The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Sunday announced its candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly by-elections in the Baramati constituency. While issuing an official statement, Congress has named Advocate Akash Vishwanath More as the party’s nominee from the constituency. The official statement from AICC highlighted that Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved More’s candidature for the by-election to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from the 201-Baramati seat. The announcement, issued under the signature of K. C. Venugopal, General Secretary of the AICC, confirms the party’s decision as part of its strategy for the crucial by-elections in the state. Congress nominates fresh face for Baramati by-election Baramati in Maharashtra is considered to be one of Maharashtra’s most politically significant constituencies with a history of high-profile electoral contests. The Congress’ decision to field a relatively fresh face in More signals an attempt to strengthen its position in the region. The by-election comes at a time when political parties are recalibrating their strategies ahead of future electoral battles in the state. Further details regarding campaign schedules and party outreach programmes are expected to be announced in the coming days. Harshwardhan Sapkal on Congress fielding their candidate for the Baramati by-polls. Earlier on Saturday, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party has got approval from its high command to contest the Assembly by-polls. Speaking to the media, he said the Congress will first hold discussions with its MVA allies before taking a final call. Poll schedule The by-elections were necessitated following the deaths of Ajit Pawar, who represented Baramati, and Shivajirao Kardile, the sitting MLA from Rahuri. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, voting for both constituencies will be held on April 23, while the counting of votes is set for May 4. BJP looking for unopposed election Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had last month said that ideally, the upcoming by-elections to the Baramati and Rahuri Assembly seats should go unopposed, but added that the government is fully prepared in case voting takes place. Candidates in the fray Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, will file her nomination papers from Baramati, while the BJP has fielded Akshay Kardile, son of late MLA Shivajirao, for the Rahuri by-election.
05 April,2026 09:14 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOver 6,000 workers from Uttar Pradesh currently in Israel are safe despite the prevailing tense situation, with the state government maintaining continuous contact with Indian authorities on the ground, officials said on Sunday. Principal Secretary Labour and Employment Department, Uttar Pradesh, Shanmuga Sundaram, is in regular contact with the Indian Embassy in Israel to track developments and ensure the safety of Indian nationals, particularly those from the state, reported PTI. According to information received from the embassy, all Indian workers in Israel are safe, with no report of any emergency or major threat so far. Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is closely monitoring the well-being of all workers. Officials said the state government is in constant communication with India's Ambassador to Israel, J P Singh, who has shared periodic updates, reported PTI. Indian workers safe abroad, no rush to return despite concerns, says Ambassador In communications dated March 11, 17 and 28, the ambassador confirmed that all Indian workers, including those from the state, are safe. According to PTI, while there is a natural sense of concern due to the situation, there has been no significant demand or pressure from workers seeking to return to India, officials said, adding that the embassy remains in close contact with them and is addressing their needs. The envoy also informed that some workers from Uttar Pradesh recently hosted visiting Indian journalists, indicating that the situation remains under control and normal life continues. The embassy's First Secretary, Dr Garika Tejeshwar, according to the statement, has also confirmed that all workers from the state are safe and no untoward incident has been reported so far. Sundaram said some Indian nationals, mainly traders and students, have returned voluntarily via Jordan with assistance from the embassy, and similar arrangements can be made for workers if required, reported PTI. No emergency alerts, helpline active as Indian workers remain safe Officials added that the embassy's control room has not received any serious or emergency messages, and all workers are adhering to local safety advisories. The Uttar Pradesh government continues to keep a close watch on the situation and has conveyed to workers that it stands firmly with them and will facilitate their return if they wish to come back, reported PTI. A helpline operated by Israel's Population and Immigration Authority is also active to assist workers in multiple languages. Despite intermittent incidents such as missile attacks, the overall situation for Indian workers, particularly those from Uttar Pradesh, remains normal, officials said. (Inputs from PTI)
