their parents or spouse are eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme. Spouses can benefit from the scheme only till they are married, whereas in case of parents, the benefit is available only if the recipient was unmarried at the time of their death.“Government of India has issued an order granting railway concession in the form of complimentary lifetime free travel in First Class/2 AC/AC Chair Car with one companion in trains. Indian Railways Parents of SANA/Navy/Air Force Medal for Gallantry awardees/their spouses (widows/widowers unless remarried)/unmarried posthumous awardees,” officials told news agency ANI.‘cooperation framework‘ InitiativeIndian Railways and Army have introduced a “Framework for Cooperation” to expand post-retirement employment opportunities for firefighters and serving military personnel transitioning to civilian life.According to the Railway Ministry, the initiative aims to smooth civilian career transition, increase awareness about job prospects and create a support system for retired personnel.Under this, 10% of Level-2/above posts and 20% of Level-1 posts are reserved for ex-servicemen, while 5% of Level-2/above and 10% of Level-1 posts are reserved for retired firefighters. There were 14,788 posts reserved in 2024 and 2025, which included 6,485 Level-1 and 8,303 Level-2/above posts. Recruitment is conducted through competitive examinations through RRC (Level-1) and RRB (Level-2/above).To fill the vacant posts expeditiously, ex-servicemen are being recruited as contract pointsmen. More than 5,000 Level-1 posts are under process, and 9 divisions have signed MoUs with Army organizations for recruitment.The framework also calls for army recruiting bodies to coordinate with railway divisions to expedite these recruitments.(With ANI inputs)

March 2026 – Ramzan in India is a time defined by contemplation, togetherness and unforgettable food experiences – from bustling iftar gatherings to lively late-night sehri meals. With this initiative, Thums Up, one of India’s most iconic beverage brands, brings this spirit alive with its high-energy campaign, “Sehri Ki Jaan: Biryani and Toofan”. Celebrating the vibrant culture of Ramzan nights, the campaign combines the aromatic flavors of Biryani with the bold kick of Thums Up.

Creative Concept: The Toofani Biryani Truck At the center of the campaign was the Toofani Biryani Truck – a dynamic sensory experience designed to capture people’s attention and spark curiosity around the iconic pairing of Biryani and Thums Up. As it passed through Ramzan hotspots in Meerut, Lucknow and Hyderabad, the truck turned normal roads into fragrant aroma routes, with the rich, unique aroma of biryani wafting in the air.

It did not need any announcement. The scent worked.People didn’t just notice the truck – they were drawn to it, following its scent as it moved through town and creating moments of pause, intrigue and discovery.Built as more than just a visual spectacle, the truck also features an AR-enabled screen, allowing visitors to step into stormy moments, snap photos, and access them instantly via QR – expanding the experience from street to social.The truck became a magnet. moment. Destination.And wherever it stopped, it gave rise to the whirlwind Biryani Gali – transforming familiar Ramzan food lanes into high-energy hubs of celebration, connection and culture, all anchored in the surefire combo of biryani and Thums Up.Campaign Execution: A Social-First, Influencer-Led Approach The campaign followed a social-first, influencer-led storytelling approach. The influencers received a mysterious box from an anonymous friend inviting them to the ceremony, as well as a letter prompting them to “follow the scent.”As they set out on their journey, the invited influencers crossed paths on the way, eventually reuniting with the friend behind the mysterious box at the final destination – the Thums Up truck – turning the moment into a celebration of friendship and bonding over the pairing of the iconic biryani and Thums Up.The activation quickly gained popularity on social media, with many city pages and creators arriving on the scene to capture the excitement and enjoy the experience. creating a cultural moment Through “Toofani Biryani Gali”, Thums Up did more than run a campaign – it organized a cultural moment. By combining its bold, action-driven identity with the warmth of community gatherings, the brand strengthened its connection with a new generation of consumers.This Ramzan, as the trucks passed through the iconic food routes of India, Thums Up transformed ordinary Sehri moments into memorable celebrations – proving that the best memories of Ramzan are made with great food, shared moments and a refreshing Thums Up.Disclaimer: Content produced by Coca-Cola India Pvt. Ltd.

New Delhi: Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan targeted on thursday Rahul Gandhi and this CongressThey are called the “B-Team” BJPAs the political fight is intensifying before the elections in the state.Addressing a press conference in Ernakulam, Vijayan said Rahul Gandhi lacked even the basic understanding expected from a Congress worker in Kerala.

He said, “Rahul Gandhi is a national leader, yet he lacks the basic awareness of a common local Congress worker in Kerala; he refuses to learn from experience or mistakes. It is difficult to understand how he has fallen so low.” “Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are the ‘B-team’ of the BJP in the country, and yet their stand is being adopted across India,” he said.The comments come a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) of striking a secret pact with the BJP. Launching the United Democratic Alliance (UDF) campaign in Kozhikode, Rahul said there are only two parties in Kerala politics.Rahul said, “There are actually only two parties fighting here in Kerala. One is the UDF alliance, and the other is the partnership between the BJP and the LDF. The UDF unites the people, listens to them, and embraces them and empowers them. The LDF and their hidden partners divide the people and crush them.”He also raised questions on the job related promises of the state government. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Employment Pledge and the Kerala government’s commitments, he said, “Modi ji had promised 2 crore jobs nationally. The Kerala Chief Minister had promised 40 lakh jobs in the state, and after a decade, you find that he has not given a single job to the people; in fact, he has destroyed jobs.”The Congress leader further said that both BJP and LDF do not consider themselves accountable to the people. “Neither the BJP nor the LDF believe that they are accountable to the people. They do not believe that the people of Kerala should be able to ask them questions,” he said.Kerala will go to polls in a single phase on April 9, with counting taking place on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly ends on May 23.