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26 May 2025: Covid Spike in India, BJP Suspensions Revoked, Mumbai Rains Break Records

26 May 2025: Covid Spike in India, BJP Suspensions Revoked, Mumbai Rains Break Records

India Today26-05-2025

India Today Podcasts Desk
UPDATED: May 26, 2025 19:02 IST
On today's episode of News @ 7, Prateek Lidhoo brings you the top stories from across India. Covid-19 cases are on the rise again, with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi reporting the highest numbers. In Karnataka, the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs has been revoked after two months following high-level talks. The Supreme Court has paused the liquidation of Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd, granting temporary relief to JSW Steel. Meanwhile, Mumbai witnessed record-breaking rainfall for May, marking the earliest monsoon in 25 years and triggering red alerts across the region. And in a major security development, a CRPF personnel has been arrested by the NIA for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Stay tuned for your daily news wrap, every evening at 7 PM, only on India Today Podcasts.
Produced by Prateek Lidhoo
Sound mix by Suraj Singh

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BJP's Jiwan Gupta files papers for Ludhiana West bypoll
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  • Hindustan Times

BJP's Jiwan Gupta files papers for Ludhiana West bypoll

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Jiwan Gupta filed his nomination papers on Monday for the Ludhiana West bypoll scheduled for June 19. He was accompanied by state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Union minister of state for railways and food processing industries Ravneet Singh Bittu, and senior BJP leaders Vijay Rupani, and Rajneesh Dhiman. The district BJP president was also present. Jakhar said the Ludhiana West bypoll is an opportunity for voters to 'give a fitting reply to the anti-people policies of the AAP government.' He stated, 'Punjab wants change once again, and this change will start from Ludhiana West. What's happening today is not governance for Punjabis—it's remote-controlled from Delhi. Corruption is rampant under AAP.' Bittu echoed Jakhar's sentiments, saying, 'This time, the BJP high command has placed its faith in a grassroots-level leader with over 35 years of service in the party. If Jeewan Gupta wins, no one can stop the developmental wave in Ludhiana West.' Gupta, BJP candidate and a long-time party worker, expressed confidence about winning the seat by a significant margin. 'We will win with a big lead. For three and a half years, people have seen nothing but corruption, the rise of drugs, and unchecked sand mining under the current regime. The people are ready to write a new chapter from Ludhiana West,' he said, while highlighting the public's warmth and support during his door-to-door campaign. Jakhar alleged that 'Delhi's people have hijacked Punjab's government,' referring to the increasing influence of AAP's Delhi leaders in the state. Bittu, urged voters to deliver a decisive victory for BJP candidate Gupta in the upcoming byelection. Bittu emphasized that a win here could set the momentum for forming a BJP government in Punjab in 2027. Speaking at a gathering of party workers and leaders in Ludhiana, Bittu called the byelection a golden opportunity for BJP to demonstrate its growing strength in Punjab. 'This election is our chance to send a clear message to both the party leadership and the people of Punjab that the state is aligned with the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' he said. Addressing the delay in ticket declaration, Bittu explained that the party's central leadership was focused on 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan. Eventually, Gupta — a loyal party worker with over 30 years of grassroots service — was chosen. Highlighting ongoing central government support, Bittu reminded the people that even during his tenure as a Congress MP, Ludhiana benefited from significant development initiatives like the Smart City project, an international airport, and a world-class railway station — all funded by the Centre. Criticising AAP, Bittu remarked on the party's inability to field a local volunteer, and instead opting to award the ticket to political heavyweights. 'It's ironic — AAP couldn't find a single committed volunteer from Ludhiana,' he said. He also took a swipe at Congress, highlighting the party's 'internal disarray after controversial inductions of certain leaders'. 'Even the Punjab Congress president denied being informed about the new joinings,' Bittu added. While addressing the media, Bittu said that under 'Operation Sindoor' the Indian forces have targeted terrorist establishments 300 km inside Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'To pay gratitude for the 'Operation Sindoor' we can cast our vote for the BJP candidate,' he said. Former cabinet minister Dr Harbans Lal was also present on the occasion. To bolster the campaign, BJP has deployed a team of star campaigners including Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Anurag Thakur, along with senior leaders, including former MP Avinash Rai Khanna, ex-state president Ashwani Sharma, former minister Manoranjan Kalia, MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and party co-incharge Narinder Singh Raina.