05 April,2026 07:48 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentWith just a few days to go for the state assembly elections across 5 states, a total of Rs 319 crore worth of cash, liquor and other freebies have been seized by election flying squads and enforcement agencies in West Bengal till Sunday, an official said. As reported by news agency IANS, among the five poll-bound states/UTs, Bengal tops the table for recovery of freebies (Rs 150 crore), liquor (Rs 55 crore), precious metal (Rs 39 crore) and cash (Rs 11 crore), which were allegedly being used for the inducement of electors. Drugs worth Rs 65 crores seized from poll-bound states The Election Commission of India (ECI) also stated that drugs valued at Rs 65 crore have been recovered from the state by law enforcers in the run-up to the two-phase elections on April 23 and 29, as per IANS. ECI further added, “Out of the 29.63 lakh litres of liquor seized by poll officials in all five states/UTs, West Bengal accounts for the maximum of 21.29 lakh litres,” as per IANS. 4 crore cash seized from Assam In Assam, the ECI said flying squads and surveillance teams have seized Rs 4 crore in cash in the state in the run-up to the election. Apart from cash, 6,84,627 litres of liquor, worth Rs 20 crore, have also been confiscated in Assam. The ECI further said that drugs worth Rs 56 crore, precious metals worth Rs 4 crore and other freebies valued at Rs 13 crore have been seized in Assam till April 5. The total value of freebies and contraband recovered in Assam so far is Rs 97 crore, said the ECI. Contraband worth Rs 170 crore seized in Tamil Nadu In Tamil Nadu, the total seizures have been worth Rs 170. This included Rs 67 crore seizure of drugs, Rs 63 crore worth of other freebies, Rs 30 crore cash, Rs 8 crore precious metal and Rs 2 crore liquor, as per IANS. On the other hand, the ECI in Kerala has recovered a total of Rs 58 crore worth of inducement items. The seizure by the ECI includes Rs 41 crore worth of drugs, Rs 8 crore in cash, Rs 5 crore worth of other freebies, Rs 2 crore worth of liquor and Rs 1 crore worth of precious metal. Seziures worth Rs 7 crore in Puducherry In Puducherry, the recovery is worth Rs 7 crore, including Rs 6 crore of precious metal, Rs 20 lakh cash, Rs 30 lakh liquor and other freebies worth Rs 1 lakh, as per IANS. In all, the enforcement agencies have seized illegal cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies worth more than Rs 651.5 crore from all the five election-bound states. (With inputs from IANS)
05 April,2026 07:32 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe police in Maharashtra's Latur city have registered cases against eight motorcycle riders for using modified silencers that produce excessive noise, an official said on Sunday. As reported by news agency PTI, the action was taken as part of a drive carried out on Saturday to enforce traffic discipline, curb noise pollution, and ensure public safety, he said. An official further said, “One of the riders was found operating a motorcycle fitted with a modified silencer producing 101.7 decibels, well above permissible limits," he said. Altogether, eight cases were registered,” as cited by PTI. "Such noise pollution causes severe inconvenience to senior citizens, women, children, and patients suffering from heart conditions and other illnesses. Motorcycle riders causing noise pollution will face action," the official further added. Man dies by suicide inside parked tempo in Latur district A 32-year-old man allegedly died by suicide after hanging himself inside a tempo in Maharashtra’s Latur district, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred late Sunday night and came to light after locals alerted authorities about a stationary vehicle on the roadside, reported news agency PTI. Victim identified as Nanded resident The deceased has been identified as Gajanan Marwadi, a resident of Mukhed tehsil in the neighbouring Nanded district. According to police officials, Marwadi was employed as a tempo driver and had been travelling along a highway route at the time of the incident, reported PTI. Suicide note shared on WhatsApp status Police said that before taking the step, Marwadi had posted a message believed to be a suicide note on his WhatsApp status. Authorities are currently examining the content of the post as part of their investigation, reported PTI. Officials stated that the message may provide clues about his state of mind prior to the incident, though its exact implications are yet to be fully understood. The incident occurred inside a parked vehicle According to preliminary findings, Marwadi had parked his tempo on the roadside at around 11 pm, leaving the vehicle’s side lights on. He then used a rope to hang himself inside the vehicle, reported PTI. Passersby reportedly noticed the parked tempo under unusual circumstances and informed the police, who reached the spot shortly thereafter. Police initiate a probe; body sent for post-mortem Upon arrival, police officials found Marwadi unresponsive inside the vehicle. His body was subsequently sent for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death, reported PTI. Authorities have registered a case and initiated further investigation into the incident. (With inputs from PTI)
05 April,2026 06:13 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentAt least three people were rescued and admitted to hospital after a four-storey building collapsed in Madhya Pradesh’s Anuppur district on the evening of April 4, officials said on Sunday, reported the IANS. The structure, reportedly a hotel located near the Kotma bus stand, caved in at around 5.30 pm. Two bodies were recovered from the debris on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as Hanuman Yadav (55) and Ramkripal Yadav (50). Three survivors were rescued and admitted to the district hospital in Shahdol, where they are undergoing treatment, according to the IANS. Rescue operations intensified A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived from Bhilai around midnight and joined the ongoing rescue efforts. Another NDRF team from Varanasi is also en route, as per the