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‘He was cabinet minister, accepting it will be demotion’: NCP declines MoS berth for Praful Patel, decides to wait for cabinet expansion

OpIndia Staff
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‘He was cabinet minister, accepting it will be demotion’: NCP declines MoS berth for Praful Patel, decides to wait for cabinet expansion

Hours before the swearing-in ceremony of the third Modi government, NDA ally Nationalist Congress Party declined the post of Minister of State with independent charge offered to Praful Patel. Therefore, the NCP leader will not be taking oath today evening. The party refused to accept the MoS position and demanded a cabinet berth, saying their expected combined numbers in parliament would make them eligible for a cabinet ministry.

The party has decided to wait to join the govt after BJP said that their demands could be considered at a later stage, when the union cabinet is expanded.

NCP leader Praful Patel said on Sunday that accepting the position of Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge in the Union Cabinet will be considered a demotion for him, as he was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the UPA Government headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge. I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so this will be a demotion for me. We have informed the BJP leadership and they have already told us to just wait a few days, they will take remedial measures,” Praful Patel told reporters.

During the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government let by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Patel was the cabinet minister for the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar also said, “Praful Patel has served as a cabinet minister in the central government and we did not feel right in taking Minister of State with independent charge. So we told them (BJP) that we are ready to wait for a few days, but we want a cabinet ministry. We are going to attend the swearing-in ceremony today…”

He further said, “We have one Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha MP today, but in the next 2-3 months we will have a total of 3 members in the Rajya Sabha and our number of MPs in Parliament will be 4. So we said we should be given one (cabinet ministry) seat.”

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the development and said that Praful Patel’s name was finalized for the post of independent charge (MoS) Minister, adding that in the coalition government, certain criteria are fixed for the post of minister, and those criteria cannot be changed for one party.

“NCP was offered an independent charge (MoS) minister post by us. Praful Patel’s name was also final. But he remains a cabinet minister. NCP leaders were of the opinion that he could not be made a state minister. In the coalition government, certain criteria are fixed for the post of minister, and those criteria cannot be changed for one party. So this time, he could not be included in the Union Cabinet. But he will be considered in the future,” he said.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar said that they did not feel right to take the Minister of State with independent charge as Praful Patel had served as a cabinet minister in the central government earlier.

“Praful Patel has served as a cabinet minister in the central government and we did not feel right taking the Minister of State with independent charge. So we told them (BJP) that we are ready to wait for a few days, but we want a cabinet ministry. They said okay and we junked their offer of Minister of State with independent charge. Today we have been called at 7:15 for the oath-taking ceremony and we are going as well as part of the NDA,” he said.

Earlier, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with members of Parliament who are likely to be inducted into his Cabinet and Council of Ministers.

The PM-designate hosted a customary high tea at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in the national capital before the grand ceremony this evening.

A video of the interaction at the Prime Minister’s residence this afternoon Modi was seen briefing the incoming ministers, setting the tone for the government’s agenda and priorities moving forward.

BJP leaders Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal, Mandaviya, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were seen attending the meeting and can be seen as a certainty in the new government, sources said.

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Jyotiraditya Scindia, were among others who arrived for the tea meeting.

PM Modi will take the oath of office at 7.15 pm today along with his council of ministers in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously passed a resolution to elect Narendra Modi as their leader on June 5.

Around 1,100 traffic police personnel of the Delhi Police have been deployed and an advisory has been issued to the public for the traffic movement route arrangements have been made for the delegates as part of the arrangements for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s oath ceremony on Sunday.

As per the results announced by the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats and the Congress 99 seats. BJP had won 303 seats in the 2019 general elections and 282 seats in the 2014 general elections.

(With inputs from ANI)

26-year-old Israeli woman Noa Argamani, one of the 4 hostages rescued from Gaza, was held captive by a journalist who worked for Al Jazeera

OpIndia Staff
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26-year-old Israeli woman Noa Argamani, one of the 4 hostages rescued from Gaza, was held captive by a journalist who worked for Al Jazeera

On 8th June, Israeli forces rescued four Israeli nationals held captive in Gaza since the 7th October terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel’s territory. Following the 7 October terror attack last year, Hamas terrorists had taken hundreds of hostages with them, and the 4 rescued yesterday were among them. One of the hostages rescued has been identified as Noa Argamani who was rescued from Nuseirat in central Gaza.

