India News LIVE | Mamata Banerjee assures support to Congress 'wherever it is strong'

"Congress party will stand up to the pledge made to 6.5 crore Kannadigas...the observers have submitted their written report to the Congress President...he will look into the report, will hold deliberations with state leaders & other central leaders and will take an appropriate call," Randeep Singh Surjewala, AICC in-charge of Karnataka, said on Monday. 

Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh arrives at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi. He is filling in for Shivakumar who could not travel to Delhi due to his stomach infection. 

The Kochi Magistrate's Court, on Monday, remanded the accused, who is a Pakistani national arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), to 14 days of judicial custody. He was arrested with 2,525 kg of methamphetamine drug worth Rs 25,000 crore. The operation has done by NCB and Indian Navy jointly under 'Operation Samudragupta,' ANI reported. 

Congress central observers for Karnataka have submitted their report on the opinion of MLAs on the CM candidate to party president Mallikarjun Kharge who will consult UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for a final decision, sources revealed per ANI. The new Karnataka CM will be announced in the next 24 hours. 

"Met Congress President respected Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji in New Delhi today and congratulated him on the victory of the Congress Party in the Karnataka Assembly Elections," Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren tweeted. "During the meeting, discussions were also held with respected Kharge ji on current and future political scenarios."

KPCC President DK Shivakumar is undergoing a medical checkup for his stomach infection which he revealed earlier today. He also cancelled his visit to Delhi for a party meeting due to his appointment. 

As many as 80 MLAs have sided with veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah in the race to become the new Karnataka Chief Minister, sources revealed to Republic TV. On the other hand, DK Shivakumar, the second contender, has the support of 40 MLAs. This revelation comes after the KPCC chief said that he will not be travelling to Delhi, on May 15, where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge chaired a meeting to choose the new Karnataka CM. Instead, sources reveal that Shivakumar is sending his brother DK Suresh to attend the meeting. Tap here to read more. 

A Royal Bengal Tigress, on May 4, gave birth to five cubs at the National Zoological Park in Delhi after 18 years, per ANI. While two cubs survived, three of them were stillborn, authorities said. Meanwhile, the cubs along with the mother Tigress are doing well and are kept under the surveillance of CCTV cameras and are being regularly monitored by the zoo staff.

Parts of West Bengal including Kolkata witnessed heavy rainfall on Monday after Cyclone Mocha made landfall along the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Read full story here. 

DK Shivakumar said that he has cancelled his visit to New Delhi for a party meeting regarding the selection of new Karnataka Chief Minister. While speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said that Congress can use him as 'footwear' if it wants. "I do not play games," he said. The Kanakapura MLA also revealed that he has a stomach infection and is scheduled to meet his doctor. 

A key party meeting is underway at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi to pick the CM face for Karnataka between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. 

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, while speaking on the opposition's seat-sharing formula for 2024 Lok Sabha elections', said that "strong regional parties must get priority."

Wherever Congress is strong, we will support it," she said revealing the Trinamool Congress' strategy.

The Assam Rifles, on Monday, carried out an air evacuation of 96 stranded people from Manipur's Chandel district, near the Indo-Myanmar border. All the rescuees were rehabilitated at Assam Rifles Camp since the onset of Manipur clashes on May 4.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that the cases related to the hooch tragedy will be investigated by the CB and CID. Nine people died in Viluppuram and five in Chengalpattu after they consumed liquor containing methanol, preliminary investigations revealed. The CM ordered the suspension of Villupuram SP and the transfer of Chengalpattu SP, in connection with the case. Moreover, ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs each to families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those currently under treatment have been announced. 

I'm a single man, I believe in one thing that a single man with courage becomes a majority...When all our MLAs left the party (in 2019), I didn't lose my heart," DK Shivakumar said. 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday has called a key meeting in Delhi which will take place shortly. Senior party leaders including Siddaramaiah have arrived in the national capital while Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar is yet to leave Bengaluru. 

"All MLAs have given their opinions on the selection of the leader. People have shown their faith in us and hence they have voted for us. Karnataka is the model for the entire country," KPCC chief DK Shivakumar said. 

Delhi's Patiala House Court remanded all six accused to 14 days of custody on Monday. The Court also directed the jail authorities to ensure their safety and security. The accused will be produced through video conferencing on May 29. This is in connection with the killing of gangster Tillu Tajpuriya inside the Tihar jail.

Congress is facing pressure from the Waqf Board which is demanding a Muslim Deputy CM and at least 5 Muslim ministers in the cabinet. The Waqf Board says that Muslims played a huge role in making Congress win the Karnataka assembly elections. 

