Kolkata, Aug 7 (IANS) Tensions between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government are escalating on multiple fronts, with clear signs that the confrontation could intensify in the coming days.The immediate flashpoint is the ECI’s directive to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant earlier this week, ordering the suspension of four election officers and the lodging of FIRs against them. The Commission found the officials guilty of irregularities in the addition of nam…

Mangaluru (Karnataka), Aug 7 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has confirmed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged mass grave case in the temple town of Dharmasthala in Mangaluru district has recovered a male skeleton and human bones from the marked burial sites, which have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, Home Minister Parameshwara stated, “The unknown complainant claimed that he had buried de…

Bengaluru, Aug 7 (IANS) The BJP on Thursday blamed the Siddaramaiah government for “failing” to resolve the urea crisis in the state, which has dampened the spirits of the farmers who were expecting a better yield due to a decent amount of rainfall. The situation has compelled farmers to struggle to save their crops, dashing their hopes of earning an income and reaping a good yield.Amid the crisis, the detection of 15 tonnes of urea being illegally transported to Kerala and the incidents of lath…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued the official notification for the conduct of the Vice-Presidential Election, 2025. Acting under the provisions of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, the Commission announced the timeline for nominations, scrutiny, withdrawal of candidature, and polling — if required.The notification, dated August 7, has been published in the ‘Gazette of India’ and will also appear in ‘State Gazettes’ in t…

Chennai, Aug 7 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging immediate diplomatic intervention to secure the release of 14 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. In his letter, CM Stalin said that the Sri Lankan Navy had apprehended 14 Indian fishermen and seized their mechanised fishing boat, along with an unregistered country boat, during the early hours of Tuesday.He brought this development to the special attention of the Exte…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Leaders across India’s political spectrum on Thursday strongly reacted to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of imposing a punitive 25 per cent tariff on India for continuing to buy oil from Russia — a move that would raise total tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.In a sharp rebuke, Indian leaders questioned Washington’s authority to “punish” sovereign countries for pursuing independent foreign policy and warned that retaliatory measures would be considered if …

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the second time on Thursday till 2 p.m. following intense protests by opposition members demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The uproar began shortly after the House reconvened at noon, with opposition MPs trooping into the Well, raising slogans and demanding a rollback of the SIR exercise.Presiding over the session, Sandhya Ray, who was in the Chair, attempted to continue with scheduled b…

Patna, Aug 7 (IANS) Former Mokama MLA and strongman Anant Singh, released from Beur Jail on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and predicted a strong comeback for the NDA in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.Speaking to reporters in Patna on Thursday, Singh claimed that the RJD would struggle to secure even 15 seats in the elections. Targeting RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, he said, “Lalu Yadav will not win more than 15 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembl…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday celebrated Raksha Bandhan with school students at the Mukhyamantri Jan Seva Sadan in Civil Lines, turning the occasion into a heartwarming celebration of trust, hope, and childhood dreams. Sharing glimpses from the event on social media platform ‘X’, CM Gupta wrote, “This morning, the Mukhyamantri Jan Seva Sadan had a different vibe. When children from government schools came with rakhis, it redefined our bond with them. …

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) A Delhi court on Thursday sought certain clarifications from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald money laundering case involving Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and others, as proposed accused. The Rouse Avenue Court, which examined the case diary, is likely to deliver its decision on Friday on taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed by the ED under the Preventi…