Noa Argamani (26), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27) and Shlomi Ziv (40) were abducted from the Supernova music festival near the Israel-Gaza border during the Hamas terror attack, and were reportedly held hostage in the houses of civilians in Nuseirat, and area not touched by Israeli ground forces so far. Noa was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists along with her boyfriend during the terrorist attack on Nova Music Festival on 7th October. Now, in a shocking revelation, it has been claimed that the sole woman among the four, Noa Argamani, was kept in an Al Jazeera journalist’s house.

It has been reported that Al Jazeera’s journalist Abdullah Al-Jamal was holding an Israeli national captive at a civilian residence. Al Jamal previously worked for the propaganda media house Al Jazeera and was currently working with the US outlet The Palestine Chronicle as a staff writer. He was killed during the rescue operation along with his family members.

As the reports of his involvement in holding Noa captive emerged, Al Jazeera issued a statement distancing itself from Al-Jamal. In a statement, senior correspondent of Al Jazeera, Imran Khan, said on Instagram that Al-Jamal was never a full-time employee of Al Jazeera and he worked as a freelance journalist.

Instagram post of Al Jazeera senior correspondent Al-Jamal

Notably, Abdullah Al-Jamal also worked as a spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Labor which functions under Hamas. Jamal’s father Dr. Ahmed, and some other members of the family were also killed in the Israeli operation to rescue the hostages.

While Noa was rescued from Al-Jamal’s house, three other hostages were rescued from a different location. Two multi-story buildings were raided by the IDF in the operation on Saturday to rescue the hostages who were under Hamas captivity for 8 months. Officers of police’s elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, along with Shin Bet agents, simultaneously raided the two Hamas-controlled multi-story buildings in the heart of central Gaza’s Nuseirat, an official statement by Israel said.

Though there was criticism of the Israeli forces over claims that over 200 people were killed during the rescue operation on the Palestinian side, it has to be noted that those who criticised Israeli forces failed to address the fact that “civilians” were holding Israeli nationals captive. The rescue operation was joinly conducted by IDF, Israel Security Agency and Israel Police. Notably, the operation was based on “precise” intelligence received by the security agencies.

IDF lost one of its soldiers, Commander Arnon Zamora, in the rescue operation. Zmora commanded the rescue team at the building where three hostages were being held.

The fact that Noa Argamani was held hostage by a journalist was first revealed by a pro-Palestine activist. In a post on X, Ramy Abdul, the chairman of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, a pro-Palestinian organisation, claimed that his organisation found evidence of Israeli special forces using a ladder to enter the house of Dr Ahmed Al-Jamal, father of journalist Abdullah Al-Jamal. He gave detailed descriptions of how the Israeli forces raided the house.

Ramy Abdul, however, failed to address why these “civilians” were holding Noa captive. It has been alleged that Hamas was paying “civilians” to keep Israelis captive at their houses. Though he did not take the name of Noa directly, the evidence is enough to connect the dots that it was Noa who was held captive at the Al Jazeera journalist’s house.

When netizens asked Ramy Abdul why the family of doctor and journalist were holding a young Israeli woman hostage, he gave the bizarre reply that replied that “this should be addressed by the Israeli officials”.

Reacting to the rescue operation, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement, “They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the ‘Sheba’ Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations.”

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that the Israeli forces had to enter the civilian areas to rescue the hostages as Hamas terrorists had embedded themselves in the civilian areas. He said the hostages were rescued from two separate civilian multi-story buildings that were 200 metres away from each other. Notably, the hostages were moved frequently in Gaza. Hagari pointed out that Argamani was held hostage elsewhere previously. Similar raids were called off over four times due to unfavourable circumstances.

In a statement, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said, “I followed the complex operation from the command and control center — IDF, ISA and Special Forces operated with extraordinary courage under heavy fire, and succeeded in completing their mission. Israel’s defense establishment will continue fighting until 120 hostages return home.”

Hostage Families Forum also issued a statement and said, “The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas – the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial.”

Noa was one of the hostages whose videos of Hamas terrorists taking her to Gaza went viral on social media. In a video, she was seen forcefully seated on the backseat of a bike pleading and screaming. Her mother, a Chinese national, is suffering from brain cancer. In November 2023, she released a video pleading for her daughter’s release. Noa was also seen in propaganda videos released by Hamas giving hope to her family that she was still alive.

Israel Hamas war entered its eighth month on 8th June.