A crowd of DK Shivakumar's supporters gathered outside his residence as the Karnataka Congress President is preparing to leave for Delhi, sources said. He will visit the national capital, on Monday, where the Congress leadership is deciding over who to make the new CM of Karnataka. Apart from Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah is the front runner in the CM race. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a supplementary chargesheet against one accused Faisal Muneer alias Ali Bhai in the case involving the activities of The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the proscribed terrorist outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Muneer, a resident of Talab Khatikan in J&K, has been named in the chargesheet for conspiring with Pakistan-based operatives of LeT/TRF for the transportation of firearms and explosives for carrying out terrorist acts in India, ANI reported. He conspired with his handlers based across the border to deliver the consignments of weapons and explosives to active terrorist commanders and operatives of the said outfits for the commission of terror activities in India, as per NIA investigations.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, on Monday, arrived at the Viluppuram Government Hospital to meet the people who were hospitalised after allegedly consuming spurious liquor.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar breaks ranks again as he said, 'I don't see any threat to the current government in Maharashtra even if 16 MLAs are disqualified, they have a clear majority.'

As Sachin Pilot concluded his Padyatra, he launched a massive attack on the Ashok-Gehlot-led Rajasthan government. While addressing a rally, Pilot said, "I asked how does a paper Leak happen? They said that no leader is involved in the paper Leak. I am simply asking how can you give a judgement without a full trial/investigation. The purpose of this rally was to expose the corruption done when BJP was in power and the paper Leak scam".

He added, "You can abuse me, insult me, I don't care. Nothing will happen by shutting down the internet services. No matter whether I hold any position or not, I shall continue to fight for the public till my last breath. I swear I will not step back, I will always be behind you. We are not against anyone but shall continue to walk on the path of honesty".

Pilot said, "I am warning the state government if action against corruption is not taken within 15 days then there it won't be good". 

In a massive breakthrough in the Delhi Liquor policy scam, a new employee has been arrested after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) tracked down a money trail. As per the sources, during the investigation, the central agency had established a money trail of Rs 17 crore in relation to which a news employee was arrested on May 12. Records like-- Whatsapp chats of Hawala Operators including indiscriminating pieces of evidence have been recovered that showcased the transfer of money. 

The amount came from one of the accused of a Liquor scam and was transferred to a company which has a link with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The money was transacted on  June 2021 and in June 2022.  Notably, the company was employed by the AAP for its outdoor campaign during the Goa Assembly Elections 

The amount can be changed as the probe is currently underway

AICC observers for Karnataka- Sushil Kumar Shinde, Deepak Bawaria and Bhanwar Jitendra Singh arrive in Delhi. Bhanwar Jitendra Singh said, "We held a 4-5 hour-long discussion with MLAs last night and took their opinion. We will submit our report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge".

Congress party has swept the southern state of Karnataka, which brings immense satisfaction to the party's top brass leaders. However, the biggest challenge is to decide on the next Karnataka Chief Minister face, in which heavyweights DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are the front runners. A Congress Legislature Party meeting on Sunday, has unanimously authorised Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to pick a name for the state's top post.

The credit for Congress' victory in Karnataka has widely gone to Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar and the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah. A tussle between both the contenders for the CM post is speculated as leaders in Delhi are deciding on the final name. As the CM race heats up in Karnataka, let's look back at DK Shivakumar's role in saving the Congress party from major setbacks. READ MORE

Republic accesses the SEBI rejoinder which stated that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has apprised the Supreme Court that the allegation that SEBI is investigating Adani since 2016 is factually baseless. SEBI has filed a rejoinder affidavit in response to a petition relating to the Hindenburg report.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met former President of India, Pratibha Patil and expressed his condolences to her on the demise of her spouse Dr Devisingh Shekhawat.

A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud is expected to give a final order on the matter of allegations of US-based short seller Hindenburg against the Adani Group. 

The court last heard the case on Friday. The court had constituted a special panel of six members on March 2 to look into the Hindenburg allegations. The panel was headed by former Supreme Court judge AM Sapre. The other members of the expert committee are former SBI chairman OP Bhatt, Justice JP Devadhar (retired), veteran banker KV Kamath, Infosys co-founder Nadan Nilekani and advocate Somasekhar Sundaresan, an expert on Securities law.  READ MORE

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sensed another Rajasthan-like infighting in Karnataka Congress for the Chief Ministerial post with heavyweights DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah in the race. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held on Sunday has unanimously announced that AICC President Kharge is hereby authorised to pick the Karnataka CM. 

