The Times of India

A significant rift within the Aam Aadmi Party has led to a major exodus, with seven AAP MPs joining the BJP. This leaves the party with only three members in the Rajya Sabha, including leader Sanjay Singh, who has denounced the defectors as 'traitors' amidst allegations of 'Operation Lotus' targeting the Punjab government.

Aam Aadmi Party's rising star Raghav Chadha has dramatically exited the party, citing a deviation from principles and personal benefit. Chadha, along with six other Rajya Sabha members, announced their merger with the BJP, accusing AAP leadership of silencing him. This move signals a significant internal rupture and an existential moment for the AAP, following Chadha's removal as deputy leader.

Former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane emphasized keeping armed forces away from political narratives, while acknowledging individual democratic rights. His remarks followed a controversy where excerpts from his unpublished memoir were cited in Parliament, sparking debates on national security and civil-military relations.

Aam Aadmi Party faces a significant setback as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and six other MPs announced their decision to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Chadha cited the AAP's deviation from its core ideology and working for personal benefits as reasons for the move. This comes days after Chadha's removal as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared her intention to challenge the BJP nationally, aiming to unite opposition parties and dismantle the party at the Centre. She vowed to win Bengal first, then take the fight to Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded with a jibe, questioning her need to come to Delhi.

In a significant political shift, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party and joined the BJP, citing the party's deviation from its founding principles for personal gain. Chadha expressed feeling like the 'right man in the wrong party.' He announced that seven AAP MPs, including Swati Maliwal and Harbhajan Singh, are also making the move.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed the wave of change in West Bengal is evident after the first phase of polling, signaling a BJP victory. He alleged the TMC has crushed the temple of democracy and urged voters to reconstruct it, while also criticizing the party over women's safety.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of staging his recent jhalmuri break during a campaign stop, alleging pre-planned arrangements and camera installations. She countered PM Modi's jhalmuri reference by listing diverse foods she consumes, questioning the BJP's confidence and suggesting EVM tampering. PM Modi had previously used the jhalmuri anecdote to target the TMC.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav defends his statements on the Women's Reservation Bill. He asserts his commitment to protecting women entering politics. Yadav alleges exploitation of young girls by leaders and capitalists. He claims his remarks highlight the struggles women face in the political arena. The Bihar State Women's Commission has sought an explanation for his offensive statements.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the high voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections signals a desire for change. He asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party is poised for victory and will form the next government with an absolute majority.

The Supreme Court has directed officials deputed for election duty in West Bengal to approach the appellate tribunal regarding their exclusion from voter rolls. While acknowledging the issue of their continued inclusion in electoral rolls will be examined, the court stated it cannot alter its orders daily, emphasizing the need to follow prescribed legal channels for voting rights.

Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO, highlights that happiness stems from one's attitude, not perfect circumstances. His journey from India to leading a tech giant underscores perseverance and a grounded mindset. This perspective is crucial for students, emphasizing a positive outlook and personal development over solely focusing on outcomes.

Michael and Susan Dell have pledged $750 million to the University of Texas at Austin for a new medical center and research campus. This significant donation will focus on integrating AI and advanced computing to improve patient care, research, and education. The project, expected to open by 2030, aims to enhance Austin's healthcare capabilities and advance medical innovation.

The BJP has announced that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will lead the party in the 2027 Uttarakhand assembly elections. Party president Nitin Nabin highlighted Dhami's focus on development and governance, with senior leaders like Prime Minister Modi, Rajnath Singh, and Amit Shah also praising his leadership and the state's progress.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee launched a strong attack on the BJP, accusing them of influencing the state's administration and vowing to politically counter them beyond Bengal. She declared her intention to ake over Delhi after winning Bengal, aiming for the BJP's destruction. The remarks come amid an intense election battle with high voter turnout.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's social media interaction with a supporter waiting for his roadshow in West Bengal went viral. Shah, who had posted a sunset video with a swipe at the ruling TMC, apologized for the delay to a user waiting in the heat. He later held the roadshow, highlighting public sentiment against TMC's alleged atrocities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared moments from his visit to the Hooghly river banks in Kolkata, including a boat ride. He expressed gratitude to Maa Ganga and met with local boatmen and morning walkers. The visit occurred amidst ongoing political campaigning for the West Bengal assembly elections, with the BJP aiming to unseat the ruling Trinamool Congress.

The Congress has submitted a preliminary response to the Election Commission's notice concerning party president Mallikarjun Kharge's errorist remark. The party alleges the notice, citing discrepancies and a rushed deadline, indicates ulterior motives and a lack of due diligence. They have requested a week to provide a detailed reply and seek an audience with the EC.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on Donald Trump's derogatory remarks about India. Kharge questioned Modi's stance, highlighting India's contributions to the US and alleging that the government has failed to protect national interests in past dealings with the US.

The absence of joint rallies between Rahul Gandhi and alliance partners like MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu raises concerns about Congress's coalition strategy. This visual gap fuels speculation and opposition attacks, contrasting with proactive alliance building seen from other INDIA bloc leaders like Arvind Kejriwal.

Veteran actress Mumtaz clarified her stance on Sanjeev Kumar, stating he was a brilliant actor but not a ig star like Dilip Kumar or Dev Anand. She differentiated between actors and stars, noting Kumar often played character roles. Mumtaz also commented on Zeenat Aman's acting abilities and named Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nargis, and Rekha as true stars.

Veteran actor Mumtaz has expressed deep emotion over the fate of Rajesh Khannas iconic bungalow, Aashirwad, calling it a monument and admitting that its loss still affects her. In a recent chat, Mumtaz spoke about her close bond with Khanna, his then-partner Anju Mahendru, her frequent visits to the bungalow, and the memories attached to it. Alongside personal memories, Mumtaz also opened up about working with Rajesh Khanna on set, including his well-known habit of arriving late.

Autopsy findings in the rape and murder of an IRS officer's daughter reveal multiple injuries indicating a violent struggle. The 22-year-old victim sustained abrasions, contusions, and a nasal bone fracture. The accused, a domestic help, allegedly used a spare key to enter the apartment and assaulted her before fleeing with valuables.

Meta is installing new tracking software on US employees' computers to capture mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for AI training. This initiative aims to improve AI agents' ability to perform work tasks autonomously, like using shortcuts. Meta assures employees the data won't be used for performance reviews, only for enhancing AI models.