The Times of India

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Coimbatore for election campaigning. Nagendran criticized the ruling DMK and Congress alliance, alleging confusion and lack of support from national Congress leaders. He also accused the state government of misrepresenting central welfare schemes and opposing women's reservation.

Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, alleging the latter has been taken over by the BJP. He defended Tamil language and culture, stating he feels personally connected to the state's struggles against the RSS and BJP. Gandhi also criticized the BJP's economic policies and legislative tactics.

The government faced a setback as the women's reservation bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, requiring a two-thirds majority. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju blamed the Congress and opposition parties, calling it an anti-women stance and a significant blow to the nation. The opposition, while supporting reservation, opposed its linkage with delimitation and census.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hailed the defeat of the Delimitation Bill as a victory for democracy, accusing the Centre of a conspiracy to alter the federal structure. The bill, which proposed women's reservation linked to delimitation, failed to secure the required majority in the Lok Sabha. Opposition parties, while supporting women's reservation in principle, opposed its linkage with delimitation and census.

The Budget Session of Parliament concluded sine die after the women's reservation Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. The government also deferred the contentious delimitation proposal amid Opposition pushback, ending the session on a politically charged note.

Pune airport operations have resumed after an Indian Air Force Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure during a hard landing, blocking the runway. Repair work was completed on a war footing, with departure operations starting at 7:30 AM and arrivals at 8:00 AM. Several flights were cancelled due to the incident.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin celebrated the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a victory for the state. He stated that Tamil Nadu fought for fairness in the delimitation process, not against it, and vowed to continue standing united against challenges to the state's rights and federal spirit.

The Women's Reservation Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, failing to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority after intense debate. The ruling NDA fell short of the required numbers, leading to sharp exchanges where the Opposition was labelled 'anti-women' and the bill 'anti-national'.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Opposition's stance on the Women's Reservation Bill and delimitation, accusing them of promoting a divisive North-South narrative. He asserted that delimitation would ensure fair representation for all states, including southern ones, and refuted claims of any loss in their parliamentary seats.

INDIA bloc MPs are set to oppose and defeat the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha. Opposition parties fear the delimitation process, based on the 2011 census, will reduce southern states' representation and demolish opposition parties. They question the bundling of these bills with women's reservation.

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has filed a plea to become an approver in the Rs 200 crore money-laundering case involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the alleged extortion racket. Fernandez, who has been questioned previously, has now expressed her willingness to cooperate with the agency by turning approver in the high-profile case.