Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation into the 'biggest stock market scam'. He questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave specific investment advice to five crore families investing in the stock market, and why they were interviewed by the same media owned by the same business group under SEBI investigation for manipulating stock. Gandhi also questioned the connection between the BJP, fake exit pollsters, and foreign investors who invested one day before the exit polls were announced and made a huge profit at the cost of five crore salaries. He alleged that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, who had data on actual election results, advised retail investors to buy stock.
Newly elected MP and actor Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force constable at Chandigarh airport, allegedly over "disrespecting farmers". The incident occurred as Ranaut was about to board a flight for Delhi. The CISF constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, allegedly told Ranaut it was for "disrespecting farmers" and alluding to the 15-month-long protest by farmers against the scrapped farm laws and other issues. Ranaut was escorted by security officers towards the security check-in, where she was seen talking to some CISF officers. The CISF Commandant has taken note of the incident and is questioning the constable. Ranaut did not speak to reporters after landing in Delhi. In a video statement, she said she is safe but is concerned about rising terrorism in Punjab. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee's chief Manjinder Singh Sirsa had called for an "unconditional apology" from Ranaut.
China has protested India's statement on social media that it looks forward to closer ties with Taiwan, insisting that New Delhi should resist Taiwan authorities' "political calculations." China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force. The statement came in response to a congratulatory message from Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on his election victory. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan authorities and countries with diplomatic relations with China.
The Indian government is set to play a key role in government formation, with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party reiterating their demands for special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The TDP won 16 seats, while the JD (U) secured 12. Both parties are part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. However, the concept of special category status has been removed by the Fourteenth Finance Commission, leading to a decline in calls for it. Experts suggest that the definition of special category status may not need to be changed, as there is no Planning Commission that used to decide on Plan expenditure. The Sixteenth Finance Commission is working on formulating tax devolution between the Centre and states for five years starting April 1, 2026. The demand for special category status has been raised since 2005 by Nitish Kumar and Naidu, who are also campaigning for it.
11 North East states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana, have been granted special category status. This status allows states to receive fiscal and tax benefits to attract investments and support economic development due to geographical and socio-economic disadvantages. The status was first introduced in 1969 when the Gadgil formula of fund allocation was cleared. Benefits include Central assistance of up to 90%, Special Plan Assistance for projects of special importance, and tax concessions, although many benefits have been subsumed under the goods and services tax regime.
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