Odisha: VK Pandian, close aide of Naveen Patnaik, quits active politics after BJD’s defeat in the state, says he has no desire for any political post

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: VK Pandian, close aide of Naveen Patnaik, quits active politics after BJD’s defeat in the state, says he has no desire for any political post

On Sunday (9th June), 5T Chairman and Biju Janata Dal leader, VK Pandian, who is considered the closest aide of outgoing Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, announced his decision to quit active politics. In a video statement, Pandian also apologised to BJD workers stating that he is sorry if the campaign narrative against him played a part in BJD’s loss. Notably, the BJP, which has come to power for the first time in Odisha, had fought the election on the issue of Odisha Asmita (pride). It kept Tamil-born IAS-turned-BJD leader VK Pandian at the centre of its attack and gained success in ousting Naveen Patnaik who had been the state CM since 2000.  

The development also comes after Naveen Patnaik gave a statement after the party’s electoral defeat. Addressing the media, Patnaik reiterated that Pandian was not his “successor” and added that the people of Odisha would decide about the same. 

In his video statement, VK Pandian said, “(From) the day I set foot on the soil of Odisha, I have received immense love and affection from the people of Odisha.” He emphasised that he has tried to work very hard for the people across the state. He added that it has been an honour to work for Naveen Patnaik. 

Pandian further stated, “The experience and learning I got is for a lifetime. His grace, leadership, ethics, and above all, the love for the people of Odisha always inspired me. His expectation from me was to implement his vision for Odisha and we successfully crossed many milestones in health, education, poverty reduction, ports, investment, women empowerment, infrastructure, and also in temple and heritage projects.”

Pandian noted, “My only intent was to help him, as anyone would do for his mentor and family. I would like to set straight certain perceptions and narratives. Perhaps, it has been my shortcoming that I have not been able to effectively counter some of these political narratives. I reiterate that I came to politics to help my mentor Naveen Patnaik ahead of the gruelling elections and I had no desire, whatsoever, for a specific political post or power. That’s why I was neither a candidate nor was I holding any post in Biju Janata Dal.”  

VK Pandian added that he worked hard for 12 years with a focus on Naveen Patnaik and Odisha. 

“The only property I have is what I inherited from my grandparents. I or my immediate family have no other property anywhere in the world. The biggest earning in my lifetime has been the love, affection, and goodwill of the people of Odisha. My intent of joining politics was only to assist Naveen Babu and I have consciously decided to withdraw myself from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone in this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in BJD’s loss. I apologise to the entire Biju parivar, including all workers. My heartfelt gratitude to lakhs of Biju parivar members I am associated with,” Pandian added.

VK Pandian and BJP’s Odisha Asmita plank against BJD

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had launched scathing attacks on the BJD accusing it of running a proxy government. It stated that because of Naveen Patnaik’s deteriorating health, VK Pandian has assumed power without any accountability. BJP kept the issue of Odisha Asmita (pride) at the center of its poll campaign and asserted that Tamil-born bureaucrat turned politician Pandian couldn’t be the Odisha CM. It added that if they come to power, they will appoint an Odia person as the Chief Minister of the state.   

BJP’s poll plank on restoring the Odia pride stemmed from the fact that VK Pandian was positioning himself as the political heir of Naveen Patnaik. While Pandian did not contest the elections, he is the chairman of ‘5T’ and the Nabin Odisha programs, apart from being the close associate of Odisha CM Patnaik. 5T is an Odisha government initiative by CM Patnaik to bring in 5Ts (transparency, transformation, teamwork, technology, and time management) across govt bodies.

Last year in October, VK Pandian took voluntary retirement from the civil services and was immediately given a cabinet minister equivalent post in the Odisha government. He had been the ‘right-hand’ man of CM Naveen Patnaik for over a decade. He was an Odisha cadre IAS officer from the 2000 batch who hails originally from Tamil Nadu. 

In 2011, Pandian was appointed as the Private Secretary of CM Naveen Patnaik. Though he was said to be very close to the CM and was widely seen as his ‘right hand’ man, Pandian rose to prominence in Odisha’s political and executive scenario after 2019, when he was appointed as the ‘5T secretary’. 

Pandian’s increasing influence and power projection in Odisha politics was raising many eyebrows as opposition leaders questioned how a serving IAS officer could be projected as the CM’s envoy and ‘replacement’, flying around in helicopters and being welcomed with garlands and flowers by the public and party leaders wherever he goes. Many opposition leaders had challenged Pandian to quit his job and join active politics.

Pandian, who became the “face” of the Naveen Patnaik government, openly declared in public meetings that he was there to meet people on behalf of CM Patnaik. 

CM Patnaik, who is 77, is not very physically active and does not step out of the CM residence very often. His alleged ‘deteriorating’ health prompted the BJP to assert that the Chief Minister was not seeking a fresh mandate for his government but rather for his Tamil-born successor Pandian. 