BJP National Spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, taking to Twitter, said, "Congress is on its way to make another Rajasthan out of Karnataka. We can see the signs already. Just like they broke every promise to Rajasthan ( kisan karz maafi) & fought for post not promising they will defraud Karnataka too. This Congress govt will be the most corrupt, most unstable one. Save this tweet." READ MORE

Congress leader Siddaramaiah along with the frontrunner for the deputy CM position has left for Delhi from his residence in Bengaluru.

Supreme Court rejected to entertain a plea challenging a Bombay High Court decision dismissing PIL against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju for their remarks on judiciary and the Collegium system for appointment of judges.

Supreme Court rejected to entertain a plea challenging a Bombay High Court decision dismissing PIL against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju for their remarks on judiciary and the Collegium system for appointment of judges.

Congress leader Zameer Ahmed's name has come to the fore for the position of Karnataka Deputy CM, as per the sources.  Ahmed will be accompanying Siddaramaiah to Delhi.

As per sources, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge offered a 'split CM tenure' to Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar stating that both leaders will get the chance a chance to hold the office in 5 years. 

However, DK Shivakumar has rejected the proposal stating, "CM should hold office for 5 years".

A meeting between KC Venugopal and DK Shivakumar is currently underway and the KPCC chief is adamant about his demand for the CM post.

DK Shivakumar has stated that he has cooperated with Siddaramaiah in the past when the latter was made CM. Shivakumar has also said that he was not made a cabinet minister for 8 months at the beginning of 2013 but he cooperated. Shivakumar to also visit Kadusiddeshwara Mutt and seek guidance from his spiritual guru Nonavinakere Ajjayya

Sangrur court on Monday issued a summon against Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge following defamation regarding his remarks against Bajrang Dal. A defamation case was filed by Hitesh Bhardwaj against INC president Kharge. The Court has issued a summons to Kharge in the 100 crore defamation case.

After registering the victory in Karnataka Polls, Congress has been facing a row over the chief ministerial post as there is a long-standing tussle between DK Shivakumar and Siddarmaiah. Now, the grand old party has come under pressure from Muslim groups as the WAQF board has raised a demand that a Muslim Deputy CM should be made in Karnataka.

KPCC chief DK Shivakumar meets party general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde and other leaders in Bengaluru. 

Karnataka Congress MLA Ajay Singh said, "Everybody will come to Delhi, there's no problem. We have taken the opinion of everyone, there's no difference of opinion. Things will happen depending on whatever the High command ".

AICC observer Bhanwar Jitendra Singh address the issue of the decision on the state chief minister, "We have taken the views from all the MLAs, the meeting went on till 2 am. We have prepared a report and will submit it to the Congress president".

Congress leader BK Hariprasad on the decision on Karnataka CM said that a secret ballot was conducted and the decision will be taken today. 

BK Hariprasad said, "Secret ballot was conducted and a single-line resolution was passed. They (Observers) also spoke to each MLA and took their opinion both verbally and in writing. The decision has been sent to Delhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge will take a decision after talking to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi".

Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah's supporters have gathered outside his residence, as they were demanding to make Siddarmaiah the next Karnataka CM.  They chanted slogans like- 'High command supports Siddaramaiah.'

Trouble has mounted for Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jayant Patil as Enforcement Directorate issued a second summon as he failed to appear for the questioning.

Patil who was supposed to appear before the agency on May 12 in connection with a case pertaining to alleged irregularities related to Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) failed to do so and cited family engagements. 

ED has now asked the NCP leader to appear before it on May 22.
 

Rajasthan's former Deputy CM and Congress leader Sachin Pilot will conclude his five-day long  'Jan Sangharsh Yatra' today. He said, "State govt must take action against corruption, we still have 6 months time".

On being asked about the unity in Rajasthan Congress in view of upcoming state polls, Pilot said, "Neither I hurl allegations at anyone nor do I have any rift with anyone on an individual level".

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attends the convocation ceremony of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Pune, Maharashtra.

Congress leader Siddaramaiah will today visit New Delhi amid discussions in the party to decide the next Karnataka CM. He will be leaving by a special flight from HAL at 1 PM and arriving in Delhi at 3.45 PM. He will meet AICC leaders today itself. The return journey has been kept open as it is still not clear when he will return
 

As suspense over the Karnataka CM's face intensified, KPCC Chief DK Shivakumar on Monday clarified that he has not yet taken the decision to visit New Delhi as MLAs abd several leaders are arriving to meet him in Bengaluru.

"We have passed a one-line resolution. We will leave it to the party's high command. I have not decided to go to Delhi. I have done whatever job I have to do. Today is my birthday. I will go to attend poojas. The people of Karnataka have faith in me," said Shivakumar

A woman has been shot dead allegedly for consuming liquor inside Gurudwara in Punjab's Patiala. As per the sources, the deceased was identified as 33-year-old Parvinder Kaur and she consuming liquor inside Dukhniwaran sahib gurudwara in Patiala. A Gurudwara attendant got injured when he tried to stop a female from drinking. The female was then taken to the office of Gurudwara manager where a person pumped four bullets into her.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday continued searches in Jammu and Kashmir in the case of terror funding by Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir-- an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Earlier on May 11, the Central anti-terror agency carried out searches in Budgam and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA on May 4 conducted searches at 16 places in Jammu and Kashmir as part of its continuing crackdown on terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir in the case related to separatist and secessionist activities of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami.
Jamaat-e-Islami has been found carrying out terror funding activities in Jammu and Kashmir, even after being declared an unlawful association under the UA(P) Act on February 28, 2019. The NIA had filed a chargesheet in the case in a Special Court, Patiala House, New Delhi, on May 12, 2022, against four accused. It had earlier registered a suo motu case in the matter on February 5, 2021.

On May 4, the NIA conducted searches at the premises of Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) members and supporters at 16 locations, including 11 in District Baramulla in Kashmir valley and the remaining five located in District Kishtwar in Jammu region. Several incriminating materials and digital devices were seized during the searches and were being examined for more clues in the case.

NIA investigations so far have revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) members had been collecting funds domestically and from abroad through donations as well as for purported charitable purposes, such as promotion of education and health.

As Congress registered a thumping victory in Karnataka Assembly polls, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan gave a reality check amid the ongoing hype stating that the grand old party is not as strong as it used to be several years ago. The CPM leader's remark came after Congress won 135 seats with a majority mark as it pushed BJP out of power in the only southern state it was in power. The saffron party managed to win 66 seats while Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) bagged only 19 seats.

While addressing a public meeting at Guruvayoor in Thrissur district organised by the LDF as part of its second-anniversary celebrations on Sunday, Kerala CM asserted that Congress that ruled the country for over 60 years is weak in several parts of the country. He advised the grand old party to work according to the current political situation and form a strong opposition against BJP. READ MORE

Congress has got a clear edge in the Karnataka assembly elections 2023 and the reason is their two heavyweights- DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. In the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting organised to decide the next Chief Minister of the state on Sunday, the Congress party put forth a message of 'unity' amid the speculated tussle between both leaders who are front runners for the CM post. 

DK Shivakumar, on the sidelines of the CLP meeting, cut the cake and blew his 61st candle amid a massive celebration by All India Congress Committeee (AICC) and Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) members. Shivakumar was seen offering a bite of his cake to Siddaramaiah, who is competing against the latter for the CM post. The Congress party photographed the moment and tabled it as 'unity' within the party. READ MORE

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar arrives at Shangri-la Hotel in Bengaluru to meet party MLAs.

KPCC Chief DK Shivkumar and senior leader Siddaramiah will land in New Delhi today at around 3:30 and meet the top brass of Congress. As the newly elected party MLAs have unanimously passed an order for party president Mallikarjun Kharge to take decisions over CM face, the latter has been in constant touch with the Bangalore leadership and also with the Gandhi family.

However, Shivakumar said that he has still haven't decided whether he will visit the national capital today or not.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar meets his supporters who have gathered at his residence to wish him on his birthday today. Also, posters with birthday wishes were put up outside his residence in Bengaluru.

The Ministry of Railways launched the 'One Station One Product' (OSOP) scheme on Indian Railways.  Kaushik Mitra, CPRO Eastern Railway, Kolkata said, "We have set up many such stalls in Eastern Railway in which we are promoting local handicrafts. We have decided that this year we will conduct such programs in many more stations".

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke about how India responded to China at the Galwan Valley and asserted India's growing military might while speaking at Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Mahasammelan in Sambhaji Nagar on Sunday. Singh also recalled the valour and sacrifice of Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj while reflecting on India's growth as a country. READ MORE

The Congress Legislature Party has unanimously decided to leave the selection of the Congress Legislature Party leader to the decision of the AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are the top contenders for the Chief Minister's post. "The Congress Legislature Party unanimously resolves that AICC President is hereby authorised to appoint the new Leader of the Congress Legislature Party," the resolution said. READ MORE