New Delhi: RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi lost their Z-plus security cover after the Bihar government reviewed the security arrangements for VIPs in the state.The move was announced through a notification issued on Thursday, which said that two senior RJD leaders will now get security cover from the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP). In the review, Y category security provided to Janashakti Janata Dal chief and Lalu Prasad’s elder son Tej Pratap was also withdrawn.Officials said the decision has been taken after assessing the security arrangements provided to various VIP protectees across Bihar.Explaining the withdrawn category, an official said, “Z-plus security consists of a dedicated team of trained personnel equipped with advanced weapons.”Despite demotion, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi will continue to get security support. Their current arrangement includes two to eight BSAP house guards, two bodyguards from Patna District Force, a pilot vehicle and a bulletproof car.The review has not affected all the members of the first family of RJD. Bihar government retains Y-Plus security cover provided to opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav.The notification further said that the existing security arrangements for Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti, Lalu Prasad’s elder daughter and Rajshree Yadav, wife of Tejashwi Yadav, will continue unchanged.Just a few days before this, Rabri Devi had challenged Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary to oust her from her government bungalow, which she has occupied for more than a decade, and said that she would not voluntarily vacate the premises.The RJD leader reacted sharply when reporters questioned him about the recent order issued by the state building construction department allotting 10, Circular Road residence in Patna to Dairy and Fisheries Minister Nand Kishore Ram.RJD president Lalu Prasad’s angry wife said, “Yes, I can see that Samrat Chaudhary, who has recently become the chief minister, is very excited. Let him evict me by force. I am not going to vacate the premises.”Rabri Devi was talking to reporters at the Patna airport after returning from Delhi, where she had gone to celebrate her grandson’s birthday. It is understood that her husband Lalu Prasad has gone to Singapore for treatment.The former chief minister, who often points out that Chaudhary started her political career as a minister in her government, addressed the media from inside her vehicle and was clearly upset during the conversation.The bungalow at 10, Circular Road, located close to both the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence, was allotted to the family during the previous Nitish Kumar-led government. Over the years, it has served not only as the residence of the RJD’s first family but also as an important political center for the opposition party.Several months ago, before Choudhary took charge as the first BJP chief minister of Bihar, the building construction department had issued an order stating that the residence would henceforth be reserved for the deputy chief minister.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran on Friday said the departure of former state president Annamalai will not cause any loss to the party. His comments came after Annamalai’s resignation from the BJP was formally accepted earlier in the day.Addressing reporters after Annamalai’s exit, Nagendran said, “There is no damage.” His comments came soon after Annamalai announced the launch of a new political movement and confirmed that she would contest future assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.Earlier, Annamalai addressed supporters via social media and explained the reasons behind his decision to leave the BJP and launch a new political platform. The former IPS officer said he had informed the BJP leadership about his decision several months ago.“I told the party on December 4, 2025, that I am going to resign. The party asked me to finish the elections and then leave,” Annamalai said.He said he joined the BJP with the aim of bringing positive change and now believes the time has come to create a new political alternative in Tamil Nadu.“We will encourage all sections of the society to participate in the political movement. Besides, more technocrats will be encouraged to join the party,” he said.Annamalai said his proposed movement would try to bring systemic change in the political culture of the state.“We must utilize all available talents for the development of the state. To achieve this, we must change our political grammar and culture. We must eliminate sectarian politics and dynastic politics,” he said.He also stressed that politics should not revolve around individuals holding positions indefinitely.“There is no permanent MLA, MP or minister. This includes me too.” This will be our goal and the motto of our political movement.”According to Annamalai, Tamil Nadu needs another political power that can offer a different style of governance and leadership.“There is a need for another political party,” he said.Annamalai urged his supporters to remain patient as the new movement takes shape.“Whoever wants to join, let them be patient. They require a curing period, like a brick used to build the foundation of a building. Trust me and stay with me. We will definitely revolutionize Tamil Nadu and make it the number one state in the country.”He further said that the youth are looking for change and the movement will try to connect with them through modern platforms.“Our youth are hungry for change. We cannot ignore them and that is why we are reaching out to them through social media,” he said.Annamalai announced that the movement would be called the APJ Abdul Kalam Center for Ethics and Politics and would be headquartered in Coimbatore.The BJP confirmed that party president Nitin Nabin has accepted Annamalai’s resignation from the primary membership of the party.“Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin has accepted the resignation tendered by former Tamil Nadu state president K. Annamalai from the primary membership of the party,” the BJP said in an official statement.The development came after Annamalai visited New Delhi and held meetings with BJP president Nitin Nabin, party general secretary BL Santosh and Home Minister Amit Shah.Annamalai’s exit comes after months of speculation about his future in the BJP. The rumors gained momentum following the BJP’s poor performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where the party secured only three per cent vote share while contesting the elections as part of the AIADMK-led alliance.Despite recent setbacks, Annamalai is credited with significantly expanding the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu during his tenure as state president. Under his leadership, the party’s vote share increased from around three per cent to around 11 per cent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.However, the BJP failed to win a parliamentary seat in the state, leading to Nainar Nagendran replacing Annamalai as the Tamil Nadu BJP chief in 2025.In recent weeks, posters urging Annamalai to return to active politics and lead a new movement had appeared in Coimbatore, leading to speculation that he was preparing to chart an independent political course.With the launch of the APJ Abdul Kalam Center for Ethics and Politics, Annamalai has now formally entered a new phase of his political career, setting the stage for a new challenge in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi: K Annamalai resigns from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has capped months of discontent and his diminishing role within the organisation, raising fresh questions over the saffron party’s ambitions. Tamil Nadu And the political future of one of its most recognizable faces in the state.The former IPS officer, widely known as “Singham” for his aggressive political style, joined the BJP in 2020 and quickly rose in the party. He was appointed president of the party’s Tamil Nadu unit in 2021 and played a key role in expanding its presence in the state.Under his leadership, the BJP achieved its strongest Lok Sabha performance in Tamil Nadu in 2024, securing 11.4 per cent vote share, a significant improvement from 3.7 per cent in the 2019 general election. However, this momentum faded ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