Following the electoral defeat, Naveen Patnaik held a conversation with reporters in Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneshwar where he categorically asserted that VK Pandian is not his “successor”. 

Patnaik said, “I would like to say that Mr. Pandian has also worked and helped in health, education, sports, and our programme of temple restoration. Mr Pandian joined the party but has not had any posts. I have always clearly said that when they asked me about my successor, I said clearly that it was not Mr. Pandian. I repeat it. The people of Odisha will decide my successor.”

Following these developments, VK Pandian released a video statement announcing that he is quitting active politics. 

Girl allegedly sold by her Muslim partner in Bahrain; Punjab and Haryana HC orders central and state governments to ensure her safety

OpIndia Staff
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Girl allegedly sold by her Muslim partner in Bahrain; Punjab and Haryana HC orders central and state governments to ensure her safety

A Muslim youth and a non-Muslim girl lived together in the Phillaur area of Punjab’s Jalandhar. She went to Bahrain in Qatar after some time and sent a video to her parents from there. Her parents then filed a habeas corpus petition in the Punjab-Haryana High Court, alleging that she was sold in the Gulf nation. The high court heard the case and ordered the central government to confirm the safety of the girl through the Indian Embassy there. Furthermore, the centre and state government have been asked to ensure that the family talks to the girl on video call.

The girl’s family asserted in their petition that their daughter was living with a 19-year-old boy and left on 9th March for Bahrain. A video of her surfaced from the foreign country in which she disclosed that she had been sold and was scared for her life. She believed that she would be murdered there. The central administration has been directed to intervene in the matter and bring her back to India. The development transpired after Sarvanjit Singh, the Phillaur Deputy Superintendent of Police submitted an affidavit.

The high court also sought a response from the Punjab government as well which mentioned that the footage was later deleted and the girl claimed that her family was calling her frequently and asking her to come back. Punjab Police revealed that her partner flew to Bahrain on 10th March. Judge Alok Jain of the high court who was presiding over the case pointed out that the girl’s welfare is the court’s first concern in the case. Additionally, he instructed the Station House Officer (SHO) of the relevant police station to contact the female and her family through audio or video chat to ascertain her present situation. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain will receive this information so that the rescue operation can commence.

The entire controversy arose after the girl’s video and it is imperative that the petitioners be given the opportunity to speak with their daughter. The court was informed that the unavailability of her address made the task challenging. Now, the court has instructed the Ministry of External Affairs to provide a thorough report on the initiative taken in this matter within a 15-day period.

Woman working for Sheikh dies under suspicious circumstances

Meanwhile, Harjinder Kaur, daughter of Darshan Singh of village Tibba in district Sangrur, has died under suspicious circumstances in Bahrain. She was employed in the house of a Sheikh there. She reportedly committed suicide, according to a report received over the phone. Harjinder, the daughter of a local shopkeeper who runs a puncture repair business, had travelled to Bahrain around two years ago via an agent.

Manjinder Singh, the brother of the deceased, announced in front of Kulwant Singh Tibba, convener of “Hope for Mahal Kalan” that his sister had returned to Bahrain on 24th March following a six-week leave. He highlighted that she could never commit suicide. He implored the central government for assistance in moving the body to India and carrying out a high-level investigation into the situation.

Pratapgarh: Dalit girl’s brother shot in the head for protesting molestation; Noorjahan, Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat arrested

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Pratapgarh: Dalit girl’s brother shot in the head for protesting molestation; Noorjahan, Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat arrested

A shocking murder case of a Dalit youth has come to light from Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district. The deceased victim has been identified as Vikas. The five accused are Ashfaq, Iqbal, Salamat, Rustam, and Noorjahan. On Thursday (6th June), his body was found under a bridge near the village and he had a gunshot wound to the head. According to reports, on 5th June, Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat had molested Vikas’s sister, which he had opposed. The police have arrested Ashfaq, Iqbal, Salamat, and Noorjahan, and are conducting raids to apprehend Rustam.

This incident occurred in the jurisdiction area of Antu Police Station in Pratapgarh district. Kamalesh Kumar, belonging to the Dalit community, filed a complaint with the police on June 6th (Thursday). In the complaint, he stated that on June 5th, his daughter had gone out for defecation. During this time, Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat stopped the girl and started molesting her. When the girl protested, all three accused began hurling casteist slurs at her. At that moment, her brother, Vikas, arrived. When Vikas also protested against his sister’s molestation, Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat threatened to kill him as well.

According to the complainant, his son Vikas went missing the same day. Despite extensive searches, the family couldn’t find him. The next day, villagers found a body under the bridge near the bypass and they informed Kamlesh about this. When Kamlesh reached the spot, he found Vikas’ body. Vikas was shot in the head. Kamlesh alleged that his son was murdered by Ashfaq, Iqbal, Salamat, and Rustam. The police have registered a case and started investigating.

The Police have filed a case against all the accused under sections 302, 201, 34, 354 (a), and 506 of the IPC, along with various sections of the SC/ST Act. Subsequently, they raided and arrested Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat. During the investigation, the name of 22-year-old Noorjahan also came to light; She is the sister of the main accused, Ashfaq.

The other aspect of this case is that on 5th June 2024, Afsana, the sister of Noorjahan, filed an FIR against Vikas for molesting her sister and opening gunfire when she refused. It was alleged that the shot missed Noorjahan. During the police investigation of the Vikas murder case, they also found Noorjahan’s involvement. Afterward, Noorjahan was arrested near the Setapur Mosque in the Antu area.

OpIndia has accessed a copy of the complaint. Police are continuously raiding in search of the fifth accused, Rustam, who is absconding. The houses of his relatives in the Raniganj and Mandhata areas have been searched, but he remains out of reach.

Muslims are fewer in number but still dominate the village

OpIndia spoke to Kamlesh who is the father of deceased victim Vikas. Kamlesh told OpIndia that the Muslim population in his village is less but still, they dominate. There are about 150 houses in the village, out of which the number of Muslim families is only around half a dozen. It has been claimed that the entire village is troubled by the actions of the accused. According to him, the accused mainly earn their living by driving. The family members of the deceased also believe that Noorjahan is the perpetrator of the entire incident. However, he expressed satisfaction with the actions taken by the UP Police.

The father of the deceased is disabled. He has a problem with his legs, which makes it difficult for him to walk properly. Vikas was around 24 years old and was currently looking for a job after completing a computer course. Vikas’s uncle described Rustam, who is absconding, as the biggest criminal among the accused. He claimed that Rustam had already been jailed for other criminal cases. We were also told that the Muslims in the village receive support from outside.

After having led the “India Out” campaign in the Maldives, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrives in India to attend PM Modi’s oath ceremony 

OpIndia Staff
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After having led the “India Out” campaign in the Maldives, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrives in India to attend PM Modi’s oath ceremony 

Several foreign delegates invited to the historic swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have landed in New Delhi. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived on June 8th, while Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu landed in the capital just hours before the event, where Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi will take the oath of office for his third historic term.

Notably, while seven foreign heads of state have been invited to the historic event, the presence of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu assumes greater significance amidst the strained diplomatic relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Maldivian President Muizzu, who led the “India Out” campaign during his presidential election, on Saturday stated that he would be “honoured” to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. He accepted the invitation from India’s Higher Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, who presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President’s Office.

Accepting the invitation, Muizzu added that his visit to India for the historic event would demonstrate that bilateral ties between the two countries are heading in a “positive direction”. Strikingly, this is Muizzu’s first visit to India after the pro-China leader assumed office in Male. 

Additionally, he was among the first heads of state to congratulate PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA on their electoral success. On June 4th, the day Lok Sabha election results were announced, he expressed his desire to work with PM Modi to advance the shared interests of the two countries.

On 4th June, he wrote, “Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries.” 

From India Out Campaign to seeking debt relief: Economically-strained President Muizzu tones down anti-India rhetoric to seek assistance for the country

The diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives have been tumultuous since November last year when People’s National Congress leader Mohamed Muizzu assumed office and took charge as Maldivian President. Known for his pro-China tilt, the PNC leader led the ‘India Out’ campaign during his Presidential election campaigning. Hours after taking the oath of office, the pro-China leader asked India to withdraw Indian military personnel from his country. 

Following his government’s repeated statements, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month.

Incidentally, the strained diplomatic ties further worsened after a few Maldivian Ministers made derogatory posts about India, Indians, and PM Modi over the latter’s visit to Lakshadweep. While PM Modi had made no mention of Maldives while promoting tourism potential in India’s islands, Maldivian Ministers made uncalled-for and derogatory remarks while responding to Indian social media users who claimed that Lakshadweep could replace Maldives as a preferred tourism destination for Indians. 

