Tharoor's 'responsible statecraft' remark on West Asia draws mixed political reactions

IANS | March 19, 2026 2:36 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s remarks defending India’s diplomatic restraint over the ongoing West Asia conflict have sparked sharp reactions from leaders across the political spectrum, with some supporting his position while others criticised the Centre for what they described as an unclear foreign policy stance.

Trying to seek attention, ignore her: Oppn over Kangana's remark on Rahul Gandhi

IANS | March 19, 2026 1:53 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The controversy that erupted following BJP MP, Kangana Ranaut's remark on Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, refused to die down as various Opposition leaders on Thursday accused the actress of trying to seek attention and said it was better to ignore "people like Kangana".

Transfer to farmers under PM-KISAN scheme shoots past Rs 4.27 lakh crore

IANS | March 19, 2026 1:27 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's release of over Rs 18,640 crore as the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme this month has enabled over 9.32 crore farmers to receive financial assistance, out of whom 2.15 crore are women farmers.

Kummanam returns as BJP unveils second Kerala list amid internal churn

IANS | March 19, 2026 1:25 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 (IANS) Senior leader Kummanam Rajasekharan has been brought back into the electoral fray as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its second list of candidates on Thursday for the Kerala Legislative Assembly election 2026, seeking to quell internal discontent and recalibrate its strategy.

Amid Congress criticism, two of its veteran MPs justify Centre's West Asia policy

IANS | March 19, 2026 1:11 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, both Members of Parliament from the Congress party, have publicly defended India’s foreign policy amid the conflict in West Asia involving Iran, Israel, and the US. The two veterans have expressed support for India’s skilful management of the situation, emphasising the importance of safeguarding its own interests in the region.

Akhilesh's statement influenced by politics: OP Rajbhar on Varanasi iftar gathering

IANS | March 19, 2026 12:29 PM

Lucknow, March 19 (IANS) Amid the controversy over the arrest of 14 Muslim youths who allegedly organised an iftar gathering on a boat in the Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Thursday termed Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks as “wrong” and politically motivated. He also stated that the government was taking appropriate action in the matter.