BJP’s U-turn on AIADMK

Annamalai’s 2024 padayatra significantly increased the BJP’s visibility in Tamil Nadu and helped the party achieve its highest-ever vote share in a Lok Sabha election in the state. The BJP secured 11.38 percent votes in 2024, a dramatic improvement from 3.62 percent in 2019. Yet the electoral success was incomplete, as the party failed to win a single parliamentary seat for the second consecutive election. This contradiction was particularly shocking as the BJP had managed to secure a Lok Sabha seat in 2014 with a much lower vote share of 5.56 per cent.Throughout his tenure, Annamalai distinguished himself through consistent attacks on Dravidian politics and the leaders who shaped it. His criticism was not limited to political opponents. Even when the BJP was in alliance with the AIADMK, they repeatedly targeted people from the ally’s camp, causing friction within the alliance and increasing differences between the two parties.

Annamalai’s BJP timeline

As relations deteriorated, sections within the BJP began to reevaluate the political costs and benefits of maintaining distance from the AIADMK. Ultimately, the party leadership decided to revive the alliance ahead of the 2026 assembly elections despite strong objections from Annamalai. This decision proved to be a turning point in his political journey within the BJP. Soon after, he was replaced as the state unit chief, a move widely seen as an attempt to smooth over relations with the AIADMK and adjust to the realities of coalition politics in Tamil Nadu.

outcome

Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendra as state president and he gradually divested himself of important organizational responsibilities, reportedly a part of the BJP’s pre-poll pact with rival AIADMK to wrest power from the ruling DMK.The alliance was seen as a major point of disagreement as Annamalai reportedly favored building the party independently at the grassroots level rather than relying on coalition politics. The emergence of Vijay’s TVK as a significant political force further complicated the BJP’s position in the state.As a result, Annamalai stepped down as election in-charge of six constituencies and was subsequently dropped from the party’s Legislative Assembly Election Management Committee. He also did not contest the assembly elections, although he said that this decision was his own.He said, “How can the leadership allot me a ticket when I have shown no interest in contesting the elections? If I had decided to contest the elections, it would not have mattered from which constituency I could have contested.” “I am grateful to the BJP leadership for respecting my decision and giving me an opportunity to campaign in support of the NDA alliance candidates,” he said.