Strikingly, Political commentator Raushan Sinha shared PM Modi’s video ‘promoting tourism in Lakshadweep’ and asserted that it is a “big setback to the new Chinese puppet govt of Maldives”. The post irked Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts. The Maldivian leader responded to Mr. Sinha’s post by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel”, which she later deleted. 

The Indian government had then raised strong objections with the Maldivian government against the remarks made by Mariyam Shiuna. Subsequently, Shiuna, along with two more ruling party leaders in the Maldives, were later suspended. 

On their part, several Indians announced a boycott of their trip to Maldives. After the boycott trend in India, Maldives, whose economy depends on tourism, approached China urging Beijing to send more tourists to their nation. Following massive backlash from India and Maldives opposition parties, President Muizzu appealed to India to provide debt relief calling India their “closest ally”, effectively sounding a reconciliatory tone amidst the diplomatic row and Male’s strained economic condition.   

In an interview with local media ‘Mihaaru’, Muizzu further claimed that he has “not taken any action nor made any statements” that may strain the relationship between the two countries. Notably, it was his first interview after he assumed office in Male. 

However, as the relationship was witnessing signs of thaw courtesy of India consistently heeding Maldivian requests for assistance, Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna again made a derogatory post in April this year. Through the post which was later deleted, she mocked the Ashoka Chakra of the Indian National flag. 

The translated version of the tweet reads, “The MDP is heading towards the mouth. We need not fall into their mouth again.” The post also included a morphed election campaign poster of the opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), replacing the image of a compass with an image of Ashoka Chakra, insulting the Indian flag. The image of the fake poster also included the symbols of BJP along with the symbol of MDP, accusing of collusion between the two parties. Notably, MDP has been highly critical of Mohamed Muizzu’s government’s anti-India policy. 

However, despite derogatory posts by Maldivian ministers and anti-India rhetoric by PNC leaders, India has been assuring that China doesn’t tighten its grip on Male and that Maldives doesn’t go bankrupt under the Chinese debt trap strategy. India has been able to salvage the situation in the economically strained country and prompting the Muizzu government to sound a reconciliatory tone and further build, improve diplomatic ties with India. 

Last month, the Maldivian government thanked India for $50 Million in budgetary support and described it as a “gesture of goodwill”. 

President Muizzu’s visit to India for PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony has broken the ice, allowing the Maldivian leader to move past his anti-India campaign rhetoric and work towards rebuilding strong ties with India. The visit can accelerate the thaw in both countries’ diplomatic relationship and prompt Muizzu to take a balanced approach in International politics while maintaining cordial ties with India, or could end up as a redux of Shahbaz Sharif’s invitation to India for the oath-taking ceremony.

Indonesia: Woman missing for three days found dead inside 16-feet long python

OpIndia Staff
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Indonesia: Woman missing for three days found dead inside 16-feet long python

On Saturday, 8th June, an Indonesian woman, who was missing for three days, was found dead inside a python snake. The incident took place in the village Kalempang of South Sulawesi province where 45-year-old Farida’s dead body was discovered inside the reticulated python by her husband and residents of the village. Reports suggest that the python that swallowed the victim was around 5 metres or 16 feet long. Notably, Farida was the fifth person to be swallowed whole by a python in Indonesia since 2017.

Farida was reported missing on the night of 6th June. She went out for some work but did not return home, following which a search operation was launched. Village chief Suardi Rosi said while speaking to the media, “Her husband found her belongings, which made him suspicious. The villagers then searched the area. They soon spotted a python with a large belly.”

He added, “They agreed to cut open the python’s stomach. As soon as they did, Farida’s head was immediately visible.” Farida was fully clothed inside the python’s stomach.

Daily Mail’s report suggests that the python bit her on her leg and coiled around her body leading to her death by suffocation after which he swallowed her head first. In a statement, her husband Noni said, “I am forever sorry that I let my wife go out alone. If I had been with her that day, the snake would not have dared to touch her. I feel sorry for the suffering she went through. I am sorry for our family.”

Though such instances are rare, there have been reports where individuals were swallowed whole by large pythons. In 2023, a farmer was killed by an eight-metre python in the Tinanggea district of Southwest Sulawesi. When the residents of the village saw the snake, it was devouring the dead body of the farmer. The villagers then killed the snake.

A similar incident came to light in 2018 when the dead body of a 54-year-old woman was discovered inside a 7-metre-long python in Muna town in Southeast Sulawesi. In 2019, a farmer from West Sulawesi went missing and was later found eaten by a four-metre python on a palm tree plantation.

Indonesia is known for its large population of giant snakes. Interestingly, unlike the neighbouring countries, urban developments did not affect the population of giant snakes in the country.

Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar’s murder in West Bengal: CID recovers parts of human bones from bank of a canal in Kolkata

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar’s murder in West Bengal: CID recovers parts of human bones from bank of a canal in Kolkata

West Bengal police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detectives who are looking into the murder of Bangladesh MP Md Anwarul Azim Anar retrieved bones from the bank of a canal in North 24 Parganas on 9th June. The bones prima facie are suggested to be that of a human.

The bomes were discovered in Bhangar’s Krishnamati village on the southeast bank of the Bagjola canal after Muhammad Siyam Hussain (33), a crucial suspect in the case, was questioned on 8th June. He was apprehended by the Nepal Police and extradited to India. He was remanded to 14-day custody of the CID by a local court in Barasat in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas.

AK Chaturvedi, Inspector General of Police (IG), CID stated, “We have recovered some bones. Prima facie it appears to be human bones. We are sending them for forensic analysis. The bones appear to be that of the human rib cage and arms. The skull is yet to be recovered.”

An official mentioned, “If the forensic report confirms that they belong to humans, we will go for DNA analysis to ascertain that they belong to the murdered MP. For that, permission from the court is required. It is a long process.”

Another officer noted, “We have been searching this area for over two weeks based on the information provided by another accused Jihad Hawaldar, who was arrested on May 23. Hussain gave the specific location during interrogation.” According to CID officials, the location where the bones were uncovered at Polerhat in North 24 Parganas, on the side of a canal, is about fifteen kilometres from the New Town apartment where the MP was killed and his body was dismembered.

A senior official informed, “The bone parts appear to be of a human being as suggested by medical officers and forensic experts who were present when these were recovered. Search is underway to trace other body parts of the Bangladeshi politician.” Siyam Hussain, who has reportedly been instrumental in disposing of the MP’s body parts, was taken into custody by the CID on 7th June evening. According to officials, he guided the police to the location where the bones were found.

Investigation has revealed that Hussain and Jihad Hawaldar, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh who lived in Mumbai, disposed of the body parts and murder weapons. Hawaldar, a skilled butcher deskinned 55-year-old Azim’s body after he was slain in the New Town apartment, separated the flesh from the bones and sliced the body parts. He and Hussain discarded the murder weapons and bones in a canal while the flesh was flushed in a commode. Some flesh was recovered from a sewage tank in the New Town apartment where the MP was killed and has been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether or not they belong to a human.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch and CID have together apprehended five people in the case. Hussain and Hawaldar were arrested by CID, while three people were caught by the Dhaka police. US citizen Aktaruzzaman Shaheen, the murder’s architect and the assassinated MP’s longtime business partner, is still at large. The CID claimed that he is in possession of a US passport and escaped to the country. He reportedly used local accomplices to assist him in killing Azim and then fled via Kathmandu, Nepal, to the United States. The crime took place in his rented flat in Kolkatta and he paid around Rs 5 crore to those involved in the crime. He had landed in Kolkata over two months ago.

The Awami League leader was first strangled to death and then had his body hacked into pieces, according to circumstantial evidence. The search for the missing lawmaker began on 18th May after Gopal Biswas, a friend of his and a resident of Baranagar in north Kolkata, lodged a complaint with the local police. The MP landed in Kolkata on 12th May for medical treatment. Azim had arrived at Biswas’s house and was staying there. Azim was supposed to return for dinner on 13th May after leaving the house for a doctor’s visit in the afternoon, according to Biswas’ complaint. However, he registered a police report following the politician’s disappearance.

Anwarul Azim Anar was killed in a fancy apartment in the New Town neighbourhood outside of Kolkata. Hawaldar cut his body into pieces, mixed them with turmeric and dumped the body parts in various locations. The murder could have resulted from a disagreement between Azim and Akhtaruzzaman regarding gold smuggling, per the authorities. According to initial inquiries, Azim was tricked into giving out his location by Silasti Rahman, a model from Bangladesh who is believed to be a participant in the murder as well as an associate of one of his killers. The lady, who lives in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, is suspected of luring the MP to his demise before leaving with Amanullah Khan, another important accused. She has been nabbed by the Bangladesh police.

PM Narendra Modi hosts high tea for would-be ministers at his residence ahead of the swearing-in ceremony

ANI
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PM Narendra Modi hosts high tea for would-be ministers at his residence ahead of the swearing-in ceremony

Newly elected members of parliament who are among those probable to be included in the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers of Narendra Modi-led government were on Sunday afternoon invited for high tea at the Prime Minister’s residence ahead of the oath-taking ceremony later this evening.