IANS. Apart from the NDRF, the local police, district administration, and SDRF personnel were actively involved in the operation. A dog squad has also been deployed to assist in locating those trapped, officials said. They said that at least four to five people are still feared to be under the debris. Two found dead: Official Anuppur Collector Harshal Pancholi said, “Five people have been rescued, of whom two have died, and three are undergoing treatment. The NDRF-SDRF team and district administration are engaged in rescue operations,” according to the IANS. Investigation underway A four-member team led by Additional Chief Secretary K.C. Gupta has reached the site and initiated an inquiry into the incident. The building is reported to belong to a local resident of Kotma town. Preliminary information suggests that construction activity may have contributed to the collapse. A pit approximately 12 feet deep had been dug on an adjacent plot and later filled with water, which is believed to have weakened the building’s foundation. In addition, renovation work, including tiling and plumbing, had been ongoing on the upper floors in the days leading up to the incident, reported the IANS. CM expresses grief State minister Dilip Ahirwar reached the site early on Sunday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his condolences in a message posted on social media. (with IANS inputs)
05 April,2026 04:04 PM IST | Bhopal | mid-day online correspondentA land dispute took a violent turn in Maharashtra’s Wardha district on Sunday, when a teenager allegedly stabbed his uncle and cousin to death during a wedding procession, police said, reported the PTI. The incident occurred in Barbadi village at around 10.30 am, sparking panic among residents. According to police, an argument broke out between the teenager and his relatives—his uncle, Prabhakar Bhalme (50), and cousin Ritesh (24)—during the procession, the news agency reported. In a sudden escalation, the suspect allegedly attacked both men with a knife in a fit of rage, killing them on the spot. Long-standing dispute suspected Officials said the family had been embroiled in a prolonged land dispute. Prima facie, the attack appears to be linked to the ongoing conflict, the news agency reported. “We received information and immediately reached the spot. The teen has been detained and further investigation is under way,” a police official said. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. Panic in the area The attack, which took place during a public celebration, caused widespread panic in the locality. Police personnel have since been deployed to maintain law and order. Life convict attacks jail staff in Maharashtra's Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident, a life convict has been booked for allegedly assaulting and threatening a jail constable in Maharashtra’s Thane district after being denied an unauthorised meeting with his brother, police said on Sunday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on April 2, when the convict was being escorted back to prison following a court appearance. The accused, Avinash Jadhav, is currently serving a life sentence at Thane Central Jail, the news agency reported. According to police, he became enraged after a constable prevented his brother from approaching him inside the sessions court premises in Mumbai. The constable had reportedly stopped the brother from handing over an item and instructed him to maintain distance. Assault and threats Officials said that upon returning to the jail, Jadhav confronted the constable at the prison entrance. He allegedly assaulted the officer, shouted at jail staff, and issued threats, creating a disturbance and intimidating on-duty personnel. The victim, a 42-year-old constable, was supervising a group of undertrials and convicts at the time of the incident, as per the PTI. Case registered under BNS Police have registered a case against Jadhav under Section 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation into the matter is currently underway. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 03:51 PM IST | Wardha (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThe Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday wrote to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, seeking his intervention for the urgent repatriation of the mortal remains of a Kashmiri youth, Bilal Manzoor Ganie, who passed away in Saudi Arabia In a statement, JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami expressed profound grief over the untimely demise of Bilal Manzoor Ganie, a resident of Sogam' Chountiwari, Lolab, in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. The JKSA stated that Bilal had been working in Saudi Arabia for the past one and a half years as a nursing assistant at Aaba International Hospital, where he was pursuing a career in the healthcare sector. On Saturday (April 4), he tragically suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was rushed to the same hospital, where doctors declared him 'brought dead'. Bilal's sudden and untimely demise has sent shockwaves across his native village. "He was widely regarded as a dedicated, hardworking, and compassionate young individual, and his passing has left his family and the entire community devastated and in deep mourning," the JKSA national convenor said. The JKSA said it has formally taken up the matter with the External Affairs Minister and sought his intervention to direct the concerned authorities, including the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and relevant local authorities, to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Bilal to India to perform the last rites according to the family's cultural and religious traditions. The Association acknowledged that such cases involve procedural requirements, legal formalities, documentation, and coordination with authorities in Saudi Arabia, and assured complete cooperation in the process. The JKSA further stated that it stands "ready to extend every possible assistance, including coordination with the family, hospital authorities, local contacts, and the concerned diplomatic missions, to ensure that the process is carried out smoothly, swiftly, and with due dignity". The Association expressed hope for a swift response from the Ministry of External Affairs, while appreciating its continued efforts in assisting Indian citizens abroad during distressing situations. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 April,2026 02:28 PM IST | Srinagar | IANSAmid an escalating political spat within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), MP Raghav Chadha has fired back at his own party over recent claims that he has not raised Punjab-related issues in Parliament. In a post on X, Chadha responded to the allegations, emphasising that Punjab is not just his home but "duty, soil and soul." He highlighted the various issues he raised as an MP, including advocating for the Nankana Sahib corridor, legal guarantees for farmers' Minimum Support Price (MSP), addressing vanishing groundwater in Punjab, recommending Bharat Ratna recognition for Bhagat Singh, and several other key issues. "To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that "Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab's issues in Parliament", here is a small trailer...Picture Abhi Baaki Hai. Punjab isn't a talking point for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul." To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that “Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab’s issues in Parliament”, here is a small trailer…Picture Abhi Baaki Hai.Punjab isn’t a talking point for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul❤️ pic.twitter.com/qdTMHK4sqU — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 5, 2026 The whole controversy began following Raghav Chadha's removal from Aam Aadmi Party's deputy leader post in Rajya Sabha, earlier this week, following which, the AAP MP slammed the party leadership, accusing them of silencing his voice. Following Chadha's remarks, several leaders of AAP came out heavily against him, saying he was said to be "compromised" and was scared of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chadha on Saturday hit back at allegations following his removal as Deputy Leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, calling them a "coordinated attack" and denying claims that he refused to walk out of Parliament or sign an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner. In a post on X, Chadha said a scripted campaign was being run against him."Since yesterday, a scripted campaign has been going on against me. Same language, same words, same allegations. This is no coincidence, but a coordinated attack. At first, I thought I shouldn't respond. Then I thought that if a lie is repeated 100 times, some people might believe it. So, I decided to respond," he said To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that “Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab’s issues in Parliament”, here is a small trailer…Picture Abhi Baaki Hai.Punjab isn’t a talking point for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul❤️ pic.twitter.com/qdTMHK4sqU — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 5, 2026 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 April,2026 01:28 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIAuto drivers in Mandya are facing severe difficulties as an ongoing shortage of LPG has disrupted operations at local auto fuel bunkers, impacting their daily livelihoods. Several fuel bunkers across the city have remained closed for days, with "No Stock" boards displayed outside, leaving drivers unable to refuel their vehicles and continue regular operations. Many drivers, who depend entirely on daily fares to sustain themselves and operate vehicles purchased on loans, have expressed growing anxiety over the uncertain situation. The shortage has been linked to escalating tensions and ongoing conflicts in Middle Eastern countries, which have affected LPG supply for both domestic and commercial purposes. Drivers said they are increasingly worried about sustaining their livelihoods, as many of them operate autos purchased on loans and depend entirely on daily earnings from fares. With bunkers closed, drivers have been forced to park their vehicles near fuel stations, waiting in vain for supplies to resume. Auto drivers are struggling to make a living without LPG. Bunker staff confirmed that the closures are due to an acute shortage of gas supply, adding that they are unable to provide a timeline for when operations will normalise. The ongoing crisis has forced drivers to look for alternative work to make ends meet, highlighting the growing hardships faced by the auto community in Mandya. Drivers have appealed to the government to intervene and ensure LPG supply resumes swiftly, emphasising that continued disruptions could severely impact their livelihoods and push many into financial distress. In the meantime, shipments of LPG are continuing to arrive in India. On Friday night, the India-flagged gas carrier Green Sanvi safely transited a strategic maritime chokepoint, carrying approximately 46,650 metric tonnes of LPG, according to official sources. This follows a previous shipment of 47,000 metric tonnes that arrived at the Vadinar Terminal in Gujarat on March 28 via the vessel MT Jag Vasant, which is scheduled for a Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer at anchorage. Sources told ANI that Indian Navy warships have been on standby to provide support to merchant vessels as the Centre continues negotiations with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage amid a maritime blockade. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 April,2026 01:28 PM IST | Karnataka | ANIMoody's Ratings has slashed India's economic growth estimates for the current fiscal to 6 per cent from 6.8 per cent earlier, saying the ongoing conflict in West Asia will moderate growth momentum and raise inflation risks. In its credit opinion report on India, Moody's said prolonged disruptions, particularly LPG shipments due to the conflict, would lead to near-term household shortages, higher fuel and transport costs, and spillovers to food inflation through India's reliance on imported fertilisers. The region accounts for around 55 per cent of crude oil imports and over 90 per cent of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supplies to India. "While inflation remains contained for now, geopolitical risks have tilted the inflation outlook to the upside," Moody's said while projecting inflation to average 4.8 per cent in FY27, up from 2.4 per cent in FY26. With inflation risks re-emerging and growth remaining robust, policy rates are likely to be held steady or raised gradually in fiscal 2026â¿¿27, depending on the duration of geopolitical tensions and their pass-through to food and fuel prices, Moody's said. "In light of India's economic exposure to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, we expect real GDP growth to moderate to 6 per cent in fiscal 2026-27 from 6.8 per cent earlier, driven by subdued private consumption, softer industrial activity and a weakening in the momentum of gross fixed capital formation amid elevated prices and higher input costs," according to the Moody's report, dated March 31, accessed by PTI. Last month, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projected India's GDP growth to moderate to 6.1 per cent in the current fiscal from 7.6 per cent growth recorded in 2025-26. Besides, an Economy Watch report by EY has said that India's real GDP growth for FY27 could erode by around 1 percentage point, while retail inflation could rise by about 1.5 percentage points from their baseline estimates if the West Asia conflict persists through 2026-27. Domestic rating agency Icra expects the growth to moderate to 6.5 per cent in FY27, owing to the adverse impact of elevated energy prices and concerns around energy availability amid the West Asia conflict. It further said the government's sustained emphasis on infrastructure spending and a gradual easing of trade barriers will continue to support investment activity.India's real GDP growth remained robust at 7.5 per cent in calendar year 2025, up from 7.2 per cent in CY 2024 and the highest among G-20 economies, driven primarily by a strong rebound in manufacturing. Moody's said elevated oil, gas and fertiliser prices would intensify pressures on targeted subsidies, resulting in higher outlays, alongside revenue erosion compared to the budget. Global crude prices have risen by almost 50 per cent since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering sweeping retaliation from Tehran. The recent cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel will hurt tax receipts. Besides, persistently high input costs weigh on household consumption and compress corporate profitability, softening GST collections and corporate income tax revenues. "Taken together, we expect higher expenditure commitments and weaker revenue mobilisation to constrain fiscal space and slow the pace of fiscal consolidation in the absence of offsetting revenue measures or expenditure rationalisation," it added. Moody's expects gradual debt consolidation, consistent with the government's medium-term objective of reducing central government debt to around 50 per cent of GDP by 2030-31 from around 57 per cent of GDP in 2024-25. In calendar year 2025, India's current account deficit marginally narrowed to around 0.4 per cent of GDP from 0.9 per cent in the previous year, and is expected to remain around 1-1.5 per cent of GDP for 2026 and 2027. The stable external position is largely attributed to a gradual increase in goods exports offset by high goods imports, particularly in imported fuels and raw materials. The agency expects goods and services exports to remain broadly stable, even as goods imports will expand on the back of higher global commodity prices, depending on the duration of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, widening India's current account deficit. It also expects India to face higher import costs, as it secures alternative and potentially more expensive supplies of fertilisers and gas. Trade disruptions affecting West Asia, a key market for India's agricultural exports, will also dampen external demand, further contributing to a widening of the current account deficit. Remittance inflows form another vulnerability, as the Gulf region accounts for about 40 per cent of total such flows, Moody's said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 April,2026 01:18 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIThe Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats, saying he is "bulldozing" the move that will work more to the benefit of larger and populous states and is nothing but a "Weapon of Mass Distraction (WMD)". The opposition party also alleged that the prime minister is "hoodwinking" the people of the country and is making misleading statements that are meant to deceive. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The PM is upto his usual tricks of making misleading statements that are meant to deceive. He says South Indian states will not be hurt in any way if the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased by 50 pc and the number of seats of each state in the Lok Sabha is also increased by 50pc." "This is hoodwinking the people of the country in which the PM has unique expertise," Ramesh said. For example, the difference between UP's and Kerala's seats in the Lok Sabha is now 60 and Modi's proposal will increase it to 90, he said. Similarly, the difference between UP and Tamil Nadu will increase from 41 to at least 61, Ramesh said and added that such examples can be multiplied. "Mr. Modi is bulldozing a proposal that will work more to the benefit of larger and populous states since their already large numbers will get further magnified," the Congress leader said. It is not just South India but states like Punjab and Haryana and those in the North East that will also see their relative influence decline, he argued. "The nation is facing a serious economic and foreign policy crisis. All that the PM is bothered about is pushing through an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas without meaningful consultations and widespread public debate. This is nothing but a Weapon of Mass Distraction (WMD)," Ramesh said. His remarks come a day after Prime Minister Modi said that the Budget session of Parliament has been extended for three days so that the law enacted in 2023 for providing 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be implemented from 2029. On Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, while speaking in Rajya Sabha, had said the House will meet again soon to consider a key legislation. "We have certain bills and important issues, and we have shared this with the opposition also. We are going to have a very important bill in the next two-three weeks," he said. It later emerged that the Budget session of Parliament will reconvene on April 16 after a brief recess to pass bills to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 so that the women's reservation law can be implemented at the earliest. Addressing an NDA election rally in Kerala, Modi said the government will ensure, during the April 16-18 Parliament sitting, a legal stamp that no state, whether it is Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, or Telangana, will see a reduction in Lok Sabha seats. The prime minister said that the NDA government has given 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies through a law in 2023."Do you know why it will reconvene? The law we have passed for 33 per cent reservation for women, so that its benefits can begin from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, and 33 per cent of our sisters can sit in Parliament. For this, further legal provisions are needed," Modi said. The Women's Reservation Act was passed by Parliament in 2023. The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution, but it will come into effect after the completion of the delimitation exercise. If the proposal to implement the law even before the delimitation exercise actually materialises, another amendment to the Constitution will be required. The government is expected to amend the law to this effect in the three-day sitting of the Parliament. The prime minister urged all parties that this is an issue related to women's empowerment, so they should, with an open mind and without any political calculations, fully support it and become partners in winning the trust of the country's mothers and sisters. He said that the government had invited members of Congress for discussions and hoped that they would come and agree with it. The Congress on Friday had alleged that the government has called a "special session" of Parliament for passing bills related to amending the women's quota law and delimitation to "grab political mileage" in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu polls, which, it claimed, is a "gross violation" of the model code of conduct. Asserting that the government's push for a rushed delimitation exercise would have "dangerous consequences", Ramesh had said, "We do not want any disturbance in the present differentials and relative strength." The Congress had cautioned against any haste in amending the Constitution regarding delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies, saying it is a sensitive matter and the government must tread carefully, otherwise the exercise might put several states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala at a significant disadvantage. Ramesh had said the government kept "sleeping" for 30 months after the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and now wants to take "double credit" in the election season. While the government is keen on passing the bills, including amending the Women's Reservation Act 2023, officially called Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, or Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the opposition has accused the Centre of trying to hurriedly move for passing amendments to take political advantage in the state elections. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 April,2026 12:59 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1775403846030_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "Congress fields Akash More as their candidate for Baramati by-polls")
-1775390280838_d.png "File Pic")
-1775379433832_d.png "JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami. PIC/X")
-1775375891093_d.png "Raghav Chadha. File Pic")
-1775375762986_d.png "Representational image. File pic")
-1775375212428_d.png "Pic/Pixabay")
-1775373639570_d.png "File Photo")