National

Annamalai Set to Meet Shah as BJP-AIADMK Alliance Gains Momentum

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2025

Speculation around the increasing momentum of alliance discussions between the BJP and AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections is on the rise. This follows the visit of BJP’s state president K. Annamalai to the national capital on Thursday, just a day after the meeting between Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), the general secretary of the AIADMK, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A faction within the Tamil Nadu BJP, including former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, is advocating for the re-integration of AIADMK into the NDA. Recently, Annamalai has also softened his previous stance regarding the Dravidian party. His visit to Delhi, where a meeting with Shah is anticipated, has sparked heightened interest in political circles.

Although EPS claims that the revival of the alliance was not discussed during his talks with Shah and that only state-related issues were on the agenda, he continues to assert that the DMK remains the AIADMK’s primary adversary, welcoming those who aim to unseat it from power. Unlike in previous situations, EPS has adopted a more nuanced approach, not entirely ruling out the possibility of rejoining the NDA, noting that any alliance could be formed closer to election time. Despite having exited the NDA before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has refrained from criticizing the Union government or BJP’s national leadership, viewing Annamalai as his rival. Both hail from the influential OBC Goundar community in the Western Tamil Nadu region, particularly the Kongu Belt, where both are vying for influence within the historically AIADMK-dominated area, according to analysts.

Annamalai’s efforts to assemble a BJP-led coalition and position his party as a viable alternative to the DMK may lead to collaboration with smaller parties like PMK and the Tamil Maanila Congress, led by former Union Minister GK Vasan, for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, even potential allies are urging the inclusion of AIADMK to enhance their chances against the ruling DMK in the assembly elections. The BJP faced challenges in 2024, failing to secure any seats despite numerous campaign visits from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In light of this, the national leadership of the party seems to be reevaluating its strategy for Tamil Nadu.

National

Killers Travelled 1,400 Km to Murder Delhi Professor

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Delhi Police solved the murder case of Delhi University professor Debosmita Paul within three days.

Investigators found that the accused had travelled nearly 1,400 km from West Bengal to Delhi to carry out the crime.

Police used CCTV footage, cab booking records, and GPS data to trace the suspects.

Seven special teams conducted raids across four states and arrested the accused in Bardhaman, West Bengal.

The investigation revealed that the murder was linked to a property dispute involving Paul’s ancestral property.

The swift and technology-driven investigation has been widely praised.

National

Ex-IAS Officer Dhanendra Kumar Dies in Delhi House Fire

Published

2 weeks ago

May 29, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Former IAS officer and the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Dhanendra Kumar, died after a fire broke out at his house in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area on Thursday night. He was 80.

According to police, the fire was suspected to have started after an air conditioner blast inside the house. At the time of the incident, five people, including family members and domestic staff, were present in the house.

Firefighters and police teams rushed to the spot and rescued the people trapped inside. Dhanendra Kumar and his son were taken to a nearby hospital. Kumar died during treatment due to smoke inhalation. His son suffered injuries and is now out of danger.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the incident. The house was badly damaged in the fire.

Dhanendra Kumar was a 1968 batch IAS officer. During his long career, he served in several important positions in the central and Haryana governments. He worked in ministries such as Defence, Road Transport, and Culture.

He also served as the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India from 2009 to 2011. He played an important role in strengthening competition laws and economic reforms in the country.

Even after retirement, he remained active in public policy and corporate affairs.

National

Woman Found Dead Six Months after Marriage

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

Namma Kudla

Lucknow: A young woman was found hanging at her in-laws’ house just six months after her marriage in Lucknow. The deceased has been identified as Shweta Singh.

According to her family, Shweta married Bhupendra Singh on November 22, 2025. Her father, Umesh Kumar Singh, alleged that her husband and his family harassed her regularly for dowry and demanded a car. He also claimed that Shweta faced mental torture from her husband and in-laws after marriage.

The incident took place at her in-laws’ house in the Thakurganj area of Lucknow. Shweta was rushed to a hospital, but doctors declared her dead.

Her parents suspect murder and alleged that the family tried to present the death as suicide by hanging the body. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Shweta’s husband and his family under Sections 80 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Police said the accused family members are absconding, and a search operation is underway. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further action will be taken after the report arrives.