BJP leaders Nirmala Sitharaman and Sarbananda Sonowal were seen arriving at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the residence of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi to attend the tea meeting today.

Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy and party leader Bandi Sanjay arrived together in the same car.

BJP leaders Piyush Goyal, S Jaishankar and Dharmendra Pradhan and RLD Chief Jayant Singh Chaudhary were also seen arriving for the customary high tea ceremony.

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan while leaving from his residence in the national capital said earlier today, “I am going to meet the PM.”

BJP leaders Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan were among others who arrived for the tea meeting.

Speaking to ANI, Republican Party of India Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Athawale said, “The Prime Minister has got a chance for the third time and history is being created under his leadership. I am happy that I am from the independent community and he has given me this responsibility, for which I thank the Prime Minister. Whatever portfolio I get, I will fulfil it with responsibility.”

Speaking to mediapersons today, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said, “It is the good fortune of the country that Modiji is taking oath for the third time. The resolution of a developed India will be fulfilled…the country will become a world leader …” On being asked about getting a ministerial post, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “I have no information as of now…”

BJP leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia, Manohar Lal Khattar, Raksha Khadse, Nityanand Rai, Harsh Malhotra Bhagirath Choudhary and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy were the other leaders seen arriving at the Prime Ministr’s residence this morning.

BJP MP-elect Rajnath Singh was seen leaving from his residence in the national capital on his way to the PM’s residence.

BJP leaders Jitin Prasada, Ravneet Singh Bittu arrived at 7, LKM this morning.

PM Modi will take the oath of office at 7.15 pm today along with his council of ministers in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously passed a resolution to elect Narendra Modi as their leader on June 5.

Around 1,100 traffic police personnel of the Delhi Police have been deployed and an advisory has been issued to the public for the traffic movement route arrangements have been made for the delegates as part of the arrangements for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s oath ceremony on Sunday.

Apart from this, NSG commandos, drones, and snipers will also guard the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the mega event.

Several leaders and State heads of neighbourhood region and Indian Ocean region have been invited for PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony as distinguished guests, a testament to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

As per the results announced by the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats and the Congress 99 seats. BJP had won 303 seats in the 2019 general elections and 282 seats in the 2014 general elections.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Who is Ram Mohan Naidu – The TDP MP who is set to become the youngest cabinet minister in Modi Govt 3.0

OpIndia Staff
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Who is Ram Mohan Naidu – The TDP MP who is set to become the youngest cabinet minister in Modi Govt 3.0

On 9th June evening, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi will take oath for the third consecutive time as Prime Minister of India. Several cabinet ministers will take oath with him. One of the names that have come up as one of the cabinet ministers to take oath is Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. Notably, he is set to be the youngest cabinet minister in Modi Government 3.0. He won the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 by defeating YSRCP’s Tilak Perada with an impressive margin of 3.2 lakh votes.

In a post on X, former TDP MP and industrialist Jayadev Galla congratulated Naidu on his new role and said, “Congratulations to my young friend @RamMNK on being confirmed as a cabinet minister in the new #NDA Government! Your sincerity and humble nature will surely be an asset to the development of the country. Wishing you all the best in your new role!”

36-year-old Ram Mohan Naidu is a close aide of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. He was born on 18th December 1987 in Nimadda, Andhra Pradesh. Ram Mohan Naidu is the son of former MP and TDP leader Yerran Naidu. He did his initial schooling from RK Puram-based Delhi Public School and earned a degree in Electronic Engineering from Purdue University in the USA after which he gained his MBA degree from Long Island.

Naidu was pursuing his career in Singapore when his father passed away in a road accident in 2012. He joined politics after his father’s death and became MP at the young age of 26 in 2014. He was the second youngest MP in the 16th Lok Sabha.

When Chandrababu Naidu was in jail, he stood by his son Nara Lokesh and led a front against the arrest of the TDP chief. Ram Mohan Naidu’s importance in TDP can be evaluated by the fact that he was entrusted with the responsibility of accompanying the TDP chief on all his visits to Delhi.

In 2020, he was awarded with Sansad Ratan. He has been a member of several committees including agriculture, animal husbandry, railways, home ministry, tourism and more.

On the personal front, Ram Mohan Naidu got married to Shri Sravya Bandaru in June 2017. Sravya is the youngest daughter of former minister and TDP vice president Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy.

Notably, his father Yerran Naidu was the youngest cabinet minister in 1996.

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