Himachal: Gear up for panchayat polls, says Nadda
Himachal: Gear up for panchayat polls, says Nadda

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Himachal: Gear up for panchayat polls, says Nadda

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WHILE the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led BJP government is claiming credit for 'swift justice' after a Uttarakhand court on Friday sentenced three persons, including former BJP minister Vinod Arya's son, Pulkit, to life imprisonment in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the Congress has alleged that evidence was destroyed and there were 'lapses in the probe'. Referring to the September 23, 2022, demolition of the 'illegal' Vanantara resort where Ankita was employed and lived, a day before her body was recovered from the Chilla canal, state Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni targeted a BJP MLA. All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba was also present at the press conference held by the party Monday. 'The MLA, acting on what she claimed were instructions from Dhami, demolished the resort where the girl was staying. She then released a video thanking the CM for his sensitive response. Even as tampering with a crime scene is a grave offence, Dhami himself in a social media post on September 24 boasted about the demolition of the Vanantara resort,' Dasauni said. Acting DGP Abhinav Kumar said the judgment was based on evidence. Dasauni also pointed to the 'irregularities' in the BJP's poster, circulated widely on social media by party workers, which claimed that the government had changed lawyers thrice at the victim's family's behest, provided jobs to Ankita's kin, ensured that the accused's bail was rejected due to strong arguments by prosecutors and provided Rs 25 lakh financial assistance to the family. 'It also falsely claimed that the accused were arrested within 24 hours but in reality it took six days,' she said. Claiming that 'Ankita had to die' due to the VIP that the Dhami government was 'shielding', former CM Harish Rawat said the Congress would reinvestigate the case if voted to power in the 2027 Assembly polls. 'We will set up an SIT within 10 days of government formation… The incident is of great significance as Ankita sacrificed her life for honour. There is a general feeling among the people that the BJP government helped cover up the case,' Rawat told The Indian Express, adding that Bisht's role also needed to be probed. Following the court's verdict Anikta's father, Virendra Bhandari called for the BJP MLA's role and the VIP's details to be made public even as Dhami cited his government's 'sankalp (resolve)' in ensuring justice for Ankita. 'She was a daughter and sister of the mountains… Soon after the incident came to light, we directed the police to arrest the accused, and constituted an SIT headed by a woman IPS officer. Due to this, the accused were not granted bail and have been sentenced to life in prison. We are also in touch with her family,' he said. State BJP chief and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt also sought to credit Dhami's leadership for the verdict and hailed the role of investigating agencies. 'The CM had made it clear that the culprits would be awarded the strictest punishment. Acting upon his directives, all proceedings – from investigation to trial – were conducted with the consent and involvement of the victim's family. Despite the high number of witnesses and evidence, justice was delivered in a minimal timeframe,' he said. A receptionist at the Vanantara resort, 19-year-old Ankita was murdered on September 18, 2022, for allegedly refusing to 'offer special services' to a VIP guest, whose identity is yet to be revealed. While the Congress alleged 'malpractice' in keeping the guest's details hidden, Ankita's parents had moved the Uttarakhand High Court seeking the case be transferred to the CBI. However, the petition was dismissed. Protests had erupted across the state after the case came to light with the Congress demanding a CBI probe into it while accusing the BJP of tampering with the evidence. Arya as well as his elder son Ankit, who was the vice-president of the OBC Commission, were expelled in the wake of the incident. The Congress had also taken up the case ahead of the Lok Sabha polls with its state chief Karan Mahara urging the Election Commission (EC) to transfer DGP Kumar. '…The investigation of Ankita Bhandari's heinous murder case is still ongoing but the statement of the current DGP regarding the investigation, in which he has been found defending the government like the spokesperson of the ruling party, is against the dignity of his current post,' he had said in his letter to the EC. The BJP had gone on to win all five Lok Sabha seats in the state. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More

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