2026 TN elections: Piyush Goyal in Chennai today to begin talks with NDA partners

IANS | December 23, 2025 8:34 AM

Chennai, Dec 23 (IANS) Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, recently appointed as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, is set to formally initiate alliance negotiations with the AIADMK and other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners during a one-day visit to Chennai on Tuesday.

Gujarat: GETCO to set up five new substations; strengthen 1,100 CKM transmission network

IANS | December 22, 2025 10:28 PM

Gandhinagar, Dec 22 (IANS) The Gujarat government has announced major investments to further strengthen the state’s power infrastructure, with Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) planning to set up five new substations and strengthen around 1,100 circuit kilometres (CKM) of transmission network during 2026–27, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

Thirumavalavan declares BJP ‘unwelcome’ in TN, slams Sangh Parivar

IANS | December 22, 2025 10:17 PM

Madurai, Dec 22 (IANS) Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan MP launched a sharp attack against the BJP and its ideological affiliates, asserting that the party would never be able to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu, irrespective of the form it takes.

Kerala: CPI-M’s factionalism helped BJP win Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

IANS | December 22, 2025 10:06 PM

Thiruvananthapuram Dec 22 (IANS) Factionalism within the CPI-M’s Thiruvananthapuram district unit surfaced sharply during the party district committee meeting held here on Monday, with leaders conceding that internal discord played a decisive role in enabling the BJP to wrest control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation for the first time.

Ambuja Cements’ board okays amalgamation of ACC Ltd and Orient Cement Ltd

IANS | December 22, 2025 9:55 PM

Ahmedabad, Dec 22 (IANS) Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, on Monday said it has received approval for two separate schemes of amalgamation from its Board of Directors — to merge ACC Limited and Orient Cement Limited — thus establishing a single consolidated ‘One Cement Platform’.

Area sown under rabi crop crosses 580 lakh hectares

IANS | December 22, 2025 9:22 PM

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) The total area sown under rabi crops in the ongoing winter season has increased by 8.11 lakh hectares to 580.70 lakh hectares as on December 19 this year, compared with the corresponding figure of 572.59 lakh hectares in the same period last year, data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed.