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Chennai – Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai was arrested by Chennai police on Monday morning, just hours before he was set to lead a protest against alleged financial irregularities in the state-run liquor retailer, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). Annamalai, who planned to demonstrate outside the TASMAC headquarters in Chennai’s Egmore, was detained near his residence in Akkarai as he attempted to leave for the venue. Several other senior BJP leaders, including former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Mahila Morcha chief and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, and BJP MLA Saraswathi, were also taken into custody at different locations across the city. The protest was organized in response to a recent investigation by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), which uncovered an alleged Rs 1,000-crore corruption network involving state officials, liquor distilleries, and bottling companies. The ED’s probe revealed manipulation in tender processes, with contracts worth Rs 100 crore awarded to ineligible bidders. Major liquor manufacturers were found to have funneled unaccounted cash through bottling companies to bribe TASMAC officials for inflated supply orders. As BJP workers gathered across Chennai, police were deployed in large numbers to prevent the protest. Soundararajan was intercepted at her home in Saligramam, while BJP members attempting to march from Rajarathinam Stadium toward the TASMAC headquarters were detained en masse. Following his arrest, Annamalai criticized the ruling government, accusing it of stifling democratic dissent. “Is it because we announced the protest in advance that you are able to act in such a cowardly manner? What can you do if we launch a protest suddenly, without prior notice?” he remarked. The ED’s investigation also uncovered bribery in staff transfers and instances of TASMAC shops allegedly overcharging customers by Rs 10 to Rs 30 per bottle. The probe suggested that distilleries systematically inflated costs, particularly through fake bottle-making contracts, creating a cycle of illicit cash flow used for bribery and illicit payments. As the political battle over the TASMAC scandal intensifies, further action from both investigative agencies and opposition parties is expected.

The Congress party on Sunday strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for participating in a podcast with American computer scientist Lex Fridman, highlighting his reluctance to hold press conferences while engaging with a foreign podcaster. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary for communications, took issue with PM Modi’s remarks on the podcast, particularly his statement that “criticism is the soul of democracy.” Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of dismantling institutions meant to ensure government accountability and aggressively targeting his critics. “He who is afraid of facing the media in a press conference has found comfort in a foreign podcaster anchored in the rightwing ecosystem,” Ramesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He further added, “And he has the gall to say that ‘criticism is the soul of democracy’ when he has systematically gutted every institution that is to hold his Government accountable and gone after critics with a vengeance that no one in recent history has matched! There is no limit to Hypo(d)crisy.” During his conversation with Fridman, PM Modi discussed various topics, including his early life, the influence of Swami Vivekananda, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and international diplomacy. He spoke about his peace negotiation efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as his relationship with former US President Donald Trump. Discussing Trump’s leadership, Modi noted similarities between Trump’s “America First” policy and his own “India First” approach, emphasizing a shared focus on national interests. He remarked, “I have observed President Trump both during his first term and now in his second run. This time, he seems far more prepared than before. He has a clear roadmap in his mind with well-defined steps, each one designed to lead him toward his goals.” PM Modi also acknowledged the influence of the RSS in shaping his values, expressing gratitude for the organization’s role in instilling in him a sense of selfless service. The interview, while offering insights into Modi’s philosophy and governance, has sparked fresh political debate, with the opposition questioning his media approach and democratic accountability.

Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir – A militant was killed in an encounter with a joint team of security forces in the frontier northern district of Kupwara on Monday morning. The gunfight took place in the Krumhoora village of Zachaldara in Handwara, where security personnel had launched an operation based on intelligence inputs about militant presence. According to police sources, a joint team comprising the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army cordoned off the village to conduct searches. As the forces advanced, militants hiding in the area opened fire, triggering a gun battle. “Encounter has started at Krumhoora Zachaldara area of Handwara. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X (formerly Twitter). Officials suspect that at least two militants were present in the area. While an exchange of gunfire took place, no immediate casualties were reported among the security personnel. The operation was ongoing, with reinforcements deployed to the site. Further updates from the authorities are awaited as the situation develops.