First public indication of results

For years, K Annamalai was largely associated with the central leadership of the BJP. This changed when he publicly criticized the Union Education Ministry’s decision to push back the implementation of the three-language requirement for Class IX students. The intervention was widely seen as his first open disagreement with the party line and led to speculation that tensions within the BJP had reached a breaking point.The controversy began when CBSE issued a notification on May 15 directing affiliated schools to introduce the third compulsory language for Class IX students from the current academic year, several years ahead of the previously scheduled 2029-30 deadline.

How Annamalai was sidelined

Reacting to the decision, Annamalai wrote on The revised notification now mandates that Class IX students learn three languages ​​from July 1, 2026, two of which must be native languages ​​of India. Expecting a Class 9 student to learn a new language in such a short period of time will only put pressure on children and affect their overall learning outcomes.“These comments are important as language is one of the most politically sensitive issues in Tamil Nadu. By openly expressing objection to the policy, Annamalai looked set to distance himself from the BJP’s official position and signal a more independent political identity.Therefore, his final resignation came out of nowhere. The seeds of discontent had been visible for some time, especially when the BJP leadership chose to revive its alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Annamalai had consistently argued for building the party as an independent force in Tamil Nadu rather than relying on established regional allies.

A political experiment cut short

With Annamalai’s departure, the BJP faces a difficult question whether it has abandoned the long-term strategy before it has had a chance to mature.Although he did not lead the party in any of the assembly elections that followed his elevation, Annamalai became the most recognizable face of the BJP in Tamil Nadu and helped energize a cadre that had long been struggling for visibility. He assumed the post of state president after the 2021 assembly elections, in which the BJP won four seats with 2.62 percent vote share.By the time the 2026 elections were over, Annamalai was no longer at the top. The party’s seat tally dropped to one seat, while its vote share saw a marginal increase and stood at 2.99 per cent. With his exit, the BJP now faces the prospect of losing local leaders and grassroots workers, who were largely attracted to the party because of his leadership.The election results also revealed another reality. The overwhelming support received by Vijay and his party TVK suggested that Tamil Nadu voters were ready to embrace a new political alternative. The BJP had attempted a similar experiment through Annamalai, but ultimately chose a different path.While Annamalai never had the mass appeal of Vijay, the former IPS officer, popularly known as “Singham”, had built a strong following among young voters. His straightforward style and aggressive campaigning gave the BJP visibility it has rarely enjoyed in the state.In hindsight, the party appears to have faced a difficult choice between continuing Annamalai’s grassroots expansion strategy and joining hands with the AIADMK to form a broader anti-DMK alliance. It ultimately chose the latter. That decision may have strengthened the alliance’s arithmetic, but it also reduced the room for maneuver for Annamalai.Ironically, the combative approach that made him one of the most effective campaigners for the BJP in Tamil Nadu may also have contributed to his exit. For both Annamalai and the BJP, the question of what might have remained may remain for some time.

What’s next for Singham?

His resignation comes amid reports that he is preparing to launch a new political party with a Tamil-first and more centrist political approach. While an official announcement is expected, the possibility of a new organization with independent political space beyond the BJP has cast a foreshadowing on the saffron party’s ambitions.His departure leaves the party facing the challenge of replacing a leader whose confrontational style and direct message struck a chord with a section of young voters. For the BJP, the exit raises concerns not only about the leadership in Tamil Nadu, but also about its long-term strategy in a state where it is struggling for political relevance.

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dubke

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dubey on Friday said he is visiting India ahead of his proposed protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.They plan to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in several national level examinations including NEET, CUET, CBSE and SSC GD.Sharing an update on X, Dipke wrote: “On my way to India. Leaving my fate in the hands of the Constitution.”Dipke is expected to arrive in India on June 6 and has announced plans to launch a peaceful protest campaign demanding Pradhan’s resignation over repeated failures in the country’s examination system.Earlier this week, he called on students and supporters to join the movement, linking his demand to the controversies surrounding exams like NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC GD.According to Dipke, these issues have affected the future of millions of students and raise serious questions on accountability within the education system. He urged supporters not to gather at the Delhi airport, saying his campaign had received a greater response than expected and large crowds could cause inconvenience to passengers and security personnel.In a video message posted on Twitter, he said, “For those who want resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the overwhelming response to our call to join us at Delhi airport was beyond our imagination. It is not possible for so many people to gather at the airport as it will cause inconvenience to the public and security forces. So please do not come to Delhi airport.”Instead, he said he would go straight to the Sansad Marg police station after landing to seek official permission for the peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar.Explaining the next step, Dupke said that the movement will remain peaceful and will be conducted within the ambit of law.He said, “I will directly go to the Sansad Marg police station to seek permission for my peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. We are law abiding citizens and we have to act responsibly. So please take care that no one creates any kind of disturbance.”He has repeatedly said that the campaign will focus on democratic and constitutional methods of protest rather than confrontation.Earlier this week, Deepke said that students affected by controversies related to NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC GD deserve accountability from those responsible for conducting the exams.He said, “Today, there are 22 lakh NEET students, 17 lakh CBSE students, 16 lakh CUET students and 40 lakh SSC GD students – more than one crore students whose lives have been made a mockery of the system. Because of this, students are very worried and worried about their future. Someone has to take responsibility for this.”He further argued that the Education Minister should be held accountable for the alleged lapses in the examination process.Amid preparations for the proposed protest, the Cockroach Janata Party on Wednesday announced three official spokespersons. The party has made Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya and Ashutosh Ranka as its spokespersons.Dupke has also said that his family members, especially his parents, are worried that he may face legal action if he returns to India. However, he said he remained committed to the protests and hoped authorities would allow it to proceed peacefully in accordance with constitutional and democratic principles.

PM Modi with US President Donald Trump

New Delhi: United States President Donald Trump on Thursday once again praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two countries look to materialize a month-long trade deal.“I like your Prime Minister very much. He is a good friend of mine, and we get along well.” Trump said, we have a good relationship.Expressing optimism about the impending trade deal with New Delhi, Trump said the United States is “making a lot of money with India”.He said, “For years, India took advantage of the United States. They charged us huge fees and did not pay anything. Now it is quite the opposite and we are making a lot of money with India. But we will reach an agreement.”Trump’s latest comments come a day after his administration proposed 12.5% ​​additional tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including India.Momentum toward a deal has strengthened in recent weeks. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore said that talks are nearing completion, with only a limited number of issues still unresolved. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has similarly indicated that while most of the matters have been resolved, discussions now focus on finalizing the remaining details before the unveiling of the first phase of the agreement.A separate USTR proposal could further complicate negotiations. The review, conducted under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, covers 60 economies and focuses on concerns over imports allegedly involving forced labour.Earlier, India and the United States concluded four-day trade talks in New Delhi between June 1 and June 4, in which officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by the Chief Negotiator, discussed with Indian counterparts issues such as trade in goods, customs procedures, trade facilitation, non-tariff barriers and economic security cooperation.Both sides described the talks as constructive and said efforts are underway to conclude a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement, while negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement (BTA) continue in parallel.

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister is facing criticism over the absence of women in his newly formed cabinet. DK Shivakumar Assured on Thursday that more ministers will be inducted and women will get representation in the government at the appropriate time.Shivkumar took oath as Chief Minister along with 13 ministers on Wednesday. Since the Karnataka Council of Ministers has a maximum of 34 members, including the Chief Minister, many posts are vacant.Responding to BJP’s criticism over the lack of women ministers, Shivakumar said, “Let them (BJP) wait; there are too many vacancies. Last time also there were no women in the first round.” We are all there,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.Emphasizing her party’s record on women’s welfare, she said, “We have set a model in the country.”This issue has drawn criticism not only from the opposition but also from within the Congress. Leader of Opposition R Ashok questioned the government’s decision to exclude women from the first round of cabinet expansion.Senior Congress leader Margaret Alva also expressed concern over the composition of the ministry. In a post on X, she said, “Congratulations to DK Shivakumar on being sworn in as CM of Karnataka. I wish him and his team every success. I would have liked to see at least one Congresswoman sworn in today in the new Karnataka Cabinet. I am very disappointed that there is not even one.”Of the 13 ministers who took oath, 11 had served in the previous government led by Siddaramaiah. MLC Yatindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and UT Khadar, who recently quit the post of Assembly Speaker, were the only new members to join the cabinet.Senior Dalit leader G Parameshwara was appointed Deputy Chief Minister.Despite expectations of wider representation, no women MLAs found a place in the first phase of cabinet formation. Lakshmi Hebbalkar was the only woman minister in the previous Siddaramaiah government.